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Our choice for BEST Local Hamburgers and Hot Dogs Restaurants in Raleigh

In addition to its version of infamous slider, Cloos offer up big and hearty burgers & hot dogs

I will not waste time telling you about McDonald’s and Burger King. If you come all the way to North Carolina you need to experience some of the many great local Burger and Hot Dog joints. Most local ones choose to prepare their meats in the classic way – over an open flame – and the cola of choice is usually Pepsi, which was born in Eastern North Carolina.

Burgers

Grill '57 stays true to its moniker offering regular antique car shows open to all

You will find most burgers hand made with a high content of real ground beef,no fillers. And if it says “grilled” on the sign then you will indeed get REAL grilling over an open flame, often charcoal.Toppings can range from the traditional (including thick cut veggies) to the exotic (peanut butter, shrimp and honey). Most local burgers are very thick – you may even need a fork and knife to eat them so be sure to come hungry. And enjoy the many sides as well, our local favorite being Sweet Potato Fries. A few of our favorite burger places include:

• Cloo’s Coney Island($) is classic – they even have a pin ball machine. The original owner moved here from Detroit and happens to share our fondness for White Castle hamburgers – the classic little square hamburger available only in the North and Midwest. The Cloos version of the slider is the closet thing to White Castle’s that you’ll find in the entire state so we camp out here a lot and you will too. Nothing can beat a White Castle fresh off the grill but Cloo’s comes close and often has a little grilled crust around the edge to make up for it.

Sweet Potato Fries

Char-Grill

• Char-Grill ($) is truly a Raleigh original. Started in 1959, it now has grown to 9 locations throughout the Triangle. it features true charcoal grilled burgers and traditional white shirt/cap and black bow tie service.
• Abbey Road Tavern & Grill ($$) 1195 West Chatham Street, Cary, NC 27513. (919) 481-4434. This Beatles themed tavern even names their dishes after Beatle songs. Their home made burgers are excellent and very generous in size. It is hidden away in a gas station and does not look impressive on the outside, but the food is worth the trip.
• Wimpy’s Grill 617 Hicks Street Durham, NC 27705-3910 (919) 286-4380. Featured in the TV show Man vs Food for the “Garbage Burger”. There are no tables, you eat in your car or on the curb and that is the experience this place gives. The burger is named “Garbage” because it contains just about anything you can stuff in it (bacon, pickles, chili, homemade slaw, Mustarn, Ketchup, Onion, Lettuce, Tomatoes). So when you byte into it, you can’t help but drop few pieces down the floor. Be prepared to get messy eating the “Garbage Burger”
• Grill 57 ($) (Garner) This eat in – take out joint takes its que from the typical 1950s diner. The menu includes burgers, hot dogs, etc. but they are best known for their shakes.
• Shorts Grill ($) A local legend in the historic downtown area of nearby Selma, NC. Shorts features hand made patties cooked and topped to order and old fashioned bottled Coke. Take a short walk down the street to the Pharmacy for a hand made shake.
• Salem Street Pub ($$) While it may look like a typical sports bar this eatery tucked away in historic downtown Apex features our favorite “Hungry Man” burger. It features a large hand made patty topped with peanut butter and honey. Don’t laugh – its great!

Snoopy Hot Dogs

Hot Dogs

In North Carolina hot dogs are considered a segment of food all their own and not often sold at the same place as burgers. As a result the traditional hot dog stand is alive and well in the Triangle with literally dozens of great choices. Most local stands are just that – stands – with limited or no indoor seating. You will find two types of hot dogs at most places in town – the traditional brown dog and the local red hots. The red hots will often contain a hot pepper seasoning and red dye casing. They are usually grilled and offered on traditional sized buns at “Two for a $” Toppings usually include chilli, chopped onions and mustard. Sides may include fries but more often than not they are enjoyed with a nice helping of banana pudding. Our favorites include:

• RoastGrill – Hot Weiners ($) A small joint that was featured on the TV show Man vs. Food. It is a very small place (16 seatings) that offers such a unique experience. They serve hot dog ‘burnt-all-the-way’ and the favorite toppings are Mustard, Chili, Onion and Slaw. Payment term is Cash only. The menu only consists of Hot Dogs, Coke and Beer, but there is always a long line outside waiting to get in.  Mr. George imports his hot dogs and his chili come from the secret family recipe. His onions are hand chopped ( to keep the moisture in) and he grills his hot dogs with the 70 year old grill that is guaranteed to give that hot dog the taste that a new grill cannot.
  
• Snoopy’s ($) A true Raleigh original walk-up stand where everything is cooked fresh and topped to order.
• Roast Grill ($) The Roast grill is known for one thing only – hot dogs. They are served with only 4 topping choices and degree of burn. There are no fries, no chips, no saurkraut, no ketchup so don’t ask for it or you might be ran out of town on a rail! Oddly, they do serve Coke over Pepsi. A simple clean dog.
• Cloo’s Coney Island ($) In addition to their great burgers they also offer great hot dogs. You can’t go wrong at Cloo’s so be sure to check them out.
• Millie’s Hot Dogs ($) Simple straight forward dogs in a traditional “Two for $” setting. Just walk up to the window, pick your toppings and be sure to enjoy a side of their fresh home made banana pudding.