Mickey Lu BBQ
1710 Marinette Ave
Marinette, WI 54143-3709
715-735-7721
Far and away one of my all time favorite burgers can be found at this unassuming diner located in northern Wisconsin. My grandparents (and members of my family) have lived in the area for over a century, and certainly know all of the good places to eat. This is certainly one of them.
Located off of US 41 near the Michiagn border in the town or Marinette, Mickey Lu's is one of those local hang outs that is ALWAYS full. They open the doors about 9:00, as folks stop in to grab burgers for a late breakfast or later for lunch on the way into work. In the evenings that there are high school football games, the place will be crowded (standing room only) until the owner shoos people out the door to open again in a few hours.
Mickey Lu's serves the original Wisconsin butter burger - a thin, charcoal kissed patty, served on a toasted hard roll witha small pat of butter. They are not for the light eater - in fact, in this age of healthy eating, I am continually amazed that Mickey Lu's is allowed to remain open. The burgers are NOT recommended by the American Heart Association. But, by defintion, doesn't that mean that they are good?
The doubles are a thing of legend, and I will usually have three at every visit - always to have regrets later that I ate that many, and that I couldn't eat a couple of more. My family jokes that the reason I come to visit is to go to Mickey Lu's more than to see them. While this isn't entirely true, it isn't entirely false either. An absolute must for anyone who considers themselves to be a well rounded burger expert.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Burger Review - Hackney's
880 N. Old Rand Road
Lake Zurich, IL 60047
847-438-2103
www.hackneys.net
What can I say about Hackney's? They have been serving the same quality burgers for the past 70 years, and are a true Chicago icon. They have been featured by practically every source that there is, from the Food Network to the Chicago Tribune to various great hamburger lists out there. And many would argue that the burger is not even the best thing on their menu - the would opt for the world famous onion loaf (see picture).
The burger is served on a regular, unassuming egg roll or on rye bread. The burger itself is a very quality 1/2 pound great piece of beef, cooked perfectly and served with cole slaw and fries. The burger will literally fall apart if you let them cook it house style (medium). Quite excellent.
Lake Zurich, IL 60047
847-438-2103
www.hackneys.net
What can I say about Hackney's? They have been serving the same quality burgers for the past 70 years, and are a true Chicago icon. They have been featured by practically every source that there is, from the Food Network to the Chicago Tribune to various great hamburger lists out there. And many would argue that the burger is not even the best thing on their menu - the would opt for the world famous onion loaf (see picture).
The burger is served on a regular, unassuming egg roll or on rye bread. The burger itself is a very quality 1/2 pound great piece of beef, cooked perfectly and served with cole slaw and fries. The burger will literally fall apart if you let them cook it house style (medium). Quite excellent.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Burger Review - Portillo's...
Portillo's - Vernon Hills, Illinois
221 E. Townline Road
Vernon Hills IL 60061
847-367-7290
www.portillos.com
I had my first Portillo's experience over 10 years ago while on a business trip. It has been a mainstay whenever I visit the Chicago area ever since.
Portillo's started in 1963 as a hot dog trailer, serving traditional Chicago style dogs. Today, they are a fairly large chain, and have expended to several other types of restaurants.
The burger is a fresh 1/3 pound charbroiled patty served on a corn meal crusted bun. I had the double which seemed much larger than I was expecting and was a challenge to finish. It would have been a travesty to NOT finish this burger. Add to that, Portillo's serves the best crinkle cut fries I have even had. Period. I would be more than satisfied to go there ans eat just french fries. They are crispy and perfectly cooked, and there is a lot of them, even in a small order.
I highly recommend Portillo's. It is the quintessential Chicago dining experience.
221 E. Townline Road
Vernon Hills IL 60061
847-367-7290
www.portillos.com
I had my first Portillo's experience over 10 years ago while on a business trip. It has been a mainstay whenever I visit the Chicago area ever since.
Portillo's started in 1963 as a hot dog trailer, serving traditional Chicago style dogs. Today, they are a fairly large chain, and have expended to several other types of restaurants.
The burger is a fresh 1/3 pound charbroiled patty served on a corn meal crusted bun. I had the double which seemed much larger than I was expecting and was a challenge to finish. It would have been a travesty to NOT finish this burger. Add to that, Portillo's serves the best crinkle cut fries I have even had. Period. I would be more than satisfied to go there ans eat just french fries. They are crispy and perfectly cooked, and there is a lot of them, even in a small order.
I highly recommend Portillo's. It is the quintessential Chicago dining experience.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Burger Review - Slott's Hots...
Slott's Hots
1124 N Milwaukee Ave
Libertyville, IL 60048
(847) 362-0670
Slott's Hots is just like one of the hundreds of hot dog stands that you can find around Chicago. They are everywhere, and nearly all of them serve a quality product, one that is certainly better than any of the national chains that might be out there. I love Chicago for this reason - the likelihood of ever going to a fast food burger chain while I visit there is practically zero (I did go to Culvers while I was out there, only at the request of my adorable 6 year old niece, and mainly because she likes the ice cream there (who could blame her?!)).
Get the Chicago style dog, or the fresh gyro. The 1/3 pound burger is fantastic, fresh patty on a corn meal bun, served with crinkle cut, over cooked crispy fries. I had a double each time I went, and it was pretty much the only meal that I needed to eat (which didn't prevent me from eating another meal that I DIDN'T need to eat, however).
If you are in the northern suburbs of Chicago, give it a try.
1124 N Milwaukee Ave
Libertyville, IL 60048
(847) 362-0670
Slott's Hots is just like one of the hundreds of hot dog stands that you can find around Chicago. They are everywhere, and nearly all of them serve a quality product, one that is certainly better than any of the national chains that might be out there. I love Chicago for this reason - the likelihood of ever going to a fast food burger chain while I visit there is practically zero (I did go to Culvers while I was out there, only at the request of my adorable 6 year old niece, and mainly because she likes the ice cream there (who could blame her?!)).
Get the Chicago style dog, or the fresh gyro. The 1/3 pound burger is fantastic, fresh patty on a corn meal bun, served with crinkle cut, over cooked crispy fries. I had a double each time I went, and it was pretty much the only meal that I needed to eat (which didn't prevent me from eating another meal that I DIDN'T need to eat, however).
If you are in the northern suburbs of Chicago, give it a try.
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