Who's got the best hamburger in the Chicagoland area?

Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. My favorite is In 'n Out Burger in California, but it doesn't look like I'll be getting out that way for quite a while.

Thanks for your input.

[Jason Dumo]

Time Out Chicago magazine just ran a front cover spread on the 55 best burgers in Chicago and regrettably missed my top pick: Charlie Beinlich's in Northbrook (Rt. 41, just south of Lake-Cook Rd). Without question, the benchmark burger!

[qualityeater]

I like:

--Chicago Busy Burger, 1120 S Taylor, Chicago, charbroiled beef and turkey burgerers, closes early, at 8 PM. Although the burger isn't as huge as the below listed burgers, it is probably my favorite because of charbroiling.

--Top Notch Beef Burger, 2116 W. 95th St, Chicago, excellent grilled beef and turkey burgers; good fries, excellent milkhakes, malts (need to eat with knife & fork)

--Illinois Bar & Grill, 4135 W. 47th St., and 1421 W. Taylor, Chicago, grilled burgers, good fries; bar atmosphere (also have to eat with knife and fork) I usually go to the 47th street location. I was there yesterday, cheeseburger with grilled onions--only $5.45

[nu_sue]

Moody's
Wiener & Still Champion (Evanston)
Poochies (Skokie)

Good fries as well.

[MikeLM]

There's a nice little place in Westmont which has a good burger... The Original Onion Grill, just south of the Burlington tracks on Cass Avenue. They have a 1/3 pound burger with a great grilled crust and all the trimmings for just $3. Their fires look good, though I haven't had any so far.

[elnora]

i echo moodys. mmm-- greasy and delicious.
but, my favorite is, by far, the fatboy burger at twisted spoke at ogden and grand. there is some combo of spices that is just heavenly. and the fries that come with it are awesome too.

[carlywood]

My recommendation is Moody's. Go when the the beer garden is open!

[abf005]

Yeah Moody's is good too, although is sort of reminds me of a Hackney's burger, only with a better city atmosphere.

[nsxtasy]

Pete Miller's (Evanston, Deerfield) - www.petemillers.com
Cross-Rhodes (Evanston) - www.crossrhodes.biz

For more discussion on Evanston burgers:
www.chowhound.com/topics/119003

[abf005]

Although IMO: In & Out is a California fast food dump, barely one notch above a Burger King or MacDonald's, and the upgrade to that would be Fatburger or Jack In Box! We here in Chicago don't have many (if any) places to get those thin tasteless meat patties on 5" & 6" buns with more tomato & lettuce then meat.

But if you really want a serious burger, as in more "evolved", then here are some suggestions for 1/2 & 3/4 lbs burgers aks; great Chicago pub style burgers:
1) Mickey Finn's - Libertyville
2) Barnaby's - Deerfield
3) Miller's Pub - Downtown
4) Charlie Beinlich's - Northbrook
5) Boston Blackies - Downtown

[LabRat]

I like the stilton burger at Goose Island. 1/2 lb pepper crusted beef on a pumpernickel roll with stilton cheese, roasted garlic cloves and Düsseldorf mustard. Probably not the best thing to eat on a date, but tasty!

[chigirl71]

My favorite hamburger is at Paradise Pup (how can you go wrong with a name like that?) on River Road in Des Plaines. Charbroiled goodness on a bun. . .yummy!

[lollipop]

One of my personal favorites is The South Loop Club's burger!
You get your choice of cheese and grilled onions is a must (for me anyway!)

[dlpens]

One of the greatest hamburgers in the Chicago area ever, was the Acorn on Oak St. which closed up years ago. I have been trying to find a similar burger and the closest seems to be the Winkburger at Norton's in Highland Park. Another wonderful burger is found at the famous Beinlick's also in Highland Park. This is a throwback bar straight out of the Wisconsin northwoods with wood paneling, stuffed fish all over the place etc. The special includes great fries, cole slaw and raw or sauteed onions.

[chicagoeats]

Anyone remember a place called Sauer's by IIT back in the '70's. It was the best burger in town....round patty on rye...kick butt coleslaw....steak fries.

[jbw]

. . . or on black bread, too. You might want to try Blackie's mentioned above, whose burger on black bread reminds me a little bit of Sauer's version (I think--it is going back a long way).

My favorites-
Blackies on Grand-Quick and Consistent
Mike Ditkas
The Billy Goat Lower Michigan

This is a repeated topic and the consensus is there is no 'best'. There is also, for some, an acknowledgement that at some point there's a bifurcation on hamburger styles (ex. - high-end restaurant burgers found at places like Smith & Wollensky vs. a 'faster' food burger like Inn 'n Out). I'd suggest searching the board for past discussions. I'm also including a link to another forum where this very topic was covered rather well, which should provide you with a number of potential places to try. Good luck!

Link: http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic....

There are even multiple versions of the 'fast food' burger.

Mickey's on Harlem in Oak Park sells "Big Mickeys" which are very close to in-n-out burgers. I prefer them to the burgers at the westwood in-n-out, certainly.

Then there's the more "chicago" style of fast food burger which is usually a 1/4lb preformed patty on a big rosen bun.

I think Top Notch Beefburger on 95th Street and Damen