The burger was great, and I had it with sweet potato fries which are very taste but a bit over priced in my opinion. It was a "beach" environment which is not so swell in a cold day. Staff was friendly, but the place had a lot of flies which made it uncomfortable to eat, but the food was sooo good that it was worth it. read more

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Amazing food. Burgers were so juicy and flavorful, and the buns are excellent as well! I got the Paco burger: if you love a kick, this is a wonderful burger! My girlfriend got the Mookie without cheese and absolutely loved it. Fries also delicious, and great service. Will be back as soon as I can convince a friend to make the drive from Durham! read more

Al's Burger Shack - Large mixed fries, Mookie, Paco - Burgers Near Me - Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Al's will always get a 5 star rating froM this gal!! I was a former vegan, and let me tell you ain't nothing gonna sway me from eating one of those big juice Al's burger shack beasts EVER!! Lemme get one right quick and I'll come back to this review later!! Oh and I'm takin' some of this sweet potato fries too!! read more

The atmosphere was electric! Really enjoyed my time at Als. I highly recommend it to anyone in the area.

I was dying of hunger and wanted to have a quick bite. It took at least 30 mins to get 1 burger! There wasnt even that many people, plenty of empty tables. And the burger is so small for $8! They are too stingy and there burgers should come with fries and a drink. read more

Good lord this place is delicious. It's been a while since I was at Al's since it's easier to hit this place up during the summer when the bulk of the students are away. The lines are shorter and the seating is way easier to deal with (also the seating remain's this place's biggest failing). I forgot just how incredible their burgers and fries are. It's worth the drive from Durham to Chapel Hill and even waiting around to scavenge a table. In general, Al's is worth the wait. Al's is a simple burger, hot dogs, shakes and fries restaurant and it's a classic concept at this point. They offer a handful of speciality burgers, dogs and then there's friends, shakes and sodas. It's a very uncomplicated menu. Both times I've been I've gotten the Kenny J (bacon, grilled onions, cheerwine BBQ sauce, spicy pimento cheese) and i've gotten it the Al's size which is fairly big. I can typically polish off a Five Guy's double and this burger is a meaty hockey puck. They also cook their burgers medium from the start and they are the thickest, juiciest patties in the Triangle area. The Kenny J owns. You won't find a taster combination. Their basic crinkle fries seasoned with sea salt and rosemary are some of the best crinkle fries you'll ever have. Get the large, get some sauces and share them with friends or a loved one. A Large is really good for 2-3 people. Like I said my biggest complain with Al's is their ordering set-up and their seating. It's a small location that packs in people so you'll have to stress over finding a table if you're eating in and sometimes stand in a super long line. It's worth it. Don't get me wrong. Their burgers are some of the best (if not best in the Triangle) area. Highly recommended. read more

This place is truly over rated and awful. I went here 2 times to give it a fair shot. The first time I ordered a paco al size burger and sweet potato fries to go and was given given their smaller buddy size burger and regular fries. I only realized this when I went home and parking is such a nightmare it wasn't worth going back. The second time again I ordered a diff mookie al size burger this time I got the correct size confirming my last burger order was half the size. I also ordered a vanilla shake and sweet potato fries. I got the correct fries this time but they were super burnt and the vanilla shake left me unimpressed. Basically tasted like plain melted vanilla ice cream. This place was such a disappointment and highly overrated for food that has no quality standard . Perhaps because the clientele of this place is largely UNC college kids who don't know any better? I would take in and out over this place any day or the myriad of other burger places in the area like Buns. read more

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My first visit was average, I would give it 3 out of 5. My second time and it's super busy, over crowded, hot, and I got a combo but my burger was tiny. I've been here before and gotten the combo and it's been an actual sized burger. I went back to get a bigger one, got charged for the bigger sized (they also took the slider back) and ended up getting another slider with regular sized bread instead. I PAID $26 DOLLARS FOR A 2 SLIDER BURGERs AND FRIES. read more

The burgers and dog here are worth the hype. Didn't try any sides (hot dog was my side), but they did look good. I'll definitely be back. Reasonably priced and super quick and friendly service. read more

Al's is one of my favorite restaurants in Chapel Hill! The burgers are tasty, staff is always friendly and they have plenty of outdoor seating! Kenny j and rosemary fries are my personal favorites! read more

Nice and cozy outdoor seating with 4 high tables and high stools, with heaters. They have additional uncovered outdoor seatings too, definitely a safe spot in COVID times. Fries are generous even on a small size order. Burgers are small but tasty and done right! It's definitely a quality over quantity kind of spot if you know what I mean. Would come again! read more

