"Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay is preparing to open his first Chicago restaurant — the second U.S. outpost of chain Gordon Ramsay Burger. Ramsay is taking over a space at Ontario and State streets in River North that previously housed Wahlburgers, another celebrity-backed burger chain. Slated to open in late 2021 or early 2022, the 5,000 square-foot restaurant at 2 E. Ontario Street will reportedly seat 120 and include a full bar. Ramsay says he’ll do his utmost to be at the opening — should he be allowed to travel from across the pond as flights are restricted due to the pandemic. The new location will be the third burger outpost for the superstar British chef who is particularly well known for verbally abusing both amateur and professional cooks on his plethora of television shows. The original U.S. location opened under the name Flame Burger in 2012 in Las Vegas’ Planet Hollywood Resort and there’s a third restaurant inside iconic London department store Harrods. In Vegas, the Hell’s Kitchen Burger (three-meat burger, asadero cheese, roasted jalapeño peppers, avocado, oven-roasted tomatoes) is ranked among the best burgers in town. Ramsay announced the move Thursday morning on Instagram saying this will be one of the most beautiful burger restaurants in the world. “That’s right, the Windy City is getting my delicious butter-baste burgers that so many have you come to enjoy in Las Vegas,” he says, adding: “I can’t wait to see you in the River North area soon.” Ramsay also promises a special burger exclusively available in Chicago." - Naomi Waxman
