Made it over to Edzo's yesterday. Had the 8oz char, nicely done, meaty with just the right amount of juice. Also had the truffle fries - loaded with powerful truffle salt, giving me a nice truffle buzz for the rest of the afternoon. I don't think I've ever eaten an order of fries that needed absolutely no catsup. (I still like WASC fries better, for size and potatoey-ness since I prefer a chewier fry to crunchy ones.)

I went before reading this thread, so I'll be back to try the griddled double and I don't know how I missed the Nutella shake. I'll have to try that too.


Medium rare 8oz Char burger - I kept it plain and the meat stood on it's own.


Truffle fries.

Was at Edzo's for lunch yesterday and thought the food was fantastic. But, operationally speaking, there is work to be done.

Unfortunately I arrived at the peak of the lunch hour. I didn't expect quick service given the crowd, but I think there is a lot of room for improvement. It took about 30 mins from the time of order to the receipt of food. I watched my burger being made and then it sat there getting cold for about 5 mins as it waited on the trimmings and for the fries to cook.

The other thing is the menu board. It's facing the wrong way. Nobody in line could read it and everyone ended up taking paper menus or having to step out of line. In my opinion, the menu board should either be on the main wall (in front of the counter) or it should be facing the door.

All in all though, I'd definitely go back. It would just be a far better experience if some of the kinks were worked out.

I watched my burger being made and then it sat there getting cold for about 5 mins as it waited on the trimmings

I acknowledge that we aren't yet running as efficiently as possible, and for that I apologize and ask for people's patience.

That being said, if you ordered the char burger, part of that "sitting there getting cold time" was my cooks resting the burger after it comes off the grill. I had to really work on this with them, as their instinct is to just slap it on the bun and get it out of there, especially when we're busy. But the char burger really benefits greatly from a 2 minute or so rest on a sizzle platter before going on the bun, and I've instructed my cooks to give it that rest, even when we're busy.

Your comments about the menu placement are helpful...thanks.

elakin wrote:

I watched my burger being made and then it sat there getting cold for about 5 mins as it waited on the trimmings

I acknowledge that we aren't yet running as efficiently as possible, and for that I apologize and ask for people's patience.

That being said, if you ordered the char burger, part of that "sitting there getting cold time" was my cooks resting the burger after it comes off the grill. I had to really work on this with them, as their instinct is to just slap it on the bun and get it out of there, especially when we're busy. But the char burger really benefits greatly from a 2 minute or so rest on a sizzle platter before going on the bun, and I've instructed my cooks to give it that rest, even when we're busy.

You've definitely got my patience. I'll be back for sure. It wasn't the char burger by the way. Just a single 4oz and most of the wait time was on the fries. Hard to get that timing down I'm sure -- especially when busy. Keep up the great work. I'm glad to hear you're working on gaining efficiencies where necessary.

I stopped in last weekend and really enjoyed my burger. I'm a sucker for griddled burgers, so I went w/a double w/American. I was really surprised at how juicy it was considering the thickness of the patties and the temperature. I went w/just plain fries and they were pretty good, next time I'll get a little more adventurous with the flavored fries. My only complaint is that the griddled burger was so good that I'm afraid Edzo's will end up being one of those restaurants where I always order the same thing every time.

Max wrote: My only complaint is that the griddled burger was so good that I'm afraid Edzo's will end up being one of those restaurants where I always order the same thing every time.

LOL, I've become something of a regular as it's right near the downtown library, and I'm finding myself doing the same: griddled burger and buffalo fries. I happen to love fries with goop...

Went back for the third time to Edzo's yesterday around 2:00 and it was pretty crowded with a small line. Channel 7 news was in there filming everything as well. Got my double griddled burger (one day I'll check out the char burger...one day) and fries. Burger was perfect like the first time, really juicy, dare I say greasy, a little salty, tasty. The difference between the second time and the other two visits was that the burger was drier and thinner the second time. Even though I love lacy edges, no way I am sacrificing juiciness for that. I mentioned this to Eddie, and gave my thumbs up to the slightly thicker griddled burgers. After my meal, I tried a chocolate malt and it was a winner.

Headed for a mid-afternoon movie in Evanston, I stopped at Edzo's for a burger. I'd read that the serious exhaust system problem had finally been rectified and I wanted to see if I would enjoy a dine-in visit more a second time, minus the exhaust problem.

There were two people in front of me in the line, one ordering and other waiting. I liked the charburger the first visit so I ordered it again today, this time with cheddar cheese (and an extra slice of the cheese, as well). The earlier milkshake I had - Banana - was excellent and this time I wanted to try the peanut butter variety. Replicating my fries order from the firsts visit, I asked for the garlic fries once again.

