In Atlanta, we love burgers. Especially high-quality burgers.
If you’re new to the city or are on a burger kick and want a classic American meal unlikely to disappoint, try one of these excellent burger joints.
FLIP burger boutique
Under the guidance of chef Richard Blais, FLIP burger has established a name as one of the best places to chow down on a burger in Atlanta. Conventional notions should be left at the door, as burgers such as the Chorizo, Raw Tuna Tartare, and Earth + Turf defy nearly all of them. Vegetarians can choose between The Vedge and Fauxlafel, a Middle East-inspired chickpea patty topped with arugula, cucumber, pickled beets, red onion, and a tzatziki yogurt spread.
Convenient locations in Buckhead, West Midtown, and the Poncey Highlands make FLIP burger accessible to residents of AMLI Lindbergh, AMLI Ponce Park, AMLI Parkside, and AMLI Old 4th Ward. Whichever location you visit, you can round out your meal by choosing from nearly a dozen creative sides and six irresistible milkshake blends.
Grindhouse Killer Burgers
Grindhouse Killer Burgers is another no-holds-barred Atlanta burger joint, with a Piedmont location just a short drive from AMLI Lindbergh. Made from fresh ground chuck and brisket, the beef burgers are the go-to option for many regulars. But that hasn’t stopped their two-beans-and-quinoa vegan veggie burger from being recognized as the best one in Atlanta.
Grindhouse Burger’s build-your-own-burger option is popular, but its chef-designed options work wonders as well. Smothered in cheddar cheese and topped with thick-cut bacon, a vidalia onion ring, and barbecue sauce, the Cowboy Style burger is a perennial favorite. If you like trivia, enjoy your next meal over Dirty South Trivia on a Monday night.
Holeman & Finch Public House
It’s hard to find a list of Atlanta’s best burgers who doesn’t rank Holeman & Finch Public House. Until recently, it was also hard to get one of these much talked-about burgers. With a change in the 24-burger-a-night rule, you can grab a Holeman & Finch burger at the Turner Field location (but only during Atlanta Braves games) and soon you’ll be able to grab a burger at a new location at Ponce City Market making it more accessible than ever before. This hasn’t changed its popularity.
The Holeman & Finch Burger is a feat of culinary artistry. Every day, grass-fed beef of the highest quality is ground and blend into patties of the perfect size. Pain de mi buns are baked with love daily, and toasted lightly just before they are served. Condiments and cheese are carefully selected to match, and the results are truly extraordinary. The original Holeman & Finch is a short drive from AMLI Lindbergh. The new outpost at Ponce City Market near AMLI Old 4th Ward, AMLI Parkside, and AMLI Ponce Park is expected to open midsummer.
Scratch Fresh
Scratch Fresh is another gem on the Atlanta burger scene. The place is cheap and well-run. The beef, bread, and produce that make its burgers great is fresh as can be. The beef patties, tantalizing sides, dipping sauces, and desserts are made or mixed in-house. A breakfast menu featuring a cheeseburger biscuit and brisket on a biscuit makes Scratch Fresh popular at all times of the day.
All burgers can be ordered with one, two, or three patties. Try not to miss out on the restaurant’s signature Worcester-and-soy based Burger Sauce, and see if you can save room for dessert. Their signature peanut butter pie gets loads of accolades. But the presence of banana pudding, sour cream pound cake, and expertly hand-spun shakes and malts still make dessert a difficult decision for many.
Shake Shack
Shake Shack fever swept Atlanta last fall, after the highly-reputed burger chain opened its first Georgia “shack.” A few specific items on the menu in Atlanta are the Pecan Pie Oh My which is as good as it sounds – vanilla frozen custard blended with, you guessed it, a slice of pecan pie. There’s also Campfire S’mores – chocolate frozen custard blended with marshmallow sauce, graham crackers, and dark chocolate chunks – and the Peachtree which is a caramel-peach milkshake. If you want a fast, high-quality burger and some of their signature crinkle cut fries or a frozen custard shake, cup, or cone, visit Shake Shack’s Buckhead location near AMLI Lindbergh.
Vortex Bar & Grill
Meat eater or vegetarian, it’s hard not to get sucked into the Vortex Bar & Grill if you like a good burger. More than two dozen options make choosing a one the toughest part about visiting this iconic Atlanta burger joint. Unless you’re attempting to tackle the Triple Coronary Bypass, that is. This monstrosity of a “burger” contains three half-pound beef patties, three fried eggs, ten pieces of savory bacon, and 14 slices of American cheese. All of this comes sandwiched between grilled-cheese sandwich buns. The Triple Coronary Bypass automatically comes with both tater tots and french fries. Finish it, and you’ll likely be famous. As a disclaimer, we’re not encouraging you to try.
Vortex also has a first-rate bar with spirits, beer cocktails, and an expansive selection of local and draft beers. Midtown and Little Five Points locations are more or less equidistant to AMLI Old 4th Ward, AMLI Parkside, and AMLI Ponce Park.
From the Holeman & Finch phenomenon to the commercial success of Shake Shack, the Atlanta burger scene offers something from everyone. If you’re a burger fan and an Atlanta apartment resident, consider yourself lucky. Take advantage of the gourmet patty sandwiches, fried, and shakes available to you at these burger hot spots.
What’s your favorite Atlanta burger joint? Leave a comment to let us know!
Like what you just read? Why not subscribe to the AMLI Blog so you don’t miss another post?
View All Posts by Jason Ernst