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.“

“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!“

“Food very good and customer service is great“

“Service and food is great. I found the place by accident“

“A no frills experience but a very good burger, especially for the price. The food was very good, I had the RHR double cheeseburger, it was moist, greasy, and really tasty. The chips were good and it was a big portion. You can choose what you want in the burger and service was quick. The train is VERY loud going overhead but it gives the place a Chicago charm. Would recommend and will visit again. It's cash only, ATM charges $2 for a withdrawal.“

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

“Awesome place for a great Burger 🍔“

“This was my first time here after many years of passing by.. Hole-in-the-wall spots usually have the best food anyways, and this place is no exception... The restaurant interior is more impressive than I've thought it would be, looking like it's been recently renovated...
Definitely a great spot for dine-in and carry out...
Will definitely return here 👍🏾“

“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!“

“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!“

“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“

“The Best! The best fries, the best steak sandwich, the best hamburgers, the best everything!“

“Great first experience. Love the smash style burger and toppings. A+.“

“We came here for lunch a few days ago unplanned after doing some work Resolution. I’m glad we did!!

We had a few dogs and I tried their gravy bucket which was amazing. Yes it was 90 degrees the other day but whatever, it was fire. Chili and Tamale in a cup. Super. The dogs were tasty and the fries were crispy.

The staff were friendly and the seating has a few booths. My big hang up was parking. It was limited on a Wednesday afternoon at 1p.

I can’t wait to come back.“

“When it comes to hidden gems in The Windy City, Budacki's Drive In can be counted among them. It's practically tucked away in the Ravenswood neighborhood near a school, but quite an awesome find for quintessential Chi-Town staples such as the Italian beef and the red hot.

I have a cousin who grew up within walking distance of Budacki's so it's a huge part of his life story, even after he moved to the suburbs. That said, he tends to take me or my older brother here whenever either one of us come to visit from Texas. It's safe to say that we share his immense love for the nearly 50-year-old hole in the wall.

Up until Thursday, I had two visits. For my most recent one, I ordered the Letter A , or the red hot combo. Aside from a pair of what I believe are the best hot dogs in the world, the meal comes with fresh cut fries and a drink. I confess that I didn't get a good look on the price, but I can assure you that you get your money's worth.

Each of the red hots was made fresh and specific to my request. I wanted them dragged through the garden, and the kitchen staff delivered. What I sunk my teeth into are a Vienna beef decorated with a tomato, sport peppers, a pickle spear, onions and hints of salt and mustard. All of which are held together in a soft bun.

The dogs were paired with a delicious, abundant amount of fries. They were so good that I finished them even before the tube steaks themselves. In Chicago, it's nearly a law to keep your red hots free of ketchup and on your fries, but I ate my long taters without ketchup. That's how tasty they were. Before I forget, I should mention that there's an outdoor dining area for customers to enjoy their food at.

The neighborhood Budacki's is in has gone through several changes, but the restaurant has withstood the test of time. Sadly, however, the heir to the business, Jae Lee, recently passed away. And this review is dedicated to his memory.“

“My FAVORITE grilled chicken sandwich! Everything is amazing! Highly recommend!“

“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 !!!“

“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!!!“

“Honestly one of the best airport fast food experiences I’ve ever had. Prices were okay, menu is large, everything is made to order, staff were friendly and seemed to be having a good time. Short line, food was ready about 10 min after I ordered at the kiosk. Kiosk allows for customization. As I was leaving one of the workers asked if I wanted a free order of onion rings since they made some that didn’t get picked up. So rings, dog, and drink for about $15? Hard to get that kind of deal at the airport!“

“Best gyros ever“

“Just had the best burger - I love the special sauce, and the buns were super soft and fresh. The mango jalapeno wings were great mix of spicy and sweet. The staff is super friendly and welcoming. The prices are very reasonable. Can't wait to go back and try the chicken sandwich.“

