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With the news that 5 Guys will be here soon, i was curious if there were any must-try burgers in the area. I'm not too impressed with Goldyburgers, despite their being named a Chicago Top 10 by AOL. In the years i've worked in the area, my cravings are usually addressed with a burger from a chain (Culvers, Portillo's, or the prime burger at Ruby Tuesday).

Do you not like the Goldyburger style at all? That is, would you rather have a thick pub-style burger or thinner patties?

I think goldyburger is pretty good. If you want something in a similar vein, the Avenue Ale House has given me a respectable burger as well.

If you want thinner patties like Culver's (is there a Culver's near Oak Park?), I'm not really sure where to direct you.

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Ed Fisher
my chicago food photos

RIP LTH.

Try the blackened bleu burger with grilled onions at Shanahan's on Madison St. in FP. Mighty tasty fare.

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What if the Hokey Pokey really IS what it's all about?

We usually hit the Ale House on Oak Park Ave. as mentioned above. O'Sullivans on Madison also has a pretty good burger and although I don't eat a lot of chili, pretty good chili. Last time I was there, maybe a month ago, they had burger and fries for $5. Drink specials, too, but we had to go back to work, so I don't remember them. If you want thin, greasy goodness, Sub Tender double cheeseburger with grilled onions should do it, at Randolph and Desplaines. Get a big order of garlic butter fries while you're there.

Garlic butter fries? Wow, I have to check that out. Is it a take out only or can you eat there?

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i used to milk cows

You can eat in. It's a joint. Think Mr. Submarine for "ambience." And, yes, the BG fries do rock.

As for burgers in the area, ghazi - you might wanna try a "big mickey" at Mickey's on Harlem ave across the street from the Mcdonalds a few blocks n of Lake Street in Oak Park for a greezy treat.

I used to dig on the Murphy Burger @ Poor Phil's on Marion & Pleasant in OP also - standard issue 1/3 pounder with fried onion, and remoulade IIRC.

And then, if you dig a salad burger (some say heresy, but I do like em) there's Tasty Dog on Lake street in OP. Super thin patty (get a double, trust me) Then they run it thrugh the garden so it's about and inch and a half tall.

The new Byron's in Forest Park on Madison street. Haven't had one yet, but a buddy said the burgers are stellar.

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We cannot be friends if you do not know the difference between Mayo and Miracle Whip.

I moved to Forest Park recently, and have been on a great-burger quest for the past few months. Hands down, the best so far is at Deko's at 7445 Madison in Forest Park, between DesPlaines and Circle Ave.

Goldyburger is good, but not amazing-good.

Byron's is ok for a fast-food style burger, but it's fairly bland and the patty is pretty generic.

Sub Tender has the great grilled onions, but it's rather greasy, even more so than a regular burger of its genre. The garlic-butter fries and subs are the best though.

I've heard good things about Shanahan's, but I personally had a terrible experience there with the burgers. It's served on thin white bread, not a bun, which was soaking wet when my burger arrived. I ordered medium, but the burger was literally cold and raw throughout when served. The waiter was apologetic, and comped us a slice of key lime pie for the trouble and incredibly long wait, but the 2nd burger he brought out wasn't much better.

But Deko's... Deko's is where it's at. It's a great little dive, and you'll always see the same two guys working the counter. The burger is fresh and juicy - definitely tastes like a real burger, not a fake-fast-food compressed patty. Shredded lettuce, mayo, tomato, onion and ketchup seem to be the standard condiments. I love the fries too, but I think they're just generic crinkle-cut fries from a bag - still always crispy and delicious though. I also recommend the gyros too - shaved fresh off the roasting spit, and not greasy like at other places I've tried.

I never see any mention of Deko's in the threads about Forest Park eats. Why not? How can a place in the middle of the Madison street bar strip be seemingly unnoticed, but so good? Has anyone else been here?

I had a cheeseburger at the Depot the other day and it was perfectly medium-rare, simple and delish.... There are many pics and much discussion on this thread: viewtopic.php?f=14&t=11626&hilit=the+depot

There is a Culvers going in on Ogden in Lyons, right next to the Quarry (and near the late Snowflake).

Brian