Atlanta is a Great Road Food Town

On February 25th, 2009, I posted on this very blog that I would be heading to Atlanta, Georgia, to check out some burger joints. I planned to hit up the following: Chick-fil-A Dwarf House, Big Pie In The Sky, Abdullah The Butcher House of Ribs, Ann’s Snack Bar, Zesto Drive-In, The Varsity, The Vortex, Burgers & More, OK Cafe, Flip Burger Boutique, and World Of Coke plus Whataburger in Jacksonville and Big Boy in Sanford, Florida.

I did pretty well and hit all of them except for Big Boy on the way up to Atlanta and the Dwarf House and Burgers and More, the latter of which I never ended up trying before it closed permanently.

Some other spots that closed, like Abdullah The Butcher House of Ribs and Ann’s Snack Bar, will be added to the growing list of gone but not forgotten comfort food restaurants I’ve eaten at in my lifetime.

Plus, there’s the legendary Holeman & Finch, which I enjoyed at the 2014 SoBe Burger Bash and still hope to visit one day. I’m sure there are other Atlanta restaurants I have overlooked, but one you must find is NFA Burger, started by my bud Billy Kramer. Some might say it’s the best burger in all of Georgia.

Big Pie in the Sky

Big Pie in the Sky in Kennesaw, Georgia
Big Pie in the Sky Pizzeria in Kennesaw, Georgia

My main reason for stopping at Big Pie in the Sky Pizzeria was that Adam Richmond had featured them on the original version of Man v Food. It was cold outside and packed inside when we arrived. I wish we could have taken on the Carnivore Challenge.

More about Big Pie in the Sky Pizzeria.

Big Pie In The Sky Pizzeria
2090 Baker Rd NW # 103
Kennesaw, GA
(770) 420-8883

Dwarf House

Chick-fil-A's Dwarf House in Hapeville, Georgia
Chick-fil-A‘s Dwarf House in Hapeville, Georgia

I love Chick-fil-A, so it was a no-brainer that I visit the “original” location. The Dwarf House has a small functioning front door, which children seemed to enjoy.

The restaurant itself has a diner-type menu with burgers, hot browns, and a delicious sweet potato souffle. Of course, the chicken is great too!

Sweet Potato Souffle from Chick-fil-A's Dwarf House in Hapeville, Georgia
Sweet Potato Souffle

Chick-fil-A‘s Dwarf House
461 N Central Avenue
Hapeville, GA
(404) 762-1746

Inside Chick-fil-A's Dwarf House in Hapeville, Georgia
Inside Chick-fil-A‘s Dwarf House in Hapeville, Georgia

Fat Matt’s Rib Shack and BBQ

It was pretty much the last call when we walked into Fat Matt’s Rib Shack. We had just missed the live blues band but were able to order a chopped pork sandwich and a Brunswick Stew. I’d love to come back and catch some live music while chomping down on some ribs.

Chopped Pork Sandwich from Fat Matt's Rib Shack in Atlanta, Georgia
Chopped Pork Sandwich

More about Fat Matt’s Rib Shack.

Fat Matt’s Rib Shack
1811 Piedmont Avenue NE
Atlanta, GA
(404) 607-1622

Fox Bros BBQ

Beef Short Rib from Fox Bros. BBQ in Atlanta, Georgia
Beef Short Rib from Fox Bros BBQ

It smells like heaven at Fox Bros BBQ, which makes sense cause all the food is killer. The beef short rib must have floated down from heaven, and jalapeño cheddar sausage with a side of pimento cheese ensured that I would return.

Jalapeño Cheddar Sausage and Pimento Cheese from Fox Bros. BBQ in Atlanta, Georgia
Jalapeño Cheddar Sausage and Pimento Cheese

I’m not kidding; we’ve gone on four return visits over the years!

More about Fox Bros BBQ.

Fox Bros BBQ
1238 DeKalb Avenue NE
Atlanta, GA
(404) 577-4030

The Frosty Caboose

Heath Bar Shake from The Frosty Caboose in Chamblee, Georgia
Heath Bar Shake from The Frosty Caboose in Chamblee, Georgia

We stopped at an antique shop, which happened to be next door to the Frosty Caboose. I sat this one out, but Marcela loved her Heath Bar shake.

The Frosty Caboose
5435 Peachtree Road
Chamblee, GA
(770) 451-4556

Website – http://www.frostycaboose.com
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/frosty_caboose
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/FrostyCaboose

Monday 11:30 am – 9:00 pm
Tuesday 11:30 am – 9:00 pm
Wednesday 11:30 am – 9:00 pm
Thursday 11:30 am – 10:00 pm
Friday 11:30 am – 10:00 pm
Saturday 11:30 am – 10:00 pm
Sunday 12:30 am – 9:00 pm

Grindhouse Killer Burgers

Grindhouse Killer Burgers Live Fast Eat Well Sign in Atlanta, Georgia
Grindhouse Killer Burgers on Piedmont Avenue

I’m all about gritty B movies, so Grindhouse Killer Burgers, a burger joint that highlights them, is right up my alley. When you add to the fact that there’s a pimento cheeseburger on the menu, I knew I may have found a burger soulmate!

Hillbilly Style Burger from Grindhouse Killer Burgers in Atlanta, Georgia
Hillbilly Style Burger

More about Grindhouse Killer Burgers.

Grindhouse Killer Burgers 
1842 Piedmont Ave NE
Atlanta, GA
(404) 254-2273

Meehan’s Public House

I wasn’t in the driving mood, so that meant it was time to check out what was delivered to my hotel. Meehan’s Public House looked right up my alley with stick-to-your-guts comfort food.

