No place in the Chicago suburbs executes the classic American cheeseburger as flawlessly as Edzos. But this burger obsession chose me, and I feel completely unable to resist. Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon! 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). 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. Worth the wait!" 2022 2. Now might seem like a terrible time to discuss the best burgers in Chicago. You see, we consider the fan-favorite Stop-In burger to be more than just "stuff." Its easy, then, to overlook the burger, but doing so would be a blunder. The Original Hog Wild 278 reviews Closed Now Quick Bites, American $$ - $$$ 8.0 mi Midlothian "A Cabin In The Rough." "Quick & Quality Barbecue" 2. Jim's Original. The Beverly neighborhood has a relaxed small-town-in-1965 feel, and one of the contributing reasons is this dose of Americana, both old enough and friendly enough to be your grandmother. 4? (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune). 215 Ridge Road, Munster, Indiana; 219-836-6233; schoophamburgers.com, Community Double Cheeseburger at Community Tavern. Look around, and youll see brioche buns falling out of favor, as soft rolls dotted with hundreds of sesame seeds pop up. Please enter a valid email and try again. Chuck's Southern Comforts Cafe Sign up for our Eat. The Chicago Bears QB has to figure out the simple to get to the next level. (Nick Kindelsperger / Chicago Tribune). A post shared by Mott St Chicago (@eatmottst). facebook.com/Biancas-Burgers-100697548434279, Darn Good Burger at JT's Genuine Sandwich Shop. Even if you ignore the food, this is undoubtedly one of the friendliest burger joints Ive ever stepped foot in. 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. (Nick Kindelsperger / Chicago Tribune) The best pizza Here's where you should place your next takeout. 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. Im not usually one for unmelted cheese on my burgers, but the extra sharp cheddar used here helps complement the extra-fatty patty. Order online here. Schoops has been aggressively smashing beef on a griddle in Munster, Indiana, since 1948. What you need to live your best life now. $7.99. What to eat. From diner-style classics and smash burgers to over-the-top creations, these are the best burgers in Chicago. As meat alternatives have become more popular and prevalent, an increasing number of plant-based restaurants are also starting to sprout. Whats the book on Justin Fields around the NFL? This delicious monstrosity includes three patties, fat strips of bacon, molten American cheese, onion straws, house-made pickles, a swath of mayo and a fried egg crown. More intriguing are the plant-based meat alternatives, such as Beyond Meat and Impossible Burger. Wrapping up the Chicago Blackhawks trade-deadline moves. NADC Burger 5 Burgers River West !" If tots are on the menu, always get the tots. Thanks for subscribing! Since 1948, this south suburban chain has been serving some of the most aggressively smashed burgers in the country. Most importantly, restaurants finally recognize the importance of onions. 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. This slick, little quick-service shop in Elmwood Park serves griddled burgers with, lets face it, a slightly silly name. 2900 W Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL 60618 773-604-8769 View Website 4. The burger should help soak up all the old fashioneds and bottles of High Life, too. I love just about everything about this burger. Edzo's makes arguably the best fast-casual burgers around. Photo Credit: Theory Theory 9 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60654 Advertisement A relative newcomer to the burger scene is also among the best. Thats just bad cooking. $16. A longstanding South Side institution thats been around since 1942, Top-Notch Beefburgers is one of the last of a dwindling breed of classic Chicago grease joints and perhaps the best. You can have a very good burger without them, but youll never quite reach the top. Chicagos most secretive burger operation is mostly a one-man show. This burger, from the Indian-inspired restaurant in Logan Square, is not for those who want fake meat. River North (Chicago) 6376 reviews. The Hottest New Restaurants in Chicago, March 2023, Devour giant or smashed patties dressed with quality toppings. Like most steakhouse burgers, Stefani Prime serves up its burger with lettuce, tomato and sliced raw onion on the side. (Nick Kindelsperger / Chicago Tribune). It pairs wonderful with Indian lager Bhavik and is available on Thursdays only with a beef version for omnivores which is also tasty. But as I noted in April, an explosion of new burger joints has shaken up the scene. Thats exactly where they should remain. The thin-crust pizza has just a little puff and locals prefer sausage as the topping of choice. 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. Id rather have the occasional astonishing burger than numerous mediocre ones. [Chicagos most secretive burger operation is mostly a one-man show. 66 W. Kinzie St., 312-284-4990, rpmrestaurants.com/rpm-steak-chicago/, Single cheeseburger at Au Cheval. As should be clear by now, Im not the biggest fan of oversize burger patties. . But what I missed was that the burger also showcases a deep love and understanding for the Midwests own fantastic burger spot, Steak n Shake. Fortunately, we've got the inside scoop on the best burger joints around the suburbs. 90s-inspired shop with sandwiches that incorporateeverything from a secret spice mix and potato chipsto fried Spambasically, the stuff of any stoners munchies-fueled dreams. I dont count those cutesy little burgers that fancier places serve, with their horrendous meat-to-bun ratios. A post shared by BIG KIDS SANDWICH DRINKS (@bigkidschicago). 1. A post shared by Little Bad Wolf (@littlebadwolfchicago), Outstanding Chicago Restaurants That Are Open Every Day. Two griddled patties sandwich a slice of American cheese and are placed over, rather than under, pickles, ketchup, and mustard. 