Charlotte's Restaurant voted #1 Hamburger in the nation by Gourmet Magazine! Please call for to go orders.

(980) 939-0655

1921 Commonwealth Ave
Charlotte, NC 28205 35.2189 -80.813

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Neighborhood: Commonwealth

myspace.com/penguindrivein

Hours:

Mon-Sat 11am - 2am

Sunday Noon - 2am

Food til 1am

Bar til 2am

View the menu»

Parking:

Small lot. Street parking is also available.

Penguin

Penguin

What People Are Saying About Penguin

The Owner

Penguin

Owner

Welcome to The Penguin Drive-In! While our menu still features the basic burgers, dogs, and fries, also offers a house-made Brunswick stew, a Ribeye sandwich and soy dogs and burgers for the vegetarian crowd. On any particular day, or night, you'll find what s a "nice mix" of people enjoying a meal or a cold one. Businessmen lean on the bar, mixed in with a few of the "old-timers." Punks with purple hair occupy a booth. A family of yuppies complete with baby stroller sits in the corner. The jukebox plays every kind of music - from doo-wop to country to new age to punk. The Penguin makes…

Read more from the owner

3 Star Rating: Average

12/03/09

Who Voted This "#1 Hamburger in the nation"?

by ThatsWhatSheSaid2 at Citysearch

Just would like to know who or what voted this place to be the "#1 burger in the nation"?

I sure can't find any references anywhere that state Penguin is #1 in Hamburgers, or anything for that matter, other than from the owner himself.

  • Pros: Don't know any
  • Cons: Don't know any
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

03/01/09

The best burger on the earth

by shakingmelon at Citysearch

I've traveled all over the world and this is by far the best burger i've had and i gave up meat but for this place i'll suffer the next day

  • Pros: Great food and price
  • Cons: parking,wait time,staff can be rude
1 Star Rating: Poor

11/18/08

Disappointed

by lakepeople at Citysearch

VERY DISAPPOINTED. Saw all the reviews, so when we went to the Nascar race in Charlotte NC from Michigan,in Oct.2008, we went out of our way to visit the Penguin. First impression was, What a DIVE, and worse was that it Stunk of BURNT GREASE. Believe me, we have been to many other places worse than The Penguin, and have left having a Great time. But the Smell was so strong that we had a beer and left Very Disappointed. Have also went to Guy Fieri Diners Drivins and Dives site at the Food Network and have not been able to find out when he was there. I wanted to read his reviews, as I have seen reviews from Locals and such, saying how good the Penguin was. I'm afraid that all I can figure, is that the people putting in the good reviews must WORK THERE. Sorry, but thats the way we feel.

The Details on Penguin

Category:

Restaurants, Bars & Pubs

Payment Methods:

American Express, Discover, Visa, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Local Favorite, Late Night Dining, People Watching, Lunch Spot, Cheap Eats, Dine At The Bar, Bar Scene

Cuisine:

Hamburgers, Traditional American, Hot Dogs, Vegetarian

Bar & Club Special Features:

Smoking Permitted

As Seen In…

Best of Citysearch

Charlotte

Best of Citysearch

Charlotte

Message from Penguin

  • Award Winning Hamburgers
  • Excellent Fried Pickels
  • Cheap Drinks

Welcome to The Penguin Drive-In! While our menu still features the basic burgers, dogs, and fries, also offers a house-made Brunswick stew, a Ribeye sandwich and soy dogs and burgers for the vegetarian crowd. On any particular day, or night, you'll find what s a "nice mix" of people enjoying a meal or a cold one. Businessmen lean on the bar, mixed in with a few of the "old-timers." Punks with purple hair occupy a booth. A family of yuppies complete with baby stroller sits in the corner. The jukebox plays every kind of music - from doo-wop to country to new age to punk.

The Penguin makes everyone feel welcome. That's part of the tradition. Stop by now and come early, because it?s first come-first-serve.

Ask for on of our favorites like the "Big Block", Fried Dill Pickles, Sweet Potato Fries, Brunswick Stew, and a cold one to wash it down.

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