There is so much to choose from: housemade potato chips, Reuben egg rolls, craft pretzel bites, buffalo chicken tenders, meatloaf, and a burger with cheese spread (pimento?).

The hand-breaded buffalo chicken tenders were great, but Meehan’s Meatloaf was off-the-charts delicious. We’re talking Angus beef and Italian sausage in red wine demi-glace with mashed potatoes and green beans.

And what about Meehans Burger? Well, it’s a ground steak patty topped with WisPride sharp cheddar cheese spread and bacon on an English muffin.

Meehan's Burger from Meehan's Public House in Atlanta, Georgia
Meehan’s Burger

Wow, just wow.

Meehan’s Public House
200 Peachtree Street
Atlanta, GA
(404) 214-9821

Website – https://downtown.meehanspublichouse.com
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/meehanspub
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/153444982966

Monday 11:30 am – 12:00 am
Tuesday 11:30 am – 12:00 am
Wednesday 11:30 am – 12:00 am
Thursday 11:30 am – 12:00 am
Friday 11:30 am – 1:00 am
Saturday 11:30 am – 1:00 am
Sunday 11:00 am – 12:00 am

NFA Burger

NFA Burger in a gas station in Dunwoody, Georgia
NFA Burger in a gas station in Dunwoody, Georgia

Considered by many to be the best burger in Georgia (including myself), NFA Burger began its life as the Billy’s Burgers Instagram account. Is the best burger in Georgia cooked in a gas station? Better believe it!

NFA Burger Double Cheeseburger in Dunwoody, Georgia
NFA Burger Double Cheeseburger

Go and have one; it’ll make you a believer.

More about NFA Burger.

NFA Burger
5465 Chamblee Dunwoody Road
Dunwoody, GA
(404) 666-2874

OK Cafe

While I suggest that first-timers eat breakfast at OK Cafe, you should work your way up to burgers for lunch. Or maybe bring a few folks with you, and then you share.

Bacon & Pancakes from OK Cafe in Atlanta, Georgia
Bacon & Buttermilk Griddle Cakes

More about OK Cafe.

OK Cafe
1284 W Paces Ferry Rd NW
Atlanta, GA
(404) 233-2888

The Varsity

The Varsity in Atlanta, Georgia
The Varsity in Atlanta, Georgia

I’ve stopped at The Varsity on pretty much every stay or drive through Atlanta. I’m not fond of the burgers, but the chili dogs, fresh-cut fries, hand-breaded onion rings, and fried pies are excellent.

More about The Varsity.

The Varsity
61 North Avenue
Atlanta, GA
(404) 881-1706

The Vortex

The Vortex in Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta’s The Vortex

The Vortex is where great vibe meets bar food. Take a seat near the bar, eat a burger, and don’t forget to take a selfie on your way in or out.

More about The Vortex.

The Vortex
438 Moreland Ave
Atlanta, GA
(404) 688-1828

White House Restaurant

White House Restaurant Menu in Atlanta, Georgia
White House Restaurant Menu

It was my birthday, and I didn’t want to go out in the morning. So, Marcela brought me a double patty melt to enjoy while watching some TV in the hotel.

Double Patty Melt from the White House Restaurant in Atlanta, Georgia
Double Patty Melt from the White House Restaurant

Since she ate breakfast at the White House Restaurant, she took one plated pic so that you could see the patty melt in its natural habitat.

How was it? Well, great, except for the choice of cheese, which we all know should be Swiss.

White House Restaurant
3172 Peachtree Rd NE
Atlanta, GA
(404) 237-7601

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/p/The-White-House-Restaurant-100037499117092

Monday 6:30 am – 2:30 pm
Tuesday 6:30 am – 2:30 pm
Wednesday 6:30 am – 2:30 pm
Thursday 6:30 am – 2:30 pm
Friday 6:30 am – 2:30 pm
Saturday 6:30 am – 2:30 pm
Sunday 8:00 am – 2:30 pm

World of Coca-Cola

World Of Coke in Atlanta, Georgia
World Of Coca-Cola in Atlanta, Georgia

I love Coke, so a visit to the World Of Coca-Cola in their hometown was a necessity. As an added plus, the Georgie Aquarium is right across the way.

More about the World of Coca-Cola.

World of Coca-Cola
121 Baker St NW
Atlanta, GA
(404) 676-5151

Zesto

Chubby Decker Burger from Zesto in Atlanta, Georgia
Chubby Decker Burger from Zesto

I enjoy eating at regional burger joints. Zesto‘s Chubby Decker is a solid, fast food burger, and there’s nothing wrong with that.

More about Zesto.

Zesto – East Atlanta
1181 United Avenue SE
Atlanta, GA
(404) 622-4254

CLOSED Abdullah the Butcher’s House of Ribs

Read about Abdullah the Butcher House of Ribs and Chinese Food.

CLOSEDAnn’s Snack Bar

Read about Ann’s Snack Bar.

Ghetto Burger from Ann's Snack Bar in Atlanta, Georgia
Ghetto Burger

CLOSEDBurgers and More

Read about Burgers and More.

CLOSEDFlip Burger Boutique

Read about Flip Burger Boutique.

CLOSEDYeah! Burger

Double Cheeseburger and Sweet Potato Fries from Yeah! Burger in Atlanta, Georgia
Double Cheeseburger and Sweet Potato Fries from Yeah! Burger

Read about Yeah! Burger.

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