4 The
BEST
BURGERS in
CHICAGO
(and their non-beef counterparts)
th
annual
BEST
BURGER
of
BOOK Chicago PRESENTS The Counter Burger -- The Build Your Own Burger Flub A Dub Chubs -- The Family Dive Kumas Corner -- The Atmosphere M Burger -- The Fast Food
Design & Images by Jen
Valentine Written by Vito Pascolla
Copyright Š 2011 Time Out Chicago
Introduction Believe it or not the Hamburger has quite a bit of lineage behind it. It has been said that in 1885 Charlie Nagreen of Seymour, Wisconsin invented the hamburger as we know it. Charlie had a food cart that he would sell meatballs out of at local fairs. Business wasn't good due to the fact that they were too messy and difficult to eat while strolling around. With that minor setback came a flash of innovation, he flattened the meatballs and placed them between two slices of bread and dubbed it the hamburger. Who would that thought that this simple idea would spawn dozens of multi-million dollar corporations, not to mention the thousands upon thousands of other franchises and mom and pop shops in between. The Burger Book is dedicated to represent some of Chicago’s finest burger restaurants, showcasing the variety of flavors, concepts and alterations that have come about in recent times. Enjoy.
666 W. Diversey Parkway Chicago, IL 60614 773 935 1995 thecounterburger.com
the BYOB Burger The Counter is a kitschy build-your-own-burger joint that offers over 320,000 mix and match burger combinations. They also offer a ton of non-beef alternatives including turkey, chicken, veggie and even a tilapia patty. For those of you who are carb conscious you can also substitute a bed of mixed greens in place of a bun. With 42 toppings and 21 sauces the options are endless. All the products are fresh and loaded with flavor which distances their burgers from the common competitors. The menu is a check list of ingredients; customers are prompted mark off anything and everything they want. When you finish filling out your order form go ahead and submit it to the chef to be prepared. If that sounds a bit overwhelming there is an array of signature burgers to choose from. For those looking for a way to express your culinary creativity and eat it too, this is the place for you. Looking for a side to your burger? Try this gem, the “special fries� loaded with parmesan cheese, rosemary, and parsley.
1/3Lb. Beef Burger Horseradish cheddar cheese Dill pickles, jalapeños, lettuce blend, tomatoes Fried onion strings. Country Buttermilk Ranch on a Traditional hamburger bun Fair warning, you might need to ask your server for an extra glass of water for this mouth scorching flank of flesh. Fear not the Country Buttermilk Ranch manages to extinguish the flames making it palatable for anyone to enjoy. The fried onion strings add a nice savory crunch and give your tongue something to play with while you’re chowing down. With so many options to choose from don’t get too carried away, go with what you know and keep it simple. But at the same time don’t be afraid to explore.
1/3 Lb. Turkey Burger. Greek feta cheese Roasted red peppers, tomatoes, sliced cucumber Tzatziki sauce on a Traditional hamburger bun Yes folks it’s all about the turkey…. before you dare raise your brow at the thought of a turkey burger know now that this flightless bird has found its wings with this wonderful blend of Mediterranean accoutrements. The patty was especially juicy not like your typical turkey burger. It was grilled to perfection rendering nice coloration and a great consistency. All the toppings were freshly prepared and added a wonderful texture and visual aesthetic to the overall presentation. They also offer several non-beef alternatives such as chicken, veggie and even a tilapia patty. If you are bored with the beef don’t hesitate to order this one on your next trip out.
3021 N. Broadway Chicago, IL 60657 773 857 6500 Flubadubchub.com
the Family Dive Think back when times were easy and spoons were greasy, yes Flub A Dub Chubs is dripping with as much nostalgia as it is… grease. This quaint garden level restaurant is located in the heart of Lakeview. It’s a well known fact that this underground burger haven is a bit tricky to find but well worth the effort. As you walk down the narrow steps you are greeted by their mascot a giant hot dog named “Chubby.” The walls are cluttered with an assortment of pictures and knickknacks adding to the… you guessed it, nostalgia. All burgers come on a pretzel bun which adds a nice touch and is something you don’t see too often now-a-days. This is a first class dive with an average price point of $7 for a burger and fries. This place is family friendly and guaranteeing to keep your belly and wallet nice and chubby.
The interior of Flub A Dub Chubs showing some of the seven tables and the ordering station.
the Beef Signature Roe Beef Burger
Cheddar cheese Bacon, avocado, lettuce, tomato, & onion on a Pretzel bun The Roe Burger is one of the many staples featured on their menu and is sure to give you flash backs to summer time cook outs in your backyard. This signature burger is topped with fresh ingredients. The patty is char broiled dribbling with juices while the bacon offers an earthy and smoky accompaniment. The avocado rounded out the flavors with a smooth and buttery texture, doing what avocado does best. This burger comes paired with a mountain of fries, be careful to avoid using ketchup on anything served at this restaurant. Ketchup is a forbidden word and those who dare use it are condemned to be posted on the “Wall of Shame.� Another charming and engaging feature worth noting from this Chicago eatery.
the Alternative Boca Burger
Cheddar Cheese Lettuce, tomato, pickles (upon request) on a Pretzel bun For those of you looking for a vegetarian friendly meal Chubs offers a Boca burger. The unfortunate verdict for this pitiful patty is it lacked flavor and was a bit too chewy. On the bright side the wonderful pretzel bun and fries managed to supersede the lack luster legume (which means the edible part of the plant) making the meal still enjoyable. The best non meat menu items offered at Chubs are the fries. They are expertly cooked and served piping hot with a crispy golden outside and soft potatoey center. As the restaurant’s tongue in cheek tag line says “Come in hungry, leave with a chubby.”
