A tiny Logan Square burger bar with big-city swagger, Gretel has become one of those Chicago spots friends whisper about before they shout it from the rooftops.
On any given night, you’ll see dates sharing fries, solo diners locked in on a double cheeseburger, and locals easing into whiskey highballs while the griddle sizzles on in the background. 🍔✨
How Gretel Became Such a Super Star Hit
When Gretel first arrived, there was no mega-marketing campaign; it came with a griddle burger that was just so dialed-in to the point that Chicago burger obsessives started comparing it to heavyweights like Au Cheval.
Word spread from Logan Square bar regulars to Reddit threads raving that the “Gretel burger” might be the best in the city, and suddenly the bar that once felt like a neighborhood secret turned into a destination where people cross town for a double patty and a stiff drink. 🥃
Part of the charm is how casual the whole thing feels, as upon entering the premises, you’re greeted with a laid-back bar.
Scanning the menu lets you jump from ramen to prime rib to nachos, and then that Gretel Griddle Burger hits the table with its twin patties, molten American cheese, and glossy bun.
All of a sudden, you get why people happily queue up on weekends.
Regulars talk about that first bite as a kind of “a-ha” moment, where the char, cheese, and soft bun combine into something familiar yet almost unfairly addictive, the kind of burger that makes you start planning your next visit before you’ve finished your first.
The hype didn’t stay local for long.
Food writers at sites like The Infatuation have called the burger “incredible,” praising that griddled everything-style bun and Gretel’s obsessive attention to the little details that make each bite feel engineered for maximum satisfaction.
Add in a supporting cast of hits like a wildly popular fried chicken sandwich, a rich tonkotsu ramen, and a proper lobster roll, and you get a spot that Chicagoans recommend to out-of-towners as proof the city takes comfort food very seriously.
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What really seals the deal is how Gretel feels built for repeat visits.
One night might be all about that double burger and a pile of fries, the next could be a slow, cozy evening over ramen and whiskey, and then brunch-like afternoons turn into lingering sessions over nachos and a cold beer as the neighborhood drifts in and out.
Locals love that they can bring a burger-obsessed friend, a picky date, or that one buddy who “doesn’t eat burgers” anymore, and still find something that feels like a small discovery on the menu. 😋
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The bar also leans into its role as a neighborhood anchor.
Soft lighting, friendly staff, and a soundtrack that keeps things lively without drowning conversation combine into the kind of environment where it’s easy to strike up a chat about best burgers in Chicago or compare notes on how you like your griddle patties cooked.
Over time, that easy hospitality has turned occasional visitors into loyal regulars who defend Gretel passionately whenever someone starts a “best burger in Chicago” debate online.
Food Highlights
- Gretel Griddle Burger: Two griddled patties with white and yellow American cheese, red onion, garlic aioli, and pickles create a melty, ultra-savory classic with a concentrated beefy punch that many locals rank among Chicago’s elite burgers. 🍔
- Fried Chicken Sandwich: A crispy chicken breast dressed with chili oil, sweet-and-spicy aioli, and Asian pear slaw delivers heat, crunch, and a little fruity brightness alongside a contrast between the shattering crust and the juicy interior, making it one of the most talked-about sandwiches on the menu. 🔥
- Lobster Roll: Served with Old Bay chips and offered hot with melted butter and chives or cold with mayo, lemon, and celery salt, this roll wins raves for tender lobster and a toasted bun that feels straight out of a seaside shack. 🦞
- Prime Rib French Dip: Thinly sliced prime rib tucked into a baguette with horseradish aioli and rich au jus gives you dunkable, beefy comfort that regulars love for lunch or late-night cravings.
- Tonkotsu Ramen: A porky bowl loaded with pork belly, “pork jam,” egg, menma, and shiitake brings serious depth for a bar ramen, often surprising first-timers who expected a basic side and instead find a full-on craveable main that’s become a favorite on cold Chicago nights for the locals for its coziness. 🍜
Atmosphere
Gretel channels “neighborhood bar meets destination restaurant” energy: dim, cozy, and buzzy without feeling pretentious.
The room feels intimate, with the kind of bar where you can talk burgers with the bartender or lean into a long whiskey session. 🍻
Music hums, conversations layer over each other, and plates of burgers, nachos, and ramen glide out of the kitchen in a happy, near-constant flow.
It’s the kind of place you pop in for a quick bite and accidentally stay for another round and a second snack, losing track of time in the best way.
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Bottom Line
Visit Gretel for one of Chicago’s most talked-about burgers, a surprisingly deep comfort-food menu, an easygoing neighborhood-bar vibe, strong drinks, and a perfect spot to impress friends who think they’ve already discovered every great burger in the city. 🍔
Address:
2833 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
📞 (773) 770-3427
🕔 Open Mon–Thu, 11 AM–12 AM; Fri–Sat, 11 AM–1 AM; Sun, 11 AM–12 AM