One of the best chuckin' burgers I've ever had

Ashley Christensen is a busy woman these days. Despite a "meh" review here or there, her Poole's Diner seems to be chugging right along quite nicely. As if having one successful restaurant is not enough, she has managed to open up three new spaces in the span of about three month (and snag a spot on "Iron Chef America" as well).

Beasley's Chicken & Honey was the first of Christensen's "newbies." I've personally not eaten anything there yet; however, the reviews have so far been mixed. "Good chicken -- not GREAT chicken," is how one friend put it. "There was barely any honey on my lonely piece of chicken" said another. To be fair, the menu is limited. One person was also perturbed that he couldn't get chicken and waffles at anytime.

A minimal menu is also the order of the day at Chuck's, Christensen's burger joint right next to Beasley's on Wilmington Street. (Her third new spot, Fox's, a liquor bar, is open around the corner.) A group of about six of us went to Chuck's for lunch the other day and were all blown away. "Easily the best burger I've had in this town" said one. I may agree.

I had the Bear In Heaven, which comes with a roma tomato, lettuce, onion, pickle (the thickest pickle slice I've ever seen on a burger), "Switzamerican" cheese and Duke's real mayo. Nothing crazy about it, but it was fantastic. Most everyone else in our group got the Dirty South burger, which is essentially a Carolina-style burger but with chili made from pork shoulder and Anson Mills Sea Island red pea chili, as well as Ashe County Mountain Cheddar cheese. Folks could not stopy oohing and ahhing over it.

We split two orders of fries ($4 a piece) between us, and it was plenty. Burgers are steep at $9, but well worth it. I can't wait to get back to try one of the milkshakes. It will hopefully be soon.