Brian Nagele
There is no shortage of robust burger flavors in Chicago. Whether you are looking for a loaded burger chockful of toppings or a classic cheeseburger, there is an option in one of the best Chicago burger joints to suit your desires.
Some restaurants may require reservations, but others may be unavailable for weeks. Burger joints always know how to safely grill their foods and often add combinations of varying flavors that will enhance the meal.
Additionally, some outdoor restaurants may use flavored wood or charcoal briquettes to add more taste to the meat they cook.
Chicago is rife with dozens of options for burgers, both classic and modern takes.
Au Cheval
800 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60607
Phone: 312-929-4580
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Au Cheval offers classic single or double cheeseburgers that can include delicious additions. You can have a classic burger with a fried egg or bacon for an additional charge and enjoy French fries, bacon, eggs, hash browns, or pickles on the side.
This location offers its services by walk-in only and does not offer reservations in advance.
The Loyalist
177 N Ada St #001, Chicago, IL 60607
Phone: 773-913-3774
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The Loyalist is open to walk-ins and by reservation. However, the location is only open for dine-in from five in the afternoon until ten at night.
The Loyalist offers their signature cheeseburger, including pickled and charred onions, a sesame seed bun, and fries.
However, diners interested in a classic cheeseburger can have The Loyalist’s classic burger, including onions, a special sauce, and a potato bun.
Kuma’s Corner
2900 W Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL 60618
Phone: 773-604-8769
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Kuma’s Corner knows all about burgers and has multiple options for every burger lover. There are 12 burgers on the menu, most named after metal bands:
- The Famous Kuma
- Goatsnake
- Iron Maiden
- Kaijo
- Led Zeppelin
- Mastodon
- Metallica
- Neurosis
- Plague Burger
- Sourvein
- Slayer
- Converge
Some burgers include fried eggs, applewood smoked bacon, goat cheese, poblano peppers, or barbeque sauce.
Little Bad Wolf
1541 W Bryn Mawr Ave, Chicago, IL 60660
Phone: 773-942-6399
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Little Burgers include three signature sliders that come with pickles and mayo. Bad Burger includes two thick patties with cheese and house-made pickles.
The Wolf Burger on the Little Bad Wolf menu has three patties and slices of bacon, topped with cheese, onion straws, pickles, and a fried egg.
Mott Street
1401 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
Phone: 773-687-9977
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Mott Street offers a comprehensive menu of salad, fish, seafood, and meats. This location has a signature cheeseburger only served during select hours and contains half a pound of beef, sweet potatoes, aioli, jalapenos, and cheese. You may add a fried egg to your burger.
The Region
2057 W Roscoe St, Chicago, IL 60618
Phone: 773-857-2874
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The Region offers a house-made sauce that is a staple of the Region’s menu. Five signature burgers are available at The Region, including a classic hamburger and cheeseburger.
However, The Region also offers sliders and more elaborately topped burgers. The Region’s Annihilation burger is 21 ounces and three patties, topped with onion and relish.
The Gringo Patty Melt is a smaller burger loaded with cheese, onions, and pickles.
Big Kids
2545 N Kedzie Blvd, Chicago, IL 60647
Phone: 773-687-8385
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Ironically, Big Kids is not a place for children and instead is a place for adults to access their inner child through delicious meals and karaoke nights.
Big Kids offers a classic, original cheeseburger, including sauce and cheese, and a plant-based burger with sauce and cheese.
Community Tavern
4038 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60641
Phone: 773-283-6080
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Children eat free at Community Tavern on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. The Community Double Cheeseburger is one of the best cheeseburgers in Chicago and boasts a robust flavor.
The Community Double Cheeseburger comes on a brioche bun with a signature sauce, cheese, pickles, onions, and skinny friends. This burger is one of my personal favorites in all of Chicago.
Fatso’s Last Stand
2258 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
Phone: 773-245-3287
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Fatso’s Last Stand offers all kinds of different burgers, some with single patties and some with multiple patties.
This restaurant also offers a Beyond Burger made with a plant-based burger patty and signature recipes for their burgers.
Burgers at Fatso’s Last Stand are griddled and grilled, sometimes over applewood. Burgers come with cheese, bacon, a fried egg, and Fatso’s signature sauce.
Fatso’s Last Stand offers an Ooey Gooey burger that includes all the fixings and can kick your tastebuds into gear. This burger is my official recommendation!
Gretel
2833 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
Phone: 773-770-3427
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Gretel offers a robust menu full of seafood, chicken dishes, and salads. Additionally, there are plenty of delicious sides, salads, and soups.
The Gretel Griddle Burger is one of the best burgers in Chicago. This burger contains two patties, two types of cheese, red onion, garlic, and pickles.
This burger pairs well with mashed potatoes, and the hand-cut fries come with a sweet yet spicy aioli. This location offers services based on a first-come, first-serve basis and does not indulge reservations.
Maillard Tavern
494 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60654
Phone: 312-766-2727
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Maillard Tavern offers seven burgers, complete with their character and additions. These burgers are as follows:
- The Maillard
- The Classic
- The “Ray Ray”
- The BLT
- The Grand
- El Jefe
- City Slicker
Each burger contains four ounces of meat and locally-sourced beef. These burgers are made on a griddle and come with a potato bun and potato fries that have an enhanced flavor due to duck fat. I recommend the City Slicker because it is packed with swiss cheese and caramelized onions.
Owen & Engine
2700 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
Phone: 773-235-2930
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Owen & Engine is a small restaurant that offers a limited menu. Although the menu is small, it is expansive with flavors.
These classic foods contain plenty of potato-based dishes and seafood options. However, there is a Slagel Farms Beed Burger, that includes onions, potato bap, chips, and mayonnaise.
This burger is always cooked to perfection and has a unique taste due to the malt vinegar in the mayonnaise.
RPM Steak
66 W Kinzie St, Chicago, IL 60654
Phone: 312-284-4990
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RPM Steak offers two burgers: the Dry-Aged Steakburger and a Wagyu Smash Burger. These burgers offer sophisticated tastes and include meat from some of the best butchers from around the world.
Wagyu beef is an expensive Japanese meat, but RPM Steak knows how to make the most out of the cost.
Small Cheval
Multiple locations
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Small Cheval does classic burgers like no one else in Chicago. This location offers seasoned single cheeseburgers, double cheeseburgers, and hamburgers that all come with dressings and toppings. Additionally, these burgers come with golden fries, which taste heavenly!
The Bad Apple
4300 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60618
Phone: 773-360-8406
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The Bad Apple offers several dressed-up burgers, all topped with onions, tomato, lettuce, pickles, and provolone cheese.
Their Wagyu Burger is one of my favorites because the meat is prepared for 45 days and topped with iconic ingredients.
Final Thoughts
No matter what kind of burger you are looking for in Chicago, there are dozens of options. Some restaurants offer classic burgers and French fries while others may have elaborate and cheesy sliders that are more like mountains of seasoned and delicious meat than a burger.
Check with the restaurant to see if you need a reservation before you head to the location, as some restaurants are only available via reservation.
From sauces and melted cheese to artisanal toppings, these restaurants have some of the most delicious burger flavors possible in Chicago.
With safety in mind during food preparation, there is little to worry about and much to gain from experiencing the best burgers in Chicago.
