Burgers · ranked by Your Friend Matt

North Carolina's best smashburgers

The smashburger side of my search for the best hamburger in North Carolina. Thin, crispy edges, cheese melted into the crust. Same rules as the classic list: three basic toppings so every burger is judged on the patty. A living list, updated when something bumps one off.

  1. #1

    Nor'East Treats & Eats

    Charlotte · Map · went Feb 4, 2026

    Order: The smashburger

    The best hamburger I have ever tasted, from a diner tucked inside Town & Country Ford off Independence Blvd. Yes, a car dealership.

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  2. #2

    Nick's Old Fashioned Hamburger House

    Welcome · Map · went Aug 31, 2026

    Order: The smashburger

    The smashburger that has captivated North Carolina's Piedmont, just north of Lexington. People told me it was the best in the state, and they were close.

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  3. #3

    Surefire Neighborhood Market

    Camp North End · Map · went Oct 19, 2026

    Order: The burger with the signature burger sauce

    A patty that is full of flavor, plus a signature sauce even I can enjoy. One of my favorite burgers in Charlotte and one of the best in North Carolina.

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  4. #4

    Best-N-Burgers

    Wilson · Map · went Apr 14, 2026

    Order: The smashburger

    I drove three hours to Wilson to see if this is the best hamburger in North Carolina. It made the list.

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  5. #5

    Mama C's Mac-N-Smash

    Southmont · Map · went Mar 12, 2026

    Order: The smashburger

    One of the best hamburgers in North Carolina is from a gas station in a small town near High Rock Lake. I was blown away.

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  6. ·

    Sumo Shack

    Mooresville · Map · went Jun 30, 2026

    Order: The mac and cheese smashburger

    Just north of Charlotte, with a bar brought in from Chicago. Not the same burger as Sumo Donuts, whatever people tell you.

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  7. ·

    Island Burgers & Bites

    Carolina Beach · Map · went Aug 12, 2026

    Order: The smash burger

    Often called one of the best hamburgers in North Carolina, so I drove four hours across the state to put the smash burger to the test.

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  8. ·

    The Patty Wagon

    Concord · Map · went Jun 25, 2026

    Order: The burger, and the $1 wings

    One of the best burgers in North Carolina is coming out of a food truck in Concord. Chef Dame used to cut hair; his friends told him the burger was good enough to sell.

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More rankings: all of Charlotte's · more from Your Friend Matt