Does that look like a $17.00 meal to you?
Friday night at YEAH! Burger, I found myself feeling as though I’d stepped into a parallel universe where the U.S. dollar had lost fifty percent of its value. Why? Because our order — two burgers, one side order of fries, a fountain drink, and a milkshake — cost us almost thirty-five dollars.
I get that the food is supposed to be organic. I get that the burgers are supposed to be 1/3 of a pound. I get that not all burger joints offer whole-wheat buns and gluten-free onion rings. I get that it’s cool to be able to order a beer or a glass of wine in what is, for all appearances, a fast-food kind of place.
What I don’t get is why Midtowners are lining up –in droves! — to pay ludicrous prices for so-so service and mediocre food. Because let’s face it: other than the health-food hype of “all organic ingredients” and the appeal of available alcohol, YEAH! Burger simply doesn’t have much to offer.
To be fair, the fries and onion rings were very good; they’re made from fresh ingredients, and you could tell that neither the potatoes nor the onions had ever seen the inside of a freezer before being battered and deep fat fried.
But our burgers — ostensibly the main event — were dull and disappointing. Clyde’s bison burger was good, but not remarkable. My own burger was under-seasoned, bland, and mealy. My coffee shake was also a disappointment, given its bitter flavor and gritty texture.
To add insult to injury: the counter help got our order wrong — not a big deal when you’re paying pennies at a fast-found counter, but a little more annoying when you’ve been asked to tip on top of already exorbitant prices.
So: we’ll be saying “No!” to YEAH! Burger — because there are just too many great options for delicious, affordable burgers in the ATL. My advice: when your tummy starts rumbling for a great burger, take your business to FUZEburger, Einstein’s (where the burgers are occasionally on special for five bucks), the US Cafe in Buckhead/Lindbergh Vista, Five Guys Burgers and Fries, or, in a pinch, the over-rated but dependable Vortex.
Over rated? Where else can you get an Elvis burger? Fried cheese? Not cheese sticks but glops of fried cheese? I had a burger with pimento cheese and bacon for crying out loud!! 🙂
I could live without the whole faux-suicide girls bs on the website and the "Hey maaaaaaaaannnnnnn! IF YOU'RE RUDE THEN GTFO!" crap but I find the food quite good. I'm gonna have to try FUZEBurger. If I ever make it to LA, I'm going to try Umami Burger.