• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to after header navigation
  • Skip to site footer

NC Triangle Dining Food Blog

The Best Restaurants and Bars in Raleigh, Durham, Cary, and Chapel Hill

  • Home
    • Blog
  • Best Restaurants and Bars
    • The Best Restaurants in Raleigh, NC
    • The Best Restaurants in Durham, NC
    • The Best Restaurants in Cary – Apex, NC
    • The Best Restaurants in Chapel Hill – Carrboro, NC
    • Best Food Specials and Deals in Raleigh, Durham, Cary, and Chapel Hill
    • The Best Bars and Lounges in Raleigh, NC
    • The Best Bars and Lounges in Durham, NC
  • News
    • Coming Soon to the Triangle – New Restaurants and Bars
    • New Restaurants and Bars in Cary and Morrisville
    • New Restaurants and Bars in Chapel Hill and Carrboro
    • New Restaurants and Bars in Durham
    • New Restaurants and Bars in Raleigh
    • New Restaurants and Bars of the Triangle, 2022 Edition
    • New Restaurants and Bars of the Triangle, 2021
  • Index of Reviews
    • Cary – Restaurant and Bar Reviews
    • Chapel Hill and Carrboro – Restaurant and Bar Reviews
    • Durham Restaurant and Bar Reviews
    • Raleigh Restaurant and Bar Reviews
    • NC Video Reviews
    • Travel Reviews
  • Food Photos
    • Food Event Photos
  • About
    • NCTD Blogger- Ron Wen
    • NC Triangle Dining Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
    • NC Triangle Dining Blog Policy
    • Working with NC Triangle Dining
    • NC Triangle Dining Blog and Social Media Statistics
  • Home
    • Blog
  • Best Restaurants and Bars
    • The Best Restaurants in Raleigh, NC
    • The Best Restaurants in Durham, NC
    • The Best Restaurants in Cary – Apex, NC
    • The Best Restaurants in Chapel Hill – Carrboro, NC
    • Best Food Specials and Deals in Raleigh, Durham, Cary, and Chapel Hill
    • The Best Bars and Lounges in Raleigh, NC
    • The Best Bars and Lounges in Durham, NC
  • News
    • Coming Soon to the Triangle – New Restaurants and Bars
    • New Restaurants and Bars in Cary and Morrisville
    • New Restaurants and Bars in Chapel Hill and Carrboro
    • New Restaurants and Bars in Durham
    • New Restaurants and Bars in Raleigh
    • New Restaurants and Bars of the Triangle, 2022 Edition
    • New Restaurants and Bars of the Triangle, 2021
  • Index of Reviews
    • Cary – Restaurant and Bar Reviews
    • Chapel Hill and Carrboro – Restaurant and Bar Reviews
    • Durham Restaurant and Bar Reviews
    • Raleigh Restaurant and Bar Reviews
    • NC Video Reviews
    • Travel Reviews
  • Food Photos
    • Food Event Photos
  • About
    • NCTD Blogger- Ron Wen
    • NC Triangle Dining Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
    • NC Triangle Dining Blog Policy
    • Working with NC Triangle Dining
    • NC Triangle Dining Blog and Social Media Statistics

Al’s Burger Shack in Chapel Hill For Great Burgers and Fries…

Home » Restaurant & Bar Reviews » Chapel Hill » Al’s Burger Shack in Chapel Hill For Great Burgers and Fries…
April 26, 2014 by Ron Wen

Al's Burger Shack, Chapel Hill- A fun and energetic spot for a casual, high-quality burger and fries!  Minimal indoor seating grab a table outside

Front of Al's Burger Shack, Chapel Hill- nctriangledining.com
Front of Al’s Burger Shack, Chapel Hill- nctriangledining.com

When I first got to NC, I spent two years at Carolina and lived in the People’s Republic of Carrboro which was an awesome experience.  But since getting out of school, the Chapel Hill area just seems like a LONG way off.  And let’s face it.  We’re talking about a college town with college expectations, the food there was always passable but never great.  But over the past four months I spy some great online reviews for Al’s Burger Shack. So over time, I’m thinking it’s time to head back to the Thrill and I finally had an excuse for an event at TOPO Distillery.  Right across the way was Al’s Burger Shack, woohoo!

