Gets busy and is small, so waiting is common, especially on weekends. Food isn't the best, but the burgers are decent and the prices are low. Portions aren't large but there is a good bar selection and the atmosphere can be jumpy with the juke box going.
Just OK in my book. I've had better burgers in Charlotte. The sweet potato fries were very good. The regular fries were fine - but the portion was pretty small. The service was efficient - no complaints.Never been there in the past, so I don't have an opinion on the old management / new management debate.
[{"summary": {"tkn_id": [[15, 25]], "idx": [[70, 117]], "text": "Food isn't the best, but the burgers are decent"}, "review": {"tkn_id": [[6, 10], [15, 20]], "idx": [[20, 43], [62, 95]], "text": "I've had better burgers ... sweet potato fries were very good"}}, {"summary": {"tkn_id": [[32, 35]], "idx": [[142, 163]], "text": "Portions aren't large"}, "review": {"tkn_id": [[29, 33]], "idx": [[131, 159]], "text": "the portion was pretty small"}}]
A quick, simple math equation to describe my feelings toward the Penguin: Pixies + Frank Sinatra + cheap, delicious burgers = my kinda placeI'd even say it's a good alternative for a weekend spot, as it's open late, has a full bar and just a fun atomosphere.
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The Penguin has the best burgers in town! I usually get mine 'southern style'. It's a small place, so there's usually a wait. But, I don't mind waiting because the food is soo good! They have a nice bar selection as well. It's also in a cool, eclectic area in Charlotte.
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First of all, burgers have buns, not toasted white bread. 2 out of 4 orders were wrong toppings. No refills on drinks, never once asked how the food was, and it took 45 minutes to get us 4 orders. What the hell has this place become?
[{"summary": {"tkn_id": [[7, 9]], "idx": [[27, 44]], "text": "waiting is common"}, "review": {"tkn_id": [[35, 44]], "idx": [[154, 195]], "text": "and it took 45 minutes to get us 4 orders"}}, {"summary": {"tkn_id": [[15, 25]], "idx": [[70, 117]], "text": "Food isn't the best, but the burgers are decent"}, "review": {"tkn_id": [[4, 11]], "idx": [[14, 56]], "text": "burgers have buns, not toasted white bread"}}]
The food is really really good and is not very expensive. I love hush puppies and they were probably the best I have ever had. The burgers and sandwiches are all really good and the service is fantastic. The only problem is that the place is small and the wait is usually long.
[{"summary": {"tkn_id": [[3, 9]], "idx": [[14, 44]], "text": "is small, so waiting is common"}, "review": {"tkn_id": [[46, 55]], "idx": [[229, 276]], "text": "the place is small and the wait is usually long"}}, {"summary": {"tkn_id": [[15, 19], [21, 26]], "idx": [[70, 89], [91, 121]], "text": "Food isn't the best ... but the burgers are decent and"}, "review": {"tkn_id": [[0, 2], [19, 25], [27, 34]], "idx": [[0, 11], [92, 125], [127, 173]], "text": "The food is ... probably the best I have ever had ... The burgers and sandwiches are all really good"}}]
Used to love this place but it has gone to s * * t. The food isn't the same and neither is the atmosphere. My friend got food poisoning from a chicken sandwich he ate here and it messed him up for three days. Save your self a bad meal and walk around the corner. Its no longer the charlotte staple it once was
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Any place that serves Corn Dogs and Banana Pudding is always a winner for me. Has one of the best Juke Boxes in the city. I have never had a bad experience here. Watch out for Friday and Saturday evenings because it gets busy fast.
[{"summary": {"tkn_id": [[0, 1], [6, 13]], "idx": [[0, 9], [24, 68]], "text": "Gets busy ... so waiting is common, especially on weekends"}, "review": {"tkn_id": [[36, 47]], "idx": [[162, 230]], "text": "Watch out for Friday and Saturday evenings because it gets busy fast"}}, {"summary": {"tkn_id": [[15, 19]], "idx": [[70, 89]], "text": "Food isn't the best"}, "review": {"tkn_id": [[4, 12]], "idx": [[22, 69]], "text": "Corn Dogs and Banana Pudding is always a winner"}}, {"summary": {"tkn_id": [[45, 53]], "idx": [[206, 253]], "text": "atmosphere can be jumpy with the juke box going"}, "review": {"tkn_id": [[16, 25]], "idx": [[78, 120]], "text": "Has one of the best Juke Boxes in the city"}}]
The burger was really good and the fried pickles were awsome. Although the wait staff was very friendly, we waited a really long time for our food! Looked like there were alot of other people waiting too. If the food had come in a more timely manner I would have said 5 stars.
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