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Kevin H.

Great local brewery with a wide selection & fresh farm raised beef. I had the Joan Jett Vegi Burger with Sweet Potato Fries. Delicious! If you are solo or enough seats at the bar, there is no need to wait in line to order. They are more than happy to take your order & serve. Cool Place.

Matt M.

Ben W.

Tica S.

Quality of the food and service is amazing and definitely humorous. My boyfriend and I was love struck by the selection of brews. Could not resist fresh pretzels when the red light is on above the cash register! So much so I forgot to order pickle chips! Next time! We decided to split a black n blue burger and was not disappointed. Followed by their blueberry - oatmeal homemade ice cream. Quenched our thirst by their Puck's Fountain Soda Service and a sampling their entire beer menu! Well done Bull City Brewing, it definitely was a pleasure. Now we'll enjoy our take home silipint and imperial pint glasses and bottle opener keychain for the memories. Cheers!

A A.

Michael R.

'Now that's a tasty burger." Okay-the burger was fresh-farm to fork fresh and the fries made in duck fat, excellent. The Black IPA was also a big hit at our table. I asked for it pink in the middle-and this was really odd--I sliced it in half to eat and it was grey, not pink, yet after one bite the juices flowed and it was pink throughout. I'm not sure how they cooked it more in the middle than the sides...a mystery! Decor is funky and fitting for a brew and burger joint. I would definitely go again. Service was very good and the turns on the table were good. Excellent for groups although you may be sharing one of the large indoor picnic style tables (don't worry they have chairs). I liked the "Future Beer Drinkers" section they had for younger children. Overall a solid 4 stars and I'd go back again.

Reggie O.

Locally sourced burgers, tasty fries, and good beer brewed on site! Casual atmosphere with a little taste of hipster thrown in.

Marlon O.

bacon-onion jam! put it on everything! Some of the loveliest draught beer in town. Sign up for one of the Saturday tours if you can. Seth is incredibly knowledgeable and fun to talk to about the craft of beer.

Kurt H.

Last night we met some friends in the Bull City. I guess it was only appropriate that we ended up at Bull City Burger. We ended up choosing this place because of the ample outdoor seating. It was a really nice evening, and that was a priority. Upon arriving, we were quickly greeted by a very friendly staff, and given a quick rundown on the ordering process. We jumped out of line, and grabbed a seat inside the restaurant to look over the menu. Our friends had told us of a food truck that did duck fat waffle fries, and when we saw the frites on the menu, we had to get an order. And then we saw the Bull's Nuts (Roasted peanuts, bacon and caramelized sugar) we said "OK" and ordered it. My wife was interested in pickle chips with pretzel breading, so we ordered those, as well. We went to grab our drinks, and that's where the nice touches began. You get it in a Ball canning jar. No, not a Mason jar, but something like your Grandmother made strawberry preserves in...at least my Granny did. I was overjoyed to find a wide selection of specialty sodas at a fountain, made with real cane sugar. As a recovering soda nerd, it was as good a time as any to fall off the wagon. I had a choice of six sodas, from regular cola, to ginger ale, all the way to Birch Soda, which I eventually settled on. Cold, dark and delicious! We sipped our drinks and enjoyed the appetizers while we waited. While the pickle chips were great, and the duck fries were crispy, my favorite ended up being the Bull's Nuts (86 the jokes, please). They reminded me of a bacony version of Fiddle Faddle, without being overly sweet. Finally, our burgers arrived: Large, juicy, and very, very pretty. The toppings were generous and high quality. The meat had a nice grind and was cooked to a delicious medium. Top flight stuff. I can't say how anyone else felt about their burger, other than there was none left. I ordered the Shadoe burger, which came with Chimichurri, Pimiento Cheese and Vinegary Slaw, plus some pickles. I had them top it with lettuce and tomato, because a burger isn't a burger without those ingredients. Fantastic! The vinegar cut through the fat in the pimiento cheese and the burger, and really balanced everything out nicely. The chimichurri flavor was not too strong. I probably could have used a bit more of that. The only downer of the evening was my wife's hot dog. She would have preferred a more traditional tasting dog (and by that, I mean more like a Hebrew National or Oscar Mayer). I tried it, and it was good, but I could see what she was talking about. The hotdogs here have a very fine grind, and have a little bit more of an organ meat/vienna sausage sans too much salt flavor. For dessert, which I was too full to enjoy, the rest of the table shared the grilled lemon poundcake with a scoop of homemade ice cream. Again, I can't tell you how good it is, only that it disappeared quickly, and much oohing and ahhing was heard. 5* from me. We'll be back. Notes: This is one of those odd, confusing restaurants that are a combination of order at the counter + limited waiter service. But they still put the tip line at the bottom of the receipt. I've always found that confusing, because if I'm going to get my own drink, and if they're just running my food when it's ready, how much do I tip? Are they being paid waiter wages or are tips a true bonus? That's my one slight annoyance here. Just make it clear to me, so I can do the right thing by the staff.

Chelsea R.

EVERY SINGLE TIME I go here and Rachel is bartending, I have horrible and very slow service. I commented before about her being frazzled and confused, and it seems this has continued. When I go in to eat here, which is frequently, I ALWAYS sit at the bar, and usually I can get in and out in about 25 minutes. When Rachel is working, this time is DOUBLED. Today I went in for a quick lunch with a friend, it ended up taking 50 minutes. I'm also a bartender, so I try to give everyone a few fair chances because they might be having a bad day; HOWEVER I have given Rachel many chances to provide me with DECENT service and it has never ONCE happened. My 3 encounters with her are as follows: 1) arrive for quick lunch, order my burger with a little pink and it comes out rare - she didn't check on me at all so I couldn't address this problem, and I'm left waiting for a box and a check so long the manager has to come help me. He even gave me a free appetizer for my next dinner because of this inconvenience.. 2) arrive for lunch with my roommate on a snow day at 3:30pm, without knowledge they were closing the kitchen early. Ordered appetizers and drinks, planned to order burgers too. Someone else delivered said appetizers, and Rachel still left us waiting to order for about 5/7 minutes after this. When she did return at 4:02 (I checked my phone) and we wanted to order, she informed us that the kitchen had just closed at 4pm... She couldn't inform us at the beginning of our meal, or check on us before the kitchen closed. INCOMPETENCE! Anyway, she wouldn't make eye contact with my roommate or even look our way so we could get our check and leave to go get food, and she had to wave her down so we could leave... this seems to be a continuing trend, and usually this is never a problem at other bars and restaurants in the area - they want to turn their tables / bar seats as quickly as possible, and they are ready with your check as soon as you are, if not before. 3) TODAY I went in with a friend for lunch, I was happy for having avoided Rachel's shifts for a while, however she was bartending today. I had to tell my friend I had previous terrible experience with the specific bartender, but she wanted to give Rachel a chance anyway, and we came for the burgers (which are FABULOUS btw). We were literally the only new customers in the restaurant (everyone else was finishing up their meals), so I thought this was a good omen. I decided to give Rachel another chance, and though we knew exactly what we wanted, somehow Rachel still managed to make us wait 20 minutes to order our burgers over a half eaten fry pan and half empty waters (DUCK FRITES are phenomenal). I had to ask her if we could order - she was in her own little world, again. I didn't even order a drink because I didn't want to wait to get it. She was seemingly incredibly distracted AGAIN, because our service remained slow throughout our meal, our waters remained empty, and my thoughts on Rachel remained the same. Near the end of our dinner, Rachel was nowhere to be found - the nighttime bartender Paul brought out our burgers and made sure we had everything we needed. Rachel was still nowhere to be found, so Paul brought me a box and whereas you would think that Rachel would realize we were ready to go or at least have some knowledge of where in their dinner her tables are, she didn't even check on us for dessert or a check and I had to flag down Paul for that as well. Overall, Paul is always very knowledgeable, friendly, accommodating and FAST. Rachel is NOT. I will be avoiding Rachel at all costs, I've tried to give her chances but her incompetence and distraction never fails to surprise me. I love Bull City Burger and every single staff interaction I've had there (besides her) has been great - always wonderful service when sitting at the bar. I will be back, but not for Rachel!

Kate M.

After living in Durham for 2 years, we decided to try Bull City for lunch. We walked in around 1:10 and decided to sit at the bar. None of the waitstaff even gave us a second look (during the majority of this time there was no one behind the bar at all) until we were sitting there about 10 minutes. Luckily we finally got a menu. After sitting there for an additional 15 minutes with no one acknowledging our existence, we decided to walk out without even getting a glass of water. I have never walked out of a restaurant before, but the service was so horrible (and bar staff was incredibly unprofessional) we will never be going back.

Amanda P.

I don't drink alcohol and I don't eat meat, and yet I'm still a fan of Bull City Brewery. Let me explain. For a burger place, there's a lot of vegetarian food on the menu, including two veggie burger options, one of which changes regularly. When we went, it was a grilled polenta patty with caramelized onions and tomato relish, which was pretty good but slightly on the bland side, as one might expect from a grilled polenta patty. Would the menu be even better if there was also a veggie option for the hot dog offerings? Yes, but there's already a lot to keep the veggie eaters happy. We ordered pretzels, which apparently go pretty fast, because we didn't get any (boo!). They told us when our food came out that there were no more pretzels left. But our server brought us a new appetizer, pimento cheese and kale dip, that wasn't on the menu (yay!). Odd as that may sound, it was really good. If you don't want alcohol, the sodas are pretty amazing. No Coke or Pepsi here; the soda fountain dispenses Puck's soda, which is made with real cane sugar and no nasty artificial flavors. Even if you do want alcohol, try the soda too. This place gets really busy, though they're pretty quick about getting your food out. We were able to order, eat, and still make it back to a show at the Carolina Theater within an hour.

Ryan B.

Supporting Local farmers and keeping them in business is what it's all about. That being said, the burgers here are good, the dogs are good, the fried pickles are the best. This is our 10th visit and the first time the burger has been cooked too much (I usually get a little pink). Food: Duck Fritts are delicious Fried Pickles are a must Veggie and beef burgers are both delicious anyway you get them I recommend the bacon, but it is thick cut, so if you aren't that kind of person, don't get it Beer: Easy drinking is the Bryant Bridge Gateway Golden Ale, pretty much an across the board likable beer

Lauren R.

I drove my rating up bc OMG those duck fat fries!!!! EXCELLENT duck fat fries, amazing customer service, great beer and good burgers. Will definitely return!

Craig T.

The best burgers in the Triangle! I kid you not. I've been to Bull City Burger many times and it was always been beyond delicious. The "Bacon and Blue" burger is my favorite. Out of this world. I like that they use fresh locally grown ingredients. They also brew great beer too! I picked up a growler when I was there over the weekend. I can't recommend this place enough.

Christina L.

Came here during Exotic Meat Month (March) in hopes of trying something I'd never had before. I was really exciting for python, llama, or ostrich. Unfortunately, I discovered that only one type of meat is available per day. Ordered the Alaskan Reindeer Burger topped with a Raspberry Vinaigrette and Tiny Farm Lettuce ($14) and Duck Frites ($3) with Parrish St Pale Ale. I'm pretty sure I've had reindeer before but hey, it's exotic meat month - gotta go with the exotic meat option! As a burger, it's hard to distinguish different types of meat. They all taste very similar, except bison. I'd much prefer sampling meat as a slice (like steak) instead of burger patty. The burger tasted alright - much like your typical burger. Would've been nice to have more toppings, like tomatoes, but all you get is a piece of lettuce and vinaigrette. The fries are thin ("French cut") and remind me of shoestring fries. They've been finished in duck fat with rosemary and Fleur de Sel (French sea salt). If you try REALLY hard, you can taste the duck, but otherwise, they taste like your typical shoestring fries. The Thick Cut, Warm Griddled Lemony Pound Cake is $5 - if you want to add the extra house made ice cream, it's an additional $1. The spicy chocolate sauce is mildly spicy. Didn't care for the pound cake. It's a thick slice, but not enough! The gigantic scoop of ice cream tasted like vanilla bean ice cream, nothing too special. I picked one of their most popular beers, but it didn't taste so great. I had asked for a lighter beer with some sweetness to it, but it was bitter and the sweetness is hardly noticeable. Great place for late night grub but food is only okay. Their sign needs to be bigger too because it's easy to drive by. It's located in Downtown Durham, so expect street parking.

Claire S.

My girlfriend and I were looking for a nice brewery to celebrate me going to law school. We entered the brewery. It was busy so we sat at the end of the bar. A server was there but immediately left without saying a word. We waited. Two more servers came and started a conversation at the opposite end of the bar. They looked at us briefly but continued their conversation. We were not acknowledged by anyone who worked there. We were acknowledged by the people sitting next to us who said hi. I couldn't believe it! NOT GAY FRIENDLY AT ALL!!

Tess M.

Excellent value burger and beers/wine and drinks! Super family-friendly environment which was a bit unexpected for a burger+brew joint. But hey that's how weekends should be right? Father-son bonding over burger+ fries+ sports+ beer/soda/ice cream. March is Exotic meat month but they only do one meat at a time which was disappointing for us because we had wanted to try numerous other exotic meats than the one offered. So in the end we had a regular med-rare burger with fried egg, veggie burger (bean-base) with chimichurri, and an alligator burger- between the two of us! What I love about the burger at this place is that it's lean and feels healthy- from pattie to sauce to bun. The veggie pattie was thick and full of black bean, white bean, and crunchy chick peas. The beef burger was perfectly medium rare but not dripping oil so it felt healthy. I'd not feel guilty eating one of these every week! Oh and they brew quite a selection of beers!!

Picky D.

I like this place, I just wish the veggie burger was better.

Charles H.

I've been wanting to try this place out for a couple of years now and today just happened to turn out to be the day I made my first, and likely last, visit. After seeing all the reviews and talk about this place; I must say I was completely underwhelmed by my lunch experience. The prices here are way to expensive for what you get. Three burgers, one hotdog, three orders of fries, one beer, and three glasses of water came in at just under fifty bucks! Seriously? The burger itself was a pretty big letdown. The temperature question really didn't make any sense; rare -- a little pink -- or well done? How about something between rare and a little pink? I like my meat medium rare as do most. I went ahead and ordered a little pink---but it came out completely grey or well done. Very little to no flavor in the burger, sadly. The bread bun on the burger and the hotdog was horrible...I mean almost uneatable. Hard and nasty. A bun should be soft...the crust can be a little hard, but the middle once again...soft. These buns were hard and again nasty. Still no flavor here. The condiments are really excellent [pair that with the beer taste is why two and not one star]...glad to see no HFCS here, but I really hate being nickled and dimed to death. Not worth the added cost on a tasteless burger/bun. The sweet potato fries were mushy and horrible [ask Metro8 how to make fries]. The dirty fries are actually good. The duck frities are also good by taste...but cut way too small. The are advertised as skinny fries....skinny fries they are not. It's more like a potato ricer masher cut. You need a spoon to eat them, or perhaps scoop a handful...be careful not to choke....it is a concern due to their size. The beer I had, a black lager starlite something or other was rather good; but again too expensive @ about 4.50 a glass w/ tax. Change out the bread, flavor the meat, and reduce the price for condiments if you want higher than a 2 star review, imho.

Jen G.

This place is DELISH! Wish we could frequent more often, but it's a little bit of a drive for us. I always build my own burger. Always cooked the right way (pink bc they have their in house ground meat). The fried pickles are amazing and we always start our meal with these. My husband and I will split a fry usually bc it's enough for us. We like the regular fries. My absolute favorite is that they have Boylan sodas on tap! Black cherry- yum! The place is usually super crowded so be prepared to wait. The tables are family style long tables and many people don't even know their outdoor seating our back is excellent! You order at the counter and get a number, then they bring out your food.

Dave C.

I was very disappointed by the food and more disappointed by the service. I ordered the kale and cheese dip, which only included four tiny pieces of pita. The dip and bread tasted okay, but when I asked for more bread, which costs $1 for four more tiny pieces, it took asking a second person to tell me they were all out of bread. After half-apologizing, three employees stood around consoling each other about other disappointed customers I guess as a result of the half shrug I gave in response to the half-apology I received. The waiters could have at least walked away three more feet before starting to talk about me.

Debra N.

Some of the best burgers around...and the beer to go with it. Great place to chill with friends and relax. It's pretty casual and friendly.

Elizabeth K.

I love the decor and ambiance of this place. The glass window overlooking the brewery, the mason jars for drinks, quirky signs everywhere, and the wooden picnic tables were about my favorite things about this place. Unfortunately, I don't think the food matches up. Being a vegetarian, I ordered the Joan Jett and sweet potato fries. I loved the way my food looked, but the taste....I've had veggie burgers from all sorts of places, and the Joan Jett isn't one of the best. In fact, it might be one of the worst... For some reason, the flavor was just a little bit off; if I can describe it, I would say slightly bitter and stale? I love beans and veggies, which I think the patty is made of, but mine just tasted off. The sweet potato fries were loaded with salt and sugar which made the meal even more unpleasant. I think sweet potato fries are sweet and yummy enough with just a sprinkle of cinnamon that it's unnecessary to drown its natural flavor with salt & sugar. I would like to come back and try a different burger and maybe the Joan Jett again because this place just looks awesome, and the environment/decor is great.

Sam M.

Great burgers - really damn good. Share your order of fries.

Emily Y.

Free range beef? Mason jar beverage containers? Fun ice cream flavors? Homemade everything? Yes please! Having only discovered BCBB within the past few months, I can honestly say it is one of my favorite places in Durham. When you walk up to order from the cashier, you get a great view into the kitchen and the cooking process. Your order number is a placard with a date and a fun historical fact that you can read about as you wait for your food. The meat is from free range local cows (so juicy and tender!) which I appreciate very much, and the burgers are simply put, delicious. They don't look like they are that big, but boy are they filling. They don't have tomatos when they are not in season, and I think that's great. And on a dare a friend and I decided to get one of their homemade ice creams with bacon bits in it, which was quite an interesting experience. They usually have a specialty burger of the day which is fun to check out, though I wouldn't recommend the fries as they are pretty average. Seating is by and large consisted of long benches so you may end up brushing elbows with some strangers but I usually come here late at night when it isn't too crowded. Parking spots may be a bit sparse, so it usually takes a bit of a walk from the car.

Liz S.

Best place in Durham to get a fresh pasture raised burger. Everything is made in house. And the pickles chips are 'the bestest'. I like to go in the late afternoons to enjoy a leisurely lunch. And you can drink Fresh beer too. Don't miss this one

Mike K.

