They've changed the burger somehow....i can't put my finger on it but it's not the same as it once was.... still great but it's off slightly than it was years ago read more

The Loyalist - OG The Loyalist Original Burger - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Hype is real, what a great spot. Kind of a hideaway from the outside but once you enter the doors you'll see the up/down breakout for the two different restaurants - The Loyalist is downstairs. Friendly service, the bar had a decent flow so was able to snag a seat late on a Friday. Bar service was as good as it gets, highly attentive and friendly. Manhattan was perfect, a nice way to warm up before the real reason I came here - the burger. Burger came out quickly, cooked perfectly. My first impression was that this was a high end version of a McDonald's burger. If you've ever seen Joshua Weissman's "But Better" series, this is the kind of thing I'm talking about. The bun is heavily coated with sesame seeds, the pickles very reminiscent of the fast food experience but unlike fast food which requires ketchup to reach a decent acidity level, the pickles here pack a punch. Beef and cheese are so well balanced that you're in between on what you're tasting at any given moment, partially juicy medium rare beef, partially melted cheese that is liquid gold. Often when I look for a memorable burger the basics are lost in establishments trying too hard to dress the burger up beyond the usual recipe. Whether it's brioche buns, extravagant jellies, or gimmicky toppings - too often the burger itself is hidden behind something else. That is not the case at The Loyalist, you're getting a cheeseburger cooked at the highest level. read more

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I've heard about this place and wasn't sure if we'd be able to get in, but might as well try, right? A quick wait and a cocktail later, we're seated. Great food- the gnudi was divine- friendly service. read more

The Loyalist - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The burger was excellent. Caramelized onions were delicious, and the sesame seed buns were tasty. Honestly, pretty small and not worth the $31 price tag, though. It was a nice thing to try once, but I don't think I can justify buying this again. The fries that came with it were really bad, but maybe that's because we got takeout and they got soggy. The mayo sauce was pretty good, though. read more

Burger lives up to the hype! I went for a birthday and they continued to go over the top for the birthday. Great service, ambiance and food! Can't wait to be back! read more

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Nestled beneath its Michelin-starred sibling, Smyth, The Loyalist delivers a relaxed yet refined take on French-inspired comfort food. An incredible burger--juicy, well-seasoned, and perfectly balanced, easily one of the best in the city. The meal began with a foie gras canapé, a rich and decadent bite that paired beautifully with the CITI-DILL-08 cocktail, a well-balanced mix of bright and herbaceous flavors. To end, a glass of rosé accompanied the Tarte au Chocolat, a silky, deeply flavorful dessert that was the perfect final touch. Beyond the food, the service was excellent--attentive, knowledgeable, and effortlessly friendly. The staff ensured a smooth and enjoyable experience without being intrusive. read more

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The service was amazing from the moment we walked in!! Our server was very friendly and attentive. However the food was mediocre. The onion soup was just ok the toast was very flavorful. The burgers were not even warm -room temp maybe . Nonetheless the meat was good but the bun fell apart--the fries were the star of the show?!!! We also had 3 glasses of champagne all for about $300- will not return read more

The Loyalist - Onion soup and anchovy toast - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Server was amazing and attentive. Ambience was awesome. Unfortunately, my OG cheeseburger had a very distinctive fish taste to it on every bite. Fries were great and the chocolate chip was a good dessert. I would not go back. And, adding a culinary service charge is going a bit too far. We've now come to tipping the cook? That's their job. I mean we're already paying $28 for a burger and now the cook gets a tip?? I've never been to an establishment where tipping the cook was a thing. read more

Perfectly cozy brunch spot for a chilly morning. Our server kept us laughing, and most importantly, our food had us talking about when we'd come back and bring our partners! I had to try the burger, of course, and my friend ordered the croquet madame. We also tasted the anchovy toast, sweet corn scone, & boudin noir. Too full to order dessert, but I won't make that mistake next time. read more

