The Beacon burger at The Beacon Tap
1374 Lee Street in Des Plaines
847-715-2772
TheBeaconTap.com

This fun sports bar in nearby Des Plaines has some of the best daily specials you’ll find anywhere around. Thursdays happen to be $8 burger night, but the Beacon burger should be on your radar no matter what day you stop by. This thing is loaded, stacked high with two four-ounce patties, crispy sriracha onion strings, Merkts cheddar, lettuce, tomato, onions, pickles and a garlic-buttered brioche bun. Oh, and their secret hot donkey sauce, which we need to steal the recipe for soon. For a side, you can never go wrong with curly fries.

With the Balmoral burger, the folks at Murray Bros. Caddyshack add a tasty homemade bourbon bacon jam and jalepeno relish, creating a brilliant blend of sweet and spicy.

The Balmoral burger at Murray Bros. Caddyshack
9546 Balmoral Avenue in Rosemont
847-443-3673
MBCShack.com

Located just steps from the Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont Theater and Fashion Outlets in the heart of Rosemont, Murray Bros. Caddyshack is a fun restaurant that pays homage to the classic 1980 comedy. The Balmoral was their burger of the month in February, but it was such a hit they decided to keep it on the menu. It’s a half-pound burger that comes with pepperjack cheese, lettuce and tomato with a toasted bun, but then it gets interesting. They add a tasty homemade bourbon bacon jam and jalepeno relish, creating a brilliant blend of sweet and spicy. The brussel sprout hash, which is sauteed in bacon and red onion, is a nice change of pace as a side, but the crinkle-cut fries work nicely too.

As if a pair of four-ounce Black Angus patties weren’t enough, the Dubliner at the Harp & Fiddle comes layered with Guinness-glazed onions, candied bacon and aged cheddar.

The Dubliner at The Harp & Fiddle
110 Main Street in Park Ridge
847-720-4466
TheHarpAndFiddle.com

All five burger options at this local favorite include a pair of fresh, four-ounce certified Black Angus patties. Not a bad way to start. The Dubliner comes layered with Guinness-glazed onions, candied bacon and aged cheddar, then is topped with a brioche bun. The broccoli slaw is a tempting side here, but we recommend the upgrade to the truffle fries. Thank us later.

The house burger at Holt’s
43 S. Prospect in Park Ridge
847-720-4484
HoltsParkRidge.com

The New Haven-style pizza may be the big draw at Holt’s, but it was their burgers that got us hooked from day one. Swing in on Wednesdays for their weekly specialty burger creations, which are more than creative (and sometimes include cheese curds!). The thick and juice house burger is a meal in itself, topped with cremini mushrooms marinated with red wine, olive oil and garlic, and then they add a layer of melted cheddar underneath a pretzel bun. Perfection.