Scott's (and Kevin's) Hamburger Heaven

Kevin's Hamburger Heaven, makes a pretty good old-fashioned burger--hand formed, griddle cooked, tasty--and it's open 24 hours a day. The original Kevin's is at the corner of Pershing & Wallace and there was another on 35th just east of Ashland. More recently another Kevin's opened on Western at 41st.

A while back, signs appeared at both the Pershing and Western stores disowning the 35th Street Kevin's. When I asked what happened I was told the son had been "messin' up" and they would be splitting up the business. Then earlier this year the sign was painted over and more recently a new sign appeared advertising Scott's Hamburger Heaven. A sign on the door reads, "Same great food, great taste, great service, reasonable prices. Only the name has changed." I was told that Scott "just wanted to make it his own." Indeed, it looks exactly the same inside and the menu is virtually identical right down to the separate listings in the dessert section for pie a la mode or with ice cream (yes, they're the same price).

Unfortunately the burger isn't quite the same. It's significantly smaller, though still irregularly shaped, and is still cooked on the same griddle but it just doesn't taste right. It almost seemed precooked though I don't think it was. Stick with the original on Pershing. The one on Western is fine but it just doesn't have the proper greasy spoon ambiance so important for the enjoyment of an early-hour burger. Plus, on Pershing they claim to use a metal detector to screen all patrons for weapons. What more could you ask for?

Scott's Hamburger Heaven
"The One and Only"
1546 W 35th St
Chicago
773-890-1042
Open 24 hours

Kevin's Hamburger Heaven
"Burgers You'll Come Back For"
554 W Pershing Rd (=39th St)
Chicago
773-924-5771
Open 24 hours

Kevin's Hamburger Heaven
4056 S Western Av
Chicago
773-847-4947
Open 24 hours

Rene G wrote:Kevin's Hamburger Heaven, makes a pretty good old-fashioned burger--hand formed, griddle cooked, tasty

Rene,

Darn good fries and has browns as well. Plus they have grits and their own brand of Kevin's Steak sauce, which tastes surprisingly good at 4am.

Pershing Road Kevin's


Enjoy,
Gary

ReneG and GWiv,

I remember that photo...still appetizing.

Question about fries at Kevin's. They look good and crisp, but they don't look like they were cut-on-premises (not being so is not the kiss of death, but hand-cut-on-the-spot fries tend to be more pleasingly potato-y).

Hammond

David Hammond wrote:Question about fries at Kevin's. They look good and crisp, but they don't look like they were cut-on-premises (not being so is not the kiss of death, but hand-cut-on-the-spot fries tend to be more pleasingly potato-y).

Hammond

Hammond,

It's highly doubtful Kevin's fries are cut on premises but, to me, that's less important than crisp, which they are. Crisp is King to G Wiv.

For example, one of my favorite potatoes in the city, the crisp on the outside, fluffy potato goodness on the inside, Tater Tots at Davis Street fishmarket, are not made in house. In fact, I don't think there is a house made tater tot in all of Chicago. They are still excellent.

As an aside, in June EDK mentioned Skylark has home made tater tots on the menu. They are pretty good tater tots, but not home/house made, I asked. The Skylark tots come from a food service company and the brand name was......Hummm, I think the name was Holiday. I was there with Erik M that evening, he may remember.

Tater tots aside, the Skylark is a very good bar, and convenient to post Chinatown. Thanks EDK for pointing out Skylark.

Enjoy,
Gary

Skylark
2149 S Halsted
Chicago
312-948-5275

Davis Street Fishmarket
501 Davis St.
Evanston
847-869-3474

Burger at Kevin's on Pershing, 3:30 am, 12/11/05, after a few hours drinking at Skylark following the party at Klas.

Mike: Looks good, especially after 10 hours of heavy drinking; but I think it needs ...

A Little MAYO On It!!!




(Framed 8X10 glossies of this image are available. Please PM or email requests.)

I don't think there is a house made tater tot in all of Chicago.

gary,

One North kitchen and bar (1 n. wacker) makes their own tater tots in house.

Kevin's Hamburger Heaven reviewed by Bruce Bilmes & Sue Boyle @ Roadfood

E.M.

Kevin's Hamburger Heaven is advertising "All You Can Eat served from 5AM-9PM" in today's Southtown Star. In small print at the bottom it says "Ask your server for details",so you may want to call ahead.

This location only!
Kevin's Hamburger Heaven
4056 S Western Av
Chicago
773-847-4947
Open 24 hours