What a Burger — Review by Brennen Taylor
Mount Pleasant, United States — American burgers and fast casual
What a Burger is a locally-owned gem in Mount Pleasant, North Carolina that serves high-quality fast-casual burgers with creative options like the Boss Burger and Busin Burger. The standout items are the double-fried onion rings and chicken fries, which reviewers praised as better than typical fast food. Despite no drive-thru and longer waits, the quality and generous portions make it worth the visit.
What was great: Crispy double-fried onion rings, jalapeno poppers with melted cheese, chicken fries, flavorful burgers with good quality ingredients, generous portions, unique regional items like the Witch Doctor drink
What could improve: No drive-thru available, long wait times, some burgers could use more sauce, the Witch Doctor drink is an acquired taste
The Dishes
What a Burger delivered an impressive array of menu items. The W Burger all the way featured onions, chili, mustard, and tomato on a solid patty. The Nat Attack was their signature double-burger creation with a bun in the middle, similar to a Big Mac but notably larger, complete with lettuce, pickles, and their house sauce. The Boss Burger showcased pulled pork, barbecue sauce, and those excellent onion rings. The Busin Burger featured grilled onions, jalapenos, coleslaw, and barbecue sauce, which reviewers called perfectly balanced. Sides were equally impressive: the double-fried onion rings were exceptionally crispy and thick with a crumbly breading, the chicken fries were described as the best item of the day with excellent crunch and juiciness, and the jalapeno poppers exploded with hot melted cheese that was nothing like standard fast food versions. The Witch Doctor drink, a North Carolina regional specialty mixing pickle juice, pickles, Coke, Sundrop, and cherry soda, was polarizing but intriguing.
The Experience
What a Burger operates as a fast-casual establishment without a drive-thru, requiring customers to enter and order inside. Wait times were noted as longer than typical fast food but the atmosphere was jam-packed and welcoming. The staff was knowledgeable and friendly, even recognizing the YouTube reviewers and making personalized recommendations. The vibe felt more like a local restaurant than a chain, with genuine hospitality.
Value & Pricing
While specific prices were not mentioned in detail, the portions were generous enough that the chicken fries and sides could serve as full meals. The value proposition seemed strong given the quality of ingredients and preparation compared to typical fast food chains.
Notable Moments
The staff member said of the Witch Doctor: "When y'all this summer, it'll either be here or hell," highlighting how intense this regional drink is.
One reviewer noted: "I still think those chicken fries are the best though. Those are ridiculous. I swear if someone comments that like they're just from Cisco and they're not homemade here. I don't know, man. That crunch and that juiciness of that chicken. I'll take you to court for that defamation."
The staff member compared What a Burger to Karen's restaurant in Tennessee for wait times and quality, suggesting this was legitimate destination-worthy fast casual dining.
The Verdict
What a Burger proved to be an excellent find in Mount Pleasant's small town dining scene. It delivers quality burgers with creative options that actually work, but the true standouts were the perfectly executed sides, particularly the double-fried onion rings and chicken fries. The lack of drive-thru and longer waits prevent it from being true fast food, but the quality justifies the experience. This restaurant is best for burger enthusiasts willing to wait for authentic, homemade quality, locals looking for something beyond typical chains, and anyone passing through Mount Pleasant seeking a memorable meal that represents small town American burger culture.