Great beer, very crowded when I was, the line was almost to the door. After ordering our food we had to try and find a seat and were lucky but saw many who had to wait to sit. The wait for the food wasn't very long for the amount of people here but was longer than I would have wanted. If the food wasn't so awesome, sweet potato fries, burgers and good beer I wouldn't tolerate the wait.

Emma D.

Lacie B.

Came here last yesterday for a late lunch. We decided on Bull City because I had read reviews that they had a big patio and allowed dogs. I have a small yorkie that decided to join us, and they were very accommodating. (Attachments on the patio to put your dogs leash through and when asked, they will bring out a water dish for your canine pal) We were a little confused at first if we had servers, but we quickly realized you order at the front of the restaurant and get a number to bring back to your table. We decided to try two beers along with our food. We had the Bitter and Pale Ale. Both were enjoyable. As for food - we had the pickle chips to start. They were good and just enough to whet our appetites. For entrees, I had the Joan Jett with added roasted garlic. It was a large veggie burger that did not disappoint. My boyfriend had the Bacon and Bleu. He had to balance out my meatless meal with the meatiest thing on the menu! He said his was yummy - thick bacon and generous amounts of Bleu cheese. We also shared an order of dirty fries. Needless to say we walked out of Bull City feeling much skinnier than when we walked in. ;) I didn't get a good look inside, as I was tending to the pup, so I can't comment on the decor, but I'd definitely return.

Kathleen L.

I'm writing this review, not to comment on the food (which is great), but rather the lame "late-night" experience we had this past Friday. The hours are clearly stated as open until 11:00, however we arrived at 10:00 and were told they couldn't make us a burger...at a burger place...that is "open" until 11:00. The blame was placed on the fact that some of the staff had been there a "long time"...or something along those lines. It was a big turn-off for us to not be provided the full menu choices we went there to enjoy. I would highly suggest to management that they reconsider their convenience of closing down "early" and live up to the hours they advertise. "Late-night" dining in Durham needs some help!

Mia C.

I've been underwhelmed both times I've been here. I'll address each disappointment in turn: Duck fat fries This menu item is so 2009. They're fine, but nothing to make a special trip out here for. Vegetarian chili Extremely salty and/or sour, depending on the bite, leading me to conclude that the ingredients were not well integrated. And the flavor was so potent, it tasted like it was the evaporated concentrate that is left over in the bottom of the pot when something's been left to simmer too long. My family is not one to leave leftovers or food untouched, but this chili was inedible. My dad seriously wondered if they had made some mistake in the cooking process. Horrid. Carnivorous chili Again, this tasted like chili concentrate. So much beef. So salty. This was essentially ground beef crumbles in a red suspension. More than anything, it seemed like an all-beef version of the "chili" you put on hot dogs. Or perhaps a very salty version of Manwich. Regardless, it wasn't something you'd want to eat a whole bowl of by itself. I ended up taking it home and cooking up a bunch of beans and throwing this into the mix. WTF. Burger "a little pink inside" This was cooked rare. Pinker than the burger that someone else at the table who ordered her burger cooked rare was. And it was cold. *See note below regarding service timing. Pretzels The menu states that we should look for the red light, and when the red light is on, that means these pretzels are hot out the oven. Well, we looked around for the red light, finally located it, and when we asked the very nice and patient lady who took our order if the pretzels were hot, she was like yeah, they're hot..oh, I can flip the light on. So, basically, the whole "red light" thing is a farce. Worse than that failed "brass bell" situation indicating fresh out the oven goodness at Golden Corral. And these pretzels were not hot. Or fresh. Nonetheless, they had a wonderful pretzel taste, the cheese dip was good, and this was by far the best tasting item I had, despite the lack of freshness/hotness. Smaller and "firmer" than Guglhupf's brezels, but much pretzelier flavor. "Pickled Vegetable" Topping Ginger Cucumber the day I was there. These were fine. Sweet Potato Fries Cold and old. They tasted pretty standard to me and maybe would have been delicious had they not been cold and old. *See note below regarding service timing. Dirty Fries Cold and old. Not sure what was "dirty" about these. They tasted pretty standard to me and maybe would have been delicious had they not been cold and old. *See note below regarding service timing. *Service As mentioned above, the lady who took our order was splendid. But things pretty much fell apart after that. Our food came out in a haphazard order, separated by a good 7-10 minutes. There were 4 of us eating burgers, and one diner got his burger before we got any of our appetizers. Then the gross sour chili came. The remaining 3 of us all would have devoured that chili while we were waiting (and waiting) for our food had it been edible, but alas, it sat pretty much untouched on the table. At some point the expo randomly brought out a second burger and then asked us if we needed anything else. Uh, yes, like, the rest of our order, including 2 more burgers and 2 more fries? I would have cut them some slack if these things hadn't been made yet and came out all freshy-fresh, but lord, those fries had clearly been made and plated and just sat there dying a slow, cold death until they were brought to our table. Likewise with my burger. And by the way, we checked with the nice order-taking lady, and yes, the chili is supposed to taste that horribly. So, BCBB, hype be damned, I find you gross and utterly unredeemable on all counts. Waste of time, appetite, and money. Maybe this is a place more suited to beer-lovers too lazy to go somewhere else to eat beef. As many other reviewers have noted, this place is way loud, and Dain's burger is way better.

Anshu G.

You must try their wedding ale, and sweet potato fries with garlic aioli. Its conveniently located in downtown.

James E.

Went for dinner on a Thursday. About 20 people in line around 7pm. Had the onion loaf-was greasy, heavy. We ordered our burgers medium, and they were cooked correctly, but the meat and bun were both fairly dry. Small size for price. Fries again were greasy, over salted. Not crazy about eating off metal plates. We had 3 different beers-they were all fine. Didn't get a seat under the fan on the patio, noise from kitchen exhaust fans is loud, felt more like I was just stuck out in an alley than an outdoor dining area. All in all, there's plenty of other dining options in the city I'd be more inclined to patron.

Marc C.

Just finished a real good burger and sweet potato fries. Done perfect and very tasty. Fun environment as we say next to a whole group of sorority sisters from Duke.

Jane W.

Great place for taking kids as there is a small kids corner. Burgers are delish, great sodas too!

Jomo K.

Great bar service and very good handcrafted beer. All locally non hormone beef. The veggies are also locally grown. It's a no frills place with an eclectic ambiance. There's also a patio on the back of the brewery. I had the burger with fried egg on to. I should mention the eggs are from chickens raised in NC. Everything local! Maybe it's the southern hospitality, or maybe it's just ppl hear pay more attention to detail. There's free wifi, so I spent a few hours sitting at the bar working. My business partner showed up so we decided to stay for an early dinner also. All Round, I was very pleased and will definitely be back when I'm back downtown next month!

Jeremy P.

A cool stop in Durham. The first burger that I've had in the city. It turned out to be very good. I had one of their IPAs and it was good enough to have another. They have a wine dispenser there, which was the first time I saw anything like that, and they priced it as such the novelty as I thought it to be. The prices were adjacent to a tourist type town, and the setting was comfortable as well. I hope to have the secret burger next time I visit!

Paige H.

The hamburger was cooked perfect! Bun just okay. The duck fries were delicious as were the onion rings. The sweet potato fries were good but not outstanding. The place on a Friday night was packed. We arrived at 6:00 and there was a wait and within no time the line was out the door. The only downside is no waiter service and having to share tables with strangers otherwise great food!

Phil C.

Good beer. Good folks. A little uncomfortable.

Rachel G.

Went here for the first time last night and it was delicious. I had a hamburger with pimento cheese( which I'm picky about) with pickles and mayo, it was so good! The meat was so juicy and tender that it was falling apart in my hands. I loved the mason jars as glasses and the Boylan soda fountain. The food for the whole party was great. I recommend this place 100% just be aware you can only get a burger or hotdog. I also recommend the sweet potato fries and black cherry soda. 5 stars for sure!

Kenny P.

Best burgers ever! Try the the duck fat fries, seriously! Nice to sit at the bar with a beer on a Friday afternoon. And Boylans' sodas on tap? This is how it should be done...

Jaime L.

Neck and neck with Dain's. Music and atmosphere is better at Dain's. BCB&B is more of a cafeteria type establishment but they've never let me down when I've craved a good burger. Service is great....good rotating selection of beer.

Tara H.

I love everything about this place! I have been here with my kids and husband and again with a group of friends. The atmosphere is fun and inviting. I'm not a huge beer fan, but my husband loves to try the different beers. Fortunately they also have wine:) The burgers here are phenomenal! You can come up with interesting combinations and they hit the mark every time. I wish I lived closer!

Nakort V.

Yelp page says it's open until 11, got there at 10:15 and was told that kitchen was closed.

Ariel H.

Amazing, quality burger and fries joint. Knowledgeable staff each time we've visited and usually a fantastic weekly special. Casual place to meet up and hang out with friends. Always a contender when we plan a night out.

Ron W.

Finally made it back to Bull City Burger and Brewery and after the huge opening crush. And they've definitely made some changes for the better! Red line on the floor leading to the cash register to create some customer flow, check! Wall hangings to absorb some noise, check! Onsite brewed beer on tap, check! And also some single four-tops for those who don't enjoy the communal benches, check. We ordered up some pickle chips, bull nuts, the burger of the day along with some fries. Everything was as good as I remembered it from my first visit and I think the portions even got a little bigger. Burger was solid with some cheddar, fried onions and scallion butter, yum! Loved the pickle chips in my second go-around and the skin-on fries were good, reminds me of Only Burger. While I certainly spent some money, I think for the quality you get, BCBB is worth it! I think they've worked through a lot of their opening day kinks and I'm sure they'll be coming out with some new wrinkles in their menu and beers moving forward. Rock on Bull City Burger & Brewery!

Dave P.

Everything is home made except the ketchup. They use Heinz. :) Burgers were phenomenal. We got the Bacon/Bleu, chili, slaw and hot mustard for me and my daughter made her own as well. All were cooked to our order and were ready fast. Duck frites were outstanding as were the sweet potato fries. I tried the Bock while here and would have drank more, but it is only 1230....that's what my wife said. We will be back.

Sophia C.

Oh. these burgers. So delicious. Literally the best burgers I've ever had. I think the beer is just "good" - not a huge fan of their IPAs. but I just can't give anything less than 5 stars given the extent to which I have cravings for their burgers. with fixings, without fixings - delicious no matter which iteration you get (haven't tried the veggie versions but have heard good things). The pickle chips are also so yummy.

Lisa R.

So fricken delicious! Fried pickles, fries rendered in duck fat and a burger cooked to perfection! A trendy decently priced place to eat and drink. It's even kid friendly. Love love love!

Alison M.

I've taken many burger lovers here and they all agree its one of the best! Not to mention their beer, sweet potato fries, and cheeses are delicious! And it's all sourced locally. Love it!

Annmarie M.

Really tasty "shadoe" burger with pimento cheese and chimichurri. Beer was nice too, Nice outdoor seating and big tables are great for groups! Will definitely go back!

Tommy A.

A yes, yet another Brew Pup for me to review. If you have read any of my reviews you will know that Beer mixed with good food is one of my favorite things in the world, so when my bossed asked us if we wanted to go to Bull City Burger and Brewery for lunch I jumped at the chance. Now seeing as this was a business lunch there was regrettably no drinking beer, but my lunch there will certainly get me to return sometime for a couple brews. I am not sure what I can say about this food other then wow. First we got some pickle chips and these things were simply awesome. They were thing and only lightly battered, which I like because being the pickle fan that I am you could just stack a couple together and get a great pickle taste. Next up are the fries. They are fried in duck fat and I have heard all kinds of people rave about them. When I got them I have to say I was a little disappointed, and this is mainly where they lost a star from me (that and the price, for 4 of us it was almost $70). They taste great but are extremely small and you basically have to shovel them in your mouth to get the full taste. Had they have been normal sized fries they would have been some of the best I have ever tasted. Another plus, especially since I could not drink beer, was the soda fountain. After ordering I was told I could grab a Mason Jar (how awesome is that) and get a soda fountain. Now these are not your normal fountain drinks as they are all made with pure cane sugar and have different taste such as cream soda and such. I optioned for the Birch Beer which was simply great tasting. Finally, onto the main event, the Burger. I ended up with the Burger that was the special that day. It was a burger that had sweet potato hash mixed with blue cheese crumbles, and WOW. This thing was a straight taste explosion in my mouth, a little sweet with a little tang, and a whole lot of burger. It was cooked to perfection and just as juicy as I like it. I look forward to returning very soon, as I have a feeling mixing fresh made beer with these awesome burgers could put this place through the roof.

Julio M.

Great burgers PERIOD! I will not review the hot dog or pretzels, or the loud machinery in the back. I am writing about the burgers and they are great!!! Everything is house made even the mustard. The location is a little on the small side but what the heck... If you want to grab a tasty burger and cold craft beer Bull City Burgers is the place for you.

Jeff A.

Went here the first week I moved to Durham, still one of my favorite spots. Great burgers, beers, and especially duck fat fries! Be prepared to spend about $15 per person, so not your cheapest burger option but definitely worth it. My cousin from LA still claims it was "the best burger he has ever had". This coming from somebody who has lived in over ten cities in 3 countries. A must have if stopping or going through Durham!

Ken W.

Jim K.

Kristi R.

Deepak V.

Michael B.

Honestly I have been debating about writing a true, honest comment about this place. Here it goes - the beer is great. Local brew, fair price and they all taste amazing. I enjoy the Parrish English style IPA. Here is the part that hurts, the burgers and everything around them. The meat is quality. They will cook it just the way you ask.. Both pluses. The toppings are quality - but too expensive to really build a gourmet burger the way you like it without dropping $12-$16 on A BURGER. Their pre-made selections are decent, but if you're feeling something different you're looking at $1-$2 PER TOPPING. This is the only place I can think of where two burgers and two beers will cost you $35+. The hotdogs are once again quality until they put the chili and coleslaw-dust on it. Avoid it if you can. Finally the $12 bull sample platter. You get some bulls nuts, a couple fried pickles a handful of onion strings... (Which isn't really a shareable appetizer) and 3 hush puppies. Here is some advice - use that money to buy either more beer or additional toppings to your burger. Now don't get me wrong - the burgers are good, the buns are great, the toppings are quality, but you just feel like you left a used car lot after eating here. Can't really justify it. Sorry.

Lisa T.

Best. Veggie. Burger. Ever. Okay, so I can only speak to the one burger that I had here when we made a pit stop in Durham during a road trip: the Joan Jett veggie burger, a black bean burger with garlic aioli and goat cheese. The burger is dense and substantial. It crumbled a little bit on me, but I was okay with that because I could see that the burger was made with real veggies and beans, not the processed junk that comprises most veggie burgers. The GARLIC AIOLI is heavenly!! I could eat it from a jar with a spoon. The goat cheese was a nice addition to the burger, too, but the garlic aioli really stole the show. You could order fries and other things as sides, which I didn't. Normally I wouldn't be satisfied with just a burger and no side, but I was perfectly happy eating this one by itself. 5 stars. Wish I could go back for another.

Eileen M.

Took a group of 25 here with a reservation made a few weeks in advance. The place was very crowded. BCBB took our order swiftly and brought out starters within five minutes! Our burgers all came out quickly after that and no mistakes in all 25. I would definitely recommend Bull City Burger for a big event. Also, it gets crazy here on Friday and Saturday nights but the line moves fast and food comes out hot.

Scott W.

This Place is AWESOME! Great Beer, Great Burgers, all Local ingredients! I cant say enough about BCBB, It's my favorite place in Durham, I usually go on friday afternoons, so I can get my growler refilled, the beer is excellent as is the food. I really like the fried pickle chips too. They also have an outdoor patio which is beautiful when the weather permits. They also have a special discount for folks who sport an approved BCBB tattoo, which I will be getting soon!

G. P.

Great food and appropriate and more than worthy look to enjoy a burger of mammoth proportions! I was amazed at the choices on the particular day I showed up. They were making burgers out of almost every animal available to man. Awesome!

Liz B.

It took me a few visits to get a handle on this place. The first time I came, I was overwhelmed. There is just...a lot to take in, visually, aurally, spatially. As you enter, there are huge canisters of beer on your right with disco lights spinning, there is a counter to the left (for what? I do not know, maybe wine) with a rope and pulley and cowbell, and then you walk forward to stand in line while not knowing what the hell is going on. Eventually you find a menu, and look at the signs listing the daily beer and food specials, and you figure it out. But it can be chaotic for the first-timer. The burgers are flavorful, but a bit dry, and certainly not big and juicy. I've brought several out-of-towners to this joint, and they all express surprise at the diminutive size of the burger once it arrives. Womp womp. (I imagine people probably feel the same when they see Tom Cruise in person without giant lifts in his shoes.) The standard burger also comes tucked in a weird, waxy bun resembling a dinner roll which for me is definitely the worst part of the burger. They make their own buns/bread, but I wish there were other bun/bread options (like a yeastier crustier sesame seed roll). The saving grace is the wide choice of amazing toppings. My favorite so far was smothered with jalapenos and chimichurri sauce and gruyere. Mmmm, freshly made condiments. Bun aside, very tasty. As for the other items, I've had the chili (which I DO NOT recommend, it was gritty and unimpressive), the duck fat fries (easily the best thing I've eaten here...truly extraordinary, these delicious herbed thin strings of potatoes), and the pickle chips (good with a nice dipping sauce but very thin and floppy, not crispy...I prefer Only Burger's). There is a Boylan soda fountain which is AWESOME. I always loved mixing cream soda with cola for a vanilla coke, so I can do that, or a variety of other soda flavor combinations. I've liked the beers I've tried, which are often unique. I had an awesome wheat beer the other day. The atmosphere is very vibrant...it has a bustling local energy which will instantly lift your mood, as you feel like you're part of this larger happy crowd even if you don't know anyone else there. The tables are very densely packed, so you may end up making new friends. It is LOUD. You can use your outdoor voice indoors here. Best of all, for a night person such as myself who often doesn't even think about dinner until 9 pm? It's open until 10 pm on weekdays, and 11 pm on weekends. There is a sad paucity of late-night food options in Durham, so I am happy that this is a go-to option.

Dirk C.

