G Wiv wrote:

pugsley wrote:I agree that it seems off if a public place, particularly a restaurant doesn't want to be photographed. It makes it seem like they have something to hide. My mind goes to health codes.

Pugsley,

As someone who has taken thousands of pictures in restaurants I disagree. There are any number of reasons owners prefer you not take pictures in their restaurant, from simply being a somewhat idiosyncratic person, which I believe is the case with That’s-A-Burger, to not wanting style/technique copied by the competition, to just not liking the way they look in photos. Your jumping directly to health codes strikes me as vaguely irresponsible.

Enjoy,
Gary

Those are good points . I think there is a general stigma attached to fast food restaurants that made my mind go to cleanliness. But, it would surprise me if a restaurant owner let his idiosyncrasies get in the way of business. That is, if the owner thought photos would display the restaurant favorably then he/she wouldn't have a problem with them.

Finally made it to That's a Burger today. In spite of it's heft, this sandwich eats just like a diner burger. Wonderful fresh bun and those soft, oily, skin on potatoey fries were heavenly.

I'll ask for extra napkins next time.

Just wanted to mention that I went to That's-a-Burger yesterday on the advice of this board, and had a wonderful, messy, tasty experience.

I did want to mention, however, that they have raised the prices. I believe a hamburger is now $3.90, with a cheeseburger at $4.10. The extras appear to be the same prices.

Still a good bargain for a big, juicy burger, but it's always a little sad for me to see things change before I had a chance to experience them in their original state.

Thanks for the (as always) great advice on a great place.

Just made it down to TAB last week and I was totally impressed. Probably my favorite burger in Chicago. The meat tastes like beef (a bit buttery) the lettuce and pickles crisp, the onions sweet, the bun soft.

Actually, I am of the opinion that the proportion of meat to bun (M:B ratio) is essential in a good burger. Many places overlook this by creating a huge meat patty that can reasonable fit in the bun for the duration of the eating encounter. Those burgers are not for me.

On the other hand, a place like Thats A Burger has it totally right. The proportion is golden. The components are well seasoned. A fantastic burger experience. My only quibble is that I would be there once a week if there was somewhere to eat besides my car.

Thanks to Rene G for finding this gem. I would never have know it existed until this post.

Had a typically fine meal at That's-A-Burger (well, in my car, outside That's-A-Burger) yesterday: double hamburger with everything and fries. I was foiled in my second attempt to get the TAB Special; a sign says there won't be any chili until October.

After reading all of the glowing reviews here, I'd like to try it. So how would you all recommend a car-less fellow, such as myself, to partake in a meal from TAB? Getting there via public transit and a short walk wouldn't be a problem. I guess I would just have to eat it on the street. Any benches nearby?

ogre wrote:After reading all of the glowing reviews here, I'd like to try it. So how would you all recommend a car-less fellow, such as myself, to partake in a meal from TAB? Getting there via public transit and a short walk wouldn't be a problem. I guess I would just have to eat it on the street. Any benches nearby?

The answer is in one of Rene G.'s posts upthread.

Well, the SSCC would be nice (in nice weather). If you’re driving, I’d say just eat in your car. If you take Metra (Electric line, Bryn Mawr stop; you can see the reflection of the overhead wires in the photograph of TAB’s window) the stop is about 2 blocks west. I think there are some outside benches at the station where you could eat while you wait for the train. Also note the CTA #14 express bus is convenient from the Loop. There is absolutely no place to eat inside That’s-A-Burger.

Rene G. is the master of public transportation, not owning a car himself.

Wanted to mention I finally made it to That's A Burger recently. Great place run by some of the nicest people around. I got the dainty burger with a split polish as one of several condiments. Holy cow. Great burgers, greater fries. Love the fact that the grillmaster scoops a big hunk of terrific-looking ground beef out of the tub to begin each burger. Similarly, fries were cut to order. Talk about scratch short-order cooking. They don't even do pre-formed hamburger balls or pre-cut potatoes.

D'oh! I should've reviewed the whole thread!

Thanks for the reply. I shall bevisiting there soon. Heck, I rode the bus for an hour each way today to get freakin' White Castle, so this should be no problem!

Ogre, how can you possibly be an hour's ride from a WC, they're all over the place? What hood are you in?

FYI: TAB will be closed until May 2nd. I went for my weekly fix only to leave disappointed (tho nothing an order of Uncle John's tips and links couldn't remedy).

Does anyone know the current status of TAB? I've tried calling in a lunch order the past few days with no luck. Are they closed for a few weeks?

mresolver wrote:Does anyone know the current status of TAB? I've tried calling in a lunch order the past few days with no luck. Are they closed for a few weeks?

It's been my experience TAB rarely answers the phone, even less if they are busy, which is most of the time.

Just for kicks, I called moments ago, phone answered with a crisp, That's a Burger, may I take your order please. I asked how late they would be open this evening, 7pm, as now you got me thinking about T.A.B.

T.A.B.
773-493-2080

G Wiv wrote:. . . now you got me thinking about T.A.B.

In case you need a nudge, here's my chili-cheeseburger from last month. Very tasty. Now I'm thinking about That's-A-Burger.

whammy burger @ that's a burger, chicago


How did it take me this long to get here? Also of note: no line at 6:15pm. Not visible but also on the burger: giardiniera. Badass.

Yes, one of the great burger experiences in Chicago.

