The Drop In

Probably one of the best smash burgers I've ever had. Incredibly flavorful, just the right size, and served up quick. Fries were very good as well, superbly seasoned. And that's it, that's the menu, apart from the drinks. And it's everything you need at a bar. Good cocktail list with solid beers on tap. Just enough attitude in the menu to list a "dealers choice" and note that its just a big pour of malört. Its a bit off the beaten west loop path, and absolutely worth your time.

Impressive operation they got here at the Drop In. Came for a top-notch burger and these guys delivered. This burger was packed with flavor and the quality of ingredients is noticeable. It’s in a small, dark neighborhood bar with an inviting atmosphere. Service was awesome, quick and personable. Really transparent about the 20% service charge which goes to the staff. Happy hour deal is a great value, essentially when you consider the quality of the food.

The Drop In is the quintessential dive bar of burger joints. They specialize in one thing and do it extremely well.

Nice small neighborhood bar with a small simple menu, but hits all the right notes with the bar food style burgers and fries. They also have a really good, seems in house made Ketchup/ bbq Sauce on the tables. It was so good I put it on my burger and fries. Cocktails are made very well, and customer service was friendly and welcoming. Would recommend for a Drop In. 👍🏽🍔🍸

Had the burger and beast fries and both were so so sooo good! You have to get the beast fries, I wanted to put the toppings on my burger, they were so good. Also had the pink drink and it was delicious! The staff we interacted with was super nice and helpful as well.

Revising the below review based on my second visit. My first visit, the burger was excellent, but my recent June 10 ‘23 was not what I remember it to be. The burger was just ok. Too many jalapeños and not exploding with flavor like last time. Tough part of having a restaurant is consistency. Maybe if I went again it could be better but just want to update those reading to keep your expectations down. Staff is excellent as always, very friendly and attentive. One of the best damn burgers in town. Small cozy bar with friendly staff. This is not only a delicious burger for a bar but this is up there with Au Cheval. The burger is pretty damn heavy so beware but gat damn it’s delicious. Very juicy and flavorful with all the toppings. Also had the beast mode fries which comes with all the toppings of their cheeseburger. As delicious as they were, I was so full from the burger, the extra toppings on the fries were a bit much for me but on their own they’re like a 7.5. Fries were nice n crispy just how I like’em. Next time I’ll get the burger and plain fries. Bartenders were so hospitable and talkative. Will most definitely return. Highly recommended.

An amazing burger in a typical bar. The menu comprises of just the burger called NADC. There is a story behind the burger and it was fun reading about it and then checking out the place. I had a cocktail called Texas Paloma ,it was pretty darn good. Fries were crispy,hot, freash and perfectly salted. 👍👍

Excellent burger, would definitely recommend. You walk in and seat yourself at a table number and order at the bar. A note that 20% service charge is added to each bill, would’ve appreciated a heads up about that.

Great lil neighborhood bar, no frills. Solid beer selection, good service. But the NADC burger... that's why you really come here. She ain't pretty/IG-worthy & not the most aesthetically-pleasing but WOW she's so tasty. Two wagyu patties with some pickles, cheese, & a secret sauce (I might be missing something else?) make for some delicious bites. Definitely in my top 5 burgers of Chicago for sure, check them out!

A very unassuming bar off of Grand, The Drop In is a great place to get a quick bite to eat. After hearing about the NADC burger I had to check it out for myself. I went in early on a Monday and I was the only one there aside from one other patron, super quiet. They only serve the burger and fries, and nothing else. Love the simplicity of it all. The food was out really quickly and I thought it was a pretty decent burger. I wouldn't call it my favorite in the city but it was well made and I appreciated all the homemade elements to make it what it is. It was pretty heavy though and I wasn't able to finish it all. Would I come back again? Possibly. But there are a lot of great burgers in the city that I need to try first!

Went here last night with friends for some burgers, fries, and drinks at 7pm. There are only 2 food items on the menu; burger and fries. We were first told that they had no craft beer available because it was broken, then we were told that they ran out of fries. Nothing like a $16 burger and then being told they have no fries left at 7pm on a Wednesday....

Cheeseburgers are so good. This place is the real deal. Love the story of the owners. Oh and they play skate videos!

If you like Mezcal, do yourself a favor and get the disco flip. Hands down best burger I've had in Chicago. Great staff, super friendly. Small, intimate setting but the do everything well. The tip is included, but that's stated on the menu and the bartender also made us aware. Would go back and would recommend!

