Fortunately, the owners hope to revive the burger concept inside the Willis Tower food court next year. THE 10 BEST Burgers in West Chicago (Updated February 2023 Grilled onions, sliced pickles and a house sauce complete this overlooked gem. This burger, from the Indian-inspired restaurant in Logan Square, is not for those who want fake meat. (Nick Kindelsperger / Chicago Tribune). While not my favorite style, I can appreciate them when done well. The latest additions to the list below include Avondale tavern Ludlow Liquors, retro-themed dive bar Good Measure, and modern Mexican kitchen La Mejikana. Alternatives have existed for years. Best Burgers in Chicago, IL - Au Cheval, Chi Burger Babi, Salt Burgers + Fries, Firefly Burgers, SafeHouse Chicago, Small Cheval- Wicker Park, Little Bad Wolf, Burger Antics, Happy Bites Burger & Wings, Burger Theory Chicago (Nick Kindelsperger / Chicago Tribune). 1571 Sherman Ave., Evanston; 847-864-3396; edzos.com, Stop-In Burger at the StopAlong. newsletter here. Open in Google Maps. Youll never be bored at Big Kids, a90s-inspired shop with sandwiches that incorporateeverything from a secret spice mix and potato chipsto fried Spambasically, the stuff of any stoners munchies-fueled dreams. But my last couple visits have changed my mind, and the burger now stands as the ultimate example of this fascinating style. Best of all, a double cheeseburger is less than $7. Schoops has been aggressively smashing beef on a griddle in Munster, Indiana, since 1948. Thats just bad cooking. The standard issue arrives topped with bacon and a fried egg with a yolk just ready to erupt over the beef. Your fingers will be coated with umami flavors by the time youre finished eating and we totally wont judge if you lick them clean. But a solid rendition of a Vienna . 5739 W. Irving Park Road, 773-283-7880, brgrbellyrestaurant.com, King-size cheeseburger at Top Notch Beefburgers. The burger is so popular it spawned its own spin-off, Mini Mott, with locations in Logan Square and Time Out Market Chicago. A half-pound chuck patty is covered with guacamole, an over-easy egg, grilled onions, Chihuahua cheese, chipotle mayo, and chorizo. Everything is contained in a cozy pretzel bun, which soaks up the juices from the meat without falling to pieces. Its taken to the next level with pickled and charred onions, American cheese, pickles, and onion-infused mayo. Best Burger in Northwest Suburbs - Hands Down - Tripadvisor Photograph: Courtesy Can't Believe It's Not Meat, Photograph: Starr Nordgren (@chicagofoodiegirl). Because Labriola is a top-notch bakery, it makes sense that it would make an excellent pretzel roll for its burger. Edward Kims Asian fusion restaurant is home to a tremendous burger. 1 as I did in 2019 because Id like to recognize some other options in town, and because Id rather not see one of my favorite small restaurants get overrun with burger fiends again. $16. With beef grease still coursing through my veins, I released a list of the best burgers in Chicago back in February. But I refuse to accept that its not one of the best burgers in the city. Four of the 20 best suburban Chicago burgers in Nick Kindelsperger's tour of 60 burgers. 3. Thanks for subscribing! For years, Time Out Chicago hosted an annual event called Battle of the Burger, where the city's best stackers faced off for the winning title. The Gage 2,344 reviews Open Now American, Bar $$ - $$$ "Enjoyable place for lunch and great." "A haven." 2022 3. Ive changed up about half the burgers from my 2019 rankings, including two newcomers to the top three. Fortunately, the creamy aioli helps tie the beef and cheese together. facebook.com/Biancas-Burgers-100697548434279, Darn Good Burger at JT's Genuine Sandwich Shop. Wrapping up the Chicago Blackhawks trade-deadline moves. I seriously wonder if I am making the problem worse. (Nick Kindelsperger / Chicago Tribune). Then, modeled after In-N-Outs commitment to quality, the kitchen adds fresh lettuce, onions, tomato, cheese, and special sauce. After three frustrating burgers in one day, I tweeted out the following message: Maybe most suburban burgers are bad?, Before the hate mail floods in, let me explain. And you can now get it every day at Time Out Market Chicago. Heres the story behind the smash success. Do. He modeled this offering on his favorite hometown burger, Wee Bs, which he grew up eating in Anchorage, Alaska. Im not going to argue that paying over $15 for a burger makes financial sense, but I know that Id personally rather have one burger from The Loyalist than 15 regular cheeseburgers from McDonalds. 