These are the best burgers to go at Charlotte NC restaurants

The Ace at Ace No. 3 won “Best Burger” in Charlotte Magazine’s 2020 BOB awards.
The Ace at Ace No. 3 won “Best Burger” in Charlotte Magazine’s 2020 BOB awards.

We are now more than a month into the new year. Some of us made resolutions to eat better. Some of us made resolutions to work out more (if that sounds like you, this list may be a serious temptation). However, some of us could really use a hearty, thick burger.

To help narrow down your search, here are 10 of Charlotte’s best burgers and where you can find them, COVID-19 style. Read more below on how to get your hands on some of Charlotte’s best burgers through takeout or delivery services.

(1) ACE No. 3

1001 Belmont Ave.

What to order: The Ace (shown above)

The Ace is ACE No.3’s notorious burger. It even won “Best Burger” in Charlotte Magazine’s 2020 BOB awards. The Ace is stacked with two beef patties, American cheese, steamed onions, pickles made in-house and the restaurant’s signature comeback sauce. The ingredients may seem simple, but the taste is far from it.

Takeout info: Order online for takeout or delivery through Door Dash here.

(2) Bang Bang Burgers

235 W. Tremont Ave., Suite 101

2001 E. 7th St. D

EA7920AB-8E74-4E0C-8515-6950B78802BD.JPEG
Bang Bang Burgers is in the Elizabeth neighborhood of Charlotte. Alex Cason CharlotteFive

What to order: Hangover

You can’t go wrong with any burger from Bang Bang Burgers — even Guy Fieri checked this spot out. However, the Hangover could actually cure your Saturday morning hangover. This burger is made with sharp cheddar cheese, potato and bacon hash, topped with a fried egg and served with Bang sauce.

Takeout info: Bang Bang Burgers is available for takeout and delivery through some third-party services, such as Postmates and Grubhub.

(3) Brooks’ Sandwich House

2710 N. Brevard St.

Brooks-696x928.jpg
A burger and fries from Brooks’ Sandwich House. T. Ortega Gaines/Charlotte Observer

What to order: Burger “All The Way”

Brooks’, a Queen City classic, is a roadside sandwich stop in NoDa. Grab plenty of napkins and order a burger “all the way” with mustard, onions and homemade chili. Oh, and try to bring cash with you because this spot does not accept credit card payments. However, if you forget, there is an ATM on the premises.

Takeout info: At Brooks’, there is no indoor seating. Everything is prepared for takeout, you just have to order at the window.

(4) The Comet Grill

2224 Park Road

QJC192B_cometgrill.jpg_03-0.JPG
The Comet Grill on Park Road. PETER C. GILCHRIST

What to order: Comet Classic Burger

The Comet Grill is a local favorite in the Dilworth neighborhood. It has been applauded for great service, the live music (pre-COVID-19 pandemic) and its fun, no-frills atmosphere, along with its burgers and other menu items. The Comet Classic Burger is piled with pimento cheese, bacon, grilled onions, lettuce, tomato, mayo, mustard and ketchup.

Takeout info: Orders from The Comet are available for takeout, curbside pickup and delivery through Postmates.

(5) Derita Dairy Bar & Grill

2737 W. Sugar Creek Road

CLT_Darita_Dairy_Bar-02322
Derita Dairy Bar owner Devin McDaniel gives Steven Copeland his takeout order at the walk-up window. Alex Cason Photography CharlotteFive

What to order: DBG Burger

Derita Dairy Bar & Grill is a family-owned, walk-up window style restaurant for carryout orders only. Menu items include classic sandwiches, hot dogs, shakes and burgers Tuesday through Saturday. Order the DBG burger with your favorite toppings, and make it a double or triple if you are really hungry.

Takeout info: Derita Dairy Bar & Grill is a walk-up window style restaurant that is for takeout only.

(6) Mr. K’s

2107 South Blvd.

What to order: Double Big K

Mr. K’s is another Charlotte gem that has been serving the community since 1967. This joint sells classics such as fries, milkshakes and, of course, burgers. Go big and order a Double Big K with or without cheese, and pile it high with your choice of toppings, such as banana peppers, grilled or raw onions, jalapeños, lettuce, pickles, relish, sauerkraut, tomato and coleslaw.

Takeout info: Place your order at Mr. K’s by calling ahead or walking in for takeout.

