Zebb's

Zebb's
3/4 lb "Two Fisted" Burger

****

This is the restaurant that gave me a love for burgers. It's like a classic old diner in appearance but they give you large delicious portions. It is reminiscent of Fuddruckers in that you can add your own toppings or get a burger already made up for you. I went for their biggest burger and then added a giant scoop of jalapenos, onions and pico de gallo. The fresh cut fries just add to the yumminess of the place. For dessert we had a giant hot apple rush and they brought us 3 spoons. My grandfather was so cute because he had never ordered a burger in a restaurant before and was grumbling about all the choices and the price until he bit into it. This is no McDonald's burger!!!

Dinosaur BBQ

Dinosaur BBQ
Diablo burger

****

A legend, I had to eat here when I was back in Syracuse and I wanted to complete the Man vs Food circuit (Dinoasaur BBQ, Heids & Mother's Cupboard) while I was home. The diablo burger sounds a little scary but it is very tasty and not too hot. It is more of a cajun burn and diablo sauce is good even for the spice wimpy. The mac & cheese was to die for and carrot raisin salad was a really tasty alternative side. While you are eating you can't help but notice the many dinosaur paintings throughout the restaurant. Parking is a lil rough but luckily my sister is an aggressive parker. They are spreading out across the Northeast so if  you have a chance to stop in or get some take out it is highly recommended.

Hardee's

Hardee's
Low Carb burger

****

Whenever I am tempted to get fast food, Hardee's low carb burger is my #1 choice. I could care less about low carb but being wrapped in lettuce you get just the burger taste without all the bun involvement. Plus then I don't feel as guilty about eating the onion rings. It's 1/3 lb of Black Angus charbroiled so it really has flavor and they always have a giant slice of red onion they adds to the taste. The lettuce is nice & crisp although I have made the mistake of trying to eat one of these while driving, The paper it is wrapped in is hard to distinguish from the lettuce until you have bitten into it.

Burger Club

Burger Club
the Nuclear burger

***

I had been very excited to try the Burger Club. I had read a few good things about them and even considered their Burgerasaurus challenge. I know i said I was never doing a food challenge again after the Behemoth in Chicago but the Burgerasaurus challenge let you have a partner that could take up the slack. I met an old friend there and as we were walking in she said that I was probably going to be disappointed but she'd let the burger expert decide. They used to have chalk paint on the walls and kids could draw but people complained about getting chalk on their clothes so it was redone. :(  I went with the Nuclear burger because what could be better for a jalapeno lover then something "Nuclear"? It comes with  a spicy burger, jalapeno jack cheese, deep fried jalapenos and hot sauce. Sounds impressive and a little daunting but I have to say it really was only just the littlest bit spicy. I only drank one glass of water with it which is nothing. Also the side dish of onion rings was really shocking when it came out and was only 3 rings. They were very large rings but very unimpressive on the big tray. My friend sent her burger back twice because it was incorrect and then she just said she didn't really want it anymore so they took it off the bill. After trying the burger I definitely didn't want to try 8 lbs more of the same for the challenge. It was a beautiful looking burger but nothing much to the taste.

Cafe di Sol (take 2)

Cafe di Sol
Andy's Burger

*****

I know you are probably thinking "wasn't she just there?" I couldn't help it, their burger is so good I had been thinking about it all week. Their burger is so yummy I even drove the hour from home just to have it and then I drove back, a 2 hr commute just for a burger. I can not emphasize enough how delicious the Andy's burger is with the garlic aioli & the garlic roasted shitake mushrooms. Every bite is a taste explosion. It was a chilly night but the restaurant was busy so I sat on the enclosed porch which was really a pleasant temperature and cute setting. It would be nice for a romantic evening with the red lights on the ceiling and the flickering red candles on the table. The thought even crossed my mind to rent an apartment nearby so I could enjoy more of their selections. They even have a brunch menu so might have to drag my butt down on a weekend morning.

Ruby Tuesday

Ruby Tuesday
Ruby's Classic burger

***.5

I have to give props to Ruby Tuesday as their burger is pretty tasty for a chain restaurant. I ordered it as plain as you could get it and it was still really tasty. At 8 oz it is a fairly hefty burger for a chain restaurant also. I am not sure what Ruby's mayo is but it tasted like good ol' Hellmans to me. If you are particularly hungry there is always the salad bar to add on but to me a burger & a side of fries is almost always enough. I want to be able to enjoy it and not need a wheelbarrow for my tummy.

