Located at 618 Hillsborough St, Raleigh, NC 27603, Char Grill Hillsborough stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of classic American dining. For those navigating the vibrant streets of Raleigh, this establishment offers a familiar retreat where the focus remains squarely on quality ingredients and the time-honored tradition of open-flame cooking. It is a place where the pace of modern life seems to slow down, allowing guests to enjoy a meal that prioritizes flavor and consistency above all else. Whether you are a long-time resident of North Carolina or a visitor exploring the historic charm of the capital city, this location serves as a cornerstone of the local culinary landscape.
The philosophy behind Char Grill Hillsborough is rooted in simplicity and transparency. By maintaining a commitment to traditional preparation methods, the restaurant ensures that every item served meets a high standard of excellence. The atmosphere is unpretentious and welcoming, designed to accommodate everyone from busy professionals on a lunch break to families seeking a reliable spot for an evening meal. The architectural presence of the building itself has become a recognizable landmark on Hillsborough Street, inviting passersby to step inside and experience a genuine piece of Raleigh's food culture.
Why Char Grill Hillsborough Remains a Local Favorite
Commitment to Flame-Grilled Quality: The core of the menu is defined by the distinct flavor profile achieved through high-heat grilling. This method not only enhances the natural taste of the ingredients but also provides a texture that is difficult to replicate with other cooking techniques.
A Legacy of Consistency: Over the years, the establishment has built a reputation for reliability. Guests know exactly what to expect when they walk through the doors, which is a rare and appreciated quality in an ever-changing restaurant industry.
Prime Location in the Heart of Raleigh: Situated on Hillsborough Street, the restaurant is perfectly positioned for accessibility. Its proximity to key areas of the city makes it a convenient stop for those moving between the university district and the downtown core.
Focus on Classic Culinary Values: Rather than chasing fleeting food trends, Char Grill Hillsborough focuses on perfecting the staples. This dedication to the fundamentals ensures that the menu remains timeless and appealing to a wide range of palates.
Beyond the food, the experience at Char Grill Hillsborough is defined by its connection to the community. It functions as a gathering point where the history of Raleigh is woven into the daily routines of its citizens. The staff understands the importance of efficient service without sacrificing the warmth that makes a dining experience memorable. By maintaining a clean, orderly, and inviting environment, the restaurant continues to foster a sense of belonging for all who visit. It is this combination of operational excellence and community integration that allows the brand to thrive in a competitive market.
As the city of Raleigh continues to grow and evolve, the presence of established institutions like Char Grill Hillsborough provides a sense of continuity. It reminds us that sometimes the most satisfying dining experiences are those that honor the past while serving the needs of the present. Whether you are stopping by for a quick bite or settling in for a relaxed meal, the dedication to quality remains evident in every aspect of the operation. We invite you to visit 618 Hillsborough St to experience firsthand why this location remains a cherished part of the local dining scene, offering a straightforward, delicious, and authentic taste of North Carolina.
Amenities and More
Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Service options
Outdoor seating
Onsite services
Takeout
Dine-in
Delivery
Popular for
Lunch
Dinner
Solo dining
Offerings
Coffee
Comfort food
Late-night food
Quick bite
Dining options
Lunch
Dinner
Counter service
Dessert
Seating
Table service
Amenities
Restroom
Atmosphere
Casual
Historic
Trendy
Crowd
College students
Tourists
Planning
Accepts reservations
Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
Credit cards
Children
Good for kids
Parking
Free parking lot
Free street parking
On-site parking
Paid parking lot
Paid street parking
Usually plenty of parking
Pets
Dogs allowed
Dogs allowed outside
Menus
Photos
Reviews Char Grill Hillsborough
Hazel
30-05-2026
Nestled on Hillsborough, Char-Grill has a nostalgic, cozy atmosphere with its old cinderblock building, vintage painted signs, and the smoky aroma of charcoal-grilled patties. Orders are submitted on menu checks and called out through a … More
吴锐恒(Ruiheng Edbalt Wu)
30-05-2026
Great burger and service. You can see how they cooked. The beef is nice and juicy!
