Sunday, February 26, 2012

Don't Miss The Penguin!


Penguin Drive-In

1921 Commonwealth Ave., Charlotte, NC -
The best thing about the big-bore burgers at the Penguin Drive-in is the meat itself, a thick patty that oozes juice and radiates ultabeef flavor. Amazingly, although they are huge, the condiments copious, and the bun only regulation-size, even the massive hemi is wieldy enough to pick up and eat without significant spillage.
86% Approval Rating (22 votes)

Scorecard

4 - Overall: One of the Best - Worth a Trip
Overall: One of the Best - Worth a Trip
Onion Rings
Chili Cheese Fries
Big Block Burger
Corn Dog
Fried Bologna Sandwich
Sweet Potato Fries
Fried Dill Pickles
Brunswick Stew
Small Block Burger
Iced Water
Banana Pudding

Highlighted Reviews

rating
Michael Stern -  Photos (9)
Roadfood.com Editor
"Charlotte sources tell me that the Penguin Drive-In began as a place to drink beer (which it still, emphatically, is) and that food was gradually added to the menu in recent years as the neighborhood all around went from scary to chichi. But the meals served here ..."   [Read More]
rating
Maria Carter
February 13, 2010
"Got into Charlotte really late and headed straight to Penguin having read Michael's prior review (and it was on the way to hotel). Other than a few Mapquest challenges while finding it (not exactly on the main drag) I pulled up and had very high hopes... that were not ..."   [Read More]
rating
Tom Lewis
October 27, 2011
"I went for lunch and ordered a cheeseburger and fried pickles. The burger was just warm and dried out, and the cheese was not melted; the fried pickles were swimming in grease and not crisp. I used to order this same meal when I was assigned the Charlotte area a ..."   [Read More]
rating
Pam Lemeron
June 01, 2010
"I used to live in the Charlotte area, and worked at a local TV affiliate there. We used to head over to the Penguin as often as possible on our dinner breaks, and we'd always, ALWAYS have to have an order of fried pickles. The best in the world, and no one else can ..."   [Read More]

Map & Web Site

Map data ©2012 Google - Terms of Use
1921 Commonwealth Ave., Charlotte, NC


Hours & Policies

Seasons:Open Year Round
Meals Served:Lunch, Dinner, Late Night
Operational Hours:Always Call Ahead!
Credit Cards Accepted:No
Alcohol Served:Yes
Outdoor Seating:No
Reservations Accepted:No
Delivery Available:No
Takeout Counters:No
The Big Block is two-thirds of a pound of velvet-centered, crisp-crusted, juice-dripping, full-flavored beef. This one is dressed 'Southern style,' with chili, slaw, mustard, onions, plus, of course, cheese. 
"The Big Block is two-thirds of a pound of velvet-centered, crisp-crusted, juice-dripping, full-flavored beef. This one is dressed 'Southern style,' with chili, slaw, mustard, onions, plus, of course, cheese."
Michael Stern





'All the Way' on a Penguin hamburger means lettuce, tomato, mayonnaise, onions, and pickle, or what some parts of the country know as California-style or simply Deluxe. Here you see the effulgent combo on what is known to regulars as a Big Pimp because it is a Big Block burger, which is a pair of 1/3 pound patties, topped with a mess of pimiento cheese. 
"'All the Way' on a Penguin hamburger means lettuce, tomato, mayonnaise, onions, and pickle, or what some parts of the country know as California-style or simply Deluxe. Here you see the effulgent combo on what is known to regulars as a Big Pimp because it is a Big Block burger, which is a pair of 1/3 pound patties, topped with a mess of pimiento cheese."
Michael Stern


When Lynne Rosetto Kasper told us she was going to order her sweet potato fries extra well done and crispy, we all scoffed, assuming that the Penguin was not the type of place that suffered special orders. But lo, they arrived really crunchy, as requested. 
"When Lynne Rosetto Kasper told us she was going to order her sweet potato fries extra well done and crispy, we all scoffed, assuming that the Penguin was not the type of place that suffered special orders. But lo, they arrived really crunchy, as requested."
Michael Stern


'Naner pudding, the classic Southern comfort-food dessert, is made well at the Penguin. It contains exactly the right balance of custard, banana slices, Cool Whip, and 'Nilla Wafers. 
"'Naner pudding, the classic Southern comfort-food dessert, is made well at the Penguin. It contains exactly the right balance of custard, banana slices, Cool Whip, and 'Nilla Wafers."
Michael Stern


Most things served at the Penguin tend to be what I'd call two-fisted food. These elegant onion rings, on the other hand, are practically pinky-in-the-air fare. Talk about addictive! 
"Most things served at the Penguin tend to be what I'd call two-fisted food. These elegant onion rings, on the other hand, are practically pinky-in-the-air fare. Talk about addictive!"
Michael Stern


As the Diogenese of corn dogs, I was pretty darn happy with the Penguin's. Its corn coat is crisp and not too thick, just a little bit sweet. The wiener inside was too flabby for my taste; nonetheless, this is a corn dog that deserves kudos.  
"As the Diogenese of corn dogs, I was pretty darn happy with the Penguin's. Its corn coat is crisp and not too thick, just a little bit sweet. The wiener inside was too flabby for my taste; nonetheless, this is a corn dog that deserves kudos. "
Michael Stern


I probably ought to recuse myself from passing judgement on the Penguin's chili cheese fries. It's a concept that rarely works for me, although my tablemates, who are chili cheese fry fans, declared these dandy. 
"I probably ought to recuse myself from passing judgement on the Penguin's chili cheese fries. It's a concept that rarely works for me, although my tablemates, who are chili cheese fry fans, declared these dandy."
Michael Stern


The deep-fried dill pickle is a stroke of dipsomaniacal genius. These supersalty slices encased in a fine, brittle crust demand beer and plenty of it. 
"The deep-fried dill pickle is a stroke of dipsomaniacal genius. These supersalty slices encased in a fine, brittle crust demand beer and plenty of it."
Michael Stern


Charlotteans tell me the neighborhood around the Penguin used to be treacherous. It has since gone upscale, but the Penguin remains cheerfully declasse. 
"Charlotteans tell me the neighborhood around the Penguin used to be treacherous. It has since gone upscale, but the Penguin remains cheerfully declasse."
Michael Stern 
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