These local brick-and-mortar establishments are taking to the streets to deliver their delish eats and drinks on the go.
Samantha Bechtold
Trophy Trailer
If beer on the go is your thing, enter Trophy Brewing Co.’s brand-new mobile bar and taproom (!). Designed with the intention of serving beer more easily at events (you may have seen it at the likes of Brewgaloo, Gettin’ Piggy With It and Raleigh Fashion Fest), the trailer feats five drafts of Trophy beer, as well as wine and draft cocktails made with Young Hearts Distilling liquor, natch. When it’s not rolling around town, you can find it parked at Trophy Maywood serving up bevs to be enjoyed outside on-property. “We always want people to come visit us at the brewery, but we’ll also put out the beacon and have people try our beer and spirits out in the wild,” says Trophy co-owner Chris Powers. Cheers to that! @trophymaywood
Wandering Wolf Food Truck
Schnitzel on the road? Say less. Capital Club 16 is launching a new food truck this month—painted by local treasure/sign painter extraordinaire Joe Giampino of Spclsigns—with beer garden-style fare parallel with its brick-and-mortar menu. Spot it at the likes of Trophy Brewing, Clouds Brewing, R&D Brewing and more ~three days a week to start. “The food truck is a natural step for us to take our show on the road year-round,” says chef/owner Jake Wolf. “We also hope to stir up some synergy with the Wandering Wolf and our restaurant in Downtown.” Prost!@capital_club_16
Believe it or not, Raleigh’s Pride Month all started with a Videri chocolate bar. It was June 2019, and $1 for every Raleigh Pride rainbow-decorated bar sold was donated to the LGBT Center of Raleigh. From there, a sweet (had to) partnership unfurled in the form of 40 events and $35,000 raised for the center during the proud org’s first year.
Co-founded by Roxanne Lundy, Trey Roberts and Josh Lamm (fourth member David Moore joined the team last year), Raleigh Pride—now a 501(c)(3) that fundraises for its own programming but still works closely with the LGBT Center—snowballed very quickly, according to Lundy, because “clearly the community wanted to embrace celebrating Pride in June.”
It was a trip to love-filled NYC during Pride Month that served as a springboard for Lundy to join forces with Roberts and Lamm. “The city was just explosive with Pride celebrations, color and energy—it was so overwhelming in such a positive way,” she recalls of the inspo behind recreating a similar celebration here.
“We were all blown away by the support,” Lundy says of Raleigh Pride Month’s inaugural year. “We thought Raleigh needed a little something—and clearly everyone else did too.”
Since Raleigh’s first inclusive celebration, the “pride is for everyone” mantra has manifested via loads of loving local businesses and organizations showing up to partner with and support Raleigh Pride. Now, Pride Month has become more important than ever—especially given Raleigh’s diminishing queer spaces (see “All in the Gayborhood” sidebar) and the denary of local anti-trans bills (see “The Ups & Downs of Pride History”).
“Raleigh is a space for us and we have the power and ability to shape what it looks like,” says Roberts. “The city’s in its adolescence right now—figuring out who we’re gonna be in the future—and having a strong Pride presence will help ensure [Raleigh is] always inclusive.”
To propel that goal, we’ve put together your go-to source on Raleigh Pride history, events and more so you can stay loud, stay proud and stay inclusive.
Got Pride?
There’s no such thing as being extra in June. Get loud and proud at these monthlong Raleigh Pride celebrations in tandem with a host of community partners. From parties and drag shows (natch) to panels and beyond, it promises to be the most out and proud year yet.
June 2 QUEER PROM Not all heroes wear capes—but, like, wear whatever makes you happy. Wake County’s first-ever free queer prom invites all LGBTQ+ high school students and allies to strut their stuff at the North Raleigh Hilton, no dress code required. Yasss, kween!
