Chicago is world famous for its fully loaded hot dogs, deep dish pizzas and ultra high-end destination restaurants like Alinea, Frontera and Charlie Trotter\’s. But here are 3 hamburgers that you should not miss on your next trip.
Don\’t bother trying to choose — if you enjoy burgers, you will love all of these. From the almost perfect version of a char-burger (from a famous Chicago Dog stand) to a killer steakhouse burger — there is something for everyone.
1. The Custom House Burger at The Custom House (where else?)
The steak house, The Custom House, is famous for its steaks. But you are there for the burger. So just take a seat at the bar and tell your server or the bartender to bring you one. You will not be disappointed. It is exactly the cheeseburger you would expect to get in a world famous steak house.
The cooks form the pattie from the same meat that is served in the dining room. They mix prime steak scraps (trimmed from the steaks heading out front) with top of the line short rib meat. This is the real thing. The juicy burger is topped with a generous slice of aged cheddar and a dollop of homemade tomato sauce and served on poppy-seed bun.
Enjoy it.
The Custom House Restaurant — 500 S. Dearborn St. The Custom House Burger — $12.
2. Angus Beef Burger at Naha
If you crave a real Angus beef burger, skip the fast food pretenders and head over to Naha.
They top the super-moist and flavorful patty with fire-roasted tomatoes and white cheddar cheese. The lot is served on what might be my favorite \”bun\” in America — a Sea-salt crusted focaccia roll that is dense and toasted to perfection.
But even this super-dense bun will not soak up all the juices from the burger and keep you arms dry. So take my advice and wear short sleeves.
Naha is at 500 N. Clark St. and the Angus Beef Burger will set you back $15.
3. Double Cheddar Char Burger at Paradise Pup
This tiny, tiny north-side stand is famous for its Chicago dogs. It was even featured a couple years ago on the Food Network show Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. You can see the snapshots of the visit on the wall while you wait. And you will wait — even in the dead of winter there will be a long line.
But it is worth it.
Naturally, you will want to try the hot dogs they are famous for – but make sure you don\’t miss out on the Double Cheddar Char Burger. The intense charred exterior of the patty covers some of the most tender, most flavorful beef you have ever tasted. Add the cheddar and the grilled onion for a taste of old Chicago on a bun and you have got it made.
Paradise Pup is in Des Plaines at 1724 S. River Road. The Double Cheddar Char Burger is a steal at $5.79
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