The Black Angus beef patty is enormous, but cooked to a spot-on medium rare, while the two-year-old white cheddar adds a real sharp bite. [Chicagos most secretive burger operation is mostly a one-man show. Diners can order single, double, or triple patties; each includes cheese, relish, onions, and a mayo-based Region sauce. $16. Perfectly seasoned burger 2. Some will say there is too much sauce. By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions. Guide: 88 Marketplace is an Asian food wonderland hidden just west of Chinatown, Canned cocktails taste test: From Big Star margaritas to summery G&Ts, here are our 35 best and worst, Voter turnout in Chicagos municipal election in graphics, Downstate judge strikes down Illinois ban on high-powered guns. We know, we know. Each bite attacks with salt, fat and acid, which some might find overwhelming. Currently, Im happiest with the No. But Edzos proves how utterly captivating a no-nonsense cheeseburger executed with precision can be. 2959 N. California Ave., 773-754-7492, ludlow-liquors.com, Single Cheeseburger at The Region. 2900 W Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL 60618 773-604-8769 View Website 4. 1021 W. Armitage Ave. Chicago, IL 60614. 66 W. Kinzie St., 312-284-4990, rpmrestaurants.com/rpm-steak-chicago/, Single cheeseburger at Au Cheval. A post shared by Three House Chicago (@threehousechi), 20 Killer Fried Chicken Sandwiches in Chicago, 20 Great Restaurants for Solo Dining in Chicago. A bag of fries is also included with every order. Unfortunately, most of the burgers on the menu feature large quantities of other meats on top, like braised brisket or Korean barbecue pork belly. 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. 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. Chef Paul Virant admits that the burger at Vie is straightforward; he just uses the finest quality ingredients he can find to construct it. 1/ Au Cheval 800 W. Randolph St. Chicago, IL 60707 American, Small Plates 14 /20 This modern-day, West Loop diner from Brendan Sodikoff throws calorie caution to the wind. The kitchen uses locally-sourced beef for its patties, which get flattened on the griddle and placed alongside American cheese, housemade pickles and horseradish sauce on a potato bun from Highland Bakery Co. You can (and should) request to add raw onions and if the weathers nice, snag a seat on the spacious back patio. (Nick Kindelsperger / Chicago Tribune). To access, Nickson soaks bones for hours and then scrapes the marrow out by hand. I realize thats an insane number, and I dont even want to think about what my doctor would say about the feat. Youve heard of bacon on a burger, but what of bacon in a burger? I especially love how all the toppings, like lettuce and onion, are layered in exacting proportions so each bite gets the proper needed crunch. Burgers, American. Its rare that a burger has this sort of outsized influence on the scene, but I cant think of a burger style Id rather see more of than this one. I still refuse to acknowledge the existence of the bars Chicago burger, which clocks in at a ridiculous 13 ounces, mostly because the -pound baby burger is just the right size. If youre in need of a great griddled burger in the far northern burbs, Burnsies Uptown in Libertyville is there for you. Instead of a simple slice of cheese, the burger is slathered in a smoky pimento cheese created by Dan Compton, the chef de cuisine at Virants Vie. Owner Christopher Cunninghams special burger sports two griddled Angus patties, caramelized onions, cheddar, bacon, dijonnaise and a unique ingredientslices of Granny Smith apple. Great burgers and solid bar food. Dozens upon dozens of people sent screeds angrily pointing out that I had skipped their favorite joint and was therefore an idiot. Or you could spring for the shops faithful reconstruction of In-N-Out Burgers Double-Double Animal-Style. Theres even sliced raw onion placed between the two patties. Sadly, just days before publishing this, the two moved across the food hall to open Biancas Bodega, which serves other kinds of sandwiches. After a long pandemic-induced hiatus, English-inspired gastropub Owen & Engine reopened this past January. From giant patties to smashed delights, local restaurants are crafting unique and exciting versions that feature fresh beef, premium toppings, and more. When all ground together, the result is the beefiest burger Ive ever encountered, with a flavor that reminds me of prime dry-aged rib-eye. The signature Original Shiddy Burgerbeganas a weekly special before the demand couldn't be ignored. Burgers, beers, and whiskeys are the focus at Andersonville gem Little Bad Wolf. No place in the Chicago suburbs executes the classic American cheeseburger as flawlessly as Edzos. Since opening in 2016, Revival Food Hall has had a succession of decent burger stands inside, but none have been as deeply satisfying as Biancas Burgers. The kitchen uses ground American wagyu meat from Sakura Wagyu Farms in Ohio, a beefier version of the highly marbled Japanese wagyu boasting a mix of 80% meat and 20% fat. Portage Park and Northwest Side locals adore this neighborhood spot and the burger is a major reason why. The burger should help soak up all the old fashioneds and bottles of High Life, too. But its balanced by the extra-cushy bun. 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. The shop also uses a soft sesame seed bun, which has suddenly become popular again after way too many years of restaurants favoring overly buttery brioche buns. Worth the wait!" 2022 2. 25 Best Restaurants in the Chicago Suburbs May 20, 2020 by Lindsey Conger 26307 Tired of cooking dinner every night? Crusade Burger Bar 6. But most of these burgers were cooked with little to no salt. Originally conceived as a limited-time special, the overwhelming response to Edward Kims burger earned it a permanent place on the menu. $8.95. This Wicker Park restaurant utilizes the slightly misleading tagline "Pizza & Stuff." 3970 N. Elston Ave., 773-754-7729, jtsgenuine.com, No. 