Our five favorite burgers in Chicago in 2021

Big and Littles BurgerAdam and Madalyn

Chicago is, without a doubt, one of the best burger cities in the world. With our rich history of meatpacking combined with midwestern cattle farming, it is no surprise that we can make a mean burger. There has long been a battle of the burgers in this city that is still waging to this day.

We’ve eaten our fair share of burgers across the city, and this is our list of our favorite burgers we ate in Chicago in 2021. It is far from a complete list and is highly subjective, so if there is a burger spot that we should visit in 2022, let us know in the comments below!

Butcher and the Burger

All-American BurgerAdam and Madalyn

Butcher and the Burger is hands down one of our favorite spots to grab a burger in Chicago. Not only do they deliver delicious fresh burgers, but they have a whole program dedicated to teaching people about butchering as an art form.

Butcher and the Burger has a menu of burgers to choose from, such as the All- American, which is your classic cheeseburger, or you can build your own from an extensive list of toppings from black truffle mayo to a duck egg. We love this Lincoln-Park gem and know that you will too!

Location: 1021 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60614

Little Bad Wolf

The Wolf BurgerAdam and Madalyn

Little Bad Wolf in Andersonville had been on our radar to try for a long time, and we finally made it there in 2021 to try their famous wolf burger. This burger is consists of Three patties piled high with bacon, American cheese, onion straws, house-made pickles, red onion mayo, all topped off with a fried egg.

The Wolf Burger will set you back $20, but it is worth every penny. We split it, and it was more than enough for both of us. If three patties sound like too much for you, they also have the Bad Burger, which is only two patties.

Location: 1541 W Bryn Mawr Ave, Chicago, IL 60660

Au Cheval

It’s hard to make a Chicago burger list and not add this burger titan to the list. Au Cheval has dominated the burger battle for years, and there is a good reason for that. We think what is best about their burger menu is the simplicity. You can get a single or double cheeseburger, and they’re topped with a house dijonaise and pickles. You can add bacon and a fried egg if you feel like getting fancy.

Wait times could reach up to three hours at the original Fulton market location, but since they’ve opened their Small Cheval locations, grabbing an award-winning burger is easier than ever.

Location: 800 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60607

Kuma’s Corner

Led Zeppelin BurgerAdam and Madalyn

This choice may be controversial, but we are going with Kuma’s Corner. I think the reason we like this spot has more to do with nostalgia than the burgers themselves. Kuma’s giant burgers with crazy heavy metal-inspired names and toppings were one of the Chicago spots that reignited the burger craze.

We probably find ourselves here once a year, and our go-to burger is the Led Zeppelin topped with bacon, pulled pork, pickles, and cheddar cheese. They have several locations in the Chicagoland area, but the original is still the best. We know they are more commercial now, but Kuma’s will always have a special place in our hearts.

Location: 2900 W Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL 60618

Maillard Tavern

This small corner spot knows how to make a delicious burger. They have a wide variety of options here, from their classic Maillard burger is a go-to choice for us here. But, if you feel like trying their fancier fare, the award-winning City Slicker, which will set you back 24 dollars but is topped with Black Truffle Pesto, Foie Gras Mayo, Seared Foie Gras, and Crispy Prosciutto Di Parma.

All of their burgers are served with duck fat fries, duck fat fries have been a novelty for years, but they are still incredibly delicious. Maillard also does a mean brunch and boasts an extensive specialty cocktail menu.

Location: 494 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60654

Let us know your favorite burger in the comments below!