1. Photograph: Erica Gannett
    Photograph: Erica Gannett

    Leadbelly

  2. Photograph: Erica Gannett
    Photograph: Erica Gannett

    Leadbelly burger at Leadbelly with lettuce, tomato, red onion and housemade sriracha pickles

  3. Photograph: Erica Gannett
    Photograph: Erica Gannett

    Leadbelly

  4. Photograph: Erica Gannett
    Photograph: Erica Gannett

    Leadbelly burger and garlic parm fries at Leadbelly

  5. Photograph: Erica Gannett
    Photograph: Erica Gannett

    Midnight Special burger at Leadbelly: chili-cheese fritos, jalapeno-jack cheese, pico de gallo and chipotle-cream sauce

  6. Photograph: Erica Gannett
    Photograph: Erica Gannett

    Garlic parm fries at Leadbelly

  7. Photograph: Erica Gannett
    Photograph: Erica Gannett

    Leadbelly

  8. Photograph: Erica Gannett
    Photograph: Erica Gannett

    Midnight Special burger, Leadbelly burger and garlic-parm fries at Leadbelly

BRGRBELLY

  • Restaurants | Hamburgers
  • price 1 of 4
  • Portage Park
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Time Out says

The second coming of Kuma’s it’s not, despite Leadbelly’s striking similarities in theme (photos of rock bands all over the walls, Pearl Jam concert playing on the TVs), fare (burgers, fries), emphasis on craft beer (three rotating local brews on tap, many others in bottles) and location (Far Northwest Side, specifically Portage Park) to its predecessor. Unlike Kuma’s, though, Leadbelly will not see people flocking from all over the city and suburbs to queue up for three-hour waits. But for a quick neighborhood option, this tiny, counter-service-only spot is a solid alternative.

The bulbous buns, made in-house, stand up well to the insane mess that is the Midnight Special, a somehow-delicious heap of chipotle-cream sauce, jalapeno-jack cheese and pico de gallo sprinkled with, yes, Chili-Cheese Fritos. But when bookending the more straightforward Leadbelly burger—lettuce, tomato, onion, Sriracha pickles and choice of cheese—the thick bun renders the whole thing far too dry. That boring burger at least allows you to appreciate the meat, a thick patty made of a ground-in-house beef blend mixed with pork belly, which lends a noticeable smokiness. The double-fried fries, served in a cute little metal fry basket, manage to stay crispy underneath a mound of fresh Parmesan and garlic. And all burgers come with a forgettable, brittle butter cookie—another cute touch, but the thick, rich chocolate shake is a far better dessert.

Details

Address
5739 W Irving Park Rd
Chicago
60634
Cross street:
between Major and Menard Aves
Transport:
Bus: 80, 85.
Price:
Average main course: $10
Opening hours:
Tues-Thurs 5pm-9pm; Fri, Sat 5pm-10pm; Sun noon-7pm
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