The Best Burgers in Chicago

For $8, it’s hard to find a better burger in town then the 1/2 pounder from Select Cut.

Two suggestions: Go with bleu cheese over cheddar. I’m not normally a bleu cheese fan, but something about the bleu cheese here kicks the burger up into orgasmic territory.

Second suggestion: Go with the tots over the steak fries. The steak fries are okay, but the tots are the best in town.
El Guapo’s Tip du Jour: Select Cut is a sit-down steak house with white table cloths linen napkins. If you’re not in the mood for all the ambiance and just want a good burger head next door to Harrigan’s Bar where you can order the Select Cut burger off their menu while grabbing a beer.

Recommendation: Try the Rockit Burger. Good Morning America called it the best burger in America (maybe a bit of a stretch but the burger is one of the best in Chicago)

The burger is made with kobe beef and is topped with melted brie, fried shallots, medjooll date aioli and truffle fries. Unfortunately it also comes with a $19 price tag.

Insider Tip: Executive Chef James GottWald won Chicago’s Mac and Cheese cookoff earlier this year with a braised oxtail and cheese concoction. It’s pretty amazing stuff and while not on the regular menu, if you make a special request a few days in advance they might make it for you. It’s unreal good and worth the extra effort.

The menu at the counter is simply a clipboard with a list of different burger topping ranging from the mundane (tomatoes, grilled onions) to the more exotic (dried cranberries, grilled pineapple or roasted corn and black bean salsa). With their extensive list of toppings, they claim to have over 312,120+ different burger combinations!!

While Oprah raves about this place, my personal opinion is that it is good but not great. In all honesty, the menu choices can be a little overwhelming and I usually feel like I should take a xanex before I go to deal with the inevitable anxiety induced panic attack that occurs when I’m focusing all my energy on trying not to f*ck up my burger with too many weird toppings.

The food is awesome. The restaurant is awesome. The music is awesome (if you like metal I suppose)

Most of the burgers are named after metal bands (e.g. the Judas Priest, which is bacon bleu cheese dressing, apples walnuts and dried cranberries).

Simply put, this place makes you glad to be a carnivore.

El Guapo’s Tip du Jour: Be prepared to wait in line. EVERYONE and their mother loves Kuma and after it got featured on the Food Network, lines have become almost unbearable. Pull up to the bar and grab a drink. They have a great beer selection full of microbrews. Or better yet, bring a flask. You’ll be waiting in line for a while.

Two words: Old School. Actually three words: Super Old School. This place is a throwback to the 50s. The burger is good and the owner who is usually working the counter is very friendly.

El Guapo’s Tip du Jour: Bring cash. They don’t take credit cards here. (like I said, old school.)

I am eagerly anticipating the arrival of Five Guys here in Chicago. This burger joint from DC is simply awesome.

Read the entire guide to Five Guys by Ethwiny and you’ll see why this place will soon be a top the list for best burger joints in Chicago.