June 2 Plaza Pride Party We’re coming out. Let your true colors shine through at this fam-friendly Pride First Friday kickoff to Pride Month in partnership with Downtown Raleigh Alliance at Exchange/Market Plazas feat. DJ Steven, community, a curated market of local vendors and, well, all the feels. So you can love yourself—and all the she/her, he/him, they/them, us/we. raleighpridenc.com
June 3 2023 Run for Love 5K & Day Party Lace up for love and chase the rainbow via a new route through Dix Park starting just off Lake Wheeler Road for the annual 5K benefiting Raleigh Pride and the LGBT Center of Raleigh. And because the children are the future, to get extra loud and proud, bring the minis to pound the pavement for the kids’ out-and-back fun run. Then move from sun to (no) shade and throw down at the Trophy Maywood afterparty made all the more epic this year with drag performances, live music and lip sync contests. Mic drop. runologie.run
June 4 Height’s House First Annual Pride Party Oh, o-gay! Parade your pride around the Parlor via drag entertainers, a live DJ, specialty sips, food trucks, photo ops and lawn games galore. And this soiree isn’t one to skip, esp. because a portion of proceeds are going to the LGBT Center of Raleigh. heightshousenc.com
June 4 Hell Yes Ma’am Pride They, them and everyone promises to have a brewtiful time at this Raleigh Brewing Pride party pouring on the love via beer pours (obv), a beer release (!), live beats and a drag show feat. the brewery’s biggest lineup yet (think Kayla LaShay, Emory Starr, Giselle Cassidy Carter and more). Hell, YES, ma’am! raleighbrewing.com
June 8 The Art of Queer Resistance Not gonna hide my pride at this Artspace panel discussion as part of the Duane Cyrus-curated exhibit Maroon, Maroon, in partnership with Raleigh Pride, featuring LGBTQIA+ visual and performing artists chatting identity, how it informs creation, and how we can support queer visual and performing artists as a community. Aw, we love love. artspacenc.org
June 15 Spaces for Queer Joy Thursday—but make it gay and spark joy. Pop over to CAM Raleigh for this panel discussion with local DJs and event producers to chat the cruciality of having queer nightlife spaces for the LBGTQ+ community in Raleigh. camraleigh.org
June 16 The Token Straight Friend Ally Party There’s always that one friend… Show your support for the LGBTQIA+ community and its allies via this Green Monkey Pride party. “Isn’t it time we celebrated our ally friends?!” greenmonkeyraleigh.com
June 17 Official Pride Bar Crawl Color the town via this crawl through some of Raleigh’s best bars and nightclubs—plus cheers with discounted rainbow-themed drinks and dance the night away to local DJs. Better shake what your mama gave ya! eventbrite.com
June 17 Pride Market and Drag Show All are welcome at Hartwell’s Pride market benefitting the LGBT Center of Raleigh that promises to be bigger and better than last year’s event thanks to 20+ local vendors, food trucks and more. We’re def coming out! hartwellraleigh.com
June 17 Triangle Pride Band Summer Concert We’re here, we’re queer and we’ll be swaying the night away to enchanting melodies of movie and thematic scores via this LGBTQ and ally community band program’s summer concert, “Lore, Tales from the Score.” givebutter.com
June 18 GAG Yacht Club Tea Dance If you like big decks and you cannot lie, get down with your bad self at Johnson Street Yacht Club’s second tea dance—a long-held gay tradition originating in 1966 in New York’s Fire Island Pines at the now-famous Blue Whale bar—of the summer. Who’s got the tea? @jsyachtclub
June 22 Reimagining Blackness One of our true colors is Black. Make yourself an ally at Artspace as part of the Duane Cyrus-curated exhibit Maroon, Maroon, in partnership with Raleigh Pride, with this guest-curated exhibition and conversation with curator/choreographer Cyrus and guest panelists from multiple art backgrounds highlighting what it means to be Black and queer—and the various ways that Blackness, and Black masculinity specifically, is being recast in a positive light through the creative arts. artspacenc.org
June 23 GAG Presents Girls Room Pride I’d U-Haul with you. … Post up at Junction West with the girls for this queer women nonbinary-focused party with four queer DJs droppin’ beats hosted by local queer party organizer GAG in partnership with Charlotte-based Girls Room for a party created and curated by queer women as a safe place for all. raleighpridenc.com
June 24 GAG, Queen We’re all born naked and the rest is drag. … This one’s for the dancing queens. Post partying at Out! Raleigh Pride, werk it over to The Ritz as Raleigh Pride and Live Nation go all out for their biggest party with a GAG-hosted drag queen dance extravaganza—followed by a steady flow of Raleigh-based drag queen performances. Slay! livenation.com
June 24 Out! Raleigh Pride We’re here, we’re queer—and we’re ready to get loud and proud and paint Raleigh rainbow-colored for the 11th installment of Out! Raleigh Pride, the inclusive fam-friendly fest that promotes acceptance and diversity via a fun-filled day on Fayetteville Street with scores of live entertainment, artists, vendors, activities, a KidsZone—and bites and brews—all to benefit the LGBT Center of Raleigh. Pride is for everyone! outraleigh.com
June 25 Let’s Have a Kiki! Let me be perfectly queer… there’s no better way to slay Sunday Funday than for this love-out-loud dance party at Cuya feat. themed cocktails, guests from the drag community, and DJs. To boot, a portion of all proceeds from Let’s Have a Kiki! Drag Is NOT a Crime will go to the ACLU’s Drag Defense Fund.@cuyaraleigh
Pride All Year
Pride is for everyone all the time. Stay out and proud all yearlong at these weekly Purrride happenings.
