NADC Burger

Little hole in the wall. Place is nice and clean, but has limited seating. Overall vibe is super relaxed in here. Perfect place for lunch or dinner. The staff were very tentative and friendly. The food is what drives this place. Their burger is on my list of top 5 burgers in the city. They also fry their fries in beef tallow and they have a really interesting flavor… very crunchy on the outside, nice and fluffy inside. Really good stuff. My only complaint is the beer pouring situation… not sure what I witnessed. Pour, pour down, pour again, pour into a different glass? Long story short they need to check their draft system… their beer shouldn’t be that foamy. If you’re in the area, give it a shot. You won’t be disappointed.

I’m glad I made my way out from the suburbs (50 min drive) to try this on a random weekday. Burger was great and made my personal top 3 all time. Ordered the NADC burger with the loaded fries and a cookie. $16 burger. $8 fries. $4 cookie. Not mad about the price, that’s what a good burger goes for nowadays. Thoroughly enjoyed my experience. Two staff members, both very kind. Great place, will be back.

I think this is one of the best burgers I ate. The burger was delicious and the special sauce but especially jalapeño added more. The fries were crispy which is important and hard to find even at good burger restaurants. I would easily have given 5 stars if the bun would be as good as the patty. It was too soft and weak to carry the double wagyu patties together with extras. By the time I ate half of the burger there was no bun (bread) left. As a constructive criticism, makers must take this very seriously and find a solution for the bun. The taste of the bun is good but it just has to be stronger. I think if they would solve this they will find place in top burger lists in the world.

I was really looking forward to trying NADC Burger because of all the buzz, but honestly, it didn’t quite live up to expectations. The burger itself was decent but nothing memorable — the flavors didn’t come together the way I’d hoped. The pickles tasted more like the standard store-bought kind, which took away from what could’ve been a signature, house-made touch. The fries, while crispy, were noticeably salty. Overall, it wasn’t a bad meal, but given the hype, I expected something more special. It’s fine for a quick stop if you’re nearby, but I wouldn’t go out of my way for it again.

Im from Michigan and a local friend recommended this place for a good burger. We ordered take out and Big Chris made our burgers. It was absolutely delicious. The meat and cheese is usually what makes or breaks a burger and let me tell you this was QUALITY! The fries were phenomenal. The original sauce and spicy ketchup were great. Big Chris made our burgers with care and also his customer service was amazing! Very kind. Best burger I had so far in Chicago!

Been waiting to get NADC burger since I went to Houston. They unfortunately closed when we visited so excited they have two location In Chicago. The burger was bomb. Hard to think a wagyu flat top smash burger would be anything b it amazing. The sauce is thousand island ish and the crust on the burger is great with enough gooey cheese. We also ordered the special fries. More of the sauce and some chopped pickles on top of the crispy fries. Can easily say it’s in the top 10 of best smash burgers for me in the US.

NADC Burger I’ve got to say — the burger was amazing. Perfectly cooked, and packed with a combination of flavors. Personally, it was a little too cheesy for my taste, but still really, really good. The fries were a letdown — they were overly crispy, greasy, and didn’t match the quality of the burger. What I did love was the small, focused menu. It’s clear they put their energy into doing one thing really well — and it shows. I wish more spots followed that model. Overall, solid experience. Would definitely return for the burger alone… just might skip the fries next time. 9.1/10

I liked the burger but there are others out there that are better. Something was confusing to me with pickle and jalapeño combo. The flavors seemed to compete vs meld together. This place can get pricey quickly as the burger alone is $16 before you add anything else. I’d probably come back but I’m in no rush. The collab beer that they did with Dutchbag is bad. There is too much good beer in Chicago to put your name on that.

I love trying different smash burgers in the city so this has been on my list. The patties were juicy and flavorful. I liked all of the toppings on here, but wish there were more jalapeños or something else just to add a bit more of a snappy texture. Overall very solid smash burger in the city, maybe just a bit heavy for my personal taste. I prefer some of the more inexpensive smash burgers in the city as my go-tos but this is definitely somewhere to try at least once. The fries were probably my favorite above the burger. They were very crispy on the outside without being dry on the inside. I thought the toppings went perfectly on the beast mode fries. I would come back for the fries before the burger. Service was good! The bartender was friendly and offered some recommendations. The food came out very quickly. The bar is just your typical hole in the wall bar, but it's clean and what you would expect for a quick burger.

