The Grafton
Chicago may be best known for its Italian beef and hot dogs, but the city is also home to some mean burgers. Here are some prime examples:
Kuma's Corner
Kuma’s Corner
2900 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago
(773) 604-8769
http://kumascorner.com
Heavy metal pulses over the sound system at this popular divey joint, where the creations are named after bands like Iron Maiden and Black Sabbath. The showcase Kuma Burger is topped with bacon, cheddar and a fried egg. Rock on!
The Grafton
The Grafton
4530 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago
(773) 271-9000
thegrafton.com
This cozy Lincoln Square spot has above-average pub grub and an excellent selection of draft and bottled beer. And then there are the well-seasoned burgers, including the Beckett, which is gripped by a pretzel roll and topped with cheese, an onion ring and curry sauce.
Jury's
Jury’s
4337 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago
(773) 935-2255
http://jurysrestaurant.com
This old-school North Center neighborhood tavern has surprisingly elegant dining and great burgers. “The Judge” is a half-pound patty, topped with cheddar, bacon, sliced avocado, raw onion, Roma tomatoes and Romaine lettuce.
Hamburger Mary’s
5400 N. Clark St., Chicago
(773) 784 6969
http://hamburgermarys.com
Campy ambience aside, this in-your-face Andersonville restaurant and bar serves just about every kind of burger you can think of. Our recommendation: The Meaty Mushroom Burger, which features three kinds of mushrooms held in place by melted cheese. Side-dish choices include a mildly spicy veggie slaw and bacon potato salad. And the home brews are pretty good, too.
Moody’s
5910 N. Broadway Ave., Chicago
(773) 275-2696
http://moodyspub.com
During the winter, it’s a rather primal experience, eating beef in a cave-like dining room, around fire pits. But when it’s warm outside, you can spread out into the expansive beer garden. Either way, the burgers are particularly hearty.
Hop Haus
7545 N. Clark St., Chicago
(773) 262-3645
http://thehophaus.com
Diners have a seemingly endless choice of toppings to put on their burgers, and there are more than beef patties; ostrich, kangaroo, vegan, wild boar and lamb are some of the alternatives. And — maybe not so suprising for a restaurant with “haus” in the title — there are lots of beer options.
