This place is awesome! Highly recommend!! To the John L below, get over yourself. If you can't take 30 minutes to sit by yourself in a little peace and quiet, grow up. You sound like a brat and I don't think I'd be alone in saying this, but it seems obvious to everyone why you're eating alone in the first place.... read more

Great fast food. Burgers (all the way) have been written up as one of the best burgers in town. I am stuck on the BLT. It is simple yet perfect. The high quality bacon and perfect ratio of tomatoes and Duke's mayo make it my choice every time. Onion rings are great. Don't get the large order of rings unless you are sharing them with a couple of people. read more

OK the only reason I'm giving this place three stars is not for the food but for the old, souther, country ambience. This is a little place and you better not have your cell phone on, ringing or talking, otherwise your ass will get thrown out. The menu is very basic with hamburgers, french fries, hotdogs, BLT etc. Don't even THINK that you're going to be ordering your hamburger at any particular temperature, because it comes to you well done whether you like it or not. The french fries come crisp if you ask for them like that. I got mine with a side of Cole slaw, which if you don't let them know, will be on your hamburger instead of on the side. They cater to the working class people and the bathroom is outside and you need a key but don't expect to wash your hands in there because they have no sink. The sink is in the middle of the dining room. Overall the food is so so nothing to write home about but the place is charming quaint and very old-school which gives it the three stars that they deserve. read more

Duke's Grill - So divey and I love it! - New American Near Me - Monroe, North Carolina

A burger topped with chili and slaw? This Texan was a little confused but very satisfied. Simple yet done right.

Awesome Burger's, took two Wingate students there, they won't be eating burgers on campus again!

Good lunch menu. The double burger with chili and coleslaw is great. Onion rings are plentiful and good.

I appreciate this Monroe institution as much as anyone, but as good as their burgers taste, they do have young-inexperienced teenagers running things in the late afternoon and early evening. If you go there late in the day, you WILL run a 50/50 chance of having your order delivered incorrectly. If you're eating-in, it's easily corrected, but if it's take-out and you're miles away, it's definitely more difficult. BUYER-BEWARE... Empty every bag and check your order before you leave! read more

I eat here on a weekly basis. It's a Monroe favorite and has been around for 60 years. Great folks, Great staff, Awesome Food. Best Burgers with all the toppings. read more

If you want a burger, Dukes is the only place to go. Cheap and sloppy. Loaded so much you almost have up use a fork. Love mine with slaw, chili, onions, mustard, mayo and ketchup. Take cash with you. No cards. read more

They have excellent burgers worth craving, but they still have a silly no cellphone conversation policy so I feel weird every time I go eat there alone, because I feel like they let 2 or more people sitting there talk to each other, but if I eat alone, which I often have to do, then they won't let me talk on the phone with anyone to keep me company if I need it. Therefore I feel kind of discriminated against as a solo diner who has to eat alone almost every time, and I feel like I'm taking up a table they want for at least 2 people even if there's one for 2 or 4 with no one waiting, depending on the time of the day. I sometimes go at non peak hours just to avoid a crowded situation when they might need every seat. I've worked as waitstaff so I know the disappointment when you want a 4 top and get a solo. And they don't have counter seating so I can't just take a single seat, and so I never eat there unless it's with someone, and so I just about always have to get take out and eat in the parking lot with my dog. And I wish they would take the sign off so people like me, whether lonely or not, and whether we prefer to eat alone or not, can eat at a favorite local place without feeling even more alone and ostracized than we already are. And I'm sorry, but I'll just have to keep reviewing Duke's Grill with my honest opinion every time I go there, and I guess we'll just have to see how often I crave their burgers, which honestly could be a lot because they're that good. I just don't know why they have to treat people that way and make them feel bad just to eat their food, because they look like nice and decent people to me and their message on the menu and tables sort of feel that way too. I'm just disappointed in them, that's all. Oh, and I'm sorry to have to add this theory, but I was in the back of the building sitting in my car and smoking with my dog when this nice woman came out and handed us our burger, and I thought that was nice of her to come out and find me, and they do that for me at McDonald's too. Like last night this nice woman came out and handed me my bag while I was smoking and timed it wrong, and then another time a nice guy came out and found me in the dining room when I was kind of hiding in the corner by myself even thought the place was empty, just so I could have sight lines on who was coming in because I'm like that, and so yeah I appreciate it when then come find me with the food. But then I was thinking about it, and it's like they knew exactly where to look for me, out the back door. And so I'm analyzing things, because that's kinda what I do for a living, and I think hmmm what if they keep that up because they know that a lot of guys who eat alone are contractors or guys on the job, and yeah a lot of those guys eat as a crew, that's why they're called crew cars, which I seriously need me a couple for this crazy mission from God or whoever, and so I'm thinking, hmmm what if they just keep it up because they don't want any freaking Latinos or other minority working guys to go there or show up to protest or anything, because they know that those working stiffs and even the white working stiffs who don't have all day to sit there enjoying their 4 person genteel Southern lunch can, and so they just freaking keep keeping the sign up with a smug attitude like I also felt from the customers if not the owners. The owners were too busy trying to keep up with orders and their livelihood to offend their old regular customers who sit there all day with their snugness, but then tell the owners not to back down to people like us, the minorities and working stills who actually help run this country and everywhere else. Some of us minorities are the geniuses and super genius that help this country, including me, a Naturalized United States Citizen and just glad somebody had the wisdom to bring me to this country so I can fight for her like everyone else, and some of my Japanese ancestors who already died once and went unrecognized like those of the US 442 regiment who remain the #1 most awarded force for its size and length of service. Why can't men who died for this country, as well as immigrants who are willing to, not be able to sit at a table or shoot darts or play pool at the VFW together as veterans and their family? Why should he feel unwelcomed just because he got to the fight or the dance a little bit late, and why should be alone and fit only for eating out the back door? I'm thinking we're just going to have a Flash Mob hit Dukes and take down their sign, and either get them to take the sign down in a fun and helpful way, or make it an ugly scene with people linking up by race or age or ethnic background and next thing you know we've got people lined up all over who haven't even enjoyed Duke's Grill's burgers like I have, and I just don't want that. read more

