Not too shabby of a list. Majority of the burgers that I have never tried....

https://www.chicagotribune.com/dining/ct-food-prem-best-burger-chicago-2021-20210712-o4mdwtwbajgbnhwvx5fjjnwxeu-list.html

The burger at Marz is flawless. Slagel Family Farms short rib burger, American cheese, spicy mayo & pickles on a fresh-baked furikake milkbread bun.



The nori fries that come with it are also top notch.

MarlaCollins'Husband wrote:The burger at Marz is flawless.

Wow! That does look spectacular.

=R=

One double with everything...

My taste for hamburgers is more modest but is located a bit far away to get satisfied often.
So, when I have a sudden crave, about once a year, I drive 60 miles due North to Racine, WI to have lunch at the Kewpee. This amazing diner with its elliptical counter, very small round seats, and an impressive collection of Kewpee dolls, serves the same kind of burgers since 1926. And for me these very freshly ground thin grilled patties, and perfectly fried curly fries, have a very nostalgic resonance. They were the first American hamburger I ever had in my life when we came from Paris to visit my wife's family during the hot summer of 1968.
It is there that I learned to pronounce the ritual sentence "One double with everything"when ordering a hamburger. In those days I did not speak English so I had to rehearse that sentence several times before I sat at the Kewpee's counter for the first time.
Many years later, I had a very interesting exchange of posts on LTH with René G on the subject of the Kewpee on January 21 2010.
Kewpee Lunch
520 Wisconsin Av
Racine WI
262-634-9601
http://www.kewpee.com/

In full agreement. It is on my "tour" once per year also. That being the case, I get two double CB's and a mug of root beer. Great stop and continued enjoyment.

http://www.kewpee.com displays a large "WEBSITE SUSPENDED" banner. Could be a virus, etc
https://www.facebook.com/Kewpee-Lunch-226801137258/ hasn't been updated since 2019 but has some good history of the restaurant.

Aside from Kuma's, and Bad Apple, is there anyone out there still offering a wide variety of toppings on burgers? It seems that every place nearby me has cut it down to three varieties of bacon cheeseburger with few if any "build your own" choices. My favorite was from Mickey Finn's (now Buddy's Brews and Bites) with Merkt's cheddar, onion rings and green chiles, alas no longer.

JoelF wrote:Aside from Kuma's, and Bad Apple, is there anyone out there still offering a wide variety of toppings on burgers? It seems that every place nearby me has cut it down to three varieties of bacon cheeseburger with few if any "build your own" choices. My favorite was from Mickey Finn's (now Buddy's Brews and Bites) with Merkt's cheddar, onion rings and green chiles, alas no longer.

VPT up here on the north side (it might be considered West Ridge? 5754 N. Western Ave.) has a good selection.
https://vptchicago.com/order-online/

JoelF wrote:Aside from Kuma's, and Bad Apple, is there anyone out there still offering a wide variety of toppings on burgers? It seems that every place nearby me has cut it down to three varieties of bacon cheeseburger with few if any "build your own" choices. My favorite was from Mickey Finn's (now Buddy's Brews and Bites) with Merkt's cheddar, onion rings and green chiles, alas no longer.

I haven't been in a while, but always thought their burger was above average, and there are currently a few interesting choices on the menu...maybe it's time for a return visit

Emerson's Ale House
113 S Emerson St, Mt Prospect, IL 60056
https://www.emersonsmp.com/eat

My vote goes to Paradise Pup in Des Plaines.
Open at 11 to to a waiting line, call ahead to avoid the wait.
Burger on Pumpernickel is awesome!
Paradise Pup
1724 S River Rd
Des Plaines, IL 60018
(847) 699-8590

Palmer Place in LaGrange also has a nice variety of specialty burgers.

https://palmerslagrange.com/full-menu/

56 South La Grange Road, La Grange, IL 60525

budrichard wrote:My vote goes to Paradise Pup in Des Plaines.

Definitely a favorite, but not open at dinner time, and doesn't have the fancy-shmancy toppings I'm looking for. We ended up at North Branch, which does a very good burger, but not very imaginative with the combinations, especially when SueF and I split a large burger and we have to meet both our preferences.

North Branch
4520 W Lake Ave, Glenview, IL 60025
www.northbranchglenview.com
(847) 813-6400

We've recently become hooked on the Wagyu burgers at Berger Bros. Gastropub in Winfield. The Double Smash Burger (ordered exactly as presented on the menu) is a melt-in-your-mouth culinary treat! They have plenty of unique toppings & additions to other menu options, which I'm sure could be added to a burger.

As a bonus, Wednesday nights are Whisky & Wine night;)

https://www.bergerbrospub.com/copy-of-menu

http://www.brgrbellyrestaurant.com

Haven't been in a while, but The Burger Social in Wheaton has a decent mix of burger toppings.

The Burger Social
108 N Hale St
Wheaton, IL 60187
https://www.theburgersocial.com/

Small Cheval at 151 N. Riverside is showing signs of awakening.