Oh, Norcross. The land of suburban sprawl, strip-mall dreams, and burgers. Lots and lots of burgers. Even places that aren’t strictly burger joints still serve burgers because most likely their patrons are craving that perfect patty and need them to deliver the goods.
IHOP
$ | (770) 242-8390 | WEBSITE
You dragged yourself out of bed after a night of helping your kid finish a science project, feeling like you’d run a marathon on three hours of sleep. The only thing that got you moving was the promise of IHOP. This particular location has become our family’s weekend ritual, and if we don’t get those steak tips breakfast platters and a stack of pancakes the size of your head, we might as well have stayed in bed.
The waitresses remember our usual orders, the cooks send out food so hot it steams up the windows, and the manager circles the dining room like a guardian angel, making sure every syrup bottle is full and every coffee cup stays warm.
It’s the kind of place where you pass three other pancake houses to get here, because nowhere else makes you feel like you’re eating breakfast at your favorite aunt’s kitchen table—if your aunt had a staff of cheerful professionals and portion sizes that could feed a small army.
Krystal
$ | (770) 381-7195 | WEBSITE
Game over. Your craving for a decent burger ends with you pulling into a parking lot that looks like it survived a minor apocalypse and now it’s time to leave. The car. Don’t even bother locking the doors, just head right inside. And the good news is Krystal has turned into an absolutely lovely service experience, with offerings from Audreana’s friendly chitchat, careful burger cooking, and even polite managers! Plus if it’s lunchtime, the food generally isn’t too disappointing.
Send us a postcard from the hot dining room.
CG HIBACHI & WINGS
$ | (678) 580-0783 | WEBSITE
So you missed the turn again. Old routes are hard to forget sometimes, but at least your detour was in Norcross and there’s a family-run spot right ahead. The honey hot wings on the far left might be a touch over, but you don’t care. These sizzling local gems are exactly what you need while reminding yourself that some mistakes lead to better discoveries.
Burger King
$ | (770) 206-1357 | WEBSITE
Code red: You just got ghosted by that trendy gastropub that promised artisanal burgers but served you a $28 disappointment. Things are bad. Luckily there’s this Burger King on the corner serving up the best hot-and-fresh fast food you should absolutely have. You’re going to be tempted by the freestyle soda machine glowing in your periphery, but stay the course. These burgers are reliably delicious and will satisfy you like a BK App freebie deal. And you deserve it.
Wings N Philly Bistro
$ | (678) 691-7518 | WEBSITE
After dealing with yet another overpriced burger joint that left you hungry and broke, it’s clear that chasing trendy spots isn’t always worth it. Get out of there as fast as you can and head to Wings N Philly Bistro. The popular bistro has a straightforward menu, but since you’re craving something satisfying, focus on their wings and Philly cheesesteak. While anything you order here is going to be good, the hot-dry wings and that loaded Philly cheesesteak are easily our favorites.
Plus, the reasonable prices and large portions will help ease your frustration when you realize you just saved $20 compared to that last disappointing meal.
Martin’s Restaurant – Norcross Location
$ | (770) 448-4148 | WEBSITE
Whoops. You meant to hit the drive-thru on your way to work but ended up circling the block three times looking for parking. Common mix-up. You still made it to the office—and only about 15 minutes behind—but unfortunately missed the morning meeting. Time for some breakfast biscuits. Martin’s has been holding down the Norcross location for two decades and did exactly what regulars hoped they would: they kept the homie vibe exactly the same, but now the biscuits are legendary.
We suggest focusing primarily on the steak, egg, and cheese biscuit, and then committing fully to the fresh, hot breakfast plates.
B&W Burgers, Buns & Brews
$ | (470) 359-7896 | WEBSITE
You’re trying to decide between a burger, a salmon club, and tater tots when you notice the bartender already has your beer poured and ready. You love your life. If you’re in the mood for a rooftop view, but would also like live music, friendly service, and a warm atmosphere in that view, B&W Burgers is your stop.
Honestly, you can’t really come to this place without the expectation of leaving completely satisfied that night, but as long as you’re fine with that outcome, you’ll get what you came for.
Checkers
$ | (770) 864-9061 | WEBSITE
You were just about to close that big deal when your toddler decides to demonstrate his new ketchup-squeezing skills all over your white shirt. Better luck tomorrow, and in the meantime, head to Checkers in Norcross for a quick fix. The classic, drive-thru-friendly spot serves fast-food staples like fresh burgers, perfectly cooked fries, and our favorite value meal in town.
It’s also known for its speedy service and friendly staff, which means if you need to customize your order or just want a smile with your meal, they’ve got you covered. Reminder: Grab some extra napkins at the window on your way out.
Wendy’s
$ | (770) 710-0174 | WEBSITE
Some guy with a messy beard in the drive-thru line started complaining about the wait, and you had to speak up. A few sharp comments later, and you were pulling away with your order before he even reached the window. Be sure to swing by Wendy’s on the way home to remember why you’re so drawn to reliable comfort.
Find one of the clean tables in the renovated dining area, bury your face into a Dave’s Double, and chat with a young staff member until you realize they’ve never heard of your burger preferences. Get the Strawberry Pop-Tart vanilla frosty for the drive home.
Cheeseburger Bobby’s
$ | (770) 696-1337 | WEBSITE
One kid said you’re too messy and the other said, “And yet, you’re eating too slow.” You don’t even know what that means, but you’ve had enough of this afternoon for today and you’re heading to Norcross. You don’t know your exact errand yet, but you’re absolutely stopping at Cheeseburger Bobby’s on the way. The burger joint with TVs showcasing entertainment is great across the board, but you’re getting the classic burger today.
It’s one of our favorite versions in Georgia and ideal for enjoying while watching the game.
