Elephant & Castle

I ordered the Reuben to go for a quick lunch stop and I could have had a Rueben 100 times better at Jason's Deli down the block for a cheaper price with fresh fruit and unlimited soft serve.  The salad served with their Reuben was an afterthought, something a 5 year old could put together.

I'm saying okay, because I do like this place. It's a cozy atmosphere and our waitress was awesome!

But I've been spoiled by flavor from other places. So even though our pretzels (which came with some pretty bangin' mustard) were delicious, my Salmon Pesto Penne was lacking a little flavor. The Bread Pudding... delicious, but holy hell was it huge. My boyfriend and I almost fell asleep on the train ride home because we were so full.

So lack of food on the plate you won't have issues with....you get a heaping. My main course was just missing flavor

Beer: arrived in huge 20oz glasses, no complaints there.

Burgers, I love burgers. So I knew I would have to visit Elephant & Castle after reading a rather delicious review praising the Union Jack Beef Burger. Luckily, my hotel was very close to EC so my first night in Chi-town I headed over.

I was greeted quickly & seated. Whilst surveying the drink menu, my rather affable server came up to the table to take my drink order. Martini, why not? I perused the dinner menu while waiting for my drink and many items tempted me away from the UJBB. But I help steady and stuck to my guns. And I am so glad I did.

The Union Jack is huge and packed with flavor. The patty is dredged in Guinness BBQ sauce and topped with bacon and jack cheese. Seasoned & cooked perfectly, the beef was nicely dense & held up well. But I will tell you what really sent this burger over the top, the bacon & jack. I'm usually a plain-Jane type of burger gal but I am so glad I stepped out of my comfort zone. The chips were fried to a perfect golden color & were succulent without being mushy. Add to that an above average martini!

So the next time you are looking for a great, delicious burger around the Loop area, head over to EC & order yourself a Union Jack.