2057 W. Roscoe St., 773-857-2874, theregionburgers.com, CDK Farm burger at Table, Donkey & Stick. Which is true. For whatever reason, a lot of suburban restaurants feel the need to serve outrageously huge burgers, often with patties that weigh in at 8 to 10 ounces. But I have no complaints about the burgers. , but locals know the city excels at burgers as well. Order online here. $9.25. It took me eating 131 burgers in 2019 to realize how crucial onions are to a great burger. Please enter a valid email and try again. Inspired by the smash burgers found in Northwest Indiana, the Region is an exemplar of the style. Heres another attempt at a double-double pioneered by the California-based fast food chain In-N-Out, albeit ordered animal-style. Never forget the power of a supple burger bun. The extra fat content means that the patties get a clearly visible crust from the hot griddle. When you see the food coming out of the kitchen, the name of this Hyde Park restaurant makes perfect sense. Thats because the shop, open since 1942, still grinds the beef in-house, ensuring each bite tastes impressively juicy, without being too greasy. The burger is so rich, says chef Eddie Ishaq, so the yuzu kosho adds a bit of heat and a nice citrus note. Currently, the burger is only available Tuesdays and Wednesdays, so plan accordingly. American. The patty develops a shiny black exterior, as the edges become extra crispy. This experience is all about reveling in the juicy and slightly funky aged beef paired with a well-toasted bun. But the burger here is as good as ever. Honestly, Shake Shack has nothing on this place. Meat lovers, this one's for you. Big Kids, the nostalgia-driven sandwich shop by chefs Ryan Pfeiffer and Mason Hereford, first started flipping burgers during select hours and days. Schoop's 7. The Original Shiddy Burg at Shiddy Burger. Every inch of crispy beef is dressed with American cheese, mayo-based house sauce, bright green relish and raw onion. From diner-style classics and smash burgers to over-the-top creations, these are the best burgers in Chicago. Im an absolute sucker for this combination. 1131 State St., Lemont; 630-257-0666; illinoisbarandgrill.org, Mickey burger at Schoop's. 215 Ridge Road, Munster, Indiana; 219-836-6233; schoophamburgers.com, Community Double Cheeseburger at Community Tavern. Of course, they put an outrageous amount of effort into it, baking the soft and fragrant pretzel buns and grinding the CDK Farms beef in-house. Edzo's #2. Chicago's best burger -- from dive bars to fancy hotels, one reporter The restaurant piles each burger with a heap of red onion marmalade, a deeply savory and slightly sweet concoction. Negating the double-patty formula (it has one of those on the menu if you want it), the Wood-Fired Burger features a stacked 8-ounce hunk of Prime beef that's tucked inside a brioche bun and blanketed in white cheddar, caramelized onions and vinegar aioli. The beefy patty a blend of Slagel Family Farm chuck, short rib, and brisket is placed on a housemade potato bun. Whataburger uses 100% pure American beef served on a big, toasted five-inch bun. Charlie Beinlichs has an irresistible atmosphere thats part 1960s-era steakhouse (think buttoned up waiters zooming around tables) mixed with gruff local diner (it is a burger joint after all). But slide them under that bun, and the acidity helps counter the onslaught of meat and cheese. A similar but slightly smaller version is available at sibling restaurant Small Cheval. Best Burger Restaurant in North Suburbs - Zomato Honestly, this one would have scored much higher if another burger from a Virant establishment hadnt stolen my heart. The 15 Best Places for Burgers in Chicago - Foursquare Its more complex, juicier and has a more pleasing texture. Darn Good Burger at JT's Genuine Sandwich Shop. Sometimes the edges are so crisp, they accidentally poke your skin when you try to take a bite. So prepare to get messy in the most satisfying way by checking out our guide to the best burgers in Chicago. He uses incredible ground beef from Illinois-based Down at the Farms, created by Marty Travis of Spence Farm. Birthplace of the Big Baby, Nicky's is the best place to try a lesser-known Chicago original. But thats where any similarity with other burgers ends. 2320 N. Cicero Ave., 773-887-5481, charlys-burgers.business.site, Gretel griddle burger at Gretel. The Hottest New Restaurants in Chicago, March 2023, Devour giant or smashed patties dressed with quality toppings. Buger Antics #5. Not only does beloved late-night haunt Redhot Ranch sling what many consider to be the most exceptional burgers in town, it also offers one of the biggest bargains. A post shared by Three House Chicago (@threehousechi), 20 Killer Fried Chicken Sandwiches in Chicago, 20 Great Restaurants for Solo Dining in Chicago. It's a fine specimen that easily rivals the city's top oldies. [Chicagos most secretive burger operation is mostly a one-man show. Its just that they put this kind