Chicago is the food capital of this country; hands down. Even cities like New York, Los Angeles and Miami cannot compete with the amount of care and flavors found in Chicago’s cuisine. The city is home to major chains like Giordano’s, Lou Malnati’s and various steak houses. However, it is also home to the best burger restaurant in this nation.

As you approach the corner of Armitage and Sheffield, a fresh aroma of spices and grilled beef fills your nose. The soothing smell attracted me to a small burger place. The smell off the Armitage Brown Line stop comes from none other than Butcher & The Burger.

Chef Allen Sternweiler grew up with a passion to make burgers and use his German ancestry to influence his foods. He went to culinary school and was a chef at fine dining restaurants. His desire for market-driven American cuisine with European influences finally led to the establishment of Butcher & the Burger.

The restaurant has a southern feel and layout. The food is served on a nice wooden tray that accurately represents this down to earth and casual restaurant. At the deli counter, customers can view the diversity of beefs available for their burgers and get a comforting feeling that their meal will be prepared with tenderness and flavor.

Don’t worry vegetarians or those who don’t want a burger: there are other options. Veggie burgers, turkey burgers, and chicken sandwiches are also available. Just like the burgers, they are prepared with the finest ingredients and care.

Food is delivered to you right at your table. Unlike Five Guys, you do not need to wait with hordes of people for your order number to be yelled at you. You are able to go straight to a table and have an employee deliver your food. When you set your eyes on that burger, your mouth will begin to water.

Pure tender beef and scrumptious fries are set before you, and you cannot wait to dig in. Your expectations are clearly matched and possibly better than expected. Crispy peanut oil fries provide a nice side dish. Also, let’s not forget the thirst quenching homemade ice tea that is available.

However, what make this restaurant possibly the best in the nation are the combinations of customer service and the individually crafted food. There are countess ways to have your burger along with the choices of beef. There is no need to stand in line and wait for another clone burger from the competitors. Customer service is at the forefront and for the same price as a meal at Five Guys, Butcher & The Burger is clearly the obvious winner.

So why not hop on the Brown line and take that one ride stop from Fullerton or that 15-minute walk. Go plan that lunch date or meet-up with friends at Butcher & The Burger. There is no need to hesitate, just get up and go to 1021 West Armitage where burger heaven is waiting for you. Or you can just follow your nose.