Sean's Shack / Raleigh, NC

I have heard good things about the burgers at Sean's Shack and have not had the opportunity to try them... until tonight. It's a really good smash burger at an even nicer price.

With most of their burgers priced at less than $7, any of Sean's double stacks are a value in and of themselves. There are plenty of menu options for a variety of tastes and add-ons that can make anyone satisfied. Extras drive the cost up a bit, but a good value when compared with other non-chain burgers in Raleigh.

I opted for the Carolinian Burger (slaw, chili, etc.), but dropped the traditional slaw for lettuce and tomato. The patties themselves could be a little crispier for that true smash burger experience, but they're properly seasoned and flavorful. Just lacking that crunchy mouthfeel that separates smash from every other burger patty. The bun held up well to the chili, so that's a check in the plus column (always one of my biggest complaints about brioche buns). The chili was okay, nothing special.

Be forewarned that you may need to check on your order as the counter server typed in the wrong burger I wanted (and I observed others having issues as well). I noticed it was incorrect on my receipt and showed it to the server who then had to have the cook remake mine correctly. There was no grumbling about the mix-up, but there was also no apology for having to wait that extra time for the re-fire.

On a side note... Sean's makes for some fun people-watching on a Friday night. Seems that the muffler muscle car maniacs use that PetSmart parking lot for their weekly staging area so the crowd in and around Sean's is quite eclectic and head-tiltingly interesting.

All in all, Sean makes a good burger. Is it the best in the Triangle as some have claimed? Nah. It's no Char-Grill or Wilson's or even Cook Out, but for the value, it's well worth it. 8.5/10

Sean's Shack

2840 E Millbrook Road

Raleigh, NC 27604