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5 Best Burger Restaurants in Chicago (2026)

Independently ranked by our review of ratings, reviews and reputation · How we chose

Thorne Savarin
By Thorne Savarin, Culinary Explorer · ✓ Data verified July 2026 · 8 min read

Au Cheval has logged nearly 13,000 Google reviews for a burger, and the wait to get one still regularly runs past an hour with no reservations taken. Gordon Ramsay Burger isn't far behind at over 10,000 reviews and the same 4.7 rating, so among the best burger restaurants in Chicago the scene splits less on quality than on how long you're willing to stand in line for it, and whether a chill neighborhood spot or a Chicago institution suits the craving.

Short answer: Au Cheval tops Chicago burgers at 4.7 stars across 12,795 reviews, famous for its double-patty cheeseburger with a legendary wait. Gordon Ramsay Burger matches the 4.7 rating with over 10,000 reviews, while S2 Express Grill Downtown posts the highest rating on the list at 4.9. A single burger typically runs $10 to $20, more with add-ons like egg and bacon.
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Chicago's Top Burgers, Compared

# Business Rating Reviews Best for
1 Au Cheval 4.7 ★ 12,795 The Chicago cheeseburger to beat View ›
2 Gordon Ramsay Burger - Chicago 4.7 ★ 10,628 Signature gourmet burgers View ›
3 Billy Goat Tavern (The Original) 4.5 ★ 6,031 Classic Chicago institution View ›
4 S2 Express Grill Downtown 4.9 ★ 2,420 Highest rated / Latin-inspired menu View ›
5 Firefly Burger 4.7 ★ 2,089 Halal / Lincoln Park View ›
5 Best Burger Restaurants in Chicago (2026)

Our top picks, reviewed

Au Cheval logo
#1 Overall🕑 Open 7 days

Au Cheval

4.712,795 Google reviews

Au Cheval is a diner-style bar and restaurant in the West Loop built around egg-focused dishes and traditional diner fare, most famous for its signature double-patty cheeseburger. It welcomes walk-ins on a first-come, first-served basis with limited reservations, and serves food from morning into late night. The menu also runs beyond the burger into chopped chicken liver, roasted bone marrow, and classic sandwiches.

What people praise

  • The cheeseburger, often ordered with egg and bacon, called the best in Chicago by repeat visitors
  • Fries with aioli consistently praised as the right side
  • Cocktail program, including the Horse's Neck, gets called out on its own merits
  • Staff manage a genuinely busy room without losing warmth

Worth knowing

  • Wait times regularly run one to three hours without a reservation
  • Groups need to be fully assembled before staff will seat them
Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago
Rating4.7 / 5
Review volume12,795 · 98th
Confidencevery high
Recency3 weeks ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown82% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The most-reviewed burger in Chicago by a wide margin and still holding a 4.7, which says the hype is earned. Go in with a plan for the wait, or aim for the bar if your group is small.

Website+1312-929-4580 Directions

800 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60607

Gordon Ramsay Burger - Chicago logo
#2🕑 Open 7 days

Gordon Ramsay Burger - Chicago

4.710,628 Google reviews

Gordon Ramsay Burger is a Chicago restaurant serving Gordon Ramsay's signature gourmet burgers alongside nachos, dips, cocktails, and beer. It welcomes walk-ins on a first-come, first-served basis even though reservations are accepted, and it runs dine-in, online ordering, and to-go service out of its Michigan Avenue-area location.

What people praise

  • Burgers consistently called flavorful, juicy, and cooked with care
  • Sweet potato fries with honey aioli singled out as some of the best around
  • Servers repeatedly praised as attentive and friendly
  • Menu variety beyond the burger, including standout fried chicken and wings

Worth knowing

  • A few reviewers note the drink menu could use more variety
  • Portions and pricing skew toward a proper sit-down meal, not a quick bite
Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago
Rating4.7 / 5
Review volume10,628 · 93th
Confidencevery high
Recency8 weeks ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown82% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The second most-reviewed burger spot in the city and matching Au Cheval's 4.7 rating. A strong pick when you want the celebrity-chef version of a smash burger night out.

Website Book now+1312-971-8931 Directions

2 E Ontario St, Chicago, IL 60611

Billy Goat Tavern (The Original) logo
#3🕑 Open 7 days

Billy Goat Tavern (The Original)

4.56,031 Google reviews

Billy Goat Tavern (The Original) is a subterranean tavern below Michigan Avenue that has served its famous cheezborger since 1934, made from a griddled beef patty and melted American cheese on a soft bun. The counter-service format is simple and fast, with a menu deliberately kept limited, and the tavern's history includes the famous Cubs curse and a classic Saturday Night Live sketch.

What people praise

  • The cheezborger called a simple, well-executed classic burger
  • Fast, efficient counter service even during a lunch rush
  • Prices stay reasonable for what you get
  • Genuine slice of Chicago history alongside the food

Worth knowing

  • No fries or Pepsi by house tradition, chips and Coke only
  • The counter-service format and gruff staff style isn't for everyone
Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago
Rating4.5 / 5
Review volume6,031 · 88th
Confidencevery high
Recency4 weeks ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown71% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: Not trying to be the best burger in Chicago, just the most iconic one. Worth doing once for the history alone, and the burger itself holds up fine.

