This place is a hole in the wall burger joint that focuses on three things. Burgers, hotdogs and fries. Good luck finding a seat if you don't get there at opening or at closing because it is PACKED with a line out the door otherwise. It's got a counter with seats and a handful of booths giving it that "get in and get out" vibe. I saw their name listed on a Top 10 BEST Cheeseburgers of North Carolina list and was told by a native in Siler City to go here for the best cheeseburgers so I decided to give them a try. My go to cheeseburger order is always cheese, pickles onions and mustard but they don't have pickles so I got a cheeseburger with Ket, Mus, Mayo, lettuce, tomato and onion. It was DELICIOUS! So juicy and flavorful. They roll and pat out each burger to order, steam the buns, and the fries come out hot and crispy. Their tea is really good too. Service was friendly and knowledgeable about their product and origin of beef. But be prepared to wait. It's a BUSY little place, but well worth the wait. I highly recommend for the best cheeseburger around. read more

See all

One of the best hotdogs and burgers around. Stop in and try them out, 1946 drive inn

Slinging burgers in a tiny place like Siler City since the 1940s?! Well you gotta be doing something right to achieve community institution status like that, and I finally had the good fortune to be in the area of this spot during their limited hours... so I had to stop in. Johnson's doesn't look like it has changed much since it first came to be. Fairly tiny on the inside, and showing a lot of wear on the outside, it's got the look and charm of a place that has spanned over 75 years of service. That said even though it is dated, the inside looked nice and clean to me. There is lunch counter seating, that if you are a tall individual, might be a tight fit for you, but the booths aren't going to be any better. So after jamming my knee into the wall under the counter, I achieved a fine degree of man-spread, and was reasonably OK after that. From my seat at the counter, I had a perfect view of their process and burgers sizzling on the flat-top grill. Each burger hits the hot top with a sizzle, is smashed down (but not quite to smashburger thin-ness), gets flipped, is adorned with a thick chunk of Velveeta cheese, and gets half a bun on top to let it steam up real good. The other half the bun is to the left, where a dedicated person is assembling all the toppings. When ready, they put the halves together, wrap it up, and send it your way. Fast and efficient, but all patties are 100% cooked to order. I also got a hot dog all the way, order of fries, and a fully sweet tea as they were out of unsweet. They were also out of pickles, and don't do grilled onions, negatives for me because I like my first try to be simple. grilled onions, pickles, burger sauce if available. They also charge extra for lettuce and tomato. I just went ahead and had my burger made the same way as my hot dog, all the way. It made for one hell of a mess, but it was delicious. I definitely enjoyed my meal, but to be honest, neither the burger or the hot dog would rank in my top 5 in the state. Doesn't really matter, as at the end of the day, I would certainly come back here because I am sure it's the best burger in the area, and given the amount of burgers and hot dogs I have eaten being "outside the top 5" doesn't mean you're doing poorly. Cash only, so come prepared, but definitely come! read more

See all

Johnson's Drive In reopened the dining portion in August I was told. So that is where I dined on my most recent stop. I was surprised how busy it was at 10:30am and all the to go orders they were getting. I was warmly greeted when I arrived and told I could sit anywhere I wanted. I sat at the bar as I didn't want to take up a booth. Then I could watch the action. I could tell that regulars frequent the burger shop as they knew most people by name and what they ordered. The owner passed away a few weeks ago. I could sense something happened from some of the conversations with the regulars. He left a legacy that his parents started with the simple menu and the quality beef. My cheeseburger was served hot with the toppings I ordered and that melted cheese. The fries were also piping hot like I enjoy them and more like steak fries. I will need another excuse to head back this way for another burger. read more

See all

If you haven't been to Johnson's in Siler City, you're missing out. Quite possibly the best cheeseburger in the state, hands down. I know there's been a lot of talk lately about other places that are really good, but you can't beat somewhere that's been around since 1946. The burgers are cooked with a slab of Velveeta that melts into the meat. The employees are super friendly and quick to take your order once you get your seat. The dining room was closed for a long time thanks to the pandemic and loyal customers would order their burgers from the window and bring camping chairs and sit in the parking lot and eat. I have done that many times. If you're anywhere near Siler City, North Carolina, and you love a good cheeseburger definitely want to check out this place. read more