The Vortex Bar and Grill

The Vortex Bar and Grill
Guacamole Burger

****

World famous not only for their food but also their crazy menu and decor, the Vortex is a treat for all the senses. Vortex was voted one of top 10 burger places in all of the US in numerous polls. I agree it is definitely great plus the Midtown location has the world's smallest comedy club as well. You can have an awesome burger & then laugh it off.  The people watching is top notch as well.The guacamole burger had an enormous scoop of guacamole on it so that I could taste "guac" in every bite. The jack cheese was just a bonus. I, of course, had to have sweet potato fries with it. I definitely recommend the Guacamole Burger but I am trying to make my way through their entire burger selection so that I can more accurately choose my favorite.

Troll Tavern

Troll Tavern
Tavern burger

**.5

Most of the fun at the Troll Tavern involves sitting by the river, sipping imported German beer and laughing at the tubers. Since I was there in December I had only the ambiance inside the restaurant and that's not much to speak of: fake newspaper print tablecloths, grumpy wait staff and a giant mirror to make it look bigger inside. The burger was half-pound of ground beef on a Kaiser bun with lettuce, tomato, & onion. It had a lot more flavor than I imagined it would but that isn't saying much. I did like the really fresh onion but I was still hungry after nibbling on this hors d'oeuvre. Stick to the beer when you are here unless nothing else is open which is how I ended up there.   

Cafe di Sol

Andy's burger
Cafe di Sol

*****

I have been dreaming about this burger since I tried the baby version at the Battle of the burgers. The restaurant itself is a cute, quirky example of the Virginia/Poncey Highlands area. There is a tiny parking lot next door and they were selling great smelling food on the curb. There is also a cute open patio out front that was lit up with small red lights at night. Inside the restaurant I wished I had an excuse to sit on the comfy couch facing the bar. There were a bunch of really interesting sounding martinis on the list too like expresso & grapefruit rosewater. Everything I tried was absolutely delicious. Starting with pan seared shrimp in some super tasty sauce. The burger itself was heavenly: Angus ground chuck, Gruyere, garlic-herb roasted Shiitakes with garlic aioli. I was licking my fingers by the time I was done. I even got to try 2 different desserts: brownie sundae and the Panna Cotta. The brownie sundae was fudgey & super delicious. I had never had Panna Cotta but it was really creamy and delicious. It tasted almost like a light cheesecake. I would definitely bring friends to this place the next time I am trying to impress them.

Jim & Nicks

Way South patty melt
Jim & Nicks

***

I have to say I was really disappointed by this burger. I am going to give them another try though since a patty melt is not usually considered a burger but it is technically. Also I couldn't resist the description's cheesiness  (I am part mouse afterall). Fresh-ground, hand-pattied and hickory-grilled patty topped with queso cheese, fresh pico de gallo, grilled onions, serrano peppers, and served on sourdough. The bbq there smells so good I was drooling at the thought of a hickory grilled burger. Plus who can resist their slogan "you can smell our butts for miles." However the actual burger was more like a grilled cheese sandwich with a burger tucked inside. my next trip will be to try to the regular burger then I'll stick with the bbq after that.

Sloppy Joes

Sloppy Joes Black Angus burger
Sloppy Joes

**

I don't think I would have picked this restaurant if my friends hadn't all decided to meet there. A half pound of black Angus burger with mushrooms, jack cheese and red onions with sweet potato fries. I couldn't believe how anything that looked so tasty could have so little taste. I do have to give our waiter big props since we had about 50 people in our party & he managed to keep everything straight and brought out in a timely manner.

Hooters

Baja burger
Hooters

***

I resisted going to Hooters because #1 it is a chain restaurant and #2 if I just wanted to see boobies while eating I could look down. I couldn't resist the burger that was covered in jalapenos, Pico de gallo, and ancho chipotle sauce with some baked beans on the side. However, I can only recommend the beans. The burger seemed to have no flavor at all except for the toppings which were tasty. Maybe if you drank a lot of beer firs & were distracted by the boobies it might be more memorable.