2900 W. Belmont Ave Chicago, IL 60657 773 604 8769 kumascorner.com
the atmosphere Kuma’s Corner brings out the visceral vibe of live rock music and injects it into your dining experience. On any given night you will see customers packed in this tiny restaurant and lined around the block as if waiting for their favorite band. Rain or shine, hot or cold patrons stick it out just to grab a seat. The ambiance resembles that of an adolescent metal head’s bedroom, the walls are lined with scantily clad women, vintage rock poster and all sorts of rock related paraphernalia. The metal motif extends to the menu items, sporting names like Pantera, Slayer and Led Zeppelin. The portions are gigantic and are sure to satisfy the beast within! Post up at the bar and watch a B horror film while you sip on one of their 46 types of beer and whiskey. Those who dare to visit must know there are rules, no music request, no reservations and they “will not put the game on bro!”
the Beef “Our Famous Kuma Burger”
10oz all beef patty Cheddar cheese Bacon, fried egg, lettuce, tomato, onion on a Pretzel bun Served with homemade chips
Get ready to use both hands for this one guys. If rock teaches you one thing, it’s if you’re going to do something… do it big! Big hair. Big amps. Big arenas and now big burgers. The epic size of this burger is matched by the quality of ingredients and fine presentation. No need for a smoke machine or a laser light show here the first bite speaks for itself. Open wide and get your teeth acquainted with the pretzel bun, pop the yolk on the fried egg and tear through the thick cut bacon strips on your way to the all beef patty. You may notice your plate resemble a Jackson Pollack painting splattered with condiments and egg yolks. The home made kettle chips are crispy and pose as a great side. Finishing this one is a feat in itself, make sure you got a roadie handy to take your left over’s home with you.
the Alternative Pantera
Boneless chicken breast Cheddar & Monterrey jack cheese Roasted pablabo pepper, tortilla strips & bacon(opted out) House-made ranchero sauce on a Pretzel bun Served with french fries
This Tex-Mex alternative keeps in stride with the other burgers on the menu. This vulgar displayof poultry is a down home entrée taking cues from south of the boarder. It packs a fiery kick much like one of Dime Bag Darrell’s guitar solos. Again make sure to have a “to-go” box ready. Any of the burgers on the menu can substitute boneless chicken breast, garden burger or chicken tenders in place of the 10oz beef patty. All are offered with a choice of fries or homemade chips.
161 E. Huron St Chicago, IL 60611 312 254 8500 mburgerchicago.com
the Fast food Ask yourself what constitutes “fast food?” Is it how soon you get it your order? Or is it how quickly you get the urge to come back? This no nonsense burger Mecca is a small Chicago franchise with four locations in the downtown area. With an average price point of $4 a burger one may have to rethink their next trip to the dollar menu. With a name like M Burger it almost seems like they are poking fun at the world’s largest fast food chain (which I will not mention). The menu is simple offering only 11 items. The inside is well designed and ultra modern. The meat is always fresh and never frozen. All meals are well portioned and competitively priced, putting M burger on the A-list of burger joints. A fast food joint that doesn’t make you regret your decision right after, what more can you ask for?
the Beef M Burger
Double beef patty Cheddar cheese Bacon, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle Special sauce on a Traditional hamburger bun Simplicity is king, the trademark M Burger is about as bare bones as one can get. The duel patties were thin and cooked on a flat top grill. They sizzled with deliciousness giving the other “M� burger chain a run for their money. The M Burger gets an enthusiastic mmhhmmm and can be described as being deliciously simple. Paired with a chocolate shake (that was to die for) and perfectly cooked fries, it was a meal to rival the best.
the Alternative Nurse Betty Chicken Breast
Pepper Jack cheese Lettuce, tomato, pickle, avocado, onion M Burger sauce on a Traditional hamburger bun The chicken isn’t your typical deep fried disk. In fact the filet was seared nicely rendering it tender and juicy on the inside with golden brown exterior. This sandwich is a great menu item that dwells far beyond the beef. If you find yourself a little extra hungry going in, get a double chicken patty, affectionately called Doctor Betty.
247 S. State St, 17th Floor Chicago, IL 60604 timeoutchicago.com
P 312 924 9555 F 312 924 9560 Sub 877 843 8862
Copyright Š 2011 Time Out Chicago