See all

Established in 1946, Johnson's Drive-In is a trip back in time. Their hamburgers were rated by Our State magazine as the best in NC. The burgers are prepared to order so they are really fresh (take that Wendy's!). This ain't fast food. They are going to prepare your burger for you and do it right. Expect to wait about twenty minutes while they work their magic. The burgers are a decent size though not huge. Additions include lettuce, tomato, and cheese. Johnson's uses Velveta which is a nice, melty, touch. Johnson's hotdogs are a traditional NC dog featuring a very nice chili. Their fries are large and a throw back to earlier times. They also offer cheese dogs (all cheese, no dog) and grilled cheese sandwiches. Prices are pretty decent and given the quality of the food, a good value. Currently, Johnson's is take out only: No dining inside. Treat yourself to a great burger made the way things done before "fast food". read more

Johnson's Drive In Restaurant - Old school diner since 1946 - Burgers Near Me - Siler City, North Carolina

The cheeseburger was amazing. My homie hyped this place up and it lived up to it. Service was great. Bring cash read more

Johnson's Drive In Restaurant - Cheeseburger with mayo and onions - Burgers Near Me - Siler City, North Carolina

When I first drove by this restaurant I had a strong feeling it was going to be good - it was packed with customers and had abundant small town charm. When I finally got around to going, I was highly satisfied. Right off the bat the workers were outgoing, helpful, kind, and funny. The food was FANTASTIC. My dad has grown to hate burgers because nothing will beat his hometown all time favorite and even he admitted that while not the same, it was really good and the closest he had ever found (the highest honor a burger place could even get!) He ordered the cheeseburger "all the way". I got a plain cheeseburger which was juicy, crispy, salty, and cooked to perfection. The fries weren't anything special but still very tasty. Overall, fantastic place with great people and great food. Highly recommend! read more

This was my first time here at Johnson's. I was here with my dad to grab my permit from the dmv but unfortunately they were closed. So we stopped here at johnson's and said lets give it a try. Now let me say this, this food was absolutely amazing. The burgers were super juicy and delicious. The fries were super crispy and crunchy, loved it a whole bunch. The service was also really great. Our server Anita was super kind and friendly and we couldn't have had a better server. I would really recommend this place if you want some food to come out quick. Loved it read more

Happened to be in Sanford NC today visiting an awesome friend. He and his wife both raved about the burgers here. Historic place which was established in nine-teen and 40 IIIIII. The guy who took our order was very friendly and a little comical. I chose the cheeseburger and my wife had a plain ol burger. We split a fry and chased it with a delicious Cheerwine. I'll give em a four. Stop by if you're in Sanford and try them out. read more

See all

Johnson's Drive In may not look like much from the road but this is why you never judge a book by the cover! The decor is old school as you feel like you stepped back into the 70's but it truly goes with the amazing food served up and the southern hospitality. The menu is very simple with burgers, dogs, and fries. The hotdog was possibly one of the best hotdogs I've had and the cheeseburger with Velveeta cheese was perfect with some crisp to the edge of the burger. This is definitely a spot worth stopping for while traveling on 421. read more

See all

I have been hearing quite a few people talking about how great this place is, so I decided to try it out for myself. I grew up in a town with a local restaurant that everyone had a nostalgic love for. I thought peoples high praise of Johnson's was for the same reason. Boy, was I wrong! I ordered a cheese burger and fries. The fries were great, but the burger...wow. The thick piece of melted cheese, the buttery bun, and the fresh meat patty were all executed with the perfection that comes from making them the same way since the 40's. If you are looking for a perfect burger, this is the place to go. read more

Johnson's Drive In Restaurant - Pure beauty - Burgers Near Me - Siler City, North Carolina

