Born in 1976 when Jimmy Carter rose to the White House and Macon’s own Capricorn Records changed the sound of rock ‘n’ roll, The Rookery has been serving legendary burgers, shakes, and good times for nearly 50 years. 🍔
In 2009, Wes Griffith and Chad Evans purchased this downtown Macon landmark and transformed it into a family-friendly dining experience featuring fresh local meats, produce, and dairy.
This locally-owned institution earned recognition as Macon’s Best Burger and featured in Garden and Gun’s Guide to the South’s Best Burgers, with burgers named after Georgia music legends like the Allman Brothers, James Brown, and Ray Charles.
How The Rookery won Macon’s hearts
The Rookery captured Macon’s loyalty by becoming more than just a restaurant—it’s the geographical center of downtown where locals and tourists gather for relaxation and good fare.
Located in the heart of downtown with a large patio extending into Cherry Street, The Rookery created the perfect setting for Bragg Jam, Macon’s largest and most eclectic music festival. 🎸
The owners’ dedication to fresh local ingredients meant every burger could be ordered as black angus, turkey, veggie, or locally raised grass-fed beef, proving local is always better.
Their hand-spun milkshakes made with Blue Bell Creamery ice cream and milk became legendary, with creative flavors like the Jimmy Carter Shake featuring banana pudding ice cream, peanut butter, and a slice of bacon.
The music-themed burger names honoring Georgia legends created a sense of place and pride, celebrating Macon’s rich musical heritage with every bite.
The bustling dining area, outdoor patio, and renowned bar kept satisfied patrons returning for famous burgers, hand-battered onion rings, hand-cut fries, and an extensive craft beer list. 🍺
Their commitment to being a gathering place since 1976 meant The Rookery witnessed and survived decades of change while maintaining its soul and quality.
Food Highlights
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Rookery Burger: The signature double-stack featuring American cheese, sautéed onion, dill pickles, and Rookery burger sauce that earned Best Burger in Macon. 🏆
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Ray Charles Burger: A house specialty featuring pepperjack, applewood smoked bacon, and guacamole that delivers a flavor explosion worthy of The Genius himself.
- Dr. John Burger: The breakfast burger topped with fried egg, American cheese, and applewood smoked bacon for all-day satisfaction. 🍳
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Jimmy Carter Burger: A customer favorite featuring peanut butter and applewood smoked bacon that honors the Georgia president with sweet and salty perfection. 🥜
- James Brown’s Black and Blue Burger: A bold choice featuring a blackened patty, blue cheese crumbles, and sautéed onions honoring the Godfather of Soul.
- Allman Burger: The mushroom lover’s choice with Swiss cheese and sautéed mushrooms honoring the Allman Brothers.
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Walden Greenback Burger: This house specialty loads fried green tomato, fresh chevre, applewood smoked bacon, sun-dried tomato remoulade, and green onions for Southern sophistication.
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Jerry Reed Burger: For heat seekers, this spicy creation combines pepperjack, jalapeños, and sriracha mayonnaise. 🌶️
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Johnny Jenkins Burger: A Georgia classic featuring pimento cheese and bread and butter pickles for authentic Southern flavor.
- Big “O” Burger: This loaded creation features a fried onion ring, applewood smoked bacon, cheddar, and BBQ sauce for maximum indulgence.
Atmosphere
The Rookery occupies one of Macon’s most noticeable landmarks in the geographical center of downtown, where the buzzing dining area, outdoor patio, and renowned bar create constant energy.
The large patio extending into Cherry Street provides prime people-watching and outdoor dining, perfect for enjoying Georgia weather while sipping craft beers.
The extensive craft beer list featuring Georgia breweries like Fall Line, Creature Comforts, and Cherry St. Brewing pairs perfectly with legendary burgers and hand-spun shakes. 🍻
Bottom Line
Visit The Rookery for legendary burgers since 1976, voted Best in Macon, music-themed burgers honoring Georgia legends like James Brown and Ray Charles, hand-spun Blue Bell milkshakes with creative flavors, fresh local meats and grass-fed beef options, and a bustling downtown patio perfect for Macon’s music scene.
Address:
543 Cherry St, Macon, GA 31201
📞 (478) 746-8658
🕔 Mon–Thu 11 AM–9 PM, Fri–Sat 11 AM–10 PM, Sun 11 AM–9 PM