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.
Amenities and More
Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Service options
Has outdoor seating
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
No delivery
Highlights
Has fast service
Popular for
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves coffee
Serves comfort food
Serves food
Quick bite
Dining options
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Serves dessert
Has seating
Amenities
Has toilet
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Trendy
Crowd
Good for groups
Popular with tourists
Popular with university students
Planning
Usually has a wait
Doesn't accept reservations
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Accepts debit cards
Accepts NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Children
Good for kids
High chairs available
Has kids' menu
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Free parking lot
Photos
Reviews For Char-Pit
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 8,2025
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 2,2025
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 5,2025
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 5,2025
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!!
Reviews For Char-Pit