Order type
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$10–20
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Hamburger Steak
Rev. Hank Peirce
30-05-2026
This is the best burger joint in the world! Don’t forget to buy a shirt while you are there!
Order ty…
More
Chandra Jennings
30-05-2026
I've been told on several occasions to check out Char-Grill, and I am not sure why. After trying out several grilled burger spots, including In & Out, this spot does not add up to that and falls very short. I ordered the cheeseburger. … More
吴锐恒(Ruiheng Edbalt Wu)
30-05-2026
Great burger and service. You can see how they cooked. The beef is nice and juicy!
Order type…
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Roger L'Heureux
30-05-2026
I always go find the local fast food joints when I visit around the county.
A place in business back in 1960 is going to get my attention!
Right out of the box the ordering system is from a time long gone! You fill out … More
John-Eric Jones
30-05-2026
This older Downtown location is walk up only... though you can park your car ...definitely old but well organized from what I can see... The service is polite and efficient... The burger was cooked fresh and so very tasty... I hear that … More
Doug Belt
30-05-2026
Great burger grill in raleigh and surrounding areas. Always hot and fresh food. Very good customer service. There BLTs are awesome! More
JD_WB _8888
30-05-2026
This is the OG of Chargrills. I grew up eating here. All of the food is really damn good. I love the current atmosphere and wish it was not going away for a large building but it is what it is. I am probably bias about chargrill because I … More
Shay Allen
30-05-2026
One of my favorite places to grab a good hamburger and fries! And let’s not even get into these apple turnovers! Baby, when I tell you, it hits the spot every time every time More
Michael Abler
30-05-2026
Friendly staff who allowed free drink refills. I spent extra for more items bc hungry. Was relieved staff told me the plans to raze their location in favor of new tower for downtown was scuttled. Maybe one day they'll be gone for a denser … More
Marty
30-05-2026
4.6 Stars, Super great place to grab a tasty quick burger, fries and a shake. Would definitely hit this up again.
Instagram @foodieadventuresusa More
Henry Powers
30-05-2026
I remember eating here as a kid. I moved away and had not been here for over 20 years. The food was as great as I remember. The shake was so thick. Love stopping at this location. I stopped one of the other locations before, but it just wasn't the same as stopping on Hillsborough Street. More
Bettie Royster (Pumpkin)
30-05-2026
My 1/2 pound burger was so good. But I didn't know it would be that big so the next visit I will order a 1/4 pound burger. My fries were delicious cooked perfect I wrote on my order slip soft so they wouldn't be to hard. I would recommend … More
Bruce Mucci
30-05-2026
When I first moved to Raleigh a friend told me we had to go to Char Grill. He said was similar to Rudy's Hot Dog's in Toledo Ohio. He was 100% correct. The hot dogs are delicious and the chili sauce is seasoned just right. The fries have … More
Alonzo Cudd
30-05-2026
This location is old school. Fill out your order and drop it through the slot like you’re sending a burger wish list. … More
Wafaa Darwish
30-05-2026
Char-Grill
This was my second time visiting Char-Grill, and it was just as good as I remembered! The cashier was super nice and friendly. I even asked for his name twice because I kept forgetting, but he didn’t mind at all and stayed very kind. The food was delicious, fresh, and exactly what I was craving. The prices were also great for the quality you get. I’ll definitely be coming back again!
Order type
Take out
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$10–20
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 4
Group size
2 people
Daniel James
30-05-2026
Quality burger joint with an true old fashioned feel. The burger patty was very large. They don’t appear to skimp on the 1/2 like a lot of places. Not the best burger but it was very good. The fries were fresh and good as well. Everything from the patty to the fries were cooked fresh to order.