Heard so much about this place, we had to give it a try. The burgers are life-changing. I ordered a cheeseburger and it was amazing. Delicious bun, perfect meat, fresh vegetables. Then I tried my sons bacon and blue cheese burger and figured I had made a mistake not ordering that one. THEN, I tried my wife's bacon marmalade burger and knew it was the one. I have never had a better burger. It's also a brewery, but we stuck with iced tea because we had just come from Fullsteam Brewery and were sort of beered-out. It's a nice dining room with large, family style tables and just noisy enough to feel completely comfortable. The duck frites (fries cooked in duck fat) were outstanding. Public parking lot right down the street and parking is free after hours.

Ron M.

Holly H.

T J.

Visited Bull City as part of the Taste Carolina Food Tour and loved every (small) bite of our sample. The owner really knows his stuff and his "sermon" about grass-fed beef hit the mark with me and my boyfriend. We care about what we eat and he made us care even more. Plus, who can resist a burger with homemade mayo! When we visit Durham again we'll be sure to get a full meal from Bull City!

Ed C.

A friend mentioned Bull City Burger & Brewery on the Saturday after they opened, and I was intrigued. The next day, I made my first attempt to visit. Luckily, I called first. They plan to start opening on Sundays sometime in the future, but not yet. The next day, I tried again and also luckily called. They had been overwhelmed by their first two days of business that they needed an extra day to recover. I'm glad they're off to a great start, but if my third attempt had failed, I probably wouldn't have bothered trying again. Three strikes, baby. So finally, they reopened on Tuesday, and I timed my arrival to hopefully miss any crowds. I arrived shortly after their 11:11 AM opening time--similar to the arbitrary closing time for Santa Fe's Bobcat Bite, one of the burger joints the Bull City Burger folks call out as one of the best burgers in the US. (And on that rating, I'd have to concur, though I beg to differ with their list also including New Haven's Louis' Lunch. Legend says they created the burger; that may be, but someone improved on it, vastly!) I was glad I had read some other Yelper reviews to help me know what to do upon entering the eatery. As it got more crowded, it became clearer for those arriving after me... a line formed along the right side of the dining area. That morning, they were having some issues with the ordering system, but within a few minutes, that was worked out... and I ordered the Green Monster with lettuce, tomato, and mayo in addition to the gruyere, red onion, and roasted poblanos... an order of the Dirty Fries... and a Boylan fountain drink. I had wondered if they would have a diet soda and was pleased to find that they did. The woman who took my order gave me BCBB's version of an order number card. Orders are assigned a four-digit number corresponding to a specific year in Durham's history. The back of the card has a short description of the significance of the year on the front. I grabbed my soda and took a seat and waited anxiously for what I hoped would soon arrive. In the brief time I was waiting, the owner Seth stopped by my table, asked if I blogged, and gave me the password for their complimentary WiFi. Sweet! The gorgeous burger arrived soon enough, and my mouth watered as I took pictures. Then I pondered how to consume it without letting my shirt have most of it. What the burger lacks in circumference is compensated for by its height. I tried to eat it like a regular burger, but despite what friends might say, my mouth just isn't that big! I did manage a bite, and I was disappointed. There was an old flavor to the first couple of bites of the beef. I'm really glad that was just those first two because it definitely got better by the time I found a knife and a fork to finish my burger. I still felt something was missing and realized I hadn't gotten my tomato. Oh well, honest mistake. I don't know if it was in the order taking or the order making, but I can let it slide this time. I do hope the decor gets a bit of personality. The furniture is fine; and the bar and glass walls to the brewery are nice, but otherwise, a single t-shirt hanging on the wall makes it a little bland and sterile. I'm absolutely convinced that once the opening kinks are taken care of, this will be one of the best burgers in Durham. Let's hope that time comes soon.

Larry M.

Family friendly bustling brewpub in downtown Durham. At lunch here while traveling through the area and was pleasantly surprised by the reasonable prices. Being a college town I was expecting things to be more expensive. Very nice menu with the ability to build about any kind of burger you could think of. Definitely worth a stop for a bite. It will probably be busy but the food comes out relatively fast and is worth any wait.

Katherine B.

I had heard so many great things about Bull City Burger and REALLY wanted to love it. However, I am very anti-overcooked burgers and my supposedly medium rare one was somewhere in between medium well and well done, as was my friend's. I also wasn't a huge fan of sugar on the sweet potato fries-- I much prefer mine salty! This aside, the duck fat fries that my friend ordered were pretty good and the soft pretzels were a fun appetizer idea. I agree with the other reviewers who deemed this place overrated and would only go back if someone else wanted to.

Katherine A.

They provide gluten free buns for their burgers. Wish the fries were gluten free, but the burgers keep me coming back. We like to bring out of town guests here for an easy, fun dinner.

Reem M.

The best burger in town. The over easy is my favorite.

Cait H.

Not too shabby! I actually really don't like anything about the atmosphere at Bull City Burger, but the burgers are incredibly tasty, if not the most inventive. I've enjoyed the Bacon & Blue burger (it's about what it sounds like, bacon and blue cheese) a few times and Jay liked the Green Monster on our most recent visit (gruyere, raw onion, roasted poblano peppers). The duck frites are hard to eat/handle (think...potato confetti), but they're very tasty. They get super crunchy if you don't eat them while they're hot. The dirty fries are also yummy and very salty. I like having Boylan soda as an option (since I don't like/drink beer). Unfortunately, this place is way. too. friggin. LOUD. And good luck finding a seat at the long communal tables. I really shouldn't have to scream at the people across from me, but the busyness of Bull City Burger and Brewery clearly says something about the fare. Another misstep (in my eyes)...most burgers seem to come out pretty well-done, even if you ask otherwise. Still good, but I'd like a little pink, if you don't mind.

Larry T.

Killer Burgers and great freshly made Margaritas. Do the Duck Fries. PAC for a show next.

Holly W.

Lovely outdoor atmosphere, very quick and friendly service, and very good burgers! I ordered the Pimento Cheese Burger with bacon, and was not disappointed. My friend's shoestring fries looked so good I added some on to my order. Will definitely be back if I'm craving a burger.

Wendy W.

James A.

Kaitlin S.

Kelly M.

Yummm! Went here for dinner the other night and it was absolutely fantastic. I'm actually not a huge fan of burgers, I usually only eat them on occasion, but this was one of the best burgers I've ever had. Thick and juicy and absolutely delicious. (I haven't tried Chuck's in Raleigh yet, which I hear can give some good competition). I got the pimento burger,which was simply pimento cheese and pickled veggies. It was an odd combination, but it worked well together. This place is vibrant, upbeat and loud. We went here for a work meeting, and made sure to choose a place back in the corner away from most of the hustle and bustle. We didn't have trouble hearing each other, as I've read can be a problem in other reviews, and although an unconventional spot to conduct a business meeting, it was really fun. We shared a pitcher of one of their drafts and it was light and refreshing, unfortunately I cannot remember the name of it. They don't have a large selection on tap, but they have both light and dark, so hopefully everyone can find something. We also shared a pile of duck frites, which were really yummy. They were kind of small, and a little difficult to eat with your hands, but tasty still the same. Love the way this place is decorated, with the long picnic tables in the middle of the restaurant, and the industrial feel of the place. The staff was really funny and super nice, and I have no complaints on the service. I will be seeing you again soon Bull City Burger and Brewery. I look forward to it.

Karsten H.

My dining companion and I were very excited to try this place because of all the rave reviews and because they use local grass-fed beef for their burgers. So, we went in with high hopes. The first time we tried to eat at BCBB, we left in disgust. It was a busy Friday evening, and the line was very long -- and students from a certain local university have terrible line etiquette (and I say that as an alum!). We returned on a slower night (a Tuesday, I believe) and only had a short wait to order. I ordered the bacon and blue with a side of duck frites, and my dining companion ordered the green monster with a side of pickle chips. The sides came out first. The pickle chips were mediocre -- the pickles were sliced too thinly and therefore had an unbalanced ratio of breading to pickle. The real tragedy, though, was the duck frites, which were basically grated potatoes fried until they turned dark brown. Because they were overcooked, any flavor that might have been there was gone, and all we could taste was burned potato. Sad. Once the burgers arrived, we were already a bit disappointed. My bacon and blue was pretty good, but most certainly NOT life-changing or revelatory and very small for the price. However, my dining companion's green monster burger was AWFUL. He knew it came with raw onions, and both of us like raw onions. However, in this case, a good portion of a VERY strong red onion had been sliced on top of the burger. The burger completely lacked balance, and the onion -- even once he removed most of it from his sandwich -- took over so much that all the other flavors were nowhere to be found. I also had a beer with dinner, and the beer was nothing to write home about. Other local breweries do it much better. I would be willing to put up with the quirks of BCBB (oh-so-trendy community seating, line to order) for a delicious burger and good beer. Sadly, this place offers neither.

Susan L.

John S.

Chelsea M.

This place was truly top notch. Keep in mind I can't have gluten. They were able to give me a veggie burger on a GLUTEN FREE bun. I could not have the beer, but their sodas are made in house and they are quite delicious. The fries were also to die for. The staff was nice to me even though I could not order a beer. They were able to tell me which of the sodas would best go with my veggie burger. If burgers, beers, and fries is your style, this is worth your time.

Lindsay B.

Delicious burgers, great price, great ambiance. It was loud, but there is a part of the room off to the side that isn't as loud. There is also a back patio area. The food came out quickly, and you could tell that it was made with very fresh ingredients. They have gluten free buns, but the fries are made in the same fryer as breaded items. The staff was very aware of food intolerances and allergies which was nice. I would definitely recommend this place!

Christina C.

My favorite burger joint in Durham! I have been here many times and always try something new. I've gotten nearly all of the specialty burgers and I honestly can't say which one is my favorite...they're all so delicious! Also I always get an order of the bull nuts...peanuts and bacon?! A must try! I have to eat gluten free (celiac) so I really appreciate them having Udi's gluten free burger buns! Most of the burger toppings are also gf but I always triple check. The fries are not gf as they are fried in mixed fryers (thus why I get the bull nuts!). I've never gotten sick here, but I ask them to be careful if possible even though I know they can't be perfect. The atmosphere is also just really cool and laid back. Huge tables so it's great for groups...and an outdoor patio where you can bring your dog! Separate bar for beer and cocktails. Great place to hang out with friends and eat some good food!

Karman K.

I have to say I had high hopes for this place but wasn't all that impressed. We did a brewery tour and it was hard to stuff us all in the main brewing room. Thankfully the second half of it included sitting, chatting, and tasting. We weren't necessarily planning on the length of the tour so we were pretty starving by the end of it. By the time we got done it was 3ish and it was packed. Apparently everyone had the same idea to spend a rainy Saturday tasting brews. While they were busy, I didn't feel like the staff was particularly helpful or attentive - in fact they really weren't. I felt rushed and didn't have a good handle on what to expect with ordering. We ordered the dirty fries thinking it'd be something special but they were pretty basic. The burger was tasty with fresh ingredients and we had a tasty dessert with local ice cream. They gave us a credit on a growler with the price of the tour but it seriously took about 20 minutes to get it filled. Overall, I just think there's too much hype without the follow through on the customer service side.

Mike B.

Jennifer B.

Christina G.

Ellen C.

Pretty good tho not the best burger I've eaten (Father's Office in LA!). I would def come back if I were craving a burger. What makes this place exceptional is the service. I couldn't finish my burger as I had just eaten donuts from Monuts Donuts, and did not ask for my leftovers to go. One of the employees came by 15 min later and asked if I wanted another burger because they were concerned about the unfinished burger. Probably best customer service I've seen for a burger joint! Would recommend this place to give more fries (customers will see this as added value, especially since fries are such low cost to the company).

pamela c.

Had a great cheeseburger made to order with custom fixin's. The soda fountain has great unique flavors. The staff was friendly, helpful and quick to serve. Fries were a little crispy but that is the way they make them. Would go back.

Alisha C.

It's a well known burger spot, and I had been hearing about it since I moved to Durham 2 years ago. Finally had an excuse to go when my family came for a visit. It wasn't bad. Burgers were ok. The food was freshly prepared and hot when it came out. However, I don't see what all of the fuss is about with this place. I've only been once, and never felt the need to return because there really wasn't anything special about the food. I wouldn't refuse the notion of going back, but I definitely wouldn't go out of my way to eat there.

J B.

Oh bull city! Where do I start. I came in last Saturday at 10:45. They claim to be open til 11:11. We walked up to the front and began to order the burger that I had been dreaming of for a few hours. Before I could finish I was quickly told that the grill was closed and I could only order from the upper part of the menu, mainly snacks! You are a burger joint, it says open til 11:11. Make my wish come true and honor your times!... Please.. For me?

Deshira W.

The fries are amazing! I went here looking to get a veggie burger and was a bit disappointed, but I everyone else who ordered their traditional burgers were more than pleased with their food.

Clarence W.

Had a taste for a great tasting burger, and this hit the spot. The beef, the toppings and the sweet potato fries makes this a winner winner.

Ashley S.

Finally tried this place out after reading about them in Indyweek...we went on a Saturday in the late-ish afternoon. We both had medium rare burgers with cheddar, LTO, and mustard. The burgers were cooked perfectly and were juicy and flavorful. We also got a bowl of pickled stuff and it was pretty awesome! (Also try the Puck's sodas if you're skipping the beer, they're great!)

Jenny C.

Having lived in Durham for about four months now, I had high expectations for Bull City Burger when I went there for the first time last week. It was okay, but not as amazing as I expected. I got the veggie burger with goat cheese and a pumpkin ale. Burger was ok, but not great. Beer was pretty good. Service was good. I'll go again, but it won't be the first place I recommend to people.

Clayton A.

Had dinner with a flight of beers here back in late May/Early June 2014. One thing that really stood out to me was the play area towards the back designed specifically to keep kids busy while their parents eat or drink. This is just brilliant. This should be in every restaurant and more importantly, in every brewery. I was impressed by what I remember were lots of local ingredients on the menu and that helped to temper the seemingly higher prices and smaller portions. Yes, you may be disappointed by your portions here. But you won't be disappointed by the food. We had the pickle chips to start and they were very tasty if far too few to feed our big group. We ended up ordering another of these. I had the burger with pimento cheese because when you see pimento cheese on a menu and it's linked to a burger you order that shit and don't ask questions. It was fire. As for the beer, which of course is why I really decided to eat here, the lineup at Bull City was very respectable. The standouts for me were the Parrish Street Pale Ale with its tad of sweetness and a floral taste and aroma and the 27701 Durham Mild Ale with it's huge, robust flavors despite the tiny 3.5% ABV. I enjoyed all of the other beers with the one exception being the smoked rye beer that had none of the smokiness or smoked ham flavor I like in a beer and was cloyingly sweet. I also appreciated the bench-style seating and kind of free-for-all, line-through-the-restaurant ordering system as it made me feel more than comfortable about our nutty group of children running around. The service was fairly quick and polite, there's wine for those of you foolish enough not to enjoy beer, and an outdoor patio as well (if I remember correctly). Overall, a great stop for us in Durham.

Pat N.

We stopped in while on vacation in Raleigh. A place like this makes me think about moving.. well, that and the sub zero Rochester winters! The dining area is pretty cool, with long tables set up with benches and chairs. There is a separate bar on one side for those just wishing to imbibe on one of their in house beers. I had a bock, and it was outstanding! We all enjoyed our burgers very much. 2 members of my party got the veggie patties, and said they were quite good. I still don't see how anyone can pass up a big slab of hot juice beef love, but to each his/her own. We also got an order of shoestring fries cooked in duck fat, and an order of sweet potato fries. Both were excellent!! I really wish I lived closer, as this would quickly become a mainstay in my diet!!

Nat L.

Absolutely delicious burger. The staff there was super friendly, and the Octoberfest beer was delicious - perfect for the season. They got in just right. I absolutely loved the Sweet Potato fries, which they pepper with some sugar (and i think cinnamon?). I hope to move down to Durham soon, and I'm basing housing options on how far they are from this place.

Sean A.

I don't go to Durham very often, but when I do I know that there are great places to eat at! On a recent trip I stopped by Bull City Burger and Brewery for lunch. When I walked in the place was packed so I knew that the food was going to be good. We sat at the bar since we did not know much about their beers and knew that the bartenders could help guide us in the right direction. There were three of us and we were all very undecided as to which beer we wanted so we ordered a beer flight that included all of their best beers. In my opinion, the Pigmeat Smoked Rye and the SHIPA #4 were top notch. I ended up getting a pine of the SHIPA to accompany my meal. It was perfect. So cold and hoppy with a full flavor and subtle aroma of fresh fruits. I haven't had such a fantastic IPA in sometime. After we had our thirst quenched it was time for a good meal. I went with the special burger, a rare beef patty with corn slaw, sriracha mayonnaise, and a homemade bun. For a side we decided on one order of sweet potato fries and one order of duck fat frites. It is rare to see duck fat fries on a menu anywhere but if a place does, order them because they will have you quackin' for more! Next time you find yourself in Durham stop by Bull City Brewery for great beer, food and service!

Raisa C.

This place is awesome. The burger meat is halal/humane and they taste really good. A little on the pricier side but always a fun place to head with friends. It has a very Durham hipstery feel.

Ashley C.

I really love this place. It's busy but in a good way. The way that you know the food is tasty and the beer over-floweth. The staff is friendly and fun. The exotic meat month is a good change up from the norm. They will actually tell you when things aren't in season and flat out not use them (like tomatoes) I respect that in a restaurant. If it's not at it's ideal tastiness, why bother? The bartenders are great. They are pretty spot on when you tell them what you like. They give pretty decent sized samples of whats on tap. Me and my finace will probably make this one of our frequents, and bring visiting family and friends to try an awesome local burger and great beer.

Paul W.

Loved this place! The long line to order and picnic tables initially made me wonder, but that was completely set aside when the burgers and fries arrived. Salty fries and burger PERFECTION made this a memorable meal. Loved the vibe, too.

Greg P.

Really good no nonsense burgers, from local grass Fed cows. Some of the best microbrews in Durham. Burgers are a little small so add some fries.

Carson C.

Do they add gold to organic food? Thats probably why you pay $10.50 for a burger. The burger patties were pre-cooked and sitting in a metal pan waiting to be put on the bun. What you pay for is not worth it and incredibly over price. This place thrives off hipster yuppies of downtown Durham, so if that's your crowd enjoy. You're definitely paying for the beer and atmosphere rather than the over priced, mediocre food. The place is inefficient and took me 35 minutes from the time I walked in to get my burger. Save you're time and money; and just go to a Cookout or something if you want a burger for better quality and less wallet heavy.

