National Cheeseburger Day is upon us yet again and several Chicagoland restaurants are honoring it by featuring juicy and delicious cheeseburger options for everyone’s taste.
CHICAGO FRENCH MARKETFrietkoten
131 N. Clinton St. Chicago, IL
(312)575-0306;
www.chicagofrenchmarket.com
Chicago French Market’s, Frietkoten, is primarily known for its authentic Belgian fries and hearty selection of Belgian beers, both on tap and bottled. However the recently added menu of gourmet Belgian cheeseburgers, made from beef that is freshly ground daily, is proving that the Belgians know what makes up a great burger. It’s offering of cheeseburgers include a combination of choice toppings like smoked Gouda and blue cheeses, maple bacon, cheddar cheese, sweet grilled onions, apples, and fried egg. All cheeseburgers come with Frietkoten’s signature crispy Belgian fries and a dipping sauce for $8.75, plus tax. Add a seasonal beer to make it a meal from one of its selections on tap including Avril Biere de Table and Debuisson Cuvee des Trolls, Blond Ale for only $11.
FLEMING’S PRIME STEAKHOUSE AND WINE BAR25 E. Ohio, Chicago, IL
(312) 329-9463;
www.flemingssteakhouse.com
960 Milwaukee Ave., Lincolnshire, IL
(847) 793-0333;
www.flemingssteakhouse.com
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar not only serves prime steaks cooked to perfection, but its extensive new Bar la Carte menu offers Fleming’s guests six all-new satisfying dishes available any time, any evening. More substantial than appetizers or the typical “bar bites” found at many restaurants, the addition of this Bar la Carte menu makes Fleming’s bar as much a destination for food as it is for wine and cocktails. Included in the new Bar la Carte menu is the Fleming’s Prime Burger, served with Wisconsin cheddar cheese, peppered bacon, and Fleming’s Signature Onion Rings. Stop in to enjoy the prime burger on National Cheeseburger Day for $14, or enjoy it for only $6 between 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. during Fleming’s daily 5-6-7 promotion - in which 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. Beverage specials are good all evening in Illinois.
MAXWELL’S AT THE CLUBEast Bank Club
500 North Kingsbury, Chicago, IL
(312) 527-5800;
www.eastbankclub.com/dining/maxwells-at-the-club
River North and Fulton River District’s Maxwell’s at the Club, is open to the public despite its location in the private confines of East Bank Club. The restaurant serves some of the best food in the neighborhood, with many menu items customizable to please anyone’s particular tastes and desires.
One of the most popular selections at Maxwell’s is Max’s Minis, a trio of sliders that includes a mini prime steakburger, a mini Santé Fe chicken burger and a mini Yellowfin Tuna Steak burger, all topped with crispy onion strings for $10. For customized minis, ask for any combination of the three. Steak lovers will enjoy the very popular Mini Tenderloin Sliders for $14, a trio of seared mini filet mignon sliders finished with lemon and basil.
For a larger appetite, Maxwell’s Prime Steakburger is available for $11, made from ten ounces of prime beef, topped with lettuce tomato, onion and pickle and your choice of cheese, served with sweet potato fries, fresh-cut fries or seasonal fresh fruit.
TRADEMARK TAVERN777 E. Butterfield Rd. Lombard IL
(630) 472-0777;
www.trademarketavern.com
Trademark Tavern offers customers a way to truly indulge in the burger holiday; with its “Add a Patty” promotion. Running through September 22, customers can order 1/3 pound cheeseburgers for $3 and stack on as many extra patties as they wish for an additional $1 each. The burgers come with American cheese, lettuce, and pickle.
Trademark also has a range of tempting cheeseburgers including its signature Trademark Burger for $10, made with a Pat LaFrieda™ ground chuck and ground short rib combination; topped with lettuce, tomatoes, and onions. They also provide an enticing selection of cheese options including aged cheddar, Gruyére, provolone, Gouda, habanero jack, and blue cheese for an extra $1.
ZEALOUS419 West Superior Street Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 475-9112;
www.zealousrestaurant.com
Zealous is celebrating 19 years in business this month, and as Michael Taus, chef/owner, continues to offer an award winning fine-dining experience to his patrons, he has proven he still knows how to produce a great cheeseburger. Voted Chicago Magazine’s “Best Burger Ever” and Travel & Leisure’s “Top 10 Burgers in America” Zealous’ Z’ Burger is the pinnacle of a fine dining take on the all-around classic. Served with Havarti cheese and tomato Remoulade on a house-made dill roll and served with fries, the highly coveted burger is available a la carte for $15.
Cheeseburger HistoryThe history of the hamburger is not quite certain, but some sources believe Mongols riding on horseback started it all. They would stash meat in their saddles and ride around while conquering different territories, during which the meat would become tenderized enough for consumption. It is also believed that this practice was brought to Russia, where they adopted it as steak tartare. Years later, with global trade becoming more prominent, the idea was carried to the port city of Hamburg, Germany. There they decided to mold the meat into a shape resembling steak, and cook it; soon becoming known as “Hamburg Steak.” Even the origin of the modern cheeseburger is crowded in mystery, since more than one person claims to have placed the first slice of cheese on a beef patty. Was it Pasadena fry cook Lionel Sternberger in 1924 or Charles Kaelin years later in his Louisville restaurant? Today people don’t mind much where it was invented just as long as they can enjoy them this National Cheeseburger Day.
What makes
one wine twice as expensive as another? And is it twice as good? During this “Bottle
Wars”, guests will blind-taste five of the best wine values from the Fleming's
100 against five premium wines that cost twice as much. Which wines do you think will come out on
top?
