Flame-grilled, char-broiled, hand-pattied, or smashed — a hamburger by any of these names is DELICIOUS. Southern Wake restaurants excel at creative burger combos, proving that an all-American classic is anything but traditional. Here are six of our favorites.
Smashed Burgers & Cocktails
The Banh Mi Smashed at Smashed Burgers & Cocktails has a tantalizing combination of crunchy pickled daikon, carrots, and jalapenos atop a juicy, caramelized burger patty.
Vibes: A community-centric downtown hub with a dog-friendly patio, plus sip & stroll wine and beer thanks to the new Holly Springs Social District. Specialty cocktails and family-friendly fare equally suit weeknight dinners and weekend dates.
Feature Burger: Vietnamese Banh Mi Smashed: pickled daikon and carrots, jalapenos, cilantro, hoisin sauce, and Sriracha mayo. “The Banh Mi Burger was inspired by my Vietnamese family and the traditional bánh mì we serve at Bep Vietnamese Kitchen,” says owner Adam Gilpatrick. “This combination brings together the vibrant savory-sweet flavors of a classic bánh mì with the rich, juicy bite of a smashed burger, creating something both familiar and entirely new.”
X Factor: “We love smash burgers for their flavor and efficiency. It only takes about three minutes to cook a smash burger, which allows us to serve more customers while maintaining that rich, flavorful experience,” says Adam.
Entree options: Ditch the bun with the Smashed Salad — your favorite burger style served over mixed greens.
242 S. Main St., Suite 118, Holly Springs
smashednc.com
Corbett’s Burgers and Soda Bar
Vibes: Reconnect with friends and family at this casual local burger joint. You won’t find TVs in the dining room, says manager Sterling Watson, so guests can enjoy an intimate meal without distractions. Choose from more than 200 varieties of bottled soda to accompany your meal. Local, nostalgic, and obscure — Avery’s Totally Gross Unicorn Yack Raspberry Orange Cream Soda, anyone? — options abound.
Feature Burger: Hawaiian Cowboy Burger: ⅓-pound Angus burger with cheddar cheese, grilled pineapple, hickory-smoked bacon, and Cheerwine barbecue sauce.
X Factor: Pairing Corbett’s signature Cheerwine sauce with grilled pineapple creates an irresistible sweet and savory combo. For max flavor impact, Sterling recommends eating the burger upside down. Sauces and side items, such as coleslaw, baked beans, and pimento cheese, are made in-house.
Entree options: Gluten-free fried chicken sandwich or nuggets, New York hot dog, grilled pimento cheese sandwich.
7224 GB Alford Highway, Holly Springs
corbettsburgers.com
Hickory Tavern
Vibes: Round up the neighbors for game day or treat the family to Sunday brunch — Hickory Tavern’s extensive menu welcomes all tastes. Weekly special events such as trivia and live music draw a crowd, especially to the expansive patio featuring floor-to-ceiling retractable windows.
Feature Burgers: Diablo: spicy aioli, pepper jack cheese, crispy onions, and jalapenos. Freedom Burger: American cheese, lettuce, roasted onions, pickles, and house-made signature sauce on a sesame seed bun. For every Freedom Burger sold, Hickory Tavern donates $1 to The Independence Fund, which supports veterans wounded in the line of duty.
X Factor: “Loyalty with our guests. The community keeps coming back when you take care of them,” says kitchen manager Jermaine Folkes. “I see the same families every Friday night.”
Entree Options: Lowcountry shrimp & grits, fish & chips, or shaved ribeye tacos.
401 Village Walk Drive, Holly Springs
thehickorytavern.com
Aviator SmokeHouse
Vibes: “Super laid-back barbecue,” describes Aviator owner Mark Doble. “We’re just a brewery, making smoked meats, serving food in baskets.” All of Aviator’s locations — whether it’s the pizzeria, tap house, or the new brewery restaurant — maintain a commitment to quality food in a casual atmosphere.
Feature Burger: SmokeHouse Bourbon Brisket Burger: ½-pound Angus Burger, house-smoked brisket, peppered bacon, and bourbon sauce. “Brisket is God’s gift to us,” says Mark with a smile. Aviator smokes theirs for 16 hours over hickory wood.
X Factor: Beer pairings are easy and plentiful with Aviator’s broad lineup of award-winning brews. Mark recommends the BlackMamba Stout with the SmokeHouse Bourbon Brisket Burger, noting the dark flavor of the full-bodied stout is a good complement to the rich burger.
Entree Options: Smoked chicken wings, pulled pork barbecue sandwich, or the SmokeHouse Meat-a-Palooza: a feast with ribs, brisket, pork, and chicken wings.
525 E. Broad St., Fuquay-Varina
aviatorbrew.com/smokehouse
Abbey Road Tavern and Grill
Vibes: Taking inspiration from the famous album by The Beatles, Abbey Road Tavern boasts a lively family environment with big-screen TVs, games, and weekly entertainment, such as live music, trivia, and music bingo. Recent menu updates — a new mac and cheese recipe, burger combinations, and more — offer fresh takes on old favorites.
Feature Burgers: Firecracker Burger: Certified Angus Beef patty with spicy seasoning, blue cheese crumbles, ghost pepper pepper jack cheese, fried jalapenos, and chipotle aioli. “It’s a 6 or 7 out of 10. The ghost pepper pepper jack is pretty hot,” says kitchen manager Josh Allan. Jalapeno Bacon Pimento Burger: house-made pimento cheese, two slices of bacon, fresh jalapenos, lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickles.
X Factor: No matter the time, dinner can be happy hour at Abbey Road with a visit to the game room. Play arcade games like Pac Man and pinball, or a round of pool. Allen also notes that diners are welcome to play the guitars hanging on the walls.
Entree Options: Cha Cha Bowl, Cuban sandwich, Helter Skelter Wrap.
711 N. Main St., Fuquay-Varina
abbeyroadfuquay.com
Town Hall Burger & Beer
Town Hall Burger & Beer’s Mondo Burger progressed from special feature to menu mainstay.
Vibes: “We’re a fun, family-friendly neighborhood burger joint,” says Dalton Allen, manager of Town Hall Burger & Beer in Holly Springs. “Come hang out; catch the game. It’s a place that’s welcoming for all.” The hospitable staff and positive environment reinforce that feeling, as does the comforting, fresh menu. “We avoid the freezer as much as possible,” Dalton says.
Feature Burger: The Mondo Burger: 8 oz. Certified Angus Beef patty, onion straws, applewood smoked bacon, smoked gouda cheese, house-made barbecue sauce, and lettuce on a brioche bun. Created by Armando Bacot Jr., during his time as a basketball player at UNC-Chapel Hill. “The burger has been on our menu for three or four years,” says Dalton. “It started as a special, but was so popular it became a mainstay.”
X Factor: Basketball fans, particularly Tar Heel fans, will enjoy trying all the specialty menu offerings created by current and former UNC players, including The Seth Burger by Seth Trimble and Honey Chili Arbol Wings developed by RJ Davis. “We always have at least one, two, or three UNC basketball players on our ‘roster,’ if you will, which is fun. They all get to come in and make their own menu creation,” says Dalton.
Entree Options: Ahi tuna sandwich, Greek salad, shrimp tacos.
301 Matthews Drive, Holly Springs
townhallburgerandbeer.com/hollysprings
