DEVOUR MORE BURGERS. WIN MORE PRIZES.
FAT BURGER MONTH 2026
Put on your stretchy pants and arrive hungry for Fat Burger Month! For the entire month of March, Haywood’s most outrageously delicious burgers reign supreme. Take a flavor-packed journey through local restaurants in Haywood County’s mountain towns of Canton, Lake Junaluska, Maggie Valley, Waynesville, and Clyde.
From towering stacks of patties that rival Haywood’s highest peaks to innovative burger-inspired options, the 2026 Fat Burger contenders represent the Great Smoky and Blue Ridge Mountains‘ best. Join in for an unlimited celebration of toasted buns, melty cheese, and all the toppings your heart desires! Your taste buds will thank you.
NEW THIS YEAR
- Tackle more burgers to win more prizes
- Vote for your favorite Fat Burgers in these categories: Fattest Burger, Most Creative, and Best Overall.
How to claim your Fat Burger Month 2026 prizes:
- Get started by picking up your Fat Burger Month sticker card, which you’ll use to track your burger-eating progress. Sticker cards are available at participating restaurants and at the Visit Haywood Welcome Center.
- Submit your sticker card by 12:00 p.m. on April 13, 2026 using the online submission form or in-person at the Visit Haywood Welcome Center.
- Vote for your favorite burgers while filling out your sticker card submission form!
- Look out for an email from Visit Haywood notifying you that your prizes are ready for pickup at the Welcome Center!
- We will ship your prizes to you for a shipping fee, payable online by invoice.
- T-Shirts and hats will be ordered after the submission window closes. Shirts are projected to arrive for pickup/shipping by mid-May.
*Completed sticker cards must be submitted, with all conditions met and required information filled in, by the deadline to qualify. Sticker cards submissions will be verified to ensure eligibility for prizes.
THE BURGERS
Restaurant hours vary. Please check individual business hours before heading out for your Fat Burger!
The Carolina Burger
The Red Fox’s “Carolina Burger” is a two-hander! An extra thick Angus beef patty topped with a scoop of coleslaw, crispy fried onions, melty cheddar, pickles, Carolina Gold BBQ, and signature Boojum beef & beer chili––all teetering on the edge of a pillowy brioche bun.
Smoky Mountain Bacon Bliss
A mouthwatering, multi-level smashburger featuring 3 juicy, seared beef patties, velvety smoked cream cheese, candied jalapeno bacon, pickled onions, and fresh lettuce. Drizzled with house-made bourbon BBQ sauce for a sweet and tangy kick, and a hint of sweetness from savory bacon jam. Each bite is a craveable explosion of flavors and textures!
Southern Comfort Burger
The impressively tall Southern Comfort Burger’s brioche bun is packed full with a beefy Black Angus patty, garlic truffle aioli, and all the hallmarks of a good, ol’ fashioned Southern meal: chow-chow, pimento cheese, and fried green tomatoes. Served with Boojum’s signature thick-cut fries.
Cataloochee Smashburger
Switchback at Cataloochee Ranch
The Cataloochee Smashburger is a true taste of the Ranch, featuring two patties of the Ranch’s beef, raised onsite. Each patty is perfectly smashed and seared to create a crispy-edged crust, layered with melted Gruyère cheese and topped with thinly sliced caramelized red onion. Served on a buttered bun with a side of golden pommes frites, this burger is a showcase of Cataloochee Ranch’s commitment to quality, ranch-to-table flavor.
Sunny Side of the Moon
Assembly on Main’s “Sunny Side of the Moon Burger” shows off a with patty loaded with pimento, blue, and cheddar cheeses, caramelized onion, jalapeño and bacon jam, dijonaise and a sunny-side-up egg. Classic burger toppings round things off with a spicy kick: crisp lettuce, fresh tomato, and pickled jalapeños. Plus, of course, a generous helping a crispy tater tots.
Carolina Crunch
It doesn’t get better than the down-home comfort of this 8oz beef burger topped with indulgent pimento cheese, house-made pickled fried okra, thick-sliced bacon, lettuce, and tomatoes on a brioche bun.
The Roundabout
Teague’s Grocery & Cafe
No doubt, anyone traveling near Maggie Valley, Dellwood, and Jonathan Creek is familiar with construction of a new traffic installation in the Valley. Through all the kerfuffle, one thing remains steady: customers finding themselves at Teague’s for a quick detour from the traffic. This hand-pattied burger features pimento cheese spread and crisp bacon with a burst of fried green tomato on a split top bun. No matter what direction you’re heading, The Roundabout is worth driving in circles for.
Green Hill Blanc Verdant
This burger is The Scotsman’s tasteful homage to the historic, storied and beautiful Green Hill Cemetery in Waynesville. Three stacked seasoned 100% Angus Beef smash patties with 3 slices of melted white cheddar cheese, loaded with sweet ‘n spicy jalapeno bacon jam, crispy-tart & zesty fried green tomatoes, thick cut beer-candied bacon and a tangy-creamy southeastern “white thunder” sauce on a toasted potato bun.
