Dear Rathbun Steak burger,
posted on June 29, 2008 at 8:07 am
I am sorry to do this via the web but I have to tell you that I think our relationship has reached an impasse. When we first met, I fell head over heels with your freshly ground goodness but the last time I saw you I found your bun stale and your patty dry (this wasn’t the first time). You just don’t satisfy me anymore. I guess now is as good a time as any to tell you I have met another at Holeman & Finch Public House.
.

I am pretty sure it is everything I have been looking for in a burger. It is simple, small (size is not everything) and it never fails to please me. We had some good times but it is just time for me to move on. I hope you understand.
All my best,
Jennifer

Ha ha. But whereas Rathbun Steak’s burger was always there when you needed him, er, it, your new love is only available after 10 pm, right? I have yet to get over to H&F after 10. I have to commend H&F’s marketing savvy, though–that the burger only makes an appearance after 10 adds to its mystique.
Hi there BG….I was at Rathbun steak with wifey a couple of days ago….ate at the bar (like usual) and law partner and I both had the burger (wifey had the rib eye)….burger was large and juicy, and patty was fresh….guess you never know…..
What can I say? I have been always been a sucker for unavailable burgers 😉
I don’t get it. I tried the burger at Rathbun’s steak. It tasted pretty good but the patty fell apart into crumbles every time I bit into it. It ruined it for me. I haven’t tried H & F the burger but loved everything else I ate there.
Only available after 10 PM…So that makes it a burger booty call, yes?
Not that anyone in this city truly considers you a knowledgeable food critic but isn’t it a bit silly to compare any dish,yet alone a hand ground prime ribeye burger from krs.to that of a little pub?Krs serves the best burger in Atlanta followed by Buckhead Diner.
To call Holeman and Finch a “little pub” is downright insulting. Have
you even had the burger there or are you just defending your employer?
Wow. Lame. As a person who knows other people who think you’re totally great! I’m am dying to finish dropping 20 lbs so I can go get this burger at Holeman and Finch!
Sorry, but I cannot let this go. Do owners of “little pubs” get nominated for James Beard awards (Chef Hopkins)? IHSP obviously has not been to, or even perused the menu of, H&F.
Burger at H&F IS GREAT but not in the class of KRS.I am also confused about the”employer”comment?Eugene is compareable to KRS not H&F….C’MON PEOPLE!
BG: I respect your opinion so don’t listen to IHSP….that was just an insulting comment from an obviously ignorant person.
Just an FYI to ihatestupidpeople, you’ll never guess who I saw at Holeman & Finch Saturday night. Go ahead guess.
Kevin Rathbun. He was there for hours. I don’t think the H&F burger is the best burger I’ve ever had, but to say that it’s not worth comparing because of where it was made is ignorant, if not outright ludicrous. Linton Hopkins is one of the best chefs in the city, and Kevin Rathbun apparently agrees.
Holeman & Finch might be a small plates concept, but they have the same commitment to culinary excellence that Restaurant Eugene does. Whether the ingredients are better in the Rathbun Steak burger are better is moot if they are not executing consistently.
As stated before…Is H&F a good spot?=YES…Is Rathbun Steak better=HELL YES.Compare Eugene to KRS not H&F.Any saavy “foodie”can tell H&F has a REAL commitment to putting out a great product and thats just swell but places like Eugene AND KRS are just a step above H&F and thats not opinion thats fact!And I dont know Chef Rathbun personally but I’ve heard he dines out alot and just because he is”seen” at a certain spot does not mean it has his stamp of approval.Wise up people and check the facts before you defend this blissfull glutton on everything!Who is she supposed to be Obama or what?Get a grip people!
Do you want me to compare Restaurant Eugene and Rathbun’s? Okay fine, hands down, Restaurant Eugene is better.
As for Holeman & Finch, everyone knows its more pub than restaurant. No one is saying it is a 5-star fine dining establishment, but that does not preclude them delivering excellent food especially with something as unsophisticated as a burger.