Love a good burger?
You’re not alone and there is one that shines especially bright in Cleveland County.
The Star recently posted a poll to ask readers where to get the best burger in town.
Voting began Sept 1 and ended Sept. 14.
There were a total of 2,768 votes cast with 133 West in Kings Mountain coming out on top as the winner with 762 votes.
Newgrass Brewing Company came in a close second with 701 votes, and Beaver Creek Bar & Grill earned third place with 618.
Owner Iris Hubbard cuts into the 133 Classic, voted the best burger, with a side of fries at 133 West on West Mountain Street in Kings Mountain Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 16, 2025.
Iris Hubbard opened 133 West in 2020 in a renovated historic building on West Mountain Street in downtown Kings Mountain.
The “urban bistro” offers cuisine that includes international menu items with a southern twist. The upscale eatery features a bar and indoor and outdoor seating.
One of its popular dishes, which has been on the menu since 133 opened its doors, is the 133 Classic burger.
The burger features creamy brie cheese, housemade onion jam, fresh mixed greens, a patty made from meat ground fresh weekly piled on a brioche bun.
Hubbard said one of the elements that makes their burger so good is the custom, fresh ground blend of chuck, brisket and short rib which brings a more rich, flavorful taste to the meat.
The sweet onion jam and brie cheese bring just the right flavor combination to delight the tastebuds.
The exterior of 133 West on West Mountain Street in Kings Mountain Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 16, 2025.
Hubbard, who is a Shelby native, left Cleveland County for 30 years before returning in 2019 for family reasons, to open her business and because she was ready to come back home.
There was also a void she wanted to fill.
“Kings Mountain had a need for a higher end resturant,” she said.
She previously lived in Wilmington and Dubai, and her international travels have inspired some of the menu items – with a southern twist – such as the chicken and collard egg rolls or pimento wontons.
Hubbard said one of her favorite things about Cleveland County is the deep sense of community.
“People want to help people,” she said. “That’s a breath of fresh air.”
She also enjoys offering a place for people to gather and celebrate special occasions.
“I get to see people celebrate and enjoy life,” she said. “That’s my favorite thing, for sure.”
The best burger options in the poll included 10 different brick and mortar restaurants around the county.
The other options were:
Taste-T Drive-In
Taste-T has long been a Shelby favorite and for decades serving up juicy classic cheeseburgers, a bacon burger and even a Ranch burger. They are located at 322 E. Marion St. in Shelby.
Thelma Lou’s Barbeque & Grill
Located at 901 College Ave., near the Shelby airport, in addition to barbeque, salads, hotdogs and sandwiches, the restaurant has cheeseburgers, double cheeseburgers, pimento burger and the Alabama burger with chedder cheese, bacon and Alabama white sauce.
Willis’ Sandwich Shop
The small business, located at 1026 E. Marion St., Shelby, is tucked away beside Ora’s Meat Market and Hannah’s Coffee House. It has been serving burgers for nearly 80 years. Diners can pick from the hamburger or crowd favorite, the cheeseburger with a juicy patty, cheese and any other additions requested.
Beaver Creek Bar & Grill
The former Joe’s Place restaurant, at 209 S. Lafayette St., has smash burgers with two smash patties, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickle and onion on a brioche bun. People can add a variety of additions such as avocado, bacon, mushrooms, a fried egg, sauce and more.
Johnny Ray’s Smokehouse
The Fallston favorite, at 4629 Fallston Road, has a variety of burgers, including the Bacon Chedder, My Boy Bleu, Pimento Cheese and Chili, El Chapo with chopped brisket, Southern Burn Burger, the Patriot and Ole Rebel and Same Trailer, Different Park burger.
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Shelby Café
The long-time local has been serving Shelby residents for more than 100 years at 220 S. Lafayette St.
The century-old establishment offers the choice of a classic cheeseburger, Carolina burger and a Cowboy burger, with cheddar cheese, sauteed onions, bacon and barbeque sauce.
238 Cherokee Grill
The Kings Mountain restaurant, at 222 S. Railroad Ave., has a create-your-own burger option with 8 oz. patty and toppings that include roasted mushrooms, aged cheddar, bleu cheese crumbles, bacon chili and more. There is also a turkey burger option.
Carolina Kitchen
The eatery, located at 220 Campbell St., has the traditional hamburger and a cheeseburger with homemade slaw, chili, mustard, onion and American cheese.
Sara Edwards delivers food to Jennifer and Chris Hewitt’s table at Newgrass Brewing Company on South Lafayette Street in Shelby Saturday afternoon, Sept. 16, 2023.
Newgrass Brewing Company
Located at 213 S. Lafayette St in Shelby, the brewery offers a local burger with a 6 oz. patty on a toasted potato bun that can be served either American style or Carolina style with slaw and chili. They also have an Oklahoma smash burger with two 3 oz. local beef patties, grilled onions, house sauce and choice of American or cheddar cheese on a potato bun.
This article originally appeared on The Shelby Star: Check out the winner of the best burger in Cleveland County poll