Which Burger Makes Me Sane?

Whenever I crave an all-American meal that is guaranteed to fill my stomach, I always choose a burger.  Hockey-puck sized patties cooked medium rare topped with as many toppings possible are my weakness... and the more unique the better.  Unfortunately, burgers may be the hardest dish to compare.  It is hard to find a place with the highest quality meat, the widest range of toppings, and, of course, the perfect bun.

Rather than focusing on the PERFECT burger, I decided to focus on different aspects that help contribute to that perfect burger.  If I could, I would drive to several restaurants and collect each component and combine them to form the ultimate burger... but that is just unrealistic.  I have also decided to list some of the WORST burger creations I have ever tasted... ones that I would never try again.

Well, here it goes--my sanity spectrum of burgers...

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The new BEST BURGER in CHICAGO!

1.

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Best:

2. 2. 

3. 4. 

5. 6. 

7.  8. 

Worst:

1.2.

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THE NEW #1 BURGER IN CHICAGO!
1. Au Cheval (The definition of a Burger - perfect meat, perfect toppings, perfect bun)

Best Burger Creations:

2. Kuma's Corner (Almost the best- toppings, size, preparation, and pretzel bun)

2. Top Notch Beefburger (Best priced burger; great toppings; just short of Kuma's)

3. Nightwood (Best gourmet burger with my favorite ciabatta bun)

4. Lockdown Bar & Grill (Most unique burger - Fat Elvis (it has peanut butter!))

5. Grange Hall Burger Bar (Highest quality meat; Subpar bun is an understatement)

6. Burger Bar (Best vegetarian burger... according to many of my friends)

7. M Burger (Low price, Secret Menu, 3rd degree heat) 

8. Jubrano's (Gyros on a burger... enough said)

Worst Burger Creations:

1. BIG & little's  (Most disgusting burger I have ever eaten - Deep Fried.)

2. The Burger Point (Burger Egg Rolls... more like Oil Rolls)

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Piccolo Sogno

Location: 464 N. Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60642

A Quick Word:
For the past couple of years, Piccolo Sogno has steadily built its reputation as one of the most popular Italian restaurants in the city.  Reservations are hard to come by, but if you get lucky, this restaurant, located at the corner of Halsted and Grand (not in Little Italy), focuses on both the details of the dining experience and the quality of the food itself.  During the late spring and summer months, an outdoor patio is available for customers to both dine and grab a few rays of sunlight.  The area is magnificent... full of flowering trees and a huge wooden fence that makes you forget you are still in the city.  It has to be one of the BEST date spots in the city.  After admiring the scenery, waiters and waitresses bring out artistically plated dishes that are almost too beautiful to eat.  And after tasting a few bites, you realize the food is too tasty to just look at.  Despite only trying a limited variety of their dishes, the overall experience was memorable enough to warrant a 5 mile rating.  I will be back and I will update soon!

What We Ate:

Burrata con Culatello

For an appetizer, we decided on the burrata and prosciutto.  Burrata cheese is a type of mozzarella that is solid mozzarella ball on the outside and a mozzarella and cream center.  It is a lot richer in my opinion and definitely a lot creamier than typical mozzarella.  This appetizer also came with an artisan style prosciutto sliced paper thin.  The saltiness from the prosciutto was addicting.  I personally wrapped a little of the cheese inside the prosciutto and enjoyed.

Margherita Pizza

As most people know, the Margherita Pizza is based on simplicity... crust, tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, and a few leafs of basil... that is it.  The pizza at Piccolo Sogno is the most authentic Italian style pizza I have tasted in Chicago.  It reminded me of the pizzas in Naples, Italy.  The crust was thin, crispy, and cooked unevenly (which is a good quality).  Some areas are a little more burnt than others giving contrasting flavors.  The tomato sauce was light and acidic, while the mozzarella added just enough cheesiness without being overwhelming.  I did wish the added more basil.  Three small leafs is definitely not enough.

Gnocchi di Spinaci

At Italian restaurants, I have become a sucker for gnocchi.  The consistency of gnocchi is the most important part and Piccolo Sogno was on point.  The spinach and potato gnocchi didn't have much flavor, but the consistency was firm, yet mushy.  All of the flavors were developed from the combination of mushrooms, oven dried tomatoes, garlic, and plenty of Italian herbs.  The tomatoes were cooked down until as soft as can be and the mushrooms just lightly sautéed to give more of a firm texture with an earthy flavor.  A few slivers of parmesan cheese topped off the dish!  Incredible.