There's not a damn chance that I would ever return here to recommend this place to anyone. NADFC. I was already going to going to leave a poor review, perhaps a 2 but changed it to a one after I found out that they automatically charged a 20% tip when I did not authorize them to. They didn't mention anything during the service and what I authorized on their credit card machine does not match my bank statement. They definitely didn't deserve gratuity either. Our entire visit here just seemed off. We sat down at a table and they handed us menus but was told to order at the bar. I I placed my order and they needed to hold onto my credit card until we were finished. We also had to get our own water and utensils and get our own food once the beeper started vibrating. Can someone help me understand how that merits any type of gratuity? The burgers were $16 each which is a fair price for a decent size burger, but these weren't any bigger than a McDouble. I also ordered mine without pickles and they still put pickles in the damn thing. Even if I take them off, the pickle juice flavor stays in the burger. Definitely not worth the $16. I also noticed that they don't even have a phone number so you can't contact them. Avoid this place at all costs. Not sure why it gets any type of hype at all.

15/10. Came here on a whim based on other reviews so I knew I had to pay it forward. Drop where you are going and come here. Two things on the menu- a PHENOMENAL double patty smash burger and crispy fries. That's it and it's all you need. Our bartenders, Lorraine, Was as welcoming as they come. I felt like I was local talking with her. Manager- give this girl a raise. Get the pickle trick beer with your burger for the trifecta. I hope you go out of your way to grab a burger here. It's nothing fancy but it's nothing you will forget. NOT A DAMN CHANCE BURGER. Here for the best burger ever.

Overall a pretty decent smash burger that's pretty flavorful and juicy. The restaurant itself is very casual and is basically a first come first serve bar area. Price-wise you're paying a bit of a premium for the burger but I think you'll be satisfied nonetheless. I wish the burger was slightly bigger--but when the burger pitches wagyu beef you're bound to be paying a bit more. The beef in itself wasn't distinctly out of this world but I think the combination of the cheese and seasonings made this a solid burger overall.

we tried these place trying a new burger place i seen this place talked about somewhere i don't remember when're anyways the burgers the fries way over price the tippin option starts at like 20 % of course u can change it but too much we had 2 burgers and fries it was like 54 dls ... the place is ok is more of a bar .. the service not good we wanted a cup of water and they were like oh u can grab it over there .. they had no cups i ask the cook he said the same thing .. although the burgers were good they a lil too small for the price the fries were good they.. i couldn't ask for ketchup or anything else cuz i felt like i would make them mad .. would i try them again ... no

NADC burger has a reputation from Austin to Chicago and back, so I had to check it at The Drop In on Milwaukee Avenue. Ambiance I recommend parking on Kinzie along the Jewel-Osco. The ambiance is dim lighting, very tight seating arrangements, and loud due to sitting on top of each other. If eating a sloppy burger shoulder to shoulder with a stranger is not comfortable for you, then this is likely not the the scene for you and likely neither is Chicago as this is pretty typical here in the city. The burger itself was pretty good, but I don't think it deserves to be amongst the top ten burgers in the city. The quality and flavor of the meat, the richness of the cheese, and fresh mildl spicy-ness of the jalapeño made the burger great. I would have enjoyed the burger more with some extra condiments that add texture like the crunch of pickle/onions/lettuce/bacon, and some extra flavor that would come with a dressing. The burger was also small compared to burgers of comparable price and prestige. This burger is just a tad bigger than a Red Hot Ranch burger. The beast mode fries were great. If I ever came back with some friends I'd probably opt out the burger and just get the fries and save myself $25. I give the NADC burger and overall experience at The Drop in a 3 out of 5 due to everything being over priced, lack of ambiance, mediocre service, and an overall underwhelming experience.

