Representative photography. Actual appearance may vary.
Charlotte Observer's voted Best Hamburger and QC Nerve's 2024 Critics' Pick for Best Burger. Two smash patties, Minnesota technique, four Charlotte locations — and a Jucy Lucy hiding on the secret menu.
Representative photography. Actual appearance may vary.
Harriet's Hamburgers opened at Charlotte's Optimist Hall food hall on September 14, 2020 — the creation of Joe Haubenhofer, Brian Stockholm, and Collin Ricks, the teams behind Papi Queso and The Plaid Penguin. Haubenhofer, a Minneapolis native, brought the Minnesota smash-burger tradition south: precise technique, high-quality Angus beef, and a Jucy Lucy lurking on the secret menu. The restaurant grew into one of Charlotte's most recognized burger brands, earning the Charlotte Observer's designation as Charlotte's Best Hamburger and expanding to four Charlotte-area locations by 2025.
Harriet's uses a blend of all-natural Angus short rib, brisket, and chuck smashed hard on a flat-top to develop maximum crust and crispy lacy edges while keeping the center juicy. The Royale stacks two of these patties under New School yellow American cheese that melts completely into the beef, with crinkle pickles, iceberg lettuce, tomato, onions, and the house Good Good Sauce on a French milk bread bun. The technique is the point — QC Nerve's 2024 Critics' Pick panel described the result as 'succulent, crisped-on-the-edges,' and Charlotte food blogger Cathzine gave both The Royale and The OG a perfect 10/10.
Harriet's flagship location operates inside Optimist Hall, so the Smash Score reflects the burger program specifically rather than a full-service dining room experience.
Not only did they nail that nostalgic palate to a tee, but I just can't get over how good that New School American Yellow Cheese was! This is my favorite smashburger in Charlotte.
An exquisite blend of Black Angus short rib, brisket, and chuck, charred and double-stacked with white American cheese, house-made pickles, ribboned red onions, and Harriet's signature sauce on a buttery brioche bun.
It's somewhat minimalist, not dressed up in any fancy garb — succulent, crisped-on-the-edges smash patties on a French milk bread bun. The Good Good Sauce makes the whole thing sing.
Harriet's absolutely nails the technique of smash-style burger preparation — the patties achieve a flavorful, crispy sear while remaining juicy inside. It's a step above most fast-casual options in Charlotte.
Adam visited Harriet's Hamburgers to find out why the restaurant was voted the best burger in the Charlotte area — and left with no reason to dispute the title.
Too many elements trying to stand out — the saltiness doesn't work in their favor. But the crispy edges on those smash patties are real, and one reviewer said he'd come back for it.
Harriet's is a Charlotte standout — the smash technique gives the patties a caramelized crust that sets them apart from standard fast-casual burgers.
One of the best smashburgers in Charlotte — thin patties with crispy edges, and the sauces are all excellent. Don't skip the cheese curds.