Focaccia Bread and Balsamic Vinegar

This complementary bread basket is incredible.  With several slices of focaccia, a few slices of a baguette, and numerous dry bread sticks, you will definitely be tempted to fill up on the bread.  The focaccia is soft with several herbs flavoring the bread.  You can use either their house balsamic vinegar which is UNBELIEVABLE or an olive oil (which I chose not to try).  The balsamic has the perfect balance of sweetness and acidity.  It is thicker than most balsamics that people are used to because of its age and quality.  You can purchase the balsamic for $20/bottle... its definitely worth it.

The DOs/DON'Ts:
DO:
- Valet parking is available.
- Definitely sit outside!  They have one of the NICEST patios in Chicago.

DON'T:
- The restaurant is expensive... especially when you think Italian food.  Just don't expect to walk out for less than $30 per person for lunch and twice that for dinner.

How far would I walk for this food?

Cookie Dough Creations

Location:  22 Chicago Ave., Naperville, IL 60540


A Quick Word:
Cookies are probably one of the best desserts eaten raw.  I can't count how many times I wanted to eat all the cookie dough prior to baking, but worried about getting sick.  Well, Cookie Dough Creations, in Naperville, solved that problem.  Set up like an ice cream shop (and yes, they also serve ice cream), this store has created eggless cookie dough... meaning Woohoo, you cannot get sick... unless you eat too much of it.  The prices are a little steep, but there is no way to eat all of a small in one sitting anyway.  The location is difficult for Chicagoans, but if you are out in the Naperville are, definitely check it out.

What We Ate:

Eggless Cookie Dough

(M&M, Cake Batter, Oreo, Turtle, Brownie Batter)

After tasting all of the cookie dough flavors, I settled on these flavors.  When you order the larger pint size containers, you are allowed to mix cookie doughs, so underneath the top flavor is one of their other creations.  The cookie dough is exactly what you think cookie dough should taste like.  But, since it is lacking eggs, it is much safer to eat.  It is a little thicker than expected and a little on the rich side, so having a spoonful or two will definitely satisfy any sweet tooth's craving.  The flavors are self-explanatory.  Personally, I loved the M&M because it is loaded with candy... but everyone else all agreed that Oreo was their favorite.

The DOs/DON'Ts:
DO:
- Do mix flavors... in the pint size, they allow you to mix cookie dough.  This way you get to try more!
- Ask the sample flavors.  They will let you try all before you choose.

DON'T:
- I wouldn't order the smaller sizes.  If you can spare a couple of dollars extra, you can get literally triple or quadruple the size.

How far would I walk for this food?

Nightwood

Location: 2119 S. Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60608

A Quick Word:
When restaurants in the city want to try the whole farm-to-table concept... they should all learn from and dine at Nightwood.  This neighborhood restaurant, located on the edge of Pilsen, defines what "farm-to-table" should be.  By sourcing their ingredients from both local and neighboring state's farmers, Nightwood supports small business and delivers fresh meals to its customers (aka foodies like me.)  Their menu is printed daily with slight modifications depending on what their chef's can get their hands on... a concept, which most likely helped them win their most recent award--Food and Wine's Best New Chefs.  The atmosphere of the restaurant is what I like to call farmhouse elegance.  A simple structure with both indoor and outdoor seating is located in a neighborhood not really known for gourmet eats.  Waiters and waitresses are dressed in everyday clothes, but are as attentive as if they were in suits and ties. The meals are plated beautifully and the flavors are indescribably amazing.  All in all, I now consider Nightwood as my new favorite restaurant in the city... and for that reason, a 5 mile rating was given!  A must try!

(Left: Menu is printed every day with dishes reflecting what ingredients were available.  

Right: Homemade focaccia with pickled onions and artichoke)

What We Ate:

Crispy Pig Ears

After quickly glancing at the menu, I knew crispy pig ears was one of the appetizers I wanted to try.  These thinly sliced pig ears, (first of all, they do not resemble pig ears at all), are deep fried until a dark golden color.  They are extremely crispy and lightly seasoned with a little butter, maple, habanero, and cilantro.  Personally, I thought the flavors were perfectly balanced with a nice oily char adding additional flavor.  The habanero was more on the non-existent side, but there was a mild sweetness that I could taste.  Definitely an appetizer to try!

