Char-Grill
Char-Grill: A Raleigh institution since 1959, serving classic charcoal-grilled burgers with a unique, old-school ordering experience.
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Char-Grill
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Char-Grill: A Raleigh institution since 1959, serving classic charcoal-grilled burgers with a unique, old-school ordering experience.
"Experience the taste of history with a classic charcoal-grilled burger and a fun, nostalgic ordering process!"
Visit during off-peak hours
Avoid long waits by visiting during off-peak hours, especially during lunch and dinner rushes.
Try the half-pound burger
For an exceptional taste experience, reviewers suggest trying the half-pound burger.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
American
Price
$
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Old-School Charcoal-Grilled Burgers
Experience a taste of history with classic charcoal-grilled burgers, a local fast-food staple since 1959.
Nostalgic Ordering Experience
Step back in time by filling out a paper order sheet with a pencil and watching your food being cooked.
Iconic Red Picnic Tables
Enjoy your delicious meal in a unique setting with iconic red picnic tables, perfect for a casual dine-in experience.
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Menu
Most Popular Items
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Visit during off-peak hours
Avoid long waits by visiting during off-peak hours, especially during lunch and dinner rushes.
Try the half-pound burger
For an exceptional taste experience, reviewers suggest trying the half-pound burger.
Wait for quality
Expect slightly longer waits than traditional fast food, but the quality of food makes it worthwhile.
Order specifics carefully
Ensure your order is accurate on the paper sheet, as mistakes can lead to confusion.
Tips
from all over the internet
Visit during off-peak hours
Avoid long waits by visiting during off-peak hours, especially during lunch and dinner rushes.
Try the half-pound burger
For an exceptional taste experience, reviewers suggest trying the half-pound burger.
Wait for quality
Expect slightly longer waits than traditional fast food, but the quality of food makes it worthwhile.
Order specifics carefully
Ensure your order is accurate on the paper sheet, as mistakes can lead to confusion.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Char-Grill is a beloved local institution, celebrated for its consistently delicious charcoal-grilled burgers and unique, old-school ordering experience. Diners appreciate the nostalgic atmosphere, friendly service, and the quality of the food, especially the half-pound burgers and fries. While some reviewers note that wait times can be longer than typical fast-food chains, most agree that the taste and experience are well worth it. A few negative experiences have been reported regarding customer service and order accuracy.
"If you’re craving an excellent cheeseburger or hamburger, treat yourself to Chargrill. These are some of the best fast food burgers around. Go for the half pound burger, you won’t be disappointed. The wait time is a little bit longer than your typical fast food joint, but it’s worth it. The food at this location was excellent, and the staff was very friendly and courteous."
Andrew Turnbull
"Old school feel, yummy food, amazing music and family friendly. What more can you ask for! Also, I love the way you get to order your food here, fill out a slip and send it through the order window and then you get to watch your food being cooked and then they call your name to come get your food."
Tori Brock
"Classic burger joint. Fast , to the point ordering and great service. Amazing taste in food been here several times and just perfect for the charbroiled burgers over the grill and hot dogs"
Braulio Martinez
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Char-Grill is known for its old-school feel, charcoal-grilled burgers, and a unique ordering process where you fill out a paper order sheet.
Wait times can be longer than typical fast-food restaurants, especially during peak hours. It's recommended to visit during off-peak times.
Many reviewers recommend the half-pound burger for an exceptional taste experience. The fries and milkshakes are also popular.
While not a traditional online ordering system, you can place orders by phone or by filling out the paper order sheet and sliding it through the chute.
The menu primarily focuses on burgers and hot dogs. While not explicitly stated, diners may inquire about modifications.
Char-Grill offers a nostalgic atmosphere with retro decor, classic music, and iconic red picnic tables for dining.
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Raleigh, NC Restaurant for Lunch
Near your hotel, even if it's just for a milkshake or an apple turnover, make sure you get to Char-grill off Edwards Mill Road. Your hotel will be able to give you directions. Char-grill burgers are wonderful - the best!