Kuma's Corner

Plague Bringer burger
Kuma's Corner

*****

I had read lots of good things about this place so I knew I couldn't miss out. The outside is so cute, it is on the corner of a building so I assume that's where the name came from. Inside there is heavy metal playing and lots of unique art both on the walls, the waitresses and the patrons. The beer list was as unique as the burgers so I had a hard time choosing. I finally decided on the J.K. Scrumpy's hard cider which not only sounded tasty but came in a 22 oz bottle. I decided on the Plague Bringer burger because it sounded delicious and I didn't have to worry about kissing any time in the near future. I knew ahead of time these were 10 oz burgers but I think it is 10 oz after cooking as compared with everyone else's measurements before cooking. I watched customer after customer have to box up the remainder of their burger but I knew I could handle it. Plus I had crappy food the night before so I was dying for something tasty. The couple sitting next to me said they were there from Iowa and never missed it when they were in town and actually knew Plague Bringer and had eaten their burger with them. It must be a good burger if the band it's named after approves of it. My mountainous burger arrived on a unique pretzel bun with waffle fries. Roasted garlic mayo, tortilla strips, hot sauce, fresh garlic, pepper jack, and sliced jalapenos were piled up high on it. I took a few bites as I rotated my burger, like an ice cream cone trying to get to the goodies inside. Tortilla chips were flying everywhere and jalapenos kept trying to escape. Even without all the yumminess on top, the burger itself was really delicious. I luxuriated in my burger and Scrumpy's for about 2 hrs before I decided that I could use the 6 block walk to the subway to be able to buckle my pants. Definitely a can't miss if I have to go back to Chicago.

Bandera

Cheeseburger

Bandera

***

This restaurant had come highly recommended plus it was close by my hotel so I set out to try it. First of all, I have definitely inherited my mother's sense of direction because I walked several blocks in the wrong direction before I realized the numbers were getting bigger instead of smaller. I turned around and headed back the correct direction but when I got to the address there was a private condo. I walked passed it and double checked the address. I went back and stood in front of the condo again and finally went in and asked the concierge, turns out there was more than one 535. I go back 2 doors and there is still no sign but 2 skinny doors leading to an escalator and a fur company. At the top of the stairs I finally find Bandera and decide they are going to for the chic word of mouth thing and not counting on people just popping in. I sit down at the bar as a jazz band starts playing behind me. I was surprised when the burger came out because I have never had a burger cut into 3 pieces before. It was sweet and tasty, I almost expected it to be a horror movie and them to come out and tell me I was eating Aunt Sue or something. It was tasty and enjoyable and the atmosphere made me feel like I was a hip big city girl.

Battle of the Burgers

From now on this day shall just be referred to as "A slice of Burger Heaven". I had been looking forward to the Battle of the Burgers

since I first heard about it a few months ago. What could be better? A fund raising event where you are surrounded by hamburgers! As I was headed for the park I saw an angry mob with signs a few blocks away picketing about better conditions for farm animals or something and all I could think was "those cows sure are tasty".

I was lined up waiting, along with a really long line of other people before

the gates even opened. Once they finally let us in, I rushed in with anticipation, not sure what to expect. Everywhere I looked big clouds of smoke were rising off the lil dome grills and I didn't know where to start first. Since I was an early arrival I was able to hit 10 booths in the first hour before my stomach started to complain about too much deliciousness. Since the place had really filled up I spent the next hour walking around re-examining all the booths and waiting in line for another bite and a delicious shake (I figured it could fill in around the nooks and crannies).

I really tried hard to sample all 15 hamburger offerings. Alas, the spirit was willing but the flesh was weak. I managed a meager 11 burger delicacies before I threw in the towel. Of the 4 I skipped, 2 I had already been to: Farm Burger and Grindhouse Killer Burgers and 2 sounded not as appealing : shrimp/grits stuffed burgers and PB&J burgers (pimiento cheese, bacon & tomato jam). I tried to give away my extra sampling coupons but everyone I talked to was completely stuffed. Hopefully they were able to raise enough money that they will make this an annual tradition!

Burger Heaven Indeed!

Farm Burger

Fresh burger with super fresh toppings

Farm Burger

***

First off I want to stress the importance of looking closely at addresses. I was lost for an hour trying to find the restaurant because I thought it said 4108 and it was actually 410b. Slight difference. I was interested in trying their burgers because they made a point of telling you how fresh everything is. "Our burgers are made from 100% grassfed beef that is dry-aged for two weeks and ground daily. Our cows are raised on the sweet grasses of the southeast, and never fed antibiotics, hormones, or grain. Our menu is seasonal and sourced from local farms." I was practically expecting to pick my cow from out back. The restaurant itself is very small and cute. The little canning jars with metal silverware was a neat idea and there was a blackboard listing the local farms they had received products from. My sweet potato fries were yummy but tasted possibly baked. They were lacking something in flavor. The vegetables on my burger : jalapenos, lettuce, red onions, tomatoes and roasted garlic were delicious as was the mystery FB sauce. (The cashier did actually name off the ingredients to me but they were too many to remember). The disappointment was the burger. I honestly couldn't even find it to have to show in the picture and it tasted equally forgettable. I love the concept it just needs a tiny but more flavor either that or come back and just get a vegetable sandwich. 