Raleigh was “born this way.” The city’s queer history resides in the Warehouse District, where—once upon a time—a punk scene blossomed in an otherwise less-desirable part of DTR (think prior to investments like The Dillon, and even long before that). “These queer spaces were able to pop up and feel safe because they were able to control a little bit more and be kind of out of sight, but still present at the same time,” says Raleigh Pride’s David Moore. But what was once a burgeoning district has lost its luster, thanks—in part—to new developments pushing out queer-friendly spaces. “The Gayborhood was an active hub with a lot of LGBTQ businesses—and it still has a couple—but the identity is no longer there as strongly,” maintains Trey Roberts. Still, spots like Flex Nightclub, Legends and Libations 317 are keeping the sparkle alive (for now…).
The Ups & Downs of Pride History
1970: The first Pride marches take place in NYC, LA & Chicago.
1981: NC’s inaugural gay and lesbian march takes place in Durham with the slogan “Our Day Out.”
1986: The Our Day Out march grows into NC’s first official annual Pride march.
1988: The Bull City’s annual march officially becomes North Carolina Pride.
1999: Pride Month becomes official via a proclamation from then-President Bill Clinton.
2010: The LGBT Center of Raleigh opens its doors
2011: The LGBT Center of Raleigh introduces the first Out! Raleigh festival.
2012: NC passes Amendment One to ban civil unions and limit legal unions to marriage between a man and woman.
2016: Love wins in a 5–4 Supreme Court decision in favor of marriage equality.
2016: NC becomes the first state to pass a bill (HB 2) barring transgender people from using bathrooms consistent with their gender identity.
2019: Run for Love 5K laces up for its first race.
2019: Raleigh Pride is founded.
2020: Out! Raleigh is renamed to Out! Raleigh Pride and moves to June.
2023: 10 anti-trans bills are under consideration, including prohibition of certain hormones/surgeries for minors, limiting sports participation, the Parents Bill of Rights, and where “adult live entertainment” can take place.
Liberation Station’s Anchor section introduces a curation of adult titles lovingly paired with children’s titles to spark intergenerational discussion. “I’m excited about what type of conversations those books will open up in the home and around the dinner table because I know they’ve done that for us,” shares Scott-Miller. Here, she offers three pairings for families to dive into together this summer.
“Maud Martha is a novel that talks about a 7-year-old dark-skinned African American girl who loves flowers and also is learning to accept herself through the lens of a 1920s family,” says Scott-Miller. Coupled with the children’s book Sulwe, also about a dark-skinned girl struggling with acceptance “and really having an affirming conversation with the narrator of the story to be able to develop more self-esteem and excitement about who she is,” she emphasizes that “we get to have this span of conversation from 1920 all the way up to the late 2000s.”
“I call it a Black classic,” says Scott-Miller of Invisible Man, which “talks about social and intellectual issues that African Americans faced in the early ’20s.” Her rec for kids is The Talk, “a discussion about the different vantage points from children experiencing race in real time.” For instance, one poignant testimony comes from the son of children’s author Derrick Barnes, who explores “being Black and loving comic books and what’s that like,” she explains.
“Brown Girl Dreaming is poetry about the Black girl’s experience in adolescence,” shares Scott-Miller. For a powerful dialogue, she suggests pairing it with Her Stories, a collection of tales combining the “innovative fantasy side of folklore” with the empowerment of “Black girlhood leading into Black womanhood.”
