Tummy growling? Get to Bulldogs for burgers
Burger lovers can gorge themselves to their hearts' content at Bulldogs Grill, a kitschy fast-casual retro diner concept with locations in Wauconda and Grayslake. Those with big appetites appreciate the half-pound, fresh-ground grilled patties with too many topping combinations to count.
Deciding what to order from the lengthy counter menu board is the hardest part. Shall it be a Mac Daddy, smothered in mac 'n' cheese and bacon? A Big Lebowski with Italian beef, grilled onion, bacon and horseradish cheddar? Or perhaps the Barkley's Skillet with ham, grilled onion, fries, fried egg, cheddar and American cheeses? Custom orders also are accepted, said co-owner Aaron Aggarwal.
After placing my order, I was given a number to take to a vacant table, which I found in the back room. It was just a short wait for our order to be delivered. Meanwhile, I perused the vast collection of vintage black-and-white movie star photos, old Coca-Cola ads and countless other vintage collectibles.
My experience at the Wauconda Bulldogs was a fun nostalgia-filled trip to the 1950s, although Bulldogs' burgers were much larger than those I remember from visits to my local drive-in back in the day. I should mention that anyone watching calories or cholesterol may order a 9-ounce turkey burger, chicken breast or veggie burger.
I ordered the full-sized California BLT Burger with avocado, cheddar, bacon and chipotle mayo. Burgers are cooked medium well unless you ask for them medium-rare, which I did, trusting that the fresh-ground patties were safe. Served on a buttered, toasted bun, this is a very good burger, albeit a messy one.
I also tasted my friend's Phatty Patty, topped with grilled onion, Thousand Island dressing and Swiss cheese. This also proved to be a good choice.
There are rolls of paper towels on the tables, but I'd suggest the restaurant add those little moistened wipes to better get the grease off one's fingers.
Although these giant burgers, served in paper-lined plastic baskets, were more than enough for a meal, I had to taste a few other things, even though much would be destined for doggy bags. One must-try for me was the chili. It was very meaty and medium spicy, tasting mostly of chili powder. I opted for the additions of onions and grated cheddar; I found it a bit skimpy on the cheddar.
The menu lists eight salads, ranging from Crispy Buffalo Chicken Ranch to Summer Berry and Goat Cheese. I chose the Turkey Jicama, a combination of roast turkey breast strips, fresh mixed greens, jicama, mango, avocado, black beans, red onion and sesame seeds. A creamy avocado lime Caesar dressing is served in a cup on the side.
The salad, served in a china bowl, was excellent, and, in keeping with the concept, huge. I liked the combination of savory and sweet ingredients. However, I would have chosen a different dressing, probably a vinaigrette.
Ice cream is another specialty, so I tried a strawberry shake. This was not an old-fashioned made-from-scratch concoction, which would be hard to do in a fast-casual environment. Nevertheless, it was refreshing on a hot day.
Other specialties that I didn't get to try include chicken wings, hot dogs, Philly cheesesteak in three varieties, Mexican favorites, flatbread and tortilla wraps and fries. It should be noted that fries are not included with the burgers. To his credit, our order taker did not ask us if we “want fries with that.”
There is a children's menu with the usual suspects — chicken tenders, mini burgers, hot dogs, grilled cheese, peanut butter and jelly. All come with a small beverage and choice of fries, chips or apple sauce.
For the grown-ups, beer is an option.
Be forewarned that the line at the counter can be long at peak meal times. All in all, Bulldogs is a fun outing when you're really hungry.
Bulldogs Grill
122 S. Main St., Wauconda
(847) 526-8234;
217 Center St., Grayslake
(847) 223-2388;
bulldogsgrill.com
<b>Cuisine:</b> Burgers and other American fare, as well as some Mexican dishes
<b>Setting:</b> 1950s diner
<b>Hours:</b> 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday
<b>Burgers and sandwiches:</b> $4.50 to $8.95