Cain's Grill

Something has gone terribly wrong.  It gives me no pleasure to report the passing of a once great burger.  It had been almost exactly three years since we enjoyed burgers at Cain's and they were just the way I remembered them from 30 years ago.  I expressed concern that the place was for sale in 2010 and I have no way of knowing if that contributed to the downfall.  I didn't feel like asking the ladies working behind the counter.

To start with there was no one there, almost.  There was one other customer in a booth.  Someone else came in and ordered a hot dog.  This was about 12:15pm and I remember always waiting in line. There were only two women working instead of the group that I remembered in the past.  There were three patties cooking on the grill instead of two dozen like I remembered and like at Melvin's a few minutes earlier.  There were 3-4 more patties already done and waiting to be ordered, so of course those were used on our burgers.

The magic is gone.  The burgers were OK, but not close to the previous glory.  The burgers on the flattop were not sizzling and ours had no crust.  They were a little dry inside.  Even the chili seemed different, more like it came from a can.

To anyone who read my previous review, drove to Cain's and experienced the current product, I apologize.  You must think I am an idiot.  I really wonder what happened.  The ladies seemed familiar to me, but maybe the cooks have changed and the knowledge went as well.  Did the food decline and the clientele with it, making it hard to keep the fresh line of burgers going?  Or did something else cause the clientele to dry up and then the food went downhill as well.

I had been looking forward to this for three years.  I do have to try it one more time since I almost can't believe it has happened.  But for now, I advise people in the area looking for a NC style burger with chili, slaw, onions and yellow mustard, grilled on a sizzling flattop and served piping hot on a soft white bun to go on down the road to Melvin's.  It's not far.

The best Hamburger on all of HWY 53 and most of south east NC. I used to eat at Cains' grill when I was about 11 years old. 20 Years later its always a place I just have to go when I return to NC. I always get 2-3 hamburgers all the way, with plenty of cold sweet tea and french fries. This place is a country charm!