If you found yourself following a new burger account on Instagram recently and weren’t sure why, it’s because you were already following its predecessor: GoDog.
Backed by Ean Bancroft of forthcoming Decatur fried chicken restaurant Mothers Best, Smiley’s Burger Club begins popping up in March at Kelly’s Market on East Howard Avenue. The next pop-up takes place on March 30 and will continue popping up at Kelly’s on the last Saturday of every month until Bancroft finds a permanent home for Smiley’s Burger Club in Decatur.
“I built a relationship with Kelly’s and owners Sean and Tanner Crotty. I used to do hot dog events there when I was doing GoDog,” Bancroft says. “I’ve found Atlanta is more of a burger town than a hot dog town.”
While working for Linton Hopkins years ago, Bancroft says the Atlanta chef once told him that if you don’t see what you want on a menu, go out and create it. That’s how the iconic Holeman and Finch burger came to fruition and what prompted Hopkins to open Hop’s Chicken at Ponce City Market.
“Anybody who endeavors to make a new concept has to have a selfish interest in it. I wanted a slim smash burger and a simplified menu burger joint like you see in other cities,” he says. “I love the burgers at NFA Burger and Patty and Frank’s but I don’t always want to drive that far to get one.”
A Smiley’s burger comprises one to three griddled patties topped with American cheese, pickles, and a riff on Big Mac sauce served on an Engleman’s potato bun. Add-ons include onions, jalapenos, and crumbled bacon pieces. Bancroft hand grinds meat to form patties and makes batches of pickles as part of the toppings for the burgers. It’s a classic burger, he says, and all you need.
The menu for both the pop-up and future burger shop features seasoned fries and tater tots. Bancroft cooks and stages out of the kitchen at Sceptre Brewing Arts in Oakhurst, owned by his Mothers…
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