I love this place, since moving to NC, I've been coming here for about a year, I've never been disappointed, no wonder it got all the TV attention that it did... The burgers really are the best... Same burger recipe for over 60 years... And it's just fun to be there, it's a throw back to fun times and memories... Enjoy!!! read more

Burger is great. I want the stand alone burger next time because the standard bland bun, pickles, lettuce, tomato, onion, and mustard masked all the good flavor of the burger. Fries are the fat crinkle cut kind and cooked perfectly. Friendly staff, comfy environment, and the staff obviously keeps up with cleanliness (in the span of 30 minutes saw them sweep twice and wipe down counters). read more

Great food and great service! Everyone is always so nice and the food comes out very quick. Great burgers and BBQ! I've never eaten anything here I didn't like! Definitely one of my favorite places to eat in Monroe! read more

Duke's is absolutely delicious! Down south atmosphere, tiny parking lot, and great service. You'll never leave here hungry.

Amazing place for a good cheeseburger and onion rings. Do not expect anything fancy, just good food. The busy parking lot is a sure sign that the food is hit. read more

Horrible horrible service. Gave me the wrong food came back asked nicely, they said it was my mistake did not want to refund my money and they thought I was lying. The food is also a pile of grease, would not return at ALL. read more

My 5 stars is based on the food itself. I've been to Duke's grill multiple times since I moved to monroe Jan 2015. Great filling burgers for me. Just tried their hotdog loaded tonight and it reminded me of a restaurant called Rumleys in VA which was great. I don't care that their hamburger meat is circuluar, its oval. Its freakin real meat not that fake stuff from mcds or burger king. I read some other reviews about the cell phone policy. I am a server at a restaurant in Concord, NC and I can relate to this policy because you go to a restaurant to eat and you being on the cell phone just slows their service speed down. I appreciate that and think more restaurants need to adopt this policy. Shame on anyone that is on their phone when your server is trying to take your order. SHAME SHAME SHAME ON YOU AMERICA!!! Lastly about the mood of the staff. Here is a way they can correct it. Since Dennis the owner sets the mood of the staff, he should either stay home and let his staff handle the place or his crew should find a job where they are treated right with respect. Or they can report him to OSHA or BBB. Once again my stars are based on food not that of service or the cell phone policy. read more

I love this place! The food is amazing, I love the "old school" feel, and even though I'm one of those people constantly on her phone, I LOVE the fact that they have signs saying no cell phones. It's nice that they want you to actually communicate with each other and enjoy their meal. My favorite burger place! read more

First of all, i now remember why i stopped eating here about 10 years ago...the employees where rude, not out going at all. I asked for a to-go kids meal and they said that they don't do kid meals to go!?!? I asked why and they said they don't have anything to put it in...here's a thought, (wrap it in paper and throw it in a bag, like you do the rest of the food!). Secondly, if I seen 1, I seen 20 signs hanging up all over the place, telling everyone to cut off there mobile communication devices. Here's another thought, these customers are paying your bills, so if they want or need their communications devices left on, then they should have the right...don't be rude about it. Thirdly, I ordered myself a double cheeseburger, fries, and a regular tea, my two small sons a cheeseburger, fries, and two regular drinks, and my 5 year old daughter, a ham sandwich and fries and a child's milk and my bill was $41 and change. So to conclude, I paid $41+ dollars, to walk in, speak to some employees, with no personality, had to cut off my cell phone, couldn't get a kids meal to go, and got charged a small fortune for a few burgers. I can assure ya, that will be the last $41 they get from me!!!!! read more

I used to eat here all the time, but when the current owner said no cell phones and included fire pagers and radios that was the end of me eating there. I am ok with the no cell phone policy, but I cannot get behind the fire radios and pager issue. Just because we stop to eat volunteer or paid we are available 24/7 for the people we serve. When they decide if they ever do to allow these devices to be left on I will again visit there establishment until then NO. read more

Unfortunately we didn't get the opportunity to eat the food. The waitress was pleasant and wonderfully hopeful but a parolee guy working in the kitchen was quite arrogant and rude. Not the small town experience you'd expect and hope for. read more

Carolina slaw burger was great. Onion rings spit on. Good dive place. Looking forward to the liver mush next time.

