"After closing during the pandemic, Ludlow, one of our favorite bars and patios in Logan Square, pivoted to pizza for carryout. But now that Chicago is back open, their menu has changed and now features (this won’t be a surprise since they’re on this guide) a fantastic smashburger. The patties are reminiscent of what you’ll find at The Region: super flattened with lacy, caramelized edges. The burger is dressed simply - just horseradish sauce, pickles, and American cheese - and served on a sweet, squishy-but-dense-enough bun. Another nice thing about this burger is that it (plus fries) is $8, and exactly what we want to be eating when we’re hanging out on their backyard patio." - adrian kane