Evanston is #blessed in the burger department with Edzo’s, Five Guys and Bat 17. There’s even a Shake Shack in Old Orchard, and that’s not even including all the rest of Chicago which is just a train ride away.
Epic Burger has some serious competition, so how do they stack up? As someone who has eaten quite a few burgers (including the ones listed above and the best burger in America), I’d say good burgers are important to me, and Epic Burger makes a pretty dang good burger.
Epic Burger’s goal is to give people food that is non-processed at a price that doesn’t break the bank. In order to create “A More Mindful Burger,” they don’t use drugs, artificial colors, artificial flavors, nitrates, phosphates, preservatives or other additives in their food. They jump through all of these hoops because they hope to raise more awareness about how food is raised, grown, transported, packaged and prepared. So how does it work?
Tons of Options
Photo by Monica Cheng
It’s similar to a Five Guys design, but with more options. Besides just beef, they also offer turkey burgers, chicken, and a portobello option. If you’re cutting down on gluten, they offer a bun-less option which comes with lettuce instead. If burgers aren’t really your thing, they also have grilled cheese. All burgers come with a choice of grilled or raw onions, lettuce, tomato, pickles, and Epic sauce. You can also add cheese, bacon, avocado, or a fried egg on top for an extra charge.
Drool-Worthy Extras
Photo by Monica Cheng
Being the extra person that I am, I ordered a burger with literally every topping. And besides the fact that I couldn’t fit it in my mouth and looked like a fool while eating it, it was a great decision.
First of all, eggs should be standard options on burgers. Eggs are amazing. Burgers are amazing. Eggs on burgers? Double the amazing. Epic Burger’s egg was also perfect. The yolk was slightly runny, but not terribly so that it would have caused a huge mess.
The avocado provided a creaminess to the burger to contrast against the crunch of the bacon, the meat itself, the lettuce, and the tomato. Plus, I just love avocados so in my mind it’s always worth the add.
Tender, Delicious Meat
Photo by Monica Cheng
The meat itself, I thought, was cooked really well. I like my burgers medium rare-medium because I like it juicy, and Epic Burger definitely delivered. The outside was a little bit crunchy, but not in an unpleasant way, but the inside was juicy and delicious and the flavor really let the “beefiness” of the burger really shine through. Every element got its moment, but they also all worked really well together to create an overall extremely tasty experience.
The Full Experience
Photo by Monica Cheng
To really get the full experience, you can also order milkshakes and fries from Epic Burger. I’m serious, their fries were banging. Not a single one was unflavored and boring. And their milkshakes? Fantastic – not too sweet and not too thick. Epic Burger truly lives up to its name, and I am excited to have another burger place in town. Definitely go give it a try! Who knows, it could easily become your new favorite.