50 Best Burger Restaurants near River Forest

“Hello,

I’ve been coming to this McDonald’s for many years and the entire staff has always been quick, friendly, and professional. This is a very well-run store.

However, I want to highlight one employee in particular — Oscar. I see him often, and he truly stands out. Not only is he efficient and attentive, but he takes the time to greet customers like friends. He remembers people, makes conversation, and creates a genuinely welcoming atmosphere.

If he is not already in a management role, I believe he would make an excellent store manager. He represents the best of what customer service should be.“

“Food very good and customer service is great“

“Hands down, got to be one of the best burgers locally. The joint is right by Tree House Records and I finally stopped by. Definitely recommend the Charly’s Fries. This is loaded!“

“My daughter is not a burger person , Boba Burger is one of her favorite places to eat!!! #Makayla from Chicago PD“

“excellent food and service! great vegetarian and vegan selection as well“

“Had a large group of 8 and everything was absolutely delicious!!! First time there and we will definitely be back. Get the horchata slushy!“

“Choice of veggie hotdog or black bean burger, with lots of veggie toppings. Nice to have a traditional yet vegan Chicago dog. The fries were undercooked.  Nice to have a traditional yet vegan Chicago dog. Updated from previous review on 2026-01-02“

“Been coming here since I was a kid! I moved up north and haven’t been back in years and as God as my witness it tastes like I never left. Thank you for the nostalgia!“

“no frills, always fast. my first choice for a north side late night burger, no question. earplugs available upon request for outdoor dining because their patio is located directly under the train, which should give you a decent idea of the overall vibe.“

“Everything was amazing! So happy we picked this spot for lunch!“

“If you are looking for a good burger, this is your place! The food and staff are incredible, highly recommend!!!“

“Don's. If you've ever had Waffle House, this is the closest I've found to it in Chi. Great food, great service. It's a bit tight, they only have about 12-15 barstool seats, but it's never been an issue, never had to wait.

Patty melt and hash browns with chili and gravy on top every time ❤️“

“Oh my my.....definitely an excellent Smashie burger....massive double burgers.....oh dear, so fresh and mouthwatering rockin backyard burger....to say I recommend this GEM OF A FIND is an understatement 👌 😀
huge recommendation off EAT LOCAL CHICAGO FOOD REVIEW CHANNEL....Sean Ely and Corey Wagner host this incredible channel reviewing local Chicago fast food spots and restaurants.....“

“Easily one of the better smash/grub cheeseburgers in the city.

Double cheeseburger is definitely worth the $10

Fries (with cheese sauce) aren’t too bad either, reminded me of McDonald’s fries with less oil/crispiness.“

“Ate at Big Sauce and they had some of the best wings I’ve ever eaten. Loved the “original” flavor the most.“

“Great food and even better people! Cajun fries are a family favorite! Ryan came to my rescue after a delivery driver made a mistake. He came to the hospital where I was staying with a sick kiddo and delivered my gluten free order himself. True customer service!! :) Will be back!!“

“Awesome place for a great Burger 🍔“

“The concept for the menu is a unique trip along the Pan-American highway with stops at various Latin countries. Each dish and drink is thoughtful in its ingredients and presentation. The jicama salad was refreshing, but not at all plain. The pastel de choclo was a wonderful surprise of a warm dish. The frozen el arenal was seriously dangerous in how delicious it was, I can’t recommend it enough. The atmosphere was beautiful and the music was perfect. We are so thrilled to have this gem in the neighborhood and can’t wait to see what they do in the future!“

“First , the smoke and aroma comin’ out the roof exhaust pipes . Lol 😛 Known for their hamburgers , dogs , apparently everything else on their menu is good . Being a member of Chicago Italian Beefs fB page , I just HAD to try theirs . Pretty darn good ! 9.0/10 Sweet n hot , dipped , nice crinkly fries 🍟 comin’ for da ride , and a tamale 🫔 to wash it down . Nice job guys at the PP in Des Plaines !!!“

“We stopped in today for lunch. I had the Classic burger with fries, it was larger than I expected and really good, fries have a light coating that was nice and there were plenty of them. My lunch partner had the Quesabirra and it was super good. Flavorful, not too greasy, he liked the house hot sauce they offered on the side.
Their lemonade was good too. We will be back to try other things.“

“Food was delicious, wish they would’ve offered a box for the rest of my fries though instead of tossing them. Would like to come back again to try more of their burgers“

“I have enjoyed my experience at Slim’s. The food was jaw-droppingly delicious. I had one of my favorite Chicago style hotdogs EVER! My uncle completely ADORDED his Chili Dog. The food was five a out of five! The service was as good our food came quickly which showed us that the chefs really cared about their loyal customers. Our server was ok but she was a little monotone. Like, would it kill her to be a little more cheerful? Overall the service was ok. The atmosphere was what I really didn’t like. First of all it smelled like gasoline or something was burning. Plus, the video game was broken. Even though there was a few mishaps here and there it was ok and I would probably go again. Thank you!“

“Love the food and there open late!!“

“I had to try it today before going back to FL delicious 😋.“

“Best burger spot in town, hands down! Everything is made fresh — from the buns to the lettuce to the patties. You can really taste the quality. My personal favorite is the Green Line with avocado — absolutely the best! And even though it’s a burger place, their chicken wings are amazing. The waffle fries? Come on… so good! Keep up the great work 👏🔥“