Reyes Z.

Do I really even need to write a review? No. Bill City is great and it's a 'must visit' in Durham for a reason. Cool, laid back atmosphere. Tasty beers. Gourmet food for a good price. Polite staff. Kid friendly. I personally keep it simple and get a regular burger with cheddar-always flavorful with only fresh, in-season veggies. My husband gets their hot dog. I am a non-hot dog person but I found it to be pretty tasty. Can't go wrong with the duck or dirty fries, never tried the sweet potato fries. The vibe you get here is a pretty good representation of many of the durham restaurants that I've visited. They all seem to care about more than just profit. It's evident in the fact that they treat their employees like humans, they only use fresh, local ingredients, and they care about the community that supports them.

Albert S.

Great place for a burger and beer. Had the Joan Jett Veggie burger which was really tasty. Also had the fried pickles which were very good. The beer selection was excellent and I had one of their scotch ales. It was aged in Cognac barrels and was really good. The ordering is convent, but I didn't know what to do about ordering another beer. Do you go back in line? There didn't seem to be a wait staff after you sat down, only people bringing out food. I found the staff to be very friendly which is an obvious trait for North Carolina as every restaurant in Durham had that trait.

Mollyann R.

I don't go to Durham very often, but when I do I know that there are great places to eat at! On a recent trip I stopped by Bull City Burger and Brewery for lunch. When I walked in the place was packed so I knew that the food was going to be good. We sat at the bar since we did not know much about their beers and knew that the bartenders could help guide us in the right direction. There were three of us and we were all very undecided as to which beer we wanted so we ordered a beer flight that included all of their best beers. In my opinion, the Pigmeat Smoked Rye and the SHIPA #4 were top notch. I ended up getting a pine of the SHIPA to accompany my meal. It was perfect. So cold and hoppy with a full flavor and subtle aroma of fresh fruits. I haven't had such a fantastic IPA in sometime. After we had our thirst quenched it was time for a good meal. I went with the special burger, a rare beef patty with corn slaw, sriracha mayonnaise, and a homemade bun. For a side we decided on one order of sweet potato fries and one order of duck fat fries. It is rare to see duck fat fries on a menu anywhere but if a place does, order them because they will have you quackin' for more! Next time you find yourself in Durham stop by Bull City Brewery for great beer, food and service!

Danielle V.

I enjoy the fact that we can go here with our infant daughter and not feel like we are bothering other customers. Plus, the burgers and beers are delicious. Oh, and I really loved the birch beer ( like root beer) when I was pregnant. Only thing I would not order again is their strange, spicy take on hush puppies.

Stephanie H.

We stopped in on a Monday afternoon for lunch. The set up is cool but was not what I was expecting. You walk up to order, take a number and the staff brings your food. I ordered a hot dog with chili and we had an order of the soft pretzels. We found a spot to sit and waited. The pretzels arrived and were different than what I expected. They tasted like Jewish Rye bread in pretzel form. The beer cheese was not what I'm used to having and overall, I was slightly disappointed. A couple minutes later, someone came out to let me know that they ran out of hot dogs. I really wasn't prepared to change my order soooo after awkwardly trying to quickly figure something out, I just went with the chili and fries. The chili was ok, sort of like ground up beef in a sauce that had good flavors, but I REALLY wanted to have a dog. How did they run out of dogs, anyway!? Sooooo for this experience, 3 stars for not knowing up front that there were no dogs, forcing me to make a quick decision that I totally wasn't prepared to make, then not totally delivering on the chili. I would totally give bull city another shot based on the other reviews and hope to have a more positive update.

Jackie H.

This place was pretty okay. It's very casual. Small inside dining area but I didn't get to check out the patio. I went up to the register and I liked the fact that it said they supported local farmers. I built my own burger with cheddar, caramelized onions, mushrooms and lettuce. I got fries as a side and I tried one of their own beers. The burger was really yummy. Very tender and juicy. Slightly pink center and the fries were awesome. The beer was pretty good. My boyfriend got a hotdog with hush puppies. He loved the hotdog and hated the hush puppies. He spent about $20 on one hot dog, fries, hush puppies and a drink. I spent exactly $20 on a burger, fries and a beer. It was a little pricy. NOW, I have no problem paying a premium for having food that is local and farm raised. That I am completely fine with paying for. But if your going to have expensive food, you at least need to have cheap(er) beer. Or vise versa. I can't justify coming here very often but I'll be back I'm sure. I also loved that they had a play area for kids and there were tons of families all over. Totally worth checking out but bring a good chunk of cash. $10 will not get you anything. Okay so I edit my review because I'm a sucker for nice people! I went back here today and had the best service ever! The guys at the bar were SOOO nice. Very informative and friendly. I feel like I could make this place my go to bar !! Love this place even if it is expensive !

Andrea R.

Burgers are WAY too salty and dry. We're talking inedible salty - had to send back. I'm puzzled by these good reviews and that they claim to be best burger in Durham. Is this the twilight zone? Also it was very disorganized, we didn't receive our beers at all and our burger orders were wrong/missing items. Poor experience overall. The only decent thing in this place was the people. Aside from all of that, I wouldn't be complaining if the burgers weren't so terrible...

Elizabeth G.

Four stars because the food was good but the service was bad. We sat at the bar. The bartenders forgot to put in our orders and we had to yell to get attention to get drinks. They were very nice though. The alligator burger is very dry. Don't get it. The duck fat fries are honestly way too thin and I was disappointed. Their burgers and chili are excellent.

Paul P.

First time in durham (resident of chapel hill) and I honestly have to say, I wasn't impressed, but I wasn't unhappy. I walked in the door and was greeted delightfully, and the cashier was knowledgable and gave me a good recommendation for a choice of burger, but I didn't walk away satisfied with respect to hunger. Unfortunately the burger bun was a little dry, and the burger itself was relatively small compared to other burger joints I have visited. The food to money ratio was definitely out of balance. Besides these minor flaws, everything else was nice, although the seating arrangements were a little confusing, but keep in mind this is a first-timers first impression. All in all I wouldn't give a stellar recommendation for this restaurant unless the one I am recommending to wasn't very hungry, and didn't mind spending $20 a person for beer and a burger.

Jennifer S.

Pet Friendliness: Mixed experience. First time here. Apparently it's dog friendly on the outside patio but you have to order inside. Unfortunately I stopped by with just me and the pup. So, if you're running solo and aren't comfortable tying ur pup up outside while you order, this isn't the place to come. Also, if your dog is skittish at all, just a note that the patio is behind the bldg where some very noisy machinery run. Also, there's a lot of loud noises as all of the other store doors surround the patio too. Only mention this cause my pup is super sensitive to his surroundings. Also if ur pup is a barker, the barks will reverberate under the awning. Again. Just FYI. Staff: On the upside, the staff was extremely accommodating with my dilemma and actually took my order from me outside which apparently isn't really allowed. So that was impressive to me. Gave her a 33% tip just for the fact that I didn't have to try to find another location in that minute. Very awesome of them! Now for the food. My tastes run simple. I just got a hamburger, sweet potato fries and an unsweet tea. - Tea was super delicious. Very fresh and good flavor. (The really nice server even got me a refill :-) - Burger was extremely flavorful and juicy. Ordered it medium and came out perfect! I can honestly say it was one of the best burgers I've ever had! - Sweet potato fries - sprinkled with a little salt, sugar and cinnamon, perfect combo! Love love love them! Price: Well for me it was a bit on the pricey side. I got a double patty which made it a $10 plain burger :-/ for someone who isn't into all of the specialty burgers, it put the place on the high price range for me. Ambiance: Very casual. Nice covered outdoor patio with picnic tables, a fan to keep the breeze going under the roof. Can't speak to the indoors except it was a bit loud for the couple mins I was in there.

Lisa R.

Great location. Great atmosphere. Reminds you of a cute restaurant in NYC. Burgers were amazing! Pickle chips were on point and the special homemade sauces were nice too... We sat at the bar and the service was fine. Fries were decent but the burgers by far takes the cake!

Brian B.

Staff is helpful, talkative, friendly, and extremely helpful. The burger I got was absolutely great on of the best I've had in a long time. I recommend the olden horney barley wine and this business any day. Great place to go by yourself or with a group. I will definitely return.

Grace H.

This place has an incredible atmosphere during dinner time. It's amazing how a place could be so easy going and romantic at the same time. Seating is unique, you can share a long table with other guests, attempt to occupy a five seat table on the other side of the restaurant, take the back patio, or tuck yourself into a quieter niche in the back right side of the restaurant. The line was backed up to the door but we didn't wait more than twenty minutes to get through. Service was fast and the cashier reminded us of the free toppings that we could get with our burgers. Extremely friendly and helpful. We sat down at a table and immediately a server noticed our dirty table and wiped it down for us. You also get your orders with a date and an informative history piece. The burgers are incredible. You really don't have to question the great experience you'll get when you come here. I ordered the pimento cheese burger which came with pickled carrots. My boyfriend got the black and blu burger. Both were amazing. The dirty fries are standard cut fries. The duck frites are incredible, the duck fat seems to make all the difference. Seasoned with rosemary, they're delicate and delightfully crispy. Their soft drinks are worth the buy as well! They have a unique company called Puck's which features no artificial colors, no artificial ingredients at all! That's the kind of stuff I'm willing to put some money into trying. They had a "coke" up there and it was a unique taste, would definitely try it again. The drinks also come in mason jars which is always a plus :) They also have a self-serve wine machine and the most adorable "Future Beer Drinkers" area complete with a children's kitchen set and other things to keep them occupied. A restaurant that is friendly to all dynamics of people. Definitely my #1 burger restaurant in the triangle area.

Sydney T.

SO - I've been here on previous occasions where I would've given 4 or even 5 stars! But yesterday - my beau and I went for lunch when it was particularly slow and sat at the bar for over 10 (almost 15) minutes with NO service. No one even bothered to ask if we had any questions or offer us water; even when I tried to flag down the bartender to get his attention. It was like no one working there acknowledged us or even cared - we literally skipped lunch, got up and walked out. I don't think I will be going back any time soon; my companion already described the burgers as "tiny for the money" so that on top of bad service = no deal.

Tina W.

Duck fries and pickle chips deserve to try. They have a Full bar too. I think the burgers r elegant and delicious.

Katharine B.

Deliciously fresh hamburgers and fries, beer brewed on site and fantastic fountain sodas. Perfect all the way around. The long wooden tables are great for conversation and the staff is very friendly.

Alton O.

Had the burger. Great. Beer was awesome. Atmosphere was wonderful. Would definitely come again.

Mike O.

Very good burgers, very good beers. Came here the first time last night with some buddies. When the gentleman at the cash register heard that we'd never visited the place before, he took a moment to walk us through the menu. It was a nice touch. I ordered the pimento cheese burger with the pale ale. It was a beautiful spring evening, so we sat outside. It was only then that I realized that there is a parking lot behind BCBB. So if you can't find street parking, you will likely be able to find a parking space, IF you can find this mystery lot. The pale ale they brew here is quite excellent. One of the better local craft brewery pale ales in the area. The pimento cheese burger was also awesome. It rivals other pimento cheese burgers in the area, too (yes, the Triangle has several locations where you can get a pimento cheese burger, which is awesome). My friends and I had several of the appetizers. The best appetizer here is probably the fried pickles. The fried pickles are chips, not spears, but the batter is excellent and the pickles still have a lot of snap and flavor. The fries here are...okay. You tend to get a lot of little nub fries that are difficult to dip into anything (btw their spicy mustard here has WAY too much horseradish, but some people like it that way (not me)). The buttermilk onion loaf was SWEET: carmelized onions fried in a sweet buttermilk batter. They are like Doritos: so irresistible you can't stop eating them so you finish the entire plate and you feel gross. Ha! The service here is pretty good. They'll bring you beers in the back porch, but not food. The lines here can get long crazyyyyy. We lucked out and hit the register before the rush, which came at about 7:30 on a Tuesday evening, so who knows.

Kuanyu C.

Burgers and brew concept, finely executed. The first time I walked into BCBB, probably a week after grand opening, I wasn't quite sold on the concept: - I personally think community seating definitely beats four seaters and table cloth, but only if you are comfortable literally rubbing elbows with someone in the next seat. - As busy and popular as this place is, the queue waiting to order can sometimes pile to the door, then everyone else has a hard time just walking through the door - The beer list at first wasn't impressive, to me After quite a few trips I have came to learn a few tricks, and gained some newfound love for the place: 1) Unless you are with a party, you want to grab a seat at the bar, because you can make your food order through the bartender too, instead of waiting in-line 2) Everything is freshly made and locally sourced, well, except for the ketchup I think 3) I always tell them 'medium-rare' because you can actually customize your burger 4) If you even call yourself a 'foodie,' you are coming to BCBB as much as possible during month of March, aka Exotic Meat Month 5) I have grown to love their barleywine, which is hard to find in craft, even hard to brew it right 6) Duck frites or sweet potato fries, just get some with your burger 7) It's a bit extra walk, but if you are planning on grabbing a bite before or after DPAC show, it'll be less crowded than anything along Main St. 8) You might get a sticker shock, but trust me, you would think it's worth it too after just the first bite into that juicy and flavorful burger

Melissa B.

BCBB lived up to the lofty expectations created by my fellow Yelpers - and that's saying a lot! We arrived on a Friday evening, as we would soon find, smack in the midst of holiday party season (read: there were a full 2 picnic tables of borderline obnoxiously tipsy secretary-types in requisite ugly Christmas sweaters and Christmas tree skirts as skirts over their pants that would be our neighbors for a good chunk of our stay). The main space was abuzz - the atmosphere is open and laid back, with plenty of quirky art pieces and quotes hanging about (including a stuffed creature on the bar and a sign reminding you not to "pet the beaver"). The line crawled up to the registers, which was something of a blessing, since it gave me time to run to the back and make sure there'd be seats for the Mister, another friend, and me out on the (now enclosed and heated for winter) patio. The complete food and drink over at the night's end was as follows: - Shadoe burger, rare - Bacon and Bleu burger, little pink - Build your own burger with cheddar, well - dirty fries - duck fries - fried pickles - pretzels - Beers tried, either by full pint or flight: Golden, Bitter, Lager, Pale Ale - house Malbec - Corcoran Cooler Everything was fresh and tasty, with special shout-outs going to their house made aiolis that accompany the apps, the slaw and chimichurri on the Shadoe (SO fresh and bright, and a great foil to the richness of the beef and pimento cheese), and the pickle chips in general (which are a must-get, IMO). Also, the Corcoran Cooler was really excellent - the fresh juices make this drink, so if you're not in a particularly beer-ish mood, it's a great, uncomplicated bet. I'm kicking myself for forgetting to try the Bull Nuts, but there's always next time... and there will definitely be many a next time!

Amanda S.

My girlfriend and I came here last week. It wasn't her first visit but after reading on Yelp* the many positive reviews, I was very eager to try it out myself. When walking in, you're greeted with a nice open room. Long community style tables, the view of homemade fresh canisters of brewing beer, and a nice runway carpet that leads you to the back where you order. I had the veggie burger with a gluten free Udi bun, lettuce and pickle (tomatoes are were not in season and they get all veggies locally). In addition, we ordered a serving of dirty fries with their garlic aioli. We originally asked for ranch but they don't actually have ranch -- and to be honest, the garlic aioli dish was LICKED clean come the end of the fries (which were absolutely delicious!). The veggie burger you could tell was fresh and you could actually see all the various veggies in the veggie burger. The fries were also freshly cut and were some sort of amazing. I don't think I've had that good of fries in years. We both ordered a glass of Sauvignon Blanc wine and although I don't recall the brand of the wine, it was delightful. The atmosphere had many people but you didn't feel like it was crowded. It was a rainy night but they still had a good amount of people in there. I'd be lying if we didn't already plan another time to visit Bull City Burger & Brewery soon!

Bradd N.

Great food! Great service! Love this place! However they have "no weapons" signs posted so I'm not allowed inside, so on the rare occasion I visit this restaurant I have to sit outside. They have a great outdoor area tho with semi climate control. One of the best burgers in town.

Steph T.

I have now been here three times. I came away from the first two times being generally unimpressed, but cut to three (or even four?) years later, and I started wondering if maybe I just didn't give them a fair shot. So, I tried one more time. I was prepared for the loud atmosphere and communal seating and generally almost circus-like feel this time...but the burger that is supposed to be the best in Durham is just...not. It's just not. I got the pimento burger, which comes topped with pimento cheese and "pickled veggies" (spoiler alert: two seriously thick and enormous slabs of pickled cucumber, so...giant pickles). The meat itself wasn't very flavorful at all (and I did not get it well done, if that's what you're thinking), and was even more than slightly mealy. The pimento cheese may have been okay. I'm not really sure, because I couldn't actually taste it over the GIANT FREAKING PICKLES that were about as thick as the burger patty itself. It tasted like a pickle sandwich topped with beef and cheese. The fries and the fried pickles were fine and I love their fancy fountain sodas, but I don't think I'll be giving them another shot if I have a choice in the matter and am actually hungry. For now, Geer Street Garden can keep my award for best burger in Durham (and theirs is locally sourced, too). Maybe I'll give BCB another shot a few years from now. But for now, I'm just bummed. And still hungry.

Mary B.

Best burger I've ever had! I did the build your own burger with the grass fed beef, tomato, pickles, lettuce and cheddar cheese. I also tried the duck fat fries super yummy. Kind of remind me of steak and shake's small fries but with more flavor. Didn't try any of the local brews but the whole place models that vibe and is very neat to take in. I tried the house sangria was OK kind of strong.

Christopher D.

I come here quite often now, usually for lunch. I can't stop. Burger are my choice and since it's lunch, I don't order beer. Their soda selection is wonderful. Though I've come for dinner and the beer here is great! If the red light is on, do yourself a favor and order the pretzels. Especially with a brew. My wife and daughter are gluten free and they have GF buns. The staff has been great and are very polite. You can't go wrong!

Sue W.

Good burgers. The bread is crunchy They have so many kinds of add on topping Offered several kinds of sauce. I had the spicy sauce it was yummy But the prices IMO is a little high for a burgers. French fries doesn't come w the burger. U have to order separate. The duck fries was good. It was crunchy and small pieces and serve hot and fresh

John P.

Every time I come here I wonder I'm not here more often. I always enjoy the awesome craft brew, and amazing food. One of Durham's best spots.