My fur baby seems to love plants as much as I do (or at least that’s what I tell myself…), but I’m worried about her health and safety. As a pet parent, how do I safely own plants—beyond buying pet-friendly ones?
—Pawsitively Concerned
Dear Pawsitively Concerned,
Plant ownership with a pet can be tricky, but there’s lots you can do to keep your furry friend safe. Do your best to pick pet-safe plants such as parlour palms, calatheas, spider plants, African violets, haworthias, hoyas, burro’s tails or fittonias. Be aware of your pet’s habits around your plants. (Do they eat them? Do they lick the soil? Or do they ignore them altogether?) And try to place the plants accordingly.
You might try turning to options like hanging your plants from the wall or ceiling, putting them on a high shelf that’s not accessible to your pet, or putting them in a special place behind closed doors where your pet doesn’t go. You can also create a pet-safe herb garden in your home using herbs like basil, parsley, sage, rosemary, thyme and cilantro!
Elana Gleason is the social media specialist for Logan’s Garden Shop—and a major houseplant enthusiast! She is also an active member of the Raleigh plant blogger community and runs a “plantstagram” page of her own, @thehouseplantdiva.
Raleigh has no shortage of bangin’ burgers—arguably stacking up against the best burger capitals in the country (comin’ for ya, Dallas). It’s been seven years since Raleigh Magazine crowned the best burgers in town—and a lot has changed on the beefy scene—so we decided it was time to dig in. We had a cow noshing our way through Raleigh’s meatiest masterpieces to suss out everything under the bun and crown our mighty burger kings. If you like big buns and you cannot lie, when it comes to perfect patties, 10 standouts hamburgled our hearts—aka the best burgers you can get our hands on—plus a smattering of walk-up ops, fries, sauces and more worth getting out of bed for. Hungry? Let’s meat up.
1
Neuse River Brewing Co.
NEUSE RIVER BURGER Beer cheese and beef patties—name a better combo, we’ll wait. And add a brew for the perf meat-cute. Inspired by “flavor, flavor, flavor,” says co-owner and COO Jennifer Kolarov, “chef Mark Woodard is maintaining the legacy” of the NRBC burger originally dreamt up by chef Steven Jankowski that continues to achieve insane levels of satisfaction on the daily. The half-pound beef patty with NRBC beer cheese is also topped with roasted garlic aioli, crispy onion strings and housemade pickles on locally made Union Special brioche buns for a flavor bomb worth Gramming about. @neuseriverbrewingco (Photo courtesy of Beck Laster)
DOUBLE SMASH BURGER A pandemic prodigy if you will, chef Oscar Diaz’s double smash burger first popped on the menu in 2020 as a solution to “bomb ass” comfort-food takeout while the dining room was closed—only to become so popular that it became a permanent menu staple. Bless! The smashing success belongs, of course, to the well-seasoned patties smashed as thin as possible—which helps with caramelization—NTM the housemade pickles, American cheese, lettuce and tomato that provide the “perfect grease-to-freshness ratio (that’s an actual measurement),” says Diaz. But the crowning jewel is the secret burger sauce—and though the ingredients are indeed a secret, you should def order extra for dipping. @cortezraleigh (Photo courtesy of May Caudillo)
RANCHERO Spice lovers—this one’s for you. If you can handle the heat, the Ranchero is guaranteed to tickle your taste buds thanks to crispy jalapeno bacon, pepper jack cheese and salsa verde—topped off with a fried egg. MoJoe’s kitchen manager Fidel Herrera Gonzalez garnered inspo for the spicy “sammich” in his family’s salsa verde recipe, finding it paired excellently with the creaminess of the cheese. And since there’s an egg on it, it also counts as breakfast—aka a perf hangover brunch meal that’ll kick ya back into gear after a night out. Feelin’ hot, hot! @mojoesburgers (Photo by Jennifer Robertson)
4
Standard Beer + Food
