There are plenty of great places in Illinois to get a burger, but for the true connoisseur, there is a trail of top-notch restaurants that can’t be missed. From bacon to peppers and mushrooms, you can get a diverse range of delicious cheeseburgers on this epic beef journey.
Follow this trail of hamburger stands and restaurants any time of year for the best binge of your life. Keep scrolling for all the details.
Clocking in at just under one and a half hours, these six places to get cheeseburgers make for a full day of eating, driving, and fun. Pop a Tums and fill the tank to prepare for the journey of a lifetime.
Google Maps/OnlyInYourState
- D.M. Prime Burgers - 9441 Ackman Road in Lake in the Hills
Facebook/D.M. Prime Burgers
Facebook/D.M. Prime Burgers This country-chic restaurant is located in a beautiful location across the street from a golf club community. Burgers from this dive are half a pound and come on a brioche bun. Guests also enjoy sides like fries, onion rings, and mozzarella sticks.
- Kief’s Reef - 3505 S Wright Road in McHenry
Facebook/Kief’s Reef
Facebook/Kief’s Reef This nautical restaurant along the Fox River serves burgers piled high with your favorite toppings. The award-winning menu also incluldes a Friday fish fry, pizza, jerk chicken, and much more. Family owned since 1987, the restaurant also has a beach bar and live entertainment regularly.
- Bulldogs Grill - 122 S Main Street in Wauconda
Facebook/Bulldogs Grill
Facebook/Bulldogs Grill This old-fashioned, 50s-style diner serves burgers that will blow your mind. Each is made with a half pound of beef and fresh ingredients. You can get burgers with toppings like chicken fingers, fried eggs, and pulled pork for an epic eating experience. Guests also enjoy duck fries, tacos, nachos, quesadillas, and sandwiches.
- Big Jack’s - 507 N. Hainesville Road in Round Lake
Facebook/Big Jack’s Chicago Style Red Hots
Facebook/Big Jack’s Chicago Style Red Hots Most patrons stop by this restaurant for a hot dog or Italian beef sandwich, but in doing so they are missing out on an incredible burger. Family owned since 2007, all the food is made with quality ingredients. Don’t forget to grab some fresh-cut fries at this stand.
- Fine’s - 147 N Milwaukee Avenue in Libertyville
Facebook/Fines1978
Facebook/Fines1978 This family-owned restaurant has been a popular burger joint for over 35 years. Beef is fresh ground daily and topped with aged Wisconsin cheddar. Guests also enjoy hot dogs, salads, fresh fries, and various sandwiches.
- Tom & Eddie’s - 1260 S Milwaukee Ave in Vernon Hills
Facebook/Tom & Eddie’s
Facebook/Tom & Eddie’s With three locations throughout northern Illinois, this restaurant uses fresh, unique ingredients and puts each burger on a gourmet roll with quality cheese. The best part is each cheeseburger has a fun name to go with its interesting toppings.
For more cheeseburgers, check out Illinois’ original Burger King.
Google Maps/OnlyInYourState
Facebook/D.M. Prime Burgers
This country-chic restaurant is located in a beautiful location across the street from a golf club community. Burgers from this dive are half a pound and come on a brioche bun. Guests also enjoy sides like fries, onion rings, and mozzarella sticks.
Facebook/Kief’s Reef
This nautical restaurant along the Fox River serves burgers piled high with your favorite toppings. The award-winning menu also incluldes a Friday fish fry, pizza, jerk chicken, and much more. Family owned since 1987, the restaurant also has a beach bar and live entertainment regularly.
Facebook/Bulldogs Grill
This old-fashioned, 50s-style diner serves burgers that will blow your mind. Each is made with a half pound of beef and fresh ingredients. You can get burgers with toppings like chicken fingers, fried eggs, and pulled pork for an epic eating experience. Guests also enjoy duck fries, tacos, nachos, quesadillas, and sandwiches.
Facebook/Big Jack’s Chicago Style Red Hots
Most patrons stop by this restaurant for a hot dog or Italian beef sandwich, but in doing so they are missing out on an incredible burger. Family owned since 2007, all the food is made with quality ingredients. Don’t forget to grab some fresh-cut fries at this stand.
Facebook/Fines1978
This family-owned restaurant has been a popular burger joint for over 35 years. Beef is fresh ground daily and topped with aged Wisconsin cheddar. Guests also enjoy hot dogs, salads, fresh fries, and various sandwiches.
Facebook/Tom & Eddie’s
With three locations throughout northern Illinois, this restaurant uses fresh, unique ingredients and puts each burger on a gourmet roll with quality cheese. The best part is each cheeseburger has a fun name to go with its interesting toppings.
How many restaurants along this burger trail have you tried? Share your experiences and photos with us!
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