Idk who makes the lists of the best burgers in Chicago, but they need to be fired. NADC has been on my list for awhile, and while I would never say it's a top burger, it's pretty decent. I think my main complaints are 1) it's too hyped up for what it is, 2) it's just barely bigger than a slider, and 3) it's priced like it's a top 10 burger that's the size of a normal burger, but it's neither of these things. I'll still give 4 stars because it was a cute bar with a dope vibe and the type of wait staff you'd absolutely want to hang with out back. The burger was also absolutely solid, with a good blend of flavors and an excellent sauce, you just have to lower your expectations if you were expecting Owen & Engine (may it rest in peace). Especially if you're in River West, there's not a lot of other restaurants around, so I would definitely recommend this if you're in the area. Just don't go out of your way for it

First time trying NADC came here off a recommendation and I'm glad I did! The menu only consists of a double patty smash burger and fries (option of beast mode which is animal style) but both are outstanding. The burger was amazing and the fries were great too. They also have a full bar if you want a beer. Will definitely come back here anytime I'm in the mood for a burger and fries this place is awesome.

i took my son for the start of his 32nd birthday along with my life partner. they were happy as hell. i didn't eat . basically its a burger menu. that's what they wanted. i wanted a jibarito sandwich. they are still raving and can not wait to return.

I wrongly assumed that a place named burger would have burgerS plural. Nope. Just one burger. The burger looked really good, but I still like options. The staff were really cool though and recommend some spots.

Went to NADC for the first time this month and was blown away. I have officially had the best cheeseburger of my life. Went on Friday for lunch just as they were opening up. The space isn't super large so I would recommend getting there early if you're there for lunch. It looks like it's open fairly late too so it could be a good late night bites option as well. The menu is pretty straight forward. The burger comes with all the fixings and they don't customize....it doesn't matter though, the burger is perfect. The smash patty is crispy and flavorful, the tamed jalapeno and pickles help cut through the greasiness of the burger, the sauce is amazing and it is all contained in an awesome bun. You simply cannot compare any burger in Chicago to NADC.

Great no frills dive bar and burger spot. There are no reservations so we had to wait a little for the table. The place is super small so be prepared to eat on top of someone. The burger was good but it's not the best I've had in Chicago and it's a bit overpriced. The fries on the other hand were incredible and some of the best I've had in Chicago. Overall we really enjoyed our meal but the 20% mandatory service charge was a little annoying. There really wasn't much service so it was a bit weird to have it auto added. Just increase your prices if you're going to do that.

My first time here and definitely will not be my last! It's a bar, that surges burgers.. delicious burgers! Okay, so these types of burgers are smash burgers. Similar to shake shack burgers only 100x tastier! The waitress was friendly and attentive and the other staff we encountered were also friendly. You seriously have to give this place a try. I'll be back!

They know what they're doing with these burgers!! The place itself is a little hard to find and the seating can be rough if you're coming out of work and have your jacket or bags. It's not the most spacious place but it more than makes up for that. I wouldn't order the animal style fries but the smash burgers are really good.

A group of friends and I wanted to check out NADC to see if it lives up to the hype and we all agreed this place is overrated and isn't worth the price tag. It's a good burger, not the best burger, and the flavor of the wagyu beef is drowned out by the sauce. If anything, there's too much sauce in the burger. Fries were stellar, however. I would come back just for the fries.

A tiny menu because they are very confident in the items served. The NADC burger was fantastic. The wagyu beef was SO good, and the cheese melded all the flavors together. I also enjoyed the fries, pretty standard. Great chill spot to satisfy your burger cravings.