(7) Pinky’s Westside Grill

1600 W. Morehead St.

White trash burger, pinkys _ Credit_ Jennings Cool.jpeg
Pinky’s White Trash Burger is piled with fried pickles, fried onion straws and spicy ranch. Jennings Cool CharlotteFive

What to order: White Trash Burger

Pinky’s is an auto shop turned burger joint with several unique menu items. Fieri has stopped to see what this place was all about for Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives,” too. You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu, but the White Trash Burger is a notorious crowd-pleaser. It is stacked with provolone, fried pickles and fried onion straws and served with a spicy ranch dressing. Will you be making it a double?

Takeout info: Orders for pickup or delivery can be placed through Door Dash.

(8) Reid’s Fine Foods

121 W. Trade St., #150

2823 Selwyn Ave.

4331 Barclay Downs Drive

Reid_s Steakburger, courtesy of Reids but JULEEHO Media took the photo.jpg
The Steakburger at Reid’s Fine Foods is made with house-ground filet, sirloin and ribeye. JULEEHO Media/Courtesy of Reid’s Fine Foods

What to order: Reid’s Steakburger

Redi’s Fine Foods is a specialty food store known for its meats, wines, produce and prepared fresh meals. You can dine in at the shop’s wine bar or pick up takeout items to enjoy at home.

Every Tuesday, Reid’s Steakburger is on special for almost half off; the burger is normally $15, but on Tuesdays, it is $8.50 at all locations. This burger is cooked to order and made with house-ground filet, sirloin and ribeye. It is then topped with lettuce, tomato, red onion, your choice of cheese and two other toppings you pick, including avocado, caramelized onions, mushrooms or bacon.

Takeout info: Orders can be made online for pickup and delivery service. Just pick your store location and time of your order.

(9) The Stanley

1961 E. 7th St.

Credit_ Peter Taylor (The Stanley).JPG
The Stanley offers the Stanley Burger — whose a patty includes truffles and foie gras — for dinner on Wednesday through Saturday. Peter Taylor

What to order: The Stanley Burger

The Stanley is a farm-driven restaurant in Elizabeth with a constantly evolving menu. For dinner Wednesday through Saturday, the Stanley Burger is available to go or for dine-in at the bar. This burger is a special house blend of ground beef spiked with truffles and foie gras.

It is topped with pickled onion, lettuce, tomato, house mustard and ketchup, all between a housemade bun. Fries and “everything sauce,” a ginger miso hot pepper mayo, are both available on the side for $18. The Stanley Burger will be available for the foreseeable future.

Takeout info: The Stanley Burger is available to go or for dine-in at the bar only. For carryout orders, just give the restaurant a call.

(10) Zack’s Hamburgers

4009 South Blvd.

Zack_s Special, Zack_s Hamburgers Credit_ Jennings Cool.jpeg
The Zack’s Special burger at Zack’s features two patties, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, onions, mayonnaise and special sauce. Jennings Cool CharlotteFive

What to order: Zack’s Special

Zack’s Hamburg
ers has been flipping burgers since 1975. Mondays through Fridays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., you can get your hands on a Zack’s Special: an award-winning burger made with two beef patties, American cheese, fresh-cut lettuce, tomato, pickles, onions, mayonnaise and special sauce, sandwiched between a toasted sesame seed bun.

Takeout info: Orders from Zack’s are available for takeout and for delivery from some third-party services like Grubhub and Postmates.


Get our newsletter

Sign up now to get CharlotteFive in your inbox daily.


Follow more of our reporting on Coronavirus in North Carolina

See all stories

Related stories from Charlotte Observer

This week: Meet Black creatives, explore African music, support a Black-owned bookstore

February 07, 2021 10:00 AM

Your 5-minute guide to the best things to do in Charlotte | Feb. 5-11

February 03, 2021 10:59 AM

Wonder what it’s like having a baby? Page and Jake Fehling dish in their new book.

January 26, 2021 12:55 PM

Pandemic pups, COVID cats — how to care for your new pets in the winter months

February 02, 2021 10:08 AM

On Super Bowl Sunday: Time to party in a pandemic (at home, with takeout).

January 28, 2021 4:10 PM

Your ultimate guide to a COVID-19-friendly Valentine’s Day in Charlotte

January 27, 2021 12:30 PM


Profile Image of Jennings Cool