of effort into every dish on the menu, so I totally get the conflict of visiting this adorable Logan Square spot and skipping the burger because everything sounds good. Delish fries as a bonus Although not in the menu, my friend Josh said "since when have tots been an option? There are no frills, just griddled four-ounce patties, American cheese, Dijonnaise, and pickles. Instead of an imposing pretzel bun, Crusade uses an absurdly soft potato-based brioche bun, which acts like a fluffy cradle for the half pound of freshly ground beef. This slick, little quick-service shop in Elmwood Park serves griddled burgers with, lets face it, a slightly silly name. If it takes effort to compress the bun, the bread is going to get in the way when you take a bite. Truthfully, a trip to Au Cheval is an ordeal, but that won't stop us from commending its signature item. 1, a bacon cheeseburger with charred balsamic onions and sweet barbecue sauce. The namesake creation consists of two chuck patties, crunchy sweet potato shoestrings, melty American cheese. Clockwise from top left: Standard issue burger at Burger Antics, double griddled burger at Edzos Burger Shop, dry-aged griddled burger at Vistro and Mickey burger at Schoops. The Chicago Bears QB has to figure out the simple to get to the next level. Here are the best burgers you do not want to miss in Chicago. A relative newcomer to the burger scene is also among the best. The Pub burger layers two griddled patties with cheddar, bacon aioli and red onions on a brioche bun made in-house. The 22 Best Burgers in Chicago to Sink Your Teeth Into - Time Out Chicago Chicago. Best Burger in Northwest Suburbs of Chicago | My Bizzy Kitchen As chef Matt Troost let me know in 2019, you can top the DIY burger with anything listed on the menu. Au Cheval A list of the best burgers in Chicago would simply be incomplete without the burger at Au Cheval. So prepare to get messy in the most satisfying way by checking out our guide to the best burgers in Chicago. 800 W. Randolph St., 312-929-4580, auchevaldiner.com, Mott Burger at Mini Mott. Thats what this list is all about. Dry-aged Slagel Farms burger at Rootstock. Chicago has a serious slider shortage. One look at the wagyu smash burger at RPM Steak and youll see we are dealing with something else entirely. Nearly every restaurant and bar has one on its menu these days, from no-frills stands to neighborhood taverns. Nearly every restaurant and bar has one on its menu these days, from no-frills stands to neighborhood taverns. Just as good are the fresh-cut fries, cooked in beef tallow, and as long as youre dining like its 1965, finish up with a thick chocolate shake. Four of the 20 best suburban Chicago burgers in Nick Kindelsperger's tour of 60 burgers. Fortunately, you can rectify this by asking for your char burger slathered with salty Merkts cheddar, the spreadable Wisconsin specialty. Cheeseburger with fries at Ludlow Liquors. Thats what youll find at Carnivore, the Oak Park butcher shop that grinds bacon up with its ground beef. It stars a smash patty, which has been mixed with shredded cheese so the edges caramelize when cooked, shredded lettuce, American cheese and a Big Mac-esque secret sauce. 32 7. Thin, griddled patties with perfectly melted cheese, LTO and special sauce will only set you back $7and it comes with free fries. I realize this might not be the burger for everyone. $10. The beef is flattened on the griddle to give it caramelized edges and sits on a squishy potato bun along with pickles, American cheese, and horseradish sauce. Burgers, beers, and whiskeys are the focus at Andersonville gem Little Bad Wolf. THE 10 BEST Burgers in Chicago Southland (Updated March 2023 A post shared by FeedMe (@miriam_foodie). Bars used to battle for burger supremacy by dishing out the biggest, craziest burger possible. Dont forget to check out my original list. $16. I love how the crisp and cold toppings interact with the creamy sauce and juicy beef and molten cheese. RHR double cheeseburger and fries at Redhot Ranch. And with it marked the glorious return of one of Chicagos favorite burgers. We already have this email. Turkey burgers are a healthier option, though I often feel like Ron Swanson in Parks and Recreation when he wins a burger throw down by beating a fussy turkey burger stuffed with saffron and black truffles with the simplest beef burger known to man. The "Bad Burger" is a double cheeseburger with pickles and mayo while the "Wolf Burger" is a behemoth that holds three patties, cheese, bacon, pickles, mayo, onion straws, and a fried egg.. Currently, Im happiest with the No. Then the emails came. More intriguing are the plant-based meat alternatives, such as Beyond Meat and Impossible Burger. Steamboat BBQ. The 20 best burgers in Chicago's suburbs - reddit The namesake burger is old-school minimalist, a deeply satisfying quarter-pound patty of fresh ground round sauteed in its own juices and served with the simplest toppingsgrilled onions and ketchup-mustard-pickle on a feather-light bun. $23. Topped with aged cheddar, a hefty helping of crunchy giardiniera mayo and bread and butter pickles, the burger at Forbidden Root is unique but familiar. In the end, I tried 60 suburban burgers for this list, which brings my 2019 total to just over 130. Im usually extremely leery of steakhouse burgers, because not enough attention is paid to how all the components work together. But theres something about how the kitchen chars the bun, so that its seconds from being burned, that adds a thrilling campfire aroma. Frankly, it's the only burger that's ever made us want to hop in the car and travel to Indiana. Most importantly, restaurants finally recognize the importance of onions. While The Loyalist is more balanced, and its hard to see this one gaining as many devoted acolytes, this is the most exciting burger right now in Chicago. If the wait left you ravenous, opt to add a fried egg or thick cut bacon. $13. Paradise Pup 9. Choose between the quarter-pound Who Betta burger and the Big Mik, a riff on the Big Mac that comes with double patties, special sauce, pickles, lettuce, and either dairy or vegan cheese on a sesame seed bun. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. For that price, youd expect frozen patties and a general lack of care, yet the fresh beef gets a hard sear on the griddle that puts most places to shame. The best places to eat and drink in Chicago - Chicago Tribune 9 Bucket-List Burgers in Chicago. The Original Hog Wild 278 reviews Closed Now Quick Bites, American $$ - $$$ 8.0 mi Midlothian "A Cabin In The Rough." "Quick & Quality Barbecue" 2. I know many honorable human beings who swear they love grain-based veggie burgers, and Ive found a couple I dont mind. Its a diner-style double cheeseburger that doesnt need much except for pickles, caramelized onions, and a special sauce. So while were happy Lakin took those surly, greasy Vienna shops as his inspiration, were equally stoked he chose not to follow their practices. Like the regular double-double, you get the Thousand Island-based sauce, along with the sliced lettuce, tomatoes and pickles, but this burger also adds a mess of caramelized onions. The soft bakery bun is lightly grilled, adding to the smoky aroma. Chef Tyler Nicksons burger goes further down the beefy rabbit hole than even The Loyalist has dared. Restaurants. Or you could spring for the shops faithful reconstruction of In-N-Out Burgers Double-Double Animal-Style. Fortunately, unlike other suburban burger joints with charm to spare, this one also serves a great burger. But youll know something is up after the first bite. The whole thing is cushioned by a perfectly toasted brioche bun that practically melts in your mouth. With beef this good, I suggest keeping it simple, and crafting your own burger experience by going with the build your own burger option. The order of the ingredients on this burger is its distinguishing characteristic. This one understands the importance crunch, searing the thin patty until it has a great crust, and then placing it on a toasted bun with lots of crisp vegetables. If you couldnt guess, Shiddys is irreverent and outlandish and definitely not for everyone. After a long pandemic-induced hiatus, English-inspired gastropub Owen & Engine reopened this past January. Can we just go ahead and declare Redhot Ranch a city treasure? Foursquare. To access, Nickson soaks bones for hours and then scrapes the marrow out by hand. John and Karen Urie Shields opened a two-pronged project to much acclaim in 2016. Double Griddled Burger at Edzo's Burger Shop. Soft bun, but stays together when you take a bite 4. Is it time to discard Americas favorite dish? North Suburbs Restaurants - OpenTable 2728 W. Armitage Ave., 773-486-8525, tabledonkeystick.com, The Original Shiddy Burg at Shiddy Burger. The burger at Hogsalt Hospitalitys modern diner has been praised around the country, including being named best in the U.S. by Bon Apptit, and stands as perhaps the finest example of a restaurant bringing the thin, griddled, American classic into a 21st century setting. I realize thats an insane number, and I dont even want to think about what my doctor would say about the feat. Brunch Cafe-McHenry 224 reviews Closed Now American, Cafe $$ - $$$ 7.6 mi McHenry "Flavorful Brunch" "A Must Try Restaurant" Order online 2. It could be as simple as paying the $3 upcharge for CDK dry-aged Angus beef. For now, beef is king. This Wicker Park restaurant utilizes the slightly misleading tagline "Pizza & Stuff." Chicagos resident royal pie baker has a seriously