Best Burger By State

[Ivan The Awesome]

Penguin unfortunately blows now. After the ownership debacle, everyone stopped going there and Penguin tanked. They actually declared bankruptcy a few months back. The guys that ran the Penguin (but didn't own it), now own and run the Diamond just down the block.

 

If you liked the burgers at Penguin, you must now go to the Diamond to eat them. 

 

The new Penguin is pretty awful IMO. I've had two experiences there and was not a fan of the new menu.

 

 

Wow, a lot has happened in 4 years. o.O I'll have to add that place to my list as well. The Diamond you say?

[PanthersBigD]

I don't give the Chive much credit when it comes to stuff like this. They're lazy and they repost a ton. I doubt that's even original content, but it might be since it looks like such a crappy job was done compiling the list.

 

My father in law swears by Duke's, he's been going for decades. I don't get over to Monroe much so I have never had one. I'm betting I'd still pick a Cowfish or Bad Daddy's burger over Duke's, but it's cool that it's been around for so long.

[Seal (SmittyIsOurSavior)]

Cain's on 53 in White Oak outside of Elizabethtown might just have the state's best burger. That'd probably be my vote.

 

Buns in Chapel Hill and Melvin's in Elizabethtown can be 2nd and 3rd respectively.

[MadHatter]

Swung in to Dukes and had their Carolina burger for lunch today.

Dear God that was the absolute best burger I have ever had.

[Happy Panther]

I don't give the Chive much credit when it comes to stuff like this. They're lazy and they repost a ton. I doubt that's even original content, but it might be since it looks like such a crappy job was done compiling the list.

 

My father in law swears by Duke's, he's been going for decades. I don't get over to Monroe much so I have never had one. I'm betting I'd still pick a Cowfish or Bad Daddy's burger over Duke's, but it's cool that it's been around for so long.

The whole list is silly except for North Carolina I think.

 

Bad Daddy's has great burgers

[Happy Panther]

Swung in to Dukes and had their Carolina burger for lunch today.

Dear God that was the absolute best burger I have ever had.

You don't have a camera on your iPhone?

 

Post that poo next time!

[TheRed]

Bad Daddy's is alright, but not what it used to be, and over priced.

[Panthro]

I like the southern crunch burger at the liberty....they also had a lamb burger that was the best thing ever but I haven't seen it in a while

[TheRumGone]

Harry's right outside asheville.

fuging unreal burger joint. Real weird inside though.

[Niner National]

Wow, a lot has happened in 4 years. o.O I'll have to add that place to my list as well. The Diamond you say?

Yes. Literally on the opposite end of the block (On Commonwealth, not Thomas St) from the Penguin.

 

The burgers even have the same name they did at Penguin. They basically took the original Penguin menu with them and added to it.

 

What happened was the Penguin name and building was owned by a woman named Lisa Ballentine. Her father started the Penguin in the 50's.

 

The guys that took over and started running the Penguin in (I think the 90's) revived the Penguin and made it a popular place to be. After it became outrageously popular, Ballentine decided she wanted to franchise the restaurant. The operators didn't want to. They were already planning to open a new restaurant at the Diamond, but when they were forced out, they basically incorporated the Penguin menu into the concept at the Diamond.

 

A big media poo storm blew up and just like that, nobody went to the Penguin any more. The two times I went after that, the place was virtually empty. Both times there were 5 or less people in the restaurant. The owner (Ballentine), literally chased me down in the parking lot to thank me for coming in as I left.

 

I'm hoping someone new will eventually take over and make the place a popular spot to go to again. Right now it is basically wasted space in the neighborhood.

[Growl]

Mango Mike's in the Florida Keys has the best burger I've ever had. Period.

[Brooklyn Bully]

I've had great burgers everywhere. It's impossible to pick a best. 

[Porn Shop Clerk]

i love chargrill out in raleigh, and brightstar in mount holly

 

i was not amazed by the penguin, but i think it had just gotten too much hype at that point

[cookinbrak]

Henry's, in Wilmington, has a great burger, the Wilmingtonian. 1/2 lb burger with bacon, pimento cheese, and fried green tomato.