Such good burgers! You can only get the burger and fries which are the only thing on the menu. You also can't make substitutions, so might not be the best place if you are a picky eater! The bartender was great and very attentive. You should expect to wait a bit if you come with a big group or you come at a busy time, but well worth the wait!

My friend and I really wanted a burger on a Saturday night, and apparently so did the rest of Chicago. After many tries, we landed in the drop in. I walked in and managed to get the only 2 available seats in the whole place Bar is pretty small/narrow. Our seat faced the kitchen so we watched their burger making process. Everything moved pretty quick. I had a pornstar martini, the burger and beast mode fries. They take their burger very serious, no changes are made. It was a delicious burger and. Not over priced.

One of the best damn burgers in town. Small cozy bar with friendly staff. This is not only a delicious burger for a bar but this is up there with Au Cheval. The burger is pretty damn heavy so beware but gat damn it's delicious. Very juicy and flavorful with all the toppings. Also had the beast mode fries which comes with all the toppings of their cheeseburger. As delicious as they were, I was so full from the burger, the extra toppings on the fries were a bit much for me but on their own they're like a 7.5. Fries were nice n crispy just how I like'em. Next time I'll get the burger and plain fries. Bartenders were so hospitable and talkative. Will most definitely return. Highly recommended.

Delicious burger, vibes like the name, drop in, don't question or try to modify the menu. Order the burger, order the fries, have a beer and head on. Great spot.

One of the best burgers I've had in Chicago! So so good. Fries were crispy and tasty, as well, and the ketchup tasted like it was made in-house. We came on a Sunday shortly after they opened and seating was already slim. There was a group of 6 of us. We were able to snag 4 seats at the bar and 2 people stood. Right after we ordered, a table in the back opened up, so we squeezed in there. Food came out in a reasonable amount of time and service was friendly. If you go at a peak time, you'll like need to wait as it's a small dive bar. It will be worth your wait tho!!

We came here on a Monday and the burger (1 paddy) and fries were $25 and came in a to-go bag. You had to order at the counter and pick up your food to go. It was an okay burger but wayyyy too expensive. For this price, go to Au cheval or the Loyalist. These places are SIGNIFICANTLY better and are at the same price point. The drop In was also dead inside, where other places in west loop have a good crowd. The Drop In - please lower your prices. $25+ for a burger and fries is a sit down meal in west loop, not a drop in spot.

Was told by a good friend of mine to check this out, told me it rivaled Gretel as one of the better burgers in Chicago. Anytime someone mentions Gretel in comparison, it has to be checked out. Upon entering, was greeted quickly by bar staff and sat at the bar, although there are tables to sit at. We did order some mixed drinks that were prepared quickly and looked as good as they tasted. There were also some decently prized drink deals as well, although we didn't partake. I believe there was a shot and a beer combos that were decently priced. Anyways - the main reason we were there. The burgers. There isn't a big variety of burgers, so we got their smash burgers and they did not disappoint. The burgers were cooked to perfection, good combination of crispy and juicy, they didn't hold back on their house sauce which added a nice tang/color, and the buns were a perfect compliment to an already delicious burger. My friends ordered their fries as well which were great - very well seasoned/crispy , it also came with a "spicy" ketchup and it was a very good change of pace compared to regular ketchup. You will definitely be full after having this burger + fries. The bartender, who was also just a very nice guy, who took our order also perfectly described how they source their meat and info about waygu, staff definitely are well versed in their menu which is also refreshing to hear. I also believe they also have sushi downstairs, which I was told was extremely good(almost a hidden spot) - but you're going to have to find that out by yourself :) Highly recommend to try if you're in the area!

Been here a few Sunday's in a row now and the burger it the perfect lazy Sunday meal, delicious and keeps you full for your day on the sofa of just relaxing. The jalapeños give it a nice little kick and the house ketchup is delicious with the fries!

Limited tables/seating around the bar area with the kitchen in the back. It took a while until we were able to place our order with the bartender, but the food came out fairly quick. The burgers were good, and the ketchup was homemade. The fries were average.

Definitely a top-10 burger in the city. I mean...just look at that photo. Delicious. Not a huge space inside, but there are a few tables and you can also sit at the bar. Our server was really friendly and the bartender greeted us with smiles as we came in. A pretty no-frills experience, but that was exactly what I was expecting. I'll definitely be going back.

The burger I had was exceptional and the beast fries are a must-try. The service was great and the drinks were amazing. Vibes are cool as well.

