Chuck’s

I want to eat a killer burger for lunch and still feel good about eating dinner. This is why you go to Chuck’s.
In a world where everything crispy/​crunchy seems to have to come from something fried, good Lord was it refreshing to have hazelnuts in my burger. Yes, I ate the Last Word, which is so aptly named. I ordered mine medium-​rare and so, of course, at first the bite confronts you with a juicy piece of beef. Then came the umami from truffle cheese, highlighted by the slightly bitter notes of kale and sweetness of the bun, and then, oh yes then, as I chewed my food, nutty hazelnut opened up oh-​so-​perfectly. You know how you toast spices, massage kale, swill wine, or do other things in order to open up flavors? The hazelnut in this burger provides an idiot-​proof user experience of flavor play, and I think that’s brilliant. Each bite builds upon the last, and it’s awesome.
I know this is crazy, but I ordered a side salad with my burger and have no regrets about it. AC’s salads are always bursting with freshness and flavor, with such restorative cheer that I simply can’t resist.
My boyfriend had the Spirit Animal, which was what I almost ordered. Again, there was a nutty cheesy flavor that complimented the beef perfectly, while the smooth texture of the cream cheese and grilled tomatoes was perfectly balanced by the roasted poblanos and the tortilla dust.
I want to eat here every day.

This used to be a great burger. Don’t go downtown often for burgers but when I do Chuck used to be the place. This time I was very disappointed. Asked for medium and it came out well done. Did not have time for a recook. Niger had flavor but was dry. And what happened to the roll. Used to be a nice roll now it’s a cheap packaged hamburger roll from the supermarket. What a let down. I had to eat at Applebee’s two days later when traveling and they had a better burger. Ashley, don’t know what or why you did this but go back to the way it was before. I will give it another chance in a couple weeks but if it isn’t better I won’t be back. Looking forward to what Chuck used to be.

Where’s the beef? Something has changed here and it sure seems to be the beef. It’s shrunk. Flat in both stature and taste. Wah! Honestly, if I’d closed my eyes, I’m not sure I would have been able to tell that my High and Valley even had beef. The thin disc of compact meat was sadly tasteless. Salt? Pepper? Maybe some seasoning would have made it pop. Nor could I taste bacon-​onion jam. It tasted like an avocado red-​pepper sandwich on a McD’s-type bun. I was literally dipping it in the fries’ sauces to flavor it up.
Which brings me to the GOOD news. I guess since they shrunk the burger, they are now serving it with fries, so you don’t have to order them separately. And you get two dipping sauces plus ketchup with it. I really love the Sweet Chile Sauce (it’s more vinegary than sweet), and the Comeback Sauce, Garlic Aioli and Malt Vinegar aioli are good too. As a saucy gal, I continue to love this! And the fries were still very good also.
So the burger with fries and two dipping sauces is just $ 10.50. That seems reasonable to me. Husband thought it was too high. Having had many of The Big House’s over the years, he also felt like something has happened to the size and quality of beef.
That being said, they do have the option of making it a double for just $ 3.50 more. I never needed to do that here before, but would definitely do so in the future.
Service was good and friendly. It was a cold night outside and as a small restaurant with no barrier between the door and the dining room, it does get drafty every time someone comes or goes.

This should be closer to 3.5 stars
Overall pleasant experience. The taste of burger itself was great. In the picture, you can see the details of the burger. It was very tasty. I cannot remember which burger this is, perhaps the «Bear in Heaven»? My biggest complaint is that the burger itself was too small. I even ordered the double size.
We had to ask our server for more ketchup 5 different times. The ketchup, and other condiments are presented in a very small cup. I almost just asked him to bring us a ketchup dispenser. I know a lot of chefs are snobbish when it comes to ketchup. Sides and fries were great. Staff was nice and quick. Clean, great location.

Food was great but even better customer service. My chicken was undercooked and was definitely not expecting free service but they comped the sandwich and had the staff apologize profusely. Not a big bc it was an honest mistake. The big deal was how they dealt with it after the fact. Superb customer service and will always give praise for that.