Kudos to any local restaurant that has been in operation for over 70 years! The folks from the area are incredibly loyal to this place. Simple menu, no frills. I arrived at 10:45 am (opens at 10) and got one of two counter stools that were open. Ordered the cheeseburger with chili, fries, and a sweet tea. If you are used to the fast food "here's your premade burger" and be on your way type of place, this isn't for you. The grill has about a dozen burgers cooking at any one time, and that slab of Velvetta on top is a wonderful thing. Expect a wait. on seating, placing an order, and getting your food. I've done it, enjoyed the food, and can now claim I've eaten at another famous NC eatery. read more

Johnson's Drive In Restaurant - Menu - Burgers Near Me - Siler City, North Carolina

See all

The worst ever ! Are they still Making these from the 50's ? The onion and tomato slice was THREE TIMES the size of the patty and .. They charged me .35 cents for a piece of dead lettuce A 1/2 a piece of lettuce. Drive in ? NO ! Drive away FAST from this place quickly $10 for this ? And $2.75 for 20 Ore-ida French fries ? Did I need to pay extra for salt ? I suggest you buy alpo, form it into a patty and throw it on your own grill ! You're better off !!! ALSO ... what company doesn't take credit cards ?? It's 2024 ! ITS the ones that hide money !!! read more

A good burger stop when in the area. This place has been around for years and has always maintained good quality burgers. The dining area was not open during our visit but the walk up window for ordering worked just fine. They were observing COVID protocol and offered a great feel of safety. We had to wait about 20-minutes for our order to be prepared but that was just fine. A piece of NC restaurant history and deserves a visit. read more

See all

This. Place. It's delicious. It's food you want to eat all the time, but cannot. Heads up: Order at the window. Cash only. No longer is there dine-in or seating at all. BUT you CAN order on their website ahead of time to avoid the line and also use non-cash payment options. Only open for lunch, and will close early if they sell out of the day's provisions. The cheese burger all the way is where it's at! The hotdog is nothing to write home about. read more

Cash only. Excellent burgers. I'll go again Wonderful staff. Don't think this will be a quick drop in, order and eat. Go to Mc Donald's across the street if you're in a hurry. Plan on 20 min to get your food, but if it's busy, it'll be at least another 10 to take your order. It's small seating area and not many booths, so if your not into sitting at the bar with strangers, get it to go. Did I say CASH ONLY. Several people had to turn around and leave when they found out no credit cards here. They should puta sign on the door but you only realize it if you see the little one above the register. Bring cash and patience! read more

The best burger we have ever had. Don't listen to the other reviews. It's worth the wait. They grind the meat fresh everyday. And why not support a small family owned business around for 75 years. read more

I've been going to Johnson's since I was about 5 years old. Sadly I haven't been in almost 10 years well it hasn't changed a bit. The burgers literally melt in your mouth and are cooked to perfection. The walk up window always has excellent service and is always friendly. Order on the app for the quickest and easiest way to skip the wait and get your food faster. read more

See all

Well we dropped by Johnson's own our way into Siler City while visiting some of my wife's family.All though we have enjoyed a many of those fantastic burgers for the last 40 some years this was the new deal.We ordered on line place our order and picked up at their new to go window.Now if we could just get them to add pickles to their menu.When ordering online they take a debit card like most do now.Which is also a first.We already planning another trip.And they have added Cheerwine to they drink line.Another step forward. read more

Johnson's Drive In Restaurant - The new Togo window at Johnson's Drive'in. - Burgers Near Me - Siler City, North Carolina

I don't know what happened yesterday, Saturday, Oct 28, 2023 BUT Johnson's screwed the pooch. We ordered two hamburgers, fries, and two drinks before we left from Pittsboro. We were told food would be ready at 1:05 which worked well for our 1:40 tee time at Siler City Country Club. At 1:30 we were still two batches away. We had to leave and asked for a refund which they gladly did - one less order to fill. They clearly purposefully are understaffed, they are way too slow, I've actually eaten the hamburger on a prior visit, they are good, I will not be back. E Barringer read more

