Heff’s Burger Club / Winston-Salem, NC

When I saw that my hotel was on the same block as Heff’s, my heart leaped a little bit in excited anticipation for making another pilgrimage to the James Beard Award nominee and devouring one of their famous burgers. But was time on my side?

5:32 - I checked into the Winston-Salem Marriott, unloaded all my gear, and valet parked my SUV.

5:36 - I rolled into my room and unloaded the baggage cart. Then I returned the cart to the lobby and headed back to the 17th floor.

5:48 - I changed out of my "dressy" work clothes into my uniform of cargo shorts and brewery t-shirt du jour (Currahee Brewing out of Franklin, if you must know). I poured myself a bourbon and jumped on the Heff's site to pick out my dinner burger. But to my dismay, I saw that they close at 6pm. Six! I looked at the clock on my MacBook Air and saw it was almost closing time. Egads!

5:51 - Desperate, I threw on some socks, pulled on my shoes, and bolted down to the elevator at the far end of my hall. I waited. And waited. Finally, the lift dinged on the 17th floor and the doors slid open. An older gent stepped in ahead of me and I followed. He pushed "L" for us and down we dropped. Then we stopped on 15 and then 10 and then 7 and then 3 and then - eventually - the lobby.

5:55 - Time was ticking and I was now stuck behind a slow, teetering herd of elderly church conference attendees with absolutely no intent in shuffling at a pace any faster than a glacier regressing into a wintery fjord. My Apple Watch glared at me for the umpteenth time as I stared in hopes of reversing time in order to make it through Heff's door without the need for bribery or begging. The senior seas parted and I picked up my pace through the lobby and out onto sunny Cherry Street.

5:58 - Olympic racewalkers got nothing on me as I speed-waddled down the sidewalk, sidestepping a four-abreast gaggle of rambling teens and a couple of phone talking/texting business types venturing into my side of the walk. I turned the corner onto West 4th Street and could see my grub grail only a few steps away.

5:59 - I stepped into the hip, artsy darkness of Heff's. Will they fire up a burger for me? Will fries be fried for me? Will eyes roll in disgust at this tardy old doofus straggling with a minute to spare? What will become of me? Where else can I eat? Please. Please. Please feed me. "Hey! Welcome to Heff's. What can I get you?" Like glorious words spoken from on heavenly high, I sighed with relief that my dining hopes shall not be dashed on this day and I will indeed, get me a Heff's smash burger. Whew!

6:15 - I'm back in the room with my freshly griddled burger and well-seasoned fries - along with a now watered-down glass of Very Old Barton. Success!

I had eaten at Heff's a few years back with my niece and nephew and was blown away by their Fatty Patty smash burger. This time, I got jiggy with their Piggy Wiggy. The smashed Angus patty had that solid, crispy edge with just the right crackle between the teeth, complimenting the hickory-smoked bacon with a harmonious crunch. Held together with the grandmama of all mayos, Duke's (of course), the griddled red onions added a touch of sweetness that paired well with Heff's homemade spicy ketchup. Delicious!

Heff's still sits high atop my best burger list and with how nice and accommodating the staff is, it's one of my overall favorite establishments. So if you're ever in Winston-Salem and hungry (before 6pm, that is), it's definitely worth your time.

Heff's Burger Club

285 W 4th Street

Winston-Salem, NC 27101