Great burgers every time. No typical burger joint combinations here – lots of creative options, fresh ingredients, and best of all, good quality beef.
I love the fork and knife fries, and I feel like the quality/​portion size has been on the decline for awhile. That’s my only criticism.
If you’re looking for a great burger that deviates from the usual burger joint experience, this place is a must. I’ve never had a disappointing meal here.

I’ve eaten here twice. First off, the customer service has always been great. The staff is friendly and kind. The burgers are good but nothing special for a «gourmet burger». The burgers taste great but not anything I would consider «special». If you’re coming for the experience, you’re at the right place. If you’re coming for a big gourmet burger, it’s not the place for you.
Since I’m on the topic of «special», I have to say that the FRIES were «special». The fries are freshly cut. Portion-​wise, you don’t get much fries with your burger. I had to order another full order for $ 5 to satisfy my It also comes with 2 sauces. I believe there were 7 – 8 sauce in total. The sauces were delicious and fun to try. Personally, my favorite sauce is the «comeback sauce».

Burgers are good. Burgers covered in everything from puebleno chilies to truffle oil are better. Chuck’s is all about the flavor. These burgers are creative, made to order, and extremely fresh. The sleek, industrial interior is the perfect place for a gourmet burger: a little bit fancy, a little bit casual, and just right … like your burger.

I don’t understand these glowing reviews. Husband and I went early on a Saturday evening. Place was not busy but we were seated directly in front of the door on a chilly day. No thanks. Asked to be moved further in.
We both had burgers and fries. Nothing was hot when it arrived at our table. Sauces were tasty but nothing else blew us away. And the buns! Not toasted and they looked like the same buns you buy at the grocery store. If you’re going to grind your own beef, why not make your own buns and toast them so they don’t end up a soggy mess.
This was our first dinner in downtown Raleigh. I sure hope this isn’t what 4 stars is in this city.

A gourmet burger and fries for $ 10.50 with choice of two sauces for the fries is a good deal in my book. There are several burgers to pick from and the option to make it a ‘double’ if you decide you are ‘hungry’
They have a number of signature sauces which the garlic aioli is my fav while my husband like the comeback sauce).
The server was very friends, prompt, an knowledgeable of the menu and options that we asked about.

A perfect 5! Best burger in America! I ordered a dirty south burger which came with some sort of chili beans and other such toppings. It was good, and that’s what counts. But what took this place to the next level was the dipping sauces. Each burger comes with not 1, but 2 dipping sauces! And ketchup doesn’t count! I highly recommend the garlic aioli which rivals some of the best garlic sauces on the planet (i.e. Papa Johns garlic butter). Dump this stuff on your burger.
That being said, the fries weren’t good so don’t order them. They are steak fries and steak fries aren’t good.

I had high hopes for this place, being an Ashley Christensen restaurant (a local «famous» chef who owns several great restaurants in downtown Raleigh) but it was just a total let down.
The fries were the highlight with great dipping sauces but the service sucked (and there was barely anyone in the restaurant on a weekend around 2pm) and the burgers were sad. We went with a juicy, delicious burger in mind and got a sad looking patty on a regular ‘olé potato bun we could have purchased at Harris Teeter ourselves. I don’t get burgers often (maybe once or twice a year) so to «waste» it on this was just disappointing.
The ambiance is fine — black and white clean design. But who cares about the ambience when everything else about it was blah? Cost — a little overpriced. Definitely won’t be back any time soon.

This is a gourmet burger spot in downtown – one of the few places that doesn’t offer a build-​your-​own. You can choose from 6 – 7 burgers that they’ve already created from their menu. i chose the spirit animal which had cream cheese and roasted peppers. Yeah, you can get non-​burger sandwiches here but don’t do that. It’s chucks: you get a burger.
Burger was pretty yummy, but I wasn’t a fan of the cream cheese. I know the whole point is to NOT sub out anything but I guess I’m just a simpleton who likes her cheddar.
The fries here are amazing though. You get a couple sauces to come with it, and I highly recommend the comeback sauce. Garlic aioli is also very flavorful.
Interior is very cool, and the way the tables are placed very close to each other, it makes you feel as if you’re dining alongside the other tables. I liked it, but I can see how some people won’t. It’s definitely cozy in this little space!
Still, I loved it. Fun, casual, and great service.

