The Best Burger in Chicago You Haven't Tried Yet (Since 1987)
Let’s be honest: Chicago is a world-class burger city. But these days, finding a truly legendary burger usually means waiting in a two-hour line, paying $20 for a single patty, and sitting in a dining room with exposed brick and techno music.
Sometimes, you don’t want a culinary concept. You just want a damn good burger.
Enter Choppers.
Perched on the corner of Ashland and Wabansia at the crossroads of Wicker Park and Bucktown, Choppers has been quietly throwing down some of the city's best char-broiled burgers since 1987. With its retro neon sign and old-school drive-in aesthetic, it’s a living time capsule of Chicago counter-service culture. And if you ask any neighborhood local what to get, they’ll tell you two words: The Choppak.
What is a Choppak?
The Choppak is widely known around the neighborhood as the ultimate "Adult Happy Meal." It’s a massive, no-nonsense combo designed to completely crush your hunger without crushing your wallet.
Here is exactly what you get when you order one:
A Flame-Kissed Double Cheeseburger: Choppers doesn’t do smash patties. They specialize in thick, juicy, char-broiled beef that gives you that nostalgic, backyard-grill flavor. Stacked with melted cheese and served on a fresh bakery bun, you can load it up with the classics: lettuce, tomato, pickles, onions, ketchup, mustard, and mayo.
A Mountain of Fries: They don't skimp. You get a generous helping of thick, golden steak-cut fries.
Homemade Coleslaw: A crisp, refreshing side to round out the meal.
Broken Math and Mega-Burgers
One of the most charming quirks about the Choppers menu is that their kitchen seems to use a completely different numbering system than the rest of the world.
If you have a massive appetite, you might be tempted to order Benny’s Famous Triple Cheeseburger. But be warned: Choppers actually loads this bad boy up with four beef patties.
Think you can handle The Quad Burger? Don't let the name fool you. The Quad is actually a towering stack of five juicy, char-broiled patties piled onto a single bun. It’s a local rite of passage, a late-night legend, and a delicious test of structural engineering.
The Supporting Cast
While the burgers take center stage, the rest of the menu reads like a love letter to classic Chicago comfort food. They roast their own Italian beef in-house, sling a heavy-hitting Beef & Sausage Combo, and serve up The Oh Buddy—a chaotic, wonderful sandwich packed with Italian sausage, three meatballs, and shaved Italian beef.
Seriously, do not leave without a milkshake or a malt. They are incredibly thick, old-school, and made with real, fresh ingredients. If you order a banana shake, you’re getting actual, fresh bananas blended into the mix. You can even combine flavors to make your own custom creation.
The Verdict
In a city that is constantly changing, Choppers remains beautifully, stubbornly the same. It’s unpretentious, remarkably consistent, and fiercely independent.
Whether you’re stopping by after a long walk on the nearby 606 trail, looking for a foolproof late-night bite, or just want a taste of Chicago history, the Choppak always delivers. Next time you're driving down Ashland, bypass the drive-thru chains, pull into the Choppers lot, and treat yourself to a neighborhood legend.
Learn more about Choppers and the Choppak