Photo: Courtesy of David Ditzler.
Blame it on Chicago's Midwestern coordinates, but we sure do love our meat. There's nothing like a juicy burger to satisfy our carnivore fix, and if you happened to be one of the 1,000-plus attendees at the fifth annual Bon Appétit Hamburger Hop on Friday, then you got more than your fill of bovine.
The "meat"-and-greet competition to determine Chicago's best burger was led by a panel of judges, including chef Hubert Keller (Fleur de Lys), Keith Villa (founder of Blue Moon Brewing Company), chef Graham Elliot (judge on FOX's Master Chef), among several others. After several rounds of bites (15 to be exact), chef Scott Walton from Howels & Hood was awarded judge's choice for best burger — a creation made with house-made kimchi, bread and butter pickle aioli, and (can you believe?) carrot bacon.
Of course, the guests also got to have their say — in between mouthfuls of burger, that is — awarding Jeff Mauro, host of the Food Network's Sandwich King and $24 in 24 for his burger made with engine sauce, crispy cherry pepper, and jalapeño Havarti. What's your favorite burger in Chicago? You'll just have to throw an epic taste fest of your own.