Some people awaiting take-out orders were occupying tables and it was, at first, a little difficult to find a place to sit. Add to the squatters were the strollers getting in the way - it was a family day at the restaurant, lots of kids. I finally asked a bored-looking young woman if I could take one of the pushed-together 2-tops to eat at, or if she was expecting others to sit at the table. She was a squatter, and moved when I sat down. I saw similar take-overs of table space by take-out order waiters and during busy times that can present problems for the restaurant and people looking for space to dine-in.

This isnt' a 'fast food' restaurant, in case people who haven't visited yet are wondering. Be prepared to wait a bit for your order. My order took 20 minutes today, but my milkshake arrived after 10-minutes. The coordination seems problematic.





My name was called and I retrieved my order from near the cashier station. It looked good. Then I picked up my burger and felt that the bottom portion of the bun was cool to cold in temperature (as if it had been sitting on a cool counter) and the bread more densely-compacted. The top bun was stiff, unlike the first visit, and it cracked as if shattering - like cracked porcelin. the bun did not taste fresh, more like day-old - something left out in the air to dry and harden a bit. The bun detracted from the meal not, as I experienced during my earlier visit, enhancing it. When I bit into the meat I noticed it was well-done, not medium as I ordered. I was disappointed, because I had enjoyed the same sandwich I had a couple of weeks ago - which was cooked to order.

My peanut butter shake had the weak taste of peanut butter - less flavorful than I expected. It was thick in consistency and, overall, just "okay" but I wouldn't order it again. The fries were good, but after sitting there and eating them I realized that what I enjoyed best about them was the topping, not the slightly over-cooked (for my taste) potatoes. I probably wouldn't like these fries without the toppings.

The things about the physical nature of the space and the decor that I didn't like during my earlier visit, and which I commented upon up-thread, I didn't like today either. Grungy, worn, the look of a place not taken care of (though I know there's someone wandering about wiping tables, etc.). The high noise level I witnessed today will, if it's become typical, probably be a problem for some people - one almost had to shout above the noise to be heard by someone else. And while I enjoy having kids around, their parents need to take care and not leave the children's strollers in the middle of the space, turned-over blocking passage, etc.

The operational/consistency issues are there and maybe Eddie should spend more time behind the grill and doing some side-by-side training with this staff instead of chatting-up customers at the cash register.

I don't see how this...

Bill wrote:The things about the physical nature of the space and the decor that I didn't like during my earlier visit, and which I commented upon up-thread, I didn't like today either. Grungy, worn, the look of a place not taken care of (though I know there's someone wandering about wiping tables, etc.).

...squares with this:

ronnie_suburban wrote:

That space looks familiar. Did it used to be a Pita Pit or something?

jesteinf wrote:I don't see how this...

Bill wrote:The things about the physical nature of the space and the decor that I didn't like during my earlier visit, and which I commented upon up-thread, I didn't like today either. Grungy, worn, the look of a place not taken care of (though I know there's someone wandering about wiping tables, etc.).

...squares with this:
…

Or with Bill's devotion to the Ohio House restaurant in River North

No offense meant to Bill or the Ohio House. But I really don't get it.

I just wanted to thank Bill for braving the nightmare of horror that is Edzo's Burger Shop.

Please, Bill, do not ever go to Moon's.

radparker wrote:That space looks familiar. Did it used to be a Pita Pit or something?

Used to be Pita Pete's.

nr706 wrote:

radparker wrote:That space looks familiar. Did it used to be a Pita Pit or something?

Used to be Pita Pete's.

And once upon a time it was the location of That Little Mexican Cafe. I think there are still some remnants of Mexican decor in the back serpentine hallway as you make your way to the men's room.

nr706 wrote:

radparker wrote:That space looks familiar. Did it used to be a Pita Pit or something?

Used to be Pita Pete's.

Aha, that explains it. I liked Pita Pete's, sad to see it gone. Sort of wondering what all the fuss is about Yet Another Burger Only Place...

Try reading the thread.

I dunno if this has been posted yet, but I wanted to give elakin more props and post Tamarkin's four-star review of Edzo's -- go Edzo's!

Been to Edzo's twice now...kept it simple the first time, double griddled with American, and regular fries. The burger was so good I contemplated ordering another one on the spot. Decided against it, but began eagerly plotting a return visit.

Despite being less hungry on visit #2, I ordered a triple griddled w/ American:


The triple was probably overkill. The beef was unmistakably fresh, the patties had crispy edges, the cheese (3 slices!) perfectly melted, and the bun somehow managed to hold the for the entire time...but, not unexpectedly, the burger as a whole was kinda out of balance. I'll likely stick with the more perfectly-proportioned double next time, although the char-grilled patty will need to be sampled sooner or later.

