North River Tavern

Triple Bypass burger
North River Tavern 

***

We had to come back to the scene of the crime so that my friend who had endured El Guapo challenge could check out the real wings. I'd been very tempted to come back since Thursdays all the burgers are $5. Unfortunately I didn't come on a Thursday. The atmosphere was fun, watched a bunch of groups playing Texas Hold 'Em. The burger was just so so. I figured how could they go wrong with a fried egg, bacon, cheddar cheese, lettuce tomato and garlic mayo. It tasted a little bit like a breakfast sandwich but then once the yolk was running all over everything it just tasted blah.  It would be worth it on a Thursday though.

Grindhouse Killer Burgers

Double Apache burger (open face on bed of lettuce)
Grindhouse Killer Burgers

***

If you find yourself in the neighborhood of the Sweet Auburn Curb Market Monday thru Sat 11-4pm, be sure to stop in to Grindhouse Killer Burgers. There are a lot of tasty options for the burgers but more so for the ambiance and the delicious sweet potato kettle fries and the to-die-for chocolate-peanut butter shake. I can't think of anything my friends should envy more than me enjoying my vittles while watching Chuck Norris projected on to the wall above the counter. I got my burger Apache style with roasted green chilies, drilled onions and pepper jack cheese. I tried to counteract the chips & shake by getting the burger open face on a bed of lettuce. The waitress said I missed out though since their buns were "fluffy and really delicious" so maybe I will get it bunned the next time around. Surrounded by pigs knuckles and unidentifiable vegetables I savored the bites of my grilled beef and contemplated how lucky I was to live in a  city with so many great burger places,  that and how I could steal the sign for Grindhouse Burgers with the sexy lady holding a burger and a smoking gun.

Hickory Pig Part 1

Pulled Pork sandwich
Hickory Pig

****

I don't think I have ever had such a crazy, tasty experience and ended up without a burger. I guess I should have had a few expectations about the experience from the line on the website that says "Please call before you come as we may have stepped away on a catering mission". Phil and Lil Bit were the gracious hosts. I was stunned at first when I asked for the famous Hickory burger and the said "we don't have any burgers".  After much grumbling, I ordered the yummy pork sandwich but I kept saying, "it's not a burger". I can easily see why they were voted #1 BBQ in Atlanta for 2010 as it was super tender and the sauce has a great flavor. Turns out when I mentioned about my little blog, the Hickory Pig only makes a certain number of burgers per day. Phil was very apologetic and said next time if I gave him a heads up ahead of time he would make sure to have a burger waiting for me. He proceeded to describe the burger making process until I had to wipe the drool off my chin. Then Phil and Lil Bit gave us a tour of the premises including the outside screened in dining area and a karaoke concert. As we were leaving, we got an added bonus. They gave my friend a cat to take home, like a parting gift from a game show. They are only open Tues & Wed 11-2 for "stew & cue" and Thurs-Sat 11-6 but don't forget to call first.

Highland Tap

Award winning Tap Steak Burger
Highland Tap

****.5

Word of warning but maybe this only applies to silly blondes: if you are going to eat in Virginia Highlands, know which part you are going to. I parked halfway down Highland and started walking in heels to discover I was headed wrong direction, completely my fault but it helped build up the appetite. The Highland Tap is a basement restaurant so street level there is just a funky sign and a set of steep stairs leading down. I am sure there must be a handicapped entrance somewhere but I had enough trouble finding the front door. The actual restaurant is very chic and classy. The waiter was super friendly and very helpful. As I waited for  my burger I could see flames shooting up in the kitchen and my tummy growled thinking about the hickory grilled flavor being seared into it. The hamburger was a beautiful dark pink color when I bit into it. Immediately I wanted to start licking the whole outside of the burger because it had so much flavor. Can you get in trouble for tonguing a burger in public? Per the menu the burgers are ground in-house so I don't know if it's the freshness or just the flavored flames but this burger was definitely the tastiest. I could have eaten 3 more but my stomach would have argued with me about that. 10 oz of perfection and I chose to top it with some jalapenos and avocado. It comes with a grilled sweet onion too and I wouldn't want to try to kiss me after I gobbled that down. I definitely plan on trying a steak from here next!!!!

Rhea's

Rhea's Special

****

Awesome hamburger with cheese and fresh onions on grilled french bread. Tastes great like a hamburger on a grilled cheese sandwich. I needed about 5 napkins to get my fingers degreased. The rough part is that though they have 3 locations, 2 locations are only open Mon-Sat until 3pm. The 3rd location is open 7 days a week until 9pm. Our waiter/cook was so friendly and funny that I'd go back again anytime just for his humor.

