By Will Bumgarner and Briggs Brown
Editor-in-Chief and Staff Writer
We asked the RJR Pine Whispers Instagram followers to suggest the best burger in Winston-Salem and narrowed it down to the five most requested. With the list established, we set out to find the ultimate burger that reigns supreme in the area, leaving no stone unturned. We judged the burgers on taste, location, and affordability on a scale of 1-10.
Piedmont Aviation Snack Bar
Our first stop took us to Z. Smith Reynolds Airport, not the first place you’d look for a burger. We were greeted by a rundown building and a sign that read Snack Bar. As we entered we noticed the interior was extremely nice compared to the exterior. The burger came out to six dollars with no sides included, wrapped in aluminum foil in a small brown paper bag. Initially, the burger looked standard: lettuce, tomato, mayo, potato buns, and, a crucial component, bacon. As we took our first bites, we were greeted by an overwhelming flavor of bacon, followed by the texture and flavors of a classic burger- nothing jumping off the palate. Upon a second bite, any hope of a good balance of flavors was drowned out by the presence of bacon. The patty itself was dry, bland, and overcooked, lacking the crucial juiciness of a great burger. Despite all of the negative drawbacks, there was something redeeming about the burger. At first, it was hard to locate, perhaps it was the fresh lettuce and tomatoes or the soft buns, but upon a few more bites it became clear: the price. It is hard to find a burger under 15 dollars these days, and the Piedmont Aviation Snack Bar burger came out to a minute 6 dollars. With these factors considered, our respective ratings were in.
Will’s Score: 6.8
Briggs’s Score: 6.7
Heffs Burger Bar
Our next step took us on a peaceful escape to downtown Winston-Salem. As we stepped into the “burger club”, we were greeted by eccentric decorations and a dark atmosphere. We scoured the menu, struggling to locate a classic burger as the menu was full of creative creations. We both landed on the “Lady Killer” -the closest thing we could get to a conventional burger. The presentation was a take on a classic: the checkered parchment paper that lined the bottom of a basket and the sesame seeds buns were nostalgic reminders of the childhood burger we all remember. As we took a bite into the critically acclaimed meal, we were met with an intense flavor of house sauce that worked with the saltiness of the pickles to complement the savory meat. The quality of the burger was clear: the hand-crafted product was juicy and seasoned to perfection with flavors from all sides of the palate, morphing into a symphony of a bite. The burger was a total of 13 dollars, with this considered, our ratings were set.
Will’s score: 8.2
Briggs’s Score: 8.0
Barcelona Burger Garden
The newest restaurant on our list, Barcelona Burger Garden, has received a lot of recent buzz. Located in the center of the Innovation Quarter, Barcelona brings an upscale take to the Winston-Salem burger scene. We opted for the Barcelona Classic- a smash burger on a traditional brioche bun with American cheese, lettuce, pickle, tomato, onion, and their signature house sauce. Upon the first bite, you’re immediately hit with a medley of flavors accentuated by the tang of the sauce. The patty itself was done perfectly: a modest char around the edges and good quality throughout. While it lacked the nostalgic flavors of a classic burger, it certainly made up for its taste. However, the fries left some to be desired. Their lack of flavor and texture made the burger taste even better in comparison. Coming in at around 15 dollars, this is a must-visit spot in Winston-Salem. They offer a variety of indoor and outdoor seating options that make for a great all-around experience.
Will’s Score: 7.9
Briggs’s Score: 8.1
Quiet Pint Tavern
While very unassuming, this little neighborhood spot is a hub for some of the best casual dining in Winston-Salem. Though they have a wide selection of options, their smash burgers are a staple. Quiet Pint offers a classic sports bar feel, making it one of the best stops to grab a bite and watch a game. Their large porch also provides a great selection for outdoor dining. We opted for the Smash Classic with cheese- a go-to choice for many regulars. As we took our first bite, we immediately noted the balanced flavor profile the burger presented. The cheese and meat blended perfectly, and their high quality was evident. However, the flavors were slightly quiet. (Ha) Additionally, the bun was quite thin and struggled to stay together. Regardless, this is a burger you can’t go wrong with, and its familiar atmosphere makes it a must-visit spot for game days and warm summer nights.
Will’s Score: 7.7
Briggs’s Score: 7.2
Cin Cin Burger Bar
Although Cin Cin is located directly across the street from Quiet Pint, the two burger spots could not be any more different. Walking into the restaurant for the first time, it seemed much more elevated than any of the other spots we visited. The sit-down vibe of the restaurant flowed well with the eloquent presentation of the burger. We decided on the “Speakeasy Deluxe” that contained American cheese, lettuce, tomato, red onion, and a tangy champagne burger sauce. The meal came out and we were shocked by the whopping half-pound beef patty between two Texas toast slices- far bigger than any of the previous burgers we tried. The first bite left us with the conclusion that the meat was undercooked. The patty appeared to be rare instead of the medium well we requested. Putting this notion aside, we noticed that the ratio of ingredients was off, largely in part by the overbearing and uninspiring patty. With the 14-dollar price point, we were disappointed, and our ratings were in.
Wills Score: 5.6
Briggs’s Score: 4.3