QueenBurger opening brick-and-mortar space in American Tobacco Campus

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.

“QueenBurger’s mission is as much about crave-worthy food and drink as it about creating community and a safe, fun place,” said co-owner Michelle Vanderwalker, who designed the concept herself.

Now, after its time as a backyard bar behind Kingfisher, QueenBurger is getting its very own brick-and-mortar space.

The menu will include beef and vegan "smash" burgers, served with grilled onions, locally-sourced hoop cheese, Duke's mayo and pickles. The burgers will be made on an outdoor flattop grill. There will also be shoestring fries and plenty of fresh cocktails.

“Since we come from the bar business, our cocktails won’t be an after-thought; we’ve had fun translating them for a fast-casual setting and think it’s a natural extension of our brand and a backyard burger experience,” said Umstead.

QueenBurger will open in early 2022.