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Went to the loyalist to see what this burger is all about. I Wasnt too impressed, and the chef seems to think k very highly of themselves. No substations, no changes. Does not appear they are here to feed customers, more like their own egos and deep pockets. The place is really dark and situated in a a basement with the smith being on the first floor. Typical restaurant ambiance, nothing to make them stand out. Paid street parking wasn't hard to find, but we went on Wednesday so might not be as easy on the weekend. The menu is very simple and I gather most people come here for the burger or to have a drink at the bar. We tried one of each burger. The French smash was not my favorite, the meat patty was super thin and the escargot (snail) sauce overpowered the flavor completely. I don't think escargot belongs on a burger. The OG burger was much better and the onions were very tasty. Was it the bet burger in Chicago? I think not, was it worth the price tag? I think not, but I did enjoy it The fries were good, similar to McDonald's fries but more crispy. Unfortunately our fries were way way over salted. Our service was good, attentive and she tried to be welcoming, it does appear that this chef or whoever designed the menu is a bit stuck up. No substitutions. And if you order the cookie god forbid you ask for ice cream, the chef doesn't allow it. If the food was better, one of a kind, I'd be more open to all the restriction but in the end the food wasn't anything revolutionary. read more

The Loyalist - The French smash with fries - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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My friends wanted to come here because of the burger. This place is very dark and gives speakeasy vibes. I personally didn't like how dark it was inside considering it was 6 pm outside and still so bright. We got the OG burger which was recommended by our server. There was a decent amount of fries that it came with. We were all hungry so it hit the spot, but it is not the best burger I have had (that's reserved for 7th street burger in NYC). This burger was not worth $27 in my opinion. We also got some cocktails that everyone enjoyed. read more

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Oh my gosh, this place lived up to my expectations. First off, the moody lighting was perfect on a chilly Saturday night. And our waitress Timi was outstanding! Her hospitality, fun banter, and recommendations made our experience delightful. I certainly recommend you request her on your visit! As for the food-- wow. We started with the deviled eggs & mussels which were outstanding. They took relatively simple dishes and elevated the flavors to another level! For my main, I had the French onion soup which was cozy and tasty. And the bread that topped it off is still something I dream of! So so good. And of course, no meal here is complete without the cookies! read more

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Decent spot. We came here with a reservation at 8 pm and we were on time, but they informed us our table wasn't ready. We were given the option of waiting for a table or getting a seat at the bar. Not what we were expecting and found it to be very unprofessional, given that we had a reservation. We ended up sitting at the bar. We sat and ordered two burgers each. The ambiance is fine, darkly lit, romantic, but also brassy so good for parent's visiting or date night. We ordered the OG Burger and we found itself was quite oily and was difficult to identify flavor. Fries were the best part, crunchy, salty, and numerous. Servers were difficult to find to get water refilled. Overall, likely wouldn't go back as there are so many great places in Chicago. read more

We came here on a Saturday night for our anniversary and it was great. We were seated and received a complimentary glass of Prosecco and the staff had written a happy anniversary note. The food was amazing!! Our server recommended the smoked salmon tartar which was so fresh and delicious. We both got burgers which I can see why people love. Will definitely be back!! read more

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Incredible food and service. However, my BIGGEST ISSUE has to do with those atrocious bar stools. Who chose those chairs as a comfortable dining experience? For a place with awesome food and a sister restaurant with 3 Michelin stars, the person who picked out those chairs should be immediately fired. Hey management, maybe consider something more comfortable for your guests. Anyways, the burger was absolutely outstanding. It's hard to compare to Au Cheval since I consider them different burgers, but by God, this is right up there as one of the best burgers I've ever had. I'd say it would've been equal, but those chairs just knocked it down a 1/2 point. read more

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Sometimes you let the expectations ruin the experience. I was so pumped to finally come try The Loyalist burger as I've heard so many great reviews about it and while it was good, it was just good. But that's ok, it's a solid burger and I can see why so many people like it. The location is beautiful, dark and mood. Love the vibe. The service was fine, perhaps a bit on the slower more relaxed side, but overall no complaints. It was a really nice dinner and I'd love to come back to try Smyth. That'll be a 2025 goal. read more

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Pretty awesome good and drinks; best burger and French onion was amazing as well. The vibe and atmosphere was great would recommend and go again anytime. Service was on point as well! read more