National Cheeseburger Day

Wish I had known about this day ahead of time. I am marking it on my calendar for next year, I would have celebrated with full fanfare, instead  I ran out at lunch and had a repeat burger from the closest good place, Brad's Grill for the Messy Burger. Messy burger #2 was even messier than the first and I had a hard time keeping all my coleslaw under control. It still was delicious but I would have rather had another Flippin Out burger or Highland Tap burger to celebrate.

George's

Jalapeno Dijon burger

George's

***

The worst part about coming to Virginia Highlands is finding a parking space. On a beautiful day, you get a chance to eat on a little patio or inside the dark narrow bar. The spaces at the wooden booths all have name plates. I told my friend to call me Heather since that's what my spot said. When I saw he Jalapeno Dijon burger I couldn't resist. You have the option of getting a 5 oz or 8 oz burger and then there are a lot of other options for toppings. My burger was nice and juicy with jalapeños, jack cheese, and dijon horseradish sauce. The potato salad was very yummy with a smokey flavor to it. I wish the pickle had been crunchy but it was the soggy kind of spear. It wasn't my favorite burger by far but it was a nice place to start a day in the area. I have heard they are hit and miss so I will have to sample their burgers again.

Johnny Rockets

Double Rocket burger

Johnny Rockets

**.5

Decided to try to brave a burger now that my tummy was feeling better. I almost chickened out and ordered the soy burger but I figured if I was going to chicken out, better to do it in a city far away. At the Chicago airport they give you a beeper to notify you when your burger is ready. I waited in anticipation not only to try this new burger but to see if I could ever stomach a burger again. I loved the fresh onion on it but the burger was so greasy. I only slightly enjoyed it but I was glad to see I could go back to enjoying goood burgers again soon.

Ram Restaurant and Brewery

BeHemoth burger challenge
Ram Restaurant and Brewery

****.5

I had researched restaurants to check out before I went to Chicago and the Ram sounded good before I discovered the BeHemoth challenge. The menu just said "5+ pound burger, bursting with too many toppings to mention and all the fix'ns in one sitting." I thought to myself- "I think I have had at least a 2 lb burger no problem, I can do this." Then the burger actually came. It was bigger than my head! Plus it wasn't just 3 pounds of burger, it also had mayo, Anaheim pepper straws, cheddar cheese, caramelized onions, Havarti, country ham, lettuce, pickle chips, sauteed mushrooms, hickory smoked bacon, mustard, corned beef, American cheese and tomato plus I had to eat the fries. I decided the best plan of attack was to hack away at it with my knife to make bite size pieces. I had actually eaten almost 2/3 of the burger in the first 30 minutes when I hit the meat wall. I spent the next 90 minutes being cheered on by family and fellow restaurant goers. Of course the last thing in the world I wanted to do was take another bite. Finally, I was able to swallow that killer last bite. I decided I might not ever want another burger. Turns out I was the first female EVER to eat the entire thing and only the 81st person chain wide to finish! Of course I walked around looking pregnant for the next 2 days & couldn't even bare the thought of red meat.

Westin O'Hare Benchmark Restaurant

Bacon Cheese burger
Westin Benchmark Restaurant

****

My first thought was wow, that's the biggest pickle I ever saw. I was quickly disappointed though because the pickle wasn't crisp & tasty, it was soft & floppy. My grandfather couldn't figure out how to get his in his mouth, little did I know but this was foreshadowing of the burger to come. It was actually a really delicious burger but for $16 a bit pricey. It is a high class hotel & a restaurant there is always going to be really expensive. If you find yourself staying there and don't feel like walking then you'll really enjoy this tasty treat, you just might have to take a loan out first.

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.

