Heres the story behind the smash success. This chef-driven, build-your-own burger bar focuses on grass-fed, sustainably farmed beef and other quality ingredients. You see, we consider the fan-favorite Stop-In burger to be more than just "stuff." 800 W. Randolph St., 312-929-4580, auchevaldiner.com, Mott Burger at Mini Mott. 1 at DMK Burger Bar. 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. That means he uses excellent beef from CDK Angus and bacon that he smokes himself. This slick, little quick-service shop in Elmwood Park serves griddled burgers with, lets face it, a slightly silly name. What I want are real sliders, the ones covered in a mess of soft, sauteed onions, the scent of which seems to follow you around for hours afterward. (Nick Kindelsperger / Chicago Tribune). After 7pm, the burgers only available at the bar so plan accordingly. Foursquare. Youve heard of bacon on a burger, but what of bacon in a burger? Even if you ignore the food, this is undoubtedly one of the friendliest burger joints Ive ever stepped foot in. Because its aged for so long, the cheese doesnt melt well, and I totally understand if some find the faint bitterness distracting. For years, Ive been a doubter of The Region, thinking old-school places in the south suburbs such as Schoops and Miner-Dunn did this style of ultra-smashed burger better. Two additional Cant Believe Its Not Meat outposts are located in Gold Coast and Orland Park. 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. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune). (Nick Kindelsperger / Chicago Tribune). Serving their creations out of a stall inside Revival Food Hall, Bianca's Burgers dresses up four-ounce beef patties with all manner of toppings, but our favorite is a tribute to a familiar fast food staple. A second outpost has recently opened in Time Out Market Chicago. If the wait left you ravenous, opt to add a fried egg or thick cut bacon. Chef Paul Virant admits that the burger at Vie is straightforward; he just uses the finest quality ingredients he can find to construct it. Very good bar food. The Loyalist Original Cheeseburger with fries. As distinct as it is, the bun doesnt overshadow the rest of the show. To soak up all the alcohol, the kitchen has created an unfussy, yet deeply satisfying, cheeseburger. In the end, I tried 60 suburban burgers for this list, which brings my 2019 total to just over 130. Birthplace of the Big Baby, Nicky's is the best place to try a lesser-known Chicago original. A post shared by Cant Believe Its Meat (@cantbelieveitsnotmeatinc), Where to Chomp on Italian Beef Sandwiches in Chicago, 18 Vegetarian and Vegan Options For Super Bowl Sunday Snacking. Dry-aged Slagel Farms burger at Rootstock. I cant remember a time when there were so many outrageously great burgers around. 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.. And you can now get it every day at Time Out Market Chicago. That's why we put together this list of 12 way-way- way -under-the-radar ones you won't find on any of the latest "Best Burger" lists from 1) Chicagoist, 2) Eater Chicago, 3) Chicago Magazine, or . Hot dogs. The standard issue arrives topped with bacon and a fried egg with a yolk just ready to erupt over the beef. 5739 W. Irving Park Road, 773-283-7880, brgrbellyrestaurant.com, King-size cheeseburger at Top Notch Beefburgers. A post shared by Elizabeth J. Bandolik (@ebandolik), Where to Find the Best Smash Burgers in Chicago. Chicago Hamburger Chicago Burgers View map Sort by: Highest Rating 2022 1. Order online here. The patty here is so crispy, it forgoes any sense of juiciness. 1. This last stand servesgrilled and smashed burgers to neighborhood regulars and late-night revelers. But one look at the slim burger at Ludlow Liquors, and you know that chef Mickey Neely had something very different in mind. [Canned cocktails taste test: From Big Star margaritas to summery G&Ts, here are our 35 best and worst]. Our newsletter hand-delivers the best bits to your inbox. After a long pandemic-induced hiatus, English-inspired gastropub Owen & Engine reopened this past January. Inspired by the smash burgers found in Northwest Indiana, the Region is an exemplar of the style. Big Kids, the nostalgia-driven sandwich shop by chefs Ryan Pfeiffer and Mason Hereford, first started flipping burgers during select hours and days. Its a thick hand-formed patty with a secret recipe from co-chef Zeeshan Shah. Theres a small menu, which is where youll find the burger waiting for you. Everything about the burger is designed for textural perfection, from the toasted buns, griddled patties, crisp onion slices and crunchy pickles. Nothing about the admittedly gorgeous double cheeseburger at Community Tavern immediately looks that different from the competition. (Nick Kindelsperger / Chicago Tribune). 