Not only was their signature crust burger absolutely delicious, the team really went above and beyond. My boyfriend and I showed up pretty late one night to give this place a try. Who I assume was the manager on duty, greeted us and was super helpful in guiding us on our first order. When he found out it was our first time visiting, he gave us a discount and include all the sauces for us to try in our bag, along with some extra fries. The food was great, the team was great. Cant wait to go back! read more

This place could be good, the staff just doesn't care. Last burger I had from there I got with two coworkers. All three of us noticed that the burger smelled like fish upon eating it. Well, next day all of us come back to work with tore up stomachs. Turns out burger meat that smells like fish means it's spoiled. They must leave their patties out at room temp while cooking Nasty read more

Really poor experience tonight at Joyland. Waited over 30 mins for cold food. It wasn't even super busy. Rude service from staff. When the food came out it all was cold and the whole order was wrong. Food runner shrugged it off, no visit from Manager or offer to get us the right food. Just another example of a celebrity chef name slapped on a restaurant to get clout. Wont return. read more

Took over 30 minutes to get a handpie. Thought this was supposed to be a quick serve restaurant but apparently not.

Came to visit Charleston with family and was very excited to try Joyland for the first time. When we showed up there was a sign on the door, saying they would open at 5:00pm. We waited 30 minutes for it to open and they did not. There were workers inside looking at us from the window and decided to keep talking and not open the door 30 minutes after they said they would open. We spent money on parking and everything for no reason... it was highly disappointing. read more

Well, someone beat me to the first-review-punch! But to be fair, since the line was to the door I shouldn't be surprised. Joyland is chef Sean Brock's (formerly of Husk fame) version of a fast food emporium. The restaurant is definitely full of fast food vibes--diner furniture, bright colors, clean lines, lots of white, no tablecloths, and a limited menu. There are essentially three sections--the dining area, the bar/register area, and additional outside seating. It's surprisingly small. The menu includes breakfast and lunch/dinner. Breakfast sandwiches (with a grab and go selection at the register) are biscuits with bacon, sausage, impossible, eggs, and cheese. Lunch and dinner includes various hamburgers, along side a Chicago dog and meat-on-a-stick options. I'm told that yesterday's soft open was nearly deserted--today's official opening is crowded as all get out! I've been in queue for about 30 minutes and am almost to the register :-/ But, hey! It's day 1! So, we placed our orders--crush burger combo with a choco shake and a CHI dog with fries. The shake is excellent! Softserv vanilla with chocolate syrup so thick I had to strain to get it thru the supersized straw. Off to a good start...The food has arrived and I've had my first bite of dog. It's good. Not great, not EXACTLY like the real thing, but awfully close--I'll take it. The fries are excellent. I went for crinkle (the server recommended) and they were hot, fresh, and wonderfully salty. The crush burger was also excellent. It's supposedly a level above smash and it delivers. The bun as well as the burger was crispy and it definitely provides an extra element of texture and flavor. Delicious! The prices are very reasonable for downtown Charleston and I can't complain about a $15 double burger combo. I also noticed that JL is on the CofC meal plan--nice touch. I'm full and happy! Welcome to Charleston, Joyland ;-) read more

Joyland - Chicago dog - Burgers Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

See all

Good smash burgers! Loved the decor. Would go back. Close to Francis Marion Hotel...........

So happy to have Joyland here. The best biscuits. Service is great & I love the colorful atmosphere.

Good but way over priced. I did carry out and walked in and the place was kind of a mess. I was mostly disappointed in the milkshake. Didn't taste anything special and it was just mocha syrup in vanilla milkshake base and was only filled 3/4 of the way full with no toppings...... not worth 7$. The crinkle fries were kind of soggy as if they'd been sitting there and didn't fill up the carton. Again, not worth spending almost 22$ on a burger meal. read more

Fun place for a quick burger. Wait staff was friendly for good. The crusty burger is their special and it was good! Family friendly. Inside and outside eating areas. Fun vibe! read more

Food was great. We came in earlier in the day to check it out. Jasmine gave us a run down of the menu. She greeted us when we came back later. Incredibly friendly staff making the experience even better. read more

Went by to get lunch on Saturday and was told 3 mins before lunch to sit because we couldn't order lunch for 3 mins. Staff was not very friendly with the approach so we left. Might give it a try another day, don't know. FYI Floors are greasy as hell. It's gross. read more

This is a college town and Joyland is in the heart of it. So the lines might be a little longer on the weekends. 9:00 am on Thursday during Charleston Wine and Food Festival week and we walked right in with no wait. The biscuits are some of the best you'll ever have. The breakfast burrito and waffle fries are fire. Smash burgers and chicken on a stick are ridiculously good! Love this place. Needs a pinball or Galaga though read more

Our server Tyler was amazing and I cannot wait to come back!!! The food was too good and my gluten free friend has and amazing time ilysm

We were there opening day. Went for a biscuit in the morning BEST BISCUIT EVER then went back for lunch at 11 as we were driving home. We had the smash burger AWESOME and the chicken sandwich sooooo good! And the waffles tater tots yum!! 100% we will go again when we visit. read more

55 minutes is how long it took to get one mediocre burger and fries. It's basically a Steak&Shake burger and Arby's fries. After waiting that long they gave me cold fries. The drink machine was down, they had no sugar so there was no sweet tea and they were out of ice cream, they did not seem to be prepared to be open it's seems. Most of the staff were visibly irritated. read more

Cody was amazing! Great ice cream!, looking forward to coming back. Thank you again. !!!!!!