“5 stars for HECTOR in Western Springs!!! Hands down this was the absolute best dining experience I’ve ever had! While the food was delicious and the overall ambiance and decor of the restaurant was cozy, it was our server that made this dining experience over the top, great! HECTOR, you are a gem, a diamond! You have an absolutely charming personality and made my mother in law’s birthday dinner an experience to remember! From your spot on suggestions, to your lovely rendition of “Happy Birthday”, to the funny banter, our whole family left talking about how wonderful you were! We will be back and we will be sure to come when you are serving! Thank you Hector!!!“

“Food is all homemade ... chilliques are so good with red sauce To die for... The burgers are HUGe.... so delicious.... the fries are like no others and I personally never order fries. So they have to be good.... I did substitute the salad for the fries and was blown away how tasty it was... I mean I'm talking salad right!! Please come visit this beautiful restaurant and tast the real homemade goodness.“

“The Food and the Chicago Cubs memorabilia!“

“Budacki's is a classic neighborhood stop for fast eats. It boasts a broad menu of comfort food, from Polish dogs Chicago-style to gyros and Korean fare. It's not a large or contemporary space, but around rush hour, you'll find it full of regulars from blue and white collar workers to young families and school kids. If you're visiting, there are other spots that do something similar. But if you're new to the neighborhood, be sure to make the trip, and you'll easily find yourself a regular too.“

“loved the jibarito burgers! something different with an amazing flavor! staff super super friendly and spectacular owner! give them a try!“

“🔥 Highly Recommended! Flame On Peri Peri is hands down one of the best spots for flavorful, juicy peri peri chicken! The spice levels are just right, the portions are generous, and the service is fast and friendly. Whether you’re grabbing a quick bite or dining with family, this place never disappoints. Don’t miss the loaded fries and their signature sauces — 10/10!“

“I ordered a breaded steak sandwich. It was excellent. Just tell them easy on the red sauce. Overall the steak was darn good. Next time I'm gonna order the jumbo steak sandwich. The restaurant was spotless and the associates were very friendly. Try the fries. Top shelf“

“Great tasting Zabiha Halal food. We ordered the Gyros sandwich, Chili Cheese Dog, and Spicy crispy Chicken Sandwhich.

Zaid (owner) is polite and service was fast. Highly recommend.

Dietary restrictions: All Zabiha Halal“

“I went here to celebrate a birthday and I absolutely loved it. I got the chicken sandwich and my partner got the 8am burger with fries. They give you a mountain of fries. Both sandwiches were big and left me feeling full. The chicken is fried like a fish and I love the breading. I recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for varieties of burgers and a pretty chill restaurant environment. Parking was easy to find (street parking) and they have some games in the back while you wait for your food which is nice.“

“Great food, friendly staff, great service.“

“I like to say “good food makes a soul happy”. When I'm having a tough day, nothing satisfies like good food. I ordered a double smashburger through Uber Eats, and it arrived warm with crispy fries. Everything was packed neatly, which made me excited to dig in. The burger was fantastic!! soft, perfectly seasoned, and the smash sauce was great! Unlike other places that over-salt their burgers, this one was spot on. I’ve found my new go-to spot. The fries were also a good portion. I’ll definitely order from there again, as long as they keep the seasoning consistent bc too much salt can ruin a meal!“

“Get the burger. Never had a bad one.“

“The Stop a Long did not disappoint. Amazing burgers and fun atmosphere. out server Jack was great. thank you for a great experience“

“These were the best chicken tenders I’ve ever had.

EDIT: I have returned to the unforgettable chicken tenders and tried them with a Nashville flavor rub this time. It’s even better. I feel so lucky to live close by 🤗“

“I recommend the Vegetable and FuFu“

“stopped in from the rain and grabbed a mini beef and fries...7.95...great price. beef sandwich is exactly what you want from a local beef joint. great casual service. Sox game on....(rain delay lol) I just got into town from Florida and after you leave midway it's about a 15 minute drive...awesome location in a great area! 👍 👌 Thanks for the great experience Beefys!“

“Really nice place for real good food. My family and I stopped in after a trip into town for an escape room. We had the foghorn chicken sandwich, burger, mashed pot and gravy, tenders, nuggets, and fries. The burger and mashed we're recommended by staff and were terrific.
Everything was delicious, hot, and fresh. Recommend if you're looking for awesome food at a great price too.“

“This is the kind of spot that is always ready for you 24 hours a day....The grease pit that saves and delivers. Get a Polish with caramelized onions! It's the Chicago way along with those delicious fries that are free and a wildwood pop! Hell, get a porkchop sandwich, too, but be careful with that bone!

Greasy heaven.“

“Astonishing that it's still around. I was 10 when it opened in 1948 and to get a double decker at HH was close to heaven. Across the street was Prince Castle, long gone, where you could get a slider for much less money. HH was a splurge and it's wonderful to see it live today.“

“I got the combination plate, it was a lot of food and everything was 🔥 they also gave me a scoop of hummus to try which was also good“

“My friends and I, had breakfast here today and the service was awesome. I was seated quickly, and had many items, to choose from on their menu. The waiter was super nice and friendly and checked on us a few times to see if we needed anything. The ambiance was great, the food was fresh and a lot of it. I took my leftovers home. Thank you Dem and staff for a GREAT service. Take care“

“Primetime Bar and Grill is an absolute gem. The burger is phenomenal—juicy, flavorful, and cooked to perfection—and the wings are just as impressive, packed with bold flavor and cooked exactly right. What truly sets this place apart, though, is the atmosphere and the people. From the moment you walk in, they treat you like family, making you feel genuinely welcome and appreciated. Great food, great service, and a great vibe all around. Highly recommend Primetime Bar and Grill to anyone looking for an outstanding meal and an even better experience.“

“Great food! fast service for carryout!“

“Great place to hangout to eat and drink. All of the staff is very friendly . GO PIGGERY“