I learned of this place from DG Martin's North Carolina Roadside Eateries book. The book is pre-pandemic and many of the restaurants in the there are no longer with us. So I was happy to see that Johnson's was among the survivors. I took the forty minute drive from Jamestown and arrived about 1140AM just to find that all twelve counter seats and all six booths were occupied already. I had to stand in the doorway for about five minutes until a booth finally opened up. The server was friendly and attentive. I ordered my food very soon after arriving. It seemed to take a while to arrive. I enjoyed my cheeseburger, combo dog, fries and a sweet tea. More people were waiting to be seated, so I ate up and hustled to the register. I had no ticket. When the manager/cashier/phone guy got around to taking my money, he asked which table I had been sitting at, and he was then able to ring up my order at $16.10. Not exactly a bargain, but that's what it's like today. I like the Velveeta on the burger. The staff was at maximum capacity, but they were a bit overwhelmed during the rush. This place is very popular and could use another employee on the clock during this time. read more

Lo, I made the pilgrimage to the lauded Johnson's Drive In. And I was sore afraid. I was afraid it would be yet another NC eatery that is famous for being famous, such as the criminally overrated and over hyped Lexington BBQ or Snappy Lunch. But behold, I need not have been afraid, for Johnson's makes a highly enjoyable lunch worthy of their notoriety. I admire their simplicity. There are 8 food items on the menu. Eight. That's it. There is not even a paper menu. No need. Canned sodas and sweet tea. Unsweet tea is not available. I love it. Food is served on wax paper. Simple. Efficient. Very small and very popular, expect a wait. It is actually a bit chaotic, figuring out who in line is waiting to be seated and who is waiting to order take out. I spotted a few potential line cutters, so be prepared to throw down. They make, I believe, 12 burgers at a time. They don't cook a bunch early and let them sit and then reheat them like some places do. Just 12 burgers at a time. This creates a wait. But it's worth it. The burger has a nice char and is served hot and juicy. I was afraid the large slab of Velveeta would overwhelm the burger, but it didn't. It was very tasty. Please note that they don't have pickles, which I found odd, but as I said, they unabashedly do it the way they do it. The hotdog all the way was very good as well. The dog itself, the onion, the slaw, the chili, everything, was solid. French fries were merely good, though. The staff is nice. I found the take-out order guy particularly interesting. He seemed to be a genuinely good person, if a little socially quirky. He is what I think the offspring would be if Rick Moranis from "Ghostbusters" and Alan Ruck from "Speed" had a love child. And I'm not trying to be mean. I thought he was positively wonderful. Definitely worth a drive, for the food, the atmosphere, and the cultural trappings are a joy to experience. read more

Johnson's Drive In Restaurant - Burgers Near Me - Siler City, North Carolina

See all

Wow. Just wow. 30 minute wait for a burger? And wasn't that good. Maybe we got them on a bad day.

We were visiting some Tar Heel Travelers places today and were very excited to try this place. We arrived at 11:30am and the business appeared to be closed and out of business. We drove 1hr 45mins to try this place. Very disappointing. read more

If you want a fresh artery clogging burger made with fresh beef, cooked on a griddle with Velveeta on top look no further. Everyone who lives in the area loves this place and it's been here since dinosaurs roamed the earth. They get the beef in daily and close when it's gone which is generally around 1:30 or 2PM. They also have steak fries and hot dogs. Is this the "best burger in North Carolina"? It's much better than fast food, but, if you're looking for grass fed beef or an artisan burger, that's not what this is. It's just a great burger at an old school burger joint cooked on a seasoned flat top and reasonably priced. I wouldn't change a thing about it. It is what it is. read more

