Small Bar is a hidden gem. Super chill atmosphere, great beer list, and the smash burger—The Patty Pleaser—was legit one of the best I’ve had. Crispy edges, juicy patty, and just the right amount of sauce. Bartenders were friendly and knew their stuff. Perfect spot to unwind without the usual bar chaos. I’ll definitely be back for that burger alone.
Grant Durbahn
Turned my neighborhood spot where I could chill out, chat with bartenders and other locals, and eat good food, into a photo op burger joint for people from other neighborhoods to park and crowd it beyond anything resembling an enjoyable bar experience.
Happy for the owners who are clearly experienced businesspeople that understand marketing but this version of this bar is so so so much worse than its previous iteration.
Burger is good enough to not give this a 1 star but honestly it’s just a bit better version of a Culver’s burger
Rob Lejman
The Pleaser did just that.
jasoninchicago
Best smash burger in Chicago. Great place right at 4pm when it's not crowded. If you go after 6pm you must have lots of patience. I give 4 stars for service not because the service itself isn't very good it's just that when it gets crowded you'll have to wait a while. Overall very good though.
Katherine Mettam
This is an awesome neighborhood spot with a solid burger and a sweet patio. The staff here is always friendly and welcoming. I prefer the single smash burger with cheese, I feel like when I’ve added bacon to it, it makes it a little salty and almost takes away from the burger. The burger is simple and delicious and does not need anything but ketchup in my opinion.
Sunny Bhawnani
The first time I visited Small Bar six months ago, the experience was mixed and probably would have given it 4* rather than 5* for food. The burger was overly salty due to the salt being added during cooking. On this visit, we requested no salt, and it turned out to be one of the better burgers in the city—especially with eggs and bacon as toppings. The mixed drinks are more exciting than the beer selection on draft. With the patio now open, there's more space, making it possible to avoid the 45-minute wait to order and eat.
Leo Peña
I hate how good these burgers are!! Need u guys to open a location closer to Berwyn!!
Matt Knolhoff (Matthew Knolhoff)
Just popped in to get a single cheeseburger, fries and a coke. The Burger and Fries were bonkers good, one of the best smash burgers in the city. The Bartender and staff were very welcoming and helpful! Great spot and a must go to for sure!!🔥 🍔
Daniel Figueroa
I’m 19 and drove here with my brother and they straight up denied us any service just because we are underage when I specifically stated I would like to order to go. Bouncer was a complete prick about it too had a power smurk on his face as he is doing his job veryyyyy well.
Daisy Guzman
Neighborhood bar, bar service only so even though you have a seat at a table you have to go up to the bar to order things (no biggie). The burger is the main attraction, smash burger with American cheese, grilled onions, and their amazing sauce! Burger is more on the charred side so if that’s not your thing - here’s your warning. I got the fries which have a smash patty on top, cheese and their sauce again… unfortunately a little too salty but the cheese curds with jalapeño ranch made up for that.
This place is a dump. Was a nice neighborhood bar til PE bought it now it dumps trash all over the neighborhood and employees leave cigs and broken glass all over
Its a decent dive bar but its a shame the management has no respect for the community. Please support a REAL local business
Todd Rittmann
If you’re the kind of person who likes to double park their Cyber Truck in front of a fire hydrant on a residential street to eat the worlds worst grade D (but edible) trend-burger at a $2M bar acquisition LARPing as a dive bar, then this is the place for you. You and your friends will enjoy being despised by the entire neighborhood and the rude staff as you yell “Chug-Chug-Chug” at each other into the night.
Andrea Torres
the burger was seriously so. good. Something about the sauce was just fire. Fries were ok.
Nick Ventimiglia
Friendly service and good smashburger. Reviewed for my YouTube channel (Mailman Nick)
Leon Corbeille
Top 5 burger in the city. The onion burger was crispy, cheesy, oniony, meaty goodness. Great vibes at the bar as well.
Small Bar is a hidden gem. Super chill atmosphere, great beer list, and the smash burger—The Patty Pleaser—was legit one of the best I’ve had. Crispy edges, juicy patty, and just the right amount of sauce. Bartenders were friendly and knew their stuff. Perfect spot to unwind without the usual bar chaos. I’ll definitely be back for that burger alone.
Turned my neighborhood spot where I could chill out, chat with bartenders and other locals, and eat good food, into a photo op burger joint for people from other neighborhoods to park and crowd it beyond anything resembling an enjoyable bar experience.
Happy for the owners who are clearly experienced businesspeople that understand marketing but this version of this bar is so so so much worse than its previous iteration.
Burger is good enough to not give this a 1 star but honestly it’s just a bit better version of a Culver’s burger
The Pleaser did just that.
Best smash burger in Chicago. Great place right at 4pm when it's not crowded. If you go after 6pm you must have lots of patience. I give 4 stars for service not because the service itself isn't very good it's just that when it gets crowded you'll have to wait a while. Overall very good though.
This is an awesome neighborhood spot with a solid burger and a sweet patio. The staff here is always friendly and welcoming. I prefer the single smash burger with cheese, I feel like when I’ve added bacon to it, it makes it a little salty and almost takes away from the burger. The burger is simple and delicious and does not need anything but ketchup in my opinion.
The first time I visited Small Bar six months ago, the experience was mixed and probably would have given it 4* rather than 5* for food. The burger was overly salty due to the salt being added during cooking.
On this visit, we requested no salt, and it turned out to be one of the better burgers in the city—especially with eggs and bacon as toppings. The mixed drinks are more exciting than the beer selection on draft.
With the patio now open, there's more space, making it possible to avoid the 45-minute wait to order and eat.
I hate how good these burgers are!! Need u guys to open a location closer to Berwyn!!
Just popped in to get a single cheeseburger, fries and a coke. The Burger and Fries were bonkers good, one of the best smash burgers in the city. The Bartender and staff were very welcoming and helpful! Great spot and a must go to for sure!!🔥 🍔
I’m 19 and drove here with my brother and they straight up denied us any service just because we are underage when I specifically stated I would like to order to go. Bouncer was a complete prick about it too had a power smurk on his face as he is doing his job veryyyyy well.
Neighborhood bar, bar service only so even though you have a seat at a table you have to go up to the bar to order things (no biggie). The burger is the main attraction, smash burger with American cheese, grilled onions, and their amazing sauce! Burger is more on the charred side so if that’s not your thing - here’s your warning. I got the fries which have a smash patty on top, cheese and their sauce again… unfortunately a little too salty but the cheese curds with jalapeño ranch made up for that.
Restaurantji Recommends
This place is a dump. Was a nice neighborhood bar til PE bought it now it dumps trash all over the neighborhood and employees leave cigs and broken glass all over
Its a decent dive bar but its a shame the management has no respect for the community. Please support a REAL local business
If you’re the kind of person who likes to double park their Cyber Truck in front of a fire hydrant on a residential street to eat the worlds worst grade D (but edible) trend-burger at a $2M bar acquisition LARPing as a dive bar, then this is the place for you. You and your friends will enjoy being despised by the entire neighborhood and the rude staff as you yell “Chug-Chug-Chug” at each other into the night.
the burger was seriously so. good. Something about the sauce was just fire. Fries were ok.
Friendly service and good smashburger. Reviewed for my YouTube channel (Mailman Nick)
Top 5 burger in the city. The onion burger was crispy, cheesy, oniony, meaty goodness. Great vibes at the bar as well.
Loading...