Upon opening the original Vortex Bar & Grill in Midtown in 1992, three Los Angeles siblings decided that perhaps if they hung a bunch of random, crazy items from the walls and ceiling, people would visit. They were right. Now, both locations are decorated with motorcycles, skeletons, vacuum cleaners and trash (or treasure) from dumpsters, all revamped into wall art. Walk through the famed skull entrance at the Little Five Points location to be greeted by a set of strict menu instructions that explain in detail how to not be an idiot, whiner, or jerk in this self-proclaimed idiot-free zone, where "amateurs" aren’t welcome. Besides loads of bar atmosphere and a commitment to remaining "not-politically-correct," the grill's main attractions are the burgers: all 20 or so varieties of them. The Vortex offers standards such as The Original (straight-up burger, no frills) and a cheeseburger with bacon or chili. But they take it many steps further with their willingness to do things to a burger you've never even imagined. Creative combinations range from spicy (like The Ragin' Cajun and The Great Big Jerk) to sweet (like The Yokohama Mama with teriyaki glaze and a pineapple ring) to ethnic (try The Mexicali or The Italian Stallion) to the downright dangerous. For those who wish to tempt fate, the Vortex offers The Coronary Bypass, a big, juicy burger topped with a fried egg, two slices of cheese, bacon and mayo. A selection of non-beef burgers is offered as well, such as veggie, black bean, turkey, chicken breast, ostrich and bison. Besides burgers, other items include hot dogs, Reubens, BLTs, fried shrimp, build-your-own omelets, bacon and egg sandwiches, and chili-cheese spuds. Breakfast/brunch served all day. Full bar. Serving lunch, dinner and late-night daily. Must be 18 or older to enter either location. Voted Best Burgers in the 2009 Creative Loafing and Atlanta magazine readers polls.