Best burger around... this place is old school and still operates like it did 30 years ago. A rare thing to find in todays day and age.

Rarely do I toss out a 5 star review but this place was a no brainer. Delicious food and cheap beer, a dive in the sense of its appearance but in reality this place is a Diamond in the rough. read more

Total dive, super hard to find...perhaps all by design as the burgers were outstanding. The perfect place to go when you don't care what you look like, you want some decent grub and can get out feeding your family for under $50. (As of Sept. 2022, so who knows where inflation is when you read this!) read more

I have driven by Hinson's numerous times, it has a fluorescent hot dog in the window and it's beside a cement building strip club that just reads: TOPLESS. Always catches my eye. I remember reading about Hinson's in last year's burger bracket. This week was the day I tried it! The chili and slaw is made in house, he had a bbq sandwich special the day, I was with one of my friends so we ordered a bbq sandwich, hot dog and a hamburger, I wanted to try EVERYTHING!!! I ordered a jalapeno burger, he put pickled jalapenos on the grill before he placed them on the burger! I watched him make all the food, he makes every sandwich with care. The hot dog won my vote, it was piping hot and I asked him to cook it well done, it was perfect. My French fry barometer registered a sexy whistle because I thought I was at the strip club. The French fries were so hot, you had to let them cool, even dipping them in ketchup didn't work.. hot, hot, hot! Phil, the only employee who was there told me they have karaoke on the first Friday of every month, dare I say????? Let's go? On the list for off the beaten path, authentic, unique to Charlotte lunch stop.. read more

See all

I have never been so disappointed in my fellow Yelpers. This place is a dive bar and certainly no place to get food. This place is basically a rundown shack that is pretty scary to walk into. But I was already running late and had no time to find another place to stop. And since all of you have given it four stars I figured I should give it a try. There's only one employee to run the bar and the grill and to take money. Hygiene here is nonexistent even though it got a 94% health rating according to the sign. I placed my order for a few hamburgers and a few hotdogs. I noticed some very worrisome food safety behavior. She reached into the cooler for the hotdogs and put them on the grill and then she reached into a plastic bag for buns without washing her hands. She later cut the hotdogs on the grill in half and put down the knife. Later I saw her cut mushrooms with the same knife without washing or cleaning anything. The raw hamburger meat is sitting out at this tiny work station next to the buns and her cooked food wrapping area. The hamburger meat was in a metal pan and it was sitting on the counter at room temperature. At one point she took drinks to some bar patrons and took someone's money and went back to the grill and touched the food without washing her hands. I asked for a side of chips and she told me to go to the other side of the bar to pick them out. However all the chips on display were two weeks expired. As I walked out of the bar, I saw a box of frozen turkey patties laying open on one of the customer tables. I have no idea why they were thawing food in the dining area. We each ate a hotdog and a hamburger and I have to say they were pretty tasty. However, by the next day our stomachs were feeling pretty horrible. I cannot say that it is directly related to this experience but I would caution everyone to be careful if they decide to try this place. read more

See all

I've lived in Monroe for 10 years and passed this place sooo many times. I finally went to eat and was greeted immediately and my order was taken. The atmosphere is family oriented and definitely had some regulars there. The food was freaking amazing. That's the best burger I've had in a while! The onion rings almost put my burger to shame. I'm definitely making this a regular stop for a good burger and a good conversation! read more

Old school awesome. This is why you love to live in the south. Real burgers with toasted buns. Fresh fried every time okra, onion rings and fries. And if that wasn't enough...coldest beer in town and an attentive family at the helm. read more

Looks can be deceiving...some of the best prices and lunxhs in the area...live Music on Friday nights....and staff treats you like an old friend...try it out read more

Hinsons Drive-In - Burgers Near Me - Matthews, North Carolina

Best smoked turkey sandwich ever! Agree with other reviews . Go other places if you're looking for trendy over priced meager portions of mediocre food. If not Hinson's your place! read more

I've seen this place from Independence Hwy and finally stopped in and I'm sure glad dthat I did. I ordered the double Fire Burger with tots. The burger was delicious and easily over 1/2 pound, nothing flashy or pretentious, just perfectly executed on a toasted bun. The tots were crispy and hot. Place is a real find! I can't wait to go back and try the dogs and a pork tenderloin sandwich. read more

Had a bbq sandwich and a hotdog with tater tots. Food was excellent. The owner was very friendly and our waitress was great. They had some of the best iced tea I have had in a while. Definitely be back. read more

Since moving to the area I've always noticed this little place and have wanted to try it. It is tucked away and is always surrounded by Harleys. Yesterday I finally had time to come in and try it, as soon as I swung the screen door open all eyes of customers and employee were on me. It was a bit intimidating. The bartender asks how us how we're doing and almost immediately a couple gives their chairs up to my boyfriend and I at the bar. Although there are seats in the back it seemed like, a lot of people were hovering around the bar and it felt like I just arrived to a family BBQ. Everyone was talking to one another, country music in the background, football game playing and the bartender talked to us like we've been there before. We both ordered burgers and it was cooked right in front of us. However, I was a bit disturbed that the same person who was passing drinks out and handling money was also cooking our food without gloves. BUT, my boyfriend said he saw her wash her hands in between everything so that made me feel better. The burger was good and it felt like a home cookout and that's what makes the place so good. I will be back. read more