Server at the bar. Sever at the bar. I am the paying customer and I never heard what I wanted, rather, what he was capable of accomplishing when he had time. I sat at a bar with 15 guys on Monday night during the nfl playoffs and the bar keep told me he might, eventually put the game on. Instead, we watched roadhouse knowing that Pittsburgh was getting ready to the Texans. The food was great.!!! read more

Updated Brunch Review: This used to be one of my favorite restaurants to go to but this time and last time was quite disappointing. I'll give them a 3rd chance but three strikes and you're out. Farm Eggs: Skip How is this not a scam? You can hardly taste the crab (if at all) in this and then pay fourteen dollars for a hard boiled egg.... Pate: Get I love me some foie gras and this was amazing. Only four dollars more than the above... it's just a great experience with the fatty meat butter, pickled items, and sauce to spread all over a bread piece of bread. Croque Madame: Maybe get A decent open-face sandwich but not too memorable tbh Burger: Get!! One of the reasons to come here is probably one of the best burgers ever. I've had this so many times and continue to get it almost every time I come back. Just get it, you won't regret it Service: Uhhhhh... Usually, it's on point but this time it was a mess. The server forgot our order a couple of times and our food took AGES to come out. Maybe it was just this brunch service as I usually go for dinner but we hung out and talked over an empty table for way too long. Food: 7/10 Service: 5/10 Atmosphere: 6/10 Value: 6/10 read more

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I would probably go 4.5 but I'll round up for great service. I have been wanting to go here for a while and I was happy with the experience! Our server was friendly and attentive. Knew the menu well and answered all our questions. We started with drinks, they have a great rose! Though pricey. For dinner we got the mussels and oysters to start. Both great and huge portion for the mussels, we honestly didn't need two entrees. We split the OG loyalist burger and fries and the half chicken. I thought the burger was darn tasty and it looked better than the other version visually. My husband thought it was a bit overhyped but I would come back for it. Nice skinny crispy fries! The chicken was just alright. Cooked very well and I liked the blue cheese side but the seasonings for me were not my taste, couldn't place it but wouldn't order again just on personal preference. Overall would def comeback for the drinks, mussels, and burger! read more

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The Loyalist is a casual French restaurant in the basement of Smyth (the fancier two-Michelin-star restaurant). This place is famous for its incredible burgers! I highly recommend a reservation online or by phone call. It is available on Tock online. I decided to make a reservation after I heard about this restaurant from a chef in a Miami restaurant. He kept raving about this place! You can opt to do takeout and delivery from 5:00-10:00 PM. However, I recommend the visit because it's a great neighborhood spot. When you go downstairs, the door leads to the main restaurant. It's dim inside but lit with some shades of red lighting here and there. It can be loud sometimes, but it's a great experience overall. FOOD: Foie Gras Terrine (3/5, port gelee, truffle, almonds, and buttered sourdough): The sourdough was amazing, but I think it was because we were starving! The foie gras was OK on its own. When we tried a little of each on the piece of baguette, everything tasted delicious (sweet and savory taste). I would not order it again. The Loyalist Cheeseburger and Fries (4/5, pickled & charred onion, sesame seed bun, frites): There are two burger options, but this is the recommended one. The patty was slightly thicker than what I would prefer (meat blend of chuck, short rib, and bacon). However, the patty was delicious and full of flavor. I was surprised with the amount of flavor one bite would bring from the few ingredients noted in this (melted cheese with onions: pickled and charred). I honestly preferred it with the house pickle juice! It adds a wonderful twist when you lightly dip the burger in it. I did not care for the fries much, but my friends loved the crunch with the chili aioli. The drinks are amazing. I highly recommend ordering one of their signature cocktails. If you are not sure what to order, then inform what notes/tastes you prefer. They will concoct something magical! The service was wonderful. Our server was very personable. It was obvious that he enjoyed being there. His energy exuberated at our table whenever he chatted with us. We never felt rushed. Would I come back? Absolutely. read more