I felt an absurd and almost inappropriate level of excitement to try this burger after seeing it featured all over the social media realm. To set the stage it was a slightly blustery Chicago evening (warm for Chicago winter standards), when we rolled into the cozy bar. Dim lighting and that classic musty Chicago bar vibe. It's a good smashburger at a Chicago dive bar, just remember that when entering the bar. The service is not extraordinary, they'll just toss you a burger and a drink. As long as you remember this you won't be disappointed in the service. Now onto the food itself. Ordered a classic NADC burger and the beast mode fries. As someone who lived in Cali and enjoyed the good ole In N Out burger it's impossible not to compare. Save the money on the fries. They are not as good as the animal style and frankly not a great option at NADC. The fries didn't taste terribly fresh, nor were they warm enough to melt the American cheese on top.. The burger was a good burger and came out piping hot. It definitely hit the spot. My only challenge is the price point. I understand it is Wagyu patties that drive the price up, but $16 for a smashburger seems a bit high for what you are getting (a greasy burger covered in melty cheese). Definitely a well done burger as far as quality, just still question whether the value was there. Jump in and try for yourself if you are curious!

My fav carry out fries! Reminds me of in and out fries with jalapeños vs onions. Usually pretty busy around dinner time but can grab a beer while you wait for your food. I don't usually eat burgers (hot take I know) but really excited I saw they had a grilled cheese option so i'll try that next time!

The burger was do die for but the bartender with the beanie was so rude. I'm all about the service, if I had better I would have gave this place a better rating. Food is good is just disappointing they have someone like her working there.

Hands down the BEST smash burger I've ever had. This place is relatively new, open a few weeks or so. When this place gets out to the public more, there's going to be a line out the door for this burger SO get there quick before you have to wait forever to get the juiciest and cheesiest burger. Their menu is really simple. The most amazing burger that comes with pickles, cheese and their secret sauce which is so good! And a grilled cheese. Sides is just fries or fries with all the toppings from the burger. I can't mention enough times, GET THE BURGER. Literally after the first bite I was felt like saying omg get me another one, but had to restraint my self. But taking the last bite of that burger was so sad. My mouth is drooling just thinking about it. They also serve alcohol which is a great icing on the entire meal. I got a grapefruit drink; it came in the cutest can! And my husband got a draft beer which he really enjoyed. The inside is kind of small. They have a bar inside that you can sit at. They let you sit anywhere you'd like. Cannot wait to go back and get this burger!

Chill vibes, packed and busy but you only know it means it's a good place! The burgers were great but I loved the beast mode fries the best! Low key love the 1 item menu-makes life easy and you know they really focus on their quality burger then!

As far as smash burgers go, it was decent, but so overpriced $16 for a smash burger! Get out of here. I got the beast fries -- they were ok. Not the best animal style fries I've ever had at a smash burger place. My least favorite part about this place was the mandatory 20% tip they added to every bill that is not listed on the menu. The meal I just ate was NOT worth $32. For a $32 burger plate, I'd be expecting table service. Not water I got and refilled myself.

No frills burger joint that is so worth the wait. Juicy burger at a reasonable price point and crispy fries that will definitely satisfy your cravings.

Burger and grilled cheese are amazing perfect hangover cure. The burger is well portioned will all of the topping and patties have that nice crispy crust, the jalapeños in the sauce add the perfect little kick to add that little bit of extra flavor. The grilled cheese is basically the burger without the meat Patties, reminded me of a fancy five guys grilled cheese. The fries were a better version of in and outs animal style fries. Sam was behind the bar when we went both times and he was really nice! The one thing I would knock 'em on me on is the mandatory 20% gratuity which I felt was unnecessary as there really wasn't any sort of "service" we had to grab our own waters and go to the bar to pat

Save the money, go to Billygoat Tavern. NADC is overhyped/overpriced food, weird vibes, gave us draft in broken glass and cut my lip.

The BEST smash burger I have ever had. My boyfriend and I were on the hunt to satisfy our craving and let me tell you, this place knocked it out of the ballpark. We tried the NADC burger. The waygu beef is super juicy, cooked to perfection. It's topped with grilled onions, cheese, jalapeños, and their secret sauce. Along with that we got some fries, super crispy and fresh. The vibe of the place is definitely interesting. We've now gone twice and prefer to go during the day time Vs night. Day seemed to be more chill. Nightime had louder music/people, etc. Service has been different the two times we went. In the daytime they were much more attentive and kinder. Overall, we'll definitely be back. Truly the best smash burger we have ever had. When we eat there, we both go silent. That's how you know it's GOOD!

