Old Delmae: A Charleston Burger Institution Since 1946

What Old Delmae Is and Where to Find It

Old Delmae is a burger counter in downtown Charleston that has operated from the same location on King Street since 1946. It is a walk-up window operation with no seating inside—you order at the counter and either eat standing outside or take your food with you. The restaurant is known for its simple, consistent burger made with a thin patty, mustard, pickles, and onions on a small bun, and for the loyalty of customers who have been ordering the same thing for decades.

The space itself is modest: a narrow storefront wedged between other downtown businesses, with a service window facing the street. There is no dining room, no table service, and no frills. This is intentional. Old Delmae has survived more than 75 years by doing one thing well and changing almost nothing about how it does it.

Key Takeaways

• Old Delmae is a walk-up burger counter on King Street in downtown Charleston that has been in the same location since 1946.
• The menu is minimal—burgers, hot dogs, and a few sides—and the burger itself is a thin patty with mustard, pickles, and onions on a small bun.
• There is no indoor seating; you eat standing outside or take your food with you.
• Cash is preferred, though the restaurant may accept cards; call ahead to confirm current payment methods.
• Old Delmae closes early in the afternoon, so plan to visit during lunch hours rather than dinner.

The Menu and What to Order

The menu at Old Delmae has not expanded in any meaningful way since the 1940s. You can order a burger, a hot dog, or a combination. The burger comes with mustard, pickles, and onions—no lettuce, no tomato, no mayo. The hot dog is similarly straightforward. There are a few sides: fries, onion rings, or a drink. That is the full range of choices.

The burger is the reason to go. It is small, thin, and cooked quickly on a flat griddle. The simplicity is the point. Many customers order the same thing every time they visit, and many have been doing so for 20, 30, or 40 years. The burger tastes like what a burger tasted like in the 1940s and 1950s, which is either exactly what you want or not what you want at all.

Hours and How to Pay

Old Delmae opens for lunch and closes in the early afternoon—typically by 3 or 4 p.m. It is not open for dinner. This schedule has held steady for decades and reflects the original purpose of the restaurant: a quick lunch stop for downtown workers, not a destination for an evening meal.

Historically, Old Delmae has been a cash-only business. Payment methods may have changed in recent years; call ahead at the number listed in your search results to confirm whether the restaurant accepts cards. Prices are low—burgers and hot dogs cost a few dollars—but having cash on hand removes any uncertainty.

Why Old Delmae Matters in Charleston

Old Delmae is one of the oldest continuously operating restaurants in Charleston. It has survived wars, recessions, urban renewal projects, and the rise of chain restaurants by staying exactly what it was. The building itself is part of downtown's streetscape, and the restaurant is a landmark for people who grew up in Charleston or have lived here for a long time.

The burger is not the best burger in Charleston by any modern measure—it is not made with craft beef, it is not topped with house-made pickles or artisanal cheese, and it does not come with a story about the farmer who raised the cow. It is a burger made the way burgers were made when the restaurant opened, and that consistency is what makes it worth visiting. For many people, eating at Old Delmae is not about the food alone; it is about eating where their parents and grandparents ate, and where the city has not changed.

Parking and Getting There

Old Delmae sits on King Street in downtown Charleston, a busy commercial corridor. Street parking is available but can be tight during lunch hours. There is a parking garage one block away on Queen Street, and several other public lots within a short walk. If you are visiting during peak lunch time (noon to 1 p.m.), plan extra time to find a spot.

The restaurant is accessible by foot from most downtown hotels and from the historic district. If you are driving, arrive before noon or after 1 p.m. to avoid the lunch rush and have a better chance of finding street parking nearby.

What to Expect When You Visit

Expect a line, especially at lunch. Expect to stand outside while you wait and while you eat. Expect the person taking your order to work quickly and not make small talk. Expect your burger to arrive in a paper wrapper, still warm, within a few minutes. Expect to pay cash and to leave when you are done eating.

The experience is transactional and efficient. There is no ambiance beyond the street itself, no background music, no decor. If you are looking for a restaurant experience—a place to linger, to be served, to feel welcomed—Old Delmae is not it. If you are looking for a burger that tastes like it did 75 years ago, eaten standing on a downtown street corner, it is exactly what you came for.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Old Delmae open for dinner?

No. Old Delmae closes in the early afternoon, typically by 3 or 4 p.m. It is a lunch-only operation and has been since it opened in 1946. Plan your visit for midday.

Can I sit down inside Old Delmae?

No. There is no indoor seating. You order at the window, receive your food, and eat standing outside or take it with you. This has been the format since the beginning.

Does Old Delmae take cards, or is it cash only?

Historically, Old Delmae has been cash-only, but payment methods may have changed. Call ahead to confirm what the restaurant accepts before you visit.

How much does a burger cost at Old Delmae?

Prices are low—typically a few dollars for a burger or hot dog. Exact prices change over time, so call or check current information before you visit if you want to know the precise cost.

Why is Old Delmae so famous if it is just a burger counter?

Old Delmae is famous because it has not changed. It is one of the oldest continuously operating restaurants in Charleston, and it makes the same burger the same way it did in 1946. For many people, that consistency and history are the whole point.