QueenBurger, Durham – Offering Smashingly Good Beef and Burgers Near DPAC

While the pandemic was filled with mostly negatives for the restaurant and dining business in the Triangle, there were a few bright spots! During the pandemic, businesses like Queeny’s had to pivot and find new ways to stay afloat. While people were isolating during this time, Queeny’s spun off a series of smashburger pop-ups. Given the pop-ups were outdoors, it was a way of keeping their business moving along. And as luck would have it, these burgers were a huge hit and that pop-up eventually became the bricks and mortan QueenBurger out at the American Tobacco Campus. Taking over the space that used to be Only Burger (an easy conversion), QueenBurger has been busy putting out some very good grilled eats!

QueenBurger, Durham – Location and Decor

QueenBurger has a very convenient location if you’re headed to a DPAC show. It sits in a block of businesses and restaurants lining Blackwell Street. Officially this area is called Diamond View III and its prime location between DPAC and the Durham Bulls Ballpark means that street parking will be tight! You’ll likely have to park a couple of blocks away and walk over to QueenBurger.

Inside, it’s a simple and open space that’s painted in bold and bright hues (magenta, orange, teal). 4-tops are scattered throughout the dining space with vinyl seating accentuated with perforated chair backs. Stools at the short counter along with a slightly enclosed private room round up the seating options in the colorful dining space.

QueenBurger, Durham – Menu, Food

Given the simplicity of the menu at QueenBurger, service is all counter order. There’s a small refrigerated case by the cash register for canned soda and beer but it shouldn’t take you long to figure out what to eat. There’s only three beef burger options, one veggie burger option, a handful of extras, and fries (sea salt or spicy) along with ice cream sandwiches, cocktails and beers. Expect to spend $15 to $20 on a full meal (burger, fries, soft drink) at QueenBurger! QueenBurger recently added bird dogs (chicken tenders in hot dog roll) to the menu for a non-beef option.

Given the burgers are cooked to order, you’ll likely have a 5 to 10 minute wait but who cares? The smashburgers here are top-notch, served on a potato bun and hit up with melty, cheesy goodness. QueenBurger uses local grass-fed beef and hoop cheese, the quality definitely shows in every bite. Paired with their excellent and crisp shoestring fries makes for a great meal. Oh, and the fire spiced fries bring a little heat! Now admittedly, Shake Shack can give them a run for the money but there are currently no Shake Shacks in the Bull City.

QueenBurger, Durham – Service, Conclusion

Service here is pretty basic and decent, nothing to call out both good or bad since it’s counter service. But overall I do like what they’re doing at QueenBurger and if  you’ve got a show at the DPAC, it’s a good lower-priced, affordable option for a meal that’s super convenient location-wise. So rock on QueenBurger, you’re putting out some great seared beef and the Burger King has nothing on you!

QueenBurger

359 Blackwell St Suite 125, Durham, NC 27701