Comet Grill – A Charlotte Classic Serving the Best Burger in Town

Charlotte’s got no shortage of shiny new spots — chef-driven menus, Instagram plates, and burger joints trying to out-gimmick each other. But some of the best meals are still found in places where the wood paneling is original, the regulars outnumber the newcomers, and the food has been quietly great for years. That’s Comet Grill. Tucked just behind Ed’s Tavern in Dilworth, it’s easy to miss unless you know it’s there. But locals have known since the mid-90s that this is one of the city’s true neighborhood institutions.

A Little History

Comet opened in 1996 thanks to John and Jeanie Wicker, who wanted a place where friends could gather for burgers, beer, and live music. Over the years, longtime employees took over and kept the same spirit alive. That’s part of the magic here — it never tried to reinvent itself. It just stayed Comet.

In 2005, The Charlotte Observer even named its burger the Best in Charlotte. Nearly 30 years later, Comet is still doing what it does best: serving up honest food in an unpretentious setting.

Father & Son Dive Day

I’ve always loved dives. Both of my sons do too. We’ve logged plenty of hours hunting them down in Charlotte and on our travels. This time it was just me and Jack — Davis is away at school, and I missed having him there. This was the kind of meal that deserved all three of us around the table.

Jack and I both ordered our burgers medium rare. Around Charlotte, that’s almost unheard of. Plenty of places won’t even let you order it that way, and when they do, it usually comes out wrong. Not here. Comet nailed it. Perfectly pink in the center, seared outside, juicy all the way through. Exactly what a burger should be.

My Burger: The Carolina

I went with the Carolina Burger — chili, slaw, onions, mustard. Messy, bold, classic. The chili had enough heat to stand up to the richness of the beef. The slaw brought crunch and creaminess. The onions gave it a bite, and the mustard tied it all together. I had assumed that the patty would be ¼ pound so I ordered a double. It turns out that I assumed wrong because when the burger showed up at the table, it was HUGE! So tall that I had to compress it to get my mouth around it.

I’ve eaten a lot of burgers in Charlotte. Upscale gastropubs, boutique burger joints, old-school diners. But I’ll say it plain: this was the best burger I’ve had in Charlotte. Flavor, cook temperature, the setting — it all clicked.

Jack’s Burger: The Biggz

Jack went with the Biggz — bacon, cheddar, lettuce, tomato, Comet’s special sauce. Think of it as Comet’s take on the classic all-American burger. His came stacked high. Bacon crisp, cheese melted just right, sauce giving it an extra punch.

Jack’s verdict? He still leans toward the smashburgers at Harriet’s and Ace No. 3, but he admitted this was top-notch if you like a thicker patty. And he cleaned his plate, which tells you something.

Beyond the Burger

The fries deserve their own shout-out. Hand-cut, golden crisp outside, soft inside, salted just right. The kind you keep grabbing even after you’re full. Add a cold beer and you’ve got the perfect dive-bar meal.

Vibe & Atmosphere

This is where Comet separates itself. The vibe is pure dive — lived-in walls, a bar that’s seen it all, live music upstairs, and regulars who treat it like a second home. Nothing shiny. Nothing polished. And that’s exactly why it works.

Bring a friend, bring your kids if they appreciate dives, or just slide in by yourself. Either way, you’ll feel like you belong.

How It Stacks Up

Charlotte has no shortage of burger competition: Ace No. 3, Bang Bang, Brooks Sandwich House. They all deserve mention. But Comet has its own lane:

Atmosphere: You can’t fake nearly 30 years of dive-bar charm.

Cooked to Order: They’ll actually cook your burger the way you ask — and get it right.

Burger Quality: It’s not gimmicks or crazy toppings. It’s execution and experience.

Our Verdict

Comet Grill is a Charlotte classic. Don’t let its tucked-away location fool you — this place is still putting out some of the best burgers in the city. My Carolina Burger was the best I’ve had in Charlotte. Jack’s Biggz showed they can handle the basics as well as anyone.

Would it have been better with Davis at the table? Absolutely. But even without him, this was one of those meals I’ll remember. That’s the beauty of dives like Comet: the food is excellent, but the real magic is in the memories you make there. And we’ll be sure to go back with Davis when he’s home next!