STANDARD SMASH BURGER “Nothing fancy, no chef required.” If Standard’s, ahem, standard smash burger had a tagline, this would be it. “It’s pretty simple—as it should be,” says operating partner Cov DeRamus. Nevertheless, the burg sure doesn’t skimp on flavor. Made from two quality patties of coarse, ground, high-fat chuck + brisket, the killer handheld delivers on fat, salt, acid and heat—all thanks to thinly shaved Oklahoma-style onions, American cheese, a toasted buttered Martin’s potato bun, and dill pickles. And we can’t forget Standard’s slightly spicy special sauce, which was somewhat inspired by In-N-Out Burger… “because they are the best,” says DeRamus. But trust us, In-N-Out has nothing on these bad boys. @standard_beerfood (Photo courtesy of brand)
5
Wye Hill Brewing
WYE HILL BURGER Beer love and burger love combine in this elite menu op starring a fried green tomato battered with the same local grain Wye uses to brew its award-winning beers. One of the resto’s most popular dishes, the meaty masterpiece is served with bacon, cheddar and Gouda cheeses (the more cheese the merrier!), and a chipotle crema that adds a delicious smokiness in every bite. We won’t say it’s necessary to enjoy this loaded burg with a Wye Hill brew on its treasured patio, but wye the heck wouldn’t you?! @wyehill(Photo by Food Seen)
OLE BLEU BURGER Monday is arguably one of the most important days of the week at Mandolin, as its seasonally rotating burger (also available on the bar menu Monday through Saturday) is only 10 bucks (!). #Steal. The bun in a million changes regularly, but the patty—made with housebutchered beef shoulder and ground with housesmoked bacon—stays the same. Currently, it’s being dressed with a blue cheese remoulade, shredded lettuce, caramelized onions and house pickles. “It’s meaty, funky and tangy,” says chef de cuisine Dylan Shook—“and just the right amount of juice runs down your hand.” Better grab extra napkins. @mandolinraleigh (Photo courtesy of JNK PR)
7
Players Retreat
WOLFPACK BURGER Raleigh’s long been howlin’ for this OG burger riff on the Carolina dog. You just can’t get more classic Southern than this aptly dubbed Wolfpack Burger lest you ride in on a decked-out truck blaring Darius Rucker’s version of “Wagon Wheel” (“And if I died in Raleigh, at least I will die free…”). Slathered in slaw, mustard and chili—don’t even think about asking for ketchup—and served on a Union Special seeded bun, the time-honored “slutty” classic is just one of PR’s mainstay menu items. Case in point: A burger has been on the menu as long as the Hillsborough Street institution’s been open (1951). Real Southerners will order it with a sweet tea—but beer works too. @theplayersretreat
8
Fine Folk
FINE FOLKIN’ CHEESEBURGER From the fine folks who brought you pandemic pop-up Gov’t Cheeseburger in Cary comes this damn fine cheeseburger inspired by “many trips to McDonald’s after a long shift, then hanging out at the bar,” says Fine Folk chef/operator Chris Lopez. After several iterations, hands and spaces, the burg now stacks up as two chargrilled patties, American cheese, shredduce, onion, pickles and special sauce on a seeded bun. Trust us—it’ll live in your dreams. @finefolknc (Photo courtesy of brand)
9
Capital Club 16
CC16 CLUB BURGER You’re the ~bun~ that I want. Literally Raleigh Mag’s publisher’s fave—because “everything about it is absolutely delicious,” she says—you can’t go wrong with 4 ounces of Angus beef patty (single or double) dusted in CC16 house seasoning, thyme and rosemary, then topped with melted Vermont cheddar, butter lettuce, tomato, pickles and onions, and slathered with a spread of 1000 Island burger sauce, all tucked in a brioche bun. Pro tip: “If you are super-hungry, you can double up the patty or add a fried egg and call it a Golden Buck,” says chef/owner Jake Wolf—before spilling some tea. … “A version of this burger will soon be able to be enjoyed on the road or on location out of our Wandering Wolf Food Truck hitting the streets soon!” Find us in the club…@capital_club_16 (Photo courtesy of Mariangela Perez Masud)
LE COQUETTE BURGER Life is messy—may as well lean in and slap that mess on a bun—er, croissant (who you callin’ flaky?!)—and go ham. Say au revoir to your probs with this steak burger topped with brie, bacon, caramelized onions and sunny-side-up egg on croissant (natch)—so, in essence, all the fan faves paired up in one sammich—messy and totally worth it—kinda like life TBH. Ooh la la… @coquetteraleigh(Photo courtesy of brand)
Casual Buns
Let’s be honest—the best burgers don’t have to be high class. If you’re on the go or not feelin’ fancy a la Iggy Azalea, these 4 Raleigh Magpicks promise to satiate a quick, casual craving of juicy, greasy goodness.