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). At its base, its a simple double cheeseburger with American cheese. . (Nick Kindelsperger / Chicago Tribune). If the wait left you ravenous, opt to add a fried egg or thick cut bacon. Whats the draw? NADC Burger 5 Burgers River West The namesake creation consists of two chuck patties, crunchy sweet potato shoestrings, melty American cheese. A post shared by The StopAlong (@thestopalong). As should be clear by now, Im not the biggest fan of oversize burger patties. Then, modeled after In-N-Outs commitment to quality, the kitchen adds fresh lettuce, onions, tomato, cheese, and special sauce. Sure, the fish and chips, Scotch eggs, and other traditional British plates are all excellent, but the burger is the star of the menu. 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. River North (Chicago) 6376 reviews. So here it is: our list of the best burgers in Chicago. Well, the Slayer burger, for onea pile of fries topped with a half-pound burger, chili, cherry peppers, andouille, onions and Jack cheese on a pretzel bun. It could be as simple as paying the $3 upcharge for CDK dry-aged Angus beef. $8.50. $6.69. Im not putting this at No. Meat or no meat, this classic burger holds its ground against every entry on this list. Here are my top 20, with the list of the other places I went at bottom. This towering double cheeseburger features two well-seared patties covered in two hues of cheese, all set on a glistening bun topped with two kinds of sesame seeds. (Nick Kindelsperger / Chicago Tribune). Online ordering is available here. Truthfully, a trip to Au Cheval is an ordeal, but that won't stop us from commending its signature item. The Assembly American Bar & Cafe: Best Burger in Northwest Suburbs - Hands Down - See 239 traveler reviews, 27 candid photos, and great deals for Hoffman Estates, IL, at Tripadvisor. 9 Restaurants. Foursquare. One of the very best burger buns in the whole of the Chicago metropolitan area can be found at this heavy metal bar in the far southwestern suburbs. Breakfast of champions" "A Little Too Much" Order online 3. We already have this email. $16. A post shared by Henry Nieberg (@hungrier_henry), The Essential Restaurants for Affordable Dining in Chicago. But the meat is seasoned well and cooked to proper specifications. Is it time to discard Americas favorite dish? The service can sometimes be average but it's a good choice in . I seriously wonder if I am making the problem worse. $19. Alternatives have existed for years. 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. With beef grease still coursing through my veins, I released a list of the best burgers in Chicago back in February. Johnnie's Beef is consistently listed as the top Italian Beef joint in Chicagoland by pretty much everyone who's ever been there, including us. Thick-cut bacon is an extra add-on that lifts the burger to even greater heights. Everything about the burger is designed for textural perfection, from the toasted buns, griddled patties, crisp onion slices and crunchy pickles. These eateries are so good, you'll want to spread the word to everyone you know. This slick, little quick-service shop in Elmwood Park serves griddled burgers with, lets face it, a slightly silly name. Because Labriola is a top-notch bakery, it makes sense that it would make an excellent pretzel roll for its burger. $5.95. As distinct as it is, the bun doesnt overshadow the rest of the show. Online orders can be placed here. Im an absolute sucker for this combination. You can just tell that owner Eddie Lakin thought through all the details. Chicagos most secretive burger operation is mostly a one-man show. Nothing about the admittedly gorgeous double cheeseburger at Community Tavern immediately looks that different from the competition. Heres the story behind the smash success. Which is true. Online orders can be placed here. That means he uses excellent beef from CDK Angus and bacon that he smokes himself. (Nick Kindelsperger / Chicago Tribune). Fatsos fulfills greasy cravings with juicy char-grilled and smashed burgers. 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. Annie Lin. Theres a small menu, which is where youll find the burger waiting for you. Dry-aged Slagel Farms burger at Rootstock. Carnivore 8. Park Ridge residents are lucky to have such an approachable burger joint kicking out a version this good. 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 Think Venteux's chuck patty topped with raclette and crispy shallots, Adorn's dry-aged prime beef burger, or Blue Door Farm Stand's vegan quinoa burger with mango chutney. Order online here. Search Whataburger locations to find your local Whataburger - home of the bigger, better burger. 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. Order online here. Whataburger uses 100% pure American beef served on a big, toasted five-inch bun. pickled jalapenos, dill pickles and Asian-inflected miso butter onions and hoisin aioli. Vegans can get theirs with plant-based Beyond Beef instead. 226 W. Chicago Ave., 312-600-9268, goodmeasurechicago.com, Charly's Burger at Charly's Burgers. Lets get to the good stuff: Here are my picks for the 25 best burgers in Chicago. (Nick Kindelsperger / Chicago Tribune). But a solid rendition of a Vienna . See More. It's the kind of thing you'll crave after gulping down a flight of beers. Photo Credit: Mago Grill & Cantina Restaurants Facebook Its served on a challah bun and folks can add an optional, but highly recommended, gooey Merkts cheddar spread. Chicago has a reputation for pizzas of all styles and hot dogs, but locals know the city excels at burgers as well. Darn Good Burger at JT's Genuine Sandwich Shop. $14. Most breweries aren't exactly known for their food, but the kitchen at Old Irving Brewing Company proves that sustenance is just as important as the suds. Thishot dog and fried shrimpstandis a favorite for greasy late-night eats and its double cheeseburger is arguably the best deal in town. 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. I love just about everything about this burger. Each burger is cooked to order on the restaurants well-worn griddle, and served with a cushy bun with loads of sauteed onions. $13.50 with fries. American. 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. The only thing holding this burger back is a tragic lack of salt on the beef. Thing is, a lot of people live in Chicagos suburbs. Chef Paul Virant, best known for his passionate embrace of local produce and serious pickling skills, loves bacon cheeseburgers.