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. More intriguing are the plant-based meat alternatives, such as Beyond Meat and Impossible Burger. What to eat. Optional toppings include raw onions, fried egg, and bacon. The whole thing is cushioned by a perfectly toasted brioche bun that practically melts in your mouth. There are no frills, just griddled four-ounce patties, American cheese, Dijonnaise, and pickles. So while were happy Lakin took those surly, greasy Vienna shops as his inspiration, were equally stoked he chose not to follow their practices. Youll notice this list shows my strong preference for burgers cooked on a griddle, but that doesnt mean I hate all grilled burgers. Grilled onions, sliced pickles and a house sauce complete this overlooked gem. 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. Topped with a nest of caramelized onions and served with malt vinegar mayo and house fries, this patty is crafted with a rich blend of chuck, short rib and brisket from Slagel Farm, making it lightyears better than its fast-food counterparts. Photograph: Courtesy Can't Believe It's Not Meat, Photograph: Starr Nordgren (@chicagofoodiegirl). Controversial Chicago police union President John Catanzara wins reelection. For a burger thats so unabashedly meaty, its a well-proportioned package thats not a chore to consume. It took me eating 131 burgers in 2019 to realize how crucial onions are to a great burger. It might look oversized, but the bun couldnt be softer or more suited to the job. A post shared by The Loyalist (@theloyalistchicago). Sure, the burger features freshly ground chuck and brisket from the Illinois-based Slagel Family Farm, but it also includes heaps of bone marrow, the supremely rich material locked inside beef bones. Its like a Steak n Shake burger taken to the limits of sanity. To access, Nickson soaks bones for hours and then scrapes the marrow out by hand. ), We ranked 26 fast-food fried-chicken sandwiches (including Popeyes). A post shared by Chomp Colorado | Foodie (@chompcolorado). (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune). But the folks behind Gretel in Logan Square do have some experience slinging pristine patties at sister spot Little Bad Wolf, which is also on this list. (Nick Kindelsperger / Chicago Tribune). Thishot dog and fried shrimpstandis a favorite for greasy late-night eats and its double cheeseburger is arguably the best deal in town. At this Hyde Park eatery, chef-owner Laricia Chandler whips up meatless versions of classic comfort foods. A post shared by I Ate This Burger (@iatethisburger). Dealing franchise icon Patrick Kane was heavy for GM Kyle Davidson. I realize thats an insane number, and I dont even want to think about what my doctor would say about the feat. Dozens upon dozens of people sent screeds angrily pointing out that I had skipped their favorite joint and was therefore an idiot. Two griddled patties sandwich a slice of American cheese and are placed over, rather than under, pickles, ketchup, and mustard. Do note that the burger is only available on the daily brunch menu. Craft cocktails and a cozy backyard patio draw locals to this retro-chic bar in Avondale. Alternatives have existed for years. A bag of fries is also included with every order. Online orders can be placed here. But the burger here is as good as ever. As should be the case, youll probably need to order more than one to make a meal, but the shop nails the balance of sweet-scented onions to salty, griddled meat. 2545 N. Kedzie Blvd, 773-687-8385, bigkidschicago.com, Smash burger at Three House. Chicagos best burger from dive bars to fancy hotels, one reporter tries 71 in search of excellence, A week in, I wondered if Id made a huge mistake. Best Northwest Suburbs Burger By using this site you agree to Zomato's use of cookies to give you a personalised experience. The grass-fed burgers are also anything but ordinary. But this burger isnt trying to appeal to everyone. Fortunately, the creamy aioli helps tie the beef and cheese together. Sadly, just days before publishing this, the two moved across the food hall to open Biancas Bodega, which serves other kinds of sandwiches. Crusade Burger Bar 6. Order online here. Regardless, it's worth the wait for the signature . But none of this would matter if the base of the burger werent so solid. Taquitos, huaraches, and other south-of-the-border specialties dominate the menu at La Mejikana, but dont overlook the impeccable hamburguesa. (Nick Kindelsperger / Chicago Tribune). 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. Steamboat BBQ. You'llbrowse the menu at Owen & Engine, considering thehaddock fish and chips or the bangers and mash with cider onion gravy, but we both know that you're here for the burger. A half-pound chuck patty is covered with guacamole, an over-easy egg, grilled onions, Chihuahua cheese, chipotle mayo, and chorizo. $6.11 with fries. $14. The Chicago Bears QB has to figure out the simple to get to the next level. Photo Credit: Theory Theory 9 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60654 Advertisement