Top That: The Best Burger in Lincoln-Way
This week our taster tried burgers at three area restaurants, happily entertaining reader suggestions to try Chicago Blu and Charleyhorse.
See next week's food at the bottom of this column, comment below and enter to win a $50 gift card to a local restaurant. For more rules and details, see the Chowdown Showdown Giveaway guidelines.
This week, I tackled the most classic of American foods: the burger. For this challenge, I tried specialty cheeseburgers at three Lincoln-Way restaurants.
Charleyhorse, New Lenox
Lots of burgers come out of the kitchen on a Monday night at Charleyhorse (on Mondays, burgers are half off). I ordered the Big Brown, a burger with cheddar, bacon, grilled mushrooms and barbecue sauce. I asked for the sauce on the side (because I don't like a lot of barbecue). The plate spent a bit too long under the heat lamps before it was brought to me; I could tell by the way that the barbecue sauce had separated, and, more obviously, much of the cheddar had oozed off the sides of the burger and got crispy (you can really see this in the photos).
Unfortunately, the bacon was not crispy; it was gray and limp. The exposed part of the bun had a burned rim around the edge. Still, the burger was tasty and the buttered bun was good (once I'd ripped off the burned parts).
The good: Despite the restaurant's best efforts, Charleyhorse still managed to serve up a decent burger. I think the mushrooms helped keep the burger tasty and juicy.
The bad: Too much work went into preparing this burger for eating: the burnt parts of bun had to be removed, the slimy, undercooked bacon pushed aside, and the dried, crusty cheese run-off torn away.
Stoney Point Grill, Mokena
The Muskie burger at Stoney Point Grill had most of the same ingredients: bacon and cheddar, but grilled onions instead of mushrooms. The burger itself was great, but the bun was really hard.
The good: Generous, tasty toppings complemented a juicy burger.
The bad: I like a toasted bun, but this thing was almost burnt.
Chicago Blu, Frankfort
The Southside Blu is served with bleu cheese and grilled onions. I asked to substitute cheddar for bleu cheese because I prefer cheddar, plus using cheddar made this burger similar to the other two. This tasty burger (like all their burgers, unless otherwise specified) came served on a pretzel bun.
The good: Good cheese, lots of grilled onions, and a pretzel bun made this greasy burger delicious.
The bad: This was a delicious, but greasy, burger.
THE WINNER: Chicago Blu. Everything about this burger was spot on. Just ask for extra napkins.
Looking for local eats? Do you disagree with our taster? Head over to your local Patch Places food and dining directory. Find new spots, read reviews and even post a your own reviews on the profile pages.
Next week, we're getting buzzed with specialty martinis! What place would you like to see compete in the Chowdown? Is there a place you've been curious about in Frankfort, Mokena or New Lenox, but want us to be your guinea pig? Comment below and enter to win a $50 gift card to a featured restaurant.
What do you like on your cheeseburger? How do you feel about pretzel rolls?
Tell us in the comments.
In This article
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Charleyhorse
901 E Lincoln Hwy, New Lenox, IL -
Stoney Point Grill
19031 Old Lagrange Rd, Mokena, IL -
Chicago Blu
19917 S la Grange Rd, Frankfort, IL
Keith Ridgway
12:26 pm on Sunday, March 6, 2011
Go to Williamsons Restaurant in New Lenox too try there food.
C.O.Johnson
3:23 pm on Sunday, March 6, 2011
Hands down,Chef Klaus Beirstube in Frankfort has the best burger.
N Yan
6:09 pm on Sunday, March 6, 2011
Will definitely have to try out Chicago Blu. I hate to say it, Chili's still has a nice burger :)
Debbie
9:05 pm on Sunday, March 6, 2011
I love juicy greasy burgers, therefore like all mentioned this week.
I would check out a pretzel bun at Milan Cafe in Frankfort. Chicken salad sandwich is very very good served on this bun. YUM!
Dee Miller
11:06 pm on Sunday, March 6, 2011
I like a juicy greasy burger as well. It is not much fun eating a dry overcooked burger with no taste. Double Yolk in Mokena has a good Bacon BBQ cheeseburger and their Patty Melt is also good and it is a family friendly place without a bar type atmosphere. We can take our teenagers there with us, they love the saganaki, and everyone leaves full.
I have enjoyed reading all the different reviews, however, I have noticed they all seem to be tasted at places that are geared towards adults (pubs, bars, alehouse) and next week, well, specialty martini's is on the menu. Do I need to leave my kids home to get the best burger and nachos or is it ok to bring them to these places? Some of them I know it is ok to bring the teens, but not aware of all of them listed. I would like to suggest that prices be added to the testing, in this economy price does matter, I am all about taste, but do not want to be in sticker shock trying out one of the faves.
Michael Sewall
11:14 pm on Sunday, March 6, 2011
Thanks, Dee! We can definitely include pricing and perhaps a line about the atmosphere. In the meantime, you can also click on the name of each restaurant in the review and that will take you to our business directory listing, where you can read more about each place and get a link to their website.
Dee Miller
11:23 pm on Sunday, March 6, 2011
Thanks, Michael, I never noticed that you could click on the names until you pointed it out. I also just noticed the restaurants on the right hand side that you can click on them now that you have said something. I always saw the names there, but unaware that you could click for more info. That helps out a lot, appreciate it! I will start clicking and reading more! Keep up the good work!
Sue A. Wolf
8:21 am on Monday, March 7, 2011
Nick's Steak and Seafood in Mokena has the best burger around. Try the Nicky Burger which has the bacon and cheddar cheese. You can add onions or mushrooms or whatever you want. It's a full 12 ounces. If you want a smaller one we also have the Junior NickyBurger which is 8 ounces. Nick's has been there for 20 years, so all these other restaurants just copied ours. lol. Both burgers are juicy and not greasy.
Sue A. Wolf
8:35 am on Monday, March 7, 2011
Hi Dee,
Check out www.nickssteakhouse.com or look them up on the Patch and you can see a menu. We are very kid friendly. I work there and we have families with all age groups of kids come in all the time. It's a great place to eat and we're open at 11am every day. We also have daily specials each day too,
Michael Sewall
9:04 am on Monday, March 7, 2011
Sue, I appreciate your comments but I removed the third one. It's one thing to suggest your burgers on a column about burgers, but listing other menu items, prices and deals can be considered advertising.
To you and everyone else, though, thank you for the suggestions! We'll certainly have to do Burgers Round 2 at some point.
-Michael Sewall, editor, New Lenox Patch
Pam Paridee
11:09 am on Monday, March 7, 2011
Have to say one of the best burgers I've had is at Mr. B's Bar & Grill on Rt. 53!!!! If my friends and I want a burger that's where we are going.
maw
12:06 pm on Monday, March 7, 2011
For martinis check out Williamsons in New Lenox and Stoney point in Mokena.
Mokena Mom
12:53 pm on Monday, March 7, 2011
For martinis, how about Bella Martini in Frankfort, 191 South in Mokena, and Charleston's in New Lenox
Michael Sewall
2:35 pm on Sunday, March 13, 2011
Just did the random drawing, and C.O. Johnson is a finalist! C.O. -- I'll e-mail you shortly, but you will be one of four finalists for the gift card drawing later this month.
To the rest of the commenters, thanks again for reading, and make sure to keep commenting! You still have a shot at the $50 gift card for this month. There's already a new Chowdown article up, so head over to that and comment. http://patch.com/A-f1ps