Chicago Gourmet fires up one beefy competition
As the months of outdoor cooking come to a close, we’re taking a minute to revel in summer’s ultimate al fresco dinner: the burger. From the Billy Goat Tavern’s simple “cheezeborger” to chef-driven gourmet iterations topped with a half-dozen ingredients and a range of textures, the meaty dish has enjoyed a long history in our food-loving city.
To kick off the three-day festival, Chicago Gourmet offers the best way to celebrate this American classic — and experience its delicious evolution — by sampling the best our city has to offer at the Hamburger Hop. Taking place at the Harris Theater Rooftop in Millennium Park on Sept. 28, the event will have chefs such as Amanda Downing from Rockit Bar & Grill, Matt Troost from Three Aces and Arturo Aucaquizhpi from Gene & Georgetti using meat from local purveyor Allen Brothers to create their most impressive burgers. To win the coveted title of “city’s best burger,” chefs will have to impress a range of palates: judges include fellow culinary experts such as chef John Besh and the Sun-Times’ own Sue Ontiveros as well as burger lovers like Chicago Bears linebacker Nick Roach and WXRT-FM’s Lin Brehmer. Regardless of the winner, we can’t wait to hit the dining scene and try them all — and then some.
Last year’s winner: Colleen McHugh’s “Bandera Burger”
For details on this tasty tournament and the rest of Chicago Gourmet, visit Illinoisrestaurants.org.
Get it to go:
In honor of the upcoming Hamburger Hop, the staffers at Chicago-based GrubHub have compiled a list of their favorite burgers available by delivery. This weekend, tune into your favorite football game and dig in — these mouthwatering burgers will warm up your taste buds as fall sets in.
Fatty’s Burgers & More, 2665 N. Clark
This Texas transplant knows meat, but what really makes its standard half-pound burgers stand out are the delicious buns. Feeling extra hungry? Go with the full-pound lineman burger or spice up one of Fatty’s standard burgers by topping the patty with grilled jalapenos.
Battered-up Bacon Burger from Fatty’s Burgers and More
Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab, 60 E.Grand
We know, we know — Joe’s has great crab. But have you ever tried a Joe’s cheeseburger? Nothing fancy here, just a perfectly cooked piece of meat on a beautiful bun. Simple food done to perfection.
Rockit Bar & Grill, 22 W. Hubbard
What do you get when you combine the world’s best beef, cheese and bread? A delicious burger that could only have been created by Billy Dec’s Rockit Bar & Grill. The Rockit Burger’s blend of Kobe beef, melted brie and shallots on a brioche bun is enough to send any burger lover into a food coma — and if that wasn’t enough, it comes with a side of truffle fries.
The Rockit Burger from Rockit Bar & Grill
Kirkwood Bar & Grill, 2934 N. Sheffield
While this bar is widely known for its great beer garden, its Hoosier Burger gets raves and is available for delivery. The half-pound masterpiece is spread with Merkt’s cheddar and topped with applewood smoked bacon. GrubHubber’s love the sweet potato fries on the side, but you can choose between house fries, fire fries or tater tots.
