Grindhouse: Not Your Boutique Burger

I have yet to be won over by the boutique burger craze. While I do appreciate the aesthetics of the various restaurants, when I look at a dainty patty that is delicately decorated with a sprig of parsnip, a diced pineapple and a sauce that lacks ketchup or thousand island, I am left with a quizzical expression and the impression that I will more than likely remain hungry after the meal.

You see, when I want a burger. I want it to be killer -- in the sense that it is both unbelievably delicious and challenges the notion of whether or not I will leave with a clogged artery. A thick patty, smothered in cheese, topped with ketchup and captured between a tasty bun.

For these burgers, I recommend a Grindhouse Killer Burgers.

After the suggestion of my colleagues, a group of us headed down to the Sweet Auburn Curb Market for lunch at Grindhouse Killer Burgers. With the omnipresent slabs of meat around every corner, the market itself proved to be a carnivores oasis.

Being part of the market, the restaurant is a long bar with stools and a spot to order. Nothing fancy, but that is, again, the appeal. One nice perk though -- They project movies on the wall.

When you get in line to order, you are faced with a myriad of burger options that range from Cowboy to Yankee style.

I kept it simple and ordered via the 1-2-3 method:

Naturally, I went with the Beef.

Single. And though I appreciated the healthier options, I tapped into my Irish roots and order the potato bun.


The traditional fixings -- American cheese, lettuce, tomato and ketchup -- as well as the Grindhouse Burger Sauce to mix it up.

All the burgers are specially made to order, and it may take a few minutes. So, sit back, catch a bit of the flick and reflect on the fact that some things in life are well worth the wait.

I also made my order a killer combo by adding crinkle cut french fries and sweet tea. And, Voilà!

In all its simplicity, the meal -- a delicious, melt-in-your-mouth burger with perfectly seasoned french fries and a sweet tea- is, well, to kill for.

If your not up to traveling down to Edgewood, they opened a new location on Piedmont Rd. Menu options appear to be different via locations.

Major Perks: A mouthwatering burger, classic fries and a great experience
Minor Quirks: Not the healthiest meal so eat in moderation and not an option for fast food seekers

Brookhaven Gets Colorful:Kaleidoscope Bistro & Pub

A little math for this next post:

kaleidoscope (a pattern of changing colors & shapes) + bistro (a small, informal restaurant)
= a small, informal restaurant filled with a pattern of changing colors and shapes.

This equation brings you to Brookhaven's newest hot spot, Kaleidoscope Bistro & Pub.

Beaming on the corner of Village Place off Dresden, the less-than-1-month-old restaurant combines class and comfort into one local pub. We were greeted by a much welcomed valet on a wintry night and then opened the door, stepping into a jam-packed, golden-colored restaurant. Though it was a week night around 9 p.m., there was a 25-minute wait and not an open seat in sight. Thankfully, the bar is conveniently placed near the entrance and features a good selection of house specials and a vast collection of brews, both domestic and imported. They even carry Genny Cream ale (first time I've seen it in the south).

After we were seated, the menu set before us revealed the true meaning behind the restaurant's name. According to Kaleidoscope Bistro & Pub's website,

"the idea is that every time you look into a kaleidoscope, you see something colorful and different. We have chosen to apply that concept to our own menu. We call our cuisine 'global comfort food.'"After we placed our order, our table became the kaleidoscope that displayed an assortment of this "global comfort food" with Coastal, Asian, "French" and Southern flair.

Coastal:
"Best Crabcake Ever"
Asian:
Chinese Steamed Buns
French:
“Steak Frites”
Southern:
Shrimp-N-Grits










The Chinese Steamed Buns were my favorite, and the Shrimp-N-Grits were a close second. Overall, the experience was very pleasant, with a friendly staff who continued to check to ensure everything was okay. There is a nice outdoor patio that I am just waiting to give a spin once the temperatures begin to rise.

Major Perk: Lively, fun atmosphere with a varied menu that assures each guest will be happy
Minor Quirk: As busy as the colorful patterns in a kaleidoscope, not a place for a quick dinner