Checking in on new Googie Burger

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ATL Food Chatter: September 20, 2010
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Googie Burger, the walk-up hamburger stand located in downtown Atlanta’s Centennial Olympic Park that opened in July, has already become popular with local office workers and tourists. General manager Shawn Goelz, a veteran Chick-fil-A executive, hopes that with its location, Googie Burger will also become a pre-game destination for sporting events. Goelz also said that, based upon customer feedback, Googie is developing a signature hot dog that will not be “a regular concession stand hotdog, but a premium beef hot dog that has the right blend of ingredients.” (He’s keeping exactly what that blend of ingredients entails under wraps until it’s unveiled.)

Named for the iconic retro architectural style characterized by upswept roofs and curvaceous geometric shapes, Googie menu is more compact and less expensive (and also less focused on local ingredients) than other recently opened burger joints: The Classic Googie Burger is $4.95 for a single patty, $5.95. Their signature creation is shaping up to be The Beefy Pig Burger—with bacon, American cheese, and smoked pork shoulder with barbecue sauce ($4.95). There are also veggie options and kid-sized burgers.

This will be a prime spot to linger in the cooler weather that’s (hopefully) forthcoming. Patio seating behind Googie’s building provides a panoramic view of the park while you sip a shake (the PB&J is the most novel flavor), eat the last handful of fresh-cut fries and enjoy a burger—or, soon, a hotdog.

NEWS AND NOTES:

Besha Rodell reports that former Top Chef contestant Eli Kirshtein and investor John Liotta are rumored to be teaming up to develop a new restaurant project here in Atlanta.

 
The New York Times reported on the innovative use of iPads for the wine program at Bone’s Restaurant.

The Atlanta Business Chronicle
is reporting that Sticky RibHouse LLC—with 18 Sticky Fingers barbeque restaurants in the Carolinas, Tennessee and Georgia—has relocated its headquarters to Atlanta.

Buckhead. The Fox and Hounds Pub has closed.

Cheshire Bridge. What Now Atlanta reports that Matty Cakes Bakery has closed.

Decatur. John Kessler reported that chef Ryan Stewart has left Farmhouse 303, with no word yet on a replacement.

Downtown. Cliff Bostock noted that Bell Street Burritos opened last week in the Sweet Auburn Curb Market.

Morningside. PR contacts made the round to local food writers last week, announcing that Ron Eyester of Rosebud is slated to open The Family Dog, “a simple bar”, across the street by January 2011.

 
Midtown. The AJC first reported that opening chef de cuisine Nick Melvin is departing the weeks-old Empire State South. Melvin’s replacement will be Ryan Smith, who leaves Holeman & Finch for the post (he also worked at Restaurant Eugene.)

Zeb Stevenson has been promoted to executive chef at Livingston, replacing Gerry Mennie.

 
Deckard’s Kitchen and Kegs, a neighborhood American tavern with a New England twist, has opened at 650 Ponce de Leon Avenue in Midtown Plaza.

Old Fourth Ward. The Shumacher Group announced that a yet-to-be-named, Florida-based “Asian Bistro” group will open a restaurant specializing in sushi, Japanese and Thai cuisine in the former Repast location.

Smyrna. The owners of local vegetarian Indian chain Udipi Cafe has opened its 3rd location at 2772 Cumberland Blvd.

Question of the Week: What Atlanta wine connoisseur and blogger has been appointed Wine Concierge at the soon to be opened H & F Bottle Shop?
 
PS. The answer to last week’s QOTW—What intown restaurant is debuting a 6oz venison burger for Midtown Restaurant Week?—is Diesel.

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