Gate-side burgers at 6:00 a.m. are normal here
Cheeburger Cheeburger sits in Terminal 1 past security at Richmond (RIC), opening early at 4:00 a.m. and closing around 7:00 p.m. daily. It’s American fast food in the old-school burger-joint lane: smashed-style burgers, fries, onion rings, and thick shakes, all at the lower “$” price tier for the airport.
Menu focus is straight ahead: beef burgers in multiple sizes, chicken sandwiches, grilled cheese, fries, and shakes in lots of flavors. Expect burger-and-fries combos to land well under $20 in Terminal 1, which is about as cheap as you’ll eat airside. Portions run big enough that a single order of fries can easily cover two lighter appetites.
Location-wise, staying in Terminal 1 means you don’t waste time walking the concourse to hunt for food; Cheeburger Cheeburger is one of the few sit-down-ish options after security here. You order at the counter, wait a few minutes while they cook, then pick up a tray, so budget at least 15–20 minutes before boarding.
Burgers come with a decent list of toppings, so you can keep it basic with cheddar and pickle or stack on extra veggies without the price jumping too much. Shakes use hard ice cream and are thick enough that you may need a spoon for the first 5–10 minutes. If you’re tight on time, skip the shake and stick to fountain drinks; refills are easier to manage when you’re watching the clock.
One practical tip: lines spike around the 6:00–8:00 a.m. and 4:00–6:00 p.m. banks of departures, so if you can, order before the top of the hour and carry your burger to the gate instead of waiting for a table to open up.