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A double cheeseburger and fries.
Rêve Burger is a casual side project from the team behind Ever.
Reve Burger [Official Photo]

The 12 Great Burgers to Try in Chicago

Take a bite out of these delicious, beefy sandwiches

by Jeffy Mai Updated
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Rêve Burger is a casual side project from the team behind Ever.
| Reve Burger [Official Photo]
by Jeffy Mai Updated

There’s nothing like a good burger. The irresistible combination of a beef (or veggie) patty, toppings, sauces, and a fluffy bun is one of the country’s most popular foods, and Chicago is home to many outstanding versions. The following list, though, celebrates the newest and most noteworthy burgers of the past year or so. Options include a minced goat burger, a halal burger, a Malaysian-inspired Ramly burger, and more. Some are being offered out of virtual restaurants while others are from spin-offs of well-known establishments. Regardless, they’re all worth seeking out.

As of March 2, Chicago restaurants are permitted to serve customers indoors with a 50 percent maximum capacity per room, or 50 people — whichever is fewer. At the same time, despite winter weather, a number of Chicago restaurants continue to offer outdoor seating. Regardless, the state requires reservations for both indoor and outdoor dining. The level of service offered is indicated on each map point. However, this should not be taken as an endorsement for dining in, as there are still safety concerns. For updated information on coronavirus cases in your area, please visit the city of Chicago’s COVID-19 dashboard. Studies indicate that there is a lower exposure risk when outdoors, but the level of risk involved with patio dining is contingent on restaurants following strict social distancing and other safety guidelines.

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Beard & Belly

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Edgewater’s Beard & Belly arrived to much fanfare last year after previously making a name for itself as a pop-up kitchen inside the Long Room. Chefs Kyle Schrage and Jim Torres have built a following for their excellent burgers (and poutines), and at the duo’s standalone restaurant there are a variety of options. They include “the Burger” (two four-ounce patties, butterkäse cheese, pickles, “awesome” sauce), “Boomers and Swiss” (five-ounce patty, Swiss cheese, sautéed mushroom medley, pickles, garlic mayo), and a rotating burger of the month. Carryout and delivery orders can be placed here.

6157 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60660
(773) 754-7429
(773) 754-7429
A burger with a runny egg sitting on a counter. Beard & Belly [Official Photo]

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Big League Burgers

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Baseball season is here and this Cubs-themed joint is ready to feed fans on the North Side. All burgers sport four-ounce Angus beef patties and are customizable with add-ons like bacon, guacamole, chili, pulled pork, and more. The hungriest eaters can attempt to finish the Big League Challenge (four eight-ounce patties, eight strips of bacon, two fried eggs, fries, drink, and shake) in under 25 minutes to receive their meal for free.

3734 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 961-7558
(773) 961-7558

Kapitan

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Chicago’s only Peranakan restaurant introduces locals to a world of flavors that combines Chinese, Malay, and other Southeast Asian influences. The kitchen creates its own version of the Ramly Burger, a popular street food in Malaysia sold by the Ramly Group. The burger is unique as the patty is wrapped in a fried egg and enhanced with special sauce and seasoning, as well as toppings like lettuce, tomato, and cucumber slices.

2142 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 661-2281
(773) 661-2281

Also featured in:

Gretel

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The team behind one of Chicago’s top burger spots, Little Bad Wolf, opened this Logan Square restaurant in the middle of the pandemic. The griddle burger here lives up to the lofty expectations set by its sibling and features two patties topped with white and yellow American cheese, red onions, pickles, and garlic aioli. Diners can also add extras like bacon, fried egg, or charred onions. Order for carryout and delivery are available here.

2833 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 770-3427
(773) 770-3427

Also featured in:

Uproar

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This new bi-level bar and restaurant in Old Town offers fun vibes, a heated outdoor patio, and a familiar selection of American fare. The burger is a standout that comes packed with two patties, special sauce, and Hook’s aged cheddar. Carryout and delivery is available via third-party services.

1252 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60610
(312) 643-0797
(312) 643-0797

Canteen (Vajra)

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Vajra, the Indian and Nepali specialist in West Town, has launched a new virtual restaurant that’s serving South Asian street fare. Among the offerings is a goat burger dressed with special “Canteen” sauce, cheddar, arugula, onions, and tomato on a brioche bun. It’s served alongside sliced potato fries and spicy ketchup. Carryout orders can be placed on Tock.

1329 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60642
(312) 929-4990
(312) 929-4990

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Wazwan

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Virtual restaurant Wazwan has gone through several iterations. Chef Zubair Mohajir, whose experience includes working at world-renowned Gaggan in Bangkok, started Wazwan as a pop-up supper club that later evolved into a food stall inside Politan Row before settling into its current form. His menu highlights South Asian flavors and the burger is a bodacious combination of two smash patties, habanero-ghost cheese, halal bacon, bread and butter pickles, and red onions. Online ordering is available through here.

