Best Burgers: Top 4 (Chicago)
Top Left, Clockwise: Flip Burger, Small Cheval, bopNgrill, Mott St.
Flip Burger
There’s a new burger joint in town, and people are saying it rivals the famed Au Cheval. And I’m here to tell you, they’re right. Flip Burger is an unassuming dive at the corner of Ashland and Division, with a block-lettered neon sign reading “HAMBURGER CHILI” to announce its presence. The smell of butter on the griddle hangs in the air and greets you upon entering this small counter service spot. With five burgers to choose from, all weighing in with double patties, it’s hard to go wrong. The burger that put them on the map, though, is their flagship “Flip Burger,” cloaked in American cheese and topped with grilled onions, pickles and aioli. Their patio is quaint and surprisingly quiet given its location. But the best part? There’s a Conniption ice cream truck tucked in the back corner of the patio that serves up decadent hand-dipped milkshakes.
Small Cheval
Mostly everyone knows Au Cheval, which got its claim to fame when Bon Appetit named their burger the best in the country. Which in turn ultimately resulted in 3+ hour-long waits to get a table at the dimly lit, French diner. Serving up thousands of burgers a week, Au Cheval clearly isn’t hurting for business. However, not everyone is willing to hold out that long for meet and cheese. Luckily, owner Brendan Sodikoff decided to open a casual sister spot, Small Cheval. This counter service spot serves a limited menu, but offers up exactly what you want: The famed double patty cheeseburger, fries, milkshakes and of course, booze. The main difference on this burger is that the bacon (if you add it on, which you should), is much thinner and therefore crispier than Au Cheval’s thick-cut bacon. This adds a nice textural contrast to the patties. The other difference – two hours and 45 minutes off of your wait time. Winner winner, burger dinner.
bopNgrill
You know any spot with the DDD seal of approval is going to be drool inducing, and bopNgrill stands up to that test. This fast casual spot brings you something not too many are doing: Asian fusion burgers. Made from a 100% fresh custom blend of short-rib, brisket and chuck angus beef, bopNgrill’s patties are cooked to a perfectly juicy medium. With flavor-packed toppings like caramelized kimchi cooked in rendered pork fat, it’s hard to go wrong. The burger you can’t afford to miss, though, is the duxelle burger: truffled mushroom duxelle, sun-dried tomato confit, togarashi mayo, bacon, and smoked gouda. Order it now, thank me later. Bonus: On the weekends, bopNgrill bangs out Philly cheesesteak eggrolls. But go early; they run out quick!
Mott St.
While Mott St. seems to have blown up recently, I’d like to say it’s been on my radar for years. But that’s neither here nor there. The main point here is that everything at this Asian fusion restaurant is on point – from the murals on the restaurant’s façade, to the Chinese lanterns hanging inside, to the lime green chopsticks that accompany your dinner plate. And of course, the food. Mott’s burger isn’t your typical cheeseburger, and I welcome that. This double patty bad boy is topped with American cheese, sweet potato shoestrings, pickled jalepeños, hoisin aioli, miso butter and dill pickles. If you’re not on your way to get one already, something’s wrong with you. It’s important to note, you can only order the burger in three scenarios: 1) While seated at the bar 2) From 6-7 p.m. 3) During brunch.
