Burgers have been a big food trend lately. Maybe it's because they are cheap. Maybe it's because, when it comes down to it, it's just hard to beat the classic taste of a juicy burger. Atlanta has many great burger restaurants, from traditional to gourmet. Here's a few that we think make the best burgers in Atlanta.
FLIP Burger Boutique
FLIP Burger Boutique, with two Atlanta locations, was opened by Richard Blais, known for his appearances on Top Chef and win on Top Chef: All Stars. FLIP serves up small burgers (hungry patrons may want 2) with all kinds of creative toppings (think foie gras, pimento cheese or smoked mayo). In addition to classic beef burgers, you'll also find alternatives like turkey, chicken, lamb and a veggie option. They are also well known for their milkshakes, which include flavors like Nutella and Krispy Kreme.
FLIP, located on Howell Mill or on Roswell Road in Buckhead, has a fun, modern dining room.
Yeah! Burger
Yeah! Burger, started by well-known Atlanta chef Shaun Doty, serves classic flavors with quality ingredients in a cheeky setting. With locations in West Midtown and Virginia Highland, Yeah! gives a big dose of American nostalgia with a choose-your-topping burger menu, standby sides including fries and Vidilia onion rings and other favorites like hot dogs.
Don't let their retro ways fool you, the flavors are creative - there are over 20 toppings (fried egg, sunflower sprouts, nitrate-free bacon) and 16 sauces (ranch, bacon jam, Duke's) to choose from. For the main event, Yeah! offers grass-fed beef, bison, turkey, veggie or chicken burgers.
Cool down with shakes, floats, concretes (soft serve with candy mix-ins) or an adult beverage.
Farm Burger
Farm Burger, located in Decatur and coming soon to Buckhead, focuses on the crafting big burgers with the best, local ingredients. In fact, most of their meat is sourced from a farm that's part owned by their restaurant founder. How's that for knowing your food?
At Farm Burger, you'll find tons of toppings, plus recommendations for tried-and-true specialty burgers (called Blackboard Burgers). Their toppings trend toward the gourmet, offering items like bone marrow, pork belly and goat cheese - but you'll find all your old favorites here too. Farm Burger offers beer and wine - plus Adult Floats, which are ice cream floats made with flavorful beers like Chocolate Stout and Banana Bread Beer.
Grindhouse Killer Burgers
Grindhouse Killer Burgers tops my personal list for craveable burgers in Atlanta.
Their greasy, griddled burgers are simple but memorable - with most diners opting for the double patty stack. Diners can choose from beef, turkey or veggie burgers. The toppings are less creative than some of the other joints in town, but there's still plenty of options including avocado and fried green tomato. You'll also find fun bar snacks like "Cheesy Poofs," which are fried pimento cheese balls. Yum!
Grindhouse has two locations, one inside the Sweet Auburn Curb Market and one on Piedmont Road near Cheshire Bridge. To quench yoru thirst, they offer beer, wine and "boozy milkshakes."
Ann's Snack Bar
Ann's Snack Bar is an Atlanta legend. A little shack on Memorial Drive, Miss Ann has been personally serving up what many say are the best burgers known to man, including the epic Ghetto Burger. Miss Ann's gained national noteriaty when was named America's Best Burger in the Wall Street Journal.
If you are going to visit, plan ahead. Some patrons report waiting up to three hours. It's a small shop and you have to wait outside until there's room at the bar. When you get in, cozy up and watch your burger being hand-crafted by Miss Ann, just as they have been since the 1970s'. The Ghetto Burger is a serious beast. Go hungry and don't make any big plans for your next meal.
Ann's Snack Bar is at 1615 Memorial Drive, Atlanta.
The Vortex
The Vortex is a great spot for adventurous eaters. They put together killer combinations of gluttonous burgers that will challenge your stomach's capacity and leave you full and happy. A biker-esque bar covered in kitchy deocr, The Vortex burgers includes burgers like the Double Coronary Bypass - a big patty topped with a fried egg, cheese and bacon served between 2 grilled cheese sandwiches. They also have great bar eats including nacho tots, wings, chili and more.
There are two locations - Midtown and Little Five Points. The Vortex is 18+.
Other Restaurants with Great Burgers
There are a few restaurants that aren't exclusively burger joints, but still make burgers that are constantly praised as among the best.
The burger at Holeman and Finch has won numerous awards for it's deliciousness. The notorious dish is only served late night, with orders taken beginning at 10 p.m., and only 24 burgers are served each night. It can also be ordered at Sunday brunch.
The Burger Stack at Bocado is also a local favorite.