When we arrived at 10:35 (they open at 10 AM), the only seats available were 2 at the counter. It is a small place, seats less than 40 people, and to be completely full at 10:30 on a Tuesday morning when NO breakfast items are offered is pretty amazing, and totally fits the lore of this legendary, 70 year old hamburger joint. In an age where there is so much glitz, so much hype, so much pure BS, attached to almost everything, but especially to restaurant dining, this place is the real deal, and there mostly likely is no more tasty, no fresher, no better prepared diner style burger in the state of North Carolina than the one served here by Claxton Johnson - and it is Johnson's passion for doing things right that makes that happen. Each of the 5 days the restaurant is open, he handpicks a limited number of whole sides of grain-fed USDA beef, choosing which sides by the amount of marbling he sees. The beef is ground, and then hand formed into tennis ball-sized mounds, and placed in plastic tubs waiting movement to the grill area. The burger cooking process is systematic and unvaried - Johnson places 10 or 12 balls of ground beef on the hot, flat top grill, and after they have cooked for a short time, he smashes the mounds of beef into patties. He waits for the juices to bubble, flips the patties, salts them, and once the cooking process in well under way, he adds a thick slice of hand cut Velveeta cheese on top, and places the top half of the bun on the patty. The patties come off the grill with an amazing outside crust. Once the cooking is finished, he places the patties on the bottom half of buns, any remaining dressing is quickly done, and the burger is served - this speed is crucial to Johnson's way of thinking - a burger that is not piping hot, is simply a bad burger. It is that belief that has caused Johnson to have no telephone in the restaurant, so no call-in orders are accepted - the burgers could get cold by the time they were picked up. This steadfast attention to detail and tradition is what makes Johnson's burgers a culinary masterpiece. The menu is as simple as it gets - Hamburger ($3.25), Cheeseburger ($3.75), Hot Dog ($1.90), Cheese Dog ($1.95) - no wiener, Combo Dog ($2.35), Grilled Cheese ($1.95), L & T Sandwich ($1.55) - no bacon available, and French Fries ($1.50). Chili on a burger is 30 cents extra, Lettuce is 15 cents, and Tomato is 35 cents - all freshly prepared or cut that day. Probably the most popular burger here is a cheeseburger with chili, slaw, and mustard. The chili is made fresh in house, and is as good as it gets, meaning the Hot Dog is every bit as good as the burger - in fact, in my considered opinion, there are only a very few Southern style Chili dogs that are its equal in this state, probably in the entire South. Listed hours are 10 - 2, Tuesday through Saturday, that is if the meat holds out - if not, when it is gone, the restaurant closes. Over the last few years, some great non-chain hamburger restaurants have opened up in the state. In Greensboro, we have Big Burger Spot, Hops, Emma Keys, Jake's Billiards, Grays Tavern, and more - but none of these produce an old school burger like this. Claxton Johnson has no peer for what he offers in his small, worn restaurant. read more

See all

The concept makes me so happy. "We're only making so many burgers, so come early, because when we sell all the burgers, there ain't no more." You can't do that without backing it up with a damn tasty burger. They taste like my childhood. Delicious burgers, cooked on a grill, topped with the meltiest of cheese. Eat and move on, so more people can experience this amazing restaurant. read more

In true southern fashion. Diner burger ordered, walked out after 30 min. ITS A DINER BURGER not some fancy sit down. I try and support the independent, but that makes it very difficult. read more

First visit here as we just moved into town. Ordered 2 burgers and 1 order of fries. It took 33 minutes to get it. All the while people were picking up their online orders. I went up to see where the order was after 25 minutes and it was 'coming right up' Well guess what-it finally did-and the man who ordered 20 minutes after us got his food at the same time Not impressed with the wait time. It's frankly unacceptable especially when you're on your lunch break. Burgers were "ok" and if we decide to eat here again I'll order online read more

You will be in for a 30 minute wait for a seat on Saturdays, but it's worth it. Best cheeseburger in North Carolina, served with velveeta cheese. Their sweet tea is very good - mixed with a little bit of honey. Meat is freshly ground daily and it is a family owned restaurant that has been around since the late 1800's. I've eaten many cheeseburgers across North Carolina and this is by far my favorite. Open from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM Tuesday - Saturday. Get there at 10:00 AM on Saturday mornings and there will be people waiting for them to open up. Cash Only! read more