Al's truly is one of the titan's of burgers in my lifetime experience of eating. This must-go-to in Chapel Hill serves up some mean patties with some memorable fries, and not to mention, creamy shakes. The venue is small, with sparse seating, but if you are able to sit outside, the aromas from your own food in combination with that of the restaurant's is truly a one of a kind experience. My go to is the classic AL size burger, with everything inside. Everytime I eat at AL's, the patties are pink, juicy, and cooked to perfection. The meat itself lacks any charred portions, and has a great depth of seasoning and flavor. The american cheese is melted perfectly on top of the patty, and the buttered potato buns seal the delectable flavors inside. The bite and texture of the burger is slightly firm, a little springy from the bun, a fresh crunchiness from the produce, and a juiciness from the patty. The fries are cooked to golden perfection, seasoned heartily, and offer a wonderful crunch to complement the burger. To top off the meal, a fresh strawberry milkshake made from the local Maple View Ice Cream, the freshness and creaminess will send you overboard. AL's burgers offers fresh and clean flavors that are to die for. Your palate wand stomach will thank you for the experience. Every penny you invest is definitely worth it, and the last bite you take will leave you with wanting more. My fellow foodies, it's time to come here and enjoy what words fail to accurately capture. read more

Burger's and hotdogs are good. Their milkshakes are the worst I have ever had; more like thick milk than a shake. Nice to eat outside and casual. Some of their wait staff are good, others not so good. read more

The burger place to go! Great price, great food, and great vibe. I love that the burgers come in two sizes because 8 ounces is way too much for me. Something about their soft drinks is extra good too. read more

Al's Burger Shack - Burgers Near Me - Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Visited first time yesterday with a friend who knew about their highly rated burgers. Burger was thick, juicy and delicious. Easily the best I've had at a restaurant. Small fries was enough for two and they were perfect with salt and rosemary. Drink is bottomless also. You won't be disappointed! read more

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I'm just a classic burger kind of girl and this one tops them all. The French fries were hot and seasoned great!

Those burgers were incredible. Some of the best burgers I've ever had. Love fresh ground beef.

Come here if you want to wait the entirety of your day for your food. They've closed and the staff is packing up the patio

Took 45 minutes to get a burger. Torture. Chapel hill classic but they have to figure out how to keep the wait times under 15 mins

Not just consistently but literally the best burger I've ever had, anywhere. It's a struggle to not go more than once a month or so because it's so excellent. The owner has a reputation for being a creep, but the staff and product keeps everyone coming back. read more

Al's Burger Shack is known for having the best burger in the country and I can attest to it. The burgers here are delicious and among the best I've ever had if not the best I've had. The burger shack has a very diverse menu, including a grilled chicken sandwich, hotdogs, and a veggie burger option, which I ordered. The veggie burger, aka the Kaaren, vegetable is sure to have your mouth watering. It's topped with fresh guacamole and onions. I also ordered a classic burger for my kids and they loved it. The classic burger, which I've had in the past, is soft and juicy. Everything is just right about it, including the American cheese in how it sits melted atop the mouthwatering beef patty. My kids said it was the best burger they've ever had. The produce here is locally sourced and tastes very fresh, which just enhances the tastiness of the burgers. The beef is obviously high quality and perfectly seasoned. The staff is extremely friendly, personable, and wore masks. There's ample outdoor seating and prices are affordable. Al's Burger Shack is a must try for every foodie whether carnivore or herbivore! read more

Al's Burger Shack - Kaarin - Burgers Near Me - Chapel Hill, North Carolina

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I work in southern village and it took me 10 months of working in the area to try Al's.. BIG MISTAKE. The staff are amazing and the sweet potato fries are to die for! I'm obsessed! Such a warm and inviting atmosphere. read more

Came by with a Loyal Local deal for a free classic burger. They substituted for a veg burger with no problem, which I really appreciated. Burger had a great flavor. Patty held together well and had a nice crispness on the outside which I really liked. I'm usually not a fan of cinna-sug on the sweet potat fries, but the fries themselves are good enough that the cinna-sug didn't bother me. Heated patio was comfortable even in the cold. I liked that the to-go container was paper/cardboard and not plastic. Great place for a quick yummy inexpensive dinner! read more

Al's Burger Shack - Veg burger on the patio - Burgers Near Me - Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Great burger and truly great fries. Nice place to sit outside too. Recommend the shakes too. Enjoy!

LOVE IT. The burgers have the perfect medium rare patty and each bite as some patty juice coming out of it, which I really enjoy. I got the Paco which has a habanero jack cheese, avocado, and jalapeños in the burger and it was all a good mix. I highly recommend this burger if you like a bit of a kick to your burger. I paired the burger with crinkle cut fries which have a great crunch with a good body of soft potato in the middle. Perfect balance. Great fries, you can never go wrong. The restaurant is toward the west end of Franklin St. so it's a little easier to find parking as opposed to the other end of Franklin, but you still have to pay for meter parking. Not too bad for a good burger. read more

Great food, consistent, and amazing staff. We love Al's Burger Shack at both locations!