Order counter at Al's Burger Shack, Chapel Hill- NC Triangle Dining
Order counter at Al’s Burger Shack, Chapel Hill- NC Triangle Dining

And when they say shack, that’s exactly what they mean.  Al’s is located in a small, brick A-frame with limited space inside.  Counter order, cramped with a ledge around the inside for quick dining.  And a largish patio with picnic tables outside under cover.  The menu here is simple: burgers in three sizes (3oz, 6oz, 9oz) with four or so specialty burgers, build your own burger and some hot dogs.  Toss in a small selection of sodas and beers and that’s all she wrote.  I order up a BoBo chili (Carolina-style) burger with sweet potato fries and a Shiner Bock beer to keep my entertained. The wait at 7pm is 15 to 20 minutes so must be patient!  As I sit there, waiting with my beer, it’s obvious I’m not in Raleigh any more.  The whole Carolina vibe is one of youth and liberal attitudes. Granola, crunchy along with some Southern prep, those are the customers you see walking into Al’s since it’s right on Franklin Street. It does take some time but the place is busy and the kitchen is small.  I finally get an aluminum tray with a good looking burger and a nice helping of sweet potato fries so I head on out to the patio to grab a seat.

Burger and sweet potato fries at Al's Burger Shack, Chapel Hill- NC Triangle Dining
Burger and sweet potato fries at Al’s Burger Shack, Chapel Hill- NC Triangle Dining

The burger is very nicely put together. Commercial bun but a nice mash of finely chopped slaw, chili and mustard neatly piled on top. The American cheese is well melted making for a good looking sandwich. And the first bite tells me all I need to know. A great balance of textures, meatiness and flavor along with the nice tang of yellow mustard. I wasn’t blown away by the meat, it was lean but not as much seared beefiness as I would have hoped for. The sweet potato fries were a bit over-fried but definitely a good portion for the money.

Bobo chili burger at Al's Burger Shack, Chapel Hill- NC Triangle Dining
Bobo chili burger at Al’s Burger Shack, Chapel Hill- NC Triangle Dining

In the end, Chapel Hill is still a college town and after having lived there for two years, you can’t expect too too much. It’s going to be cheap, casual eats and Al’s Burger Shack does a very good job in that arena. It’s a very good burger at a good price but still a cut behind say, Chucks and Corbett’s. But if I lived back in Carrboro, I’m sure I’d be here pretty regularly. There’s nothing wrong with an honest burger which is exactly what Al’s Burger Shack delivers!

 

Al’s Burger Shack

516 West Franklin Street

Chapel Hill, NC 27516

919.904.7659

Al’s Burger Shack menu

Location on Google maps

Save

Related

Category: Chapel Hill, Restaurant & Bar ReviewsTag: Burgers, Restaurants Near UNC Chapel Hill - University of North Carolina
Previous Post:Cilantro Indian in Cary Grows Up But Still Dishes Out Delicious Eats!
Next Post:The Greenlight Bar in Raleigh, Find It For Speak-Easy Cocktails and Class

Sidebar

Subscribe to NC Triangle Dining

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube

New Reviews!

  • Portable Portugy Food Truck for Portuguese Eats with Panache
  • Vault Craft Brewing, Raleigh – A Lively and Fun Neighborhood Beer Bar
  • Eastcut Sandwich Bar in Raleigh for Solid Sammiches in a Cool Space
  • Travel: Nearest Green Distillery and the Humble Baron in Shelbyville, TN

Categories

Inspiration

“Do a little better each day.”

– Thomas Keller, French Laundry

Popular Posts

Copyright © 2023 · NC Triangle Dining Food Blog · All Rights Reserved · Powered by Mai Theme