Pat's Cash & Carry in Charleston: Burgers, Bulk Deals, and No-Frills Dining

What Pat's Cash & Carry offers

Pat's Cash & Carry is a no-frills burger counter in Charleston where you order at the window, pay cash, and eat standing up or take your food to go. The restaurant is known for straightforward burgers—beef patties cooked on a flat-top griddle, served on a bun with basic toppings—and prices that stay low because there is no table service, no fancy décor, and no overhead beyond the essentials. It is the kind of place where the burger is the point, not the setting.

Located on the peninsula, Pat's has operated this way for decades, drawing regulars who know what they want and newcomers looking for an authentic Charleston burger without the markup. The menu is short: burgers in a few configurations, hot dogs, and sides like fries. Cash only means no card fees passed to the customer, which keeps the final bill down.

Key Takeaways

• Pat's Cash & Carry serves burgers cooked to order on a griddle, with minimal toppings and a straightforward approach to fast food.
• The restaurant operates cash-only, which means lower prices than places that accept cards and process payments electronically.
• There is no table seating in the traditional sense; most customers eat standing at a counter or take their food with them.
• Hours and exact location details can change, so calling ahead or checking current information before your visit is worth the effort.

The burger and how it is made

Pat's burgers start with a beef patty that hits a hot griddle and cooks until the edges brown and the surface develops a crust. The cook does not flip repeatedly or fuss with the meat; the goal is a simple, well-cooked patty. Toppings are minimal—usually mustard, onion, and pickle—and you can order it your way if you have preferences.

The bun is standard diner fare: soft, plain, and sturdy enough to hold the patty without falling apart. There is no pretense here about heritage beef or artisanal buns. The appeal is in the execution: a hot griddle, fresh beef, and the speed that comes from doing one thing well and doing it the same way every time.

Why cash-only matters for your bill

Pat's does not take cards, which is the main reason the prices stay as low as they do. Card processing fees—typically 2 to 3 percent of each transaction—add up fast in a high-volume burger counter. By staying cash-only, the restaurant passes that savings to you instead of building it into the menu price.

If you do not carry cash regularly, plan ahead: there is usually an ATM nearby, or you can withdraw cash before you arrive. The trade-off is simple—bring cash, pay less—and it is one of the reasons Pat's has survived in a city where burger places with full table service and card readers have come and gone.

Counter seating and takeout

Pat's is built for speed and simplicity. There is a counter where you can stand and eat, or you can take your burger and fries to go. There are no booths, no table service, and no lingering over a meal. This setup keeps labor costs down and lets the restaurant focus on turning out burgers quickly.

For a quick lunch or a burger on your way somewhere else, this works perfectly. If you are looking for a sit-down dining experience with a server and a full menu, Pat's is not that place. But if you want a burger made fresh and a bill that reflects the simplicity of the operation, the counter setup is part of what makes it work.

Location and hours

Pat's Cash & Carry sits on the Charleston peninsula, in a neighborhood where foot traffic and regulars keep the place steady. The exact address and current hours can shift, so before you head over, confirm the location and whether they are open that day. A quick phone call or online search for current information saves a wasted trip.

The restaurant is small and operates on a tight schedule, so it is not always open late or on every day of the week. Many cash-only burger counters in older neighborhoods run limited hours because they rely on a core group of regulars who know when to find them.

What to expect on your first visit

Walk up to the window or counter, look at the menu board, and order. Tell them how you want your burger cooked and what toppings you want. Pay in cash. Wait a few minutes while they cook it. Take your food and eat at the counter or take it with you.

There is no complicated ordering process, no upselling, and no surprises. The burger will be hot, the price will be fair, and you will be done in under ten minutes. If you are used to restaurants with table service and printed menus, the simplicity might feel bare at first—but that is the point. Pat's has stripped away everything except the burger.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do they take cards or only cash?

Cash only. There is no card reader, no digital payment option. Bring cash or plan to use an ATM nearby. This is why the prices are lower than places that accept cards.

Can I sit down and eat there?

There is counter seating where you can stand and eat, but no table service or booths. Most people eat standing up or take their food to go. It is a quick-service setup, not a sit-down restaurant.

What are the hours?

Hours vary and can change seasonally or based on the owner's schedule. Call ahead or search online for current hours before you visit to make sure they are open when you plan to go.

Are there vegetarian options?

The menu focuses on burgers and hot dogs. If you do not eat meat, the options are limited. It is worth calling ahead to ask what they can make for you.

Is Pat's a chain or a local spot?

Pat's is an independent, locally-owned burger counter—not part of a chain. It has been a Charleston fixture for a long time and operates on the owner's terms, which is why the cash-only, no-frills approach has lasted.