Only in Chicago could a restaurant’s burger be so popular that it deserves its own dedicated storefront—and thank God for that. The story of Mini Mott’s signature dish started in 2016, when the burger at its parent restaurant, Mott St, was recognized as one of the best in the nation. At the time, the patty was only available at the Asian restaurant’s tiny bar, making it a hot-ticket item for guests and a pain in the ass for management. Opening a separate spinoff burger hub made total sense, and Mott St debuted Mini Mott in 2018.
These days, you can still order the fabled burger at the original Noble Square location, but you’re much better off heading north to Logan Square, where Mini Mott’s fast-casual menu revolves around the creation. As evidenced by a recent Friday night visit, the masses have caught on, too.
At Mini Mott, diners can choose from the Original (two patties), the Mini (one patty) or the Veg (with jackfruit carnitas), all of which are layered with melty American cheese, hoisin aioli, pickled jalapeños, pickles, miso butter, sautéed onions and a cloud of sweet potato frizzles. Don’t make a single adjustment or substitution and you’ll experience the symphony of tastes and textures that established this burger as one of the best in the country. Your fingers will be coated with umami flavors by the time it’s all over, and you’ll hardly notice yourself licking them clean.
Of course, chef Edward Kim and partners Jennifer and Victoria Kim have never been ones to rest on their laurels. The rest of the menu is worth exploring, even if you only came for the burger. The wings here are satisfying (though arguably inferior to the jumbo version offered at Mott St), but the wedge salad is a serious sleeper hit. Showered in heirloom tomatoes, paper-thin radish slices, dill tendrils, nori bonito flakes and a creamy, herbaceous dressing, it’s a refreshingly ideal match for the rest of the meaty roster.
Keep an eye on the menu for inventive cravings from the kitchen, like the K Pork skewers with sticky rice cakes and Berkshire sausages, or the Katsu Sando with crispy panko-crusted chicken on manicured brioche. Priced at $7–$12, cocktails are a no-brainer—we’re particularly fond of the Hipster Juice, a funky-fresh blend of dry-hopped kombucha and sake. No matter the season, a taiyaki (or fish-shaped pastry) filled with creamy Belgian chocolate soft-serve is always the right way to follow up one of the city’s greatest burgers.
Vitals
Atmosphere: The sweet, modern dining room is accented with pale-pink touches, neon signs and greenery, making it an ideal spot for lunch on the weekend or a laid-back date night.
What to eat: You’re here for the burger, but that shouldn’t stop you from tossing in an order shishito peppers, the wedge salad and the garlic fries for good measure.
What to drink: Hopewell’s First Lager plays nicely with the signature dish, while the Junior Year—a classic Old Fashioned with a hint of lavender—goes down great with an order of Hangry wings.
Where to sit: Place your order at the counter and scope out the dining room for an open table. With just 60-some seats in the entire place, you won’t have much of a say. Come summer, have a friend snag a spot on the patio before you place your order.