NoDa, Charlotte · Since 1973

Brooks' Sandwich House

A red cinder-block burger stand on North Brevard Street that has served chili cheeseburgers through a walk-up window for more than 50 years. Cash only, weekdays only, and worth planning lunch around.

Hours and directions Call 704-375-7808

The checkered Brooks' sign over the red cinder-block stand, under a big shade tree — Photo: Google Maps listing

Open since 1973
Cash only
Weekdays, 10 AM to 3 PM
4.7 stars on Google

A family stand since 1973

Calvin "CT" Brooks Jr. opened the stand at 2710 N. Brevard St. in 1973, when the area was still called North Charlotte and nobody said NoDa. His twin sons, David and Scott, ran it together for decades. The formula barely moved: burgers smashed on the flat top, hot dogs, Carolina sandwiches like livermush and fried bologna, and a family chili recipe that regulars buy by the pound.

Scott Brooks was killed in a robbery while opening the shop in December 2019. The stand reopened on February 1, 2020, and David still runs it, with a third generation of the family now working the counter. The side wall carries the family's motto in big yellow letters: Too blessed to be stressed.

In 2022, Reader's Digest named Brooks' the best burger in North Carolina. In 2023 the family put the land up for sale, and David Brooks has said the stand will keep serving until it sells. As of October 2026 the window is still open on its usual weekday schedule.

What to order

The house order is a cheeseburger "all the way": homemade chili, yellow mustard and diced onions. Slaw is a free topping if you want the full Carolina version.

Cheeseburger all the way: The one most people come for. A double with bacon is a lot of burger, so first-timers often start with a single.
Chili cheese fries: Thick-cut potato wedges buried under Brooks' chili and melted cheese.
Hot dog all the way: Same chili, mustard and onions, on a dog. Add slaw for the classic Charlotte build.
Livermush or fried bologna: Old-school Carolina sandwiches that are getting hard to find. Reviewers rave about the crispy livermush.
Chili by the pound: The family recipe, packed to take home for your own hot dogs.

Video: Sarah, Charlotte Food Scene on TikTok

The menu

Compiled from customer photos of the menu board and recent reviews. Prices aren't listed here because they change; check the board at the window.

Know before you go

Bring cash

Brooks' takes cash only. There's an ATM on site, but it charges a fee of around $2.50.
There's no dining room

You order at the window and eat at the covered stand-up counters, a picnic table, or in your car. Reviewers recommend the counters.
Weekday lunch only

Open Monday to Friday, 10 AM to 3 PM. Closed on weekends.
Call ahead to skip the wait

Phone orders go to 704-375-7808 and are taken until 2 PM.
The line moves fast

Lunch rush can stretch the line into the lot, but most waits in reviews run 5 to 20 minutes.

What people say

4.7 stars from 2,015 Google reviews. A few that capture it:

★★★★★

“It's the best burger I have ever had!! The chili & slaw are homemade and the flavor is amazing. Everyone is so friendly, fast service and very worth the drive wherever you are from.”

Bobbie Jo G., Google review, 2024
★★★★★

“This place ruined burgers for me at most other places. It is quite simply a great burger. Nothing fancy.”

Robert M., Google review, 2026
★★★★★

“The livermush sandwich was perfectly crisp on the outside, creamy in the center and the bun was nice and soft.”

K P., Google review, 2024
★★★★☆

“Brooks has been around for decades, surviving the pandemic, personal tragedy and the rising costs of real estate in NoDa.”

John, Google review, 2024
★★★★★

“Line might be long but it goes very quick... Big wedge fries... Great thick burgers...”

Frankie H., Google review, 2024
★★★★★

“Eat it outside at the tables and meet some new people! Your car will thank you!”

John W., Google review, 2026