Mouthful: Veggie burgers
March 1st, 2009 by Jennifer Zyman in Restaurants, mouthful
HOUSTON’S: This long-standing go-to spot for classic American fare serves one hell of a veggie burger. The patty—made in-house with brown rice, black beans and oat bran—is glazed with sweet soy sauce, covered with melted Jack cheese and nestled on a buttered bun toasted on the griddle. It also comes with a large mound of the restaurant’s famous shoestring fries. 2166 Peachtree Road. 404-351-2442; and other locations. www.hillstone.com.
THE PORTER BEER BAR: This Little Five Points beer bar’s veggie burger uses a homemade organic black bean and quinoa patty that is at once hearty and light. A smattering of briny feta, shaved red onion, lettuce, tomato and heady red pepper mustard elevate this over the string of mushy competitors. The kitchen opts for a focaccia style bun encrusted with caramelized onions. And each burger comes with the much-improved garlicky fries or an arugula salad. 1156 Euclid Avenue. 404-223-0393. www.theporterbeerbar.com.
VEGGIELAND RESTAURANT: Join the throngs of regulars at this tiny and hidden vegetarian restaurant in Buckhead. Veggieland makes its own patty with oats, brown rice and other secret ingredients. Depending on your preference, the restaurant fries the patty to a crunchy crisp or griddles it before placing it on a whole wheat bun. The burger comes with your choice of trimmings—guacamole, vegetarian cheese, etc.—and a side of sweet potato fries. Try it with a smear of the tofu-based “Ranch” dressing for a little tang. 211 Pharr Road. 404-231-3111.
(photo by Jennifer Zyman)
March 1st, 2009 at 11:59 am
I have always loved Houston’s veggie burger- the only problem is you have to go to Houston’s to get it. BTW- Bricktop’s has basically the same one.
March 1st, 2009 at 1:07 pm
I don’t know if I went to Houston’s on an off day – but the veggie burger was beyond terrible. I don’t think it should even be on the menu or even a food that is made, ever. It was way way too sweet and the cheese was completely out of place, and it was falling apart and basically looked like a pile of rice on a bun. Terrible.
March 1st, 2009 at 1:20 pm
I had the same experience at Houston’s, disguisting. I think my favorite is Brick Store Pub and Righteous Room.
March 1st, 2009 at 2:54 pm
Thinking Man’s Tavern in Decatur has a dang tasty veggie burger as well.
March 1st, 2009 at 5:18 pm
Funny timing on this one…I was at the Porter yesterday and couldn’t finish the black bean burger, it was so mushy. I have had it before and enjoyed it, so maybe it was just an off day, but ugh, the texture was gross! The Righteous Room has an amazing veggie burger.
March 2nd, 2009 at 10:07 am
I’ve had the Porter veggie burger 2x and both times it was so mushy and gross that I couldn’t eat all of it. The consistency was sickening. I would recommend going elsewhere when craving a veggire burger. Porter’s fries are awesome though
March 2nd, 2009 at 10:22 am
I have to admit the Righteous Room serves the best veggie burger in town. And dousing it with a side of the garlicky yogurt sauce? Heaven. I must swindle their recipe out of them before I move.
The Porter’s veggie burger is better than it was originally. When it first opened, I could swear it was your usual frozen fun-on–a-bun, but then I was glad to hear that they started making it in-house. I had it a couple of weeks ago, and I agree that it falls apart too easily and could stand to be a little more “crispy.” But all in all, it’s a better alternative than most options you get.
March 2nd, 2009 at 12:04 pm
Thanks for all the comments, guys.
I have to defend Houston’s veggie burgers. They have been consistently good for years. And all of my vegetarian friends (who I polled after my visits) listed that burger as their favorite. I am sure the quality at certain locations varies. I find the West Paces Ferry location to be the most consistent.
My burger at The Porter was very crisp–not mushy–as I said. You should give it another try. It was certainly the most flavorful version I tasted. Just an FYI: The bar is offering 50% off the lunch menu (food only) throughout the month of March.
March 2nd, 2009 at 12:58 pm
I know! I am all over that sweet deal. I really hope that they have those goat cheese fritters I was salivating over not too long ago….
March 3rd, 2009 at 8:55 pm
Thinking Man Tavern has an outrageously good jerk veggie burger.
March 4th, 2009 at 11:54 am
I agree, the veggie burger at the Porter was mushy. Next time I will walk around to the corner for the Vortex’s black bean burger which is amazing. I only wish they would bring back the “Mexicali” style!
March 4th, 2009 at 12:08 pm
I ate The Vortex’s black bean burger for this story and it was way mushy. Not bad, just mushy and they use Morningstar or some other brand. My aim was to feature places that make their own patties. I do, however, like how you can get the veggie burgers any style you want at The Vortex.
March 4th, 2009 at 1:00 pm
I’m with you, Jennifer, I don’t really count places that just slap a patty out of a box onto a grill.
March 11th, 2009 at 10:21 am
Houston’s veggie burger is by far my favorite in Atlanta. Every time I have been it has been spot-on.
I recently tried Porter’s veggie burger and agree with other comments that it was mushy and terrible. The taste was one of the worst tasting house-made veggie burgers I’ve had. I couldn’t even finish it.
Thinking Man’s Tavern also has a great veggie burger. I’ve had it twice and both times were good.
March 11th, 2009 at 11:00 am
The taste wasn’t terrible; it was the texture for me. I like a bit of char—yes, I know, a silly sounding thing considering it’s a veggie burger—and this just didn’t have it. I am glad that it was different and better experience for others.