Trisha D.

I LOVE THIS PLACE! Not only do they offer gluten free burger buns, but the fries are delicious and they have yummy natural sodas on tap. Everything I've tried here has been tasty.

Katherine C.

Yelpers. I am not exaggerating. This is THE BEST BURGER OF MY ENTIRE LIFE. Ever. Hands down. Best. That is a huge statement. I actually have gone back multiple times. Always thinking- THERE IS NO WAY THIS WAS THE BEST BURGER OF MY LIFE. It is consistently amazing. The toppings are plenty. Lots of choices. The meat is quality and cooked to perfection. The bun is even fresh. The beer is alright. I like it, but I'm not floored by it and I'm not going to buy a growler of it. THE BURGER IS AMAZING THOUGH (my poor friend who lives in Durham is forced to always eat there when I visit) This is also a really great place to bring a kid. Not every restaurant/brewery is kid friendly. This place has a little kid area where the kid can play with other kids while dodging pints of beer. There is also a nice back area with plenty of seating. THE BURGER IS AMAZING. I want to go back soon.

Lydia H.

Two words: mason jars. I mean, sure, Bull City Burger has amazing local pastured beef, delicious fries, friendly service, and a great atmosphere, but my favorite part was the mason jars. You get to use MASON JARS for your drinks. If you don't think that's cool... well. Sorry. Beyond the wonder and beauty that is mason jars, the food is stellar. Juicy, thick burgers with great cheese options (goat cheese!), with three kinds of delish fries--duck, dirty (with the skins left on), and sweet potato. The sweet potato fries are especially good, and slightly addicting. Bring a lunch buddy so you don't eat the entire plate (or two) on your own. Trust me. I'm not a beer drinker, so I don't know what the brewery's like, but it looked like it had a good selection. Besides, the wine pouring device looks pretty nifty, and they let you watch the brewers at work through a glass wall. Just don't tap the glass. The sign says that brewers are easily startled.

Jacob C.

Bull City Burger is definitely a quintessential Durham experience. A true DIY restaurant, they literally make everything in house (except for ketchup: good ol' Heinz baby) from the buns to all the amazing sauces that can be slathered atop their hand-pattied, grassfed burgers (spicy beer mustard and chimichurri are two of my favorites.) I recently stopped in a couple times this March specifically for Exotic Meat Month, which is a month long celebration of bizarre and tasty meats that I really have not seen anywhere else. Alligator, caribou and venison are just naming a few (and possibly the tamest) proteins that make an appearance during the month. The two that I tried were the camel sliders, and the Bug Burger: comes complete with a garnish of scorpions, worms and crickets. But even if you aren't feeling that adventurous, or you go in any month outside of March, their normal offering of burgers, hot dogs and fries are truly excellent. Everything tastes so fresh and flavorful, I haven't come across a bad option on the menu yet. And that's not even mentioning the beer! They brew everything in house, you can peer in the window and check out their steel kettle set up while you wait in line to place your order. BCBB rotates the taps frequently and always have a lot of variety, suitable for most beer palates. Great food, plenty of beer, and a little weirdness sometimes. Perfect fit for Durham.

Matt K.

The soda machine is the best in town. Try mixing black cherry with vanilla cream. I like to try a beer when I'm visiting, but it's hard to pass up the soda. The burgers are great, too. I had the pimento burger cooked rare. It was a treat. Duckfat frites with the rosemary were scrumptious. The ketchup on the table is the Simply Heinz, which is the greatest in the world and much appreciated. I wish they had more burger suggestions on the menu. I find the "build your own" experience to be exhausting. I can build my own burger at home. I come to you for your culinary expertise and recommendations. BCBB only has a small handful of pre-fab burgers on the menu. As others have mentioned, it is really loud and you might have to share a long picnic bench type table with another party. The atmosphere is cool though, if you're up for casual.

Connie L.

I have been here twice.. the first time I got the burger with chili and it was okay. Definitely a "healthier" tasting chili, not super heavy as other chilis. The second time, I got the pimento cheese burger with chimichurri sauce on the side and it was really good! the pimento cheese + picked veggies = awesome combo! The sweet potato fries are also super delicious! Will go back if ever craving burgers!

Donald H.

The burgers are good but smaller than most. All local products and toppings which I enjoy. The extra toppings can get a bit expensive and can fill you leaving nickle and dimed. The real downfall to this place is the beer. I have had there standard Parrish St Pale Ale it tasted like a rubber hose. I have had a couple of their other brews and nothing has stood out as a must have. I have had there Oktoberfest which I thought was good. All in all I think this place is to crowded and I am not a fan of community style seating. There is also no table service so if you aren't prepared to stand in line and order form a menu on the wall only to have to keep going back to order additional pints steer clear of this establishment.

Kaitlyn M.

This place has the trendiest, local, organic, hormone-free, most exciting burgers in town. Pair that with a warm, woody, cozy-chic interior while dining at biergarten still picnic tables next to industrial steel brewing vats, and you've got my favorite downtown burger joint. You can also dine on the charming urban patio under string lights out back. Get the pickle chips. You won't regret it. You also won't like pickle chips from anywhere else afterwards. One word of warning however: steer clear of this place on popular nights like Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm. They don't ever have enough seating for everyone and there are people just hanging out well after they've finished their food looking at you with disdain as you try to place your number. The management has yet to appear interested in doing anything about the turnover. We love to enjoy this place on Tuesday evenings.

Tori H.

Great black bean burger and pretty good beef burgers. The atmosphere is good for groups, picnic table seating. It's really loud during busy times. They have a Boylan's soda machine that is amazing. I am updating my review because I am now eating beef again and I have to say that I think they have a decent burger but not the best I've had in the triangle. If you go on a busy night expect to wait 45 min for your burger. That's a crazy long wait for a burger and fries. I wish they could expand their kitchen or something to serve the amount of customers quicker. The owner and staff are super nice so I feel bad complaining about the wait, but it just took forever last time we were there.

Aaron D.

Had the passer St pale, great drinkable pale,not a proper pint though.... Maybe 12oz. I don't mind spending $5 for a glass but it should be a full on pint. Beer pretzels were very good, cheese sauce spot-on.

Katherine K.

One of my absolute favorite spots to hit in downtown Durham! The burgers are always tasty, and the toppings are so numerous that it can be hard to narrow down your choice. Hard, but not impossible! My top recommendation would have to be the bacon marmalade, which blends sweet and savory together perfectly. Everything is made in house, with the exception of the ketchup. The hamburgers, the hot dogs, the toppings and sides - everything made by BCBB. That means that the flavor is fresh and always satisfactory. They also have quite the assortment of exotic meats offered monthly. I have not tried them yet (mainly because I forget in my excitement for the fried pickles), but the gator is very intriguing. The fried pickles... Surrounded with a pretzel breading that I hadn't tasted before. The pretzel breading keeps the pickles crunchy, and the BCBB dipping sauce is the perfect complement. Don't miss out on these, and eat up. Because if you're sharing them with others, these are the sort of thing that people may hoard. And the beer... Many varieties brewed on site, and even an option for a brewery tour on the weekend. Have tried and enjoyed the Honeycutt Milk Stout and Parrish Street Pale Ale, but be assured there's a flavor here for every palate.

Carlos M.

Delicious Burgers and a great selection of home brewed beer. Pretty great place to celebrate a birthday if you are a student (undergrad or grad) with a big group of people. The menu is sufficiently accommodating to meat loves and vegetarians alike. Additionally, the menu is flexible enough for all types of price restraints.

Adam B.

I've been to Bully City like a dozen times, and I can say I like it for 3 things, beer, burgers and consistency. I have yet to have an average burger there, which is why it's one of my top 3 places for burgers in Durham. They are flavorful, and if you match them with duck fries (which you should, unless you just don't want to live) you will leave happy and full. Their beer is always top notch, with enough of a rotating tap to keep things interesting. Subscribe to their email list and you'll get a free burger on your birthday. Do it :)

Rebecca R.

My first time at Bull City Burger and I wasn't disappointed. The weather disappointed me and I wasn't able to see the patio but food and beer wise I came away happy. When you first walk in the first thing you notice (at least I did) was the openness and the amount of people. This place is pretty popular. The tables are long and gives you the feel of a nicer school cafeteria. Everyone sits together unless you're able to get a table in the back corners. You order at the back counter and take a number to a table. I like that you can sit in the front window and people watch if you so choose. I sat at the bar which was almost just as interesting. I really like the contraption they have their liquor hanging in. The bartenders are really nice and knowledgeable. I tried their golden ale and their pilsner and was happy with both. As for the food,,,YUM! They have so much to choose from when it comes to meat. The popular meat of the day was python. Too exotic for my taste. You could also choose from things like ostrich, bugs, Rocky Mountain oysters, and goat. I went with good old beef. I also only went traditional with my toppings. I did opt for the spicy mustard and they are not lying when they say it's spicy. My burger came cooked just as I asked for it. The bun was good and didn't get soggy with the toppings like some tend to do. I also ordered the duck frites which were tasty. The duck fat gives them a little more flavor than regular oil fries are cooked in. I ate every last bit of my food and am excited to go back to try more and maybe even a different meat.

Matthew P.

Bull City's commitment to local supply is what makes it so special. They don't compromise the quality of their ingredients, and the quality of food and taste benefit greatly from their otherwise un-stellar performance. There was nothing that particularly stood out to me to set Bull City aside as a go-to burger joint in Durham (and I thought it was great, just not worth the hype). The burgers were pretty standard, the duck fries weren't as satiating as I expected and I didn't particularly enjoy the interior layout. Apart from these criticisms (which comes from one visit - so I'm pretty ignorant of their quality consistency, etc), it was a great place to TRY. I would probably frequent Dane's or the Federal if I was a durham resident, but this is a nice switch-up (and I love their commitment to locally-acquired meat and produce).

Sua Y.

5 starts for onion loaf.. 5 starts for beer selection/serving... 4 starts for burger.. I always order onion loaf and kid's burger and share with my son (4yr)... it's plenty for us.. my husband needs a full size burger for himself + share of onion loaf..

Christopher L.

just tasted great! maybe the best hamburger i ever had. I got mine with some awesome bacon and blue cheese. I also had duck fries which had a good flavor. I would recommend going there unless money is tight. My bill for a burger,fries and a beer came to 18$.

Glenn L.

Fresh, great burgers not over powered by the toppings. Just right. Fries are amazing. Great beer, great staff, and nice relaxed atmosphere.

Tom C.

Best burgers in the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro area, hands down. Great duck fat fries, too. They have a kids menu, a big plus for folks who don't want to spend grown-up prices for half-eaten burgers for their kids. Their beers are also great--the Parrish Street Ale is out of this world, take a growler with you when you go.

Sharon T.

Best buger place in yhe triangke hands down.love the self service wine bar with a wine card.

Noreen K.

BCBB is my favorite burger joint and go to restaurant in Downtown Durham! My favorite order is the Shadoe Burger with chili added! Yum! Pros- - All fresh ingredients - Local, pasture-raised beef - Natural cane sugar sodas - Tons of options - Exotic meat month is phenomenal! Everyday they have different, unique meats - We had llama, camel, ostrich - They cook the patties perfectly and the flavors soak in phenomenally Cons- - The crowd is a hit or miss. Sometimes in peak hours it'll be a tiny line. Other times it's almost out the door. The service is generally acceptable. You'll have your burger within 10-15 minutes usually. - Can be pricey ($15) if you get a burger and fries

Reno B.

tasty burgers, but patties are not always big enough. Seems like they vary fairly often.. average beer.. usually overcrowded, which is great for the business, but not so great for getting food in a burger and beer in a reasonable amount of time. It's good, but to me, the hype has worn off now that's it's been open for a few years

Marin J.

First time here. Don't be put off by line. It moves FAST. The ambiance is a cross between a cool bar and a restaurant, but airy and friendly. There are european style communal tables, and even when the line was almost out the door, don't worry. There will probably be a seat by the time you sit down. The evening I went... on the way to Diavlo Dance, and in an bigggg hurry. I was a bit worried that there would not be ample time to eat, and hop on down to the Reynolds Theatre before they dimmed the lights. I had plenty of time as the nice folks who work there worked the line with greetings and menus to help expedite my indecisiveness as a virgin Bull Burger-ite. By the time I reached the counter, I knew what I wanted. They have an interesting and unique list of ingredients to yum up your burger. i chose the duck infused fries... the plus, they were tiny. But did they burst with flavor as others had suggested? Not so much for me. Will I go back? ABsolutely.

Tracy J.

Pet friendly patio! Thank you! We visited downtown Durham last week for one of our first relocation visits. We had a very difficult time finding a patio that would allow us to bring our two 4 pound chihuahuas. We stumbled upon Bull City Burger and I am so happy we did. Loved their environmentally-friendly concept, local food approach and lack of trans-fats and high fructose corn syrups. My only complaint is that the black bean burger I ordered was very dry, but the service staff quickly accommodated me with a side of their house bbq sauce. My boyfriend's bleu cheese and bacon burger was outstanding! We will definitely be back to imbibe on the brewery end very soon. THANK YOU FOR BEING PET FRIENDLY!

Sahil S.

Excellent Burgers!! Every March this place has an 'Exotic Meat Menu' such as Alligator, Python, Rabbit, Goat, Bison meat etc. Luckily this March, I was in town & I made a special trip on the day when they served "Alligator Burger". It was simply Deliciooous ...!!! I had 'Alligator Burger with Duck Frites'. BCBB also have other interesting items on their menu. Before I leave Durham, I will definitely make another stop and try their own brewed beers.

Jackie H.

Juicy, fresh burgers made with local ingredients. They have delicious lemonade, a great selection of "local" sodas (no Coke and Sprite here) and also a decent selection of wine in addition to the craft beers on tap. Sometimes some of the ingrediants are out of season, since they only buy local - but overall you can really customize a delicious burger. Knocked 1 star off since customizing a burger can get kind of pricy and they don't have way too many fixed options on the menu (at least that appeal to me).

Scott T.

Burgers are awesome. Had an over easy burger once and their specialty burger with collard greens. I'm usually not a fan of collard greens, but this burger was great. The fries are good, pickle fries good, beer was good too. About $15 for a meal with a drink. The atmosphere is very casual, and seating yourself at these large tables. Just an enjoyable place to go.

Aaron A.

Great potential but too many misses. First off you'd hope with burger in their name the burgers would be astounding. Unfortunately you'll find better at any other places nearby (Tobacco road. Tylers. Beyu all better options). The key problem here is their buns are way too small and too tall which leads to your burger sliding around into a sloppy mess after two bites. Upcharges for everything (pedestrian toppings. Fries?!?) Is... ill try to be nice... an "interesting" business choice. Beer choices can be hit or miss. Taste first and they usually have one that is good. On the plus side the location and space is awesome but again some odd choices (cafeteria seating. Zero noise dampening). At least there isn't a pet store fish shop like the place next door. Its a pity the place could be so much better.... based on the high reviews it shows how desperate people are for a good burger joint. Oh like many other reviews have known people to get sick from food.

Maria L.

My night started here for dinner before a show at the DPAC. Finding a table for 3 was easy and our food came out quickly. The restaurant itself is large and crowded and the line for food nearly went to the door! I enjoyed the shadoe burger. Initially, the idea of pimento cheese was a turn off but it actually tasted good with the lean beef and chimichurri. The burger was cooked perfectly and pink but it was a bit on the small side. I wish there had been more sauce. Our table shared duck fries (not as good as I was expecting, average skinny fries), dirty fries (also average flavor but well fried), and fried pickles (my favorite side, probably the best fried pickles I've ever eaten because of the thin slice and crisp). I ordered the Parrish street IPA which I really liked, not too hoppy with good flavor. My friends had the veggie burger and the black and blue burger - everyone was happy with their food. I will be back to try more.

Matt W.

Great place for a good burger with quality ingredients. I think BCBB has been open for around four or five years, and they should get credit for being a business that took a risk on a downtown Durham at a time when it wasn't a given that you'd see lines out the door on a weekday night somewhere other than businesses clustered around the perceived safety of Brightleaf or the DPAC/DBAP complex. BCBB introduced a lot of students and Triangle restaurants to downtown. The menu is focused - burger with toppings, fries and sides. Beer brewed on-site and a soda fountain serving Jones' drinks. They focus on only several things and as a result they get it right, using only quality and fresh ingredients. My favorite items beyond the popular ones which aren't repeated over and over by the previous reviews are the ever-changing assortment of pickles and the nuts which have chunks of bacon in them. These are two good starters to help with the wait you'll encounter after you order. They won't cook your burger until you've ordered and there's almost always a line, so you should expect a wait, but on average it's only ten minutes. Finding a spot to sit might look like a challenge, but it's Durham. What could be a free-for-all is a courteous game of Southern hospitality as you jockey with those also waiting to try to figure out who has been waiting the longest or who deserves a place to sit before you because they might be more frail or tired of holding their sleepy kid. Seating has never been a problem, and if the day comes where it is, I'm sure a smile to someone who grabbed a spot with their friend in line with your server in tow carrying your food would result in them getting up and giving you their spot. I like the family style seating, too. Durham has a lot of nice people and you can chose to engage with them if you want, if only to politely ask for the ketchup. As for the beer, I like a good beer, but by no means proclaim to be an expert. My friends who take great care in their beer selections seem to take no issue with what they serve, and I'm always able to find something I like from the half-dozen options they have on tap. The plastic yard o' beer towers do freak me out. It looks like a bong, which reminds me of the smell of the liquid inside of the bongs of my past, which when spilled give me anything but a good appetite. BCBB is a great meal out in the $10-$15 range, with no pressure to tip. It's on the list of regular places to consider when we aren't in the mood to cook or would like to show a visiting friend that downtown Durham doesn't deserve the reputation which was forced on it by those too scared to leave The booming burbs of the nineties for the working-class diversity of my home town.

Rodney B.

First off it took forever to choose a place for hamburgers. It was worth the time to find this place. This had to be one of the best burgers I have ever had (the wife thought the same thing.) So if you are in the surrounding area near Durham, NC it is worth the drive to eat @ this restaurant. I had the Bacon and Blue Burger with duck frites and the wife had a regular cheeseburger which was also delicious. The second point I wanted to make is that the portion size was smaller than what I expected but the ingredients and the taste far surpassed my need for a larger portion! 5 STARS! (food, helpful staff, atmosphere, beer & for anything else I might have missed!

Chandani K.

