For 40 years or more, these restaurants have been fulfilling our burger cravings with smashburgers and thick burgers alike. Take a tasty trip through time with us, won’t you?
drive-in
North Carolina in Neon
Most of the neon signs that once illuminated motels, theaters, and restaurants across the state have been replaced, but a few glowing examples of this nostalgic art form are still lovingly preserved as icons of a bygone era.
Making a Splash: An Ode to the Shrimpburger
Drive-ins and restaurants around the Crystal Coast turn tiny shellfish into shrimpburgers that are big on flavor. The sandwich is unquestionably one of our most iconic. But is it a burger? One writer investigates.
Burger Time
In the 1950s, as Americans hit freshly paved roads in shiny new cars during the postwar boom, a new kind of restaurant took shape: the drive-in. From those first thin patties to the elaborate gourmet hamburgers of today, North Carolina has spent the past 80 years making burger history.
Banana Pudding Milkshake
For a sweet spin on a North Carolina icon, put your puddin’ in a glass.
Classic Double Cheeseburger
Satisfy your craving for an all-American flat-top favorite.
Bacon & Cheese Corn Dogs
Sure, they’re stuffed with bacon and Cheddar cheese, but with these homemade corn dogs, it’s all about the batter.
Crispy Seasoned Fries
Dip ’em in whatever you like, just don’t skip the Old Bay Seasoning.
Drive-In Delights: 4 Classic Recipes
Beep beep! Remember when drive-in diners dotted downtowns across the state? These recipes are a trip down memory lane — no carhop necessary.
