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.
Atlanta is a Favorite Road Food Town of Mine
- Big Pie in the Sky
- Dwarf House
- Fat Matt’s Rib Shack and BBQ
- Fox Bros BBQ
- The Frosty Caboose
- Grindhouse Killer Burgers
- Meehan’s Public House
- NFA Burger
- OK Cafe
- The Varsity
- The Vortex
- White House Restaurant
- World of Coca-Cola
- Zesto
- CLOSED – Abdullah the Butcher’s House of Ribs
- CLOSED – Ann’s Snack Bar
- CLOSED – Burgers and More
- CLOSED – Flip Burger Boutique
- CLOSED – Yeah! Burger
Big Pie in the Sky
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
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!
Chick-fil-A‘s Dwarf House
461 N Central Avenue
Hapeville, GA
(404) 762-1746
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.
More about Fat Matt’s Rib Shack.
Fat Matt’s Rib Shack
1811 Piedmont Avenue NE
Atlanta, GA
(404) 607-1622
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.
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
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
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!
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.
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
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!
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.
More about OK Cafe.
OK Cafe
1284 W Paces Ferry Rd NW
Atlanta, GA
(404) 233-2888
The Varsity
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 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
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.
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
I love Coke, so a visit to the World of Coca-Cola in their hometown was a necessity. The Georgia 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
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.
CLOSED – Ann’s Snack Bar
Read about Ann’s Snack Bar.
CLOSED – Burgers and More
Read about Burgers and More.
CLOSED – Flip Burger Boutique
Read about Flip Burger Boutique.
CLOSED – Yeah! Burger
Read about Yeah! Burger.