This place was a mistake. We ordered burgers and a basket of fries. The burgers were good. The bartender was not keen to service. It took 5 minutes to get a two drinks the first time and longer than that for our second round. She was happy to serve anyone she knew before me.
The burgers came out and the guy said fried would be there in a second. I asked for mayo also. Five minutes later, I went to the bar and asked for the fires and mayo. Still no dice. However, the other three orders I watched go out in the mean time, all had fries.
It has been a few years since I've been to a place that upholds the stereotypical treat non-southsiders like crap. This place keeps up with old Chicago traditions. Unless you're a regular here, you should probably avoid it.
Chicago's Best was dead wrong on this place.
5 Guys Who!? IBG located on the southside of Chicago is my new spot for heart-attack fantastic tasting cheeseburgers - keep in mind I'm from f-ing Indiana so we don't have too many places like this. The exterior/interior is not special but who cares when you can get a great tasting burger. Also, the service got the job done - I rarely had an empty glass of beer. They had many choices on tap if you're into beer.
If I don't have a heart-attack anytime soon as a result of eating this magnificant burger, I'll be back...
If you like a good burger this is the place you need to be. The bacon cheeseburger...sigh...typing that just gave me a fat boy flashback. The burger was great this was my second time meeting the burger and both times it didn't disappoint. Not real crowded but I did go in the afternoon and people were coming in as I was leaving. It has a nice atmosphere. When I was leaving I glanced over at another customer an saw that he had the chicken wings so now I have to go back and try them out.
I really wasn't blown away with the service though. The bartender/server really wasn't on top of her game we had to ask numerous times to get salt and pepper and water that we never received. In her defense I think that she had too many customers spread out around the place she needed a little help. Other than that they would have got 5 stars. Keep up the good work!
4.5 Stars
A little dark?...yes  A little dingy?.....sure  Amazingly humongous, delicious, bacon loaded hamburgers that will absolutely change your life and how you view hamburgers from that day forward?  Absolutely!
You'll probably feel a little out of place when you go in IBG, it not often very crowded during the day, and its normal crowd is more bar type dweller rather then Yelping burger hound looking to add a new spot to their "Best Burgers in the Biz" List for their profile. Â But don't let that deter you. Â Bring a friend, sit in back, and order one of the greatest burgers you'll have. Â It will be greasy, it should have bacon on it, and they can pile on the grilled onions if that's your thing. Â The burger itself is a meal all in its own, but you can get some fries too, because hey, whats a burger without fries? Â And oh my the bacon, it's delicious cooked to perfection, and in bountiful quantities on your burger. Â
Prices are super reasonable too.
Definitely try it out!
P.S. They also have a location in Midway Airport so you can give it a try if your a traveler and want a little better ambiance.
These just may be the best burgers and wings you will ever have.
The wings are full and meaty. The burgers are fresh and perfect. (always throw bacon on them). The price is even better.
They always have a special going on and the employees will remember you after going in a few times.
You won't be disappointed here. It is definitely a dive bar so no worries about dressing up or a cover or anything.
They have a ton of beer on tap too, including modelo which is hard to find on tap.
I'll bump my rating up since I've been back 2 more times.
The second time I came back with a friend. She ordered a regular burger and I opted for the bacon burger. We also ordered cheese fries. I think the bacon burger is the way to go. She seems to like the cheese fries, I still think they are ok. This time the burgers were bigger and greasier. Service was friendlier also.
Just went today again and we split a regular burger and got the cheese fries. I also ordered the zucchini sticks. Burger was good and not as greasy. Zucchini sticks were ok, but use the ranch sauce as the red sauce is some type of Pace Salsa. Service was really good too.
Get the bacon burger. The saying is true....bacon makes everything taste better. Since you eating here, I doubt you are counting calories, so why not just indulge and make it worth while.
I guess the first time was a fluke as I noticed the last two times, it was a different cook and server than the first time. I have to say, pace yourself, it's a heart attack meal here.
I don't give a lot of four star reviews because the vast majority of places are just as good as the other places doing that type of food. That may mean that a place is very good but is in a class of very good competitors. Â
So how does a place that does burgers with so many other places that do burgers and do them well outshine those other places?
Well;
1) By having an unusual patty like the Illinois at 13 ounces of proprietary blended beef pressed by a machine to a wide circle that crisps up at the edges as it sears on the flattop and shrinks to form a delicious circle of goodness.
2) By topping all burgers with their own style of grilled onions.
3) By adding the condiments while on the grill to cook them a little and turn the whole package into a succulent cohesive whole.
The Illinois does it different and does it better. Go.
From the outside it looks like any other dive bar in the neighborhood. On the inside they have cozy, clean and friendly atmosphere with benches, tall boys, pool table, juke box and....AMAZING BURGERS!
I'm serious, you would not expect burgers from a place like this to be that good but they are! They still run like a small bar and scrumptious burgers aren't done in 2minutes so you may have to be patient. Â
Go there, have a drink and definitely have a burger.
Met up with a few friends here. They recommended it, so I went to see for myself. Must say, the burgers were really good. I was the first to finish it, and I'm usually the slower one of the bunch. Fries were good. Chili was awesome! The waittress was very friendly. She talked and joked around which made it an even better experience. Definitely one place I would like to come back to.
Review Source:I have not been in this place since around 1995.
There not a thing changed from the Green River on tap to the enormous cheeseburger.
This is one place that every Chicagoan who things he/she knows cheeseburgers needs to go. The quality is of the highest level imaginable with fresh and delicious food prepared with loving hands.
The service is impeccable - smiling and attentive.