Not A Damn Chance Burger, a bold statement, wrapped in simplicity, this burger makes quite a statement. Every bite is a griddled delight, expertly cheesed with a nice sauce along with understated grilled onions and jalapenos. Classic, soft bun, could get messy, but somehow I managed pretty well, either way it was going to be a glorious experience. I recognized this as soon as I saw that special package drop in front of me. French Fries were nice, cocktail excellent, can't remember the name, some sort of a bourbon sour, bitterly sweet. Interesting space, love the open kitchen in the rear, quite nice, this is a burger you are not going to forget, Not A Damn Chance! (FDV Approved 4.6 - Food, 4.8; Design, 4.6; Value, 4.5).

I've know Chef Phillip Frankland Lee going back 8 years when he opened up the Scratch Bar in Encino, CA where I used to live. He was a Michelin Star chef in a location that didn't understand what that meant. Encino, is a desert wasteland for restaurants. The mortality rate for any good eatery in this section of L.A. is horrible. Phillip being a smart savvy guy knew to diversify into other markets that understood what he was doing. That brings me to The Drop In Restaurant here in Chicago's Fulton River District tonight, a restaurant with Phillips touch and mentorship written all over it. Their NADC (Not A Damn Chance) cheeseburger is the only thing on their menu, along with a side of French fries or (if you don't eat meat) a grilled cheese sandwich. The NADC burger I had tonight was great! I loved it. It is a smash burger with pickles, grilled onions, jalapeño and their secret sauce. It worked in every way. My side of fries and a Miller High Life beer kick this dinner into the stratosphere. The ambience is......well, there is no ambiance. It's a bar with some tables that is pretty bare bones. The eating experience was order - eat - pay - leave! I had put 90 minutes on my parking spot, but needed on 30 minutes. I know this sounds "brisk" but my meal was so good, I didn't mind the dispatch. This was definitely not a lounge around restaurant and I appreciated what they were doing. The Drop In Restaurant makes a high end, expensive, well worth the money smash burger that can stand up against any other place that does the same but Drop In does it better. I'm glad the "Scratch" brand decided to open in Chicago. My next venture with these nice people will be their Japanese Omakase restaurant in this same location. Stay tuned for that review! What can I say other than I'm a huge fan of Chef Phillips; he can do no wrong, whether in Encino, Chicago, Austin or Mars!

The NADC burger was good, but too many pickles and peppers on it, couldn't really taste the beef. Also kind of small for $16. The fries were additional, and I don't recommend getting the beast fries for $8 as there is hardly any cheese on them, and it's just a few chopped up peppers on them. Also, they charge a 20% gratuity automatically, even for take out orders. The takeout burger and some fries weren't worth the $33.

Great burgers and service at this bar. We were happy to get a table and eat on a beautiful Saturday in Chicago. Staff was fantastic.

This place charges a 20% service charge on take out orders. Never seen anything like that. An extra $4 just to swipe my credit card and wait for my food to be ran out of the kitchen to me. Literally paid an extra 20% for zero service. Avoid this place for take out.

Best burger in chicago. I'll be back. Wasn't even close. Perfection. Magical. To good

Finally trying this place out . Had high hopes, but honestly came out of it a bit disappointed. Maybe it's me and my taste, but I thought the burger was just ok. It tasted like any other burgers I had. Supposedly made with Wagyu but like I said it wasn't anything special to me. Setting is bar setting, dimly lit space. Small bar/restaurant. Service was good, we were greeted and attended to right away. There's a water station in the back in front of the grill/kitchen. We sat in front of the kitchen to watch them make the burgers. Came with my husband, we each got a burger and shared an order of fries. Fries were crispy. Their "ketchup" is different, like freshly mashed tomatoes. As many people have mentioned there's an automatic 20% charge to your bill on top of tax, so lunch for my husband and I for burgers was kind of hefty ($50 eek). Can't say I'll come back. But it definitely is good for those drinking if they're looking for greasy food to soak up that alcohol.

The burger is worth stopping by, delicious. They also have a really good cocktail menu. Those in search of the best burger in Chicago this one place to drop in and try the burger.

It's not every day you get to to have the best burger you've ever had. But once you try this burger you'll be having daily cravings. Perfect ratio of meat, cheese, bun, sauce. It's just perfect, juicy and holds together well

one of the best burgers in the city! Simple but complex. The Wagu beef melts in your mouth! *only flaw is they bake in a 20% gratituty without mentioning this to the customer, so I ended up leaving 2 tips ($20) for a single burger & fries. I was wondering why my bill felt so steep. Thought this was a little sneaky, but overall the food was killer.

Au cheval has been the reigning champ for decades and dare I say it, this might share the top spot with them. Burger, fries, and a beer and shot special - BOMB. It's a must try - you won't regret it.

