CHARLESTON — A new smashburger destination has garnered citywide attention, with customers coming to Concord Street in droves for affordable handhelds, crinkle-cut french fries and hand-crafted milkshakes.
CurrentBurger has been “incredibly, incredibly busy” since opening in August, said chef Bill Welch, who spearheaded menu development. Its early popularity has been driven by the quality of the food, as well as the prices: Every individual item on the menu costs less than $15.
Though it’s located inside The Cooper, a luxury hotel that boasts nearly 200 rooms along the waterway it’s named after, the new counter-serve spot feels like a standalone restaurant since patrons don’t enter the eatery through the hotel’s lobby. Instead, the doorway opens up to Waterfront Park.
A variety of burgers are available at CurrentBurger, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026, in Charleston.
Gavin McIntyre/Staff
The menu centers on nostalgic American food, according to Welch, the hotel’s culinary director. There are burgers, french fries, milkshakes and house-made sodas, as well as two fried chicken sandwiches and a vegetarian burger made with a falafel patty.
The offering incorporates products from several local makers, including Lowcountry Creamery for milkshakes, Bittermilk for custom soda flavors and Counter Cheesemongers for pimento cheese. The crinkle-cut fries, for their part, are dusted in Bulls Bay sea salt, which complements the wavy crisps’ crunchy outer texture.
CurrentBurger’s namesake burger features a beef patty produced with ground chuck, short rib and brisket. It’s smashed on the flattop and crowned in American cheese, with red onions, ketchup and yellow mustard joining the meat and Cooper Sharp inside a griddled potato bun.
The burger costs $10, or patrons can opt for The Whole Smash meal, which comes with fries and a soda for $18. The restaurant also offers a bacon burger and another with Counter Cheesemongers pimento cheese, both of which cost $12.
Weezie Winston, 3, yells in excitement as her family gets lunch at CurrentBurger, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026, in Charleston.
Gavin McIntyre/Staff
“We were able to create this burger within this price point and have really great ingredients,” Welch said. “It’s really meant to be that old-school family vibe.”
CurrentBurger is one of four dining venues inside The Cooper, three of which are public-facing. High-end Mediterranean spot The Crossing is housed on the hotel’s second floor, while Cooper Coffee & Wine offers lattes, sandwiches, breakfast pastries and an excellent churro from 7 a.m.-4 p.m., with nighttime hours to come in the near future.
For more information about The Cooper, 176 Concord St., and its restaurants, visit thecooper.com/dining.
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Burgers, fries and milkshakes are available for customers to buy at CurrentBurger, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026, in Charleston.
Samantha Mercier takes a diners order at CurrentBurger, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026, in Charleston.
Ice cream is available at CurrentBurger, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026, in Charleston.
Kelsey Burchett, Matt Salzman and Luca Djonovic have lunch in a booth at CurrentBurger, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026, in Charleston.
Diners sit at the counter inside CurrentBurger, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026, in Charleston.
A variety of burgers are available at CurrentBurger, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026, in Charleston.
Weezie Winston, 3, yells in excitement as her family gets lunch at CurrentBurger, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026, in Charleston.
Diners enjoy burgers at CurrentBurger, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026, in Charleston.
CurrentBurger employees carry out a variety of dishes to customers, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026, in Charleston.
Diners have lunch inside CurrentBurger, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026, in Charleston.
CurrentBurger merchandise is available inside the restaurant, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026, in Charleston.
Diners sit in the outside patio at CurrentBurger, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026, in Charleston.
A jukebox is available for customers to play music at CurrentBurger, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026, in Charleston.
Samples of ice cream are given out to customers at CurrentBurger, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026, in Charleston.
An ice cream station is set up at CurrentBurger, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026, in Charleston.
Standing tables are available for customers to eat at outside CurrentBurger, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026, in Charleston.
CurrentBurger is now open, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026, in Charleston.
Burgers, fries and milkshakes are available for customers to buy at CurrentBurger, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026, in Charleston.
Samantha Mercier takes a diners order at CurrentBurger, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026, in Charleston.
Ice cream is available at CurrentBurger, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026, in Charleston.
Kelsey Burchett, Matt Salzman and Luca Djonovic have lunch in a booth at CurrentBurger, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026, in Charleston.
Diners sit at the counter inside CurrentBurger, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026, in Charleston.
A variety of burgers are available at CurrentBurger, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026, in Charleston.
Weezie Winston, 3, yells in excitement as her family gets lunch at CurrentBurger, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026, in Charleston.
Diners enjoy burgers at CurrentBurger, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026, in Charleston.
CurrentBurger employees carry out a variety of dishes to customers, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026, in Charleston.
Diners have lunch inside CurrentBurger, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026, in Charleston.
CurrentBurger merchandise is available inside the restaurant, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026, in Charleston.
Diners sit in the outside patio at CurrentBurger, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026, in Charleston.
A jukebox is available for customers to play music at CurrentBurger, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026, in Charleston.
Samples of ice cream are given out to customers at CurrentBurger, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026, in Charleston.
An ice cream station is set up at CurrentBurger, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026, in Charleston.
Standing tables are available for customers to eat at outside CurrentBurger, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026, in Charleston.
CurrentBurger is now open, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026, in Charleston.
Dining and Cooking