The Best Burgers in Chicago
These days, you can get a decent burger pretty much anywhere in Chicago. Where do you go to get a great one? Here, our 30 favorites—upscale, downscale, or just plain messy
Related:
Full story »
A thick and juicy guide to Chicago’s 30 best burgers
Burgers Made Me Dumb »
Jeff Ruby on the downside to being a food writer
On French Fries »
Our favorites to accompany our burgers
Beefless Burgers »
If you want to avoid the bum steer, look for nonstandard ingredients
Our September issue features a story about the 30 best burgers in Chicago. You may notice that some of your favorites are absent from this list. Simply put, a lot of the biggies disappointed. Legends like Boston Blackie's, Hackney's, Goldyburgers, Jury's, and Monk's still draw crowds, but the real game in 2009 is elsewhere. A newer darling, Rockit, may have kick-started the Kobe Burger Thing at upscale bars, but my burger there was tartare-mushy, the onion roll was a stale dud, and the supersweet date aïoli gave me a toothache. And though I’ll make no friends with this statement, it’s time to call Billy Goat what it is: a charming grease trap with a great history and average burgers.
What’s your favorite burger in Chicago? What is the most overrated? To get your juices flowing, here’s our list of the best, in order of preference. Read the full story, vote for your favorite, and post comments below!
Photography by Anna Knott
Poll
Did you like what you read here? Subscribe to Chicago Magazine »
Comments are moderated. We review them in an effort to remove offensive language, commercial messages, and irrelevancies.
Reader Comments:
Call me old fashion, but the Billy Goat still serves the best... Now if you want a real meal, on a date, or just want to achieve the "dining experience," almost all 30 listed in the September issue are safe. I don't want to ruin the surprise for those of you that don't subscribe to the hard copy, but I will touch on a few that I've had.
Hot Chocolate made #2.. I've never had the burger, but I've waited (in total) 2 hours for the Mac and Cheese. So if you have spare time, go for it.
Bull and Bear took #12. No surprise there; the burger was good, but you start to feel a little like Charlie Sims when he questioned Lieutenant Colonel frank Slade-"$24 hamburger?? (Sent of a Women)." I can't tell you how many times drinks, appetizers, and little extra magically appear on my (and my friends) checks. If you really want to be "that guy," take your business to Rockit and safe yourself $100 you didn't spend.
Hop Haus took #14... Burgers! That's what they do. Bring $20 and come home satisfied from the generous portions and verity of well-priced drinks.
Overall, good list! I'd add The Counter on Diversey to the list.
Flub A Dub Chubs has consistently had a great burger. The fact that you went there first suggests you go there again. I think the burger is just as good as Kumas eventhough they do not have the same wide variety( and you do not have to wait a long time). Flub A Dubs is destined to become a hit in Chicago.
ZOMG! No Portillos?
Hop Haus has damn good burgers and I hear great things about Kumas. One other burger missing is Carson's. They have to be better than five guys.
No Hackney's? They've got a pretty good burger.
JUST HAVE GYROS & A SKINE BURGER
did you try the burger at Rosebud's on east walton??? can't believe that didn't crack the top 30. and paradise pup should be higher. 5 guys is the most overrated place ever for burgers, noting special about that place and nothing we all can't do on our grills at home
I don't necessarily disagree, you just missed one. Burger N'Que, but they are kind of new. Check 'em out!
No Jury's? This is a travesty.
I'm from NYC and have only been to Chicago once. My hotel was right near PJ Clarke's, which is arguably a top 10 in NYC. I'm surprised it didn;t make top 30 in CHI. I didn't go to the PJ's in CHI. maybe someone has some insight?
Jury's, the corner of Lincoln and Pensacola.