It's good ! But not much seating or parking !!! Owner doesn't permit cell phone usage REALLY it's 2016 ???!! Dude

I'm visiting Monroe on business, and all of the engineers I was meeting with swear by Duke's. So, they took me with them to lunch. I had the chili slaw dog with onions and a side of onion rings. I'm from the Atlanta area, so my gold standard for chili slaw dogs is The Varsity. This place is just as good. The onion rings are also very good. The only detractors for me are the weird "no cell phone" policy and the place is way too small for the steady crowd of traffic visiting the restaurant. But the food can't be beat. This is your quintessential hole in the wall burger joint. If you love good hot dogs and burgers and you're in the area, you gotta try this place. read more

What a great local business. Friendly local service, great burgers and sides. This is a classic Carolina burger joint. Extremely clean and well organized. Burgers are good sized and served with your choice of toppings, however I would suggest the special for locals. Yankees might want to clarify what they want on them. Hot crispy crinkle fries and crispy onion rings. Very good unsweetened tea. I hate I did not find this place years ago. read more

I got the club sandwich and my girl got a burger and onion rings. All was great. Order came in literally 5 minutes servers were great. Refilled my water 5 times. Nothing fancy....but the food was great and reasonable prices. read more

Amazing! We all loved our cheeseburgers. First timer for slaw on a burger and it was fantastic. (Wasn't brave enough to try chili AND slaw). Onion rings are great also. Thank you Yelp for a great find. read more

Being from New York and having had burgers all over the place I thought I could never find better than I've had. After three bites of a double I said to my wife this is the best burger I've ever had! I said to the chef on the way out I give my compliments to you! read more

Best burger anywhere! Been going here since I was little. They make their own chilli and slaw that are out of this world good! Hotdogs are very good too. Love this place!!! There is no other place like it or as good! read more

This place is a legendary burger joint. Maybe once upon a time it was great place but I think it's just a place to see and be seen. Dennis (the owner/burger flipper) is a sour old guy that has no joy for what he does. Once I got a burger with no patty. No big deal, right? I just asked the waitress to fix it. She was very apologetic and I was laughing about it. She then begged me not to say anything to Dennis on the way out because he would yell at them. He's the one that makes the burgers! They live in fear of him. For the super-high price you can go to 5 Guys and get a better burger and less hassle. read more

I heard a lot of good things about Duke's Grill and so I wanted to try them out. I have to say that while the food is good, I found them to be a little inflexible! (Asked for my bacon, egg and cheese to be done a little bit differently - nothing difficult) and was told that they wouldn't do it any other way but their way. A little disappointed, but food was good. Waitresses at the counter seemed indifferent and not very friendly. I must have caught them on a bad day. Like I stated though, in all fairness, the food was good. read more

Going by Yelp reviews, we stopped on a Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. Well, folks, I read all of these reviews and I have to tell you that while the Duke's hamburger is definitely different, it certainly is not the best hamburger I've ever had. For starters it came to us much too quickly, proof that it was not cooked to order as any hamburger worth it's salt would be. It is not served on a plate but wrapped and placed in front of you like a fast food drive-in. It is also quite messy with the slaw and chili so if you wished to try eating it with a knife and fork, sorry not an option. As other reviewers have noted the French fries are so ho-hum that chips would be a better choice. No lemonade available, so no Arnold Palmer...a rare occurrence. Warning, the restrooms are outside and don't have a sink. When I asked at the counter if there was some place to wash my hands I was directed to a sink in the seating area, right next to a couple having a meal. So, think of it, I have just used the toilet and have to wait until I get into the food area before I can wash my hands. How many door knobs, etc. have I, and others touched between there and here? Lastly, there are signs everywhere asking you to please silence cell phones. Don't make the mistake I did by trying to listen to something on my iPad. They think that's a cell phone, too. And this is a place with so much background noise from air conditioning units that we had to move once just to hear one another speak. Our waitress was very friendly and attentive...the best part of the experience. Bottom line, I don't recommend spending any time off of 74 to find it. Leave it to the locals. read more

really good little place, it stays busy, but the food comes out pretty quick. nice to have a place like this in monroe, onion rings were good. prices are good, i think its nice to support local places. read more