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. A half-pound chuck patty is covered with guacamole, an over-easy egg, grilled onions, Chihuahua cheese, chipotle mayo, and chorizo. Places such as I Cant Believe Its Not Meat (1368 E. 53rd St.) and Stand-Up Burgers (614 W. Diversey Parkway) already serve satisfying meatless burgers, which Id happily devour over most fast-food mainstays. Its trying to see how crazy a smash burger can get, and Im all for it. Forget your manners and dig in. Crusade Burger Bar 6. The beef is pressed onto a hot grill until its extra thin and the sides are scraped down in order to produce crispy, lacey edges with maximum caramelization. 2954 N. Sheffield Ave., 773-360-8686, dmkburgerbar.com, DIY burger at Good Measure. They might be awesome, but not a single burger survived. King-size cheeseburger at Top Notch Beefburgers. A mix of ground chuck and brisket from Slagel Family Farm forms the patties, which get smooshed onto the griddle. We can't help but drool over this gourmet diner burger in the West Loop made with extra-thick bacon, oozy egg, and homemade pickles to boot. Each burger starts with seven ounces of ground beef that the chef smashes on a griddle until its millimeters thick. Here are the best burgers you do not want to miss in Chicago. By focusing on the basics, owner Eddie Lakin has created a burger shop impervious to trends. (Nick Kindelsperger / Chicago Tribune). I know many honorable human beings who swear they love grain-based veggie burgers, and Ive found a couple I dont mind. RHR double cheeseburger and fries at Redhot Ranch. As if taking a cue from Au Cheval, its slathered with dijonnaise, which is quickly becoming one of Chicagos most common burger condiments. (Nick Kindelsperger / Chicago Tribune). Pickles and caramelized onions put in work to add a touch of brightness to every bite, but they're no match for the beef. Also, dont miss the digital billboard, just south of the restaurant on Milwaukee that throws some shade on Small Cheval. This creation started its life as a bar special at Mott St., before its staggering popularity forced the owners to create a whole new restaurant to meet demand. The double cheeseburger is a masterpiece worthy of the marquee treatment. 2320 N. Cicero Ave., 773-887-5481, charlys-burgers.business.site, Gretel griddle burger at Gretel. Fatsos fulfills greasy cravings with juicy char-grilled and smashed burgers. From giant patties to smashed delights, local restaurants are crafting unique and exciting versions that feature fresh beef, premium toppings, and more. Its my belief that onions are an essential component to a great burger. A post shared by Three House Chicago (@threehousechi), 20 Killer Fried Chicken Sandwiches in Chicago, 20 Great Restaurants for Solo Dining in Chicago. No offense to Ronald and the gang, but we prefer Bianca's take. Even humble establishments are now grinding their own meat, in hopes of matching the surreal beefiness of the burger here. Inspired by the smash burgers found in Northwest Indiana, the Region is an exemplar of the style. Turkey can never beat cow, Swanson declares. Two thin patties are glued together with cheddar and topped with tangy pickles and a layer of garlic aioli. 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. 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. But theres something about how the kitchen chars the bun, so that its seconds from being burned, that adds a thrilling campfire aroma. Truthfully, a trip to Au Cheval is an ordeal, but that won't stop us from commending its signature item. The burgers actually taste beefy, and the fries are textbook examples in frying. 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. A post shared by FeedMe (@miriam_foodie). Vegans can get theirs with plant-based Beyond Beef instead. The BBQ brisket sandwich at Empire Burgers & Brew in Naperville features beer BBQ sauce, cheddar, apple and apple cabbage slaw on a pretzel roll. A chaser of thick-cut fries and garlicky aioli is the only thing that will keep you from scarfing down this handheld in five minutes flat. Thanks to the blend of short rib, chuck and rib-eye, each bite is succulent, and the soft onion roll is an inspired partner. Try another? Each bite attacks with salt, fat and acid, which some might find overwhelming. Youll notice this list shows my strong preference for burgers cooked on a griddle, but that doesnt mean I hate all grilled burgers. $13. The two (yes, two) patties on the single cheeseburger are seared over high heat and stacked neatly on a bun thats toasted on both sides. But this burger isnt trying to appeal to everyone. It could be as simple as paying the $3 upcharge for CDK dry-aged Angus beef. The 30 years of popularity and incredible awards (WGN TV's Chicago's Best named it the juiciest burger ever) are enough to send burger lovers flocking to this McHenry County town with their hand-formed, 10 oz burgers freshly prepared to make your taste buds sing. Reviewed April 15, 2014 . (Nick Kindelsperger / Chicago Tribune). The beef has an astonishing savoriness, with an almost tangy mineral note at the end, something usually reserved for fine dry-aged steaks. Order online here. Its an East-meets-West mashup of flavors that packs an umami punch. Thishot dog and fried shrimpstandis a favorite for greasy late-night eats and its double cheeseburger is arguably the best deal in town. A handful of pickles and a sprinkle of red onions add some much needed acidity to the mix, but the cloud-like sesame seed bun really takes things over the edge. Abigails understands this. $8. Fortunately, the owners hope to revive the burger concept inside the Willis Tower food court next year. 32 7. $14. Optional toppings include raw onions, fried egg, and bacon. This Wicker Park restaurant utilizes the slightly misleading tagline "Pizza & Stuff." Chicago has a serious slider shortage. It's not exactly the kind of thing you want to devour on a first date, but we're not judging if you do. newsletter here. 1 at DMK Burger Bar. Its more complex, juicier and has a more pleasing texture. This amps up the ridiculousness of each bite to a level I found gleefully absurd. The standard issue arrives topped with bacon and a fried egg with a yolk just ready to erupt over the beef. Forget about a polite sear; the beef comes out shining like polished obsidian. Diners can order single, double, or triple patties; each includes cheese, relish, onions, and a mayo-based Region sauce. But a solid rendition of a Vienna . $6.11 with fries. But youll know something is up after the first bite. With beef grease still coursing through my veins, I released a list of the best burgers in Chicago back in February.