Long before the advent of million-dollar houses around Kirkwood, there was Ann’s Snack Bar. And what Miss Ann lovingly described as the “World Famous Ghetto Burger.”
But all things must pass, as feisty restaurant owner Ann Price did seven years ago. The 1960s shack at 1615 Memorial Drive soldiered on without the inventor of the Ghetto Burger—an immense, double-bacon chili cheeseburger, with what was said to be a secret ingredient—until the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ann’s Snack Bar didn’t reopen, and as of last month, the property where Ghetto Burger fans happily lined up for years is officially for sale—on one of Atlanta’s most rapidly changing streets.
Built in 1969, the 1,120-square-foot former restaurant building listed in November, on a total of .17 acres. It’s zoned commercial and includes five parking spaces.
Ann's Snack Bar shown in full swing in 2010. Google Maps
The asking price isn’t specified in the Horizon Property Group listing, but WSB-TV reports the property owners are hoping to fetch $650,000.
Bull Realty is marketing for sale the .46-acre vacant lot next door—immediately to the west, where an auto shop once stood—for $995,000.
Beside that is The Atlantic Shopping Center, which Krog Street Market developer Paces Properties renovated five years ago, installing Floor & Décor and Planet Fitness as anchor tenants.
The 1615 Memorial Drive location in relation to downtown. Google Maps
Ann’s Snack Bar originally opened in the early 1970s and enjoyed brisk business despite growing competition from chain burger joints on the eastside. Then an exhaustively researched 2007 Wall Street Journal article anointed Ann’s beefy creation the best burger in all of America, rocketing the humble eatery to national fame.
Three years later, as the New York Times reported, Ann’s Snack Bar was listed for sale—for $1.5 million—but it never traded hands.
• Kirkwood news, discussion (Urbanize Atlanta)