Catching up on Yelp reviews and I have visited NADC twice in the past 3 months! Spoiler alert, it's that good! NADC Burger is inside the Drop In, which used to be the old Swill Inn. The ambience is dark with limited seating and punk rock music playing. Reminds me of a nicer version of Delilah's and Kuma's Corner with punk instead of metal. Similar to Owen & Engine (RIP) and other burger places, they do a $20 special after 10pm to midnight that includes NADC Burger, PBR, and Jameson shot known as the PB&J. It's a super simple menu and a full bar. On to the Burger. The NADC Burger is a smash burger with cheese, onions, jalapenos, and special sauce. Overall, I love the flavors and the patty melted in my mouth. Toppings are great, but you have to like spicy due to the jalapenos. Cheese was melted to perfection. Unfortunately, the worst part is the bun as it's either slightly stale or they overly try to toast it as it's been dry both times I have visited. The NADC Burger rating is as follows: Bun: 5. Patty: 9. Toppings 8. Overall: 7.33 Fries: 6. The fries are decent. They are crunchy, but they are not my favorite kind of cut. The Beast Mode fries were very good with the special sauce/jalapeños/cheese sauce. Definitely their take of Animal Style fries! I loved their housemade ketchup as it was smokey, sweet, and a little earthy. Reminded me of the Bad Apple's ketchup. Service was great! They do charge 20% gratuity, which the employees state clearly at the time of the bill. I do think that the burger is expensive at $16 as it's a small burger. It's the exact same size as Red Hot Ranch, but it does hit the spot! NADC Burger is a way better burger than the old Swill Inn and it's a great bar to stop by for a drink in River West!

I gave it two stars but now I'm gonna give it one because they deleted my message like I said the burger was great. The guy that was serving at the bar was rude. Didn't like to explain anything and if you wanted us to leave a tip leave out a tip jar and we would've paid gladly and then when we come to confront him, he's nowhere to be found so he hides like a coward you are a coward Philip Frank Lee

Holy fucking goodness! What just happened inside of my mouth? I don't ever say shit like this, but I think that was the best burger and fries I ever had in my life. I added an extra patty, I had the fries regular, I ordered a PBR on draft. The bartender Able allowed me to drown my sorrows after having one of the shittiest days ever. And holy shit, was this burger? Amazing! The burger was amazing! The fries were amazing! The beer was delicious! The place is cool as shit, and made me feel like I was fucking John Ratzenberger and I had found my Cheers.. I'm talking about my fucking CHEERS guys! Like the bar, I've been destined to hang out at and drink and eat a burger at for the rest of my life every day forever! Wow, I really hope they don't disappoint me next time I go. God bless you Abel, and you too white guy with the ponytail who is super cool. Hornitos for life!

The service was top tier! Drew was super nice,warm and knowledgeable. I would go back for service alone. The old fashion was solid. Now let's get to the burger. The burger came out quick and it was hot and fresh. The ingredients were quality ingredients. I would give the burger a 7/10 but my friends felt the burger was 8/10. The secret sauce was yummy with a kick. It should be noted that there are no substitutions, but honestly you don't need any.

The place is a bar & serves 3 items. The burger was fresh , juicy. I enjoyed it very much. I love a great burger.

Delicious burger, great drinks, cool casual vibe. Would definitely recommend. Order at the bar, sit down and enjoy.

Yo so im not gonna lie, I'm a mega red hot ranch loyalist, but this place has something special going on. From the first bite to the last bite I knew and was sold, they're not just smashing. They're smanging. Smashing and bangin. This burger has my #1 spot rn for real. It's the wagyu beef. Has to be. One another level. Just go in and ask for a shot and a beer and sit down at the bar and try it. Just eat it and then you'll see the magic.

