The Best Smashburgers in Atlanta
It used to be hard to find a good burger. Your best bet was a fast food burger that was either microwaved or “char broiled”.* But over the past 10-15 years, smashburgers have added a new gourmet touch to your classic fast food patties. We’ve outlined a few local fast casual and dine in restaurants below that have been elevating ATL burgers for years.
1. The Albert
918 Austin Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307
When it comes to neighborhood bars with charm, Inman Park has one of the best at The Albert. They also have easy access to an incredible Smash Burger. You can customize it how you ‘d like it, but don’t sleep on the Albert Burger – made with pimento, bacon and pickled red onion.
2. The Argonaut
1963 Hosea L Williams Dr SE, Atlanta, GA 30317
You wouldn’t expect it, but this Kirkwood seafood spot has a delicious smashburger that locals swear by! It’s two 4 oz. angus beef patties on a challah bun and topped with a Calabrian aioli and American cheese.
3. Atkins Park
794 North Highland Avenue Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30306
Atkins Park is a classic Virginia Highlands restaurant with a wild past that you can read all about here. Their Smashburger is excellent, featuring savory sautéed onions and their “Special Sauce”, along with quality Angus beef. They’ve got 30+ beers on their menu, along with a few dozen wine options that go great with the burger (and you should probably drink if you’re visiting Atkins Park).
4. Bonafide Deluxe
1454 La France Street Northeast Ste 110, Atlanta, GA 30307
These guys are mostly known for their Instagram friendly, roll style sandwiches (that taste as good as they look). Lucky for us, this Edgewood sandwich shop decided to add a smashburger to the menu. It’s a favorite, for sure.
5. Burger Crush
871 Concord Rd SE, Smyrna, GA 30080
Smashburgers in Smyrna? Does that make them Smyrshburgers. Whatever you want to call them, Burger Crush makes delicious burgers, milkshakes and fries from their cute, but modest, Smyrna location. Look for their specialties, like the Whistle Stop Burger with Fried Green Tomato, bacon and “Wicked” pimento cheese, then add fries and a root beer float to close out lunch.
6. Grindhouse
Multiple Locations – See Website for Details
When it comes to slinging Smashburgers, Grindhouse is the OG. You’ve seen them everywhere in Atlanta over the past few years and for good reason – when a Grindhouse opens up in your neighborhood, you’ll be a regular. Everyone has a Grindhouse order – this writer’s is a double with bacon plus a side of blue cheese dip. It’s excellent every time.
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7. New Realm Brewery
550 Somerset Terrace NE #101, Atlanta, GA 30306
New Realm has entered the smashburger game, and trust us, it’s elite! It’s a standard smash with two patties, American cheese, a special sauce, pickles, and a brioche bun. But if you want to deviate from the norm and go for something with a bit of spice, try the smokehouse burger with crispy bacon, grilled jalapeños, onions, and BBQ sauce. It’s excellent!
8. NFA Burger
Inside the Chevron, 5465 Chamblee Dunwoody Rd, Dunwoody, GA 30338
If we were ranking smashburgers, we’d have to put NFA Burger first and everyone else in some jumbled order. We’ve written and posted about them multiple times, but the story bears repeating. Owner Billy Kramer traveled the country looking for the best burger, perfected an incredible smash burger recipe with his own custom sauce, and made the most delicious burger in Atlanta. Expect low-frills dining – it’s a gas station after all – and a high quality meal.
9. Patty and Frank’s
1235 Chattahoochee Ave NW, Atlanta, GA 30318
If you’ve been to The Works Food Hall, you may have noticed one of the biggest stalls is a smashburger specialist. Patty and Frank’s was created with two chefs you know – Andrew Zimmern, host of the popular travel series Bizzare Foods, and Todd Ginsberg, owner of Fred’s Meat and Bread, The General Muir and other Atlanta restaurants. Since they’re also focused on great hog dogs, Patty and Frank’s has an excellent chili – try it for some extra heat on your next smashburger.
10. Poundtown Smashburgers
Pop Up – Follow Social for Details
Sometimes the best place to find a smashburger is somewhere you wouldn’t expect. Poundtown Smashburgers is a pop-up concept that you’ll find all over Atlanta, most recently at Pullman Yards and Round Trip Brewing. Follow their Insta to find out where you can get their mouthwatering, melty burgers.
11. Smiley’s Burger Club
310 E Howard Ave, Decatur, GA 30030
The newest entry into the Smashburger Thunderdome is Smiley’s Burger Club in Decatur. The patty is big with lots of crispy edges, and perfectly seasoned with a buttery bun. NFA may have some competition here soon thanks to Smiley’s! (Also, don’t sleep on their smiley fries. As one friend said to me, “There’s some real magic going on there.”)
