Hamburger restaurants

Char-Pit

4.1 1,103 reviews 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM 8732 N Lake Blvd, Kings Beach, CA 96143, United States

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Char-Pit, located in the picturesque Kings Beach, CA, is a beloved hamburger restaurant that captures the essence of a true roadside gem. This family-owned establishment has garnered rave reviews for its juicy burgers, including the standout Aloha Chicken and the spicy Cajun Chicken sandwiches. Diners appreciate the generous portion sizes, particularly the delicious fries accompanying each meal. Customers like Jake Robins and Jacob Liu emphasize the high-quality, mouthwatering taste of the food, often noting the long yet worthwhile wait during the busy summer season. The BBQ ribs are also a highlight, grilled to perfection and served smothered in rich, flavorful sauce. The ambiance is casual, with a hole-in-the-wall vibe that enhances its charm. Patrons also recommend indulging in the Oreo shake, which pairs perfectly with meals, while Michaela Elliott praises the mozzarella sticks as a delicious appetizer. The staff’s friendly demeanor adds to the welcoming atmosphere, making Char-Pit a must-visit for both locals and tourists alike. Overall, Char-Pit offers an enticing combination of exceptional food, heartfelt service, and a unique dining experience that leaves every guest craving more. It truly deserves its reputation as a North Shore classic.

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Amenities & More

Service options

Outdoor seating
Onsite services
Takeout
Dine-in
Delivery

Highlights

Fast service

Popular for

Lunch
Dinner
Solo dining

Dining options

Lunch
Dinner
Counter service
Dessert
Seating
Table service

Amenities

Restroom

Atmosphere

Casual
Cozy
Trendy

Crowd

College students
Groups
Tourists

Note: Amenity details are aggregated from verified visits, the venue's website and Google. They may change without notice. We recommend confirming key details (pet policy, accessibility, reservations) directly with Char-Pit before visiting.

Reviews for Char-Pit

4.1

1,103 reviews

100%

37%

20%

15%

Review highlights

Based on 1,103 reviews

Char-Pit is widely recognized as a beloved local fast-food gem known for its grilled-to-perfection burgers and generous portions, including popular sides like fries, onion rings, and mozzarella sticks. Patrons appreciate the authentic charcoal cooking method that imparts a distinctive, rich flavor to the food. Its casual, hole-in-the-wall atmosphere paired with friendly and patient service creates a welcoming experience for families and visitors alike. While wait times can be longer during peak hours, customers find the quality and taste well worth the wait. Char-Pit’s combination of tradition, flavor, and value consistently positions it as a must-visit destination in the Kings Beach area.

Jake Robins

May 23, 2025

On a hot summer day, there will be lines and a wait but this is a North Shore classic and the food is pretty quality. The burger was juicy and came with a good portion of fries that came with it. Their Oreo shake is quite tasty and highly recommended with some fries. Friendly staff. It does have a hole-in-the-wall vibe, but they pull it off well!

Jacob Liu

May 14, 2025

Amazing hole in the wall place with BBQ ribs and burgers. Everything was very tasty, and portion sizes were large. There was a pretty long wait time, though. Overall a nice, hidden place for a good burger.

Michaela Elliott

May 08, 2025

Loved the whole experience. Although we got it to go, the place is cool. The wait was short. The food was delicious. I mean look at that burger and heaping serving of onion rings. Yummy. I also ate their Mozzarella sticks and they were oh so good. Especially with their ranch.

William

May 02, 2025

Best cheeseburger for 50 miles in any direction, The Char-Pit is a 'must-stop' when at the Lake. Everything is grilled on a true charcoal pit inside the kitchen and the deep, rich taste is matchless. Family owned and operated, each burger is prepared with skill, pride, and tradition going back generations. The quintessential roadside burger stand, you'll devour a masterpiece of a burger steps from the water, nestled among the pines. You can't beat it...

Seth M

Apr 15, 2025

Incredible burgers at a great price. After cross-country skiing all day, these burgers really hit the spot. We tried 5 burgers, and all of them were fantastic. You really can't go wrong ordering. With kind and patient service, this is a 5 star restaurant.

Andy Vo

Apr 05, 2025

Great food for reasonable prices! This place has a beach burger shack type vibe. A little gritty, but that seems to be the feel they are going for. The cook is also the one taking orders which makes sense for the size of the establishment. The menu boards on display are absolute chaos to read. They do have printed menus which I would recommend ordering from-however the printed menu should have prices which it does not.

Charles Casela

Mar 26, 2025

Went there during, Christmas week 2024! It was slightly busy, but the workers were in their element perfecting and creating decent burgers. Something I would like to see: Alternative buns such as pretzel buns, brioche, lettuce wraps, sweet buns Etc

Cassandra White

Mar 05, 2025

We stopped through Kings Beach several times and everytime we have to stop at the Char-pit. Kayla is always hustling and giving us great service when we are there. We always get the Swiss and original burger with fries and onions!!