When a Burger is More than a Burger at FLIP Burger Boutique

Just how creative can chefs be with burgers?

At former “Top Chef” (Bravo, Season 4) Richard Blais’ FLIP Burger Boutique, the answer is very.

Located at 1587 Howell Mill Rd., in Atlanta, if the red and white logo hadn’t caught my eye, I would’ve passed right on by. The building, as well as the location is unassuming.

However, all that changed once I stepped inside.

Giving off an aura of ultra-hipness with its white interior, chrome accents, close tables (very close, think NYC restaurant-style arrangement), large cushioned booths and plasma screen TVs behind the bar, I was a little intimidate, until I noticed the food people were enjoying.

After waiting for a table to open up (it was a Saturday), I was ready to order. The menu (PDF) is straightforward. Selections include soup of the day, various salads and fried vegetables (this is the South, after all.) Yet the star or starts of the menus are the small burgers, made with hangar steak, brisket and short rib and weighing in around 5.5 ounces uncooked.

Divided into two separate columns, there’s beef choice and flip choices. On the beef side, options include the flip burger (onion, lettuce, tomato, house-made pickles, ketchup and FLIP sauce.) Another favorite is the butcher’s cut burger, with caramelized onion, blue cheese and red wine jam. There’s even an organic option called the farm burger (organic, grass-fed beef, smoked mayo, heirloom tomato, local lettuce, grilled Vidalia onion and b&b pickles.)

On the flip side, what doesn’t sound interesting? (Don’t take that as beef options as being boring – they aren’t.)

Personally, I recommend the turkey burger (turkey, avocado, tomato, alfalfa sprout and pomegranate ketchup.) There’s the chorizo burger, served with romesco ketchup, hash browns, fried egg, Manchego cheese and smoked mayo. Seafood selections include smoked salmon burger, with herb cream cheese, arugula, red onion, cucumber and everything spice. There are even vegetarian options as well.

Of course no burger, beef or flip, is complete with a side. The hand cut french fries, which I ordered, were great. These are served with smoked mayo and ketchup. Another choice is the vodka battered onion rings with beer honey mustard, or the butternut squash tempura with Oaxacan chocolate salt, among others.

To end the meal and experience at FLIP Burger, order a milkshake. Trust me on this. I didn’t, but wished I had, especially after seeing my neighbors’ Krispy Kreme (yes, it has donuts in it), and Nutella & burnt marshmallow shakes. They are served smokin’, due to the liquid nitrogen treatment.

FLIP burger appeals to all – whether you are a serious foodie or just looking for some fun with a gourmet twist. It’s worth a visit.

Opened Mon. – Thurs., 11 a.m. – 10 p.m., Fri. – Sat., 11 a.m. – 11 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. , burger prices range from $6 – 9. Sides are around $6-7, with milkshakes at $7. Look for specials, such as the burger of the day or the combo of the day.

FLIP Burger offers full bar service as well.

In December 2009, FLIP Burger opened its new location in Birmingham, Ala., at The Summit. Operation hours are the same Atlanta’s.

Tips…

• Parking is limited. However, there is additional parking space across the street.
• Expect a wait. In fact, you can use your wait wisely by looking over the menu so you’ll be ready to order when you seated.
• Don’t get discouraged with said wait, because the tables do turn fast. If you spot a seat or two at the bar, ask if you can be seated there. You can order off the menu at the bar.

photo credit: personal collection

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