CurrentBurger, a nostalgic eatery inspired by the classic American boardwalk burger shop, opens Monday, Aug. 17, on the ground floor of The Cooper (176 Concord St.), overlooking Joe Riley Waterfront Park. The restaurant serves smash burgers, crinkle-cut fries, hand-spun milkshakes and fountain favorites.
With burgers and kids’ meals starting at $10, a walk-up window and waterfront outdoor seating, the restaurant is an easy stop for families visiting the park, neighbors sharing a weeknight meal and travelers exploring the city.
Developed under the direction of The Cooper’s culinary director, Chef Bill Welch, the menu includes highlights like the Classic CurrentBurger and crinkle-cut fries, along with hand-spun milkshakes, housemade frozen custard and fountain drinks in a variety of inventive and classic flavors.
CurrentBurger’s menu features local makers, including Lowcountry Creamery for the milkshakes, Bittermilk for custom-made soda flavors and Counter Cheesemongers for pimento cheese. In addition to traditional beef burgers, guests can enjoy salads, chicken sandwiches and falafel patties as a vegetarian option.
Led by the vision of Kelly Navarro, CurrentBurger’s interior was brought to life by Champalimaud and the BHC Design Studio. The 28-seat, counter-service space features curved service stations, chrome-edged swivel stools and warm wood details.
“CurrentBurger was inspired by the kind of simple, memorable places that become part of a family’s story,” BHC founder Ben Navarro said. “Growing up in a family of eight kids that lived paycheck to paycheck, the rare night out usually involved piling everyone into the back of our station wagon and heading to the local burger joint two towns away. That memory is what inspired CurrentBurger, a place where families from all around Charleston can bring their kids to enjoy the beautiful Waterfront Park and treat everyone to a burger and fries.”
“It was always important to me that everyone would be able to experience the quality of a BHC offering,” Navarro added. “The Cooper won’t feel fully open until CurrentBurger is here, and I’m counting down the days.”
CurrentBurger opens Monday, Aug. 17, at The Cooper, located at 176 Concord St. The restaurant will be open Tuesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and closed Mondays. For more information, visit thecooper.com or follow @currentburgerchs on Instagram.