Website Book now+1312-222-1525 Directions

Lower 430 North, N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611

S2 Express Grill Downtown logo
#4🕑 Open 7 days

S2 Express Grill Downtown

4.92,420 Google reviews

S2 Express Grill Downtown is a Chicagoland restaurant chain location serving a comfort-food menu with globally inspired dishes, including tacos, catfish dinners, and burgers, alongside a full bar and nightlife-style events. It participates in Illinois' SNAP EBT Restaurant Meals Program and runs late into the night on weekends, with a DJ and themed events adding to the draw.

What people praise

  • Highest rating on this list at 4.9
  • Catfish and other non-burger dishes praised as standouts alongside the burgers
  • Happy hour called out as excellent value
  • Lively atmosphere with live DJ sets on themed nights

Worth knowing

  • Menu leans broader than a dedicated burger spot, so expect a wider comfort-food lineup
  • Weekend nights run loud and lively, less suited to a quiet meal
Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago
Rating4.9 / 5
Review volume2,420 · 78th
Confidencevery high
Recency7 weeks ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown94% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The highest-rated name on this list, though it's a broader comfort-food menu with burgers as one part of the picture rather than a single-minded burger shop. A strong pick if you want food plus a night out.

Website Book now+1312-265-0595 Directions

420 S Clark St, Chicago, IL 60605

Firefly Burger logo
#5🕑 Open 7 days

Firefly Burger

4.72,089 Google reviews

Firefly Burger is a Lincoln Park restaurant serving Angus beef burgers, signature sauces, chicken sandwiches, and shawarma, with all meat prepared Zabiha halal. It runs online ordering and catering alongside dine-in service, and its menu extends into wraps, seafood bites, and salads for groups with mixed preferences.

What people praise

  • Signature burgers with a smoked cheese presentation called genuinely impressive
  • Halal certification consistently appreciated by reviewers
  • Fries and onion rings praised as well executed
  • Warm, hospitable staff called out by name repeatedly

Worth knowing

  • Smaller review base than the biggest names on this list
  • Limited hours on Fridays compared to the rest of the week
Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago
Rating4.7 / 5
Review volume2,089 · 68th
Confidencevery high
Recency4 weeks ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown86% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: A well-reviewed neighborhood option and the only fully halal burger spot on this list, which makes it a clear pick for anyone with that requirement in Lincoln Park.

Website Book now+1773-729-7182 Directions

2412 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60614

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How we score

Every number on this page is computed from public Google data on the date shown, not from opinion or payment. Rating is the business’s live Google star average. Review volume is how many customers have rated them, ranked against other Chicago burger restaurants. Confidence weighs the rating by that volume, so a 4.7 from thousands of diners carries more weight than a 4.9 from a few hundred. Recency reflects how recently customers are still leaving reviews. No business can pay to change these numbers.

How much does a burger cost in Chicago? (2026)

Prices vary with whether you’re at a counter-service tavern or a sit-down gourmet burger spot, plus add-ons like egg, bacon, or a specialty patty. Based on per-person prices reported directly in reviews for the businesses on this page:

JobTypical price
Classic burger, counter service$10 to $20
Gourmet or signature burger, sit-down$20 to $40
Full meal with sides and drinks$30 to $60

Ranges compiled July 2026 from per-person price data reported directly in Google reviews for the businesses on this page. Actual cost depends on add-ons, sides, and whether you’re ordering drinks alongside the meal.

Serving all of Chicago

The burger spots above stretch from the West Loop and Michigan Avenue to the Loop and Lincoln Park, covering some of Chicago’s busiest dining corridors. Searching for a burger near me? Every listing below shows a live phone number and directions so you can find the closest option fast.

What to ask before you go for burgers

  • Do you take reservations, or is it walk-in only?
  • What’s the current wait time, especially on weekends?
  • Are the patties beef, or is there a plant-based or halal option?
  • Does the group need to be fully present before you’ll seat us?
  • What’s the house specialty burger, and can toppings be customized?

Frequently asked questions

How did you choose these burger restaurants?

We started from every burger restaurant in Chicago with a public Google presence, then ranked by rating, review volume, consistency, and recency. See How we score above.

Are these rankings paid?

No. Rankings come from the public Google data in the scorecard. A business can pay to be a Featured Partner, which adds a badge and top placement, but that never changes another business’s score or position on the underlying data.

How often is this updated?

The data carries a verified date (July 2026 on this page). We refresh listings periodically so ratings and review counts stay current.

Why is the wait so long at Au Cheval?

Au Cheval doesn’t take reservations for most parties and relies on walk-in seating, so demand for its famous cheeseburger regularly pushes waits past an hour, especially at dinner.

Is there a halal burger option in Chicago?

Yes. Firefly Burger in Lincoln Park serves Zabiha halal Angus beef burgers alongside chicken sandwiches and shawarma.

The bottom line

Au Cheval is the safe default if you want the burger everyone talks about and don’t mind the wait. If time matters more, Gordon Ramsay Burger delivers nearly the same rating with an easier walk-in experience. Either way, check current wait times before you head over.

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