It'll take a second or two to figure out how to get your mouth around the thing, so order a pour of bourbon to wash it all down. Uncommonly thick Nutella shakes, fries with truffle saltwhere does the low-brow end and high-end begin at Eddie Lakins burger shop? (Nick Kindelsperger / Chicago Tribune). Schoop's 7. 1. Honestly, this one would have scored much higher if another burger from a Virant establishment hadnt stolen my heart. It might look oversized, but the bun couldnt be softer or more suited to the job. Au Cheval A list of the best burgers in Chicago would simply be incomplete without the burger at Au Cheval. With beef this good, I suggest keeping it simple, and crafting your own burger experience by going with the build your own burger option. This chef-driven, build-your-own burger bar focuses on grass-fed, sustainably farmed beef and other quality ingredients. Try the Super Ooey Gooey for quite a mouthful two smashed patties are stuffed with Merkts cheddar, bacon, and giardiniera and dressed with Fatsos sauce, tomatoes, lettuce, and onions. We uncover the best of the city and put it all in an email for you. 12 /20. Online ordering is availablehere. Available until 7 p.m. in the dining room or all night at the bar, the beefy Mott Burger has it all: Double chuck patties, miso butter, sweet potato frizzles, pickled jalapenos, hoisin aioli, American cheese, sautedonions, and dill pickles. Currently, Im happiest with the No. 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. I mean, I wish the name werent Shiddys and that everyone wouldnt laugh when I say it out loud, but what am I to do when a group of chefs create a burger so smashed that it even makes The Region look tame by comparison? Now might seem like a terrible time to discuss the best burgers in Chicago. (Nick Kindelsperger / Chicago Tribune). Its served with one-year-aged Widmers cheddar and an aioli spiked with yuzu kosho, a Japanese condiment of fermented chiles with the zest and juice of yuzu. Sometimes the edges are so crisp, they accidentally poke your skin when you try to take a bite. Its just in this case that the veggie version is more unique and worth taking a detour to try. Open in Google Maps. That means grinding dry-aged beef from CDK Angus, a quality local Illinois beef producer, in the shop, and then serving it on a freshly baked bun thats plush, yet sturdy. 1. But there is no doubting the careful construction that goes into each burger. Farm Burger, Decatur, Georgia 4505 Burgers & BBQ, San Francisco, California Holsteins Shakes and Buns, Las Vegas, Nevada Kuma's Corner, Chicago, Illinois MELT Gourmet Cheeseburgers, Leesburg,. Similar to any great cookout burger, the sizeable patty is loaded with beefy flavor and smoky char from the grill. After a long pandemic-induced hiatus, English-inspired gastropub Owen & Engine reopened this past January. Breakfast of champions" "A Little Too Much" Order online 3. 2833 W. Armitage Ave., 773-770-3427, gretelchicago.com, Dry-aged Slagel Farms burger at Rootstock. Its served on a challah bun and folks can add an optional, but highly recommended, gooey Merkts cheddar spread. Sign up to unlock our digital magazines and also receive the latest news, events, offers and partner promotions. I love how the crisp and cold toppings interact with the creamy sauce and juicy beef and molten cheese. Worth the wait!" 2022 2. 1571 Sherman Ave., Evanston; 847-864-3396; edzos.com, Stop-In Burger at the StopAlong. Photograph: Courtesy Can't Believe It's Not Meat, Photograph: Starr Nordgren (@chicagofoodiegirl). Each burger is cooked to order on the restaurants well-worn griddle, and served with a cushy bun with loads of sauteed onions. A post shared by Little Bad Wolf (@littlebadwolfchicago), Outstanding Chicago Restaurants That Are Open Every Day. Each bite attacks with salt, fat and acid, which some might find overwhelming. But I refuse to accept that its not one of the best burgers in the city. 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. But as promising as these alternatives are, I cant get past the fact that beef simply tastes better. And the thick patty stays juicy, even when cooked past medium. A post shared by The StopAlong (@thestopalong). Most importantly, restaurants finally recognize the importance of onions. That means he uses excellent beef from CDK Angus and bacon that he smokes himself. And you dont have to spend too much either, as the options are wholly affordableRedhot Ranchs double cheeseburger is less than $7. Whether it was dreaming up interesting topping choices or making sure to grind all the beef in house, they serve burgers that will make your city-dwelling friends jealous. Hawthorne's Backyard Bar and Grill. Whether you order a single (two patties) or a double (three), the meat here is topped with Kraft singles, Dijonnaise and house-made pickles. No offense to Ronald and the gang, but we prefer Bianca's take. What to watch. (Nick Kindelsperger / Chicago Tribune). 