Flip Burger Boutique

Bacon and cheese burger
Flip Burger Boutique

***

When I first arrived at Flip Burger Boutique the place is jam packed even though it is pouring rain. There is a long bar along one side with pretty white bar stools that is first come first serve. Hopping up on the bar stool, I can't help but notice the giant picture of the General Lee on the wall. There is music pumping and my friend insists they must turn the place into a club at night. I see a lot of really yummy sounding burgers on the menu but I have been trying to compare beef burgers so I will wait for my next visit to try the Thai chicken burger or the special burger of the month. I went with the all American bacon & cheese which is Benton’s bacon, american cheese, pickled onion, lettuce, marinated tomato, sweet pickles, ketchup, flip sauce. The presentation was gorgeous, almost like a work of art. The first thing I did was take a nibble of the bun and, to the horror of the other diners around me, scrape everything off the bun & eat it with my fork & knife. The burger was quite small but tasty and it was one of the few medium burgers I have ever ordered that was actually pink. I wouldn't order it again but I would definitely try one of the other fancier burger options.

Which Wich?

Double Wicked
Which Wich?

***

Though not technically a burger, this was eaten on the official burger tour because my burger-partner-in-crime & I had seen an article in the paper about how a local man had tried to eat this sandwich and ended up in the E.R. with lockjaw so we knew the challenge was on. We approached the restaurant with trepidation, not wanting to spend our evening at the hospital. The restaurant has a quirky little system where you fill out your order on the paper bag that your sandwich eventually ends up inside. The sandwiches are all toasty & warm but not quite jaw busting. The Double Wicked aka Lockjaw has 5 kinds of meat - turkey, ham, roast beef, pepperoni & bacon (Bacon!!!), 3 kinds of cheese and all the assorted fixings. Very, very tasty and not dangerous as long as you have a big mouth like us.

AMC Fork & Screen

Blue Max burger
Fork & Screen

***1/2

I love this place but then I love movies and burgers. How can you go wrong when you can watch a great movie, push a button and have someone bring you a burger & drinks at your ultra-comfy seat? The theater is tucked away in a plaza in downtown Buckhead, if you are at the theater it is free parking but God help you finding your way back to the car or worse out of the parking lot afterward. The do offer outside seating but since it was 100 degrees, we sat at the bar waiting for our movie to start seating. Once inside the theater, an efficient waiter quickly makes his way through our section taking orders. If you need refills or anything else during the movie there is an ominous red button on the table that will summon him immediately but I have never needed it because they usually check back if they notice your glass is empty or your plate. For a movie theater it is amazing food & prices. I always end up with the Blue Max burger which is a beef burger with Gorgonzola crumbles, lettuce, tomato & creamy blue cheese dressing on a Kaiser roll. This, however, was the first time I actually saw my burger other than the dim outline of it during the movie since I took a photo. Definitely an experience to try at least once, although I don't recommend getting dip. My first trip to the Fork & Screen decorated my purse.

Flippin' Out Burger

Black-n-blue burger

Flippin' Out Burger

*****

On a very small side street off the busy intersection of Jones Bridge Rd & States Bridge Rd this jewel is tucked away. When we first walked in there were only 2 other customers but it was also an hour after they opened. The waiter was extremely friendly & informative. I had no idea what an onion board was but I was extremely excited about bacon inside my burger. I decided to go with the Black-n-blue burger but I also got to try the Smokehouse burger. The black-n-blue burger was great! Bacon inside my burger, a giant slab of blue cheese on top, the onion board (which turns out to be curly onion strips fried into a slab & cut into sqaures) seasoned with peppercorns and I got an onion bun just to throw some extra opnions in there. Sweet potato fries, of course, to go with it. Yummy! Then I had to take a bite or 2 of the Smokehouse to try it, regular burger because it has the bacon on top but spiced with chili rub, lots of chedder cheese & some really delicious pit sauce and of course an onion board. I liked mine better but you wouldn't have to twist my arm to get me to take 5 or 6 more bites of the Smokehouse.

The ultimate topper was an Oreo cookie milkshake that had me rubbing my belly and wishing I had room for more.

Smoke house burger

The Counter

1/3 burger with options
The Counter

****

First stop on the Burger Tour. It took me a few time driving by before I spotted it and then I felt especially blonde for having missed it. We were trying to decide if the building had been a bank or a Jiffy Lube in a previous life. We were greeted by a very friendly waiter who explained how the process worked. The menu is a check box format where you pick from numerous options or you can pick a pre-arranged burger if you can't decide. I chose the 1/3 lb burger with red onions, jalapenos, pepper jack cheese, black bean & corn salsa, and shredded carrots with peanut sauce on the side. I got the multi grain bun but they also offer your burger in a bowl. They had an enormous platter of sweet potato fries that were enough to share. I couldn't even wait to take a picture, I just dove right into my burger.