delicious, seriously messy secret: One of the city's best burgers is hiding in plain sight on its menu. The Chicago Bears QB has to figure out the simple to get to the next level. From diner-style classics and smash burgers to over-the-top creations, these are the best burgers in Chicago. Best Burgers | Archives | westsuburbanliving.net Chargrilled burgers come out topped with all the classics, but cooked to perfection. The Illinois-based Slagel Family Farms dry-aged beef plays a huge role in the success, ensuring each bite is complex and juicy. Sure, there are fancier burgers, and ones that are much, much bigger in the suburbs. Breakfast of champions" "A Little Too Much" Order online 3. The loaded Philly cheesesteak and the meatless Chicago dog might distract you, but you're here for the "Who Betta" burger, which finds a quarter-pound Impossible patty dressed up with fresh greens, tomato, pickles, grilled red onions, Epitome sauce and cheese (go vegan or dairy). Burgers, American. The health conscious can opt for turkey, salmon or lamb burgers. $7.99. Although Smyth, the fine dining component, gets most of the accolades, its subterranean sibling is an equally superb place to eat and drink. Similar to any great cookout burger, the sizeable patty is loaded with beefy flavor and smoky char from the grill. But I wasnt prepared for just how soft it would be, or for how much dark, roasted pretzel flavor would come through in each bite. Au Cheval 1,275 reviews Open Now American, Bar $$ - $$$ "Tasty burger and great beer" "Awesome Food. Everything about the burger is designed for textural perfection, from the toasted buns, griddled patties, crisp onion slices and crunchy pickles. If you have fallen into a rut with your delivery orders, it's time to switch it up! $11. RECOMMENDED: Check out more of the best restaurants in Chicago. The answer is that its intertwined, because the most crucial, highfalutin things Lakin doesgrinding his own meat and hand-cutting the potatoes for his friespervade almost every dish. 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The burger should help soak up all the old fashioneds and bottles of High Life, too. As distinct as it is, the bun doesnt overshadow the rest of the show. But the owners have gotten the proportions just right in their follow-up spot, Gretel. It all comes together on a toasty grilled brioche bun. Chicagos most secretive burger operation is mostly a one-man show. Owner Christopher Cunninghams special burger sports two griddled Angus patties, caramelized onions, cheddar, bacon, dijonnaise and a unique ingredientslices of Granny Smith apple. Run by siblings Rafael and Elizabeth Royal, the burgers have a rich and lingering beefiness thats belies their size. Just as Kumas Corner and Au Cheval took turns transforming our burger scene, the city is in the grips of what this restaurant affectionately refers to as the Dirty Burg. The patty is smeared with bone marrow butter, which amps up the beefiness to rib-eye steak territory. The list features several of the more popular spots in town, such as Au Cheval and the Loyalist, alongside some under-the-radar gems. The servers at Kuma's original Avondale location sport more ink than a Bic factory, and the metal is often cranked up so loud you cant hear yourself talking, but therein lies the charm. I had apparently missed a few places. Should you ever find yourself in a situation where you want to blow a week's worth of calories in one sitting, grab a seat at Little Bad Wolf in Andersonville and order the Wolf Burger with a side of mac and cheese. Since 1948, this south suburban chain has been serving some of the most aggressively smashed burgers in the country. Best Burgers in Chicago's North Shore, IL - Tripadvisor We uncover the best of the city and put it all in an email for you. Emporium Arcade Bar returns, a Black-owned wine shop opens, plus 19 more restaurant openings in Chicago, Tamale Guy returns: Claudio Velez feeling completamente great as he relaunches bar route, sets up shop at Lone Wolf. Two thin patties are glued together with cheddar and topped with tangy pickles and a layer of garlic aioli. I cant remember a time when there were so many outrageously great burgers around. Ever since being crowned one of the best burgers in the country by numerous publications years ago, the tiny diner has been routinely mobbed, leading some locals to loudly declare the burger overrated. A post shared by Mayo: LETS EAT (@grubgladiator). Nick Kindelsperger/Chicago Tribune The Famous Kuma at Kuma's Corner Price: $14.50 Kuma's Corner basically popularized the hilariously huge, abundantly topped burger. Theres a second location in Lincoln Park. Its served on a challah bun and folks can add an optional, but highly recommended, gooey Merkts cheddar spread.