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Erik H.'s Profile
Great Midwestern Burger Hunt
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1. Paradise Pup
The 1/3 lb Cheddar Burger was probably the best burger I've ever had. Big, moist, flavorful and cooked well, with great toppings. I can't believe I lived in Franklin Park for 13 years and never heard of this gem down the road until this month.
This…More »
2. Kuma's Corner
Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 604-8769
In between the smothering glut of humanity waiting around the front door, the loud and frantic music and the 90s - I mean, metal - decor, there are burgers. Damn good burgers. My Lair of the Minotaur with pancetta, brie, onions, and a roasted pear…More »
3. The Lucky Monk
South Barrington, IL 60010
(847) 898-0500
Categories:
American (Traditional),
Breweries
So I've been to The Lucky Monk about a dozen more times since I wrote my first review and I can say, without any embellishment or fanfare, that it is my favorite restaurant in the northwest suburbs, bar none.
First the burgers:
I've tried The Monk,…More »
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/10/2011
If you mixed an anachronistic medieval abbey with a restaurant that would feel more at home with the… Read more »
4. SmallBar
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 772-2727
Categories:
Bars,
American (New)
Neighbourhood: Ukrainian Village
Just fantastic. My cheeseburger was cooked to perfection (that is, just barely), moist and flavorful. It's a very well done take on the classic no-frills burger that a lot of places have forgotten how to make. Beyond the burger, the brussels…More »
5. Sobelman's Pub & Grill
Milwaukee, WI 53233
(414) 931-1919
Categories:
Pubs,
American (Traditional),
Burgers
Neighbourhood: Menomonee River Valley
One would expect Milwaukee, home of cows and industry, to have good hamburgers. One would be correct. Sobelman's justifies your trek to an industrial nowhere with buttery burgers and New Glarus on tap in an intimate dive bar space.
The Sobelman Burger…More »
6. Portillo's Hot Dogs
The food at the here is as solid as all the other locations - the best hot dogs in a chain restaurant (and still better than many local Chicago stands), finely shredded and spiced Italian beef, blockage-inducing chocolate cake and all the calories…More »
7. Labriola Bakery & Café
Everyone and their goat seems to be on a search for the best burger in town. I never have been, but I keep getting pulled into the fray by people who are. And if I were making a list, Labriola Cafe would be up there with The Lucky Monk and Paradise…More »
8. Charlie Beinlich's Food & Tap
I try to picture this little stretch of Northbrook 61 years ago and all I see is cornfields, pastel colored cars and oh yeah, Charlie Beinlich's. While the area has since changed to strip malls and chain restaurants, Charlie's is still kicking, and…More »
9. DMK Burger Bar
The food, of course, was good. My #2 burger (Chili-rubbed onion strings, Amish blue & spicy chipotle ketchup) was sharp and tangy without being overwhelming and was paired well with the truffle parmesan fries. My girlfriend's burger - the holy…More »
10. Smashburger
In a similar vein to places like Five Guys and In N Out, Smashburger is a step above other chains. I decided to dive right in and get the Windy City Burger on the pretzel bun with the rosemary fries, and that was a pretty mean hamburger right there.…More »
11. Two Brothers Tap House
Warrenville, IL 60555
(630) 393-2337
Categories:
Breweries,
Gastropubs,
American (Traditional)
You'll probably be parking on the street; keep that in mind as you'll probably be busting out your parallel parking skills. Not my strong suit.
Anyways, Two Brothers is awesome. Their beer is great and of course is even better on tap. Especially look…More »
12. Odie's
High quantity does not mean low quality at Odie's, and so far everything I've had of their crazy variety of food has been greasy and satisfying. I regularly get the hot dogs or pizza puffs, but the burritos and hamburgers are well made (if messy)…More »
13. Billy Goat Tavern
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 222-1525
Difficult to find, the Billy Goat Tavern has a lot of history and cultural references packed into a tiny place. You of course order chips and a double cheezeborger, and you either come for the experience or a middlingly cheap lunch.
The cheeseburgers…More »
14. Billy Goat Tavern & Grill
Chicago, IL 60606
(312) 899-1873
The same as the original Billy Goat Tavern, except without the history, ambiance or characters. So this place is judged on food alone, and the burgers here are just average. Thin and well done, the double cheezeborgers are served on a large floury…More »
15. Meatheads Burgers & Fries
As far as the actual burgers go, Meatheads is very average. The patties are thin and cooked well done, although at least they're not dry. The real perks of this place are not the burger patties, though, but the extras, such as the Californian with…More »
16. Village Tavern and Grill
The first time my fiancee and I came on a Friday night, there was an hour and a half wait. Since this is Schaumburg, not Vilnius, that was pretty ridiculous and so we left (I assume restaurants in cities of former Soviet republics still have long…More »
17. Ram Restaurant & the Big Horn Brewery
With a lack of decent - and decently priced - hangout spots in Schaumburg, the Ram (is it called that?) has stepped in to pick up some of the slack. Everything here was a bit above reasonable, from the food to the beer to the prices. Don't let it…More »
18. Gabutto Burger
You know, Japan's got some pretty good burgers - I highly recommend MOS Burger or Freshness Burger if you're ever in Tokyo and need to wash down your ramen with a meat patty. In Chicagoland Gabutto Burger is the closest you're going to get, but take…More »
19. Hot Dog Express
The eponymous food here was pretty average. It doesn't come on a poppyseed bun, but otherwise it's standard hot dog fare. I don't really recommend the hamburger, as I could probably grill up a better one at home, but then again I got a hamburger at…More »
Recently updated lists from Erik H.
Alcoholiday (29)Leisure time spent drinking |
Breweries & Brewpubs (8)Or, places that make their own beer |
Cold Sandwiches (6)My parents used to own a deli. I love sandwiches; specifically, not hot ones. |
Asian Food (that's not Japanese or Chinese) (9)Korean, Thai, Filipino, etc. |
Neat Pizza (12)Hey look, it's pizza |
Franklin Park | IL (13)My hometown and surrounding areas: Schiller Park, River Grove & Northlake. |
Schaumburg | IL (42)Schaumburg is not necessarily a cultural and culinary wasteland. |
Chicagoland Red Hot Hunt (19)I come from the land of Hot Dogs. Might as well find the best! |
Hoffman Estates | IL (6)Not being absorbed into Schaumburg or Elgin since 1959 |
The Temple of Food (15)Chinese restaurants are tasty |
See all 18 lists »
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Review votes:
125 Useful, 68 Funny, and 57 Cool
Hoffman Estates, IL
Yelping SinceMarch 2011
Things I LoveHistory, Travel, Local Culture, Linguistics, Illinois, Micronations
Find Me InChicagoland
My HometownFranklin Park, IL
My Blog Or Website The Last Great Book I ReadThe Left Hand of Darkness