A worthy burger challenger, P.T.'s Grille, Wilmington, NC

I once consider writing a travel book of the new south, something like "Burgers, Barbecue, Bagels, and Beans."  I decided that the research would do be me in before I could finish the book.  Bagels do not seem to be as popular as they were a few years ago so I am not sure they would be a good topic these days.  Beans are a far too complicated, but I do claim to have one of the best baked bean recipes around, "The Best Baked Bean Recipe ever."

I will remain content trying to find the best burgers while sampling some great barbecue when I am fortunate enough to run across a true barbecue joint.  My gold standard is the burger my buddy Stephen cooked me a couple of summers ago in Northern Virginia.  Unfortunately his burger stand is never where I need it to be.

This past week on one of my marathon drives in the rain, I pulled into a Cookout drive through burger restaurant in Sanford, NC.  If you are not familiar with Cookout, you should give them a try.  They have very good charcoal burgers. I have eaten at the one in Mount Airy, NC a couple of times with very good results. 

Unfortunately with my Sanford stop, I was in a rush so I ate my burger at the stoplights while driving through Sanford.  That is not a very satisfying way to eat a burger.  I had hoped to find a Cookout in Wilmington this weekend to actually enjoy one of their burgers, but I did not have any luck.  However, while searching for great burgers, I found a local chain called P.T.'s Olde Fashioned Grille.  One of their locations was not far from the University of NC at Wilmington, so I slipped down there for lunch break.

It was a typical crowded college place where you filled out your own order form.  I came away with a very large cheeseburger, fries, and a drink for $7.  It was an excellent burger.  It is a very different burger from the Burger in the Square burger that I nominated as the "The Best Burger in Roanoke."  The P.T. burger reminded me a little of one from "Five Guys Famous Burgers."

If you are in Wilmington, NC and looking for a very good burger with some salt and pepper home made fries, P.T.'s Olde Fashioned Grille is a good place to start.  Their three locations are at:

Fountain Dr (College)  392-2293

So. 17th St. (Hospital)  794-4544

Military Cutoff (Wright. Beach) 256-8850