Charlotte, N.C.: The Quest for the Best Burger Begins!
Hey there, burger lovers! We’re diving deep into an exciting new adventure here in the bustling city of Charlotte, North Carolina, where some of the best flavors in the South come together. With so many burger places popping up, it’s time to cut through the noise and find out which one truly rules them all. You know those endless “top 10” burger lists? Well, we’re putting a stop to that! We want to bring you on our journey to discover the absolute best burger in Charlotte.
Meet the Team
Let me introduce myself: I’m Cassidy Johncox, your devoted food enthusiast and the new executive digital producer around here. It’s my mission to hunt down the burger that makes our hearts sing in this lovely city. Joining me in this delicious escapade is my co-worker, Carmichael Cruz, who shares my passion for great food. Fun fact: we embarked on this quest together back in the Motor City—Detroit—before making our way down South! With our taste buds primed, we’re ready to find the most mouthwatering burger Charlotte has to offer.
Our First Stop: Mac’s Speed Shop
This week, we decided to hit up Mac’s Speed Shop located in South End, an eatery that’s more widely known for its motorcycle-themed decor and barbecue options than its burgers. Yes, we know we took a little risk going somewhere that isn’t a “burger joint,” but we wanted to keep things exciting!
You might ask, “What did we order?” Well, I opted for the Tavern Burger, a part of their lunch special menu. It’s a quarter-pound burger topped with American cheese, lettuce, tomato, a blend of pickles, and a smoky tomato aioli, all for just $10, plus a side of my choosing.
Carmichael went for a burger from their regular menu—the Single Cylinder—but ended up receiving the Route 66 burger instead, which was a pleasant surprise since it comes loaded with bacon—in addition to the white American cheese, smoked garlic aioli, lettuce, tomato, and onion. That one was priced at $14.30, also served with a side.
Let the Burger Tasting Begin!
To capture every moment of this tasty endeavor, we had little microphones attached to our shirts—quite the charming sight! As we dug into our burgers, we exchanged our thoughts (without gross chewing sounds, promise!). Here’s how the burger tasting dialogue unfolded:
Cassidy: “First impressions? It smells amazing, and while the burger looks tall, the patty seems small. Yours is a half-pound, right?”
Carmichael: “Absolutely! Definitely looks more proportionate. Also, why is there bacon on mine?”
Cassidy: “Surprise! I expected my burger to come with American cheese, but it’s actually white American, just like yours.”
And from there, we took our first bites. The “mmms” that followed said it all!
Flavor Profile and Impressions
Carmichael: “Wow, really good char!”
Cassidy: “Do you think these patties were frozen? They seem a little too uniform.”
Carmichael: “Not from the flavor, though. It tastes pretty authentic!”
As the tasting continued, we dissected the ingredients:
Cassidy: “The flavor is solid, but the cheese is kinda mild. It’s more texture than taste…”
Carmichael: “I agree. The garlic aioli is also hard to pick up on. But yours has that unique tomato aioli flavor, right?”
The conversation continued as we explored the burgers layer by layer—picking at toppings, enjoying fresh ingredients, and generally reveling in the experience.
Final Thoughts and Ratings
Cassidy: “This burger feels cheesy enough, even if it doesn’t taste like it. Overall, it’s definitely fulfilling my burger craving!”
Carmichael: “Same here! Quite solid, but still not the *wow* factor we’re after.”
After some deliberation, we decided that while Mac’s Speed Shop served up a respectable burger, it wouldn’t crack our list of all-time favorites. Our preliminary rating? A solid 7 out of 10. They serve a tasty burger that satisfies but doesn’t quite reach that “best ever” mark.
Join Us on Our Journey!
So, fellow burger aficionados, this is just the start! We are on a relentless mission to taste and review every burger joint Charlotte has to offer, with no limitations on local spots—chains will have to wait! We would love to hear your burger recommendations, so feel free to send us a note if there’s a hidden gem we absolutely need to try.
This delicious adventure is just heating up, and we promise to keep you in the loop as we uncover the best burgers in Charlotte!
