We love a good steak (and so do you). But as summer draws near, we chose five burgers that we like better than a steak from Chicago Cut.
1. Au Cheval
Location: 800 W Randolph
Nearby Developments: Sterling Bay, Shapack Partners and Tucker Development all have major office or mixed-use projects in the works walking distance from this upscale diner.
Au Cheval's burger is recognized by restaurant critics and foodies as the best in America. Don't be surprised to see McDonald's executives visiting Au Cheval for lunch once the Golden Arches moves to the West Loop.
2. The Duck Inn
Location: 2701 S Eleanor St
Nearby Developments: The Duck Inn is on the border between Pilsen and Bridgeport, where Blue Star Properties has been busy redeveloping Thalia Hall and recently bought the historic Spiegel catalog warehouse in Bridgeport.
This burger is a revelation. All the ingredients are cooked, and the sandwich is put together, on the grill.
3. Edzo's Burger Shop
Location: 1571 Sherman, Evanston
Nearby Developments: Fifield Cos' E2 apartments is an overwhelming success. On the office side, Sabal Financial Group sold 500 Davis St to Steelbridge Capital for $10M.
Owner Eddie "Edzo" Lakin re-created the business strategy of the sausage king of Chicago, "Hot Doug" Sohn (were you expecting us to say Abe Froman?), with a simple menu of grilled and charbroiled burgers, farm-raised beef specials and a variety of fries that will raise your cholesterol levels by looking at them.
4. Hot Chocolate
Location: 1747 N Damen
Nearby Developments: Hot Chocolate is on the northern edge of one of Chicago's hottest retail corridors in Wicker Park and steps from Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago's hottest TOD corridor.
Hot Chocolate owner Mindy Segal is a James Beard Award-winning pastry chef but she and her staff also know their way around savory with this killer burger, teeming with tasty beef.
5. Top Notch Beefburger
Location: 2116 W 95th St
Nearby Developments: Beverly is a bit of a haul from South Shore, which is fast becoming one of the city's most active real estate submarkets. We're waiting to see what happens to US Steel's south works redevelopment, now that US Steel pulled out of its JV with McCaffery to redevelop the site.
Top Notch is the one true diner on this list and its burger is as legendary as Au Cheval's. The beef is hand-ground daily and the fries that come with the burger are the most crisp in town.
