I know there is a best burger thread out there, but it's old news and the links are dead. Here is a little ditty on five national chains that have recently come to Chicago.
You can look at the link for all the nutritional information, addresses, etc. I'll just summarize the Tribs' findings for each chain - and these are cheeseburgers:
Sonic Drive-In Grade:
A-
Construction (top to bottom): Bun / Cheese / Patty / Cheese / Patty / Tomato / Lettuce / Pickles / Mustard-Mayo-Ketchup / Bun
Taste test: A nice sweetness to the buns ... the cheese has successfully melted into the patty's crevices and created an amalgam of beefy wonderfulness ... well-balanced and well-flavored on the whole ... not as greasy as similar burgers.
Fatburger Grade
C+
Construction (top to bottom): Bun / Mayo / Lettuce / Tomato / Pickle / Onion / Relish / Mustard / Beef / Cheese / Bun
Taste test: Prominent taste of relish upon first bite ... a soft toasted bun though slightly stale around the edges ... lacking adequate seasoning ... griddled beef had a crispy edge, but mine was overcooked and had a break-apart, mealy quality. This doesn't speak for Fatburger's quality; I've had fantastic ones in the past … incredibly filling, rich, and this was only the second smallest of five options of burger sizes ... throw in the towel, coach.
Meatheads Grade
B
Construction (top to bottom): Bun / Ketchup-Mustard-Mayo / Pickles / Cheese / Patty / Cheese / Patty / Grilled Onions / Tomato / Lettuce / Bun
Taste test: Physically resembles a Wendy's Deluxe Double Stack, tastes a lot better though ... the veg looks fresh and vibrant ... soft potato bun surprisingly sturdy ... loved the griddled double Angus beef patty seared to a nice crisp ... fine, upstanding and respectable, can't say anything bad about it; it's the Patrick Fitzgerald of cheeseburgers.
Five Guys Grade B+
Construction (top to bottom): Bun / Mayo / Lettuce / Pickles / Tomatoes / Patty / Cheese / Patty / Onions / Mushrooms / Ketchup-Mustard / Bun
Taste test: The version we ordered is known as an "All The Way" ... a challenge to fit first bite of burger into mouth; jaws slightly sore ... the double patties were the beefiest of the beefs, yet could be seasoned better ... love the sweet, brioche-like bun here ... many free toppings to choose from; grilled mushrooms were especially nice.
The Counter Grade
A-
Construction (top to bottom): Bun / Red Relish / Pickles / Cheese / Patty / Red Onions / Tomato / Bun
Taste test: Wow, the only "chain" that cooks the burger medium "unless otherwise requested," as a result, beef patties resembling something you'd make in your backyard ... a hint of pepperiness in the Angus beef ... the pickles are fantastic, tangy, sweet and crunchy ... the red relish, fancy name for ketchup + relish, brings everything together ... the buns boast a firm crust; love that it's buttered and toasted ... more sandwich than burger, more parts than sum, though neatly assembled, aesthetically pleasing.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/entert...7.story?page=1