Love, love, love. This was one of the 1st food joints I went to when I moved here and it really got me hooked on the food scene here. The location it self has such a cozy feel with indoor and outdoor seating. The menu has the most authentic ingredients. I highly recommend visiting during Exotic Meat Month in March of every year. The duck frites and pickle chips are to die for.

Andrew H.

I've had several burgers here, and their different varieties of fries. The only thing I wasn't a fan of was the Green Burger (sorry, the exact name escapes me right now). If you like very crispy fries, the duck fat fries are great, in a similar way to potato chips. The bacon marmalade is wonderful. The beers are great as well! Be careful when you go, as there can be quite a crowd. And in warmer months, the outside area is a nice option for seating. It's heated for colder months, but the heat is a bit uneven, naturally.

2 Greedy G.

One of the best burgers we ever had on Let's Get Greedy! Great flavored beer, yummy apps like their fried pickles, soft pretzels and OMG the all natural burgers were so darn good!!!! Check us out trying them on our show below: youtu.be/Rc3dvKj7Hs0?lis…

Liz J.

If you're looking for a great burger in Durham, go here, but be prepared for long lines, a crowded seating area, and the possibility of your food not getting to you for awhile. The burgers are a reasonable size, and the fries are pretty tasty. After ordering your food at the counter, take your number, and find a seat. The outdoor picnic table seating is nice if you are trying to cram a large group together, but it also forces you to squish in next to strangers, and if that's not your thing, you might not be too comfortable. Since the place is so large, your server may have trouble finding you. My friends got their food a good ten minutes before I did because our food runner couldn't find my number. Some perks? Fresh sodas, a decent beer selection, and self-serve wine on tap. I would recommend going outside of peak times, but no matter when you go, the burgers are probably worth the wait!

Douglas A.

In downtown Durham. Great place for beer, wine and burgers. They have duck fat fries too! Beer garden in the rear. The whole place is rustic with friendly service. You can build your own burger and the add ins include bacon marmalade and Gruyere cheese. They have hot dogs too and yummy chili.

Elizabeth S.

Everything was delicious. I had the Joan Jett Veggie burger (added pickles--amazing!) and it was really wonderful. My dinner mate created his own burger and the meat was to die for. The sweet potatoes were not the star, but fine.

Tina M.

For what it is, it's too expensive. The burgers and atmosphere are mediocre at best. If you really live burgers, go to Ted's Montana or a steakhouse instead.

Alison C.

I really wanted to love my visit to Bull City Burger. My parents were visiting for a weekend, so i decided to take them here so that I could show them a bit of downtown Durham and experience the food that many rave about. It was my first time at BCB, and I had heard great things about their burgers, the atmosphere, and especially their exotic meat month (not happening at the time). We waited in a long line to place our order, then circled the building a couple times before deciding to sit outside. Luckily, it was a nice day so I didn't mind eating outdoors. Our orders took a while to come out, but when they did, they looked spectacular. I ordered the Green Monster burger with Duck Frites, my father ordered the Pimento Burger with Sweet Potato Fries, and my mother ordered the Vegetarian White Chipotle Chili. The fries were both delicious, and I especially enjoyed the rosemary on the Duck Frites. I happily bit into my burger, which was juicy and had a great crunchy kick from the many veggies and the jalapeños. My mother also enjoyed her chili, which was fresh, flavorful, and had a clean finish. My father's burger looked great as well, until he bit into it. The meat was pretty much raw, falling apart onto his plate in a mixture of pink and red ground beef. This was concerning because he actually wanted his meat cooked. My mother flagged down a waiter and told him about it, asking if there was a way we could get the meat a little less rare, and instead of asking or doing anything about it, the server proceeded to say no right away and then gave a long spiel about how the beef is naturally raised and locally sourced from North Carolina so we shouldn't worry at all about raw meat. I'm not a huge worrier about this, but I couldn't help but think that despite being locally raised etc. etc., that still doesn't take away from the health risks of eating rare meat. And the way the staff treated the issue wasn't comforting at all. The service was just very off-putting, and my parents were quite unhappy as we finished our meal on a quiet note. So yeah, the food was great for most of us, but the way we were treated made this visit to BCB a less than enjoyable experience. Hoping for a better visit next time!

David Y.

Horrible, just horrible. Came here with a group for a social dinner and I would not recommend. While the food was average, there was no respect for the customer. There is a ridiculous charge to use a backroom that has little privacy (just a curtain...are you serious?) and nothing spectacular in terms of decor (the patio out back looks nicer than the "private" room). The difficult management staff caused our night to end in a sour note and leave us with huge hesitations to come back here again for any type of outing (large or small group).

Anna B.

Favorite casual date night spot for my husband and I! Also the best spot to eat before catching a game at DBAP. Typically start off with a few brews. They also have a cool wine dispenser machine and classic sodas. Burgers made with high quality meat, excellently cooked. Duck frites and sweet potato fries are both excellent choices for sides! Haven't personally eaten much else there - but have heard the vegan chili is also delicious. Just an FYI - this place can get pretty loud. High ceilings and what not. And I definitely WOULD NOT suggest going here with a large group - there is never, ever enough seating for everyone to sit together. However, if you have 2-4 people looking to eat some of the best burgers in Durham (and the great beer), this is the spot for you.

Joanne L.

The three star review is for my green monster burger. If I had gotten a different type of burger, it might have been a different story... maybe A group of us came in on Saturday night around 6 o'clock before heading to Duke for a dance performance. The place was busy with every table filled. We didn't want to go find another restaurant because we didn't want to be late for the show but also because we've been walking around for a while. The line was almost to the door, but it moved fairly quick. I would guess we waited for about 10/15 minutes till we reach the counter to order our food. We were fortunate to be able to snatch one of the big communal table that will accommodate all 8 of us in the middle without waiting too long after ordering. I did not know it's not a sit down restaurant and was surprised that you order your food at the counter. It was no biggie, but just a heads up! I was really excited to eat my green monster burger, roasted poblano pepper, onion, and gruyere. If you want extra fixing such as lettuce, tomatoes you have to tell them when you order. Some are free and you can pay extra for more add ons such as bacon and fried egg. The combination sounded pretty heavenly to me; however, it was an utter disappointment. The poblano pepper was extremely bitter. I have not tasted anything like it. It wasn't bitter because it was burned from roasting. I am not quite sure what happened. I had to scrape it off my burger because it was just so bitter. One of my friends order the over easy which came with a fried egg. I would wish the egg still has a semi-running yolk, but that's just me. Even though I ordered mine pink on the inside, the patty was still just ok. My friends joked about how they want to order it as "bloody" next time. Not impressed with the burger, but maybe I am just spoiled. I do like their sweet potato fries though! The duck frites are delicious as well. Though I do not get the hype of using duck fat to fry food. Trans fat people, trans fat! Plus I think most of the flavoring are from the rosemary they use. Then again, maybe my taste buds are just not as sharp as other people. Overall, I would rate my experience at bull city as 3 star. Maybe if I have gotten a couple of glasses of wine from their nifty wine dispenser then it would be better...

Chris J.

Almost a 5 star, I always have a great time. I love the idea of their exotic meat month and the golden bull search they have going on in March. The Python Slider is awesome.

Adam W.

Awesome burger. Pimento kale dip? Who figured that sizznit out??? Incredible! Not a beer drinker but the enomatic wine machine is cool and they have a few select liquors. Sitting out back on a summer evening. ......what better beside coming to life in a Maxfield Parrish painting? You pay a premium for the burger but comparitively I say yes. This is one of the nuevo downtown Durham mainstays. Viva la bull city revolution!!!

David M.

This place is just meh. It's actually overpriced.... And the food is not even that good. When they have their exotic meat event they sell quite the variety of stuff. But don't be fooled they aren't 'burgers' they are sliders. They get three stars for their beer.

Justin P.

This is like the party house of Durham. Duke University is not too far, it's walking distance from the Durham Bulls' Stadium, there's burgers and there's beer. Not to mention that there is a very buzzing atmosphere around. I've been here a couple of times and their burgers are fantastic. The cook is always the way you ask for it and it tastes super fresh. It also arrives to your tables quickly and hot. I would recommend any kind of burger whether you would want a pre picked burger such as the over easy egg burger or the bacon and blue cheese burger or a burger that you can mix and match the toppings. I haven't gotten around to the hot dogs because it's a burger place. Their sides are very good and worth trying. Although they don't give you many fries when you order them, they are very tasty and fresh. I must say that they do make some of the best sweet potato fries and their onion rings are top notch. They also make their own beer, which you can see through a couple of windows when you walk into the restaurant. I had to drop 1 star because my last visit with a little under standards. The kitchen seemed to be taking more of their time, which is fine, but then the food has got to be perfect. Our server missed our table the first time because I guess he didn't see our number and by the time he did find our table, the food was lukewarm. Not to mention that my egg for the over easy egg burger is not runny what so-ever. I guess this was one little bad stretch. Putting aside the minor mistakes I really would recommend this place. It's one of the better burgers I've had around here and it's a nice place to grab a meal. It's so close to the Durham Bulls' stadium and the DPAC so it is a nice place for a meal, then a show.

Micaela P.

Wow is the first word that comes to mind when I think of this place. Everything here is made in house except for the ketchup. For a foodie like me, that is music to my ears. Talk about care and precision. It may be a burger joint, but it will be one of the best damn burgers you put in your mouth. I love to get their specials, I got the Wicked burger with chimichurri sauce, cranberry diamond, Gruyere cheese, and deep fried jalapeños on a poppy seed bun. It was so damn good, I couldn't stop eating. I also got the duck frites which are fries fried in duck fat - very tasty but small and kind of difficult to eat. The dirty fries were delicious and perfectly fried. The place gets packed often, and for a good reason! The ambiance is very comfortable - and I love that they have a viewing window that highlights and shows off the brewery. Every detail seems to be thought out, even the glasses which are mason jars. Definitely worth every penny.

Justin C.

If you want a good burger and good beer this place is the place to go! Great atmosphere. Seating can be annoying! Could have better comfortable seating! Needs Kid Seating! High Chair Etc.

Tracy M.

Was very happy with my Shadoe burger and guilt-free fountain soda. Mix the black cherry soda with some cream soda for the perfect deliciousness! The burger was tender and tasty and had the right amount of flavor. I also got a side of duck fat fries and was a bit disappointed. While you could taste the duck slightly, it was underwhelming. We also shared the sampler starter that had a bit of everything. The bull nuts (with bacon!) and pickles were my fav. Overall, a great burger. Would come back!

Tina D.

Great burger cooked to medium as requested. The buns are fresh and awesome as well. The grilled onion and shrooms were cooked in way too much oil so they were greasy. The French fries reminded me of potato sticks they were super skinny and crunchy. Great selection of beer and wine...served cold. The service was outstanding at every level...from the walk up counter where you place your order to the bar where you pick up your drinks. These peeps have customer service down! Hotdog hush puppies are a pass..not that great. Get there early because a line starts at the counter and Out the door in the early dinner time. The tables are banquet style so you might have to share a convo with strangers unless you are lucky enough to get one of the few tables or a seat at the bar.

Heather A.

By far my favorite burger in town. And we have a lot of good burgers in town. This is our go-to place before DPAC shows. Just a block up so it's easy to walk down after dinner. The burgers are always cooked perfectly to order. Tons of good topping options. The duck fries are da bomb. Pickle chips are also amazing. They brew their own beer- my fav is the Parish St Pale Ale but I haven't had a bad one. It gets busy and sometimes the only place to sit is at the bar. Which we don't mind. Service is always fast and friendly. Highly recommend.

Jayson W.

Better than average craft beers. I liked the Galaxy IPA & Smoked Rye a lot! Very good burgers, the weekly special was wonderful. Who knew that strawberry jelly, jalapeño and burgers go so well together? The wine setup is not great at all for a non-local visitor, it just seems like a cash grab.

Madeline C.

Loved this place my only complaint was that the wait was LONG. I guess that's the price you pay for serious popularity, but it's the only reason I mark it as 4 stars, instead of 5. The food was fantastic, the ambiance was "unique" (picnic table type set up), and it was truly a unique spot in the center of Durham. I enjoyed seeing that they have bizarre meats on the menu... Camel was the option when I went, but I believe it alternates (and no, I did not have a camel burger). Food was good, and we had a great time. Definitely a fun spot, and worth the trip before a show in downtown Durham.

Mark H.

BCBB is a Durham landmark and one that my family and I have supported since its inception. I've recommended it at least a dozen times to friends and colleagues. Unfortunately, that practice has to end due to the repetitively horrible service we have received during the last 3 out of 4 trips. I love the farm to table food quality and the craft beer, however, it is greatly disappointing to wait 45 minutes for a burger. When we complained the management informed us of how great the food is, even though I prefaced my complaint with the acknowledgement that it's not fast food and we don't expect it to take 5 or even 10 minutes. It's disheartening to see party after party that ordered their food twenty minutes or more after you be seated, eat and leave before anyone notices they have forgotten your order. The fact is they never noticed. We had to go up to them and show them our receipt before they even knew we were there. This is the third time this has happened so we're done. Maybe it's just our bad luck, maybe we don't look hipster-enough, but there are plenty of other places to spend my money.

Stephen D.

Fresh organic local grown everything. The burgers and beer are outstanding the people are nice.

Pug M.

Burgers were good, very small for $9-10 and no fries. My daughter did not like he grill cheese and I don't blame her. Not sure I will go back because of the value.

Kelly O.

We came here for dinner before seeing a comedian at DPAC. They take reservations for large groups, we had 12 in ours. We arrived about 15 minutes late, but our table was still saved. The staff was very friendly and helpful in ordering. Most of us ordered some variation of a bacon cheeseburger and fries. Mine had a friend egg on it. It was delicious. I had the dirty fries, and my husband had the duck fries. Next time, I'd order the duck fries! I would totally go here again!

Leigh H.

This was my first, and last, visit to Bull City Burger and Brewery. I have lived in Durham for seven years, and this restaurant has the distinction of serving me the second worst meal I have eaten in Durham. Here's how my visit breaks down: First, I went with my husband. We are both vegetarians. Now, to be fair, BCBB is not intended as a place for vegetarians. They are a hamburger place, and supposedly actual meat hamburgers, and not veggie burgers, are their speciality. So if BCBB had no vegetarian options that would not have bothered me because they are a burger joint. But they did have a vegetarian burger. So, I think if you're going to have a veggie burger option then it should be done well or else why bother? At the very basic level, a veggie burger costs more than a hamburger (7.00 vs. 6.25). I also added the option for a gluten-free bun (1.50 extra). I found this to be a bit pricey from the start, but I was willing to pay for it assuming it would be pretty good. I add pickles, cheddar cheese, and caramelized onions to it. My husband also had the veggie burger with swiss and roasted garlic. We shared a plate of fried (plenty for two people). He had a beer. I had a soda, and all of this cost 30.00. The food came out in a reasonable amount of time. The bartender was more than prompt with the beer. The burgers were awful. We both agreed they were dry. My caramelized onions were not caramlized. They were cooked. My husband said he barely noticed he got roasted garlic. Note that the garlic and onions were each 1.00 extra. My bun was also dry and bordering on stale. I've had gluten free bread before, and I have enjoyed it. It does not need to be this dry. The bread was so bad I tried eating just the veggie burger without it. I ate about half the burger. The fries were delicious. They were the only thing worth eating on our plates. Other reasons not to go back: Unsupervised children running around. We were seated at the end of a table near a glass wall. We got to be entertained for a bit as a small child jumped up and down in front of the glass smacking her hands against it. Then we got to watch several other children just run up and down the aisles. Parents did nothing and staff did not try to stop it. My assumption is that this is just a part of eating there. Even more reasons not to go back: The whole line and ordering system is awful and takes too long. Others have commented on this. I'm just agreeing. They also play music at an unreasonably loud volume. It's been about two hours since our meal, and I can still feel it sitting like a brick at the bottom of my stomach. Maybe the burgers are better, but if you go just know that the atmosphere will likely still be the same.

Michelle A.

Really enjoyed this place the last time I was in town. I love how everything is done in house and the flavors show. Couldn't really tell the difference in the duck fat fries, but the rosemary on them made them great. Local, local, local!

Fiona C.

Burger was amazing !!! BUT your options are pink, little pink or well done. I asked for little pink and I received too much pink. Fries do not come with your burger which is annoying but I purchased the sweet potato fries and they were so AMZING. I like my sweet potato fries with honey mustard which they did not have. Back to the burger. Everything taste hot when it came to my table and FRESH !!! I added bacon on my burger and the bacon was thick and yummy. I am definitely returning. You have to park on the street and it gets crowded very quickly. I am glad my friends and I went early.

F Khristopher B.

Attended this spot several times with my friend Gyminii. Its lively and full of positive energy. The food is AMAZING and I do not toss that adjective out lightly... hmm hmm good, and I mean that wholeheartedly. A very eclectic burger menu, and it is my goal to try each and every one... the best burgers that I have ever tasted and I have tasted many in my lifetime. A must go to place for yourself and your out of town guests... good spot to meet with friends and kick it... the beer and wine menu is a very much appreciated added bonus, a very neat spot for those with an affinity for beer and wine.

Charlotte H.

Sundays are my dog days, days where I take my dog out somewhere new to socialize. After looking for dog friendly cafes and restaurants on Yelp, I found Bull City. I called to double check if they were really dog friendly and the gentleman who answered the phone was quite helpful and confirmed they were dog friendly and told me to walk around the side by the picnic tables around back. I found the tables pretty easily and sat down with my dog while my husband went in and ordered for us. Two guys sat nearby with a cute pitbull puppy, later 3 other groups with dogs arrived. We ended up getting a Joan Jett burger with dirty fries, an order of pickle chips, and two beers. The Joan Jett burger was very tasty as were the pickle chips. I'm not a beer drinker, but my beer was just fine. A server brought out dog treats to our table, very sweet! I'll be back with my Chihuahua, once he's a little better trained.

Josh P.

Had an awesome burger with pimento cheese and bacon marmalade. Side of duck fat fries was incredible. Wife had a fried polenta burger and some fresh squeezed lemonade. Everything was delicious. Really super impressed by this place.

Ashley S.

Great place with a lot of local and natural items on the menu. Their beer is great, and is always rotating as they brew in smaller batches than most other breweries. I tried their "Golden Pickle" beer, which is brewed with the pickle juice from their homemade pickles. It sounds weird, but it was SO good with my burger.

