Pimento cheese is the spread North Carolina keeps in the fridge, packs in lunchboxes, and slathers on just about everything. Put a thick scoop of it on a hot burger, and you get a Southern classic that tastes like home.
From a small-town grill in Southport to a beach spot in Nags Head, these seven places take the pimento cheeseburger seriously. Some keep it simple with fries on the side, while others add fried green tomatoes, bacon, or pork belly.
Grab a napkin, because this list is a road trip across the state one cheesy bite at a time.
1. Blue Cow Grille, Southport, NC
Fried green tomatoes and pimento cheese on the same burger might be the most Southern sentence you read today. At Blue Cow Grille, that combo shows up on the Dwight YOLKUM burger, which pairs homemade pimento cheese with those crisp tomato slices.
The grill sits at 108 E Moore St in downtown Southport, a small coastal town with plenty of charm. Inside, the space is cozy and casual, with gourmet sandwiches, pork rinds, and homemade chips on the menu.
The signature Blue Cow burger comes with hot peppers for folks who like a kick. Sweet potato fries and homemade ranch are popular sides, and onion rings round out the options.
Service is fast and friendly, and there is a kids’ menu for younger diners. Hours run 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Monday through Saturday, with a shorter 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. window on Sunday.
Reservations are not accepted, and parking can be tricky downtown. I would aim for a midweek lunch, since Wednesdays tend to be calmer.
2. Fresh Off The Grill, Concord, NC
A drive-thru pimento cheeseburger is a beautiful thing on a busy weekday. Fresh Off The Grill in Concord makes that possible, cooking burgers and Philly cheesesteaks to order with a drive-through window for anyone short on time.
The pimento cheeseburger here comes with crinkle cut fries, and the price stays reasonable. Grab a cherry soda alongside it for a classic grill-style lunch.
The menu goes well beyond one burger. Look for chili cheese fries, onion rings, a Carolina Philly cheesesteak, and a patty melt made with a third-pound patty.
Tuesday brings a double cheeseburger special, which is handy to know. You will find the restaurant at 9900 Poplar Tent Rd, open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday.
Parking is usually easy, and dogs are welcome outside.
3. Pinky’s Westside Grill, Charlotte, NC
Quirky does not begin to cover it. Pinky’s Westside Grill on W Morehead St in Charlotte has an offbeat, eclectic space that matches its playful menu names.
House-made pimento cheese turns up all over the place here. It goes on burgers like the Mammoth Burger, into a grilled pimento cheese sandwich, and even onto waffle fries.
The buns earn their own praise, since they hold together through a loaded westside-style pimento cheese burger. That is no small job with chili and cheese piled on top.
Other picks include the White Trash Burger, Triple G Burger, Crab Puppies, Corn Dog Shrimp, and Kick’n Chicken Tacos. Save room for banana pudding.
Pinky’s stays open until 10 p.m. most nights and 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Weekends get busy, so a weekday visit is the calmer move.
4. Comet Grill, Charlotte, NC
Live bands most nights and a burger stacked with pimento cheese make Comet Grill an easy favorite on Park Road. It is a laid-back neighborhood spot in Charlotte’s Dilworth area where music and food share the spotlight.
The Comet Grill burger is the one to know. It arrives with bacon, lettuce, tomato, and pimento cheese, which gives you a BLT and a cheeseburger in one.
Fries are the natural partner, and the menu also covers sandwiches, salads, wings, and Buffalo Shrimp. The All American Burger is another solid choice for purists.
Hours run late, until 2 a.m. every night, so this is the stop for a late-night burger craving. Parking is usually plentiful at 2224 Park Rd.
5. Boulder’s Bar & Grill, High Point, NC
Crispy bacon plus homemade pimento cheese is a pairing that rarely misses. At Boulder’s Bar & Grill in High Point, the Pimento Bacon Burger brings both together on a juicy patty with fries on the side.
This welcoming pub-style eatery sits along NC-68. Beyond burgers, it is known for signature grouper bites, a Brisket Grilled Cheese, and a Reuben.
Families fit right in, with a kids’ menu, high chairs, and outdoor seating where dogs are allowed. Sports fans will find plenty of screens too.
Plan around the schedule, since Boulder’s is closed on Mondays. It opens 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Tuesday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday, with easy parking in the lot.
6. Page Road Grill, Durham, NC
Looking for a pimento cheeseburger with a slightly dressier setting? Page Road Grill in Durham offers a sleek interior, patio seating, and a Southern menu with international twists.
The beef burger can be topped with pimento cheese and paired with sweet potato fries. Pimento cheese also appears as a dip, so you can start and finish with it.
The rest of the menu leans upscale. Crab cakes, smoked brisket, Scallops Pirloo, Blackened Catfish, and Grilled Ribeye all share space with lighter picks.
The location near Research Triangle Park makes it popular for work lunches. Reservations are accepted and recommended, which is a nice perk on this list.
Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and 5 to 9 p.m. on Saturday. It is closed on Sunday.
7. Blue Moon Beach Grill, Nags Head, NC
Pork belly on a smash burger sounds like a beach vacation treat, and in Nags Head it is. Blue Moon Beach Grill tops its smash burgers with pork belly, arugula, and a pimento cheese blend.
Keep an eye on the specials menu, where a pimento smashburger has made an appearance. It is a fun change of pace on the Outer Banks, where seafood usually steals the show.
Speaking of seafood, the menu has plenty. Oysters Rockefeller, bouillabaisse, mahi mahi fish and chips, and fish tacos at lunch are all on offer, plus key lime pie for dessert.
The space is cozy, with original artwork and a nautical theme. Find it at 102 E Dove St.
The grill is closed on Tuesdays and opens at 11:30 a.m. the rest of the week. Expect a wait, so dinner reservations are smart.
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