Heard about this place on Nextdoor.....the hamburgers were great!!! We were greeted/welcomed by staff and some regulars sitting at the bar as soon as we stepped through the door! Also had a cold beer and some good fried mushrooms with spicy ranch sauce.....we will be back! read more

Charlotte and Union County are changing so fast, nothing seems to stay the same. Hinson's has steadily been my "go to" for the best burger for over 30 years. My standard by which all other burgers are measured. Hinson's is the real deal. No chain restaurant BS, no hype. Real people, both staff and patrons. Will speak their mind and not worry about being "politically correct". Not for the faint of heart. If you are looking for a reason to be offended, this is not your place. Great food, great people, great atmosphere. Great burgers, fries, tots and onion rings. Ice cold beer and sweet tea. Good value. What more could you want? Thank you Phil, for keeping the tradition. read more

Yeah, it's a dive, but the food is awesome, rhe beer is cold, and the prices are right! I got a Hinson's burger all the way with a side of fries. Both were awesome. Will be back again to try one of the other sides (mac and cheese bites sound amazing). read more

My kind of place! 4 star dive bar. 5 if it had spirits rather than just beer. Best burger and cold beer in a long time. Stay away yuppies, craft beer and wine snobs this place ain't for you. Leave the working man a place to go. We observed that the Charlotte area has become so gentrified that places like this are being choked out like a weed on a New York side walk. The state even took highway access from Hinsons after expanding the road. Don't let the ruff exterior fool you or the abandoned topless bar next to it. My wife and brother and sister-laws were a bit nervous about going in. Once we all did we knew we picked the right spot. Good luck Hinsons. In business since 1954 I hope you make it another 65 years long after the sterile, corporate, cookie cutter, so called bars are gone. Thanks for the hospitality THEY ARE A DIVE BAR AND PROUD OF IT! read more

Top notch. This is the kind of longstanding place where everybody knows each other but they also welcome newcomers. They take pride in their food and it shows. Simple is difficult, but they do it well. Stop in and remember how dining used to be in rural America. read more

I love the burger here. After moving to Charlotte, I found what I would say in the best burger in Charlotte. Friendly place cheap beer!!

Food was great! Nice local place where "everyone knows your name"! Very friendly and we Will be back!!!

This is a 5-star dive! Do not expect fancy. Do not expect fine dining. This place is a great stop for burgers, hot dogs, fried bologna sandwiches and all the things that come along with those delectable items! The tater tots and onion rings are my favorite sides, but everything looks delicious. Our service was really attentive and nice, and we had a great (and cheap) meal! read more

Update since the first time I went...I like it the more I go. Didn't think Phil could do better than the burgers but I had a chili and pimento cheese hotdog and now have a hard time deciding so I usually get both. read more

See all

Went there for the first time today with my 15-year old daughter after we were craving burgers and just a nice place to chat. We've driven by Hinson's for years - and it never seemed approachable given it's unique character. After navigating off Independence (74) - we found it. First good sign - it was PACKED at lunch time. We entered through the back door, and were immediately greeted by the staff and they said "sit anywhere you feel comfortable." That was awesome. We got a nice little spot in the back corner and the staff came over almost immediately - got us menus, drinks and...fast forward...we had a great lunch. Burgers are fantastic, fries are great - - it's cozy, it's got character, it's been there I understand forever. You almost don't want to tell anyone about this place... Great place, we will be back. read more

This place is awesome. I have only eaten there a few times so far, but every time I try new things and they are always great. The burgers are handmade to order, they put jalapenos on your burgers/sandwiches if you so desire, and the turkey sandwich is so so so good! The fire burger is just phenomenal and the veggies and breads are fresh as can be. Couple excellent food with cheerful service and a local-yokel vibe, pool table, jukebox with variety(!) and tall boys of pbr and you have found a gem! Great spot, cant wait to return. read more

My favorite burger joint in Charlotte! They make the old-style diner burgers from days of old, but the simplicity in their execution is top-notch. All the way is Ketchup, Mustard, Slaw and Onions. Their chili is homemade, and a great place for a beer, wings and there's always a lot of regulars that stop in for lunch. Phil Hinson and his family do it up right! read more

Tad hard to find since the State shit their driveway down. But definitely a hidden gem, can't believe that blond cook dude, Guy Fieri hadn't had this place on his show!! Staff was great, food was well above par. Nice to see some Southern Hospitality so far from home. read more

They are doing construction in front of it so you have to navigate back around behind it. Yelp says they are open until 11 pm. We got there at 9pm and they were closed. Shares the same parking lot as a topless bar. Don't know about the food. Didn't get to try it read more

A little hard to get to now with construction but worth the effort. Nothing fancy, good burgers with no frills.