850 W Superior St Kitchen 5, Chicago, IL 60642
(312) 834-4807
(312) 834-4807

Rêve Burger

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Curtis Duffy and the crew at fine dining hotspot Ever pivoted during the pandemic and started slinging burgers out of their kitchen. In stark contrast to the refined plates the chef is known for, Reve Burger delivers classic comfort fare. The signature item features two quarter-pound Angus beef patties, pickles, two slices of American cheese, and special sauce on a brioche bun from Highland Baking Co. The concept was such a hit that it has since blossomed into a full-fledged restaurant. Online orders can be placed here.

1363 W Fulton St, Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 763-3928
(312) 763-3928
A double burger Ever/Michael Muser

Also featured in:

Bianca’s Burgers (Revival Food Hall)

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Run by siblings Rafael and Elizabeth Royal, this Revival Food Hall vendor originally began as a virtual restaurant. Its new brick and mortar location means diners can stop in themselves to try one of the delicious burgers, such as “Bianca’s Original” — a four-ounce smash burger with white American cheese, pickles, tomato, grilled onions, lettuce, and special house sauce on a toasted brioche bun. Ordering is available through third party services.

125 S Clark St, Chicago, IL 60603
(847) 276-1911
(847) 276-1911

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Phlavz Bar & Grille

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The sauce is the secret that elevates Phlavz’s burger from good to great. The University Village restaurant specializes in “urban jerk” flavors, which appear on the burger through jerk mayo. The touch of heat it provides is the perfect complement to the beefy sandwich. Orders can be placed here. A second outpost, located in a shared space with Can’t Believe It’s Not Meat, recently opened in south suburban Orland Park.

717 W Maxwell St, Chicago, IL 60607
(773) 717-7979
(773) 717-7979

Also featured in:

Pilsen Yards

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Pilsen favorite Monnie Burke’s closed to reconcept last year. Its replacement is this Mexican-influenced spot that boasts a covered and heated patio, live music, and a forthcoming speakeasy-style bar. Folks would do well to sit outside and order the terrific double smashed patty burger, which is dressed with American cheese, pickles, fried onions, and a spicy mayo “mami” sauce. Online ordering is available here.

1163 W 18th St, Chicago, IL 60608
(312) 243-2410
(312) 243-2410

Also featured in:

Can't Believe It's Not Meat

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Non-meat options are becoming more and more prevalent and at this Hyde Park restaurant, the focus is on plant-based comfort foods. Chef and owner Laricia Chandler offers two burgers that appeal to both vegans and meat eaters alike: A standard quarter-pound “Who Betta” burger and the “Big Mik,” a riff on McDonald’s famous Big Mac. Online orders can be placed on here. A second location, which shares a space with Phlavz Bar & Grill, recently opened in south suburban Orland Park.

1368 E 53rd St, Chicago, IL 60615
(773) 675-8208
(773) 675-8208

Also featured in:

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Beard & Belly

6157 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60660

Edgewater’s Beard & Belly arrived to much fanfare last year after previously making a name for itself as a pop-up kitchen inside the Long Room. Chefs Kyle Schrage and Jim Torres have built a following for their excellent burgers (and poutines), and at the duo’s standalone restaurant there are a variety of options. They include “the Burger” (two four-ounce patties, butterkäse cheese, pickles, “awesome” sauce), “Boomers and Swiss” (five-ounce patty, Swiss cheese, sautéed mushroom medley, pickles, garlic mayo), and a rotating burger of the month. Carryout and delivery orders can be placed here.

6157 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60660
(773) 754-7429
(773) 754-7429
A burger with a runny egg sitting on a counter. Beard & Belly [Official Photo]

Big League Burgers

3734 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60618

Baseball season is here and this Cubs-themed joint is ready to feed fans on the North Side. All burgers sport four-ounce Angus beef patties and are customizable with add-ons like bacon, guacamole, chili, pulled pork, and more. The hungriest eaters can attempt to finish the Big League Challenge (four eight-ounce patties, eight strips of bacon, two fried eggs, fries, drink, and shake) in under 25 minutes to receive their meal for free.

3734 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 961-7558
(773) 961-7558

Kapitan

2142 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago, IL 60614

Chicago’s only Peranakan restaurant introduces locals to a world of flavors that combines Chinese, Malay, and other Southeast Asian influences. The kitchen creates its own version of the Ramly Burger, a popular street food in Malaysia sold by the Ramly Group. The burger is unique as the patty is wrapped in a fried egg and enhanced with special sauce and seasoning, as well as toppings like lettuce, tomato, and cucumber slices.

