Looking for where to get the most delicious and best burgers in Chicago? In this guide, we’ve got you covered. There’s something on the list of the best burgers in Chicago for everyone.
Stay with us and enjoy the 17 Spot with the best burgers in Chicago.
There is no shortage of robust burger flavors in Chicago. Whether you want a loaded burger with tons of toppings or a classic cheeseburger, one of the best Chicago burger joints has something for you.
thick tasty burger at Chicago burger joint
Some restaurants may require reservations, but others may be unavailable for weeks. Burger joints always know how to safely grill their foods and often add combinations of varying flavors that will enhance the meal.
Additionally, some outdoor restaurants may use flavored wood or charcoal briquettes to add more taste to the meat they cook.
Chicago is rife with dozens of options for burgers, both classic and modern takes.
There’s something on the list of the best burgers in Chicago for everyone, whether you like your patties thin and grilled or thick and juicy. Vegetarians aren’t left out, either.
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Where To Get Delicious and Best burgers in Chicago
So, here is our list of the best burgers in Chicago. Believe us when we say that you’ll want to know what every single one of these tastes like.
1. Au Cheval
Au Cheval offers classic single or double cheeseburgers that can include delicious additions. You can have a classic burger with a fried egg or bacon for an additional charge and enjoy French fries, bacon, eggs, hash browns, or pickles on the side.
This place only takes walk-in customers; you can’t make reservations ahead of time.
2. The Loyalist
The Loyalist is open to walk-ins and by reservation. However, the location is only open for dine-in from five in the afternoon until ten at night.
The Loyalist offers their signature cheeseburger, including pickled and charred onions, a sesame seed bun, and fries.
However, diners interested in a classic cheeseburger can have The Loyalist’s classic burger, including onions, a special sauce, and a potato bun.
3. Edzo’s Burger Shop
You don’t have to go to Northwestern or have family on the North Shore for an excuse to go to Evanston. The excuse is burgers – the delicious ones at Edzo’s, specifically.
Stack a couple smaller 4oz grilled patties, or get the larger 8oz char version for a delicious situation either way. It’s what we imagine burgers tasted like when our parents were kids.
Start your day off right with a sausage patty, fried egg, bacon, and maple mayo on a biscuit bun, because you never really know when your next meal is coming.
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4. Kuma’s Corner
Kuma’s Corner knows all about burgers and has multiple options for every burger lover. There are 12 burgers on the menu, most named after metal bands:
- The Famous Kuma
- Goatsnake
- Iron Maiden
- Kaijo
- Led Zeppelin
- Mastodon
- Metallica
- Neurosis
- Plague Burger
- Sourvein
- Slayer
Some burgers include fried eggs, applewood smoked bacon, goat cheese, poblano peppers, or barbeque sauce.
5. Little Bad Wolf
Little Burgers include three signature sliders that come with pickles and mayo. Bad Burger includes two thick patties with cheese and house-made pickles.
The Wolf Burger on the Little Bad Wolf menu has three patties and slices of bacon, topped with cheese, onion straws, pickles, and a fried egg.
6. Mott Street
Mott Street offers a comprehensive menu of salad, fish, seafood, and meats. This location has a signature cheeseburger only served during select hours and contains half a pound of beef, sweet potatoes, aioli, jalapenos, and cheese. You may add a fried egg to your burger.
7. The Region
The Region offers a house-made sauce that is a staple of the Region’s menu. Five signature burgers are available at The Region, including a classic hamburger and cheeseburger.
However, The Region also offers sliders and more elaborately topped burgers. The Region’s Annihilation burger is 21 ounces and three patties, topped with onion and relish.
The Gringo Patty Melt is a smaller burger loaded with cheese, onions, and pickles.
8. Big Kids
Ironically, Big Kids is not a place for children and instead is a place for adults to access their inner child through delicious meals and karaoke nights.
Big Kids offers a classic, original cheeseburger, including sauce and cheese, and a plant-based burger with sauce and cheese.
9. Community Tavern
Children eat free at Community Tavern on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. The Community Double Cheeseburger is one of the best cheeseburgers in Chicago and boasts a robust flavor.
