There's no mistaking Frosty King on Harbour Way South. The building itself is a throwback, trimmed in fire-engine red and sun-bright yellow, with the kind of bold mid-century angles that seem built for hamburgers and milkshakes.
Our quest continues as we methodically devour Richmond's burger scene one establishment at a time. Last week we visited Phila Burger Station on 23rd Street.
On the Richmond Burger Trail: Phila Burger Station on 23rd Street
We’re back on the quest, forks and appetites at the ready, systematically eating our way through Richmond’s burger landscape one patty at a time. This isn’t about chasing viral food trends or hunting down the most photogenic sandwich. It’s about finding the best damn hamburger in Richmond, period.
Soren Hemmila
Customers still lean into the order window, just as they've done for decades, squinting through glass that's weathered and worn, before waiting a few steps over at the "Pick-Up Here" slot. It's a scene that feels almost frozen in time, reminding us of how many thousands of burgers have passed through that tiny window.
What comes out is small, straightforward, and quietly effective. The burger arrives tucked in a sesame-seed bun, stacked with shredded iceberg lettuce, a couple of rings of red onion, and a slice of tomato. Pickles and mayo add sharpness and creaminess, while the patty beneath carries the weight. The alchemy unfolds when the orange square of American cheese begins to melt and seep into the meat and bread, tying the whole sandwich together in that gooey way that's more satisfying than it has any right to be.
The fries on the side, squared-off and lightly dusted with seasoning, are familiar companions. Golden, crisp-edged, and piled just enough to remind us that this is a burger stand, not a sit-down diner. We eat them without thinking, alternating bites with the burger until both are gone. And that's the one knock: the burger itself is on the small side. Easy to finish, easy to wish for another. Two Frosty King cheeseburgers and two orders of fries set us back $20.42.
One reason we wanted to try Frosty King was to see if taxpayers are getting their money's worth subsidizing burgers and fries. This summer, the shop pocketed a $7,500 grant through the city's ARPA Small Business Support Program, which has handed out more than $150,000 to dozens of neighborhood storefronts.
City leaders described the checks as an investment in the small entrepreneurs who make up the backbone of Richmond's economy, and Frosty King was singled out among the recipients. The Renaissance Center, which helped administer the program, framed it as a way to make sure places like this one remain part of the city's daily rhythm.
So when we unwrap a Frosty King burger, cheese melting into the patty, square fries stacked at its side, we are tasting more than a quick lunch. We are tasting a piece of Richmond that the city itself has decided is worth sustaining. The portions may be small, but the meaning behind them isn't.
Let us know where to find the best burger in Richmond.
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