Atlanta’s Best Burgers

Farm Burger is not just another trend in burger chains, but a restaurant with a conscience. Where your meat comes from matters, so you can be sure that what you order at Farm Burger will be grass fed, dry aged, and ground fresh. They work with local farmers directly to bring diners the best ingredients around. Choose from their selections, like the Farm Burger itself, or build your own, all on Holeman and Finch buns. The sides are equally fantastic from gouda grits to slow cooked greens and of course, the hand cut fries. Also choose from adult milkshakes and local craft beers on draft and in cans.

Richard Blais is one of the greatest success stories to come out of Top Chef, the United States’ culinary challenge show akin to Masterchef. Before his time on the show, he made a name for himself at the helm of top Atlanta restaurants, but Flip Burger Boutique was his first project after newfound fame. What started as one location on Atlanta’s Westside has now grown into a local chain with other locations in Buckhead as well as Birmingham, Alabama. Blais was known for his use of molecular gastronomy on the show, which takes unusual methods you might find in a science lab and applies them to food. As such, you’ll find liquid nitrogen milkshakes to be a popular beverage at Flip, particularly in the Krispy Kreme doughnut and Captain Crunch flavors. As for the burgers, the star attraction at Flip, you won’t find your basic fast food burger here. Every burger has Blais’ stylistic touch with names like the chorizo burger with Spanish patatas bravas, manchego cheese, a spicy sauce and topped with a fried egg. The rBQ is Blais’ take on a barbecue sandwich and the Louisiana Shrimp is Cajun style. But don’t worry, you can also go for the classic. The portions aren’t massive, but if they were any bigger, I’m not sure I would be able to go there so often. I recommend going with a group, all ordering different things and sharing a few sides, especially the hand cut fries.

In a city full of burger joints, Holeman and Finch Public House stands out for its extensive drink selection and Southern twist on farm-to-table fare. Tucked into the back of an apartment complex on Peachtree Street, the popular spot serves specialty cocktails and what seems like every obscure beer, wine, and liquor that exists. In fact, H&F also owns a bottle shop, where it sells many of its rarest selections. To pair with your drink, the restaurant offers a signature burger with two patties, cheese, onions, pickles, and a side of fries. What makes it so fantastic, however, is the bun, which H&F bakes in-house and even sells to other restaurants. It was originally available only after 10 p.m. nightly or during Sunday brunch, and the restaurant once made just 24 each day. To make matters more complicated, H&F doesn’t take reservations, so it’s not uncommon to find a line out the door and a wait time of up to 2.5 hours. Plan accordingly.

The Varsity is one of the first landmarks you pass as you enter the city. You can’t miss the big neon “V” on North Avenue. It calls itself the world’s largest drive-in and has served generations of Georgia Tech students, politicians, tour groups, and locals since 1928. Don’t be intimidated by yells of “what’ll ya have.” The food isn’t for the weak stomach, but it is delicious before an Atlanta Braves game. Order yourself a hot dog, fries, and Frosted Orange and worry about your diet tomorrow.

You’ll constantly find this small Marietta restaurant packed with customers for their biscuits and burgers. Local Food Network star Alton Brown named Red Eyed Mule’s burgers on the show “The Best Thing I Ever Ate.” It’s also a favorite of the members of the nearby Air Force base. This hometown favorite opened in 2010 and was instantly beloved. If you’re there for breakfast, grab a biscuit before heading to work. It may be hard to find a seat for lunch, but order at the counter before sitting down. Their burgers are handmade fresh ground beef between pieces of Texas toast with your choice of toppings.

A giant skull doorway greets visitors to The Vortex Bar and Grill in bohemian Little Five Points. It’s this “Laughing Skull” that is also the name for its signature beer and comedy club at the nearby Peachtree Street location. Due to a Georgia anti-smoking law, you must be 18 years of age to dine here, but once you’re old enough you can enjoy decadent burgers and extensive beer menu. The burgers in question are unlike you’ve seen anywhere else. The Triple Coronary Bypass in particular is three burger patties, three fried eggs, fourteen slices of American cheese, ten slices of bacon, all piled between two grilled cheese sandwiches. It comes with sides of tater tots and french fries covered in melted cheese. They have plenty of other selections for the more sane and health conscious. What’s almost as famous as the burgers is the eclectic decor and proudly anti-idiot policies. They don’t accept whiners and will gladly kick you out if you’re jabbering on your phone.

Grindhouse Killer Burgers opened in 2009 at the Sweet Auburn Curb Market to great success before opening the second Piedmont Avenue location. This spot has a full front deck and name-plays on vintage grindhouse movies and their freshly ground burgers. You can build your own burger with a base of beef, turkey or veggie. Their veggie burger has been named the best in the city year after year. Add your favorite toppings or choose from one of the Grindhouse signature burgers. Wash it down with a craft beer or a boozy shake while watching a Japanese samurai movie on the television.

It’s easy to drive past the restaurant without giving it a second look, especially in an area surrounded by run down strip malls and liquor stores. But it’s here that you’ll find what the Wall Street Journal named the “Best Burger in America.” But it’s Ann’s that claimed the title for the ubiquitous “Ghetto Burger,” a mess of two beef patties, lettuce, tomato, mayo, mustard, ketchup and grilled onions. It’s served in a humble fashion, on styrofoam plates at one of eight counter seats or on the covered patio, complete with mismatched chairs and astroturf for flooring. The burgers are best served alongside fries with spicy seasoning. Named for its late matriarch, Ann Price ran the restaurant from 1972 until mid-2015. She enforced a list of rules displayed above the counter, including “no cursing” and “no consuming alcohol in the snack bar.” Parking is limited and waits can be long for the eatery that opens at 11 am Tuesday to Saturday. By noon, you might be surrounded by people, all waiting upwards of 30 minutes for a deliciously sloppy burger. The snack bar is cash only, but nothing will cost you more than $20.