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DEL.ICIO.USAre Burgers the Next Craze?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
ARE BURGERS THE NEXT BIG THING? Photo courtesy of Hardee’s
With Flip opening soon, and The Counter already open in Roswell, it’s becoming apparent that boutique burgers have arrived.
The Counter’s concept greets you with a clipboard and allows you to have it your way — with over 300,000 combinations derived from four different meats (one veggie, actually), 12 types of cheese, 28 toppings (including dried cranberries, fried eggs and carrot strings), 18 sauces and three types of buns. It’s cool, candid and casual, easy on the eyes and pocket book.
Flip will go a little more gourmet, with custom-made milk shakes (like Krispy Kreme flavored) and upscale, unctuous meats and toppings — all designed by Richard Blais of Top Chef fame.
My jury is out, but with the economy in the state it is, this comfort-crazy, gastro-pub-inspired, inexpensive food phase might catch on big. Is it trend, or fad?
Permalink | Comments (12) | Post your comment | Categories: Dining
Comments
By AJ
October 28, 2008 2:55 PM | Link to this
I’ve been looking forward to Flip since I first read about it. There’s always a fad coming and going, but to me a quality burger place is never a fad. People will always want a burger. And people will always want reasonably priced quality food. So combined the two and you have the furthest thing from a fad. Let’s just hope the food tastes good - especially that Krispy Kreme flavored milk shake!!!
By Drew
October 28, 2008 2:59 PM | Link to this
I don’t think it’s a trend, it’s not new in my opinion. There have been upscale sliders on menus for years now. Even Ruby Tuesday has had filet mignon burgers in the past. While not an upscale eatery there has been quite a bit of attention on Five Guys restaurants in recent months, for instance. Look at The Vortex, The Earl… those places have had good burgers for years and years. So to answer the question will it catch on? Umm, yeah. It already has.
By LR
October 28, 2008 3:09 PM | Link to this
Yeah, definitely not a new trend. If you want a fairly inexpensive burger with a fried egg on top, Fatburger (@ Piedmont and Sidney Marcus) has been serving them up for years …
By kar
October 28, 2008 3:24 PM | Link to this
I’ll stick to Five Brothers, thank you very much.
I love a sloppy, thick burger with my choice of toppings. Most of all, it has to be juicy, not a thin burger that’s dry or the eggshaped things that the Vortex tries to pass off on a bun.
By Rodney
October 28, 2008 3:31 PM | Link to this
I think it’s a bit of both, really. Trendy/fad-ish … BUT, the fact remains that in every instance I’ve had a “gourmet” burger I’ve enjoyed it.
For me it all comes down to what am I craving - am I craving gourmet, or am I craving Hardee’s, or for that matter, Burger King? I don’t do much fast food but every once in a while I think it’s good for the soul - and everyone needs an oil change now and then. :)
I’m excited about Flip - although I have to question how “inexpensive” it’ll be. I’m pretty sure it’ll command a much higher price-point than Hardee’s.
By Ashley
October 29, 2008 3:53 PM | Link to this
I have tried The Counter and I think inexpensive is a stretch when we are talking about a burger.
My impression was that the burger was just fine but too expensive. And the fact that it was easily three times taller than my mouth can open has kept me from going back.
Personally I think The Counter in Roswell is doomed.
By DALLAS GLENN
October 29, 2008 4:17 PM | Link to this
Tried The Counter last weekend. The music was so loud we took our clip- boards back to the counter and walked out.
By Jason Greene
October 29, 2008 5:03 PM | Link to this
I’m not excited about another joint by Richard B. He will bail out on his investors. Just give me that sassy Miss Ann, or those Five Guys from D.C. Yes by all means, Burgers For Ever!
By Jason Greene
October 29, 2008 5:04 PM | Link to this
I’m not excited about another joint by Richard B. He will bail out on his investors. Just give me that sassy Miss Ann, or those Five Guys from D.C. Yes by all means, Burgers For Ever!
By Laura
October 30, 2008 8:09 AM | Link to this
I love burgers & am always up for trying a new place. What’s the scoop on Flip? When & Where? I really want to try The Counter after looking at their menu online. But I have small babies, so loud music would be a turnoff for me, too. Hopefully that’s not always the case there.
By Critic
October 31, 2008 11:27 AM | Link to this
The obnoxious music on the website alone is an instant turnoff. Forget it, I do the best burgers at home on my Weber.
By Emily
November 3, 2008 2:43 PM | Link to this
I think some people are missing the point, yes there have been restaurants known for their burgers in Atlanta for years, but they aren’t burger only restaurants. When you go to Vortex or the Earl, that isn’t the only thing on the menu and fast food like Five Guys isn’t the same thing. The question is how many people will be willing to go to a burger only restaurant? From the number of times I’ve waited until 10 and made the treck to H&F only to find the burger is sold out, it seems like the demand is there, but that’s only 24 a night and $11. Since the Flip website still isn’t operational, there’s no way to tell what the price will be like, but if its $15 for a burger and tots and add a milkshake and call it $20, will there be demand? Time will tell… I know that I’m excited about the concept and plan to check it out.