The original owner - Frank - takes great pride in what he does and he does it well.
When the trendy/hip little papers like Redeye and New City chat up cool joints - they never seem to get south of Cermak Road.
You have to really explore - color out of the lines if you will.
Seek out the best.
Illinois bar and Grill is one of the best cheeseburgers in Chicago. Add a basket of fries and a Green River on tap and you cannot go wrong.
My last to visits have been disappointments.
This place suffers from a corporate mentality. Â They have tried things like a metered pouring system for draft beers. Â This may be OK if you are getting some lite, Â but if you are the first fool in a week to order Sam Adams (which is likely) Â you will get warm, Â over fermented swill.
The fries are still the best in Chicago hands down.
The service is lackluster, Â when I lived down the street there was a Polish Duo that always took the best of care of me. Â I haven't seen one of the woman in a while. Â The other, Â seems to be zombified. Â
Many times in the past I have had a trainee or new server, Â they were always eager, Â but within a week or so they either quit or hated the place. Â I am sure there is a serious management issue.
If you are nearby there is a great chance of getting a great burger and fries. Â This is certainly not a destination place anymore.
OMG~my favorite cheeseburger!!!!!! I am in love and can't wait to go back. I almost passed the place up; I'm sure I've driven by it a thousand times and never noticed it was there! I was happy to see they had free parking. The bar inside looks nicer than the outside. lol The waitress was friendly and attentive and the environment was relaxing. I could barely get through half my burger, but my son somehow ate all of his. I regret not taking a picture~13 ounces~wow!!! Pure, meaty, greasy goodness. YUM!
I was laughing reading someone's review complaining about having to order your sides separately. Big deal~this place is cheap & a great value for your money. Go today!
Are you kidding me? Â While the burger here may be huge, it is also made from cheap, low-quality ingredients. Â Heck, you even have to order your sides separately, so if you enjoy a side order of something or another with your burger, this is not a good place to find a good burger at a good price. Â To save yourself a lot of disappointment, find a good steakhouse and get a burger there. Â It will probably cost you only $2-4 more than a burger and side at Illinois Bar & Grill on 47th, and it'll be 1,000 times better.
Illinois Bar & Grill on 47th is definitely a miss. Â Pass.
I don't live in the area but everytime I have to pick up a friend from Midway, I stop in here. Â If you tell your friend to call you as soon as they walk off the plane, you can slam your drink and make it to Midway before they walk out the door. Â I have been here about 10 times and the servers and patrons are always friendly even though I am not a regular. Â
The first time I saw one of their burgers, I laughed so hard I almost crapped myself. Â The bun alone has to be nearly a foot in diameter and the burger sticks out from the bun. Â Add over a pound of onions, bacon, cheeze, pickles and whatever else and this burger must be the biggest burger I have ever seen. Â The only thing more funny is watching someone eat one! Â The fries are hand cut and perfect. Â This is what "Chicago food" is all about!
Another one of my old spots. Â
If you're looking for a burger, better come with an appetite. Â Burgers are cheap, huge and tasty. Â Basically this is a typical bar with kick ass burgers. Â I know they have other bar food, but who cares about that. Â Go somewhere else if you're not here to get drunk or eat a burger. Â FYI: Â Some people need a knife and fork to start their burgers off. Â That big...
I heard they opened another joint on Taylor for the yuppies. Â Don't waste your time there waiting over there, go to the original. Â Yuppies scared to hang on the South Side.
There are sometimes when you just want to eat a big juicy burger that you will need 6 napkins to wipe.
IBG has those burgers.
A hole in the wall with the usual cast of characters, this place can easily get passed over if you are not paying attention. Lots of character in terms of decor.
Typically, the barkeep won't bother you if you ain't causing trouble. But you should pull a seat at the bar and make nice with the locals.
Nice spot for an eyeopener if you need one.
I like big juicy burgers and I cannot lie. Some vegetarians try to deny. Â But when cook walks in with a itty bitty bun and a big burger in your face I get Hungry....................Wow, I totally just channeled my "I love horrible pop rap" side. Â So anyway, the Illinois Bar and Grill cranks out some pretty serious burgers over on the Southwest Side (My old neighborhood).
Illinois Bar & Grill does burgers the way they are supposed to be done.  They start off with a half  pound of beef and cook it to perfection. They slap that mound of meat on a bun and top her off with a healthy dose of scrumptious grilled onions.  At every table you will find a full roll of paper towels and you'll need them.  These burgers will make a mess.  I suggest sharing and order of fries. They are very good, but most people have a hard time putting down the burger and a full order.  For a beverage pairing, may I suggest an ice cold Old Style?
The decor is what you'd expect from a local bar and grill on the Southwest side. Â On second thought, it's actually nicer than you'd expect and the juke box is ear delicious. Â That is if you like Styxx and Journey. Which I do. Â The service is fine
.
If you like big fat burgers, yummy fries, and Old Style I have a sneaking suspicion that you will enjoy Illinois Bar and Grill. Â Is it the best burger in Chicago? Who knows. Â Just shut up and eat it.
1 Burger
1 Fry
1 Old Style
----------------------
$12
If you are in the Midway district, take a little detour North to the Illinois Bar & Grill. Â Not to be confused with the one downtown, this bar literally looks like the neighborhood hole in the wall, but it has got the best burgers. Â They've got great fries too. Â They've got other food selections, but apparently it's the burgers that count in this joint!! Â A typical selection of beers and bar liquor, as well as the token pool table in the back makes this an interesting place for a quick bite. Â They are sports fanatics, so there's always something sports related on the TV. Â Service is pretty quick, and the food is cheap.
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