Chuck’s has a small menu with gourmet burgers, so they really put the emphasis on their burgers. To be honest, it was decent, but not amazing. Just because they use local ingredients and put fancy sauces on a burger doesn’t automatically elevate it above other burger joints. And because they call their french fries belgium fries, even though they’re pretty much steak fries doesn’t make it any better. I ended up getting the most «classic» sounding burger, which was pretty tasty.
I came here during dinner, and was expecting a dinner-​ish menu, but what I got felt like lunch. It’s a pretty cheap eat though, so this would be a hot spot to go during lunch.

When I want a burger, Chuck’s is the first thing that comes to mind. I’ve been here a few times and have not left disappointed. There are so many unique burger choices. In addition, you can choose whether you want a single burger or a double burger and if you order fries, there are numerous aioli’s and sauces to accommodate them. The fries come with your choice of two sauces and ketchup.
They also offer other sandwiches: veggie burger, shrimp burger, and buttermilk fried chicken to name a few.
This is the only restaurant I know that serves Blenheim’s hot ginger ale. If you like ginger and you like spicy, this is the drink for you.
It seems I cannot stop naming all the cool things about Chuck’s. The milkshakes are phenomenal, as well! There is an option to have them spiked for an additional charge :). Don’t forget to ask about their daily specials and you can get them to go (probably not be spiked ones though).
The atmosphere is contemporary-​minimalist: decorated with simple black and white with pops of red on the chairs and stools. The size of the establishment is small enough that it gets packed quickly during peak hours.

EXCELLENT fork and knives fries: the combination of the ranch, lettuce, chili, and cheese were spot on. The fries weren’t soggy even with the heavy toppings. They were, however, a bit too salty (again with the salt!) — the fries probably didn’t need additional salt considering all the salt that would come from the chili and cheese. Perfect for late night munchies!
I got the mixed lettuce salad. I’ve never seen redder tomatoes. Amazing. The portion was pretty large for the price. The wine vinaigrette was verrrry subtle in flavor but I liked it. It kind of helped balance the over-​seasoned salad from all the pepper they sprinkled on it.
My friend got the southern burger, which was just okay. The meat was nice and juicy, but the beans gave the burger a strange mushy, baby food texture overall.
The server was excellent and checked up on us regularly. We came when it was pretty late, though, so there weren’t many people.

After so many times walking past Chuck’s and wishing that they would take reservations or the line would be shorter, I finally made it to Chuck’s for lunch this past Thursday since my friend was able to go put our name on the list and wait. What a really cool burger spot! Flat top seared. 100% chuck burgers. House-​ground. High quality and affordable.
I had The Big House. The Big House comes with Hook’s 3-​year cheddar, Tennessee Sorghum-​Dijon, and Thyme-​Caramelized Shallots. I had a Single Burger ($ 6.75) sans Shallots plus bacon. The Cheddar was definitely aged perfectly. Really good burger too!
My friend and I shared a quarter pound of fries ($ 2.50). We selected Buttermilk Herb Dressing and Roasted Garlic Aioli, but they accidentally brought us «The Comeback» Sauce instead of the garlic so we got to try three sauces! The Buttermilk Herb Dressing was pretty delish. A lighter kind of ranch, I suppose. Their Comeback sauce had a kick to it! Not the kind I’m used to. And the Garlic Aioli was okay, but not amazing.
I had a Mighty Leaf Iced Tea ($ 2) (sweetened) and the tea flavoring was fantastic! Now about those milkshakes… I need to get a job nearby so that I can try all of their daily milkshakes.