23 Of Our Favorite Downtown Raleigh Restaurants For All Tastes!
10.00am – 9.00pm Monday, 10.00am – 11.00pm Tuesday – Thursday, 10.00am – midnight Friday and Saturday, 10.30am – 9.00pm Sunday. It doesn’t get more old school Raleigh than Char-Grill, a local fast-food chain that’s been serving charcoal-grilled burgers fresh off the grill in their iconic downtown location since 1959. Take a trip down memory lane at this fun burger joint with a true old fashioned feel – just placing your order is a part of the experience as you fill out a paper order sheet with a pencil and wait while your food is cooked to order.
Where the Chefs Eat
3211 Edwards Mill Road; 618 Hillsborough Street; 9601 Strickland Road; 4621 Atlantic Avenue | chargrillusa.com. You can’t beat a classic, and that’s why Char-Grill is Whiskey Kitchen executive chef Kyle Teears’ favorite spot to eat. A Raleigh institution since 1959, the beloved burger joint specializes in hamburgers cooked over charcoal flames, resulting in what some might say are the best burgers in the city, along with hot dogs, hand-cut fries and other sandwiches.
Oldest Restaurants in Raleigh | Iconic Dining Spots
In 1960, restaurateur Bruce Garner built the original Char-Grill—a small, cinder block building on the edge of downtown Raleigh with takeout-only service for flame-grilled hamburger steaks and French fries. Nearly 60 years later, not much has changed at this Hillsborough St. icon. Hungry diners still scribble their order on sheets of paper before sliding it down a shoot where it lands near the grill.
The 8 Best Kept Secret Restaurants in Raleigh
You may ask yourself how, if these are the best burgers in Raleigh, have you never heard of them?. The simple answer to this is because it’s a small, no-frills joint that your eyes might gloss over. But if you give it a closer look, you’ll see that you have to order old school - you pick up a tiny yellow pencil, check off what you want on an order sheet, and slip it through the slot on the window.
20 Raleigh Hidden Gems and Long-Standing Restaurants Worth Supporting
Pick up a tiny yellow pencil, mark your order sheet, slip it through the slot, and watch your burger being cooked through the window. With hamburger steaks, cheeseburgers, hotdogs, and BLTs, Char-Grill is a great place to grab take-out when you are on the go. As the weather starts to warm up, consider hanging around to eat in the sun at their classic red picnic tables.
Best Food - Raleigh, NC
For hamburgers, Raleigh is the home of the first Char-Grill (now a local chain), where flame-cooked burgers come normal-sized or as quarter- and half-pounders. Char Grill is open until 3am on weekend nights. For breakfast, it’s no secret that Big Ed’s City Market is the town’s top choice — there’s always a line waiting to get in.
The 19 Best Restaurants in Raleigh, North Carolina
In a city brimming with innovation, Char-Grill shows us why sometimes it's best not to mess with a good thing. This old-school burger joint has been serving up cheap and delicious flame-grilled burgers since 1959, and people cannot get enough. With its 10 locations, visitors can find a Char-Grill in every corner of Raleigh.
The 8 Best Fast-Food Chains From North Carolina
Centralized in North Carolina's Triangle area, Char-Grill is another small, locally acclaimed burger chain that offers good eats with a touch of spectacle. The first restaurant opened in 1959 near N.C. State's campus and still is in operation today along with eight other locations that opened over the years.
Triangle NC food: Best bbq, biscuits, tacos, fried chicken
You can go traditional and hit up landmarks like Player’s Retreat and Char-Grill in Raleigh, or try strong upstarts like Al’s Burgers (Chapel Hill), Bull City Burgers (Durham) and Fine Folk (Raleigh). Drew let the people vote on Raleigh’s favorite burger and the winner was Neuse River Brewing.
Highest-rated Cheap Eats in Raleigh, According to Tripadvisor
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (145 reviews)- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.5/5), Atmosphere (3.5/5)- Type of cuisine: American, Fast Food- Address: 618 Hillsborough St, Raleigh, NC 27603-1732- Read more on Tripadvisor
13 Good, Cheap Eats in Raleigh
Char-Grill – 618 Hillsborough Street (multiple locations) – Since 1959 they have been making burgers and dogs over coals. This location is the original. It is take-out only service but with a few tables provided.
Where to find lunch for $12 or less in Raleigh
Char-Grill, multiple locations | BLTs + barbecue sandwiches are priced low at this Raleigh staple, the first of its kind.
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