Carytown Burgers & Fries: Best Burgers in Richmond, Virginia

Once in awhile you stumble across that little hole in the wall that just amazes you. Carytown Burgers & Fries is just such a spot. It's in a little strip mall and although it has a Cary Street address, it isn't really on Cary Street. This is hard to describe, and hard to find if you don't already know where it is. Right at the beginning of what is considered the Carytown area of Richmond, there is a spot where there are two CVS Pharmacies across Cary Street from each other. One also has a Ukropts Grocery Store in the same lot. With me so far? Now back up on the Ukropts side and there's that little beensy strip mall, pull in there. There ya go!

The building is on Cary Street, but the sign and entrance is facing the parking lot opposite of Cary Street. It's a little non-descript sorta place. It's worth searching for. When you enter, it's kinda greasy looking... but that's a good thing! This is not frozen pressed McD's crap. This is fresh hamburger formed and cooked right on the spot to order... Like you used to be able to find everywhere until the fast food chains took over and drove all the little Mom-n-Pop places out of business.

Not only are the burgers fresh, they are huge. If a Mickey D's Quarter pounder is actually a quarter pound of meat, then Carytown Burgers must use a pound each. You get to specify how you want it cooked (med, well, etc) and they are right on the money about it. I like mine medium with Cheddar Cheese. yummmmmmmmmm

And the fries.. ooooh lawdy the fries! You may want to order one set for two people. Trust me here. That is a lot of fries! Also, the fries are heavily salted, just like I love them, but if you are having sodium issues you best order yours without salt. They lay it on.

It's more than just burgers and fries though, they also have Salads, Chicken sandwiches, grilled cheese sandwiches, and a Vegi Burger for you non-meat eaters. I've not tried that myself, but I've heard folks moaning in pleasure while they ate theirs... I'm serious here! My daughter just groans with cravings when she even hears the name of place. She is a long-time vegetarian and adores their Vegi burger.

They also have real Malts. Yes! Most places have shakes, and I do like shakes... but there is just nothing like a true malt to go with your burger.

When you go in to Carytown Burgers & Fries, you are downstairs and you order there. It ain't fancy folks, this is a juice-dribbling kinda place so don't be shy. Most of their business is area merchants so they do a lot of to-go orders, but upstairs they do have seating if you want to eat it there. They have about 20 old wood tables up there, and you may have to fight to get a seat. heh. There is also seating out on the deck, but that is even more limited and coveted. Send your partner up to stalk a table while you order.

Kids are welcome, but there is no special kids-size orders so split one burger between two kids...and as mentioned before, have fun finding a table!

Lunch here will run you about $6-$7 bucks. Not much more than than those other burger joints... and sooo worth it!

This one is highly recommended by me. Do skip Burger King and McDonald's and the rest when you're down in Carytown, this place just makes them look even more like cardboard. Drippin juice. Yeah. That's what I'm talkin' about!

3500 1/2 W Cary St
Richmond, VA 23221
804-358-5225