Demand for popular Kirkwood cheeseburgers sparks an underground economy
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Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios
Atlanta's a burger town (just look at Slutty Vegan, Holeman and Finch and Ann's Snack Bar). But the underground economy that sprouted over the weekend outside Evergreen Butcher and Baker ups the level of enthusiasm.
Why it matters: The Kirkwood shop's one-day-a-week, double-patty cheeseburgers are so popular that local entrepreneurs have found a niche market: reselling them to people waiting in line.
State of play: In an Instagram post, owners Sean and Emma Schacke said a customer this weekend informed them that someone outside was selling their cheeseburgers at a marked-up price.
- When Sean walked outside to inquire about the hamburger hustle, the person pulled off in a silver Porsche SUV, the couple said. It's unclear whether it's a group effort or if the individual is a lone operator.
Catch up quick: Every Sunday, Evergreen serves up roughly 160 cheeseburgers, each one a labor of love. The couple spends three days making the buns and break down and grind the beef and scoop the burgers themselves.
- "We make the garlic aioli and the pickles," the owners told Axios. "We even grow the cucumbers ourselves in our garden."
Yes, but: They would like everyone to enjoy the prized patties. However, the whole-animal butcher butcher shop and bakery started serving cheeseburgers to drive business on traditionally slow Sundays and reduce waste — not become a burger joint.
- The limited number of burgers, three-burgers-per-person cap, and the $15.99 price — competitive with other restaurants, especially considering the size, the Schackes say — have sparked negative online reviews and rude comments.
Sure enough, "Immediately when we sold out of burgers on Sunday, we received 1-star reviews claiming that we're making the burger so unobtainable that people are selling black market burgers off our sidewalk," they said.
- "It's not a good look for us; it goes against everything we're trying to do in our community, and it's ripping off our business!"
What they're saying: The cheeseburger reselling is "easily one of the most notable cheeseburger-based scandals to hit ATL's eastside in years," local writer and noted cheeseburger enthusiast Austin L. Ray told Axios.
💭 Thomas' thought bubble: When a person buys a cheeseburger, is it then theirs to use as they see fit? Or is it like a concert ticket, and subject to resale restrictions?