Potato & Wilted Spinach

This appetizer is difficult to describe.  So if it helps, just stare at the picture.  Anyway, a potato cylinder is separated from a wilted spinach salad by chopped burrata cheese.  The potato is topped with boquerones which are salted fish (similar to sardines or anchovies).  A garlic puree and truffle oil tops the entire appetizer, almost like a salad dressing.  I personally loved the creamy cheese and the salty fish.  It was a great combination.

Pigeon

The last of our appetizers was the pigeon.  This isn't your ordinary street walking bird, but rather a dish that combined farm-raised pigeons, dungeness crab, walleye liver, morel mushrooms, and membrillo (which is a pear like fruit).  The presentation was gorgeous... a simple line of alternating ingredients.  A sunny-side up quail egg was the main focus for garnish.  The pigeon was cooked to a medium rare and paired nicely with the seafood spread.  The walleye liver was very fishy, maybe too fish for some.  The mushrooms added a woody flavor while the fruit was I thought overshadowed by the fish liver.  I really enjoyed the appetizer, but it may be a little on the exotic, strange side for some.

Wood-grilled Slagel Farm Chicken

My brother's fiancé chose the chicken dish for her meal.  The chicken was wood-grilled and served with a potato-honey-yeast gnocchi with a lemon-mint yogurt sauce.  Usually whenever I see grilled chicken, I hesitate to try it because of the high potential for being dry.  The chicken at Nightwood was far from that... in fact, it had a wonderful sauce and was very moist.  The gnocchi had more of an earthy flavor maybe from the yeast?  Anyway, the dish was good sized, but very safe.  Nothing too exotic on this plate.

Spaghetti alla Chitarra

This night, I decided to go beyond my normal scope of dishes and try the pasta dish.  I had heard great reviews about their in-house made spaghetti, so I figured I couldn't go wrong.  And, I didn't.  The spaghetti was a spin on an Italian classic, but rather than typical tomato sauce and pork/beef meatballs, it was made with veal meat balls and a tuna sauce.  It was also topped with fresh pine nuts and a twist on pesto that utilized plenty of garlic, parsley, capers, and lemon.  The pasta was excellent.  It tasted like a whole wheat pasta and was cooked al dente.  The tuna sauce reminded me of a gourmet tuna helper and the caper, parsley, garlic puree was just enough acidity to mellow out the richness from that tuna sauce.  The portion was a little on the smaller side, but still enough to be considered an entree.  I am glad I tried something different.

The Nightwood Cheeseburger

My older brother ordered the cheeseburger.  But this wasn't any ordinary cheeseburger.  Served on a cross between focaccia and ciabatta bread, two burger patties were topped with an 8 year aged cheddar, onion rings, pickles, and a special sauce.  It came with twice-fried french fries.  The burger was incredible... i absolutely loved the secret sauce (which tends to usually be a mayo-ketchup-spice blend).  The bread was one of the best buns I have ever had for a burger.  It held up real nice.  The fries were extremely crispy with the center potato still being soft.  Great burger for a great price!  We even ordered one to go.

Wisconsin Trout

My mom chose to get the fish.  In her case, it was a Wisconsin trout that had been de-boned and pan-fried.  It was served with oyster mushrooms, west coast peas, a small arugula salad, and a garlic aioli.  Personally, I thought this dish was the best of the night.  The fish was extremely fresh and the preparation involved leaving a perfectly crisped fish skin.  The peas were interesting... more firm and crunchy then the typical mushy peas everyone is used to.  The arugula and garlic aioli added both a peppery and fatty component to the dish.  It was a perfect balance.  If you love fish, you will love this dish.

Wood-grilled Hanger Steak

My dad decided on the one steak dish Nightwood offers.  Cooked medium (which is a little on the done side for me), the steak came out with a small arugula salad and something called Shae's Weird Sauce.  This sauce is supposedly made out of pureed oysters and mushrooms I believe.  Overall, the steak was just OK... it wasn't as tender as I was hoping and the grill flavor was very prominent.  The dish wasn't bad, but nothing incredible.

