Charlie Joseph's Downtown

I'd had Charlie Joseph's on my bucket list for years. For at least two years, maybe as many as four years. I recently departed ATL early enough on my way back to FL to venture off the interstate and track it down. Wow, I'm glad that I did. When I arrived, they couldn't have been open for very long, because staff was sweeping the sidewalk out front and cleaning windows, and there were four customers inside. I snagged a stool at the counter and perused the menu. The menu has...maybe twelve? no more than 15 options. KISS theory is in effect here. I opted for a cheeseburger and a chili cheese dog. And a Diet Coke, because calories. Having lived in ATL in the distant past and being an infrequent visitor to the northside OTP to meet and greet my lady, I've had more than my share of Varsity dogs and burgers. Those items are squooshed in a clamshell grill and toasted on both sides. Not at CJ's place. First, some folks sing the praises of grilled (or griddled) hot dogs. Not me. I love boiled hot dogs, and CJ's boils theirs in a 6-quart sauce pan, maybe a dozen or two at a time. Bonus! I think that they griddle the burgers in back, because I didn't see anybody flipping them up front. Regardless, the meat isn't the star here...the buns are. They assemble your chosen delectable, pop it into a steamy appliance (that is likely called a steamer, but I'd never seen this before, so who knows), and serve it to you after several seconds in the bun sauna. Honestly, the buns...are...heavenly. Not fancy--definitely not fancy. But they are akin to your notion of floating on a cloud. Maybe your idea of freshly-spun cotton candy. They are so soft and cushy and warm and...gadzooks. Just go get one. The burgers have 'a little extra', from what I could tell. Like the Milo's chain, but without the cigarette-ash-tasting sauce that Milo's slathers on everything. There's maybe a half or third of another burger inside there, and it makes for a satisfying cheeseburger. They plop a pickle chip (or slice) on top of the hot bun, which I promptly plucked off and ate. I think that I did that before I took the picture. I was hangry. I didn't get a plate. You won't get a plate. Nobody gets a plate. You get your food on a sheet of pre-cut wax paper. Which was extraordinarily satisfying. I finished my meal, folded up the sheet of wax paper, and was done. It was like a symbolic closure to the meal. Or something. You order what you want, the staff person writes it on your ticket, then goes and makes and delivers your order. Your ticket is still open. As I sat there, many more people arrived and took seats and ordered. Some finished their first order quickly, and the staff would ask, "What would you like next?" They'd add whatever else to the ticket and go make it. It's kind of like running a tab in a bar, but with tasty vittles. I almost wanted to hang out and do the Dozen Cheeseburger Challenge, but I had driving to do. If you're ever driving by LaGrange and have time, get off of the interstate and go check out this place. It is iconic and a gem. I hope to get back as soon as possible!