Taco Mac

Elmwood burger
Taco Mac

***

Decided my Brewniversity card needed a few more points so headed to the ale variety king. I went with the Elmwood at the waiter's suggestion. A char-grilled 8oz burger topped with Blue Cheese crumbles, crispy onion rings, lettuce, tomato, secret sauce and served on a cracked wheat bun. When the burger came, the first words out of my mouth were: "where's the beef". The waiter then said, "we have really big lettuce". After a few bites, I decided that the burger was flavorful but lacking still in the meat department. If that was 8oz it was either a really large collection of accoutrement or it had shrunk a lot in the cooking. If you are there I vote for the Tommyknocker Jack Whacker wheat ale over the burger but if you are hungry the burger does fill in the spaces.

Ann's Snack Bar

Ghetto Burger
Ann's Snack Bar

*****

I walked up to the front porch of Ann's Snack Bar fully prepared to wait the expected 3 hours I had heard about. I giggled when I saw the posted rules and heard Miss Ann yell at customer after customer for daring to try to enter before there was a stool available. I only had to wait 10 minutes for a seat and received my burger within 25 minutes of sitting. I watched as a giant pot of meat was brought out and handfuls of meat were scooped out and covered in onions on the grill. When my enormous mountain of a burger was placed in front of me I cut it in half and managed to take two bites before I gave up and switched to using a fork & knife. I immediately thought of George Costanza which caused more giggles since Miss Annis known affectionately as the "Burger Nazi" referring to the famous "Soup Nazi" of Seinfeld fame. Be patient and, if possible, come prepared with a fan since there is just one small window a/c unit. The good part is, I think I sweated out as many calories as I took in. All in all, definitely worth it and I probably won't need to eat again for a few days.

Red Robin

Burnin' Love burger
Red Robin

***.5

I wasn't going to review any chain restaurants but per request I added Red Robin. They are always so friendly there and who can resist unlimited fries? They have a number of tasty sounding choices but I couldn't resist the jalapeno loaded Burnin' Love burger plus it appeals to my love of Elvis. Fried jalapeño rings, tangy salsa and spicy Pepper-Jack cheese layered on top of a cayenne-seasoned and served on a jalapeño-cornmeal kaiser roll with chipotle mayo. It certainly sounds like it is going to be a 4 alarm fire in your mouth of taste but it is more like a burning trashcan that you can throw a splash of water on. It is tasty but it didn't even make me take a sip of my water. It's as if the jalapenos had all been homogenized down to pale shadows of their former glory. Probably it is so that the burger can appeal to a wider audience of eaters afraid of spicy foods.

Rusty Nail

Red hot burger
Rusty Nail

****

I started smiling as soon as I saw the stained glass Elvis on the front door. Obviously somewhere with that much taste & decorum has a lot going for it. Once inside, there are small wooden booths that almost resemble thrones. I resist the urge to whip out my Sharpie & add to the colorful graffiti that surrounds me. I am fascinated by the apparent fishing network programming going on & I am so fascinated I miss my mouth & get wing sauce down the front of my shirt. The mashed potatoes have a few lumps in them & I gobble them down in a few seconds. The burger itself is grilled exactly how I asked for- medium (sad when you it happens so rarely you get excited by it). The burger has been doused in wing sauce and then piled high with jalapenos. Luckily the waitress was quick with refills on my big glass of water although I question her judgment when she reveals she is a vegetarian. (The horrors!) There is plenty of good people watching to be done while I am enjoying my burger . All together a very good burger but if I was to eat there again I'd get it to go since I smelled like smoke for hours after I left.

Mike's Grill

1/4 lb burger
Mike's Grill

***

If you ever find yourself in North Georgia, you might want to pop into this local watering hole. The town has plenty of character & the restaurant is full of friendly folks that kept the sweet tea pouring. The burgers are all hand pattied and though I picked the small one it was full of flavor. You can't beat the fresh taste of everything involved. There is an ice cream counter too if you are feeling like dessert afterward.

Brad's Grill

Messy Burger
Brad's Grill

***

I had heard wonderful things about this place but when I checked their hours, it wasn't exactly convenient. They are only open until 4pm Mon-Sat and Sunday they are only open 11-2. I loved the giant chalkboard menu on the wall and the selection of home made cookies & cakes. I wasn't really sure what to make of the silver jewelery for sale next to the drinks. It didn't dawn on me until my burger arrived at the table in super fast fashion that this was the first time I had ordered a burger and noone asked me how I would like it cooked. There are 2 well cooked patties and gobs of coleslaw. It is wonderfully greasy & I could hear my arteries clogging as I ate every delicious bite. They do offer the Messy Burger as a double also but I don't think many people could survive that.