I haven’t eaten all the hamburgers in Wilmington, North Carolina, but I shan’t dispute Winnie’s Tavern’s claim that it serves the best. It is a thick, rugged half-pounder that oozes juice even when barely pink inside. It comes stuffed inside a lovely fresh sesame-seed bun; and it’s likely a plain one would be dandy.
But why get plain when you can have a Trailer Park Burger piled with a glorious Dixie duet of house-made jalapeno pimento cheese and vigorously peppery fried green tomatoes, plus bacon? Add lettuce, onion, and sweet pickle chips and you have a magnificent package that is just barely pick-upable.
Other highlights from the menu: Carolina Burger topped with chili and slaw; BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger; Station Wagon Burger with sauteed mushrooms, caramelized onions, Swiss cheese, and garlic aioli. There even are an Impossible Burger for vegans (all plant protein) and a Black Bean Burger for vegetarians.
Fine French fries on the side; also jalapeno poppers, freshly-made potato chips, onion rings, etc., all of which can be accompanied by sauces that range from Ketchup, BBQ and Ranch to garlic aioli and spicy vinegar.
Off the beaten path just minutes from downtown, Winnie’s maintains well-cultivated dive-bar ambience, but in fact is not really all that divey. Burger prices are $10 and up, staff is hip, and clientele are more white-collar than blue.
Known and loved by locals, Winnie’s is pretty much off the mainstream radar, so I am especially grateful to Wilmingtonian Kathleen Naylon who tipped me off to its goodness.
Other Nearby Restaurants
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Crabby Oddwaters
Sunset Beach, North CarolinaOddwater’s steamed buckets come packed with a classic low-country boil of seafood plus potatoes, corn, and Carolina sausage with a crisp, charred crust.
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The Basics
Wilmington, North CarolinaCreative versions of southern classics make The Basics a cozy, casual downtown destination for great meals prepared with flair but no pretensions.
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Cast Iron Kitchen
Wilmington, North CarolinaIn a strip-mall location, the Cast Iron Kitchen offers rustic decor and downhome food. Grits, corned beef, and pimento cheese sandwiches are notable.
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Sweet N Savory Cafe
Wilmington, North CarolinaThree meals a day and a vast menu make Sweet N Savory Cafe a good choice for groups of diners with different tastes. From-scratch bakery is an asset.
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Blueberry’s Grill
Myrtle Beach, South CarolinaMyrtle Beach’s best breakfast is a full coffee shop repertoire, including inventive variations of southern favorites. Don’t miss the corned beef hash!
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Pine Valley Market
Wilmington, North CarolinaSpecialty grocer, artisan butcher, renowned Wilmington caterer, Pine Valley Market also is a grand place to eat lunch, when creativity tempers tradition.