“This restaurant is really outstanding and really great for the image of Evanston's southern end. The food is fantastic and I very much enjoy everything from the Bacon Temptation Omelette to the Spicy Poblano Omelette to the Crispy Chicken Sandwich to the Cowboy Burger. All of the food is fabulous and very well prepared, the variety is wonderful, and the coffee is always fresh. And above all, Ivan and the waitstaff provide customer service that's 'above and beyond' in every way. They're very kind, compassionate, efficient, and accomodating to everybody who comes into the establishment. Keep up the great work!“

“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.“

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

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

“Decided to stop in after seeing how long their line was at Taste of Chicago. Just a rock solid Burger place. Had the Merktz cheese burger, and I quite enjoyed it. I don't have too much much more to say about this place. Its worth the stop“

“🔥 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!“

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

“Dance vibes and good food.. recommend the fish tacos“

“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!“

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

“Tried this wonderful place for the first time today. The Italian beef is made in small batches in house and has that unique “made by grandma” flavor and savory character. The bread is @Turano so you can’t go wrong. The nice people at the counter are extra caring and friendly. Fries are crinkle and crispy.“

“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!!“

“This burger is SOOOOO good!!! The outsides are crunchy and the inside is delicious, meaty, and savory. Seriously one of the best burgers in Chicago. The atmosphere is super fun too. They have TV’s and heaters outside on the patio. Great spot for watching the game or hanging out with buddies.“

“Great food, friendly staff, great service.“

“Great neighborhood locations. Definitely a favorite for sports teams and celebrations like first day of school. Good selection of premade frozen treats and cakes as well. Even if there is a line out the door (and there usually is) service is fast and friendly. Great ice cream And generous portions“

“Erin was our server and was awesome. The chicken sandwich I had was amazing. The Mexican corn side was also amazing. My father had a burger which was huge and he said delicious. I will definitely come back again.“

“The food and service was so great at this place. The cooks were really nice and attentive. We had the wings, gyro and burger with milkshakes. Everything was freshly made and delicious. The homemade fries were the best. The vibe in this place was great and my family really enjoyed everything. We will be back!!!“

“We dined at Hillgrove Tap for a Moms day out event today. They were fantastic handling our group. Service was excellent. Food was fantastic. And they were so organized. Marc was one of the people who helped make our lunch so enjoyable, thank you Marc and team! We do not live in this town but will be bringing my family back soon! Thanks for the great experience!“

“Hey my Chicago peeps you all have to go by SMASHBUGER at 4709 west foster and say HI to two of the greatest managers in town Mrs Genesis. And Mrs Dee Dee. For the freshest and I mean the freshest Smashburger this side of town tell them the BIG O SENT YOU ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️😎 Guy’s“

“Local spot in the garfield ridge area. Super cool vibes and atmosphere. Soon as you walk in you feel its euphoric. The lights are purple, a palm tree, good music, definitely originality. Including the food which is delicious. Great prices and proportions. Enough to make you full. Wings, burgers, elote. A mixture of authenticity and options. A must try. Great spot for watching games, eating, and music. Staff is friendly, fun ,and attentive. The chef is always there and very accommodating. Awesome experience.“

“Awesome management and staff!!“

“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“

“the wings were so good absolutely delicious food and nice staff , good for hangouts and good beer“

“Buen ambiente y buen servicio.“

“I just recently started going there since last year. No negative reviews here. Every single experience has been great alongside with the food. When it’s your birthday, the staff sings to you. You pay what you get and it’s worth every penny. Keep up the great work Alexander’s!! As busy as it gets: even when people are standing room only: it goes by quickly and the staff greets you with their kindness and smiles.“

“We absolutely loved this place! The highlight of our meal was undoubtedly the smashburgers; they were incredibly tasty and cooked to perfection, bursting with flavor in every bite. I ordered the passion fruit margarita at ut was perfect. We can’t wait to return!“

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

“As soon as you walk in the door you realize that it’s not a bar - it’s a comfortable shoe, a true neighborhood joint that is congenial and friendly. Love the signs such as Hamns Beer $ 3 every day and Chicago sports photos on the walls; excellent tavern style pizza ! Love the history behind the building It’s a classic that reminds of the bars in my hood on the Southside of Chicago“