"Dropped in" for a quick lunch since we saw this place on Instagram. They're known for smash burgers founded by skateboarders so their menu only consists of drinks, burger (including a BYOB), and fries - which makes it easy when you're craving a burger. The patty was good and the fries were also good. I knocked one star because I thought the patty could've crispier on the edges for a smashburger and also it was 16 bucks for a burger, not for a combo or anything which is overpriced IMO. The service was really good though, the servers were really polite and nice, and the vibes are positive!!!

Amazing ! I will most definitely be back the burger was so juice and flavorful ! Definitely not your typical smashed burger ... well done

I wanted to try the place out after watching a tiktok video, and I get off work late and it's open late. You can eat up until midnight! With that saying, the waygu smash burgers were very tasty. Our favorite was the fries with the "special sauce" .. overall, food and drinks were good. My only problem I had with the place is the hidden 20% charge they add to your bill.

Burger was great. 4.5/5 the 20% service fee they add on after the fact is a 0/5. Just raise your prices and stop being so shady about it. They expect a tip on top of the 20% service charge when you get the check. Still tipped 20% then and left, but won't be coming back to spend $50 on a burger with fries and a drink.

Burger was unreal. They have a special spicy ketchup, was pretty much drinking it. The cook was super cool guy... 10/10, highly recommend

Dude!!!! I was in town for the 2023 Chicago marathon and wanted to go out downtown to celebrate. I can't lie, it was late and not a lot of restaurants were still serving food, so it was really my only option. BUT, their smash burger is probably one of the best burgers I've ever had. The kitchen staff brought it out to me about 2 minutes after I ordered it which was truly impressive. I would've got another burger but they're $16 and I ain't got it like that lol. The bartender took a while to get to us, but he was busy and I understand. He was really nice and gave me other recommendations as well! Small skate shop type theme which was different and cool.

Burgers are so damn good. Au Cheval is overrated. If you want a real cheeseburger come here. Oh and they play skate videos!

Totally get the hype with this spot. Definitely one of the best burgers in Chicago. And the fries.... get an order! They are so good. Burger came out hot, with two very thin patties, delicious sauce, cheese and pickles. Simple but absolutely delicious. I will be back!

Fire ass burger and the animal fries or whatever they called is super gasssss I mean just mouth watering makes me want to go right now lol so fire would recommend 10/10

Hated the sauce and hated the jalapeños. One star for allowing modifications to the fries but not the burger. For the price and the insane service charge, such inflexibility on a food order is just stupid and a great way to mess with someone's food allergies. Never going back.

Probably one of the best burgers I've had in my entire life very very good recommend it I would definitely go back. I got it to go had it cold and it was very delicious so I'll be back again to try it hot.

Really great burger. I think about her on a weekly basis. My expectations for smash burgers are much higher since I've had this one. I'm in love.

Food was meh, service is trash, they dont even bring water to the table and have the nerve to charge %20 service fee. Server even insinuated that we should tip more as the service was split amongst all staff. Mind you we had to get out own water. Not a damn chance I'll be back!!!

I bit into my burger and it was bloody. I asked the waiter if it could be cooked more. The manager came over yelling at me that they only do well done. After he was done, I showed him the bloody burger and he fixed it. That's no way to behave to a customer and dumb new waiter for not just going to the kitchen to get a new one. This was terrible.

This place is wayyy overrated. I was excited to try this burger after seeing it all over social media, it's really not worth it. The buns on my burger were super cold, and the rest of it was just okay. In all honesty the staff was very rude and off putting. I don't recommend :/

To start, walking in, I have never in my life felt so unwelcome in a restaurant. It's bar service, so you have to walk up to the bar and order. I ordered and was asked if I wanted to close out my tab right away? They add a 20% service charge, they want that on top of the tip. I don't understand why? This is a bar which serves burgers. Place needs a deep clean. Flies everywhere. The kitchen looked terrible. The burger itself was ok but very salty. Absolutely nothing special about the burger. Salt and Red Hot Ranch are definitely better. The Beast Mode fries were terrible. Also very salty. It's shameful what this place charges for them. This place did not live up to the hype. Entitled owners, unpleasant staff and dirty restaurant is the bottom line. Don't disappoint yourself.