Agreed regarding PJ Clarke's. Good option, a great one for that area. The original in Midtown Manhattan is an old favorite due to its late night menu (predating the slew of late night options). I give the burger edge to the original, but the Chicago "branches" don't sully the name.

Hey, speaking of "bar" burgers, I just walked into a place I swore I'd never visit and had a hell of a $3 burger and side (this is relative, mind you) -- Waterhouse under the Brown Line Paulina stop. It's formulaic Big-10-Bar-By-Numbers, for sure. I felt dirty walking in from the rain. I was even wearing a trenchcoat. But the burger was fresh, "normal sized" (likely 1/3 lb.) -- I hate it when the special wings or burgers are a smaller, crappier product -- medium rare as ordered and came with pretty good waffle fries for $3. Once, long ago, I was a starving student tied to the L. This is for those guys.

Mondays only.

Edited to correct some details (looks like I might have gotten a better deal than the place actually offers )

Alfie's Inn is a VERY GOOD place to get a burger. I love to stop there with the family and burger up a few times a year! Every thing we have ever had there has been great.

http://www.alfiesinn.com/aboutus.html

425 Roosevelt Road
Glen Ellyn, Illinois 60137
(630) 858-2506 phone
Hours: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Check out this old school game >> http://mybabymonsters.com/collaborative_storytelling_for_children/free-video-games-flash/burgertime.html
Its called Burger time...kinda fun!

Cool game with some neat history.

I needed a burger fix yesterday, so after consulting this thread and a couple of others on LTH, along with watching The Cheeseburger Show, the decision was made to try Illinois Bar & Grill. I must say that this burger took care of my craving. No fancy meat, but a lot of it along with four thick slices of bacon and enough grilled onions to screw up your breath for a week. It's a lot of burger for $8.70.

I happened to be heading down Western on an errand today and happened to spot...



Ordered a bowl of soup and a double cheeseburger (the standard). Soup a little thin.



Burger was a bit overcooked and a tad tough. 2 very thin patties.



Don's Grill
1837 S Western Ave
(312) 733-9351

Just down the street...



Just a cheeseburger this time...



Wow! Now that is a burger! Bigger and cooked perfectly, tender and juicy and the onions fried well done as requested. A swipe of mayo. No lacey edge.

Along the lines of Top Notch and That's-a-Burger and right up there with the best.

Eager to bring some friends to Kevin's again soon.

Kevin's Hamburger Heaven
4056 S Western Ave
(773) 847-4947

Panther in the Den wrote:Don's Grill
1837 S Western Ave
(312) 733-9351

That used to be Don's Humburgers. The humburgers looked a lot better than that. Of course that was 20 years ago.

mrefjl wrote:

Panther in the Den wrote:Don's Grill
1837 S Western Ave
(312) 733-9351

That used to be Don's Humburgers. The humburgers looked a lot better than that. Of course that was 20 years ago.

It still had a strong presence on on the Internet as 'Don's Hamburgers, Inc.' (without the U) but the signage and menus were 'Don's Grill'. The menu made no mention of Hum...

It had the look and vibe of an old school diner and was pretty busy just before 1:00 pm.

I am sure with the right grillman on the job this burger could be a lot better.

stevez wrote:

pasta pronto wrote:
Schoop's = Mickey burger, cheese fries, and a chocolate milkshake....make it happen

Schoop's Mickey

Had my very first Schoop's Mickey Saturday.......what a burger!!!!!!!....about the best i've ever had....can't wait for another opportunity to consume again.....

We had bacon cheeseburgers at Leo's on Southport Saturday in honor of Mr. Pie's birthday (after a showing of the newest Metropolis, what could be better) and they were pretty good, especially with stadium mustard. The bacon was undercooked for my taste but it was a fabulous greasy mess. He had the onion rings, the good crumbly kind. I had the sweet potato fries (lower in carbs than regular, I was trying to be good), which needed some salt in a bad way but were substantial, unlike many I've had that were limp. The place reminded me of Johnny Rockets without the trying-too-hard '50s vibe and vomity aftertaste to the food. Tasty, but I still miss that chicken-broccoli-candied walnut dish from Chinalite.

Leo's Coney Island of Chicago
3455 North Southport Avenue
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 281-5367

Stopped at Muskie's on Lincoln today and grabbed a char-burger and chili fries. Quick, pleasant service and not bad food.

Burger had nice char and decent, beefy flavor, but could have used a bit of seasoning. Bun was thick and substantial and held things together nicely. An unremarkable, but fairly tasty burger for its style.

The fries, however, were excellent. Fresh cut, skin-on shoestring fries ordered extra crispy and delivered salty and piping hot. Chili is clearly house-made, but a bit too beany and soupy to top fries with.