I posted comments about a visit I made to TAB a couple of years ago, someplace else (a location which I forget) here on LTH. A good friend/neighbor of mine had been released from an 8-month stay in intensive care at the University of Chicago Hospital. Al was thought "dead" so many times the hospital continued to be amazed he survived the stay. Not long after bringing Al home from the hospital I took him for a ride to the southside - to TAB. Al, a white man, had an affinity for persons of color - they loved him and he loved them . . . and the attraction was uncanny. From the moment we stepped out of the car in front of TAB until we finished eating our burgers while sitting on a park bench at Rainbow Beach, with Al smoking a joint loaned to him by a couple of "thugs" he befriended and whom I was scared-stiff of, Al couldn't stop talking about what a great burger TAB serves-up.

Al's dead and buried now, at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetary, and I delivered the eulogy at the burial service with the full-compliment of military honor guard - and, to the gut-splitting laughter of those assembled . . . one of the things I told of was our visit to TAB and Rainbow Beach. So, every time I read something about TAB I pause to think about Al and that visit, about how he so enjoyed that burger of his (and the joint), and about how special, how unassuming that place is. One burger at a time, prepared just for you . . . with lots of TLC (behind that bullet-proof shield!). I just wish it was in West Ridge!

That’s-A-Burger gets some love from Bob Odenkirk

cilantro wrote:That’s-A-Burger gets some love from Bob Odenkirk

Nice find on The Best Place.

Odenkirk wrote:I’ve never been there, but I’ve eaten their burgers.

But really, Bob O., weak. That's like saying you've enjoyed Hot Doug's, but never waited in line. Or that you had your assistant pick up a beef and sausage combo from Johnnie's. Or that you had a Superdawg flown in, and loved the packaging. And you're from Berwyn. Would you have a plate of pork tenderloin from Czech Plaza delivered to Chi McBride, or would you drag his ass there and make him understand before he starts recommending it? Drop me a line the next time you're in town and I'll introduce you to the owners at TAB; we might even make it behind the glass.

Today's round was perhaps the strongest ever; a magic little place, from friendly phone service to the snappy crisp-griddled polish sausage garnish to the remarkably ungreasy handcut fries. One of these times I'm going to do the double turkey whammy with a turkey polish for the other perspective. Today is not that day.

"May I take your order? Sounds good. The current wait is 20 minutes."



25 minutes later: "Hey! Didn't want to drop the fries till you were here. Hold on one more minute."



Hmm, smells better in here than I remember. Hickory smoked? Will have to check next time.



Packet in hand, zip to Cultural Center, spread al trunko, phonecam is too hungry to focus.

Best fries in the city for my money, cooked in fresh fat, most were gone before I exited the car. Autumn air, sunshine, and a near-half-pound of loose-packed quality beef, perfectly salted, crisp at the edges, with grilled onions folks have forgotten how to make right, jalapenos, BBQ sauce on the side. I'd planned on a Whammy but that seemed like overkill (but if it's your first time, please do, and their eggs are great as well). Same friendly staff, and a burger that leaves everything but Top Notch far, far behind for me. Kuma's - don't even start.

Santander wrote:"Hey! Didn't want to drop the fries till you were here. Hold on one more minute."

If only every place said that to me, I'd be in heaven. I have to have my fries fresh every time. This proves that someone cares at this place! I love it.

Your comments are very convincing and really make me want to almost go to this part of town. Almost... I really do need to make a trip out there.

Ram4 wrote:Your comments are very convincing and really make me want to almost go to this part of town. Almost... I really do need to make a trip out there.

I'm looking to go after Santander mentioned this place at lunch today.

A friend of mine & I went today for lunch. We pulled up to TAB at 10:55AM, we were the 2nd car in line, a big CPD Tahoe was in front of us with 4 cops inside who kept looking at the door waiting for the venue to open. As it nears opening time 11AM, two more cars pull up behind us.

I see the open sign string get pulled to turn on the sign, I get out of the car and joke with the cop about "wonder what you've been waiting for", he graciously lets me go inside first.

"Can I help you?" comes the voice from behind the huge panel of glass. I state my order "One hamburger everything on it, and one turkey burger w/cheese everything on it"

"That's $11.74, 20-25 minutes for your order"

That last part floored me, I'm first to order, right at 11AM when they open & I'm told a 20-25 minute wait for my order. Thankfully my expectations had been well managed by this thread.My friend preferred waiting in the car, I was surprised at this as there were 4 cops in a vehicle right in front of us. oh well.

Rene G wrote:"A forty-five minute wait for a fuckin' turkey burger. Tell you what, next time you want a turkey burger, you get your fat ass out and get it yourself."

Such are the phone conversations overheard at That's-A-Burger.

I didn't hear any such colorful conversations but I did hear two separate callers ask if TAB would be open the day after Christmas, it brought a smile to my face knowing there are others like me who plan so far ahead to make sure they get the food they want.

Santander wrote:

Packet in hand, zip to Cultural Center, spread al trunko, phonecam is too hungry to focus.

This could have been this morning as I was parked about in the exact same spot with the spread out on the hood.

While eating, one of the largest hawks I've ever seen flew onto a nearby perch and starting eating his just caught squirrel, I guess the cultural center is the spot to eat.

We both thought the hamburger was good, but not up to par with the love that has been expressed here.

Rene G wrote:Don’t overlook the turkey burgers!

We didn't!! The turkey burger was the star between the two burgers and is what I will get going forward on my next visit to TAB.