The Absolute Best Burger in Chicago

Chicago, we know the stakes. One bad burger here is a personal insult, and one great one is a neighborhood legend.

I ate my way through this city to find the ones worth your time and your appetite, from a massive, glorious pile-up at Little Bad Wolf to a juicy, perfectly cooked Impossible burger at Burger Bar Chicago. Even the turkey burger at Busy Burger, with its hot crispy fries, surprised me.

This list is messy, delicious, and ready for you.

Little Bad Wolf

Highlights
Massive, delicious Bad Burger
Great sliders, perfect size
Awesome service every visit
Cool bar and table vibe
Surprising, excellent quality

Walking into Little Bad Wolf, I knew I was in for something good. The Bad Burger is massive, a glorious pile-up of flavors that just works. I have to say, the service has been awesome on every single visit, which makes a difference. They also have these great sliders that are the perfect size for starting the meal. The whole place has a cool bar and table vibe, comfortable and unpretentious. I was just surprised by the quality of everything. It is definitely a top contender in my book.

You might also want to check out the best fried chicken in Joliet.

Burger Alley Chicago

Highlights
Fresh ingredients, solid patties
Better than chain fast food
Friendly service, fair prices
Featured burgers worth trying
Dairy free milkshakes available

Sometimes you just want a no-fuss burger that beats the drive-thru, and Burger Alley Chicago delivers on that promise. The ingredients all taste fresh, and the patties are solid, not an ounce of grease misery. The service is friendly and the prices are fair, which I appreciate. You should really try one of their featured burgers; they put in the effort. I was also happy to see they have dairy-free milkshakes, which is a nice touch. It is better than any chain fast food, hands down.

You might also want to check out the best fried chicken in Naperville.

Burger Bar Chicago

Highlights
Best burgers I've tasted
Impossible burger cooked perfectly
Excellent, friendly service
Casual, relaxed warehouse setting
Delicious margaritas and fries

Burger Bar Chicago serves the best burgers I have had in a long time. They got my Impossible burger cooked perfectly, it was juicy and full of flavor. The service is excellent and everyone was so friendly. The casual, relaxed warehouse setting is super comfortable, with a nice vibe to it. They have these delicious margaritas that pair great with your meal, and the fries are an absolute must-order. It is a simple setup, but they do everything right, and it shows in every single bite.

You might also want to check out the best fried chicken in Elmhurst.

Butcher & The Burger

Highlights
Best fries ever had
Amazing burgers and lemonade
Fresh, high-quality grass-fed patties
In-house chips melt in mouth
Great service, worth price

At Butcher & The Burger, they serve some of the most amazing food. First, you have to try the fries; they are the best fries I have ever had. The burgers themselves are amazing too, using fresh, high-quality grass-fed patties that you can really taste the difference in. Their lemonade is also a perfect pairing. They even have these in-house chips that just melt in your mouth. The service is fantastic and worth every penny. I was more than happy with the price for the quality of the food you get there.

You might also want to check out the best fried chicken in Evanston.

BRGRBELLY

Highlights
Rock and roll atmosphere
Burger of the Month specials
Thick, steak-like patties
Free butter cookie included
Friendly, attentive service

BRGRBELLY has a fantastic rock and roll atmosphere that I really dug. They have this great Burger of the Month special that keeps things interesting and gives you a reason to come back. The patties are thick and have a steak-like quality to them, super satisfying. As if that was not enough, they also give you a free butter cookie with your meal, which is a fun little touch. The staff is friendly and attentive, making sure you have what you need. I am already planning my next trip to see what they come up with next.

You might also want to check out the best fried chicken in Elgin.

Busy Burger

Highlights
Turkey burger done right
Big flavor, small corner
Hot crispy fries served
Spotted Cow shake rocks
Worth the patient wait

Busy Burger is a tiny corner spot, but it packs a huge flavor. I went with the turkey burger, and they did it right. It was so juicy and tasty, not dry at all. They serve it with hot, crispy fries that hit the spot perfectly. You have to pair it all with a Spotted Cow shake. The shake rocks, by the way. There may be a wait, but be patient, because it is definitely worth it. I will be back for more of that big flavor in this small place.