Zay McCullough
30-05-2026
I stopped by here at 7:25pm on a Thursday evening. I found this by looking for fast food and wanted to try something different from the chain restaurants. … More
Magnaplated YT
30-05-2026
Nice little spot that's unique to the area with a unique ticket ordering system. I got my food quick and the price was pretty good considering what I got. The burger was big but didn't have much flavor apart from the char flavor from the … More
Tracy Petty
30-05-2026
I had a cheeseburger and fries delivered to my by postmates. It came when they said it would and it was warm. It was so good! The prices are pretty low for what you get. Totally recommend this place for delivery and if you are craving a … More
Cmre Group
30-05-2026
Opened in 1959. Everything is authentic and Original. Great flavor and made to order. If you are in the area you have to try it. More
LS1115
30-05-2026
I hadn’t been to Char-Grill in over a decade, but stopped by while I was in town for work. I was so impressed with the staff… especially the cashier. He was patient and polite, even with people constantly changing their orders (it was … More
Katrice Campbell
30-05-2026
I wish I would’ve gotten a burger. If you’re at a place known for burgers, go with the burger. I got a hot dog(not a fan). Not much flavor and bread was soggy from the slaw. Now, the burgers that my family ordered were AMAZING!! Such good … More
Ahmed Ehab Elsabbagh
30-05-2026
They are good people and it is a good restaurant. I always like to come here for a quick delicious lunch. The fries are always extra crunchy and the burgers are delicious. … More
Robert Bruce
30-05-2026
This is still the best burger in the USA. I’ve been going here for 40 years and it just never fails to be the very best steak hamburger available anywhere. Everything is just perfect the burger, the fries the chocolate shake. This restaurant gets my highest score 5/5.
Order type
Take out
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
French Fries, Apple Pie
C&N Pulley
30-05-2026
I often pick up lunch here for my husband & me -- he loves their steakburgers and I love their garden salad w/chicken; we both love their apple pies! The orders are always prepared perfectly and right & the staff is always the nicest! My only complaint (ha!)? That I'm unable to leave a tip when I use my card to pay, ha! (I do try to remember to bring cash when I'm able!) 😊 Highly recommend!
Order type
Take out
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$1–10
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Steven Abbacchi
30-05-2026
I rarely eat fast food, but I happened to be in Raleigh and decided to stop by. I placed my order and got my food in about 8 minutes. I took my food home, which is in Holly Springs. My burger was still hot, I did heat up the fries, but that was expected. The food was delicious as always. I used to frequent this location when I was younger, in fact a friend of mine worked there. I have been a customer of Char Grill for well over 30 years and the service, staff and food is always great. In my experiences at Char Grill, they’ve messed up my order once. I’ve never had an employee that was rude, ever. Again, I don’t eat fast food very often and unfortunately this location is about 45 minutes from my home, but even if I hadn’t been in Raleigh that day, it’s worth the long drive to eat there. Char Grills food and service rivals that of Chick Fil-A. In my opinion, Char Grill has better much better food. Top notch place and the best burgers around. Only negative comment would be, there is no Char Grill in Holly Springs. Great food, great employees and overall, a great restaurant.
Price per person
$10–20
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Reservation
Not sure
Group size
1 person
Special events
No special event
Tony P
30-05-2026
Ate at the char-grill on Hillsborough Street for the first time on my way back home from Wilmington. This was the first time I had ever filled my my own order slip and then stood there watching my order being cooked in front of me while I waited. When cooked they called my name to come to the pickup window. I paid for my hotdog with chili and slaw and a char burger with chili and slaw and walked over and sat down at one the picnic tables to enjoy my lunch. Good food and unique dining experience, I will be stopping here to eat again when I am passing by Raleigh.
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$1–10
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Group size
1 person, 2 people, 3-4 people, 5-8 people, 9+ people, Suitable for all group sizes
Special events
No special event
Parking space
Plenty of parking
Parking options
Free parking lot
Kid-friendliness
Kids can watch their food being cooked
Dimitrios
30-05-2026
Insanely good char grilled burgers, quick service and good prices! Not even comparable with Cook Out, Char Grill is much better for the price
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Brett
30-05-2026
This place was a complete ripoff.. fake pink hot dog meat and my burger didn't even have any lettuce on it even though I checked the box, others got lettuce on their burgers. Takes forever too.
Beef quality was excellent though
Price per person
$1–10
Food: 2
Service: 3
Atmosphere: 4
Reviews Char Grill Hillsborough