One Man's Opinion on Hamburgers

I was asked by Lorraine to give my thoughts on the best Hamburgers in the Local area. The only thing I like better than giving my thoughts on things is eating! So here goes.    

I must judge in two categories: Fast food and specialty restaurants.

In fast food, my favorite burger is Burger King. I like flame broiled better than fried. But it must be hot and fresh.

Second would be Wendy's because the meat is fresh and the burgers are greasy, but I like that. Remember, this isn't the most healthy burger contest!

Third would be McDonald's and then White Castle, which I don't often have. This is just my opinion. I know other people wil have their favorites.

The next category is tougher for me because my criteria is getting a burger on the rare side, which a lot of places don't want to cook for you. Quarter-pounder, half-pounder, it doesn't matter. Neither does the term "Angus," which is just a breed of cow and doesn't necessarily mean quality. That being said, here goes.

My favorite burger right now is the double cheeseburger from Fatso's on 95th Street.

The meat is fresh. It's a mix of 80 percent lean and 20 percent fat ground chuck, which is my favorite mix for a burger. It is Angus, but as I said, that doesn't matter to me. It's my favorite because they cook it the way I like, rare. It's always consistent. The buns are great, meat is juicy, toppings fresh, flame broiled. Plus, the owners Pete and Carol are great.

Buffalo Wild Wings in the Ridge is excellent. Five Guys is overrated and too expensive. The same goes for Smashburger, which is a ripoff for the price and the sides are terrible. Who puts olive oil and rosemary on french fries? Both places large hamburgers go for over $6 without fries or drink.

Pluto's, Rosie's and Billy Boys are not gourmet burgers, but they are excellent in their own way and you can get combos at a good price. Billy Boy's flame broils their burgers, which is a plus.

If you can pay attention to your food, Tilted Kilt believe it or not has a good burger, too, and it's reasonably priced. The grilled onions and bacon on the burger are great.

TGIF burgers, on the other hand, are terribly overcooked and dried out. They have other great food just not the burgers.

Frankie's restaurant has very juicy burgers flame broiled.

The old style restaurants burgers are average at best and most usually get overcooked. Sorry Jedi's Garden, Les Bros. and Oak Lawn, nothing special there.

I know there are other places that I have left out but that is because I have never eaten a burger there. Tell me what your favorite places are locally.