The Vortex Bar and Grill – Burger Lovers Valhalla

The Vortex Bar & Grill
http://www.thevortexbarandgrill.com/
438 Moreland Ave
Atlanta, GA 30307

THE STORY
With the Scion Rock Fest happening in Atlanta, GA, it gave us a perfect excuse to travel down from NYC and try out the heralded Vortex Bar & Grill. The place is top rated and was recently featured on Man VS. Food on the Travel Channel. But with a website that promises “kick-ass, bad habits, hot chicks, booze, bar, cold beer, burgers, cocktails and motorcycles,” how can it be bad, in fact, it had better “kick-ass.” The location in Little 5 Points is the original and the one that 17 of us descended upon ready to fill our faces with tasty burgers and a wide selection of beer from around the world.

With crazy decorations including skeletons, animal heads, old beer signs, warnings about bar etiquette and punishments, girls making out in the corner and a 20 foot skull entrance way, this place is about over doing it and that was exactly my plan. How could we not be excited? YOU ENTER BY WALKING INTO THE MOUTH OF A SKULL!! While dining we heard Neurosis, Van Halen, Scissorfight, Iron Maiden and N.W.A., I truly felt at home.

THE BURGER
With a plethora of strange and different burger creations, I had trouble choosing between the famous “Double Coronary Bypass” with bacon, 2 eggs and cheese, served between 2 grilled cheese sandwiches and the “Elvis” a burger topped with bacon, cheese, fried bananas and peanut butter. What is one to do….CHOOSE BOTH! Everyone’s jaws hit the floor when they saw our very friendly waiter, Calvin, place them both in front me. My mouth began to water. Where to begin?

Double Coronary – gotta say, this greasy monstrous creation of decadence stood in front of me as if to say, “Dear Rev, Screw healthy, live large. You only live once. Love, DCB.” I bit in and had trouble registering what was happening inside my mouth. All the flavors mashed together and it was confusing as I was really eating 3 sandwiches all at once. After a few bites, I was able to discern the flavors. The grilled cheese was OK, not great, the burger was pretty good but a little over cooked. The eggs, I actually prefer a little but runny but still good and a nice mix of bacon and cheese. As individual parts, pretty good, as one massive middle finger to my cholesterol levels, amazing.

The Elvis – I cried for the first 3 or for bites. The mix of tastes was unlike anything I had ever tasted before and although many at my table winced at the thought, once they tried a bite, they all agreed. Elvis was the clear winner for taste, preparation and sheer creativity. Couple with some crispy, well cooked tater tots and a variety of craft beers, this made for one hell of a burger lovers dream.

9 out of 10 ounces
-Rev