Char-Grill
Hamburger Steak Sandwich “Simpler times, simpler choices” served via this OG burger with a legacy to boot. “Born in the ’60s at my father’s restaurant, the Gateway [shuttered 1972], across from NC State,” says Char-Grill co-owner Ryon Wilder, the classic splashed back on the scene in 1975 as the 8-oz. Hamburger Steak Sandwich we know and love today (the 4-oz. Hamburger Steak Sandwich Jr. was added later). And Raleigh still fiends for the top-seller—whether as a grab-and-go lunch, a fam tradition or a saving grace post night out. Cooked over lava rock (!), the chargrilled patty perfection comes with your choice of toppings: mayo, mustard, ketchup, lettuce, tomato, onions, pickles, coleslaw and chili. The world is your oyster—er, burger! chargrillusa.com(Photo courtesy of brand)
Reaper Burger “Come on, baby, don’t fear the reaper.” … This burger joint’s Reaper is, well, killin’ it. “Bringin’ the heat to Mama Crow’s epic lineup of charred and true burgers,” says co-owner Jeanne Queen, there’s nothing grim about these two smash patties of perfectly seasoned coarse ground beef topped with melty homemade pimento cheese and assembled with housepickled jalapenos, a bed of spicy crispy slaw and globs of housemade Carolina Reaper mayo. @mamacrows (Photo courtesy of Chair8)
Double Smashed Cheeseburger A smash burger is only as good as its meat—and smashing technique, of course—which is why this Jersey City- and NYC-inspired fusion “food exchange” uses 100% Angus halal beef for its signature burg. In true smash burger fashion (with an added twist!), it’s topped with fresh onions, American cheese and a special housemade aioli. #Juicy. @meatnbite (Photo courtesy of brand)
Truffle Burger Bodacious truffle burger—aka umami bomb—found via 8 ounces of beef sourced from short rib, chuck and brisket (!), then topped with truffle aioli, caramelized red onions and smoked Gouda cheese, and placed on brioche with a hint of butter flavor. But the real star of this flavor explosion is the umami—natch—“followed by the sweetness of the aioli that complements the fatty and richness of our signature beef blend,” says chef/owner Dan Yeager. @cowbarburger
(Courtesy of Char-Grill)
(Medium) Rare History
Among all the princely patties, there is but one true “burger king” when it comes to legacy beef. Raleigh’s OG Char-Grill has been serving up its fan-fave flame-cooked patties since 1960—and it’s been a treasured meat-up destination since.
Fun fact—contrary to conventional wisdom, the burger joint wasn’t actually Raleigh’s first. … Per Char-Grill co-owner Ryon Wilder, fast-food spot Charcoal Grill on Capital Boulevard preceded it in late 1959—only to be put out of biz by Char-Grill a few months later when it bowed on Hillsborough Street. (Honestly, not surprised—it’s Char-Grill after all.) Despite a brief closure in the early ’70s (there were plans to demolish the building and use the land for a parking lot—sound familiar?), the Raleigh icon has stood the test of time as a go-to for NC State students, Downtowners and Raleighites for a down-home no-frills burger, fries and shake—with now an additional eight locales to feed the frenzy. “We’ve been here a long time,” says Wilder, “and we’ve had a loyal following for many years.”
As for the burger king’s future? Grab those shades—it’s looking bright as ever. In the next few years, the OG Hillsborough Street building will be demolished (pause for a moment of silence). But before we go bacon your heart, the casz burger behemoth will return. “We will remain open for ~two more years and then rebuild on the first floor of the new building,” says Wilder. The new digs will feature inside seating (!), and the iconic Char-Grill sign will be proudly displayed in the dining room. “Our goal is to recreate exactly what you see here [now],” Wilder adds. And so, we will *meat* again.
VIP PICKS
Gov. Roy Cooper Char-Grill “Quick, tasty, mustard-on-tie worth it—the best spot for a burger in town.”
