North Carolina may be famous for its BBQ, but the Tar Heel State also knows a thing or two about how to serve up an incredible burger. Whether you like to pile yours sky high with toppings or like to try crazy combinations, there's no shortage of delicious burger options 'round here. To help you navigate the best-of-the-best we've created the ultimate burger bucket list that consists of eleven juicy burger joints you'll definitely want to check off.
1. Snap Dragon, Burnsville
Make sure you’ve saved your appetite for Snap Dragon’s massive Blue Ridge Burger, a whopping 1/3 lb. patty that comes build-your-own style, so add on as many toppings as you desire — if you think you can handle all that food.
2. Oliver's on the Cape Fear, Southport
Oliver’s Southern Burger makes mouths water starting with an 8 oz. chuck and short rib patty topped with pimento cheese, crispy bacon and friend onion rings.
3. The Loaded Goat, Mount Airy
Stick with tradition at the Loaded Goat and order a Carolina Burger that’s served "all the way" with black bean beef chili, house made slaw and mustard — it’s a true North Carolina classic.
4. Bull City Burger & Brewery, Durham
You can’t go wrong with Bull City’s Green Monster burger. It’s loaded up with Gruyere cheese, red onions and roasted poblano peppers. Add one of their craft beers to your order for good measure.
5. Carolina Burger, Lenoir
For some major heat, order the Carolina Fire Cracker at Carolina Burger, which comes in hot with jalapeño cream cheese and their specialty lava sauce, served on Texas toast instead of your average bun. We highly suggest ordering an extra water or two.
6. Tupelo Honey Cafe, Asheville
You won’t find a burger that screams the South more than the Pimento and Fried Pickle Burger at Tupelo Honey Cafe. It makes us wonder how have we not thought of putting fried pickle chips on a burger before now?!
7. Buns, Chapel Hill
For a truly unique burger experience, try the Roasted Beet Burger at Buns. Take your pick from beef, turkey or a veggie patty and it’ll be topped with roasted beets, blue cheese or fresh goat cheese, sherry vinaigrette and lettuce.
8. Childress Vineyards, Lexington
You might be surprised to find out a winery has one of the best burgers in the state! The Bistro Burger at Childress Vineyards is phenomenal with bacon, white cheddar, confit onions, fried pickles and malt vinegar mayonnaise all on a brioche bun.
9. Bad Daddy's Burger Bar, Winston-Salem
Bite into a Bad Daddy's Western Burger and you'll be hooked. The flavorful burger consists of monterey jack cheese, seasoned fried onion straws and barbecue sauce.
10. Big Burger Spot, Greensboro
On your next trip through Greensboro, be sure to order the Lone Star at Big Burger Spot. It's jam packed with chopped beef brisket, pepper jack cheese and crispy onions. We suggest adding their jalapeno relish to add a bit of a kick.
11. Winnie's Tavern, Wilmington
Burgers are a specialty at Winnie's Tavern and the Trailer Park Burger is bar none with Cajun fried green tomatoes, jalapeño pimento cheese, hickory smoked bacon and bread and butter pickles.
What’s your all-time favorite burger joint? Tell us in the comments.
Still hungry? Check out 10 More Burger Joints In North Carolina Guaranteed To Make Your Mouth Water.
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