Celebrate National Hamburger Month and National Salad Month All Month at Benny's Chop House

You don't need a special occasion to enjoy a delicious salad and hamburger, but when National Hamburger Month and National Salad Month are celebrated throughout the month of May, it's time to savor these American classics by enjoying the extraordinary selections at Benny's Chop House, (444 N. Wabash, Chicago; 312-626-2444).

If you want a burger that's a true culinarian's delight, you'll love the burgers at Benny's. They all are made from USDA Prime Beef that is freshly ground in-house. Benny's Burger is topped with blue cheese, port wine onions and served with a huge order of truffle fries, for only $9.99. Another scene stealer is Benny's Fried Egg and Truffle Oil Aioli Burger, $10.99, topped with delicious house-made aioli, crowned with an organic egg, and accompanied by decadent black pepper-bacon fries. Finally, if you're a burger purist, you'll love the Classic Burger, topped with your choice of cheddar or blue cheese and served with hand-cut French fries, $9.99.

National Salad Month
The Association for Dressings & Sauces launched National Salad Month in 1992 and the celebration's 21st anniversary is this May. According to SaladaDay.org, "less than 50% of the U.S. population (and 80% of women) is getting enough of the essential nutrients for optimal health." Research shows that eating just one salad a day can have a significant positive impact on your health.
 
Benny's Chop House makes it easy to get your quota of fresh organic greens. Stop by for lunch and enjoy generous salads made from the finest fresh ingredients. The Prime Steak Salad features USDA Prime beef with garden greens, asparagus, and cherry tomatoes, lightly dressed with béarnaise vinaigrette and served with hand-cut fries, $13.99. Another delicious choice is the Sesame Atlantic Salmon Salad with asparagus-fingerling potato salad and English peas and served with Dijon-miso vinaigrette, $14.99. The Asian-Blackened Chicken Salad is served with grilled pineapple, edamame, scallion, carrot, cucumber, and mint in tangy ginger vinaigrette, $11.99. The Lobster Cobb combines succulent fresh lobster with tomato, bacon, avocado, and sweet corn with tarragon vinaigrette. The Warm Spinach Salad is topped with a sunny side-up egg in a sun-dried tomato, bacon vinaigrette, $18.99, and Benny's special Caesar Salad is served with focaccia crouton, white anchovy, fresh Parmesan and a zesty Caesar dressing, $5.99 small/ $12.99 large.

Dinner guests will enjoy Benny's signature Grilled Romaine Salad with lemon-garlic vinaigrette, $8.99, a customer favorite, the Belgian Endive Salad with goat cheese, pecans and mustard vinaigrette, $8.99, or Benny's Seafood Salad with shrimp, calamari, octopus and sepia, $14.99.

It’s Burger Time! Celebrate National Hamburger Day May 28!

You don’t need a special occasion to enjoy a hamburger, but when National Hamburger Day rolls around on Monday, May 28, it’s time to skip those everyday burgers and go for the real gourmet deal.

ELATE

111 W. Huron, Chicago
312) 202-9900; www.elatechicago.com

Elate has become one of Chicago’s casual dining treasures. The restaurant is one of the most attractive gathering places in the city and its LEED certified design, comprised of mainly of sustainable, re-purposed materials, is very inviting, stylish and comfortable. But what keeps guests coming back to Elate is its consistently delicious and creative food from Executive Chef Michael Noll. His specialty is contemporary American fare made from primarily locally sourced, organic and sustainable ingredients.

 His Elate Burger doesn’t disappoint—it’s one of the most delicious and generously sized burgers in Chicago. The Elate Burger ($14) is topped with creamed leeks, Applewood bacon and served with a generous portion of hand-cut fries.

 If your food preferences run along vegetarian lines, you’re in good hands at Elate with the very popular Vegetarian Black Bean Burger ($11). It’s topped with whipped avocado/piquillo peppers and served with seasoned fries and house made pickles.

 FRANCESCA’S FORNO

1576 North Milwaukee, Chicago
(773) 770-0184; www.miafrancesca.com

Right on the six corners of Wicker Park, Francesca’s Forno offers traditional Italian cuisine with a twist.  Surrounded by the artistic and edgy boutiques, bars and cafes, Francesca’s Forno has been deemed a great place to dine by the locals.  From its weekend brunch to daily lunch and dinner menu items, there is always a tasty and affordable option for every patron.

One of the lunch and dinner favorites just happens to be an American classic with an Italian twist. The Forno Burger ($11) is a grilled prime burger served made to order and is topped with gorgonzola cheese, oven dried tomatoes and served on a pretzel roll with a side of smashed potatoes.  Add pepper corn bacon or a fried egg for an additional $2 each. 

MAXWELL’S AT THE CLUB

East Bank Club
500 North Kingsbury, Chicago
(312) 527-5800; www.eastbankclub.com/dining/maxwells-at-the-club

 The folks who live in River North and Fulton River District have happily discovered that the main restaurant at East Bank Club, Maxwell’s at the Club, is open to the public. They’ve also discovered that this superb, comfortable restaurant serves some of the best food in the neighborhood, prepared with culinary finesse and customizable to please one’s particular tastes and desires. As you would expect at such a major health club, many of the dishes are nutritious and heart-healthy as well as delicious.

One of the most popular delights at Maxwell’s is Max’s Minis ($10). This trio of sliders includes a mini prime steakburger, a mini Santé Fe chicken burger and a mini Yellowfin Tuna Steak burger, all topped with crispy onion strings. If you would like to customize your minis, simply ask your server for any combination of the three. If you’re in the mood for steak sliders, you’ll enjoy the very popular Mini Tenderloin Sliders ($14), a trio of seared mini filet mignon sliders finished with lemon and basil.

If you’re in the mood for a full-service burger, try Maxwell’s Prime Steakburger ($11), made from ten ounces of prime beef, topped with lettuce tomato, onion and pickle and served with your choice of sweet potato fries, fresh-cut fries or seasonal fresh fruit.

FLEMING’S PRIME STEAKHOUSE AND WINE BAR

25 E. Ohio, Chicago
(312) 329-9463; www.flemingssteakhouse.com

960 Milwaukee Ave., Lincolnshire, IL
(847) 793-0333; www.flemingssteakhouse.com

One would expect a great steakhouse to serve a great burger, and Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar doesn’t disappoint. The bar at Fleming’s is always hopping in the after-work and evening hours and one of the attractions is the Prime Burger ($14; available only in the bar area) with Wisconsin cheddar cheese, peppered bacon and their signature onion rings. If you want to enjoy Fleming’s quality at a great price, stop by Fleming’s bar area before 7 p.m. when the Prime Burger is part of their “5 For $6 'Til 7" bar menu. You get a choice of 5 premium cocktails, 5 distinctive wines by the glass and 5 generous appetizers or the Prime Burger, each for only $6 (liquor prices and hours offered may vary depending on state liquor laws). Also, keep in mind that Fleming’s has an amazing wine program, which includes 100 wines by the glass. So this may be your perfect opportunity to try out some new wines while you savor a first-rate burger.