My first night in Chapel Hill right after the "oh, so close , UNC almost upset the #1 Clemson Tigers" football game. As a SoCal In-n-Out | Hamburger Habit evangelist, I have to say, I have not had a better tasting burger (Al's Classic). Being a salesman and marketer for a long time, when I see the "America's Best Burger" slogan my first thought is 'yeah right'. IMO, that "award" is well deserved and cannot think of another burger than Al's. If you've been to the Mailbu Seafood restaurant on PCH, the line is out the door and you have to wait 30+ minutes to get in. Same here....long line...20-30 wait. I'll be back again before I go back to SoCal bragging about Al's Burger Shack! read more

Al's Burger Shack - Why is the line so long? Because they DON'T suck at making crappy boring burgers. - Burgers Near Me - Chapel Hill, North Carolina

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I'm already craving this burger! Perfectly cooked medium burger. No not mid-well to well pretending its medium like so many places. Like red In the center pink perfect medium!! Definitely have to get the Al size. It's not huge really. Just a perfect sized burger. I got the one with pimento cheese and bacon. Just deacilous. I want to try others as well. Must stop when in Chapel hill! Worth the wait the line goes fast. read more

I can't speak to the actual hamburgers, but the veggie burger is *terrible*. Completely tasteless with a glommy, mushy consistency. I've had it multiple times at both locations. Truly awful. For a place with apparently excellent hamburgers, I wish they could put slightly more effort into their vegetarian option. read more

The food is simple but good. I always order the Mookie burger - blue cheese and caramelized onions. Messy but delicious. They will cook to order from rare (just the way I like it) to we'll done. Sweet potato and regular fries are also good. Great value for the price. read more

These are my favorite burgers in Chapel Hill because they are grass fed. High quality ingredients are difficult to find.

Great place to catch up with friends while eating some good food. I always go here a few times during the summer + fall. Employees are always really friendly and welcoming, even if it is 90 degrees and their 5th hour on the shift. The store is generally pretty busy and the inside and outside tables are usually filled. The combo is pretty filling with a burger, fries, and drink. The fries are what stood out to me the most. Classic crinkle-cut with some salt and pepper - plain, but satisfying. I would only say that I wish the portion was a little bigger for a burger that's 5-6 dollars. The favor makes up for the gap though. read more

Not impressed with the burger Atmosphere is great Staff is Great Location is Great The Burger was Ok Instead of a Patty it was more like an oval meatball that didn't even cover 60% of the bun. Was a flavorful burger but just seemed to be missing something. I had the Paco I will definitely be back to try a different burger But to be called the best Burger joint in America might be stretching it a bit read more

Al's Burger Shack - Burgers Near Me - Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Delicious burgers and fries, I had the San felipe and my wife had the Sean's cheddar burger. They also have bottled drinks. Will definitely be coming back, great burger place. read more

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Simple burger shop the serves some interesting burgers, hot dogs, and treats. Order inside from the menu on the wall or from a copy by the door. Limited seating inside but they have a covered area just outside and several picnic tables. So there is a place for you to sit. I enjoyed the Pool Dog. Chili sauce, slaw, onions, mustard (i held to mustard). The Potato Bun helped make that a top notch dog. Nice simple lunch and a nice place to enjoy it. read more

Al's Burger Shack - Al's Burger Shack as seen from across the street. - Burgers Near Me - Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Pretty cool place for burgers. Been here several times and actually I really like their sweet potato fries!

The burger was delicious and the sweet potato fries were the bets I've ever had, extremely delicious.

Simply an amazing burger. Cooked beautifully with unique toppings and sauces. The fries are incredible too. Will always find an excuse to come to grab a burger with family or friends visiting town. read more

It's no wonder that Al's Burger Shack was voted the best burger in America by Trip Advisor! Al's burgers are outrageously delicious. I really enjoyed the burger called the "Mookie" which has bleu cheese, garlic aioli, and bacon onion jam. They come in "bite size" which is great if you want to try more than one! I opted for a bite size Mookie so I could additionally try the Pool Room hot dog. This dog is a Carolina classic served with chili, slaw, onions and mustard. The rosemary fries as a side are absolutely awesome and big enough to share. They also have a selection of canned and bottled beers. It's a little pricey and they charge extra for ranch, but the burgers are totally worth it! Parking can be difficult if it's a busy time, so prepare to park on the street. read more

Al's Burger Shack - Pool Room hot dog and the "Mookie" burger - Burgers Near Me - Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Disclaimer: I don't eat beef so this is just a review on their chicken burger! Ambiance: adorable local appropriately named shack. Friendly service. Dog friendly with outdoor seating. Food: I tried the special which was a spicy chicken sandwich with prosciutto and basil aioli. It was decent--unfortunately nothing amazing but I liked it. Fries on the other hand were awesome--Rosemary crinkle fries were better than the sweet potatoe. The crinkle fries were nice and crispy yet soft on the inside. Overall enjoyed it and would be back with a group of people--but it's not on my must try in chapel hill list. read more

Al's Burger Shack - The Sophia special (spicy chicken and prosciutto with basil aioli) and lots of fries! - Burgers Near Me - Chapel Hill, North Carolina