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. Park Ridge residents are lucky to have such an approachable burger joint kicking out a version this good. That, and the extensive menu of craft beers, includingsome limited-edition local brewsyou'll have to snag before theyre gone. The crunchy lettuce, crisp onion slices, juicy tomato and pink-tinted sauce show a clear inspiration from In-N-Out, but everything else about this burger screams Chicago in the best possible way. A second location is in Lakeview. Taquitos, huaraches, and other south-of-the-border specialties dominate the menu at La Mejikana, but dont overlook the impeccable hamburguesa. But none of this would matter if the base of the burger werent so solid. THE SPOTS Ratings FAQ 8.1 Gretel American Logan Square Perfect For: Casual Weeknight Dinner Drinking Good Cocktails $$$$ 2833 W Armitage Ave, Chicago Earn 3X Points The extra fat content means that the patties get a clearly visible crust from the hot griddle. Although Smyth, the fine dining component, gets most of the accolades, its subterranean sibling is an equally superb place to eat and drink. Very good bar food. So prepare to get messy in the most satisfying way by checking out our guide to the best burgers in Chicago. Visit Website . Portage Park and Northwest Side locals adore this neighborhood spot and the burger is a major reason why. [Chicagos most secretive burger operation is mostly a one-man show. This dark and sexy basement bar offers everything from foie gras eclairs to mussels inbrandade cream, but theburger is what keeps us coming back again and again. Online ordering is available here. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune). $12. For $6.11, you can score one of the citys very best double cheeseburgers paired with a bag full of crispy fresh-cut fries (which we once picked as the second best in Chicago). Paradise Pup 9. When I asked Tom OBrien from BRGRBELLY what made the burgers at this beloved Portage Park spot so good, he hesitated for a moment, before saying, We do everything from scratch. Not only do the cooks grind the meat in-house, they mix in some fatty pork belly with the beef. If you're all about the toppings, skip ahead. 2959 N. California Ave., 773-754-7492, ludlow-liquors.com, Single Cheeseburger at The Region. The patty develops a shiny black exterior, as the edges become extra crispy. But a solid rendition of a Vienna . The service can sometimes be average but it's a good choice in . But I have no complaints about the burgers. Why tease us like this, Revival? He might be right. Whats the draw? Sign up for our Eat. 66 W. Kinzie St., 312-284-4990, rpmrestaurants.com/rpm-steak-chicago/, Single cheeseburger at Au Cheval. Two colossal, cheese-draped patties take center stage, completely outweighing the sturdy but soft bun they're housed within. He modeled this offering on his favorite hometown burger, Wee Bs, which he grew up eating in Anchorage, Alaska. See More 2/ Butcher & The Burger 1021 W. Armitage Ave. Chicago, IL 60614 Burgers, American 12 /20 The only place that scratches that itch for me is the Hoagie Hut in Waukegan. Ive changed up about half the burgers from my 2019 rankings, including two newcomers to the top three. (For what its worth, the last one served my least favorite burger of 2019. Chicago's best burgers of 2021 so far can be found at restaurants including (clockwise from top left): Big League Burgers, Bianca's Burgers, Kapitan, Shiddy Burger, Three House and JT's. Sure, there are fancier burgers, and ones that are much, much bigger in the suburbs. The success of said Shiddy Burg has led to it becoming a permanent fixture on the menu. Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon! $10. Chicago has a serious slider shortage. It's a fine specimen that easily rivals the city's top oldies. 3057 W. Logan Blvd., 773-904-7620, minimott.com, Black Betty at BRGRBELLY. The Hottest New Restaurants in Chicago, March 2023, Devour giant or smashed patties dressed with quality toppings. $16. Thats what youll find at Carnivore, the Oak Park butcher shop that grinds bacon up with its ground beef. 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. 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. 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. The BBQ brisket sandwich at Empire Burgers & Brew in Naperville features beer BBQ sauce, cheddar, apple and apple cabbage slaw on a pretzel roll. River North (Chicago) 6376 reviews. I cant remember a time when there were so many outrageously great burgers around. 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. $13.95. $7.99. I dont count those cutesy little burgers that fancier places serve, with their horrendous meat-to-bun ratios. 1724 S. River Road, Des Plaines; 847-699-8590, Baby burger at Illinois Bar & Grill. Thats just bad cooking. Jim's Original. The patty is smeared with bone marrow butter, which amps up the beefiness to rib-eye steak territory. The Loyalist Original Cheeseburger with fries. 177 N. Ada St., 773-913-3774, smythandtheloyalist.com/the-loyalist. Grilled onions go on top of the beef and the whole thing is set on a sesame seed bun.