You might also want to check out the best fried chicken in Aurora.

Half Sour

Highlights
Burgers live up to hype
Friendly, communicative event staff
Family-friendly menu options
Relaxed outdoor patio seating
Easy AV setup for events

I had the chance to visit Half Sour recently, and the burgers definitely live up to the hype. They have a family-friendly menu with options for everyone, which is great. The staff, especially the event staff, are so friendly and communicative, making the whole process easy. If the weather is nice, I recommend their relaxed outdoor patio seating. I also noticed they have an easy AV setup for events, which seems like it would be perfect for a get-together. It is a great spot for a casual and relaxed meal.

You might also want to check out the best pancakes in Chicago.

The Gage

Highlights
Prompt, quiet table seating
Outstanding, hearty winter dishes
Attentive, efficient staff
Consistent, quality-driven menu
Warm, inviting dinner atmosphere

The Gage is where I went for a warm, inviting dinner. The staff had me seated promptly and quietly, which I appreciate. They serve outstanding, hearty dishes that are perfect for winter. The service is attentive and efficient, without being overbearing. The menu is consistent, and they clearly focus on quality in everything they serve. It is the perfect place to warm up on a cold Chicago night and enjoy a really solid meal in a comfortable atmosphere.

You might also want to check out the best croissants in Chicago.

Hound Dog's Burger & Fusion Asian

Highlights
Authentic Korean bulgogi burger
Kind and energetic staff
Reasonably priced kimbap
Delicious food eaten instantly

Hound Dog's Burger & Fusion Asian is a great spot for something different. I tried their authentic Korean bulgogi burger, and it was a delicious explosion of flavor. The meat was sweet and savory, a perfect combination. The staff are incredibly kind and energetic, making the experience even better. They also have kimbap at a very reasonable price, which is a great deal. I ate my food instantly, it was that good. If you want a fun fusion of flavors, you need to check this place out.

You might also want to check out the best date spots in Chicago.

Crushed By Giants Brewing Company

Highlights
Easygoing atmosphere with great service
Tasty pretzel with three sauces
Fun brewery near Michigan Ave
Great beer flights and views

Crushed By Giants Brewing Company has an easygoing atmosphere and even better service. I started with the tasty pretzel that comes with three delicious sauces for dipping, which I always appreciate. It is a fun brewery that is super close to Michigan Ave, making it a perfect stop. They have great beer flights so you can try a little bit of everything, and the views of the area are pretty cool too. It is a great place to relax and enjoy a few beers and some good food.

You might also want to check out the best halal restaurants in Chicago.

Devil Dawgs Rush St

Highlights
Bold Blue Demon Dog
Snappy, juicy hot dogs
Fresh tangy toppings
Quick kiosk ordering
Worth the mess

I was on Rush Street and needed something quick and satisfying. At Devil Dawgs, I grabbed the bold Blue Demon Dog, and it was packed with flavor. The hot dogs have a great snap and are super juicy, piled high with fresh, tangy toppings that just work. The kiosk ordering makes it fast and easy to get your food. It was a bit messy, but honestly, it was worth it. A perfect quick bite when you are walking around that part of town.

You might also want to check out the best prime rib in Chicago.

Beard & Belly

Highlights
Sauces perfectly complement the burger
Fried pickles impressively thick and crispy
Fries with garlic aioli shine
Burger buns hold together well
Patio dining worth the wait

I was told to take a chance on Beard & Belly, and I am so glad I did. The burger is a mess in the best way, with the sauces perfectly complementing the meat. You have to start with the fried pickles. They are impressively thick and crispy, just incredible. I also loved the fries with the garlic aioli; they really shine. The whole thing holds together well in the bun, which is a sign of a good burger. There may be a wait for the patio, but trust me, it is worth it.

You might also want to check out the best boba in Chicago.