The accolades keep coming for a North Carolina-based burger restaurant that has a location in Leland. It was called the “Best Burger in America” by TripAdvisor in 2018 and North Carolina’s best burger by Chowhound in 2025.
More recently, Al's Burger Shack was named the best cheeseburger in North Carolina by the Fast Food Club. The media brand picked a top option in every state and praised Al’s Burger Shack’s hand-pattied burgers, locally sourced ingredients, and how “the kitchen stays focused on doing one thing exceptionally well.”
Jason Kesler and Charlie Farris opened the Brunswick County location at 3556 Leland Town Center Drive in 2024. Now, they say they are working to add another in Wilmington.
They are finalizing the details for a space
at the new Center Point mixed-use development at the intersection of Eastwood and Military Cutoff roads. Other tenants include Burtons Grill & Bar, Jeff's Bagel Run, and Nest Interiors, according to a press release from the development.
“We are hoping to get in there soon,” Kesler said. “And we’d like to open at the beginning of next year.”
Al’s Burger Shack was founded in Chapel Hill. Now, there are also locations in Apex and Summerville, South Carolina. Kesler said the original location has a great, family-friendly vibe with outdoor seating that adds to the allure – but there are other reasons the burger is so popular.
“I think it’s the little details that set us apart,” he said. “We are making all of the toppings in house, making the chili here, cooking bacon in the morning."
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The best burger designation for the brand was for the Bobo Chili Cheeseburger, which is topped with chili, slaw, onion, mustard, and American cheese. Other specialty burgers include Sean's Bacon Cheeseburger and the Mookie, with Wisconsin blue cheese, bacon-onion jam, and roasted garlic aioli.
Kesler is also a fan of their sauces – like the AL Sauce and the spicy ranch -- that can come with the crinkle-cut fries seasoned with rosemary. But there are other side options, too, like sweet potato fries and tater tots, as well as milkshakes, sandwiches and hot dogs.
In addition to the Al’s Burger Shack, Kesler and Farris also own a number of Jersey Mike’s Subs locations.
Allison Ballard is the food and dining reporter at the StarNews. You can reach her at aballard@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: NC's best cheeseburger restaurant is coming to Wilmington | Exclusive