J S.

Great burgers and cool sides! I've had sides with all pickled veges, and even an awesome hot pretzel. But for sure the burgers are high quality (and they have a great selection of beers if you want to get a drink). The Green Monster burger is my favorite.

Melinda F.

What a great restaurant! The atmosphere was casual and fun. The beef was cooked perfectly and so tasty! Great place for families as well! Highly recommend this place!

Ken K.

Admittedly, this was the second time I'd visited Bull City Burger and Brewery. The first time I had just flown into town for a job interview. I was a bit harried, a bit worried, a bit tired, and a bit in no mood to have a swinging good time. I wrote it up, thought I had published it, and moved on. Then, a few months ago, I tried to find said review so I could give my opinion of the place to a friend in passing conversation. No dice. It wasn't there. But that's all the better for Bull City, because I was much more impressed on my second visit. Perhaps it was just frame of mind, perhaps it was ordering a burger without pimento cheese, which I don't think I actually like very much. Whatever it was, I only have nice things to say this time around. As advertised, this place makes everything they serve except the ketchup. And it shows. I ordered a standard beef burger topped with bacon marmalade, sauteed onions, and aioli. Yes, all of that is just as delicious as it sounds. Plus, the burger came out nice and pink and juicy and exactly how I like it. You can taste the difference in freshly ground local beef. Thus, here you can taste the difference. The beer once again did not blow me away. Everything was fine, but nothing stood out. They did have some higher gravity options - a barley wine as well as a barrel-aged version - but both tasted mainly of alcohol with little depth or complexity. Don't get me wrong, I liked it all and will happily return and drink it, but I don't forsee myself taking any growlers home at this point unless they make a killer seasonal. And finally, there's the atmosphere. I'm not a big fan of the lining up at the counter and then finding a seat with a number for the runner to find you. It works pretty well for their limited space and likely cuts down on the number of people filling up the few alleys between tables, but it makes it difficult to know how to order a drink. Do I go to the bar? Do I go back up to the food counter and wait in line? Can it all get on one check? If I just want a drink now while waiting for my wife before ordering food, how do I go about that? Will people give me the stink eye for taking up the end of a table with just a beer? Perhaps with more practice I'll figure it out, but I opted to sit at the bar and get the traditional service from the bartender, which was excellent, I might add. In short, if/when I move to Durham, I'm living as close to this place as possible.

Andrea J.

Great, fresh food! I'm wheat free and loved that they provide deliciously toasted Udi's GF buns (for a bit extra). The burgers were great, the duck fat frites were stellar, and the atmosphere was enjoyable. The staff were a helpful and pleasant too. We went on a Saturday at 5pm and there was a small line - by the time we left, the line was out the door. It moves fast and food comes wuickly, so it's totally worth the wait!

Fairuz S.

When we got there the line was to the door. It took us 45 minutes to get to the cash register to order and pay for our meal. There was plenty of seating even though the line was so long. Once we ordered we got our food relatively quickly. Everything tasted good and the beer was great. I like that they have the weird animal meat selection that they change up weekly. I would come here again if the line was shorter.

Becky F.

We came here before a DPAC show. We followed other Yelpers advice and arrived early and I'm glad we did! At 5:45 we JUST beat a long line that formed after we had ordered our food and picked up our drinks at the bar. As others have mentioned, it is pricey for a burger place but we really don't mind paying the extra $ for quality food and plenty of it. We went all out and got 2 burgers, both with bacon (extra), he got cheese (extra), got the Dirty Fries, Duck Fries, and Pickle Chips, plus 2 unique drinks at the bar that were served in ample sized mason jars. We both ordered our burgers "pink in the middle" and mine came that way but my date's had no pink, more well done. So based on all the other Reviews, I agree that they need to be consistent with how they cook their beef. The Pickle Chips were light and just a TOUCH sweet and very tasty. At first I thought the Fries were nothing that special, however, we both cleaned the plates and really enjoyed them. We both favored the thin crispy duck fries. Both types were really good though, I realized more when they were all gone! Back to the price, with tips at both the bar and the food counter, it came out to $50 for 2 people. How did THAT happen? But we have no regrets, it was great food, plenty of it, friendly service, nice atmosphere (oh we ate out on the back patio on a nice night, I recommend that as opposed indoors if possible). AND we walked to DPAC and had perfect timing for the Show. We'd both come back again, as long as it is early enough!

Meredith D.

BCBB was nothing like I thought it would be as far as the set-up, but it was a pleasant surprise! If you're like me and don't know much about it, you stand in line to order and then seat yourself at what is most likely a long communal table if it's a busy time. The place was constantly busy on Friday night, which was great. Even with all the people, we didn't have to wait for a seat. The burger I had was fabulous, and I have only recently started eating red meat when I trust the source from which it comes (thanks for grass-fed beef, BCBB). The pimento cheese and pickled veggies were good, but I wanted even more of the veggies. The beer I had to wash it down went so well with my food. I'll definitely be back!

Bruce G.

wow, it's been almost two years until I made it back to BCB! Went on a Sat night, kinda late (past 8:00), but you guessed it, the place was packed! Ordered the Black and Blue burger, duck frites, and a pale ale. Price almost $20!! A little pricey, but these are gourmet burgers. The burger was excellent. The frites were good, but not worth the extra $3 so I might skip those next time. The Ale was nice and "hoppy". I saw where the same owners of BCB are opening up a wood fired pizza place this Fall, so looking forward to that! I'll try to get back to BCB before another two years pass.

Jesse S.

Good food, good beer, long lines. Overall a solid restaurant to grab a burger and a brew if you are willing to wait. But here's what bothers me about this place. Some of my friends and I are homebrewers. One of my friends really likes one of their beers, and he emailed them to see if he could get the recipe. Their reply was no, they don't share their recipes. Ok, fine. It's proprietary or whatever. Yet every year, they host a homebrew contest. On your entry form, you have to give them your recipe. If they like your beer, your prize is that they will use your recipe and make money off of it. In my experience, the homebrew community is very open about sharing ideas and recipes. Many well known craft breweries like Dogfish Head and Russian River even publish their recipes for homebrewers to use. I can't consider BCBB some "great local place that supports the community" if part of their business plan is to take ideas from their patrons while refusing to share their own.

Lauren H.

Okay, I am definitely ready to update my review now for Bull City Burger after coming here several more times! Although I still find their burgers to be a little pricey, I am ready now to say that these burgers are some of my favorites in the Triangle area. I absolutely love the variety of toppings that you can get on your burger, and not many places will give you fresh jalapenos as a topping. I love spicy foods, so this is a major plus for me! I also have now tried their beers and I find their beers to be really good! I especially liked one that was a chocolate stout! Their duck fat fries are a nice change from the regular and one order of these is enough for my husband and I to split. Bull City Burger, I am now a big fan and I frequently recommend this place to friends in search of a good burger!

Matthew K.

Get a beer at the bar before you get in line to order! You can pretty much get your burger any way you want. There is outside seating and you can bring your dog! I really like this place!

Alysson L.

Get the duck frites, and then ask some of the truffle aioli on the side.

Jamie C.

Great burgers, great beer, great service, great place!

Jordan P.

I've been here twice: once it was outstanding, the second it was terrible (hence the 3 star average). The first time I ate at the bar, got a delicious beer, had one of the most delicious beef burgers I've ever had, and had great service (it wasn't very busy). I would have given them 5 stars and told all my friends about it. The last time I went for exotic meat month to try a llama burger. For one, I hate that they don't advertise the PRICES of their exotic meats online because it was quite the surprise when I arrived and saw the $14 price tag (with no sides). I got it anyway against my better judgment since that was my whole reason for coming. We only had about 3 groups in front of us in line, and it still took a good 10-15 minutes before we reached the registers...unacceptable. They have two registers and yet no one came to move things along, even though the line started to back up near the door. Bad business practices. Lastly, my llama burger was sooooooo disappointing. Not only was it absolutely FLAVORLESS, but it was TINY. I know the meat comes at a higher price because it's exotic, but if I'm paying $14 I want a nice patty regardless. They can't perhaps help it that it had no flavor (maybe llama is just that way?)...either that or they gave me the poorest quality cut, like the llama's taint. Between the absolute rip-off price and the poor service, I don't know if I'll be back. I don't like to support businesses that don't care for every customer that walks through their doors once they realize they're popular and don't really need to.

Max Rocket M.

Awesome organic, local, sustainable burgers, fries, yummies, beer, wine, and goodies. Love this place!

Maggie N.

Came here with a group of 10 for a belated birthday celebration. My first impression: Holy shit the line is long. Did I really pick such a bad place? There's no one waiting to seat you. This is how it works: you line up at the cashier, you order, take a number, then use your best skills to snipe a few seats, then you pray that the waiters can find you in the 2342342432 people there. Hats off to the waiters for being able to spot the numbers! Food: I ordered a regular burger, rare, and a fried pickle appetizer. I like the burger - soft and rare just the way I like it. The fried pickles were also decently good. I tried the duck fat fries, but maybe I had too much of an expectation.... I didn't feel like it was that outstanding, or "ducky" enough. But heck I don't even know what a "ducky" taste is. Price: Definitely more expensive than your average chain store burger. I spent $13 on the burger and pickles, without any drink. Ambiance: Loud. Lots of people. The tables are long ones, so chance is that if you're in a small group you might end up sitting near strangers. If the main space is full, head straight to the patio! It's actually covered in transparent plastic tarp and heated. Last line: I wish they'd take reservations for any group size :(

Nicole S.

You know how you eat something amazing and you get a little sad because you know it's going to end soon? That's what happened to me at Bull City Burger. My burger was so good, I finished eating it and promptly ordered another one to take home with me. My toes curled. I ordered a make your own burger, rare, with pimento cheese, bacon marmalade, and pickled veggies (pear green tomatoes that day). The bun was soft, the meat tender and juicy, and the pimento cheese tangy. Bacon marmalade will change your life. The real stars of the night were the pickled pear green tomatoes. They were glorious - I pray that they become a mainstay. I wish I had a picture to post but I ate my burger so fast, there was no time for the camera to load on my phone. We ate at the bar so the service was excellent (Ryland is a phenomenal bartender!) and the apps/sides (duck frites, fried pickles, and puppy bites) were tasty. I plan to return as often as I can. For as long as I live here, Bull City Burger will be my favorite place to be.

Lee D.

Yeah, yeah...yet another gourmet/craft burger joint in the Triangle to add to some already stellar burger joints. It already faces some stiff competition in my book, so why this place? For starters I think the burgers are very understated and that's a good thing. In an age where the burgers are being built bigger ounce wise and taller with condiments at the basic level sometimes you just want a a good ol' burger without the fluff. Not too little. Not too big. Just right. I think portion wise they do an excellent job here and let the burger quality do the talking. My favorite burgers are usually their special burgers and "exotic meats" have been a treat to try. Sides...they have something here that I can't say I've had at any other burger joint in the area. Duck fat fries. SOOO GOOD. They're small n' crunchy (from being fried in duck fat) potato fries but the touch of rosemary sets it off and makes them pop. I like to stack em' on my burger sometimes for a little extra crunch. Definitely should try some for yourself if you haven't and for those of you that have...you know what I'm talkin' bout! Last, but not least: beer! This is a brewery after all and they make all their brews in-house. I like their focus particularly on English style ales and they go well with the burger too of course. I'd say for our local budding Triangle craft beer scene they're somewhere in-between. They also have some tasty looking craft sodas to try too, but I've only had the beer...as they say "when it Rome...". Always a pretty good crowd and it's picnic style dining so you may have the opportunity to rub elbows with fellow burger n' beer lovers there as well. And, for your parents like myself they even have a little toddler play area in the far left of the joint.

Alejandro B.

I wanted to like this place more. The burger is great. The toppings are top notch. But when it comes to value, it falls short. Loved the gruyere cheese and the chimichuri. The bread was very fresh. Fries are alright, nothing too special. But BCBB is pricy for the amount of food you receive. The burger is a bit tiny. Great ambience, but the hefty price and lack of value will make for very sporadic visits.

Lauren P.

Joie B.

I've been here a few times and have historically enjoyed the burgers here. I like that ingredients are local and fresh. I made the mistake of ordering the Sangria here and boy was that a mistake. It is terrible. And even worse, when I asked an employee if myself and my sister could get something else, especially since the Sangria is the most expensive specialty drink they have, he called over the manager. The manager came over to my table and leaned in very closely which made me incredibly uncomfortable. I didn't think asking for a different drink was that big of a deal. Anywho, he leaned in to tell me that he would not exchange my drink and if I wanted something else he'd have to charge me. He didn't even offer to have the bartender fix the drink. Apparently my poor taste is because their Sangria is made fresh and the Sangria I've had in my travels to Spain must be boxed. The burgers are average to good, the service is not. Politely cheap is what I'd call the manager. I couldn't even drink the Sangrias for the sake of not wasting 20 bucks. This will be my last visit to this place.

Ashley V.

This place make a pretty darn tasty burger. It's a little bit on the pricier side considering burgers are served a la carte, BUT I think that would have to do with the quality of ingredients. The sweet potato fries were, but I think the burgers are the real stars here. My one tinsy, winsy recommendation, get some regular mustard, or non-spicy mustard variation. The only mustard offered is Spicy Beer Mustard, which I enjoyed, but not all people are fans of spicy condiments. Regular ketchup is offered, so it's kind of funny that mustard is not. Overall, my experience was enjoyable.

Rose L.

I've been going back to Bull City Burger and Brewery for a while now. It's a well known staple for downtown Durham and while I still have complaints about different sized burger patties, it's still a good option if you follow my simple list of rules. Do's & Don't of BBCB: DO: sit at the bar and skip the (usually) LONG line! Bar seating gets food and drink service. DO: sample the beer before you order a pint. They are always changing up their selection and some are definitely better then others. DO: go crazy with the sauces. Get them on the side and ask for a couple. DO: go for the RARE burger! They've got some killer beef. DO: Check out the cocktail list, some of the cheapest drink around from $6-$9 a piece. Don't: wait in line to order (just in case you missed the "DO's section). Don't: go on the brewery tour unless you can stand staring up at an employee explain things you already know for 30-45 minutes while standing in the same spot in their tiny brewery room. While the sampling of beer is decent following the tour, there are much better tour experiences in the area. Don't: order the duck frites, they're hard to eat politely (especially if you're on a date or with a group). If you're set on fries get the sweet potato or regulars. Other notes: this is not a first, second or third good date spot [if you're romantically inclined towards your date]. It's usually really crowed which lends to a noisy atmosphere and it's almost all community tables. If you're set on going for a date, again Sit At The BAR!!

Amy B.

Kate S.

I had to try this place out because it had so many great reviews on Yelp, but I was very disappointed. My favorite part of my experience here was the vanilla cream (or vanilla root beer or vanilla-something) soda, which is saying something because I generally dislike sodas! I ordered the Joan Jett veggie burger and duck frites (1 of 3 options for fries). The patty was very dry and the duck frites were so thin, I had to stuff spoonfuls in my mouth to be able to really taste them. I thought I was just unfortunate in choosing what to order, but the person I went with got a pimento burger and sweet potato fries and he was disappointed as well. Whether or not it was due to bad menu-decision-making, I don't plan on coming back to this place to find out. I would only go back to try their alcoholic beverages. Inside, this place is pretty neat. There are long tables for seating, a kids area, bar seats, and window seats that look out onto the street outside. The service was good and on point - there was always someone asking to assist me.

David N.

Fantastic downtown hangout for chili, burgers, and beer. Great for kids and adults alike. Tried their "award winning" meat chili, and was pleasantly surprised. Nice bite, no beans to gas up the intestines, and a dollop of pimento cheese was perfectly married icing on the cake. Went with their daily "BCBB" Burger, and enjoyed meticulously. August 30 served a meat patty topped fig marmalade, double smoked bacon, and fresh sliced jalapenos. Solid burger, and one I'd certainly order again. While they weren't the biggest burgers in town, their perfectly cooked pink medium and properly flavored, pasture-raised NC beef was worth writing home about. Duck frites were decent, most similar to shoestring fries. As for the beer, Bull City Brewery, and Durham for that matter, know how to brew! Their Taurus Tripel is one helluva Belgian Ale. Long story short, do NOT miss out on Bull City if checking out the DPAC/DBAP area.

Robert H.

Bull City provided an exceptional dining experience to my family. They take a concept that you see often, high-end burgers, and put their own spin on it. First let's start with their family friendly nature. My family was passing through Durham and needed a place to take out toddler. Bull City features a toddler play area, complete with a pretend kitchen and a host of other books and toys. Our daughter was thrilled. We grabbed the adjacent table and I can honestly say we've never encountered a more friendly environment for our kids, and this in a brewpub! I also liked the setup of a bar area to the left of the entrance. Now onto the drinks, this is a brewpub after all. I tried the IPA and the Pale Ale and enjoyed both, especially the IPA. They also feature an ESB as well as other options. My wife loved the soda selection including birch beer and other unusual options. Finally the food. I had the over easy burger and it was just about perfect - tender and cooked to my liking, egg also just right. Bravo. My wife had the veggie burger and was a fan. I loved the fried pickles as well as the house special fries with duck fat and Rosemary. Last but not least customer service was impeccable, the staff went out of their way to help us. Bull City has something special going on here, you don't want to miss it!!

Kendra B.

Ah, Bull City Burger and Brewery. What is not to like about this place. (Quick answer: nothing). I've been to BCBB more times than I probably should have in my short time in Durham. I've thoroughly enjoyed their burgers and fries, as well as the excellent beer. The food at BCBB is high quality, and follows the local/sustainable principles that I try to follow at home. As a B Corporation, they really do strive for the most responsible business practices for the environment, employees, and customers. While I've enjoyed the many varieties of beer I've tried at Bull City, I enjoy them much more now that I've taken one of their tours and learned more about them. The owner explained during the tour that they really do their research, and do their best to make each beer representative of the style and region it comes from. This goes to the most seemingly minute detail, like the mineral content of the water. This philosophy and hard work to create truly excellent beers is greatly appreciated. I'm a big fan of BCBB. The food is delicious and guilt-free (well, at least in origin if not nutritional content), and they offer a constantly-changing selection of diverse and high-quality beer. Truly an excellent choice for beer and food while in Durham!

Lesley B.

