Fargo, North Dakota isn’t exactly known for holding back — and neither is Pounds, the downtown burger joint that’s been turning heads, melting cheese, and breaking the rules of “normal” dining since it first swung open its doors in 2015.
Equal parts retro hangout and serious kitchen, Pounds has built a reputation for scratch-made food with unapologetic personality — the kind of place where the menu reads like a dare and the food delivers on every single one. 🍔🔥
From landing a Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives feature with Guy Fieri to becoming a downtown Fargo institution, this gem proves that the best Fargo local restaurants are the ones born from pure passion — not a corporate playbook.
How Pounds won Fargo’s hearts
The story of Pounds is, at its core, a story about friendship turned into fire — quite literally. 🔥
Co-owner Alan Kasin and his partners, high school buddies who grew up together, channeled years of camaraderie and a shared love of bold, creative food into a concept that Fargo had never quite seen before — a retro-inspired, scratch-made comfort food destination with a full bar, local craft beers on tap, and a personality as big as the Great Plains. 🎉
When Pounds first opened in 2015, it planted its flag at 612 First Ave. N, a prime downtown location right next door to Wurst Bier Hall and Drekker Brewing Co. — and that close-knit block mentality became part of Pounds’ identity, too.
In the summer of 2020, Guy Fieri rolled into Fargo — making it one of the very last states he’d visit for the show — and after one bite of Pounds’ Torch Wings, declared them “one of the most tender, juicy, succulent, delicious wings we’ve had on Triple D.”
That kind of endorsement from America’s most recognizable food TV personality doesn’t just bring in tourists — it validates what locals already knew. ✨
After a move to a new location at 6 Broadway N in 2023, Pounds continued its momentum, proving that great food paired with a genuine sense of place can survive, relocate, and come back stronger.
Fargo’s best burger spot didn’t win hearts with marketing — it won them with ghost pepper sauce, caramelized onions, and the kind of scratch-made conviction that makes every visit feel worth it. 🙌
Food Highlights
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The Hangover Burger: A fried egg, crispy bacon, cheddar cheese, and french fries all piled onto a juicy beef patty and finished with ketchup. 🍳
- Dr Pepper BBQ Burger: A sweet-and-smoky crowd-pleaser featuring that distinctive Dr. Pepper BBQ sauce that Pounds has clearly perfected across multiple menu items.🥤
- Sunset Rider Burger: A consistently popular downtown Fargo burger that keeps locals coming back, lauded in reviews for its bold, satisfying build. 🌅
- Big Mac N Chz Burger: One of the most-reviewed items on the menu, this burger leans hard into bold cheesy indulgence. 🧀🍔
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The Grail: Built with smoky Gouda, bacon, caramelized onions, lettuce, and Pounds’ signature wavy sauce, this one lives up to its legendary name. 👑
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Californication Burger: A West Coast-inspired creation that brings a fresh, bright contrast to Pounds’ otherwise smoke-and-heat-forward lineup. 🥑
Atmosphere
Pounds is loud, fun, and completely, gloriously itself — a place built on 90s nostalgia and retro-inspired energy where the vibe is just as memorable as the food. 🎶
The interior features clean, minimal walls that deliberately keep the spotlight on the people and the plates — with the energy in the room doing all the heavy work of making it feel alive and electric. 🔥
With local craft beers always on tap and a full bar pouring creative cocktails alongside no-frills crowd-pleasers, it’s the kind of spot where a quick lunch can easily and happily turn into a long evening. 🍺
Bottom Line
Pounds is a must-visit Fargo dining experience — born from high school friendship, fueled by scratch-made creativity, and stamped with Guy Fieri’s seal of approval.
The bold, ingredient-driven burgers, legendary Torch Wings, and electric downtown atmosphere make it one of North Dakota’s most exciting tables. 🤠🔥
Address:
6 Broadway N, Fargo, ND 58102
📞 (701) 478-1234
🕔 Open Mon–Thurs 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM | Fri-Sat 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM | Sun 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM