Now that’s a tasty burger: 10 good places to dine on National Hamburger Day
You don’t need an excuse to order a burger, but if you’re looking for one, Thursday, May 28, is National Hamburger Day.
If you’re looking to try something new, check out these local spots offering burgers endorsed by readers, friends and/or a certain suburban food writer (me!). They run the gamut from fat and juicy to smashed and crispy, elevated to basic, nouveau to classic. But they all share the same basic DNA of meat, bun and toppings.
The names were dropped in an online hat and assigned a random order.
The Lucky Monk
A burger and a beer is a combination that’s hard to beat, and The Lucky Monk in South Barrington crafts some award-winning brews and serves up a tasty burger. The menu includes both traditional and smash burgers, and they utilize their beer on burgers, too, like the Bourbon Monk Stout and the Smoke Daddy IPA BBQ. The Lucky Monk is at 105 Hollywood Blvd. in South Barrington, with a new location coming soon to Downers Grove.
Brandt’s of Palatine
A list of suburban hamburger spots wouldn’t be complete without Brandt’s of Palatine, 807 W. Northwest Hwy., Palatine. The restaurant, located in a more than 130-year-old farmhouse that has been a restaurant since the ’50s, has been a frequent winner of our Reader’s Choice Best of the Best Awards. The half-pound burgers are made from a fresh-ground combo of short rib and deep chuck, then served on a choice of six buns or breads. Build your own or choose from a half dozen of Brandt’s creations.
Babcock’s Grove House
Celebrating a decade in downtown Lombard in a limestone brick building that dates back to 1858, Babcock’s Grove House, 101 W. St. Charles Road, griddle-cooks its hand-formed patties using fresh, frequently locally sourced ingredients to top them. Try the Smashed Potato burger, featuring a Black Angus beef patty, sharp cheddar and buttermilk chive mashed potatoes on a toasted brioche bun.
The Burger Local
At the south end of Third Street, near the downtown Geneva Metra station, The Burger Local, 577 S. Third St., Suite 102, offers a plethora of burgers, including the French Dip Burger served with caramelized onions, gruyere cheese, fried leeks and rosemary au jus; the Pop the Hatch Burger with pepper jack cheese, New Mexico hatch chilies, onion strings, pepper bacon, fried egg and chipotle ketchup; and the 4 Pepper Burger with jalapeño bacon, ghost pepper jack, habanero-dusted fried onions and chipotle aioli. For those who want the burger aesthetic without the meat, they’ve got the Falafal Burger, Shrimp Burger and more.
Cattleman’s Burger & Brew
With more than a dozen unique burgers to choose from, Cattleman’s Burger & Brew at 205 S. Main St. in Algonquin has something for every taste. The Saganaki Steak Burger features saganaki cheese and a zesty Greek sauce, while the Fernandez is topped with pepper jack cheese, pico de gallo, guacamole and crispy tortilla chips. Ready for a challenge? The Challenger Steak Burger stacks three patties with melted cheese, bacon, lettuce, sliced onions and tomato on a brioche bun.
The Claim Company
A reader favorite from previous polls and inquiries, The Claim Company, 776 Skokie Blvd. in Northbrook, is beloved for the Motherlode burger. The signature burger is a build-your-own creation with choices of meat, bread, cheese, toppings and sauce. I broke my brain trying to calculate the number of different burgers you could create.
Tracks Bar & Grill
A frequent winner of best burger in McHenry County and beyond, Tracks Bar & Grill at 108 W. Main St. has been serving up burgers for more than four decades in Cary. The menu offers more than two dozen burgers, with two of the most popular being The Pino Burger, with bacon, mushrooms, cheddar, grilled onions and fresh jalapeños, and The Kaboom Burger, topped with cheddar cheese, crispy onion straws and seasoned with a flavorful spicy sauce.
Kuma’s Corner
The vibe/volume at Kuma’s Corner, 1570 E. Golf Road in Schaumburg, may not be for everyone, but the burgers are amazing. The heavy metal-themed restaurant located across from Woodfield Mall features handcrafted burgers named after bands and piled high with flavor and unexpected toppings. The beef patty in the Sourvein is topped with deep-fried blackened chicken tenders, bacon, cheddar, Belgian waffle strips, maple syrup drizzle and raspberry aioli. Enough said.
Paradise Pup
The list wouldn’t be complete without a classic walk-up counter joint, and Paradise Pup at 1724 S. River Road in Des Plaines is well-loved for its char burgers served on bakery-fresh buns, which they’ve been serving up since 1983. The signature Bacon Merkt’s Cheddar burger is a favorite.
D.C. Cobb’s Burgers & Brews
With 20 insanely creative burgers on the menu and an option to build your own, you won’t get bored with burgers at D.C. Cobb’s Burgers & Brews. The Windy City burger is topped with Italian beef, mozzarella and spicy giardiniera, while the Peasley features chorizo, corn salsa, pepper jack cheese and a Cajun spice blend. For those who like props with their food, the Vaccine burger (two patties, three slices of cheddar, six strips of bacon, lettuce, tomatoes and pickled jalapenos) comes with a nacho cheese-loaded syringe. They have locations at 311 Barrington Ave., East Dundee; 11808 Coral St., Huntley; and 1204 N. Green St., McHenry.