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Since Au Cheval has gone downhill, I figured I needed to re-rank The Loyalist as it is also a highly rated burger. I visited here a few weeks ago and made a reservation for 8pm on a Tuesday night. There was a good amount of people, but nowhere nearly as crowded as usual as it was Election night. Ambiance is a dimly lit, speakeasy so good for date night. I ordered a few Old Fashioneds, which were very good! My friend ordered the Something Gin, which was very good as well. Flavor profile was dill pickle and sweet, but flavorful. The Loyalist definitely has great cocktails! We started off with the Deviled Eggs and Anchovy Toast Both of these were outstanding. So much flavor for both dishes. I was shocked with the Anchovy Toast as the flavors were timed. First it was the garlic butter toast, then the vinegar sauce, and lastly the anchovy. This most likely came from Smyth and it's something to expect when dining there. We both ordered the OG burger. I haven't had the OG burger since 2018 and I thought the Special Burger was only good at best. My friend only ordered carryout during the pandemic and thought it was average to good at best. Bun was great, but it lacked flavor. That is typical IMO with sesame seed buns as they are typically dry. Bun was fresh though. Burger was cooked to medium rare, but it wasn't very flavorful. The toppings are still overwhelming and they are trying to do too much IMO. K.I.S.S. Fries needed way more salt. They were very crispy though, but give me McDonald's fries instead! I was not a fan of the onion aioli and prefer a garlic aioli. Service was good and our server was nice. I never like when they give us the check before we ask and that is exactly what our waitress did as we could have gotten another drink. But she did say no rush. Obviously, we could have her change the check, but it's always just a bad vibe and not worth it. Prices are expensive as it's West Loop and a 2 or 3-Michelin star restaurant up top. Burger was $27 and the both of us thought it was absolutely not worth $27. Overall, I enjoy the Loyalist and would go back for the cocktails and try some other entrees. But I wouldn't get the OG burger again. It definitely was not as good as it was pre-pandemic so something changed over the years. Still better than my last burger at Au Cheval though! Old: Bun: 8 Burger: 9 Toppings: 9 Overall: 8.67 Fries: 5 New: Bun: 7 Burger: 6 Toppings: 7 Overall: 6.67 Fries: 5 read more

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I'd give this between a 3 and 4 star rating. I've been wanting to try this spot for awhile because so many people rave about the burger. I came on a Tuesday evening around 5:30. It was already a bit busy, as it's a smaller space. The hostess said there was a high top I could use for an hour (I didn't make a res but there were bar stools open too). I said sure, that's no problem. It took about 10 minutes for a server to come greet me, which is a long time, especially for such a small space. My friend and I both ordered the OG burger. It was decent but definitely WAY overhyped in my opinion. Wouldn't put this in my top 5 in Chicago. It is very onion forward and considering I'm not a huge fan of onions, not a fan. It also wasn't very juicy and there wasn't anything special about the flavor of the burger itself. It says on the menu that they are pickled and charred but didn't taste like they had a very long pickling process because I usually like pickled onions. Maybe I should have gone with the classic cheeseburger. It's pretty pricey for what was a very average burger so not sure I'd go back when there are so many good burgers in town. They did have a special that you get a beer + shot of whiskey with your burger for free which was nice. And I enjoyed the cozy ambiance. But not a spot I would make a point of returning to. read more

The Loyalist - The Loyalist Cheeseburger and Fries - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

David gave us excellent service for a bustling Thursday night. They were able to accept us in such short notice and the OC was everything we heard it would be. EXCELLENT! Cocktails we poured and came in a very timely manner. Never an empty glass. Only was the escargot, asked to be served first, but showed up with the meal. read more

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Moody vibe and really good service. The burger, beer, and shot deal was pretty good for $28. I also got a tequila cocktail on happy hour which was very yummy. Burger was heavy but loved the sauce & pickles. read more

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The Loyalist in Chicago West Loop has won Best # Burger in the city! Now I know why! It's big enough to share, so we split that & their quiche which comes with this decadent hollandaise sauce! Happy Hour has tasty apps, like bacon dates and drinks. Non-alcoholic drink menu is solid. Don't skip dessert. Baba au Rhum is LIT Never felt rushed by servers. Great option for girls night out or date night. read more

