By Gray Chapman
As a young college student in Atlanta, I often try to stay relatively healthy. But yogurt and salads can only last so long. When it’s time to break out of your boring diet, The Vortex Bar & Grill is the place to go. You’ll forget all about swimsuit season the minute they put one of their famous burgers in front of you.
The Vortex has become a formidable institution of culinary excellence in Atlanta since its opening in 1992. But be forewarned; this isn’t exactly the place to take your mother when she comes to town. The atmosphere of the place gives a strong “no B.S.” vibe, which you will come to understand when you read the “Stuff You Should Know” section of the menu. Gems like “if you ask us stupid questions we will be forced to mock you mercilessly” and “if you think tipping is a scam, then buy yourself a TV dinner, stay at home and watch wrestling” really convey the attitude of the place right off the bat.
When you do sit down, you’ll most likely be sitting directly beneath one of the many posters of the infamous “Vortex girls.” A word of advice: these aren’t exactly the girls you’d want to take home to your parents.
The Vortex represents the culmination of a long journey for me — the pursuit of the best cheeseburger in Atlanta. While they do have a full selection of menu items, from hot wings to nachos to the more refined deli sandwiches and salads, the cheeseburger is truly the icon of the restaurant. Known throughout Atlanta for their many “creative solutions” to the good old-fashioned cheeseburger, The Vortex offers a myriad of different takes on an old classic.
Looking for some serious spice? Try the Ragin’ Cajun, topped with Cajun spices and pepperjack cheese. If you’re feeling adventurous, give the Elvis Burger a shot – a burger complete with peanut butter, bacon, and bananas. Perhaps you’d like to test the caliber of your cardiovascular system? The Double Bypass burger is a sirloin patty topped with a fried egg, American cheese, bacon, and mayo; but instead of buns, you get two grilled cheese sandwiches. It’s safe to say this one probably isn’t recommended by the Surgeon General. My personal favorite is the Blue Shroom, a juicy burger with blue cheese spread, bacon and sautéed mushrooms.
If you’re craving one of these but you’re more animal-friendly, don’t despair. The Vortex offers the option to substitute a veggie patty for any of their burgers (in addition to a turkey patty, bison burger, or chicken breast). Though the french fries on the side are a force to be reckoned with, I recommend going all-out and trying the sweet potato fries, which come with a special cinnamon-sugar sprinkling.
The Vortex has been voted “Best Burger in Atlanta” by Creative Loafing every year since its opening. Other publications that have recognized The Vortex’s prowess for burger-cooking include the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Atlanta Magazine, Southern Living, Citysearch, The Sunday Paper and The Complete Hamburger, just to name a few.
The restaurant has a location in Little Five Points (you’ll recognize it by the giant skull entrance) and in Midtown. The Midtown location is practically within walking distance from SCAD (if you’re willing to make the pilgrimage) at 878 Peachtree Road, conveniently located right next to Utrecht. So next time you’re planning a special date for that special biker-chick you’re in love with, or you just want a really, really amazing burger, head out to The Vortex.
For more information, visit The Vortex on the web at www.thevortexbarandgrill.com.
