Burgers, Dogs, and Beefs

Our favorite burgers, dogs, and beefs, Chicago suburbs named best places to live, new openings and closings, and upcoming events

Author

Joe Arendt
April 03, 2025

Morning, it’s Burbs Explored, your trusted guide for exploring and living well in the Chicago suburbs. This week, we’re sharing an update to our favorite burgers, dogs, and beefs across the burbs, along with some exciting news, updates, and a great list of upcoming events.

A quick favor before we dive in: We are working on several new guides (and updating existing ones). We would love to hear your feedback on what types of guides you would find valuable. Please hit reply and let us know your thoughts!

Weekly Spotlight

Photo Credit: Small Cheval (Rosemont)

While summer grilling season is around the corner, we have been satisfying our cravings for burgers, dogs, and beefs at several great spots across the suburbs. This week we’ve updated our list of favorites, which includes a mix of old school institutions, classic chains, and some newer spots worth checking out. Check out the guide below and let us know your local favorites that should be added to the list!

What are your favorite spots for burgers, dogs, or beefs in the suburbs? Hit reply and let us know what places we should check out!

News & Updates

  • A new restaurant called Deere Park, will open this month in the former Greenwood space in Highwood (link)

  • Six Chicago suburbs named among best 100 places to live in America for 2025 according to a new ranking from Niche (link)

  • The Kilns Coworking space and social house is coming to Wheaton this spring from the team behind My Half of The Sky (link)

  • Raging Waves is set to open this summer and will be the largest water park in Illinois, with more than 32 waterslides, a lazy river, a wave pool, kiddie areas, and more (link)

  • One of our favorite coffee shops, World’s Fair by Fairgrounds, will be reopening as Bell Market this spring (link)

  • Tonality Brewing and Scratch Kitchen in Mundelein will close on April 13 due to the challenging environment for local breweries (link)

  • The French Markets in Geneva, Wheaton, and Wilmette will open later this month (link)

  • GUIDE UPDATES: We added Alma Padel (Glenview) to our favorite places to Eat and Compete, and we added The Greggory (South Barrington) to our favorite date night spots and cocktail bars.

Upcoming Events

FEATURED EVENT: Brookfield Zoo Spring Fest

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