Bacon Swiss Burger from Seaboard Cafe
Burgers are the quintessence of summer cook outs. By and far, hamburgers are one of America’s most loved, or at least most consumed foods. Many studies have shown that the average American eats three burgers a week. While most of us would boast our homemade burgers as the best, about 72% of burgers are eaten out at restaurants, so we want to know what Raleigh restaurant makes your favorite burger? In other words, where’s the beef?
Tim
While I have to admit that I believe the Borough has the best hamburger with the 1/2 lb Brute Squad, Seaboard Cafe is still my favorite burger destination. Set behind Logan’s Trading Company, Seaboard Cafe has dining open to the outdoors on the old railroad station platform. Set amongst the herbs and flowers, lunchtime lends itself to the familiar feeling of a savory cook out. Unlike places that grind their beef daily, the burger is not offered medium rare, none-the-less, it is consistently flavorful and juicy. They always have a basic burger and cheeseburger as well as a bacon swiss burger, pictured above, but the frequently featured burger specials are what really makes Seaboard Cafe my favorite burger joint. Recently I had one topped with fresh jalapeno and pineapple sliced and grilled. I’ve also been treated to pimento cheese on a burger, and while I never would have thought of it, I intend to mimic it at home soon. If you want to know the daily feature before heading over, they are really good about posting it online daily.
Karen
I could be wrong about this, but I have the feeling that Five Guys Burgers & Fries, tucked into a little corner near the movie theater at North Hills, is the only Zagat-rated burger shack in town. And it’s with good reason: succulent, juicy burgers with an unlimited amount of free toppings and fries made with fresh potatoes and a note on the menu that tells you where they came from (location changes daily). Plus, all-you-can-eat peanuts to munch on while you’re waiting for your order. I originally encountered Five Guys about ten years ago in D.C. (they’re pretty well-known throughout Virginia), and I’ve recently read that Michelle Obama is a big fan. I have a feeling her Secret Service detail knows the location of every Five Guys in the U.S.
Five Guys is no frills. It’s counter-service only, and they call your number when your order is ready. Think Char-Grill in an indoor setting. And its proximity to the theater means you probably don’t want to go there on a Saturday afternoon because it will be PACKED with a bunch of screaming kids. The only drawback is that they don’t serve alcohol, but that’s kind of a small price to pay for such a great burger.
Bernie Burger from Player’s Retreat
David
When I think of the Player’s Retreat, I think of whiskey, and their huge selection of spirits. But I also think about leaving the YMCA and chowing down on one of Gus’ burgers. PR grinds their own Black Angus beef, much like the fabled Raleigh Times. What’s weird is that I never expected the smoky PR to have great burgers- but they are absolutely fantastic- like a picture perfect backyard burger right out of the fifties. Their simple variations on the classics are excellent, such as the Wolfpack Burger served up Carolina style with chili, slaw and mustard, and the Bernie Burger, named after one of the original owners, topped with bacon, provolone, lettuce, tomato, onion & mayo. All the burgers come with house made chips- all at a very reasonable price. I like to go hide out in Players Retreat late in the afternoon, have a burger and a beer and a game of pool- and forget about that fast moving world outside- because at PR it’s always old school.
Billie
As a vegetarian, I’ve become quite familiar with Raleigh’s veggie burger offerings. Honorable mentions go to “The Redbeard” veggie burger at The Borough and the veggie burger at The Raleigh Times, but my favorite is the black bean burger from The Square Rabbit. The Rabbit is only lunch, and only takeout and catering, and their specials menu rotates daily, but the black bean burger is always there, and always good. It’s a hearty vegetarian black bean patty that’s grilled so it’s soft on the inside and just a bit crisp on the outside - lovely. It’s served on a pita or whole wheat bread with fresh lettuce, tomato and sprouts, cheese and “Jamaican Relish” optional (which I would not recommend skipping!!). It’s freshly put together while you wait, and the hot nuttiness of the black bean burger, next to crunchy cool veggies, and with a little tangy sweetness from the Jamaican relish is a collection of textures and flavors that compliment each other beautifully. At under $4, it’s a heck of a deal, and perfect for a lunch picnic downtown.
Ladye Jane
I’m not the biggest burger person in the world. I rarely eat them, and am pretty picky about the ones I do eat. I don’t like them really thick, actually, the thinner the better. For me, a Char-Grill burger is the perfect happy medium. Great burger, not too thick, but still has great taste. Half the fun is ordering at the window, joking around with the guys working inside and standing around talking with other customers while you’re waiting for your food. Everyone seems a little more friendly when they’re standing in line waiting on their Char-Grill, and there’s a reason the place has been a Raleigh institution since the late 1950s.
Picture of Mojoe’s sign by Smythe Richbourg
Jedidiah
Although Porter’s and The Raleigh Times definitely have the two most solid burgers in the area (in my opinion), one burger that really knocks my socks on fox off is the Inferno Burger at Mojoe’s Burger Joint on Glenwood South. I usually eat my burgers with Jalapeños and BBQ sauce with any cheese that isn’t swiss.
Luckily, the Inferno has just that, Jalapeños, Pepper Jack cheese, cajun seasoning (and I ask for a side of BBQ sauce). Berkeley Cafe has a similar burger, as do many restuarants, but Mojoe’s Inferno, when enjoyed with a Corona on the outdoor patio in the summer definitely keeps the heat up!
Plus, $1 burgers after 10pm and that awesome sign out front thanking you for your service? Gotta give it to Mojoe’s for offering a great burger on the cheap and humor while they are at it.
Rusty
There’s no shortage of places to grab a burger in Raleigh, but the outdoor dining and location of MoJoe’s has everybody else beat. The perfect late-night stop on Glenwood for a beer and a bite, you can get a burger for a dollar after ten. The kitchen is open until 1:30 most nights, and they do a burger right, every time. Then there is the one pound Hall of Fame burger, which can get you the not-so-unique distinction of having your photo on the wall. I can’t say personally that I’ve had the pleasure, but I can most definitely vouche for the Raleigh Burger. So if you’re looking for a place to sit outside, grab a burger and an ice cold beer, while watching the club-crowd make their way to all the hip, cool places on Glenwood South, MoJoe’s is your spot.
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