Best burgers and fries in Siler City, N.C.. Burgers are prepared from best fresh ground cut of beef then cooked on traditional flat top Gridle. Fries are fresh cut and deep fried golden color. Pepsi beverages ice cold. Lunch counter swivel seats and cozy booths. 1961 Calendar on the wall has correct days of week for 2017 and has 1961 Chrysler Imperial as the featured picture. Too cool old school. read more

Johnson's Drive In Restaurant - Lunch counter upholstered swivel seats backs. Watch them prepare you food. Traditional family owned roadside 1940-1950 style burger joint. - Burgers Near Me - Siler City, North Carolina

Not sure what has happened with this place. We waited for 40 minutes to get two burgers and drinks today and only four orders picked up in front of us. They used to fill orders like chick-filet.The burgers were really greasy. I guess that the new generation doesn't care. read more

This is a traditional take on fast food. Menu is short but the advantage is that they are experts at the items they serve. Get there early because when the fresh meat is gone it's gone. Johnson's is awesome! read more

Long legs like mine don't fit well at the counter and standing in line for a seat at 11 am on a Saturday isn't one of my favorite things. That said, I'll still put this as 8 of the best dollars I've ever spent (cheeseburger fries and drink). Watching a real burger artist work is a real joy for me. The burgers are the attraction, and worth the little hassle. If my cheeseburger played guitar it would have been Jimmy Page. Stairway to Heaven on a bun! Burgers are cooked about a dozen at a time, smashed out on a flat-top grill to get nice a crunchy on the outside. They get flipped, salted, and a giant hunk of Velveeta(ish) cheese is cut and laid on top. Soon that's covered with a Toastmaster grilled bun while toppings are put on the toasted bottoms. Most seem to order Carolina style, with mustard chili and slaw, but I'm traditional so had mine with lettuce tomato and mayonnaise. I kept thinking of the classic Saturday Night Live skit (Olympia Restuarant- look it up) with the 'no Coke; Pepsi', and the simple menu. No plate, no frills, no funky toppings, just burgers and hotdogs, and fries of course. The fries are hot crunchy and excellent. This is easy to find and about 40 miles from Greensboro. Take 421 South to Hwy 64 toward Siler City. Look on the left, just before and across the street from Sonic. read more

Johnson's Drive In Restaurant - Waiting at 10:56am come early - Burgers Near Me - Siler City, North Carolina

Wanted so much to be as excited about this place as some of the other people, but it just didn't happen. The burgers were fine. The creamy velvetta was tasty and unique but I just can't get that excited....sorry. The hotdogs were just average and the fries not fresh cut as someone had mentioned. So if you want a decent burger and you don't mind a wait and a not so cheerful cashier go check it out....you won't be disappointed. read more

Very good burgers and average fries. Do like going there for that ol' drug store lunch counter taste, but is a little overpriced for a basic burger. Also, cash only? Really, what year is it? Service is slow due to their batch cooking method. Creates a bottleneck of ordering and checkout. Why not use the whole grill and make to order? Say move r to l according to doneness? Would also not overwhelm the single bum warmer. Oh, and Mr. Manager, when someone has been sitting for a good 5 minutes and asks if he can order, for the love of God put down your phone and take it. Don't say, over your phone, "she will be right with you". Doesn't sit well. Thx read more

I had been hearing rave reviews from different people all over NC that this is a must stop and dine! Boy they weren't wrong at all. I ordered a burger and hot dog to go. Both were excellent and I got chili on my dog and was just the right amount of spice. So if your in the area you have to stop and enjoy the food. The staff is very friendly and helpful with any questions you may have. It's cash only so keep that in mind! Prices are reasonable and the food is fresh and hot! Definitely will be stopping every time I am in the are. read more

Johnson's is a local and regional favorite. People travel from a good distance to eat here. They have good burgers. I give them three stars because the prices are very high. They charge for each topping and also drink refills. Cash only as well. 9 times out of 10 you will stand in line for seat. read more

These guys are doing an excellent job keeping customers safe from COVID. I try to stop by every other week for a yummy burger and hot dog. There are not many places I trust right now but I have no concerns about them. read more