The Community Double Cheeseburger comes on a brioche bun with a signature sauce, cheese, pickles, onions, and skinny friends. This burger is one of my personal favorites in all of Chicago.
10. Fatso’s Last Stand
Fatso’s Last Stand offers all kinds of different burgers, some with single patties and some with multiple patties.
This restaurant also offers a Beyond Burger made with a plant-based burger patty and signature recipes for their burgers.
Burgers at Fatso’s Last Stand are griddled and grilled, sometimes over applewood. Burgers come with cheese, bacon, a fried egg, and Fatso’s signature sauce.
Fatso’s Last Stand offers an Ooey Gooey burger that includes all the fixings and can kick your tastebuds into gear. This burger is my official recommendation!
11. Gretel
Gretel offers a robust menu full of seafood, chicken dishes, and salads. Additionally, there are plenty of delicious sides, salads, and soups.
The Gretel Griddle Burger is one of the best burgers in Chicago. This burger contains two patties, two types of cheese, red onion, garlic, and pickles.
This burger pairs well with mashed potatoes, and the hand-cut fries come with a sweet yet spicy aioli. This location offers services based on a first-come, first-serve basis and does not indulge reservations.
12. Maillard Tavern
Maillard Tavern offers seven burgers, complete with their character and additions. These burgers are as follows:
- The Maillard
- The Classic
- The “Ray Ray”
- The BLT
- The Grand
- El Jefe
- City Slicker
Each burger contains four ounces of meat and locally-sourced beef. These burgers are made on a griddle and come with a potato bun and potato fries that have an enhanced flavor due to duck fat. I recommend the City Slicker because it is packed with swiss cheese and caramelized onions.
13. Owen & Engine
Owen & Engine is a small restaurant that offers a limited menu. Although the menu is small, it is expansive with flavors.
These classic foods contain plenty of potato-based dishes and seafood options. However, there is a Slagel Farms Beed Burger, that includes onions, potato bap, chips, and mayonnaise.
This burger is always cooked to perfection and has a unique taste due to the malt vinegar in the mayonnaise.
14. RPM Steak
RPM Steak offers two burgers: the Dry-Aged Steakburger and a Wagyu Smash Burger. These burgers offer sophisticated tastes and include meat from some of the best butchers from around the world.
Wagyu beef is an expensive Japanese meat, but RPM Steak knows how to make the most out of the cost.
Not for nothing, but a $24 burger at the steakhouse is not something we would recommend. That burger needs to be really, really fantastic. And RPM Steak’s wagyu Smashburger certainly fits the bill.
It’s also only available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays—so don’t get it confused with the dry-aged burger that’s on the regular menu.
15. La Mejikana
The rest of the menu at La Mejikana in Pilsen is hit or miss, but one burger is worth the trip on its own. The beef patty is cooked to perfection, and it’s topped with guacamole, an egg, grilled onions, chihuahua cheese, chipotle mayonnaise, and a patty of crispy chorizo that we prefer over bacon any day.
16. Small Cheval
Small Cheval does classic burgers like no one else in Chicago. This location offers seasoned single cheeseburgers, double cheeseburgers, and hamburgers that all come with dressings and toppings. Additionally, these burgers come with golden fries, which taste heavenly!
17. The Bad Apple
The Bad Apple offers several dressed-up burgers, all topped with onions, tomato, lettuce, pickles, and provolone cheese.
Their Wagyu Burger is one of my favorites because the meat is prepared for 45 days and topped with iconic ingredients.
Final Thoughts: Best burgers in Chicago
In Chicago, you may get hundreds of different kinds of burgers to suit your tastes. The standard hamburger and French fry fare is available at many eateries, while some specialize in fancy sliders topped with cheese and resembling mini-mountains of seasoned and tasty beef.
Prior to visiting, call ahead to verify whether a reservation is required, as some eateries are reservation-only.
These eateries serve some of the best burgers in Chicago, with toppings including sauces, melting cheese, and handmade creations.
By taking precautions when cooking, you may enjoy the best burgers in Chicago without worrying about becoming sick.