The Loyalist - The Loyalist Cheeseburger and Fries Quiche Lorraine - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I LOVED this place. The burger lived up to all the expectations. I came here as a birthday dinner with my friends and it was amazing. They even gave me a little birthday card which melted my heart. The burger was so juicy, cooked perfectly. The fries I ate it all which never happens. I can't remember the special but it was also delicious. So well seasoned. Service was amazing, decent amount of seating but definitely get reservations. Reservations fill up so fast. read more

The Loyalist - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I was planning a date for my girlfriend and I and I didn't snag the reservation to the restaurant I originally wanted to check out. So, I asked ChatGPT what restaurants in the Fulton Market District are good with accepting walk-ins, and The Loyalist was mentioned. After we were finished playing games at The Emporium Arcade Bar and started to get hungry. I called The Loyalist and placed my name on the waiting list. We seated in a fairly short amount of time at the bar. We did not have the intention of ordering drinks but we couldn't help it as they all sounded so unique. I've seen before on social media that this place has one of the best burgers so that was a must order, and we also got the French onion soup and beef tartare. To say the least, we were satisfied with it as it was a very good burger, but I would claim it to be THE best... Au Cheval has the best burger . Also, the vibes were excellent as the restaurant is in underground with dim lighting setting and intimate scene for our dinner. Overall, The Loyalist is excellent and we have no complaints. It was truly a great experience and I'm happy that we ended up here. Thank you for reading my lengthy review if you've made it this far, I just enjoy storytelling in my reviews so I can paint you a full picture . read more

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I heard a lot about their burgers so I wanted to try. It's downstairs and the entrance looks residential. It's dark. Service is very nice here. Our server bumps it up to a 4. The burgers were good but it wasn't the best I've ever had. The OG Burger patty is served medium rare to medium. Somehow it lacked flavor even with the dips. The Classic Cheeseburger was a little better but has burnt edges. The sauces were a little weird to me with the vinegar and aioli. The fries were fine. There was a lot of it and it has a beefy? chicken? flavor that you kind of get used to. The cod was also weird for me because it was like a fish sausage. It tasted good, just strange. Honestly, the burgers were enough food. read more

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Their burger is good for sure but I don't think it can compare to Small Cheval's burger. I enjoyed the experience and it made me want to try the Smyth. read more

Not one thing is big is bad here. The service was killer and the atmosphere was warm and inviting.!max was our host and waiter loved him.

Great ambiance, chatty but nice service, food was amazing only thing I would change would be the volume of the music, rap was playing which i personally love but don't believe it fits the vibe of the restaurant. Good aux tho!! read more

Hello everyone, For my 500th review (hooray for me!), I give you the Loyalist, and its very famous burger. Located in the basement of an old West Loop building, the Loyalist is a dark, sexy affair. Both the Manhattan and the Old Fashioned are excellent, but the edge goes to the Manhattan for a seamless, sugar free mix. Wines are limited here, but there are a few by the glass options, including a French Cab Franc. Service is friendly and the upholstery is leather. For desserts, the profiteroles are OK - the chocolate sauce is excellent but I found the pastry somewhat lacking in crunch. Oh, yes, I almost forgot. The Burger. I'm sure you're dying to know - was it tasty, and was it worth it? The first question is the easiest, and so we will start there - it is very tasty. It is a structural marvel, perfectly coordinated bun and burger. Easy to hold and easy to devour, this burger maintains structural integrity throughout its existence. I love that they use a sesame seed bun and it is everything you would hope for. The burger patty mix is juicy without being greasy, and full of beefy flavor. The cheese is perfectly melted, and the onions and pickles round out the flavor nicely. I easily ate the entire burger. The burger also comes with fries - and impeccable reproduction of the McDonald's style. They were very good. It is undeniably a tasty burger. But at $27, is it worth it? Is it twice as good as the Small Cheval across Lake Street? Honestly probably not, that is pretty steep, even with fries. But it should be tried at least once, so that you may fully experience Chicago's ongoing culinary renaissance. But for non special occasions Small Cheval will more than satisfy. A note on access - The Loyalist is in the basement, and entree requires a journey down 14 steps, or a go down an extremely steep driveway ramp. Like, San Francisco street steep. Fortunately, whether you are using a wheelchair or walking, the Maitre'd is more than happy to help you navigate, so be sure to notify them ahead of time. read more