2142 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 661-2281
(773) 661-2281

Gretel

2833 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

The team behind one of Chicago’s top burger spots, Little Bad Wolf, opened this Logan Square restaurant in the middle of the pandemic. The griddle burger here lives up to the lofty expectations set by its sibling and features two patties topped with white and yellow American cheese, red onions, pickles, and garlic aioli. Diners can also add extras like bacon, fried egg, or charred onions. Order for carryout and delivery are available here.

2833 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 770-3427
(773) 770-3427

Uproar

1252 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60610

This new bi-level bar and restaurant in Old Town offers fun vibes, a heated outdoor patio, and a familiar selection of American fare. The burger is a standout that comes packed with two patties, special sauce, and Hook’s aged cheddar. Carryout and delivery is available via third-party services.

1252 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60610
(312) 643-0797
(312) 643-0797

Canteen (Vajra)

1329 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60642

Vajra, the Indian and Nepali specialist in West Town, has launched a new virtual restaurant that’s serving South Asian street fare. Among the offerings is a goat burger dressed with special “Canteen” sauce, cheddar, arugula, onions, and tomato on a brioche bun. It’s served alongside sliced potato fries and spicy ketchup. Carryout orders can be placed on Tock.

1329 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60642
(312) 929-4990
(312) 929-4990

Wazwan

850 W Superior St Kitchen 5, Chicago, IL 60642

Virtual restaurant Wazwan has gone through several iterations. Chef Zubair Mohajir, whose experience includes working at world-renowned Gaggan in Bangkok, started Wazwan as a pop-up supper club that later evolved into a food stall inside Politan Row before settling into its current form. His menu highlights South Asian flavors and the burger is a bodacious combination of two smash patties, habanero-ghost cheese, halal bacon, bread and butter pickles, and red onions. Online ordering is available through here.

850 W Superior St Kitchen 5, Chicago, IL 60642
(312) 834-4807
(312) 834-4807

Rêve Burger

1363 W Fulton St, Chicago, IL 60607

Curtis Duffy and the crew at fine dining hotspot Ever pivoted during the pandemic and started slinging burgers out of their kitchen. In stark contrast to the refined plates the chef is known for, Reve Burger delivers classic comfort fare. The signature item features two quarter-pound Angus beef patties, pickles, two slices of American cheese, and special sauce on a brioche bun from Highland Baking Co. The concept was such a hit that it has since blossomed into a full-fledged restaurant. Online orders can be placed here.

1363 W Fulton St, Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 763-3928
(312) 763-3928
A double burger Ever/Michael Muser

Bianca’s Burgers (Revival Food Hall)

125 S Clark St, Chicago, IL 60603

Run by siblings Rafael and Elizabeth Royal, this Revival Food Hall vendor originally began as a virtual restaurant. Its new brick and mortar location means diners can stop in themselves to try one of the delicious burgers, such as “Bianca’s Original” — a four-ounce smash burger with white American cheese, pickles, tomato, grilled onions, lettuce, and special house sauce on a toasted brioche bun. Ordering is available through third party services.

125 S Clark St, Chicago, IL 60603
(847) 276-1911
(847) 276-1911

Phlavz Bar & Grille

717 W Maxwell St, Chicago, IL 60607

The sauce is the secret that elevates Phlavz’s burger from good to great. The University Village restaurant specializes in “urban jerk” flavors, which appear on the burger through jerk mayo. The touch of heat it provides is the perfect complement to the beefy sandwich. Orders can be placed here. A second outpost, located in a shared space with Can’t Believe It’s Not Meat, recently opened in south suburban Orland Park.

717 W Maxwell St, Chicago, IL 60607
(773) 717-7979
(773) 717-7979

Pilsen Yards

1163 W 18th St, Chicago, IL 60608

Pilsen favorite Monnie Burke’s closed to reconcept last year. Its replacement is this Mexican-influenced spot that boasts a covered and heated patio, live music, and a forthcoming speakeasy-style bar. Folks would do well to sit outside and order the terrific double smashed patty burger, which is dressed with American cheese, pickles, fried onions, and a spicy mayo “mami” sauce. Online ordering is available here.

1163 W 18th St, Chicago, IL 60608
(312) 243-2410
(312) 243-2410

Can't Believe It's Not Meat

1368 E 53rd St, Chicago, IL 60615

Non-meat options are becoming more and more prevalent and at this Hyde Park restaurant, the focus is on plant-based comfort foods. Chef and owner Laricia Chandler offers two burgers that appeal to both vegans and meat eaters alike: A standard quarter-pound “Who Betta” burger and the “Big Mik,” a riff on McDonald’s famous Big Mac. Online orders can be placed on here. A second location, which shares a space with Phlavz Bar & Grill, recently opened in south suburban Orland Park.

1368 E 53rd St, Chicago, IL 60615
(773) 675-8208
(773) 675-8208

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