North Carolina’s Best Grilled Cheese Sandwich Found At A Gas Station?

There are certain rules of thumb in my life that I live by. If you can't appreciate the deliciousness of a grilled cheese sandwich with either tomato soup or chili, we have nothing to build upon in a relationship, either. So, for my friends, I've got to tell you about a duck confit grilled cheese sandwich that's available at The Pure & Proper, a former gas station?

I know, right? When was the last time someone steered you in a culinary direction to a gas station? Okay, so The Pure & Proper is not STILL a gas station. However, in the 1940s, this Black Mountain, North Carolina landmark opened as a Pure Oil Station. All that remains of those memories is the building. More than 80 years later, it's been transformed into an elite eatery.

According to their website, The Pure & Proper is your cozy downtown eatery where you can find something delicious at any time of the day — from morning espresso and street waffles, to a light lunch sitting street side on the patio, or a late dinner date sipping craft cocktails with friends — whatever the occasion we look forward to seeing you here. Okay, so let's get down to it. What about this grilled cheese that is regarded as one of the best you'll find anywhere in North Carolina?

Admittedly, I had to ask my chef wife about this. Basically, it's a grilled cheese incorporated with duck and grilled in remnants of duck fat.

In the case of the Pure & Proper's version, it's made of pulled duck leg confit (duck legs slow-roasted in duck fat), griddled onion, arugula, Gruyere cheese, and tomato jam. OMG...YUM!!! This is worth a trip for sure!

While it's not officially summer yet, that has not stopped folks from firing up the grill. Here are six burger restaurants in Charlotte that people love.

And what better way to kick off any summer cookout than with a nice charcoal-grilled burger! Now you may be asking just what makes the great burger? I got a few tips from Burger Republic, a popular burger restaurant in Tennessee. According to the chefs there, there are some 'must-have's' when it comes to creating a 'great' burger. They include:

Now that we have the essentials for a great burger, now on to some of the spots in the Queen City that offer great burgers like these. In fact, these are six of the burger spots that people rave about. Check them out for yourself!

If the name is throwing you off a bit, don't let it. This small free-standing building is nestled in NoDa (North Davidson) in the  Belmont neighborhood, where neighbors essentially had their say on what eatery they'd love to see in the community. The owners came up with ACE No. 3 where they created the "Ace" burger. That is two thin beef patties with American cheese, steamed onions, house-made pickles on a brioche bun. The owners say the idea behind the burger is tasty and simple. Their mantra: 'Less is more.'  

Don't let the little red house fool you! This spot has been voted as one of the best burger spots in the Queen City time and time again. Brooks Sandwich Shop, in the NoDa area, has been around since 1973 selling burgers and hot dogs. Many people come from miles around to sample a burger and their chili. It is now run by the third generation of Brooks who still have lines around the building.

This is a relatively new burger spot inside Optimist Hall, but it is growing in popularity. At Harriet’s, it's more than just a good burger, it's their sense of community, too. For example, Tuesdays are random act of kindness day where they give out a free meal to a random customer and they also donate hamburger meals to frontline workers.  Owners say they are in the "mind-boosting business." Now, on to the burger. They offer a grilled black Angus patty on a brioche bun with pickles, red onions, and simple sauce. Another example of less is more!

This could be called the 'OG' or 'oldy, but goodie', but either way they've been in the burger business since 1945. The Diamond is proven to be tried and true. Despite several new owners over the past few years, there is one element that has remained consistent -- solid home-cooking and southern hospitality. Their Full Blown Hemi burger has three beef patties (a total pound of meat), with chili, mustard, onions and slaw for the Southern-style.  

Nothing like a good ol'-fashioned burger in a good ol'-fashioned soda shoppe. And that's exactly what you'll get when you visit the Park Road Soda Shoppe. This cozy, quaint diner has been around since 1999 serving up breakfast, lunch and dinner. And in it's 50's dining style, this is where you want to go for a great simple burger. You can try their classic five-ounce burger served Carolina-style includes chili, slaw, mustard and onions. And of course, like a classic soda shoppe you have to add fries and a shake.  

Another classic eatery is South 21 Drive In. It has all the nostalgia of the good ol' days. It opened in 1955 by the three brothers, and has now become a landmark in Charlotte landmark. And not much has changed in it's appearance and it's prices, too. The Super Boy burger is still around which includes two hamburger patties topped with mustard, lettuce, onion, and tomato- simple yet inimitable. Nothing like ol' school. Happy eating!