Bites Nearby: Back Alley Burger in Downtown La Grange

There’s a new joint in La Grange, and I say "joint" affectionately because that’s what it is and tries to be.

(13 S. La Grange Road, downtown La Grange) is a low-key, come-as-you-are place where you grab a bite with friends. Even though this is a new place in town, it’s not a new place for the owners, who previously owned Knead Marketplace at the same location and Emilio’s Sunflower just a few doors down the road.

The restaurant is narrow, like an alley with a single aisle of booths and a dark wood fence separating you from the prep/kitchen area. They’ve covered the main wall with oversized canvas photos of back alleys from around the world. 

It’s industrial in décor—lots of stainless steel and wood, giving it a somewhat urban diner feel. They've spray painted the names of four local area High Schools on the wall to give it the look of graffiti. Classic rock is pumping through the air, keeping the place very upbeat!

Their menu includes a variety of signature burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches and the popular “Build Your Own Burger”—where all the toppings, including the bun, can be selected to your liking. Everything is made to order, so you may have to wait a little to get your food. They even have the "Knead A Big Burger," paying homage to their last restaurant.

Presentation is nice because they wrap their burgers and French fries like little gifts. To complete your meal, you can select from one of ten side dishes. Vegetarians, if you think this place is not for you, think again: they have a black bean veggie burger.

And did I mention the milk shakes?  Yes, that’s their signature beverage and they’re very good. Colorful, wide straws with a whipped cream topping grace every cup.

If you’re really hungry, you may want to look elsewhere; the portions are on the smaller side, but at least the ingredients are fresh.

Back Alley Burger is a B.Y.O. Wine or Beer with a $3 service charge per table, and, they recently obtained a liquor license to sell beer and wine on site. If you’ve been a fan of the owners' other La Grange restaurants, give this place a try and see if they’ve created your new favorite burger joint in town.