QueenBurger opening brick-and-mortar space this week

QueenBurger will open its first brick-and-mortar space in American Tobacco Campus on Thursday, owners announced.

The space at 359 Blackwell St., directly adjacent to the Durham Bulls Athletic Park, will include a 15-foot cocktail bar and an open-air setting. A colorful mural and upbeat atmosphere are meant to create an "all are welcome" setting.

Sean Umstead and Michelle Vanderwalker – co-owners of Durham’s award-winning Kingfisher Cocktail Bar & Queeny’s - are behind the concept. 

QueenBurger first opened as a pop-up burger bar in July 2020 after owners Vanderwalker and Sean Umstead realized their intimate craft cocktail bar, Kingfisher, was not an ideal setting during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the spring, the building's floor-to-ceiling windows will be converted into foldable windows. This will help the space recreate the open-air setting of its initial pop-up.

Queenburger's menu will include double-patty “smash burgers” made from local grass-fed Baldwin Beef, featuring griddled onions, North Carolina Hoop Cheddar Cheese, Special Sauce and pickles. There will also a Carolina Burger with slaw and beet-rich Veggie and Vegan burgers. New to the lineup are shoestring fries served plain or "hot."

For dessert, there will be artisan ice cream sandwiches from Rose’s Noodles, Dumplings and Sweets.

An official grand opening and ribbon cutting with Wool E Bull will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday. 

QueenBurger's regular hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday.