Insider's guide to Chicago cheeseburgers
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Little Bad Wolf's cheeseburger. Photo: Justin Kaufmann/Axios
Wednesday is National Cheeseburger Day, and we're here to celebrate.
The big picture: The Chicago cheeseburger is in the midst of a 21st century renaissance, dominating national "best of" lists and attracting tourists who stand in line for hours for the delicious fare.
Yes, but: Let the tourists clog up the sidewalks while we eat all the charred, grilled and smashed patties topped with melted cheese in peace.
Here's a well-researched, insider's guide to Chicago cheeseburgers:
Where they'll tell you to go for a bar burger: The Drop In (aka NADC Burger). This small storefront on Milwaukee Avenue is a treat, especially around happy hour. The burgers are a delight, but the tight quarters will have your clothes smelling like griddled meat for weeks.
- They just opened for lunch, too.
Where you should go instead: Leavitt Street Inn. The tucked away Bucktown bar serves one of Chicago's best smashed burgers. It also hearkens back to a lost time when taverns were on every corner.
- Tell Teddy we sent ya.
Where they'll tell you to go for a new cheeseburger: The Basement. The Logan Square spot is grabbing headlines because of its great $6 Friday burger deal.
- It's located in the heart of the bustling neighborhood, which usually means it's crowded.
Where you should go instead: Head down the street to The StopAlong. The kitschy pizza spot on North Milwaukee Avenue holds a master class in griddle burgers.
- It's not necessarily new, but the hype is.
Where they'll tell you to go for a fast casual cheeseburger: Redhot Ranch. The greasy spoon is a sublime choice, offering up great patties for under $10 since 2005.
- They have locations in Lakeview and Logan Square.
Where you should go instead: Evanston for Edzo's Burger Shop. Eddie Lakin's fast casual spot serves up all sorts of great burger options, including a double cheeseburger, animal style for under $10.
Pro tip: Get a Nutella shake.
Where they'll tell you to go for an expensive burger: The Loyalist. This $27 cheeseburger is one of the best in the city, regardless of price point.
Where you should go instead: Trivoli Tavern. The exclusive restaurant is part of the Hogsalt empire, which also owns Au Cheval, Small Cheval, Armitage Ale House and a slew of other great burger spots. The double cheeseburger is $32.99 at Trivoli. But it's worth it.
Where they'll tell you to go for an old school burger: Top Notch Beefburgers. Top Notch in Beverly is the Granddaddy of Chicago burgers, representing the far South Side for over 80 years.
- It's a must-visit, but most burger lovers have already been.
Where you should go instead: Charlie Beinlich's in Northbrook. The small restaurant off Skokie Boulevard has a very limited menu, but it doesn't matter because the cheeseburger deluxe is all you need. It's a delicious old school burger without the frills (but order it with grilled onions).
What did I miss? Let me know and I'll start working on volume two. 😂