These Illinois Restaurants Should Be on Your ‘Burger Bucket List’ (LIST)

After scouring the web and doing my research on where to find the best burgers in Iowa and in Wisconsin, I've decided to complete the "Tri-State trifecta" and do the same for Illinois. Illinois is a tougher state insofar that Chicago alone is one of the meccas for restaurants in the world.

With the help of the hard-working writers for Only in Your State, I was able to explore some of the best burger places in the Land of Lincoln. The best part? One of the restaurants profiled is close-to-home! Not only is it in Galena, but it's also one of my favorite restaurants in all of the Tri-States! More on that in a few...

Little Bad Wolf in Chicago, IL:

Starting off the list is Little Bad Wolf, a restaurant in Chicago with which I'm familiar, but have sadly yet to eat at. Located in the Andersonville neighborhood of the city, which is home to a lot of unique restaurants, Little Bad Wolf has predicated themselves on serving a delicious burger.

One of their signatures is the Wolf Burger, a monstrous sandwich boasting three beef patties, creamy melted American cheese, onion straws, house-made pickles, mayo, and a fried egg. Little Bad Wolf complements their burgers with a huge helping of crispy fries and aioli sauce. The restaurant is also open until midnight every day except Friday (when they're open till 1am)!

Read more about Little Bad Wolf on their Facebook page.

Honest Abe's Tap & Grill in Morris, IL:

I used to live and work not-too-far from Morris, IL. All I have to say is this: don't sleep on the great food right in the heartbeat of Illinois. Honest Abe's Tap & Grill is one of those places you can go for an ol' reliable burger and fries.

Honest Abe's keeps things honest by serving a 100% Angus ground chuck burger. They are most famous for piling that same burger with peanut butter and jelly. It's known as "The Peanut Butter and Jealousy," and it's just one of over 20 creative burgers they serve!

Read more on Honest Abe's Facebook page.

Durty Gurts Burger Joynt in Galena, IL:

Located in the heart of downtown Galena is Durty Gurt's Burger Joynt, one of my favorite places in Galena and the entire Tri-State area for a bite to eat. Elevated by its homey aesthetic, neon signs, and eye-catching décor, it's a restaurant that is likely undefeated in leaving an impression.

Durty Gurts burgers are piled high with toppings, including a fried egg, if you like, and many of their offerings take inspiration from TV shows and 1950s/1960s pop culture (there's the Tombstone Burger and the Hawaii Five-O, just to name a few).

Durty Gurts also offers an assortment of boozy milkshakes, with my personal favorite being their grasshopper. The atmosphere itself is further aided by a mansion's worth of quirky and humorous wall décor. When you go to Durty Gurt's, remember to leave room for dessert or at least one of their delectable milkshakes.

Read more about Durty Gurts Burger Joynt on their Facebook page.

Dryhop Brewers in Chicago, IL:

Dryhop Brewers is a craft brewery and restaurant located on North Broadway in Chicago. Not only have they become locally known and renowned for their refreshing libations, but they've also solidified themselves as a joint that can serve a delectable burger.

The website "Only in Your State" makes specific mention of their Dryhop Burger. It's a sandwich made from brisket and short rib topped with chile-tomato jam, pickled sweet onions, arugula, and melted aged cheddar cheese. Smoked bacon is an optional add-on for this burger as well!

Read more about Dryhop Brewers on their Facebook page.

Farren's Pub & Eatery in Champaign, IL:

Worth a visit

Nestled in the heart of Champaign, IL, amidst the University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign campus, Farren's Pub & Eatery has become a staple for college kids in the area. When a burger place gets the title of one of "The 15 Best College Burger Joints," you know it's worth paying attention to!

One sandwich that gets a lot of attention at Farren's Pub is their Fire Burger. It is topped with sautéed jalapeños, red peppers and onions, and jalapeño/habanero cheese. You can almost guarantee that the Fire Burger has been used as the basis for a challenge amongst frats or friends on campus.

Read more about Farren's Pub & Eatery on their Facebook page.

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