If I could give this place no stars I would. The food took a long time and it's awful. The bun was like a thin hard frisbee. Wanted to throw it out the window but was afraid it would come back. Do yourself a favor and go to Arby's. read more

Joyland - Burgers Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

See all

2nd day open so... Positive: 1. Location - Great Location Negative: Food: 1. Breakfast Burrito - Came out cold even though I waited like 10 minutes for it even though I think there were more employees working there than customers at the time. The "burrito" was incredibly greasy with notes of Big Mac sauce and rancid oil from the hash browns (see below). Overall not great. 2. Hash browns - Also came out cold... Crispy but also incredibly greasy at the same time. The oil tasted like it was rancid which also made them inedible. 3. Atmosphere - Despite visiting the 2nd day it was open there floors were somehow covered with so much grease my shoes were sliding on the floor. Pass read more

Outstanding service and food! Tyler was awesome and was great at explaining the menu and ensuring our family was satisfied during our lunch visit. read more

Joyland was an absolute joy! We visited to try the GF items on the menu and were very impressed. The gluten free chicken sandwich and a dedicated fryer for fries make it worth the trip! Burgers were AMAZING too! read more

I got the crustburger , and my food was fantastic and Barry was the best!!

Loved everyone we interacted with had a great time with my girlfriend. The cook made a mistake but before we could noticed comped us a whole burger EACH. They had some good tunes but it was hard to hear my girlfriend. read more

The burger and fries were extremely salty--so much so that they were inedible. Really disappointing.

The food was good when we finally received our order after over 30 minutes. The service was not great and the restaurant was full of flies , the floors were dirty and the trashcan was over flowing with trash. read more

Omg this is one of the best burgers I've ever had. We have been twice and will plan on going back again. I have recommended this place to many people and they all agree. It's fantastic! Congratulations Sean Brock for coming up with a great idea and bring it to fruition. And people it's so reasonably price especially for being downtown so please give it a try. read more

Best smash burger in Charleston. The edges are lacy and crispy and I love that after they put the burger on the bun it goes back on the griddle and smashed again. Service was very good and helpful. Decent beer selection too. Granted, a burger, fries and a beer for $20 (with tip) may seem a bit steep, but I'll definitely go back. read more

Out first time there after seeing it in a reel online. WOW! The hamburgers & fries were so yummy! As looking for a good hamburger and we found one in Charleston, SC! Definitely will be back! read more

The crinkle cut fries are pretty good however the patty itself on the burger was unseasoned. The atmosphere here was atrocious, the people all seemed put off during our time in the business. On more of a cleanliness note, one of they employees opened an orange juice bottle with his MOUTH, yes you read that right, his mouth. Another lady saw that an order was wrong at the window and decided to open the burger and pull off the onions and pickles, so if you're into that level of cleanliness this place is for you. Overall the experience was bad, and I wouldn't recommend this to anyone. read more

Decent burger but I will go back next time I am in Charleston with the hope that I don't wait 45 minutes, it was crazy as they are trying to get the kinks out, will definitely eat again but only if they have it functioning efficiently and the wait isn't crazy. read more

Overpriced five guys food. Have to pay extra for fries or anything. Staff could be nicer

Went Sunday afternoon for second Sunday on King so crowded on King Street came over to Joyland to eat. Very good burger so glad they had.GF option at the same cost very good. Will come back. read more

The food and atmosphere were top notch! The staff was friendly and very accommodating as we brought in our group! We will definitely be back! read more

my boyfriend and I came here Saturday night. Tyler was great. We loved our food. Will def be back

We are lunch there and had the smash burgers. They were tremendous. We loved the outdoor dining in the shade and the friendly staf

Stick with Heavy's. The crustburger is plain and boring. McDonald's is honestly better.

Don't listen to anyone who bad mouths this place. It is legitimately good. Most of the negative reviews are from people who likely went in the first week or 2 when the hype was crazy and they got angry because it took too long to get their food. Unfortunately, when I went in on a Friday at lunch time the place was practically empty when it should have been packed because this place is delicious. Go in with the expectation that you are getting FAST FOOD. That is what this is. Forget that it's owned by Sean Brock. If you understand that you will LOVE THIS PLACE. We got our food fairly quickly, within 10 minutes I'd say. I got the crust burger, the deluxe, some fries and a dipstick (my friend and I split it all). The crust burger was awesome. The lacing and toasted buns added texture while the onions, pickles and sauce did their thing. The deluxe was dressed more like a regular burger. Still fantastic! Both burgers tasted homemade. For real, hands down, THE BEST FASTFOOD BURGER I HAVE EVER HAD. I will say that the crinkle cut fries, while perfect crispy, were a bit over salted and the fry sauce that they came with was nothing special. What really stole the show was the chicken dipstick. It's what I believe is a Korean style fried chicken on a stick. The breading was incredible. So crunchy. The sauce on it, which seemed like something akin to a buffalo but not quite, was so good I was picking the crumbs out the basket. In all seriousness, ORDER A DIPSTICK. They could make a restaurant based around that alone. The inside is well designed and gives an off a nice old school diner vibe. Nothing amazing but def chill. Overall, as far as food quality goes (by fast food standards), this place gets a 10 outta 10 from me. Everything tastes so fresh and high quality. The service was adequate, the vibes are on point. Visit this place. Go here. You won't regret it. Just remember IT IS A FAST FOOD JOINT. 4.5 stars. read more

Cheap, fast food. Nothing special. When we went, no one could explain the different items on the menu and all the soft drinks and ice tea machines were broken. We wont go back. read more

The Crust Burger is the Worst thing I've ever Paid for...Total abomination...My grandkids were not impressed with the Junior Joy Burger. Wow...Can't believe that Joyland is So Bad....Well, at least I'll never have to try and eat a Crust Burger ever again... read more