I am not anti-American in any way except American Cheese. π
Why has weak American Cheese become the norm for cheeseburgers?
Not good. It’s too weak to stand up to a juicy hunk of beef, let alone whatever seasoning you decide to add. It adds very little, sometimes nothing, to the flavor of a burger.
Why do we use it? Sure, I know why fast food dumps use it: It’s cheap and non-threatening.
But at home we can do better. And we can use good American cheeses to do it. Just not American cheese. Why not try a quality cheese packed with flavor the next time you make cheeseburgers? How about an aged Wisconsin Cheddar? Does the gold have a nice smoky blue? Or a creamy Swiss.
Until you can fire up the grill next time, here are 3 Chicago restaurants you can use for inspiration. Or just a delicious night.
Best sirloin burger at Prairie Grass Cafe
The premium ground beef is grilled simply (no need to mess with perfection) then topped with a mild Amish blue cheese (with a quick trip under the broiler to meld the two) and served with grilled tomatoes and onions.
Perfection on a plate and the perfect antidote to regular cheeseburgers.
Visit Prairie Grass Cafe at 601 Skokie Blvd. in Northbrook and expect to pay $15 for the Top Sirloin Burger. Cheap.
The Hotchocolate Burger
Don’t be fooled by the “burger” name on the menu.
The just-right-sized seven-ounce burger (ground fresh in-house daily) is topped with Carr Valley Aged Cheddar cheese that’s tangy and beautifully tangy. A couple of slices of salty bacon complete this perfect package.
Stop in at Hotchocolate for the Hamburger at 1747 N. Damen Ave. and you’ll spend $13 worth it.
The Signature Cheeseburger at The Capital Grille
Okay, I know this is a “chain”, which I generally avoid like the plague. But I can forgive any sin when the burgers are this good.
Daily ground sirloin is mixed with applewood-smoked bacon and caramelized onions before cooking on the rotisserie. The delicious smoked burger is then topped with a generous slice of Havarti and served on a toasted onion brioche. I wish all burger “chains” were this good.
If only…
Capitol Grille in Chicago is located at 633 N. St. Clair St. and the Signature Cheeseburger will set you back $15.