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The Bad Apple
Burger Joint and Bar$$$$
North Center, Chicago
Has a stamp of approval from Food & Wine and Serious Eats
"Amazing burgers!! Meet cheese curds and the half acre beer on tap"(32 Tips)
"Awesome beer menu and the That Sweet Hash burger was on point!!"(44 Tips)
"Garlic fries and a slow burn = food coma"(11 Tips)
"On par with Kuma's...actually, the fries make it better."(7 Tips)
200 Tips and reviewsFilter:
- burgers
- cheese curds
- beer
- last supper
- slow burn
- (15 more)
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Heather FolsomJune 21, 2014Pretty much in love with the crazy metal sculptures all over the place... Fun & friendly atmosphere, super unique & flavor-packed cocktails/burgers, bonus points for playing some 90s grunge at dinner.
Chefs FeedMay 5, 2016"This is Chicago’s hidden burger gem. Pat Lafrieda's famed meat is always cooked properly and you get a plethora of choices, from the bizarre (peanut butter and bacon) to the haute."- Perry Hendrix Read more
Upvoted 1 week ago
Christopher MichaelJune 18, 2016Total hipster bar but holy crap the food was amazing! You have got to try the cheese curds! No seriously they are bomb! The Chuppacabra burger is legit also. Best burgers I've had in a long time. A++
Great burgers and amazing draft list. Definitely a go-to spot on the north side. There are many crazy sounding but delicious burgers including Elvis’s Last Supper, which has bacon and peanut butter.
Absolutely delicious food! Tried the cheese curds, chopped salad, smokezilla burger (WOW) and the Saugatuck Blueberry Lemonade Shandy. Also the server was AMAZING! Really made our experience great!
Korey WitalkaApril 2, 2016Excellent service, burgers and a large beer list! Perfect place to go when you have a burger craving with lots of unique burgers to choose from.
Rishad TobaccowalaAugust 27, 2014Beer and three burgers here that stand out . The bad apple which is their signature. The slow burn for the spice addicted and the Wagyu ( Wednesdays onwards) which is a steak disguised as a burger!
Penny SMay 9, 2014One of the best beer lists in the city. Massive, unique, impressive. Also, house pickles and the farro salad are amazing.
RoseJuly 4, 2013Yummy veggie burger & the bf got the Bad Apple pretzel bun. We order the chipotle fries... best ever! Huge selection of beer.. especially gluten :) We walked out full but great 1st time experience!
Jeff EarlyNovember 24, 2015Nice burger, atmosphere, a haven for beer lovers. Good quality but no where near the best burger, top 26 maybe. But go the rest of the menu is creative and delicious
Arielle IndiaApril 15, 2015Go for the divine, godly food, stay because the drink menu is ridiculous. A cherished spot with great atmosphere and spectacular, knowledgeable staff. Did I mention the homemade ketchup? 1000/10.
Catie GibbsOctober 1, 2016The truffle fries and cheese curds are awesome and of course the burgers too. Very kid friendly and have an amazing homemade PB&J. Great staff.
Kelly ChabebeAugust 26, 2012LOVE this place! Decor and staff are awesome! Best Bloody Mary ever, made with their horseradish infused vodka! Their truffle fries are to die for. One of my favorite Sunday places in the city.
Serious EatsSeptember 26, 2011Get the Garlic Fries: Skin-on and fried, they get that rich hue of brown, rendering them crispy on the outside and pillowy on the inside, tossed in a perfect amount of fresh minced garlic. Read more
Time Out ChicagoMarch 20, 2013Go on Wednesdays for the 45-day dry-aged blend of Wagyu and prime rib, made for Bad Apple by New York butcher Pat LaFrieda. This is a steak disguised as a burger. http://tmoutchi.us/YmTIHi Read more
Ben BrotzmanApril 8, 2013Try the burger with bacon and peanut butter, you won't regret it. Stellar beer and cocktail selection! Also the option of getting Old Bay seasoned fries, which are delicious.
Mix the firecracker fry seasoning with whatever other seasoning for even more amazing fries!!! Thank you for the family room - my kid could cry, scream, and tantrum her way to who the hell cares!
Great burgers and awesome beer selection. Non-meat? Go for the Strange Famous veggie burger and the veggie poutine.
Emily S.July 31, 2016I've heard their burgers are incredible - the mushroom quinoa one was even to-die-for! Great crispy fries and cheese curds.
venessa tarbellNovember 17, 2011Family factor: the room in the back has games for kids to play. Bring your quarters! My kids recommend the kids burger or grilled cheese. For parents, you can't go wrong with burgers and beer.