Rhubarb and Ginger Cheesecake

As you can tell from the picture, we decided to dine at Nightwood for my dad's birthday.  Prior to arriving at the restaurant, I called in to let them know it was my dad's birthday and they were happy to accommodate.  After selecting our desserts, they added a special message to the plate of the rhubarb and ginger cheesecake.  This cheesecake was made with whipped mascarpone cheese and topped with both candied rhubarb and ginger.  It came with a scoop of homemade rhubarb sorbet.  The sorbet was smooth and refreshing, especially with the recent hotter spring days.  The cheesecake was surprisingly light with the crust not being as great as I wanted.  In fact, the crust was subpar... not much flavor and sort of hard.  Maybe switching it to a graham cracker crust would make it better?  Just a suggestion.

Pretzel Bread Pudding

This is definitely one of my all time favorite desserts.  The bread pudding is made from pretzels, giving each bite a contrasting texture.  The outer edges were crispy and the center soaked up all that cream, making it soft and rich.  If that wasn't enough, a layer of chocolate was also baked into the bread pudding and it was all topped with a homemade pretzel ice cream.  I love this dessert because it wasn't overly sweet and if you wanted sweeter, just eat more of the chocolate.  The dish comes out extremely hot so just be careful... and eat the ice cream before it completely melts!

The DOs/DON'Ts:
DO:
- Do come early and be prepared to struggle finding parking... I don't think they have valet service.
- Parking may be easiest closer to Halsted and 15th or on 16th street.  Street parking is free and maybe a two block walk to the restaurant
- Make reservations early... this place fills up quickly, especially on weekends.
- Save room for dessert! They are incredible

DON'T:
- Don't dine too early at this restaurant.  They open I believe at 5:30pm and there is an awkward silence for early diners.

How far would I walk for this food?

Maxwell Street Express Grill

Location: 1260 S. Union Ave., Chicago, IL 60607

A Quick Word:
Two of the largest late night (24 hour) establishments on the south side of Chicago are Maxwell Street Express Grill and Jim's Original Hot Dog.  These two hot dog stands are located less than 100 feet away from each other and have competing for customers for several decades.  People tend to gravitate towards one, while I enjoyed trying both.  For the Express Grill, the food was solid, especially when coming home late.  They offer several sandwiches and hot dogs with all of their orders coming with a bag of fries.  The prices are extremely fair with everything under $5.00.  Unfortunately, there is absolutely no seating, so grab a spot at their ledge or eat in your car.  It was difficult to rate Express Grill very high because I probably wouldn't eat here during the day and would only try it once every few months.  For that reason, a 2 mile rating is all I could do.  (May be biased, because I am more of a Jim's Original fan)

What I Ate:

Bone-in Pork Chop Sandwich

Besides the typical polish sausage, the next popular sandwich ordered is the bone-in pork chop.  The chop has been cooking on the grill for several minutes and kept warm on a bed of caramelizing onions. Whenever ordered, you see the line cook dig through the onions for a pork chop, place it on a steamed hamburger bun, and top it all with the caramelized onions, a healthy dollop of mustard, and hot peppers.  The dominant flavor is onion, which can be quite aversive to some.  The mustard gives a sharp bite to the meal and the grilled onions actually have some sweetness.  Be careful for the bone.  Especially when intoxicated, the bone can be forgotten, leading to a couple painful molars and a possible visit to my roommate's dental chair.  I like to peal some of the meat off the bone and make a sandwich and then just gnaw at the bone in between bites. The sandwich is tasty, but nothing incredible.  I would stick with the polish.

Fish Sandwich w/ Cheese

So the fish sandwich is probably one of the better options at the Express Grill.  Each one is deep fried to order and is 10,000x better than McDonald's fish sandwich.  I always get mine with a slice of American cheese, tartar sauce, grilled onions, and sports peppers.  The sandwich comes out piping hot so be careful.  The grilled onions and hot peppers add so much flavor to the sandwich.  Some people request mustard, but I like mine with the creamy tartar sauce.  It comes with fries so just look below to see the reviews.

French Fries

The fries at Maxwell's are free, but they aren't that impressive.  In fact, they are awful when compared to their main competition, Jim's.  But, when they are free, you can't complain too much.  Some people enjoy them with the processed nacho cheese spread that costs I believe 25 cents extra.  They do not salt the fries, so each meal comes with a few packets of salt.

The DOs/DON'Ts:
DO:
- Show your Student ID for a free can of pop!
- Remember that all sandwiches come with fries.

DON'T:
- I wouldn't eat here during the days.  It is pretty greasy, which is masked by a solid late night liquor coat.

How far would I walk for this food?