I know what you’re thinking and you’d be wrong. This was actually
Michaela’s idea and wasn’t planned. I, of course, did not argue with it.
Before we get started, none of these are “doubled” or “special
orders”. This is just the burger on the menu, as it comes. Atlanta has a
curious thing where every burger is a double meat and usually double cheese.
Often the burger on the menu is listed as a “burger stack” or just plain “burger”
with no mention that this is a double meat or double patty burger. Some
descriptions will say “double beef”, some won’t. I have no idea how or when
Atlanta’s burger world decided in unison to become exclusively “burger stack”
and honestly, I don’t care. It’s to be enjoyed, not questioned.
New Realm Brewery –
Radegast Burger
We were told to go here by our local Brewmaster, Eric at
Spahr. This place was started by the former Head Brewer at Stone and we tried every beer on tap (excellent btw). We got the
burger here because we kept seeing it go by. We split the burger because
Michaela wanted to try the mac and cheese. The burger was good, but it was
shown up by the mac and cheese and beer. We would go here again, but for the
beer and mac and cheese, and most definitely NOT to watch a football game. (pro tip: Lights Down, Tips Up)
H&F Burger at
Ponce City Market – The Original
We came here Sunday morning because there was supposed to be
a craft market with local artist. We were expecting some huge event that would
dwarf our Palafox market. Instead there were only about 10 tables and we were a little disappointed. We also had big plans to have breakfast/brunch/lunch
at one of the other award winning eateries here. Instead, we got sucked into
H&F because we know how great it is and because we were not satisfied with
the burger from New Realm. The H&F Burger was great as always and remains
at the top of my list. This is also where Michaela said we should just go to
all the burger places and split a burger, and from here on out, we pretty much
did.
Fred’s Meat and Bread
– Burger Stack
We “wrangled up a couple birds” (we heard some guy say this
the first night and it became the phrase of the weekend) and rode them
(illegally) along the Beltline to Krog Market. Fred’s is often listed on the
best burgers in Atlanta lists and I will say that it was very good. The only
downside is that they drowned it in mayonnaise. They just killed it. I will
probably eat here again, but now I know to say, “No Mayo”.
Marlow’s Tavern –
Royale with Cheese
Some things I did not know: 1.Marlow’s is a chain. 2.The “Royale
with Cheese” is not a special, but a regular menu item. 3.The burger is made
with Wagyu Beef. We first ever heard of Marlow’s when we went to Duluth a
couple years ago. Not much was still open after the concert we went to so we
ate at Marlow’s on their “late night” menu. I got some forgettable sandwich and
Michaela ordered the “Royale with Cheese”. I remember it being very good and
much better than what I ordered, but I otherwise forgot about it, but not Michaela.
So when we drove past Marlow’s, she started flipping out about this burger. I
kept thinking it couldn’t be the same restaurant from Duluth, but it was and we
went and we got the “Royale with Cheese” and it was an amazing burger that I
highly recommend.
YEAH! Burger – YEAH!
Burger
A bartender told us this was his favorite burger in Atlanta,
so when we ended up beside the place, we decided to try it out. They are a
chain with a much more ‘fast-food’ vibe. The burger was pretty good, but it
just seemed a bit ‘off’. I ditched the bibb lettuce for the last couple bites
and thought that helped. It was the messiest of the burgers we tried because of
the sauce and caramelized onions. All it all it was tasty, but since it has the
same $10+ price as the restaurant burgers, I’m knocking it down a peg in my book.
Final Atlanta Burger
Rankings:
- H&F Burger – The Original (still the best)
- Marlow’s – Royale with Cheese (delicious!)
- Fred’s – Burger Stack (hold the mayo)
- New Realm – Radegast (go for the beer)
- YEAH! – YEAH! Burger (hold the greens)