3 stars because the burger was good. Definitely quality beef, cooked just right. I also enjoyed my golden ale. Otherwise, the duckfat fries were thin and tiny - hard to grab onto and dunk into ketchup without making a giant mess... and a little too crispy for my liking. $4 homemade pickles, which I was super excited about were good but the promises of distinct flavors for each type (smoky, spicy, etc.) were not noticeable. The 50 cents for the truffle aioli I sprung for wasn't worth it -- barely any truffle flavor. The next time I have a hankering for a quality burger I'll come back. But otherwise BCBB didn't make my favorites list.

Katarina N.

I don't like giving 1 star but I really feel like I wanted to let other people know that this place wasn't somewhere I would recommend. WAY overpriced. For two burgers and one beer I paid 23 dollars. Burgers were miniscule and my veggie burger which is just beans cost more than my friends beef burger! On top of that, they more than nickle and time you for toppings which in my opinion should cost way less. 1 dollar for a slice of cheddar especially when I used to work in the food industry is more than overpriced. The burger was literally 4 bites. No fries, no sides or anything. For 23 dollars and a small bean burger 18 dollars would have max been appropriate pricing for the quality of the burger. Wont be back. Service was ok. Went during lunch. Wont be back.

Alison S.

The only complaint I have was that it was difficult to find seating- BUT GREAT FOR THEM! Amazing food, amazing drinks, love the community atmosphere!

Prashant K.

I visted the Brewery yesterday with my son and his friends. It was a Fri night, lot's of energy and a cordial place. The Beer selection is wonderful - reasonably priced, and I recommend the Belgian beer (too bad they don't sell by the pitcher). The burgers are tsasty and the service is fantastic.

Marc C.

I live in Clayton so, Durham is a hike for us but, Bull City is worth the trip. We first tried it on a Taste Carolina food tour. The sample of the burger and beer and the owners passion for natural ingredients and pasture raised beef made us return a few weeks later. Everything except the ketchup is made in house. The burgers are perfectly cooked and you can select from a range of fresh, tasty toppings. The "duck fries" are killer! Thin cut (think almost as thin as potato sticks) fries finished with duck fat and rosemary. Yummy! The beer was nice as well. I sampled their ESB and IPA and enjoyed both. This is a counter service place but, the line moved quickly. The staff was friendly and helpful. Definitely a good experience.

Tierney F.

Great burger. Enough said... But in case you want t know more... They'll cook it exactly how you like it with lots of delicious toppings to choose from. And of course being a brewery, they also have a nice beer selection :). The one bad thing for me (and why I took away a star) is that they cook their fries in peanut oil which I am allergic too but because their burgers are soo good I look past this and go anyway. Apparently, they have really good fries. On a nice day, this is a great spot to go to eat outside. They have a good amount of picnic tables set up outside with nice string lights. Also, its a great place for groups. You order at the register so easy to pay separate and they have large tables for everyone to fit.

Mike H.

Awesome burgers, cold beer and friendly service!! What more could you want?!?! Highly recommended when you are in this area of Durham.

Monica F.

We wanted Beer! and at Bull City, we got beer the beer sampler, and then some.... The bartender was really generous with the pour and even helped me find the beer that I would want. As for food, we got: *All Beef Chili: came with pimiento cheese. this hit the spot because i wasn't really a fan of kidney beans. But for $3.75, i think it was a bit too steep for the size. *Over Easy Burger: Who would go wrong with Fried Egg..and Bacon???? It is pretty good but i didn't like how the burger wasn't stacked enough. It was really messy. We tried it with the Ghost of Rogers Alley Hot sauce and it worked well. *Wrapper Dog with Aioli, Jalapenos and Caramelized Onions.::: YES. it is wrapped with nothing else but Bacon. The touch of aioli was great, however i would order it with diced onions instead of the caramelized onions next time. the Flavor of the caramelized onions didn't do much with the taste of bacon and the spice of the jalapenos. Really chill place..

Kathryn V.

Always a pleasure to go here. Wonderful food, even more wonderful beer. I only wish they had more space because they get CRAZY crowded and getting a decent table during normal eating hours is a challenge. Great idea if you want to show off Durham casually, not the best place for intimate conversations. Update: Bull City has sort of had a falling from grace with me... The last time I visited is ended up spending $14 for one beer and one tiny burger, no side! I really think the burger patties are becoming progressively smaller. I'm sad to say I probably won't order food here again because it's good, but not good enough to rationalize the prices. Their beer and atmosphere is still great so I would come here to drink.

Justin Y.

There's a huge buzz surrounding this place. I honestly don't get it, and I'm not saying that after I've been here just once. I've eaten here maybe 3 or 4 times, and I think each time I've been, I've been met with disappointment. The ambiance and the restaurant itself feels pretty classy. Even though it's picnic bench seating, it still feels really homey and quaint. The see-through glass of their brewery is pretty neat too (except everything was flooding when I came this time around... is everything always supposed to be leaking?). The bar and the ordering station all look pretty sweet, so my problem with this place is not its cleanliness or presentation. It's the food. The food is not up to par, especially with the crazy hype. Each time I've ordered a burger, I've noticed that they are not juicy. The dryness of the patties an extreme turn-off for me, and considering the fact that the meat portions are very small compared to the prices, I am usually left wanting more. I ordered the Pimento Burger with Duck Frites this time around and was not satisfied. The Pimento Burger descriptions said, "Pimento cheese and pickled vegetables." Maybe I'm just daft, but if you say "pickled VEGETABLES," I don't really assume it'll be PICKLES because if it was going to be pickles, you would just write, "pickles" unless you're trying to be pretentious. I hate pickles, so I assumed that it would be pickled cabbage or something like that. To my dismay, my burger arrived with two MASSIVE chunks of pickles. I gave them away quickly before the pickle juice could permeate my patty. My friends said that it tasted odd and one refused to finish her piece. The duck frites were soggy and stringy, lacking in flavor. Their regular fries are also a bit on the soft end, so if you are a crunchy fried foods person like me, you won't really enjoy the fries. That being said, I think BCB is a fun place to eat with friends and enjoy a night out. It's not that I'd never go back, I think I would never initiate going there, but would not mind tagging along. PS If you have Foursquare, check in before ordering because they have free fries for checking in. I did it after I ordered. Boo.

Ali R.

I went to Bull City Burger and Brew this week for the first time and I was quite impressed. After a less than stellar lunch at City Kitchen (see review), I wasn't sure if I could stand another disappointing meal. Luckily, I was not disappointed in the least. I made my own burger with bleu cheese, caramelized onions and aioli. It was delicious. The duck frites were also delicious -- perfectly crispy and light. I appreciate that they try to use local produce and that the beef is local and grass-fed. I didn't try their beer or dessert but I guarantee I'll be back to try both. The only drawbacks (hence 4 stars instead of 5) are the fact that there is only street parking (or the municipal lot that you have to pay for before 7 pm). The ambiance also isn't the best. I'm also not a huge fan of the picnic table style dining. BCBB, I will be back to see you soon.

Michael C.

Pros: Wide variety of quality meats, interesting, great selection of self-serve wines on tap Cons: Very busy during dinner hours. Tables can be a little dirty. Quite loud. Bottom Line: Quality Burgers, their sides are great comfort food. March is exotic meat month! Bull City Burger was the first eatery I visited in Durham and it was definitely a worthy start to my foodie adventure. I arrived in Durham Saturday night and was a little sad to see a line all the way to the door, considering how famished I was after my 9 hr drive from Florida. Unfortunately the smell of beef teased me as I waited for 20 mins before ordering my food. Whenever I see the words 'award winning' I have to try the menu item, so I ordered the award winning all beef chili, shadow burger, and dirty fries. Since it was so busy I waited another 15 mins before I received my food. The rooms were packed and I wasn't happy to see streak marks on the table from a surface cleaning of the tables. Nonetheless the eatery was certainly lively with everyone having a good time as they sipped their wine or beer. There is no short supply of craft beers and wine here, and of course no one can have a bad time when alcohol is present in copious amounts. When my food finally came I was not disappointed. The chili was topped with pimento cheese which had a smooth and creaminess that contrasted well with the spice and chunks of meat in the chili. The burger itself was cooked to a fine medium rare and topped with a chimichurri sauce which was both salty and savory. The bun was satisfying and was crispy on the outside but soft on the inside. Finally the fries weren't spectacular but they certainly got the job done as I sat back and enjoyed the game on one of their monitors. All in all I had a tasty experience and I will definitely be returning to try some of their more exotic meats in the future.

Brian H.

Pimento burger amazing. Fresh pickles. Succulent pattie. Really hit the spot. Would not recommend duck frites. Too small to handle. I would get the normal fries next time. We overstayed after closing and staff remained courteous to us. Will definitely return for more.

Sara K.

The BCBB burgers were on point! I had the duck frites, the special burger of the day, and shared the fried pickles. The special burger of the day had strawberry jam, mascarpone cheese, jalapeños, and lettuce. The burger was slightly over cooked. I ordered it with "some pink" and it arrived very well done, but the overall flavor of the burger was very good. The fried pickles were not over battered, they were lightly dipped and fried to a golden brown. I didn't have any of the craft beers, but they came highly recommended by other yelpers, so I'll definitely be back to try them!

Emily R.

Excellent concept, but execution falters a bit. The burgers taste good, but they're tiny. I'm never satisfied after I leave here. Beers are just OK - I haven't found any standouts yet. Waiting in line to order can take a while, and it's hard to read the menu board until you're right up at the cash register. It's impossible to see what the specials are until you're at the front and need to order. Sitting at the bar may be a better experience - at least then I could order more food without having to stand in line again.

Lori R.

Been way too long since we've been here (although we have tried a few times but couldn't get in). Saturday afternoon matinee at DPAC was the perfect time to give it another whirl before the show. Lucky us got seats at the bar! Once again we proceeded to have a fabulous time with fantastic food and drinks. Our Gal Bartender was working hard taking orders, making drinks, pouring beer, giving advice, and squeezing fresh citrus juices. She managed to do all that with steady assuredness and total efficiency. Very impressive. We started with seasonal one-time brews: Hen Peck Rowbust Porter for me, and Whiskey Barrel-Aged Winter Warmer for Husband. Both of us were happy with our choices. Love that you never know what they'll come up with next! Both of us went with the same burgers we did last time. Bacon & Bleu for Husband. Green Monster with Chimichurri for me (added jalapenos as well). We also shared the awesome duck frites. Everything was once again perfect! So fresh and tasty! Needing to kill a little more time before our show at DPAC, we were forced (hah!) to have another round of drinks and dessert. Husband had another same brew, while I had to try a drink that used some of those freshly-squeezed juices: the Corcoran Cooler with orange, lemon, lime, vodka, simple syrup and club soda. So refreshing and not too sweet...loved it! Today's ice cream choices were Muscodine Grape (uh, not us) or Butternut Squash (yes, us). One scoop was plenty to share, so different, full of yummy squash and cinnamon...rich and delicious! Continue to love everything about this place! They are doing everything right in terms of local, fresh, service, and uniqueness.

Joe H.

We stopped here on our way through Durham looking for a good brew and burger. We found that and then some! The place is a little difficult to find, as its nestled between a bunch of other buildings on a pretty non-descript street. We had to park around the corner at the methodist church, which wasn't too bad. I would imagine that this would make things very difficult on a busy day, however. We were welcomed in to the warm interior by a very friendly staff and decided to sit at the bar. I had the doppelbock, which was absolutely spot-on! One of the better beers I've had in the last few months. My wife and I each sprung for their specialty burger of the day. It had local strawberries, blue cheese, bacon, and Worcestershire on a home-baked bun. It sounded strange, but it was delicious! One of the more unique burgers I've tried, but all the ingredients came together quite nicely. We were pressed for time, but they also had a self service wine bar which looked really cool! Looking forward to my next trip to Durham so I can sample some more brews!

Yvonne C.

Burgers with locally sourced ingredients! Yay! Order up front, take a number, find a seat, and wait for a delicious hamburger to come your way! The burgers here solid and juicy! They'll let you create your own burger or you can try one of their own. I don't think you can go wrong with any decision. If you like pimento cheese, they have it as a topping. I tried their burger of the day, which had an incredible amount of toppings, but all went together very well. One disappointment was that my burger came with a fried egg and the yolk was broken and running down the edge of the burger. Split some sweet potato fries with my party, good but not the best. Could be a bit fluffier. Don't forget to make the cow moo! By the way, if you've got little ones they have a small play area in the corner of their restaurant.

GT W.

Casual artisanal burger place plus brewpub in a well-lit, nice part of downtown Durham. Communal picnic benches for seating. Burgers were excellent, smaller, good size though, with awesome toppings like roasted Poblano peppers. You can get tons of free sides so go wild. Their chimichurri was nuts! Pickle chips were also very good. The duck frites were so thin though it was hard to use them for dipping, and they cooled down to room temperature so fast from exposed surface area :( Tasty still. I ordered the burger rare, and it was more 'medium' I'd say. Beers were pretty good, nothing really that I 'liked' and a couple on tap were big misses. But it is a fun, passionate, experimenting brewery and you can get samples of everything for super cheap so hard to complain. Growler fills were similarly very cheap ($7-10), new glass was $5...something crazy like that. Oh, the food came out wickedly fast!

Andrew L.

Excellent burgers and beer in a wide open atmosphere. A great place for someone with kids to get a good, inexpensive meal and a beer at a low price point. As mentioned, the burgers are exceptional...but the duck fat fries are my favorite part; thin sliced and very crispy. They also have some fun events like "exotic meat month" with meats as far out as Python burgers. All in all, a great spot to check out and real Durham gem.

Shawn J.

I must say I was very impressed with this place from the food to the decor to the staff this place is spot on. If you are I local or a traveler liking for a great burger bad a great time you found the place.

G L R.

I loved the burgers here! The meat was so fresh and it was cooked perfectly. Great variety of toppings as well. And great french fries! Also, their beer was good. This is a fun, casual spot right in downtown Durham. Next time I'd like to try their wines!

Erich K.

Excellent craft beers, great burgers. A little expensive, but worth it.

R. L.

Delicious! Stopped in on a business trip to Durham. Bartender was friendly and helpful. Burger and fries were wonderful. This would be addictive if I were local!

Vera B.

Local, and pasture raised. Awesome! NO HFCS in ANYTHING (not even the sodas) - LOVE it!!! The burgers are really good as are the fries! Throw your diet to the wind and enjoy! The craft beers . . . great! Try the Chocolate Ale - Mmmmmm!!! What goes great with the beers? The fried pickle chips!! The best! Don't leave without walking out back and checking out the veggie / herb garden. Sooooo cool!!!! The only drawback . . . in the winter, you will NOT be able to get tomatoes on your burger. I wish the brewery could find a way to still provide tomatoes. There must be some local hydroponic farmers or greenhouse farmers that can supply local tomatoes in the winter???

Young B.

Had to try this place because of the high ratings, but I found this place to be just okay. I got the pimento burger and I was pretty disappointed. It was an alright burger but I wouldn't get it again. My husband got the special burger of the day which he liked, but he also thought it was nothing special. If I do go back, I'm going to stay clear of the pimento burger and make my own burger.

Hannah S.

I was meeting some friends for a few daytime bevies and a snack and I am so glad we picked this place. Sitting at the bar was the perfect place to catch up over the super delish Pale Ale and some fries while chatting with long lost buddies and charging my phone (Thats right, the bartender didn't give me any beef for plugging in my phone behind the bar, he rocked). All I need to say is pimento cheese and dill pickle hot dog. You won't be upset. It was dope. The one downside is that I kept getting a waft of BO. Not sure if it was the onions they were cooking, someone eating there or someone working there (pretty sure it was the latter). All in all a really great place and I would recommend it!

Katherine Z.

My go-to place if I'm craving a good 'ole burger and some awesome fries. My favorite burger that I got so far was actually one of their specials one day (not on the menu) - it had avocado and bacon in it (foodies know that those are the two ingredients that can make any dish 100% better). The duck frites are TO DIE FOR - so great, crispy, and delicious. I also really enjoy the Warm House Made Pimento Cheese and Kale Dip, which is served with this flat bread that reminds me of Naan. Great location, fun place, and awesome food. Really good for group dinners.

Ben S.

Gotta say this may have been the best burger I've ever had - and I've had them in 30 or more states. Very casual atmosphere, not a place to watch tv just eat great food at a very reasonable price. I had the burger with gruyere, house made pickles, and the bacon marmalade which was amazing. My wife had the burger with pimento cheese and bacon strips and she also felt it could be the best burger she ever had. If you like local breweries this was great also. 7-8 choices from Ales to stouts. I went Pratt Pilsner a nice clean lager that complimented the burger nicely. Highly recommend this for a great lunch! We will be back next year when we visit Duke again with our hoop machine son.

Mary Elizabeth W.

I came here with my family while I was in town and was very impressed with both the food/beer that was served here but also the ethics this restaurant offers. All of their ingredients are local, down to the beer. The only beer served at the bar is the beer brewed next door in their brewery. No Miller Lite in these parts of town! They also get their beef from grass-fed, free-range cows which shows that they value both the quality of meet they provide as well as the health of their customers. Vegetarian? No problem! Two people in our group were vegetarians and loved the fact that they provide a daily vegetarian special in addition to their delicious black bean burger. I tried both, they were excellent!

Christy L.

The food was good but the portions were extremely small. I would go again but order double the food practically!!! The meat is from local farmers and everything is made in house except soda and ketchup.

Phuong M.

My family and I had a group of 9 total and we needed a place to grab a quick bite before heading to the airport. So we decided to try this place with 4 stars. It was kind of a bar atmosphere. It had a long picnic table which was perfect for all 9 of us. The parents on one end and the cousins on the other. It's not a full service restaurant, you have to go up to the counter and order your food and grab your drinks. The food was meh. Nothing too exciting. I got the cheesy kale dip with pita bread. I got to try the duck frites and beef chilli. Nothing to extraordinary about it.

Kelly M.

I was in the area for work and looking for a good place to eat, saw this on Yelp and thought I would give it a shot. It was about 9PM when I went in and there was still a line to order your food. You order and then take a number, pick a seat anywhere and then they bring it out to you. I ordered the joan jett veggie burger which came with goat cheese, garlic aioli and lettuce. I added caramelized onions to it and got fried pickles as my side. All of it was delicious. I loved the flavor of the onions with the goat cheese and it was a wonderful veggie burger. It was a very relaxed and laid back atmosphere with lots of large tables and smaller ones as well. They have a patio section but I didn't go out there. Would def. eat here again.

Adam B.

Paula A.