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Penguin Drive-In


TripAdvisor Traveler Rating:
  • A summary score based on quality, quantity and age of traveler ratings.
4.0 of 5 stars 127 ratings
127 ratings
5.0 of 5 stars
57
4.0 of 5 stars
45
3.0 of 5 stars
19
2.0 of 5 stars
3
1.0 of 5 stars
3
TripAdvisor Popularity Index:
  • Measures overall traveler satisfaction based on ratings, reviews and other sources.
#3 of 1,154 restaurants in Charlotte
  • Cuisines: American
  • Address: 1921 Commonwealth Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28205
  • Phone:  (704) 375-6959

Reviews you can trust

[ Date ] [ Rating ]
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4 of 5 stars
supreme7   1 contribution
Durham, NC
Nov 2, 2009 New

Smaller than expected so you have to wait for a table. Food is good.....okay for kids....loud environment with patrons at tables, waiting, and jukebox going. Great for greasy comfort food. more

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5 of 5 stars
LightHouseLookers   10 contributions
SC
Oct 24, 2009

If you don't understand then I don't really know what to say. The food is great, the staff works hard, The building is a landmark. The customers are great. The beer is cold, the burgers are fried, the pickles are fried. Even the fries are fried :>>>))) Try a full blown HEMI with mustard chili and onions with an order... more

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Facebook Connect
5 of 5 stars
A TripAdvisor reviewer on Facebook  
Oct 4, 2009

a great neighborhood landmark more

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1 of 5 stars
bgsu3   9 contributions
Charlotte, NC
Aug 29, 2009

We waited for over an hour, which was fine, based on what we'd heard. Once we got inside, it was a bit smoky (could have been worse, but still...). We had the fried pickles, which were good (it's hard to screw them up, though), but they made my girlfriend sick later. I had the BBQ pork plate, and I'm not... more

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4 of 5 stars
RickMarsh   29 contributions
Charlotte
Aug 12, 2009

This friendly funky place is a great place to grab a burger, fries and coke at lunch, but in no way is it Charlotte's best restaurant. It is a fun throwback to the 1950's or 1960's, located in a neighborhood and building that time forgot, but apparently not the locals and diehards who pack it between noon and 1 every... more

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5 of 5 stars
Marty926   5 contributions
Niagara Falls, NY
Aug 11, 2009

The wait is worth the value and quality of the food we received. Wait staff is the best, fast and friendly. Burgers are very good to excellent - although fried. We always get a small order of fried pickles and have always been hot and crispy. The FF are the same. Beer is cold and fresh. Don't know what all... more

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5 of 5 stars
MBA_Mom14   1 contribution
Metro Detroit Area
Aug 7, 2009
0/1 found this review helpful

TWO WORDS.....Fried Pickles. OMG! This place was great. When reading the reviews I didn't know what to think so let me clear the air for others like myself. First, this is NOT a "ritzy" place. It has a real "down home" feeling and the staff is amazing. Second, most of the food is fried. If you are super healthy and... more

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4 of 5 stars
doeeyesNc   7 contributions
NC
Aug 3, 2009

Fun local flavor with interesting atmosphere and a good, cheap menu. A great unique setting, but the food is nothing amazing. It's diner food and not the best diner food. If you come from a small town where all you have are little dives, this won't be eye-opening, but if you are a local and you want something different with... more

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3 of 5 stars
charlottedeacon   5 contributions
charlotte
Jul 31, 2009

#1 of over 1,ooo restaurants in town?! not sure how that is done. it is unique and has a great local cult following i guess. fun place to visit for local flavor of area if you are into that stuff. setting is more for a young alternative crowd. upscale older formal patrons will be as out of place as a... more

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2 of 5 stars
Skinnywater   46 contributions
Florida
Jul 30, 2009

I don't see what the fuss is with this place? It's small, crowded, loud, smokey, fried food galore. A local took me here, we waited for 25 minutes, and once inside I didn't understand why we waited. It's loud, full of young people with lots of ink, (nothing wrong with that mind you). It's like a punk version of "Arnold's",... more

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Penguin Drive-In Address

1921 Commonwealth Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28205
Tel: (704) 375-6959
* Restaurant price information is based on meal cost per person, excluding drinks, tax and tip.