So normally I love this place. Today I went and the service was just subpar. Our waiter forgot to put our apps in, and brought an extra burger to our table bc he thought that's what we ordered (we did not). When we did receive our burgers that we ordered "medium", they were all well done. The waiter never returned to our table after acknowledging his mistake of not putting our apps in. We ordered a cookie afterwards and I feel like he could have at least comp'd that after the terrible service, but no. The ambiance sucked bc the waiter also turned on heavy metal for us to listen to as we ate our dry burgers. read more

Finally got to check this out! We made reservations during happy hour to take advantage of their burger, shot, beer special. I believe we paid $22 each for the deal. The shot was pretty strong, but the beer was so refreshing especially on the hottest day of the summer. The burger came medium rare (my fave) with a side of fries, aioli and a pickle oil. Everything was absolutely delicious, definitely one of my fave burgers in Chicago. Our waitress was super cool but other than that service was okay. I did flag we were celebrating my mother visiting from out of town on the reservation, but was not brought up by staff. It is such a nice touch when other restaurants pay attention to that stuff. read more

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I've heard a lot of hype around the Loyalist burger being one of the best burgers in Chicago--unfortunately I think the hype made me come into this dining experience with unrealistic expectations. The burger itself is decent, albeit overpriced. It's looks a bit unique compared to your other premium burgers in Chicago but nothing about it really made me feel like it was worth the $20+ I was paying here. The restaurant ambience is actually pretty great. Whatever company you bring here will have your undivided attention because you don't get any service down here. The servers are also really knowledgeable and will attend you to well. Come to the Loyalist for the casual vibes in which you pay slightly overpriced prices for decent food. read more

The Loyalist - The Loyalist Cheeseburger and Fries - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Went to loyalist for the first time for an early dinner with a friend and was overall impressed. The space itself is below the smyth which is their sister restaurant with Loyalist being a more casual space. The restaurant itself is dimly lit and has a cool feel overall. There aren't a ton of tables either so it's fairly intimate. We started off with their house old fashioned and half dozen oysters. The OF was great but the oysters were so-so. Then came the main course. We obviously went for their cheese burger, but I found out they actually have two different ones. I ended up getting the Loyalist OG cheeseburger instead of the classic cheeseburger because of our servers recommendation. I don't know how the other burger tastes, but the OG (which seems to be the one most get) was awesome. The patty was a bit thicker than burgers I tend to like, but was super flavorful and melted as you bite into it. The combination of cheese, aioli and charred onion was perfect. I normally don't love pickles on my burgers, but theirs was perfect. A great balance of crunch and flavor to cut through the greasier parts of the burger. The fries were solid as well. Would definitely rate it in my top 5 burgers in Chicago. Our server was awesome and stopped by frequently to see if we needed anything. read more

The Loyalist - The Loyalist OG Cheeseburger and Fries - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Love the burger here! Second time trying and still as good! I recommend this place to all my friends and the ambiance is nice too read more

The Loyalist - The Loyalist Original Burger - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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If you're looking for a cool eating atmosphere and vibe, then come to the cellars of the Loyalist. As you go down the stairs and enter, you are greeted with a dark candlelight vibe and the hostess right away. To the left is a full service bar. We went here just about 5pm on a weekday and the place was already packed. The food options here are pretty simple but all tasted great. They really stepped up their burger game when Au Cheval took center stage. Their burger has to be top 5 in the city by far. I also tried their gnocchi which had a Parisian fare to it. The consistency was more soft than most gnocchis I've tried. I would definitely go back read more

The Loyalist - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The ambiance here is great for a cozy brunch vibe. Well here you have to try the OG cheeseburger. It is a nicer cut of beef, so it doesn't have the greasy taste that you so often get. read more