Charm City Burger Opens Long-Awaited Boca Raton Location

Since 2008, I’ve been hunting down the best burgers South Florida has to offer under the name Burger Beast. From mom-and-pops to one-off hamburger joints, I’ve spent the last 17 years shining a light on the local classics that define our comfort-food culture, like the iconic burger chain Char-Hut.

Today, I get to introduce (or reintroduce) Charm City Burger Company to those in South Florida who are craving authentic, old-school burgers and hospitality. Named one of New Times‘ Best Burgers in Fort Lauderdale, it’s a Broward legend that was ahead of the burger game long before everyone else started obsessing over beef blends.

For a long time, Charm City Burger Company felt like one of those South Florida secrets that locals quietly guarded, a destination burger joint you didn’t stumble into by accident, but made a point to visit.

Now, after years of testing and what felt like an eternity of waiting, Charm City Burger Company has finally opened its second location, this time in Boca Raton, at 201 NW First Ave.

From Deerfield to Boca, 17 Years in the Making (With Great Parking)

Charm City Burger Company has been a landmark in Broward County since 2008, when co-founders Evan David and chef Michael Saperstein opened their Deerfield Beach location and quietly built one of the region’s most respected burger operations. Over the years, the brand expanded beyond burgers, spawning El Jefe Luchador, a Mexican luchador-themed taco concept, and Sunshine Provisions, its in-house USDA-certified beef facility that now supplies restaurants like the legendary Mai-Kai, Le Rond, and Ted’s Burgers, the latter of which just opened in Wynwood.

I toured the new restaurant recently, and the difference is striking. The layout is cleaner, the dining room is more comfortable, and perhaps most importantly, there are about 30 dedicated parking spaces. Anyone who’s tried to grab a burger in Deerfield knows what a game-changer that is. No more circling the block, no more creative parking, and most importantly, no more anxiety before even arriving.

The Boca opening didn’t happen overnight. In the summer of 2023, Charm City announced that it was finally expanding. Menu additions quietly appeared at the Deerfield Beach shop, clearly functioning as test runs while fans waited and waited for construction updates to turn into something real.

Built on Beef: Sunshine Provisions and the Charm City Difference

Charm City describes itself as serving “five-star chef-designed burgers at a quick-service price,” and that philosophy hasn’t changed. What still sets Charm City apart is its commitment to quality without chasing trends. There are no gimmicks here. Burgers are cooked over an open flame, the old-school way, delivering a juicy interior that doesn’t rely on theatrics.

All burgers start with Charm City’s proprietary beef blends, designed by chef Saperstein and ground fresh daily at Sunshine Provisions in Deerfield Beach. The default setup includes lettuce, tomato, raw onion, pickle, and the house Charm Sauce, though customization is encouraged.

Flame-Grilled Burgers, Juicy Chicken, and Cheesesteaks

The “Good Ole Burger” remains the baseline, a classic cheeseburger done right with American cheese and that signature flame-grilled patty. For something heavier, “the Emperor” leans fully into indulgence: a half-pound American Wagyu patty melt topped with sautéed mushrooms, aged Gruyère, truffle aioli, arugula, and pickled red onions, all on brioche.

Chicken fans aren’t an afterthought here, either. The “El Diablo Chicken Sandwich” brings the heat with pepper jack cheese, pickled jalapeños, garlic sauce, and Charm City’s “Volcano Sauce.” And if you’re particular about your protein, nearly every sandwich can be swapped from the 1/3-pound Charm City beef blend (a mix of chuck, brisket, and short rib) to grass-fed beef, Wagyu, turkey, veggie patties, or grilled or crispy chicken.

Beyond burgers, the menu stretches into serious comfort-food territory. The eight-ounce Philly cheesesteak, made with shaved ribeye, grilled onions, garlic aioli, and house-made white “wiz” on a toasted roll, is no joke. You can also turn up the heat with fresh jalapeños and a red-hot chili pepper relish aioli.

Old-School Sides and Milkshakes

Sides matter at Charm, too. The “Southern Fried Sweet Onion Bloomer,” served with roasted jalapeño aioli, is fried in beef tallow, the same way Charm City handles its hand-cut fries and potato chips, a throwback move that adds richness to their taste.

And yes, you should get a milkshake, hand-spun and unapologetically old-school. The cinnamon shake, in particular, drinks like a liquid cinnamon roll and feels tailor-made for Florida’s endless summer.

Overseeing it all is general manager Scott Burman, who’s been instrumental in keeping the brand consistent as it expands. For longtime fans worried about what growth might mean, consistency matters.

What Happens to the Original Charm City?

One lingering question has been: what happens to the original Deerfield location?

The original plan was to convert it into a sandwich shop, but for now, it’s staying exactly where it is, flipping burgers, parking headaches, and all.

And honestly, that feels right for South Florida’s burgerverse.

Charm City Burger Company earned its reputation by doing things the hard way and sticking to quality. South Florida doesn’t need another smash burger. It needs more places like this. And now, Boca residents and visitors can try its authentic, juicy goodness for themselves.

Charm City Burger Company – Boca Raton. 201 NW First Ave., Boca Raton; charmcityburgerco.com. Now open.