The Triple Bogey Burger
Don’t bother choosing between a hot dog or hamburger––the Triple Bogey Burger has both! The Rock Face Tavern’s seared patty is stacked with a char-grilled hot dog, cheddar cheese, house made chili, and slaw on a brioche burger bun.
The Fat Frog Burger
Deliciously tender frog legs…just kidding! Three burger patties smashed and cooked to perfection with bacon between every patty, topped with grilled jalapenos & onions, bacon habanero jam, lettuce & pimento cheese on a toasted brioche bun.
The Barnyard
This Fat Burger brings the whole barnyard to your smash burger: a pork smash patty (pig) and a beef smash patty (cow), creamy Manchego cheese spread (sheep), house-made pickled local farm egg salad (chicken), alfalfa sprouts (hay), and a spicy roasted red pepper & green olive tapenade (salt block). A true barnyard in every bite!
Badass Burger
You will be grateful that you sank your teeth into this burger! A 4oz beef patty is served on Grateful Table’s very own Badass Biscuit (bacon, cheddar and chives baked into the dough). The burger is topped with crispy bacon, white cheddar and an over medium egg. This burger is ideal for breakfast, brunch or lunch and served with your choice of sides (psst… try it with the cheesy garlic and tomato soup)!
Something Burger
Yes, you’re seeing that correctly and, yes, this is allowed. Consider this a double-dog dare! A savory non-alcoholic Bloody Mary with tomato, pickle, jalapeño, sesame, and Worcestershire, shaken with an umami-forward beef broth, garnished with 828 Market’s house pimento cheese and a DJ’s Pickles dill pickle coin on a cracker. Surprisingly drinkable. Completely unhinged (in a good way).
Fat Head Burger
Pop’s Place Biscuits, Burgers & BBQ
Pop’s Place has never done anyone wrong in the way of burgers, and they’re not about to start during Fat Burger Month. Take on this combination classics with a kick: of fresh ground brisket burger, smoked brisket, pepper jack cheese, chorizo, cheddar cheese and pico!
Tortilla Burger
Chuck, short rib and brisket burger with cheddar-jack cheese and taco seasoning wrapped in a flour tortilla, grilled & topped with lettuce, pico de gallo, sour cream, queso, guacamole, chips, cotija cheese and cilantro crema.
Country Sushi Burger
The burger of the sea! Sushi burger with sliced torched tuna and steak, avocado, cucumber, mix greens and red onions wrapped in sushi rice, nori and deep fried tempura.
The Gravy Train
Two house-ground smash burgers, thick-sliced pork belly, Swiss cheese, wild mushroom demi-glace gravy, beer-battered onion petals on a challah bun
Smokehouse Brisket Burger
Known for their fusion of Texas and North Carolina BBQ, there are no wrong steps on the menu at Ben’s––and the Smokehouse Brisket Burger is no exception. Ten ounces of house-ground brisket, hand pattied and smoked, then flat top seared. Topped with American cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, and silly dilly pickles served with hand cut beef tallow fries.
El Cubano Steak Sandwich
Get a taste of Cuba with this pressed-sandwich “burger!” Tender seasoned cubed steak topped with sautéed onions, potato sticks, Swiss cheese and mayo-ketchup, then pressed to perfection. While you’re in, make sure to pick up a guava pastry to round off your meal!
Ramp Bacon Jam Burger
A punchy, sweet-and-savory iteration of one of Haywood’s heirloom ingredients, the ramp. The Southern Porch’s famous burger features ramp bacon jam, homemade with locally foraged ramps, provolone cheese, and classic toppings on a sweet Hawaiian bun.
The Spicy Southern Belle
This sweet-and-spicy burger starts with a 1/2 pound beef steakburger, covered with Sauced’s award-winning pimento cheese, infused with flavorful chorizo. Dressed with a jalapeño hot honey drizzle and topped off with house-pickled red onions. Stay SAUCED!
Mack Daddy Dawg
828 Market’s burger-inspired twist on a hot dog! A premium, all beef frank and American cheese on a brioche bun, topped with lettuce, onion, pickle relish, sesame seeds, and that special sauce. All that and a Mack Daddy Dawg!
1919 Burger
Named for the year Lake Junaluska’s golf course was established, the 1919 Burger is a hearty classic built on over a century of tradition. This signature sandwich features a premium 7 oz beef patty topped with melted Smoked Gouda for a rich, savory depth. Complemented by crispy bacon, fresh lettuce, onion and tomato, it’s a balanced and flavorful tribute to the Lake’s 1919 roots. Served with pickle spear, french fries and fountain drink for $13.
Use this interactive map to guide you through all of Haywood County’s 2026 Fat Burgers:
Thank you for sinking your teeth into Fat Burger Month 2026! To discover all of Haywood County’s diverse, year-round local dining options, check out our Eat & Drink directory.
The 2026 Fat Burger Month restaurants all opted in to create their own unique burgers! Are you a restaurant wanting to participate next year? Let us know by filling out this contact form.