Definitely not going to come here for the decor. The burger and fries would have had more flavor had they been seasoned. Sure there is salt on the counter, but any cook knows you have to season as you cook. Doing it at the end isn't effective. I could see sanitation being an issue, with their setup, but this is true to an extent at every restaurant. read more

The place is a perfect dump. Great little joint off the cluster f*** known as Independence. It's a time capsule that serves cold beer, burgers, dogs, etc.. Fast, friendly service, good digs, and did I mention cold beer! Stay gold. read more

What a great little DIVE bar. Yes, this is a hole in the wall, if you want new and pretty, this is not the place for you. This is a beat up 60 year old small local place. Basic menu of burgers dogs and a couple other sandwich options. Owner is the grill master, and you can get anything you want just the way you want it prepared. Burger are fresh ground beef and hand formed to order. Tots and fries are always super hot and crispy. Beer is cold and everyone is friendly and on a first name basis with most of the others there. If you want some fancy chain stay in Ballantyne, leave the dives to us locals... :-) read more

I finally got to try this place after living nearby for several years. It's small inside but the service from Phil was great and the people inside were all very friendly. The food was good - exactly what you would expect a small restaurant/bar to have - burgers, hotdogs, etc I really liked the way he prepared the hotdog cutting it down the middle. I hear they will put pimento cheese on a hotdog so that's what I'll try next tume read more

The place is extremely good. People that work there are super friendly and their burgers and dogs are delicious. Would recommend eating there to any one. read more

Hinsons is the kind of place where you can become a regular and chat with other folks from the neighborhood about your family or whatever else you want to talk about. The food isn't fancy but it is very good and the price is fair. I've been to a few burger places that charge nearly twice as much and I doubt the meat is nearly as fresh. It's not fancy but the service there has always been outstanding. I've been going there for a few years now whenever I meet a friend for lunch on that side of town. In fact, it's probably about time for us to schedule another time to meet up there and enjoy a burger and fries. read more

Great dive, great people, owner, Phil Hinson, is a great guy, hard worker & hilarious! He employs one lady, Leslie, she is a hoot & makes the best burger's around (sorry Phil, Leslie's got you beat there ;)...) Karaoke on Thurs. Play pool, fun arcade/bar games. Plenty of seating. Large bar area. It's not fancy but it's great for what it is! Support local businesses!! read more

I recently have moved to Charlotte and i'm always looking for a new hole in the wall/dive/greasy spoon restaurant. I've drove by this place prolly 20 times and always wondered about it so i decided to check out the reviews and found were very good so i took the wife tonight and we order Turkey Burger with bacon {wife} she really liked it and very juicy and lots of flavor. I was debating on the Fire Burger and the pulled pork sandwich. I ordered the Fire Burger {double} medium rare and was cooked to perfection and one of the better greasy spoon burgers i've had in a long time. I like that all the burgers are not frozen and fresh made to order. We also had the tater tots, Onion rings and Corn nuggets. Wife said the tater tots were good and i loved the onion rings. The corn nuggets were decent. The regulars were pretty friendly and the owner manning the grills was also very friendly. We were delighted to find this gem. I see this being a regular place to have lunch. Looking forward to coming back next week. Pulled pork sandwich look out!!! Lance PS. To get into this place is a bit confusing just ask my wife, But you drive down about 2 blocks past hinson's and turn right before the shell gas station. If you are at the shell station you have gone to far. Also once you take the right you go down prolly 200 feet and take immediate right and go down what you would call a frontage road i guess and park out back. Don't let the outside fool ya it's worth the stop. We ordered 2 sandwiches and 3 apps and order was right at $20 pretty tough to beat that. read more

The best turkey sandwich ever my girlfriend says, and a great hot dog and burger also. Doesnt look all that inviting but warm inside. The locals that hang at the bar are very friendly and we actually moved to the bar and hung out after we ate. Burgers are fresh not frozen and grills the dogs. Turkey was deep fried and the sandwich was good!! read more

Not sure why some folks go to a 1950 type cafe and then bitch about it looking like a 1950 cafe. Yes it does need a paint job and it is not all shinny stainless steel. But if you want to see what a burger joint looked like in 1950 this is the place to go. Hinsons' burgers are much better than those from the '50s and the waitress and short order cook are very attentive to your needs. When three regulars came in the back door (as a newbie I seemed to be the only one whom entered via the front door) the waitress had a cold beer on the table before they even sat down. Now that is service '50s style. Give it a try if you are curious about honest food at an honest price. read more

Chilli dog & fries were good. They have been in business 60 years! DECOR IS 1950's old school. Or just plain old. And their are no plates. Food comes wrapped in paper. Cinder block building. Beside a strip joint. read more

I would call this place a hole in the wall but their food is awesome, cooked to perfection. When in the Matthews area, I will always stop for some hotdogs and tots read more

Don't let the location and outside fool ya, the Best hamburgers and hotdogs I've ever had. Homemade barbecue too!