Elizabeth Gardner, WRAL meteorologist Neuse River burger, Neuse River Brewing Co. “Two things: beer cheese and roasted garlic aioli—wow! Sooo delicious. Plus their location can’t be beat.”
Bryan Blinson, North Carolina Cattlemen’s Association Executive Director Steakburger Senior at the Char-Grill on Hillsborough Street “I realized the Steakburger Senior was my go-to in 1980 when I was a freshman at NCSU—and it has been ever since. I am going to miss pushing my order down that iconic slide.”
Ellyn Daniels, comedian; writer, director and actor of This Little Show of Mine Cheeseburger, MoJoe’s “I love sitting outside, I love the old-fashioned burger-joint ambiance… and the cheeseburger with crinkly cut fries hit the spot when I’m nostalgic for the burgers of my childhood.”
Abby Lampe, NC State alumna + 2022 Cooper’s Hill Cheese-Rolling race winner Southwestern burger, MoJoe’s “MoJoe’s sauce slaps and I love the avocado. The flavors are immaculate!”
Brea Hollingsworth, CBS 17 co-anchor Quad Stack, CowBar “My go-to burger place in town is CowBar. I’m a lettuce, tomato, onion, cheese and bacon kind of girl, so I love their Quad Stack. Don’t forget the vanilla milkshake!”
Veggie Burger No one’s wondering where the beef is at with this Wilson’s Eatery meatless masterpiece feat. housemade falafel and edamame, tzatziki, lettuce, tomato, house pickles, and pickled onions on brioche. Pro tip: Vegging out in the outdoor garden def ups the delish factor. @wilsonseatery
You Want Fries With That?
Let’s be honest—it ain’t a bangin’ burger without the fries. … And it’s Fry Day every day when it comes to these 10 RM picks for your burger’s BFF.
Coquette: There’s no better fries combo topping than herbs, truffle oil and pecorino—fight us on it. (Pam Varela)
Buena Papa Fry Bar: I mean, it’s a fry bar—duh. Taking loaded fries to a whole new level with toppings like fried pork belly + guac, pomodoro sauce + meatball, and pulled pork + coleslaw. (Courtesy of brand)
Neuse River Brewing Co.: Pro tip: Get the mussels and save the sauce for fry dipping. (Courtesy of brand)
Standard Beer + Food: There’s nothing standard about these perfectly seasoned skinny fries.
CowBar: Choose from the original, Italiano (rosemary, garlic, Parma), Asian Persuasion (kimchi, wasabi mayo) or Truffle (truffle oil + shavings—our fave!) and you’ll never be disappointed. (Courtesy of brand)
Jolie: Champagne and fries: Doesn’t get much better than that! Run, don’t walk, to the takeout window for this fizzically perf pairing. (Courtesy of brand)
Whiskey Kitchen: Thick, battered fries seasoned with herb and sea salt make for an addicting add-on to a juicy burg. Dip in the housesmoked ketchup—or the beet peppercorn dressing!—for extra class. (Courtesy of brand)
East End Bistrot: Ooh la la! Transport yourself to Paris on the Bistrot patio with an order of pomme frites with fleur de sel (French sea salt). Pro tip: Add the duck fat aioli—and Champagne, natch. (Forrest Mason)
Wye Hill Brewing: It’s giving ripple-cut chips in fry form—the ideal vessel for the savory pimento cheese dip with dill pickle relish. … Kind of a big dill. (P.S. Don’t sleep on the BBQ fries with charred scallion ranch either!) (Courtesy of brand)
Fine Folk: Will skip dinner for the big ass bowl o’ fries. … And the garlic mayo is a necessity. (Courtesy of brand)
CHAIN CHEAT—FIVE GUYS: The boardwalk-style cup o’ fries are irresistible—albeit greasy. … Crispy on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside. Get ’em Cajun style if you’re feeling extra spicy. (Jerry Huddleston)
So Saucy
If you’re a condiment queen—these 6 sauces are the boss.
Sweeten the Deal
3 sweet potato fries picks—if you are what you eat, then I yam what I yam.
Village Deli Swap “rude” taters for a sweet spud basket.
Nofo Sweet spice a la basket served with a Cajun citrus mayonnaise