The vibes here were great, dark good music. The service was awesome. Our waiter was really attentive and had good chat. The drinks were good and reasonably priced. The burger and fries were 10/10! I know a smash burger has been done before but this was really good (huge plus it wasn't greasy)! The fries were crispy, I personally preferred the loaded fries. All in all, definitely worth the trip.

Poor Service and Rude Bartenders Mediocre Burgers 20% gratuity automatically charged to bill

First time there and the food was amazing. They don't take reservations but the wait wasn't bad the drinks were great and the service was good as well. Very friendly staff, small place but cozy.

Was excited when this place opened up and loved the moody interior with reasonably priced cocktails. They have since updated the menu and taken some favorites (the Paloma and Southside Fizz) off the menu, as well as upping the price from $12 a cocktail to $14. The candles on the tables are gone as well. Overall a good place to stop in (and obviously try NADC burger) and check it out, but do miss some of the little things from a few months prior.

What the f!!! So good. The biggest thing is that Au Cheval is widely considered the best burger in town... The Drop In proves that is complete malarkey. This is by far the best burger... that I ever had. 10/10, would do again. Do yourself a service and just try it. In my opinion, completely worth a trip from the suburbs to downtown just to experience this again. Size of burger is small enough for one person. Fries are immaculate, regular fries are fine, no need to get them Beast Mode.

For F#*k sake. Dear Owner/s, make the burger $20 w/fries and drop the 20% service fee. It makes us feel like we're responsible for paying your staff a living wage. It's beef, cheese and pickles. This place need to get over itself.

Late night smash burgers after show at the Salt Shed were delicious! Bartender was cool. Definitely going back next time in ChiTown

I never leave reviews but I had to take the time in order to praise the service provided by Drew. His charismatic personality and attention to detail truly provided a warming atmosphere. As a local resident, I will definitely be back as long as he is able to participate in sharing a well mixed cocktail with me and my group. 9.2/10

Burger was amazing, Service was great. Fries are not that great in my opinion. They also put on a 20% service fee. That's a lot if you are also expected to tip. The service fee is entered before the tax is calculated, so you have to pay 10% taxes on that also, so it really is 22%. I feel bad, but you can't expect to pay 22% and then leave another 20% tip. That's crazy to pay 42%.

Food is good BUT They ambush you with a 20% SERVICE FEE that is CALCULATED AFTER TAX. This fee is NOT intended to count towards your tip (I.E. they expect you to TIP ON TOP OF THIS). So for two people, if you're each getting a meal (burger, fries, beer), you're looking at $100 if you tip. Also, ignore whatever self-righteous drivel of a reply they might have to this.

One of the best burgers in town! It's a small dive bar with punk rock tunes. The drinks were great and they also had a diverse selection of liquor. Our bartender Emily was fantastic !

Best burger! The ambiance is a bit dark and the seating is limited. Also be aware there is a mandatory bar charge even if you just get burgers.

Great Burger. Top 5-10 in the city easily. Big issue with the Price however. For 2 burgers and 2 cokes it was $80!! I couldn't believe it, but they are transparent about it, they tell you we add a 20% service charge for the kitchen and then with 12% tax on top of a $24 burger (extra patty) it adds up. Definitely worth it one time just won't make a habit of it.

The burger is fine but it doesn't justify the obscene prices...$16 for the burger and $10 for a Modelo + a service fee?? And that doesn't include fries. Just go to Kuma's Corner. The burger is as good but they're not pretentious

Food and drinks were great. Just think they should get rid of the service fee. I had amazing service and was happy to let my tip reflect that. Had I not reviewed my check ,I wouldn't have seen the service charge though. That seems deceptive.

Has a good atmosphere went in with 5 friends on one of the hottest days of the year. The burgers are good not best in the city but solid! The beer fridge is bomb as every bottle came out perfectly chilled and they have a decent selection of spirits behind the bar (OGD bonded, whistle pig, koval, etc).be mindful they don't do substitutions so if you don't like/ allergic can't change it. Also as other review mention it's an automatic 20% which I think makes it easier to split and with low prices is fine by me. My only complaints were some annoying bar flys that keep bothering the table and feeling of being rushed out. Had a group of six ordering beer shots food etc and around 10pm they took down free water and asked if they could run the card on hand for what we owed. For a place open until midnight just seemed weird to rush out the only six top ordering drinks food etc.....

burger was deece, but no power to beer taps and ran out of fries. the waiter also calls his guests 'dude'.