Shaun Doty to open Federal Burger in the Politan Row food hall at Colony Square

YOM smoothies and salads and Bun Mi Vietnamese will also join the hall's lineup

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Federal Burger takes sourcing seriously.

Courtesy of Politan Row at Colony Square

Come May, the Politan Row food at Colony Square will open as part of North American Properties’ $400 million redevelopment of the mixed-use property in Midtown. Chef Shaun Doty (Bantam & Biddy) will be one of its first tenants with the launch of Federal Burger, an extension of his now-defunct bistro, the Federal. Other food stalls will include Bun Mi Grill, a Vietnamese spot with a location in Buckhead, and YOM, a health food concept focused on bowls, smoothies, and juices.

Politan Row operates food halls in Chicago; Miami; Houston; Jackson, Mississippi; and New Orleans; including the famed St. Roch Market. Its Colony Square hall will be its largest yet with space for 11 food and beverage stalls, plus a central bar and shared indoor and outdoor seating.

“I’ve been an admirer of Politan Row—especially St. Roch—for a while. They’re really seasoned operators,” Doty says. “I’ve always lived in Midtown. With that location, it’s kind of a home run.”

After co-founding YEAH! Burger with Erik Maier more than 10 years ago, Doty—who is no longer involved in the restaurant—says it’s time to revisit burgers. “You can take the ingredients, the nostalgia, the design, and repackage it for a new generation,” he says.

The Federal Burger menu will be simple: composed burgers made with White Oak Pastures beef, Sweet Grass Dairy cheese, and Root Baking Co. buns. Fries will be Belgian-style, with poutine available. Seasonal sides may include fava beans or watermelon salad. There will also be an organic chicken burger and a “Not So Impossible” burger made from a handful of vegetables.

“The Federal was one of the best things I’ve ever done in my career, combined with sourcing really phenomenal beef,” Doty says. “It was not going to work [during] the pandemic, but it lives on in spirit through Federal Burger.”

As such, Doty will be hosting monthly steak dinners with signature items from the Federal in Politan Row.

“We’ve spent 10 months in hibernation. I’m chomping at the bit to do something,” he says.

Countering all that meat, certified personal trainer Rob Green is opening YOM’s first brick-and-mortar location with mostly vegan dishes inspired by his Native American roots. Expect juices, salads, and avocado toast with smoked salmon, capers, and lemon zest. There’s even “vegan junk food,” like macaroni and cheese.

Vegan mac ‘n’ cheese from YOM

Courtesy of Politan Row at Colony Square

YOM juices

Courtesy of Politan Row at Colony Square

Bowls, salads, and smoothies at YOM

Courtesy of Politan Row at Colony Square

Meanwhile, Bun Mi Grill will serve seasonal Pho and a variety of banh mi, including one with truffle pate.

A selection of Vietnamese offerings from Bun Mi

Courtesy of Politan Row at Colony Square

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