Chicago Tribune's 12 awesome burgers

I'm not a burger fan, and I've never tried any of these, but for those who are, and have, let the discussion begin!
 
http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/dining/chi-090826-chicago-burgers-pictures,0,3869240.photogallery?index=1

The only one I've had is the one from Top Notch, which is delish. It's nothing fancy, like many of the others on the list, but it's delicious, and the ambiance of the place (in the south-side Beverly neighborhood of Chicago) is great.
 
That Paradise Pup burger looks phenomenal. Merkt's cheese on a burger sounds FABULOUS. I've had cheese fries with Merkt's that, just thinking about it, makes my mouth water!!

rumaki, that article is the print accompaniment to The Cheeseburger Show, which airs in Chicago on CLTV, a sort of locally oriented version of CNN.  You can also catch it on the internet anytime.  They run new episodes every Thursday.

They just started their second season today, Thursday, August 27th.  You can view past episodes from season 1 on this thread, Just one more reason Chicago is the greatest city on Earth-The Cheese Burger Show.

Buddy

Where's Hackney's? Where's the Country House? And where's Moody's Pub? This sure isn't my idea of a "best burgers in Chicago" list.

This looks more like a list of the trendy burgers in Chicago. No list of the best is complete without Hackneys or Boston Blackies. For my money these are the two best places for burgers in the Chicago area. nocarolina, agree that Moody's should be on the list as well.

I like the Country House, but I think Hackney's is a shadow of what it once was.  Growing up, it was my favorite burger.

I like Moody's, but I don't know if it's one of our top burgers.  Then again, the list is just someone's opinion.

You're right, saps, the list is just someone's opinion, but it's not one that I agree with ( except for Schoop's; they do a mighty fine burger. ) I have to disagree with you about Hackney's though. I've been eating at their Palos Park location for over twenty years, and, IMO, their burgers are just as good as ever. 

nocarolina


Where's Hackney's? Where's the Country House? And where's Moody's Pub? This sure isn't my idea of a "best burgers in Chicago" list.

The list was culled from all the places The Cheeseburger Show visited during their last season.  As they did not visit Country House, Hackney's, or Moody's, those places would not be on the current list.  If they visit any of those places this season, I will bet that at least one of them will be included in the next list.

After our experience there on the South Suburban Chicago Tour, my personal vote would go to Country House.  That was one mighty fine Burger!

BTW, you can visit the website for The Cheeseburger Show and offer suggestions as to where they should visit.

Buddy

Thanks Buddy, but actually my question was a rhetorical one as I already knew the source of the Tribune's choices. I'm really glad that you enjoyed your burger at the Country House so much, especially since I know how much you love the burgers at Fred's and Paradise Pup. How do you think that the CH burger compares to those two? 

I would be hesitant to rank them against each other as they all have their outstanding qualities.  Rather, I would say that they are all in the same class, offering excellent quality and great flavor.

I would also include in that class, burgers from Tessaro's in Pittsburgh, and Lion's Tap, The Nook, and 5-8 Club in Minneapolis.  Other excellent choices, though not quite as good as those just mentioned, are Sobelman's and Kopp's in Milwaukee.

I've probably forgotten one or two, and for that I apologize.  Should something occur to me, I will add them to the list.  I know there are plenty others out there that I haven't yet tried.  I look forward to the opportunity.

nocarolina, I know that Hackney's is another of your favorites, but it's been so long since I've had one of their burgers, I will decline to comment one way or the other.  As I recall from my youth though, they were pretty darned good also.

Buddy

  
All of these burgers look great. Buddy, have you tried the made-to-order burgers at the new Sobelmans place on Mke's east side? Supposedly they're a step above the original (fully cooked) Sobelmans....

I was not aware of a new east side location.  Thanks for the tip!  Any other details?  Address, etc.

Buddy

Buddy, It's called Sobelman's Tallgrass Grill, and it's on 1952 N. Farwell Ave:

http://www.foodspot.com/sobelmanstallgrassgrill/

Healthy tallgrass beef is the prime ingredient here, and burgers are cooked to specification. The site used to be home to a fast-food Patty Burger (out of Chicago), but that didn't last too long. The atmosphere is surely not as funky as the original Sobelman's, but what can ya do.

Thanks man!  Nice to have one more big gun in the Milwaukee restaurant arsenal.

Buddy

 
Buddy, I decided to try it out after writing about it. Why study theory and not apply it?
 
I only had the 1/4 pound cheeseburger. It was very tasty (very flavorful beef) and was cooked medium rare, but the quarter pounder I had at Fred's was much better. OTOH, the featured burgers at Tallgrass are the 1/3 pounders, so that extra medium-rare inside might make a big difference. In any case, the one I had was at least as good as Sobelman's basic burger, if not a bit better. It's hard to believe you can't get a Fred's-level A-list burger in a burger city such as Milwaukee, so the search continues.

I'd try that 1/3 pounder before writing off Sobelman's as a "level-A-list burger".  I think your instincts might be right about the extra weight and density making for a better burger, especially when going the medium rare route.

Buddy

I'm heading to Chicago on Saturday and already had Kuma's staked out but this is giving me more ideas.  I'm going to gain twenty pounds next week eating all the stuff I want to try.  :D

MandalayVA, you would do well to read the entire LTHForum thread discussing Kuma's.  The Burgers are great, no doubt, but Kuma's has a quirky personality.  Make sure you're ready to deal with an inordinately long wait for a table, incredibly loud heavy metal music making conversation impossible, and a list of other rules that are posted prominently at the front door.

If you're cool with all that, then have a great time.  If you're having doubts though, every one of those other burgers on the list, as well as those discussed here in this thread, will make an excellent alternative.

Buddy

Ok I think we are completely disregarding something very important:


Bob, what is the Key Lime stuff on the table @ Hackneys???!?!?!?!?!?!?

Aimee, the menu item that you're referring to is Key Lime pie ( did I say the magic words?   ) The table card says that it's made with real key limes, has a graham cracker crust, and is topped with real whipped cream. I'm not sure, but I think that this was just a limited-time offering.