Autumn is in the air, Chicago. You know what that means: crisp morning air, pumpkin spice lattes, orange and yellow leaves underfoot—and brief reprieves from compulsory weekend appearances at Hollywood Beach. That's right: You can pack away your swim wear, put on pair of comfy jeans and finally eat a big ol' burger.
Lucky for you, just down the street from our little gay playground by the lake is a new burger joint that's been waiting for you all summer while you've been surviving on salads and coconut water. The Burger Philosophy opened earlier this year in Andersonville.
The "philosophy" here is pretty simple: fresh, high-grade meat for burgers and real potatoes for hand-cut French fries. Why mess with a tried and true formula? The folks at the Burger Philosophy are apparently very focused on grilling those burgers because they forgot to decorate the place. The interior is pretty bare, save for a few odd meat-related quotes plastered on the wall.
That said, the burgers are, as promised, fresh and flavorful. Carnivores can choose from four different beef burgers, a turkey burger and a chicken sandwich. The "Into the Bleu" burger is a slab of beef topped with onions, bacon, bleu cheese and steak sauce. The "Tropical Bud" is glazed with teriyaki and topped with Swiss cheese and grilled pineapples.
I recommend the "Good Morning Chicago," a delightfully sloppy burger with melted American cheese, hickory-smoked bacon, onions and a fried egg. You'll rarely catch me endorsing something made with American cheese, but this burger is actually pretty good—and this isn't the type of place you come to expand your sophisticated palate.
Vegetarians aren't left out of this philosophy. There's a veggie burger on the menu and, on my visit, the staff expressed a willingness to substitute a veggie patty on any of the meat burgers. They are made to order, after all.
The burgers were good enough. They're not the best you'll find in the city, but certainly a reliable option for a fresh and satisfying meal. However, the French fries make up what the burgers lack in "wow" factor. They come hot, fresh, salty and just greasy enough. They're good on their own, but they're a zillion times better smothered in bleu cheese and bacon. Take my advice and order them that way.
Last, but most certainly not least, are the milkshakes. They are so thick and creamy, you almost need a spoon, and flavors include peanut butter and nutella. Need I say more? The peanut butter milkshake is one of the best things I tasted all summer. I live within walking distance of this place, and it's taken some serious willpower to avoid those milkshakes.
If you're looking for a tasty and affordable burger on the North end of Andersonville, walk right past McDonald's golden arches and get the real deal at The Burger Philosophy.
The Burger Philosophy is located at 1541 N. Bryn Mawr Ave.; call 773-944-0373 or visit www.theburgerphilosophy.com/home.