My friend chose the Taylor St Fries:


and I got the Buffalo Fries:


Both sets of fries were very good...Buffalo sauce & blue cheese flavors were spot on, and the celery garnishes were a fun touch. Taylor St maybe suffered a little for the fact that the beef gravy doesn't 'stick' to fries the same way other sauces do. You could definitely taste it, but in some bites it was only a faint hint of flavor. Easily rectified by making sure you grabbed a pepper too.

What's all the fuss about? There are too few places in Chicagoland doing freshly ground burgers and freshly cut fries at this price point. I'd love to see a few more Edzo's around town...with later hours.

Went for my second visit today and this i opted for the griddled burger. I ordered a double with american cheese, ketchup, mustard, onions and extra pickles.

Dizzzamn. This is my favorite griddled style burger in chicago. Fantastic fresh beefy taste that nestled in a perfect bun to burger ratio. The burger has crisp edges, but was dripping juice with every savory bite. What a perfect balance. If Edzo's was open for dinner i'd have driven back there for another.

The biggest issue i now face is deciding which burger to order next time I head there. I think its gonna be the griddled burger more times than not, but you can't go wrong with either option.

I finally made it to Edzo's this weekend. The Nutella shake had been calling my name since I first read about it. I went simple: 4 oz griddled burger with American cheese, small fries, and the shake. Everything was delicious. Only minor quibble is that I wanted a slightly stronger Nutella flavor in the shake. Service was friendly and accommodated my request to hold off on making a second Nutella shake so I could take it home to Mr. X. I look forward to returning to try the char-burger and the garlic fries.

Here's the Edzo's video from the Reader, by the way, if you haven't seen it.

Mike G wrote:Here's the Edzo's video from the Reader, by the way, if you haven't seen it.

Nice! Thanks.

Mike G wrote:Here's the Edzo's video from the Reader, by the way, if you haven't seen it.

Thanks for the link-good job.

When I grind burger I use chuck and ony grind once on the coarse plate because of the exact reason Ed states-to keep an airy mix which stays juicy. I know the different texture coarse and fine grinding produces, but am unsure of the reason for grinding twice. Is the reason for grinding twice just to evenly spread the fat?

Thanks,
Jeff

Great video there, MIke - is there a reason the star of the show (i.e. the burgers!) were not shown? . . or maybe they were and I zoned out thinking about the nutella shake.

Great video there, MIke - is there a reason the star of the show (i.e. the burgers!) were not shown?

Only that I wasn't doing a full-blown, 15 or 20 minute video like some of the others-- just dropped in on Eddie to talk to him during his morning routine and get the story behind the burger.

To see the burgers fry, I suggest going there and ordering one!

am unsure of the reason for grinding twice. Is the reason for grinding twice just to evenly spread the fat?

the second grind serves two purposes; first, yes, to mix and get a more even distribution of fat/lean. second, mixing the meat develops the myosin protein in the meat which allows the meat to more easily stick together.

elakin wrote:

am unsure of the reason for grinding twice. Is the reason for grinding twice just to evenly spread the fat?

the second grind serves two purposes; first, yes, to mix and get a more even distribution of fat/lean. second, mixing the meat develops the myosin protein in the meat which allows the meat to more easily stick together.

I did not know that (myosin)-Thanks Ed!

Continued Success,

Jeff

Really enjoyed my lunch here today. Had the double with cheddar and jalapenos, small fries and a nutella shake. The burger was terrifically satisfying, the fries were very good, and the nutella shake was delicious (and plenty nutella-y to my taste. I usually don't finish desserts, but I got every last drop of that shake. Eddie was also very personable and genuine, which was great to see. Made me wish I lived a bit closer so I could be a regular. As it is now, I will certainly be back whenever I can find an excuse to head over to Evanston.

Nice spot on Edzo's on ABC 7...

http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?sectio ... id=7153097

Stephen wrote:Really enjoyed my lunch here today.

It must have been LTH day at Edzo's. I made my first visit today before an appointment in Wilmette. The line was long at 11:30 so I decided to go to the appointment and then head back to Edzo's later when I could take my time. I arrived back at 1:00 and ran into SteveZ who was finished, but joined me for some good conversation. I had the griddle burger with everything and jalapenos, but no cheese, old fries and the Nutella shake. Wonderful beefy flavor with crispy edges on the burger, loved the old fries and can't wait to try the other flavors. The Nutella shake was amazing, wonderful creamy taste and mouth feel, I think I'd give up a night with George Clooney for one of those , I actually licked the inside of the cup, but couldn't get all the way down, Now I know how my dog feels when he tries to stick his head in a container of something he really likes.

I can't wait to go back and try more of the menu, wonderful job Eddie and you're right young people today don't always appreciate fresh cut fries, they have fast food palates, but you'll change that.