Muskie's
2878 N. Lincoln Ave.
Chicago, IL 60657

--Rich

I like Muskie's, but then it's really close to me. If I was going to recommend one thing to someone trekking there, though, it would be the grilled chicken sandwich, the Rooster. A chicken breast, grilled. Well, yeah, you say, but how few places can deliver that without gilding its lily in some fashion that makes it a lesser thing than Muskie's pure simplicity.

Mike G wrote:I like Muskie's, but then it's really close to me. If I was going to recommend one thing to someone trekking there, though, it would be the grilled chicken sandwich, the Rooster. A chicken breast, grilled. Well, yeah, you say, but how few places can deliver that without gilding its lily in some fashion that makes it a lesser thing than Muskie's pure simplicity.

hmm, I like the Muskie's grilled chicken sandwich, but that's largely because for me they always gild the carnation with swiss cheese and well-crisped bacon.

I'm just shocked Muskie's is still in business. It's been at least 15 years since I've been there so I can't really comment much. But I do remember really liking their cheddar burger. Fries were great and, shockingly, their buffalo wings were really good back then. It was one of my regular spots when I worked in that area. Glad to hear they're still chugging away.

midas wrote:I'm just shocked Muskie's is still in business.

Muskie's is one of those places I want to like more than I actually do. I go every few years, lured by the scent of grilling ground cow, but always leave perplexed as, even with a nice char, the burgers seem devoid of flavor. Its been a few years, maybe I'll give another go.

G Wiv wrote:

midas wrote:I'm just shocked Muskie's is still in business.

Muskie's is one of those places I want to like more than I actually do. I go every few years, lured by the scent of grilling ground cow, but always leave perplexed as, even with a nice char, the burgers seem devoid of flavor. Its been a few years, maybe I'll give another go.

Well it's been even longer for me so don't take my word for it.

I'm sorry, did I stutter?



Ch-ch-ch-chicken!

Fries and shakes are really good too.

Mike G wrote:I'm sorry, did I stutter?...Ch-ch-ch-chicken!

It's true, people don't remember chicken. Years ago an ex of mine who was in advertising did work for Culvers, and they were battling this problem. Culvers was introducing a chicken sandwich, and my ex's firm hired some moron actor to wear a goofy chicken costume in a commercial where he did absolutely nothing but say "Chicken, chicken, chicken, chicken, chicken, chicken, chicken, chicken, chicken, chicken..... Cussssstard. Chicken, chicken, chicken, chicken, chicken, chicken, chicken, chicken, chicken, chicken..... Cussssstard." It played over and over again, at least on local TV in Madison. I still can't get that a-hole out of my head (the chicken dude, not the ex. Hmm, well...)

Kennyz wrote:It's true, people don't remember chicken.

I remember chicken, have had memorable wonderful chicken over the years, none of which, to the best of my recollection include grilled chicken breast sandwich, lily guilded or not. Muskie's chicken breast looks tasty in Mike's picture, but I've had too many dried out 30-grit chicken breasts over the years not to be cautious.

While we're on the subject of chicken being ignored, I'll mention Paradise Pup as a perfect example. Everyone seems to love their burgers (which I agree are simply done and very good), but hardly anyone speaks of their teriyaki chicken sandwich which is one of the better chicken sandwiches in the Chicago area. Simply grilled, but a very good teriyaki marinade that sticks with and caramelizes on the grilled chicken and it's always moist.

I have tested Twisted Spoke, Capital Grille and Charlie Beinlich's, Northbrook. I have no idea for others. I have read there are two kinds of Burgers. I do not know about it which type of Burgers i have eaten?. I like Burger and Pizza.

Sent to a friend to pass on to friend for "good burgers" near(ish) the Andersonville B & B where she is staying.
=-=-

- Patty's Diner - Small greasy spoon diner just over the northern Chicago border. Cranky/sweet/ owner/grill woman, huge breakfasts of ham hash and old potatoes (twice fried American style), crusty charred burgers sporting dead-rare interiors.
- Kuma's - Super busy metal bar, been featured on TV shows, but the 10-oz burger combos named after metal bands are terrific. Outdoor dining area.
- Bad Apple- Bar, good burger,
- Flub a Dub Chub's - Subterranean hot dog joint with terrific hand made bar style burgers.
- Hot Chocolate - Upscale restaurant by pastry chef Mindy Segal, great restaurant style burger
- Duchamp - Casual upscale, lovely outdoor dining area, great restaurant style burger.
- Jury's - Bar restaurant, slightly twitchy PC crowd consistently delicious bar style burgers

