I especially love how all the toppings, like lettuce and onion, are layered in exacting proportions so each bite gets the proper needed crunch. 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. By Jay Gentile, and Elanor Bock. A mix of ground chuck and brisket from Slagel Family Farm forms the patties, which get smooshed onto the griddle. [Emporium Arcade Bar returns, a Black-owned wine shop opens, plus 19 more restaurant openings in Chicago]. Try a bison burger, the guacamole burger or the more traditional Big DMK. A half-pound chuck patty is covered with guacamole, an over-easy egg, grilled onions, Chihuahua cheese, chipotle mayo, and chorizo. A post shared by FeedMe (@miriam_foodie). Schoops has been aggressively smashing beef on a griddle in Munster, Indiana, since 1948. With beef this good, I suggest keeping it simple, and crafting your own burger experience by going with the build your own burger option. Everything is contained in a cozy pretzel bun, which soaks up the juices from the meat without falling to pieces. It all comes together on a toasty grilled brioche bun. Visit this small roadside shack in Des Plaines for terrific burgers that rank among Chicagolands finest. He might be right. From diner-style classics and smash burgers to over-the-top creations, these are the best burgers in Chicago. NADC Burger 5 Burgers River West Its more complex, juicier and has a more pleasing texture. It's not exactly the kind of thing you want to devour on a first date, but we're not judging if you do. Its my belief that onions are an essential component to a great burger. 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. Our newsletter hand-delivers the best bits to your inbox. Because Labriola is a top-notch bakery, it makes sense that it would make an excellent pretzel roll for its burger. Best of all, a double cheeseburger is less than $7. Limit search to Chicago's North Shore. $11. Unfortunately, most of the burgers on the menu feature large quantities of other meats on top, like braised brisket or Korean barbecue pork belly. 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. Its taken to the next level with pickled and charred onions, American cheese, pickles, and onion-infused mayo. Since 1948, this south suburban chain has been serving some of the most aggressively smashed burgers in the country. For now, beef is king. After 7pm, the burgers only available at the bar so plan accordingly. You can just tell that owner Eddie Lakin thought through all the details. Brunch Cafe-McHenry 224 reviews Closed Now American, Cafe $$ - $$$ 7.6 mi McHenry "Flavorful Brunch" "A Must Try Restaurant" Order online 2. But one look at the slim burger at Ludlow Liquors, and you know that chef Mickey Neely had something very different in mind. 479 tips and reviews AFAR Media: I had Au Cheval's meaty double patty, ooey gooey cheeseburger three days ago and I'm still dreaming about it. The latest CDC guidance is here; find a COVID-19 vaccination site here. $9.95. Pickles and caramelized onions put in work to add a touch of brightness to every bite, but they're no match for the beef. 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). 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. But as promising as these alternatives are, I cant get past the fact that beef simply tastes better. Its trying to see how crazy a smash burger can get, and Im all for it. 1450 W. Chicago Ave., 312-465-2636, threehousechi.com, The Loyalist Original Cheeseburger with fries. Heres the story behind the smash success. Health experts consider dining out to be a high-risk activity for the unvaccinated; it may pose a risk for the vaccinated, especially in areas with substantial COVID transmission. 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 the few weeks in 2018 I spent eating veggie burgers was one of the most excruciatingly boring experiences of my eating career. (Nick Kindelsperger / Chicago Tribune). Soft bun, but stays together when you take a bite 4. Then, modeled after In-N-Outs commitment to quality, the kitchen adds fresh lettuce, onions, tomato, cheese, and special sauce. 