Food and Drink

Charlotte burger chain expands with new Lake Norman restaurant. When does it open?

Harriet’s Hamburgers is bringing its “smashed-to-order” burgers to Lake Norman.

The retro-inspired burger chain will open the doors on its new restaurant Friday, July 3, at the revamped Sadler Square Shopping Center in Davidson.

This marks its fifth Charlotte-area location, joining existing spots in Optimist Park, Ballantyne, Plaza Midwood and Concord.

A neat combo meal from Harriet’s Hamburgers is arranged on a clean white surface against a blurred black-and-white background. The spread includes a bright green cup featuring a cartoon mascot, a green and white striped box, a burger wrapped in vibrant green paper, and a white paper pouch spilling over with golden french fries. The clean lighting highlights the restaurant’s distinct branding and colors.
Signature items at Harriet’s Hamburgers include The Royale, featuring lettuce, tomato, and Good Good Sauce. The Beef Butter fries are also a crowd favorite. The Plaid Penguin

“Davidson feels like a perfect fit for Harriet’s,” co-owner Joe Haubenhofer said in a news release. “It’s a community that appreciates quality, supports local businesses, and shares our love for old-school hospitality.”

The 2,000-square-foot restaurant seats up to 38 guests and features a large outdoor patio. It joins a mix of restaurants, retailers and wellness services at Sadler Square, which underwent a multi-million-dollar revamp after Piedmont Capital purchased the property in 2024, Axios Charlotte reported.

Copain Bakery, Rooster’s Wood-Fired Kitchen and Ilios Crafted Greek are also slated to open there later this summer, CharlotteFive previously reported.

Read Next
The exterior of Harriet’s Hamburgers is shown on a bright, sunny day under a blue sky with fluffy white clouds. The modern building features a dark awning, large glass windows with green outdoor seating underneath, and a sign reading “Harriet’s Hot & Fast Hamburgers.” A custom green and white vintage-style golf cart with the restaurant’s branding is parked in the foreground.
Harriet’s Hamburgers will open its fifth location at 201 Griffith Street in Davidson, NC. The Plaid Penguin

Davidson locals can expect Harriet’s signature burgers made with Angus beef, artisan cheese and house-made sauces. The Beef Butter Fries, cooked in “100% premium beef tallow,” are also a crowd favorite.

The burger joint prides itself on its no-frills menu featuring cheese curds, craft sodas and Happiness Meals for the kiddos. Family-style “limo packs” stocked with burgers, fries and more are also an option if you’re feeding a group.

Harriet’s Davidson restaurant will open at 11 a.m. daily.

“We can’t wait to open our doors, make some new friends, and serve up a lot of hamburgers and Beef Butter Fries,” Haubenhofer said.

A high-angle shot shows a white table filled with a spread of fast food from Harriet’s Hamburgers, surrounded by four people sharing the meal. Green and white striped takeout boxes, bright green cups, and various wrapped items are scattered across the table next to loose french fries. One person holds a half-eaten burger over a green wrapper, while others reach for fries and a packaged cookie.
Harriet’s Hamburgers is famous for its all-natural smashburgers and Beef Butter fries. The Plaid Penguin

Harriet’s Hamburgers

Location: 201 Griffith St, Davidson, NC 28036 (opening soon)

Location: 1711 Commonwealth Ave #180, Charlotte, NC 28205

Location: Optimist Hall, 1115 N Brevard St Stall #6, Charlotte, NC 28206

Location: 15109 Bowl St, Charlotte, NC 28277

Location: 3074 Derita Rd, Charlotte, NC 28262

Cuisine: Burgers and fries

Menu

Instagram: @harriets.hamburgers

An overhead, close-up shot focuses on two hands holding up burgers above a white serving tray. The burger on the right has a large bite taken out of it, revealing a thick, melted core of yellow cheese oozing from the center of the beef patty. The background is softly blurred, showing a hint of a green cup and a side of golden fries.
The Jucy Lucy at Harriet’s Hamburgers features a beef patty filled with molten cheese. The Plaid Penguin
Read Next
Read Next
Related Stories from Charlotte Observer
Profile Image of Tanasia Kenney
Tanasia Kenney
Sun Herald
Tanasia is a service journalism reporter at the Charlotte Observer | CharlotteFive, working remotely from Atlanta, Georgia. She covers restaurant openings/closings in Charlotte and statewide explainers for the NC Service Journalism team. She’s been with McClatchy since 2020.
Get unlimited digital access
#ReadLocal

Try 1 month for $1

CLAIM OFFER