Patty's Diner
3358 Main St
Skokie, IL 60076
847-675-4274

Kuma's Corner
2900 W Belmont Ave
Chicago, IL 60618
773-604-8769

The Bad Apple
4300 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL 60618
773-360-8406

Flub a Dub Chub's
3021 N Broadway
Chicago, IL 60657
773-857-6500

Hot Chocolate
1747 N. Damen Ave
Chicago, IL
773-489-1747

Duchamp Restaurant
2118 North Damen Avenue
Chicago, IL 60647
773-235-6435

Jury's
4337 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL 60618
773-935-4099

alexdwsn12 wrote:I have tested Twisted Spoke, Capital Grille and Charlie Beinlich's, Northbrook. I have no idea for others. I have read there are two kinds of Burgers. I do not know about it which type of Burgers i have eaten?. I like Burger and Pizza.

Welcome to the forum. You came to the right place. We can show you how to spend years eating different burgers and pizza constantly.

alexdwsn12 wrote:I have tested Twisted Spoke, Capital Grille and Charlie Beinlich's, Northbrook. I have no idea for others. I have read there are two kinds of Burgers. I do not know about it which type of Burgers i have eaten?. I like Burger and Pizza.

Actually there are many types of burgers but a lot of the time it comes down to Thick and Thin. It looks like most of the ones you have tried are on the Thick side.


Thick


Thin (godda get the double!)

You should head up to Edzo's and give each a try (and report back here ).

Edzo's Burger Shop
1571 Sherman Ave, Evanston
(847) 864-3396

Welcome and Enjoy!

Oh man, I haven't been to Edzo's since the winter - I gotta get back!

In addition to thick and thin, you'll come across char-broiled and griddled burgers. Both of which happen to be pictured in the above thread as Edzo's specializes in both and I still can't decide which one I love more.

I went to Epic yesterday for lunch (North Ave new location) and my burger was pretty damn good. I got the double with bacon, onions, lettuce, tomato and their "special" sauce that is a sweet mix of mayo and ketchup (I believe). The bun was pretty good, I got the wheat, but what was amazing was the bacon. I mean, this was real thick, nitrate free, perfectly cooked bacon, but not sure what kind, I got my order to go. My brother got the BLT which came with cheddar and a fried egg, but the egg was cooked all the way through and would of been a lot better if it was over easy.

I haven't read any comments on this forum about M Burger. I started going there a few weeks ago and have been pretty happy. The "M Burger" tastes a bit too much like a Big Mac but with better meat [take that for what it is worth] but the regular cheeseburger is exceptional.
For that neighborhood, the price is pretty reasonable too.

My brother got the BLT which came with cheddar and a fried egg, but the egg was cooked all the way through and would of been a lot better if it was over easy.

Last time I was at Epic they refused to do rare. They may be reluctant to do ove-easy for similar reasons. I'd be curious to hear others' experiences and if this is indeed the case.

DML wrote:I haven't read any comments on this forum about M Burger. I started going there a few weeks ago and have been pretty happy. The "M Burger" tastes a bit too much like a Big Mac but with better meat [take that for what it is worth] but the regular cheeseburger is exceptional.
For that neighborhood, the price is pretty reasonable too.

Here's the thread.

Gus from GNR Wiener and Still Champion frequently has me come over and try a few new items he's working on. Most are pretty good, but not all are keepers. I think his two new burger experiments could be keepers.


The Nick D burger isn't on the printed menu, but you can ask for it. It's named for WGN Radio personality Nick Digilio - a big fan of WaSC (and also a big fan of LTH, but I don't think he posts here). It's 1/3 lb. of beef stuffed with chili and cheese, served with pickles. A deliciously gooey mess of a burger.


The Ultimate Cheeseburger, also not on the printed menu, won't be available 'til some time next week. The 1/3 lb. patty is topped with country-fried cheese, and served over lettuce. No wimpy little slice of processed American cheese on this baby.

Also, for one day only - July 1 - he's bringing back the Luther Burger.

It's a bacon cheeseburger that use glazed doughnuts instead of a bun - invented, legend has it, by Luther Vandross. He's made it before - discussed here.

Full disclosure: I help Gus out on marketing projects occasionally, but no money changes hands (unless I can slip a few bills in the tip jar when Gus' back is turned). But I'm posting this because I'm enthusiastic about the unique stuff he thinks up.

nr706 wrote:
The Ultimate Cheeseburger, also not on the printed menu, won't be available 'til some time next week. The 1/3 lb. patty is topped with country-fried cheese, and served over lettuce. No wimpy little slice of processed American cheese on this baby.

What kind of cheese is it that Gus will be using on the Ultimate Cheeseburger?

tarte tatin wrote:What kind of cheese is it that Gus will be using on the Ultimate Cheeseburger?

Ultimate cheese, of course.

=R=