1. Some will say there is too much sauce. Salt Burgers + Fries 104 Burgers Fast Food $$Wicker Park "out of Chicago was the main instigator who persuaded me to visit Salt Burgers + Fries after his." more Delivery Takeout Start Order 2. Or will the burger simply adapt with the times? Big Kids, the nostalgia-driven sandwich shop by chefs Ryan Pfeiffer and Mason Hereford, first started flipping burgers during select hours and days. The success of said Shiddy Burg has led to it becoming a permanent fixture on the menu. Even if you ignore the food, this is undoubtedly one of the friendliest burger joints Ive ever stepped foot in. Hes spruced up an old family sauce recipe with fresh horseradish and makes his own pickles. Channeling old-school burger joints in Northwest Indiana, the Region is known for its smash burger, with an iconic, lacey-edged patty that extends well past the bun. The double cheeseburger is a masterpiece worthy of the marquee treatment. I dont count those cutesy little burgers that fancier places serve, with their horrendous meat-to-bun ratios. A salty cheddar cheese joins the beef, along with Vies own smoked bacon, bread and butter pickles and creamy Dijonnaise. The burger patty, recognized as one ofBon Appetitsthree best in 2017, is a blend of short rib, chuck, and ground bacon. King-size cheeseburger at Top Notch Beefburgers. The "flexitarian" menu puts plant-based products on a pedestal, forging a delectable path ahead for those who are transitioning to a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle. Annie Lin. . At its base, its a simple double cheeseburger with American cheese. $16. (Nick Kindelsperger / Chicago Tribune). The Original Hog Wild 278 reviews Closed Now Quick Bites, American $$ - $$$ 8.0 mi Midlothian "A Cabin In The Rough." "Quick & Quality Barbecue" 2. The Loyalist not only features loads, it uses three kinds raw, charred and pickled to infuse each bite with the unmistakable savory, sweet aroma. Voter turnout in Chicagos municipal election in graphics, Downstate judge strikes down Illinois ban on high-powered guns. If you're all about the toppings, skip ahead. Delish fries as a bonus Although not in the menu, my friend Josh said "since when have tots been an option? Chef Paul Virant admits that the burger at Vie is straightforward; he just uses the finest quality ingredients he can find to construct it. Not only does Three Floyds serve some of the best beer in the country, the brewpub in Munster, Indiana, kicks out the ultimate burger to pair with a pint. (Nick Kindelsperger / Chicago Tribune). 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. Fortunately, we've got the inside scoop on the best burger joints around the suburbs. Similar to any great cookout burger, the sizeable patty is loaded with beefy flavor and smoky char from the grill. I havent tried all the different burgers on the menu, but thats because Im hooked on the Black Betty, which adds bacon, bleu cheese and crunchy fried onion straws. A post shared by Sam (@chicagoburgerbible), By submitting your email, you agree to our, Sign up for the The Two-n-Two is The Sandlots answer to In-N-Outs double-double, which is a double cheeseburger served with lettuce, tomato and a version of Thousand Island-style dressing. You can order your burger with thin and smashed or big and beefy patties plus a variety of indulgent toppings like caramelized onions, thick-cut bacon and giardiniera. As you can tell from the picture, this beast is exceptionally juicy, so make sure to have that napkin ready. Photograph: Courtesy Can't Believe It's Not Meat, Photograph: Starr Nordgren (@chicagofoodiegirl). Open in Google Maps. With this focus, Ive decided to dismiss some sacred cows (so long, Kumas Corner), while also discarding places that havent held up over the years (sadly, Fatsos has fallen in quality). But this burger isnt trying to appeal to everyone. 4038 N. Milwaukee Ave., 773-283-6080, communitytavern.com, Biancas Original at Bianca's Burgers. Id included four suburban restaurants in my original list, but Ill readily admit that the majority of my time was spent feasting within the city limits. 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. The soft bakery bun is lightly grilled, adding to the smoky aroma. The Hottest New Restaurants in Chicago, March 2023, Devour giant or smashed patties dressed with quality toppings. On the side youll find fermented pickle slices, which on their own might seem too sour. Theres a second location in Lincoln Park. No place in the Chicago suburbs executes the classic American cheeseburger as flawlessly as Edzos. 1. The 11 Best Restaurants in Chicago for a Romantic Date Night. The north side is similar to other parts of the city in many . The special sauce has a little 1,000 Island-esque tang that meshes with the caramelized onions, pickles, lettuce, and tomatoes. Thats because the shop, open since 1942, still grinds the beef in-house, ensuring each bite tastes impressively juicy, without being too greasy. Owner Christopher Cunninghams special burger sports two griddled Angus patties, caramelized onions, cheddar, bacon, dijonnaise and a unique ingredientslices of Granny Smith apple. The north suburbs of Chicago are very popular for those seeking a quiet meal away from the hectic downtown area. $7.99. While the single is satisfying, I do like the extra meatiness of the double cheeseburger.