This place is amazing! Great beer and cocktail selections! I'd recommend the Strawesome. Good for weeknight grub or a Friday night decompress. One of my favorite places in Northcenter!
Mike NicklesMarch 9, 2013Greenbush Mr. Hyde...not for the novice beer drinker. Dark, complex, and delicious. Wonder what I'll try next...here's the real tip: when you come here, enjoy beer you've never heard of. :)
Justin RandSeptember 19, 2014Ranks up there with Kuma's and Burger Bar. Get the fried cheese curds and poutine if you're ready for a cheese nap later.
The food here is great. More than just burgers, there is serious culinary thought going into the menu - at pub prices. Always a great draft beer selection too.
Renaissance HotelsOctober 15, 2012The twice-cooked fries alone are worth the trip and the boisterous pub atmosphere is exactly what you want when you’re tearing into a moan inducing burger of this caliber. Read more
Ian HalliburtonAugust 20, 2016Cheese curds are a must. Best in chicago. You can't go wrong with any of the burgers.
Eliza KJune 23, 2013Don't fear, gluten free eaters! This bar's very impressive beer list includes ciders, cocktails, and a number of gluten free brews, too.
Brad SaxonAugust 7, 2014The burgers are to die for. But more importantly, get the truffle fries. They really round out the best, indulgent meal.
Fantastic burgers and a comprehensive beer list. I could eat here every day. Get the truffle fries.
Brian ChorbaJuly 30, 2016Awesome assortment of burgers ("gotta try 'em all"), seasoned fries, amazing beer list
kailey arlenJanuary 11, 2015Beer list is impressive and the beer cocktails and innovative and tasty. The food was so so... Great atmosphere.
The burgers are made with some lovely dry-aged beef, so do yourself a favor and order yours medium rare.
Chris LeonFebruary 25, 2014Tieton from the tap.... holy cow is it good and I've never had it before. Love this place already!!!! :) Awesome service too!
Jesse BagelsSeptember 16, 2016Excellent burgers and cocktails, as well as interesting poutine, nice outdoor seating
Awesome service, great food, great beer selection. What's not to like? I really like this place!
Garlic fries, spinach n enoku mushrooms burger. Try all 3 meads on the menu (2oz tastings). Fav us spicy chile mead.
Gustavo SanchezAugust 6, 2014Their burgers are really good here and they have a large beer selection it's an awesome place!
M M-GAugust 27, 2013Slow Burn is my favorite. Like the cheese curds as long as they're right out of the fryer. Ask for the special mustards for dipping.
Jennifer JankowskiMarch 15, 2014Not a lot of chatter about it, but you REALLY must get the garlic on the fries. Add the homemade ketchup and you'll hear angels singing.
Larry BMarch 16, 2012Huge beer menu...great food ...garlic fries to die for.. friendly atmosphere... what else can you ask for... "another beer please"....- Molly KentOctober 28, 2013Great place to eat drink. Awesome beer menu and the That Sweet Hash burger was on point!!
One of my favorite beer restaurants. Get the cheese curds and Elvis’ Last Supper on a pretzel roll.
KaitlynNovember 23, 2014French fries and burgers are good. Great atmosphere, lots of unique selections, great meat. Terrible ketchup.
Alex GakopoulouJuly 14, 2016Maybe one of the best burger joints in the city. Outstanding beer selection
Evan MontagueAugust 16, 2014Good hard cider and fried cheese curds, if you're into that kind of thing - and you should be.
KevinOctober 19, 2010I always get mayo with my curry fries. Bad move here, because their homemade ketchup is awesome. I hate ketchup. I love this. Burgers are great. Beer selection outstanding.
604 Photos
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Open until 2:00 AM (Show more)
- Mon–Wed
- 4:30 PM–2:00 AM
- Thu–Fri, Sun
- 11:30 AM–2:00 AM
- Sat
- 11:30 AM–3:00 AM
(773) 360-8406
Features
Reservations
No
Credit Cards
Yes (incl. American Express & MasterCard)
Wi-Fi
Free
Outdoor Seating
No
TouchTunes Jukebox
Yes
Food & Drink
Menus
Brunch, Lunch, Dinner, Happy Hour
Drinks
Beer, Full Bar, Cocktails
See More
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Kirk Herlitz - 8.7
"Last time I was here I had the bison burger with blueberry bbq sauce and goat cheese, amish blue cheese and bacon fries. I highly recommend."
Laura French
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