Ann’s Snack Bar in Atlanta: What Happened to the Home of the “Ghetto Burger”?

Atlanta locals and longtime visitors still talk about Ann’s Snack Bar in hushed, nostalgic tones. For years, this tiny spot on Memorial Drive was known as one of Atlanta’s most legendary burger joints, especially famous for its towering “Ghetto Burger.”

If you’ve heard about Ann’s Snack Bar and are wondering what it was, where it was, and what your options are now in Atlanta, this guide walks through everything you need to know.

A Quick Overview of Ann’s Snack Bar

Ann’s Snack Bar was a small, no-frills kitchen and bar–style burger counter located in Atlanta’s East Lake/Kirkwood area, on the east side of the city.

• Type of place: Old-school snack bar / grill
• Known for: The massive Ghetto Burger and Hood Burger
• Vibe: Counter seating, house rules, cash-focused, one-person kitchen
• Famous figure: Owner and cook Ann Price, often called “Miss Ann”

For many Atlantans, Ann’s wasn’t just a restaurant. It was a neighborhood institution and a slice of local food history that represented a very specific time in the city’s culture.

Location and Neighborhood Context

Historically, Ann’s Snack Bar operated at:

Ann’s Snack Bar (historic location)
1615 Memorial Dr SE
Atlanta, GA 30317

This stretch of Memorial Drive sits between Kirkwood and East Lake, two intown neighborhoods that have changed significantly over the last couple of decades.

If you’re driving around that part of town today:

• You’ll still see plenty of local eateries and small businesses.
• The area has gentrified, with newer developments mixed in with older homes and storefronts.
• People sometimes still reference “where Ann’s used to be” as a way to describe that corner of the neighborhood.

Ann’s Snack Bar itself, though, is no longer operating. That’s important to know if you’re planning a food tour of Atlanta and hoping to eat there.

What Made Ann’s Snack Bar So Famous?

Even in a city with lots of memorable food spots, Ann’s stood out. People were willing to wait — and sometimes follow strict rules — for a seat at the counter.

The Food: Ghetto Burger and More

The Ghetto Burger was the star of the show. It was known for being:

• Huge: Multiple patties stacked with cheese
• Loaded: Piled with toppings like chili, onions, lettuce, tomato, and more
• Messy but satisfying: The kind of burger you needed both hands and plenty of napkins for

There was also the Hood Burger, another popular choice with its own loyal following.

While the menu was focused and simple, Atlantans remember it for:

• Made-to-order cooking — Miss Ann cooked everything fresh, one order at a time.
• Classic snack bar sides — Think fries and other straightforward, diner-style add-ons.
• No-frills drinks — Basic beverages to wash down very big burgers.

The Experience and House Rules

Part of the legend of Ann’s Snack Bar came from the experience:

• Seating was limited, mainly counter stools.
• There were posted rules about behavior — no cursing, no loud talking, and patience required.
• Service could be direct and strict, especially if you broke the rules or complained.

For many locals, that was simply “how Ann’s was,” and it became part of the story people told about eating there.

Is Ann’s Snack Bar Still Open in Atlanta?

No. Ann’s Snack Bar is not currently open.

The restaurant has closed, and the original location on Memorial Drive is no longer operating as Ann’s Snack Bar. If you see older references online, keep in mind that they may be outdated.

Because of its fame, the name still circulates in:

• Old Atlanta food lists
• Word-of-mouth recommendations from people who ate there years ago
• Conversations about “classic” or “lost” Atlanta restaurants

If you’re visiting Atlanta now, you can’t eat at Ann’s, but you can still explore the East Lake/Kirkwood area and get a sense of the neighborhood where it once stood.

How Ann’s Snack Bar Fits into Atlanta’s Food Culture

Even though it’s closed, Ann’s Snack Bar remains part of Atlanta’s local food lore. If you’re getting to know the city, it helps to understand why people still bring it up.

A Landmark in the “Kitchen and Bar” Category

Ann’s wasn’t a modern gastropub or a polished bar and grill. It was:

• A small kitchen and bar–style counter that served burgers, dogs, and simple sides.
• The kind of spot where regulars knew the routine and newcomers learned quickly.
• A reminder of the old Atlanta before some of the newer restaurant waves hit many intown neighborhoods.

Today, when people in Atlanta talk about great burgers, Ann’s often comes up alongside current places, even though you can’t go there anymore.

A Symbol of Changing Neighborhoods

Located along Memorial Drive, Ann’s Snack Bar also tracked with:

• Longtime residents who watched the area change over decades.
• Newer arrivals who might only know it through stories.
• Ongoing conversations in Atlanta about development, identity, and preserving local character.

For locals, it’s one of those reference points: “Remember when we used to go to Ann’s on Memorial?” For newer residents, it’s a piece of context that explains how the area evolved.

If You’re in Atlanta and Curious About Ann’s Snack Bar

You can’t visit Ann’s anymore, but there are still ways to engage with its history and appreciate Atlanta’s burger and snack-bar culture.

1. Visit the Area Around the Former Location

If you’re exploring the east side of the city, you can:

• Drive or walk along Memorial Drive SE near 1615 Memorial Dr SE, Atlanta, GA 30317.
• Spend time in nearby neighborhoods like Kirkwood, East Lake, and Edgewood, which now have a mix of new and old restaurants.
• Use Ann’s former location as a mental marker for how the city’s food scene has changed over time.

There’s no museum-style marker, but locals sometimes still point out where it once stood.

2. Explore Other Classic-Style Burger and Snack Spots

While no place will be exactly like Ann’s Snack Bar, Atlanta still has:

• Neighborhood burger joints with counter seating and simple menus.
• Bar-and-grill spots that echo the kitchen-and-bar feel with burgers, dogs, and wings.
• Longstanding local restaurants where the regulars and the staff know each other by name.

If you’re in Atlanta and want a similar kind of experience, a practical approach is to:

• Ask Atlanta locals specifically for “old-school burger spots” or “classic counter-service grills.”
• Look for places that have been open for many years, especially in older intown neighborhoods.

This won’t recreate Ann’s, but it puts you in touch with the same spirit of local, personality-driven dining.

Quick Reference: Ann’s Snack Bar Essentials

Tips for Atlanta Visitors and New Residents

If you were hoping to visit Ann’s Snack Bar, here’s how to adjust your plans while still getting value out of your time in the city:

• Don’t plan a trip expecting Ann’s to be open. It’s closed, and has been for some time.
• Use it as a starting point to learn about Atlanta’s food history. Many locals love talking about places like Ann’s, The Varsity, and other long-standing or now-closed institutions.
• Ask for current recommendations. Atlanta’s food scene changes quickly, and locals can often point you toward newer spots that carry on the tradition of big, memorable burgers or personality-driven kitchens.
• Explore nearby neighborhoods. The area around the former Ann’s location offers a good snapshot of how Atlanta’s east side has evolved.

For someone living in or visiting Atlanta, understanding Ann’s Snack Bar isn’t about where to eat today; it’s about knowing a piece of the city’s story and how people here talk about food, neighborhoods, and change.