Small Bar
Bar · Logan Square ·
Exceptional smashburgers, craft beers, and fun cocktails.
Exceptional smashburgers, craft beers, and fun cocktails.
"In Logan Square, this bar now hosts Patty Please, a burger spot whose smash burger drew raves from chef Jake Potashnick—“They do everything you want out of a smash burger. It’s a perfectly executed burger that you would not expect out of that location”—and became an after-dinner, after-service gathering place for industry teams. Before the takeover, Sublime Hospitality audited the menu and made tough cuts (some items were just 5 percent of sales while consuming 15 percent of the budget) to sharpen the overall experience." - Ximena N. Beltran Quan Kiu
"I like Small Bar for simple, straightforward, decidedly unfussy Old Fashioneds in a cozy neighborhood setting—look for the Hamm's sign on the corner of Albany and Wellington, grab a seat at the bar or patio, and pair the drink with their solid burger." - Lisa Futterman
"This pop-up inside Avondale’s Small Bar delivers excellent smash burgers. The beef is pressed onto the griddle until the edges are crispy and lacy, and diners can get a single or double patty with optional add-ons like fried egg and bacon. Our preference is the Pleaser, which comes topped with onions and tangy house sauce. It’s the perfect bite after a night at the bar." - Jeffy Mai
"A Logan Square neighborhood bar the founder sold as part of his divestment; it represents the independent, local venues he managed before shifting focus to broader hospitality initiatives." - Ashok Selvam
"Despite operating out of Small Bar’s equally tiny kitchen, Patty Please is a massive burger-smashing force. This Avondale pop-up presses beef into pristine doily-eque circles with a fantastic griddled crisp. But the patties’ center remains moist, fusing perfectly with the American cheese and buttery soft potato roll. The classic cheeseburger is great, but our go-to order at the bar or in a booth with friends at 12:36am is the Pleaser. It gets a tangy kick from their signature sauce and sweetness from grilled onions. Plus, at $8 a burger ($12 for a double), you can get garlicky cheese curds and a sweet, citrusy frozen banana daiquiri without first checking your bank account." - John Ringor