Chuck’s is very delicious and screams «Raleigh/​Local.» They specialize in burgers and have hand crafted shakes, fries, fried pickles, ETC. For somewhere so unique and with such a prime piece of real estate in downtown, the pricing here is pretty reasonable. Everything comes a la carte, so be sure to remember to order the fries! Their dipping sauces are great, so be sure to try something out of the box if you usually only use ketchup. Their hand crafted milkshakes ARE AMAZING. We frequently come here and just order a shake to go. I recommend the Madagascar Vanilla. Their flavors change depending on the season so be sure to check the menu. They also have fresh lemonade which is so sweet and good (like the kind you would get at the fair).
The only downside is this place is small and does not take reservations so unless you are coming here during an «off» eating time, you will have to wait. Space inside is limited so typically you will find yourself waiting outside. Something to definitely keep in mind depending on the weather.

Ashley Christienson Reataurants are landmark in Raleigh some with bravely executed concepts, creatively designed. Some with homespun comfort foods with an eclectic touch or upwardly hip touch. The Jewel in her crown, Pooles is a great restaurant examples of her style her culinary style. Alas, where the aformentioned restaurants excel, Chuck sinks
Salty burger salty grease laden fries left a lingering smell across my lip.
Veggie burger superior to they’re picas beef.
Waitstaff meh, just meh. I can see why there were only two people in the reastaurant. If I had known better, I would have passed on by too!
Both my dining companion and I split our meals, and unfortunately shared exceptional sickness that evening that we both could only attribute to our meal as we had not eaten until 2pm that day, and did not eat dinner due to feeling so sick that to describe would be a disservice to anyone reading.
I will never, ever, go back again.

I’ve had to try Chuck’s for a very long time. I saw it on Unilocal around a year ago and have been meaning to go ever since. Consequentially, my anticipation was stupidly high, and I should’ve been ready for a slight let down.
I went with the much hyped Dirty South Burger — a burger with chili, slaw, fried onions, and mustard. Pay $ 6.75 for a 5 ouncer or $ 9 for a half pounder (8 ounces). Half pound for me, of course, because I am who I am. At $ 9 à la carte, Chuck’s clearly intends on this to compete with more upper echelon burgers. The meat here is high quality and grounded in-​house, so I decided to order my burger medium rare. I’m always hesitant to go below well down for burgers, but #YOLO.
No burger is complete without fries and a nice drink. I went with a half order of the regular fries ($ 2.50). Fries come with up to two special dipping sauces. I went with the garlic aioli and the sweet chili sauce. They also feature a Tabasco aioli, and our server brought me a cup to try after I requested Tabasco sauce.
There is no soda fountain here. This upset me briefly, before I remembered that it’s time for me to start ordering beers with greasier foods because I’m a big boy now. I decided to try the Hi-​Wire Prime Time Pale Ale.
The food came at a reasonable time, given that the restaurant was packed. The burger was big, cooked perfectly, and an unfortunate disappointment. While I was delightfully surprised by the quality of the toppings, a good burger starts and ends with the patty. Chuck’s meat is just as high quality as they claim, but the patty tasted rather bland.
Fortunately, the fries did not disappoint. The fries here are just as good as they claim, and deserve their somewhat pretentious title of «Belgian Hand-​cut Fries.» These fries were perfectly cut, cooked, and seasoned. Both the garlic and the Tabasco aioli were among the best aiolis that I’ve tasted. I wanted more fries, but I didn’t feel ripped off.
I could use a mixture of hops, body, and other buzzwords to describe the beer, but I honestly don’t know enough to use them accurately. So, um, the beer was good. Yeah, let’s leave it at that.
3.5 stars — I wanted to like Chuck’s a whole lot more than I actually did. The relatively high prices, coupled with Chuck’s being a sit-​down restaurant, makes it reasonable to expect a lot. The patty makes the burger for me, and Chuck’s failed to deliver in that aspect. If it’s convenient to you, Chuck’s may be worth a shot. Otherwise, there’s probably better choices both for burgers and for a meal in general.