Wonderburger Grill: Chicago's Best Kept Secret in Mt. Greenwood

Bill Grant's Wonderburger Grill has attracted a loyal following since its inception back in 1954. This family-owned restaurant located in Mt. Greenwood, a neighborhood on Chicago's far southwest side, is well-known for it's cheeseburger's, shakes and curly-q fries.

From the moment you walk in, to the time you place your order, you feel as though you've stepped into a time-warp. From the green formica counter-top, to the old-time stools, to the checker tile floor and to the antiquated Hamilton Beach mixer they still use for the shakes.

Nothing ever changes at Wonderburger's....and to most people that's a good thing!

At Wonderburger's You also have the option of getting a carry-out too, by placing your order at the cash register, right next to the enclosed grill area. The wait is never more than 10 minutes long either, including at lunch-time, because they know how to crank them out. No dilly-dallying here! Once your order is placed it's immediately attached to a clothes-pinned line, just above the grill, where you can see your order being cooked right in front of you. You then have the option of either paying upfront, or when your order is ready. I usually pay upfront because when it's ready I want to hurry to my car and wolf...I mean eat it down, as soon as possible.

What separates this place from your typical burger joint, besides the modest prices, is the mini art gallery of pictures that surround you. Not what you'd expect at a place like this in a working class neighborhood. This is Mt. Greenwood, not it's ritzy pitzy next door neighbor, the more upper-class Beverly. More artsy fartsy too! Although we're not talking abstract contemporary or anything kooky like that, we're talking more down-to-earth, you know what the heck you're looking at without needing a degree in Art History kind of art! There's even a drawing hanging up near the carry-out area by a youngster who drew his version of the restaurant itself. Priceless!

The burger is clearly the winner here, although they also offer a shrimp basket and a few other items which currently escape my memory. It's not important really, burgers are the order of the day here! The cheeseburger comes with melted cheese naturally, the secret sauce, a sweet red concoction made with relish only known to the owner, chopped lettuce on a toasted bun, wrapped with a paper 3/4 of the way. It's this paper that keeps it altogether and makes it much easier to eat without spilling out all over the place.

Wish more places would do it like that, it just makes more sense. In addition, I always order their unique curly-q fries with the skin on, much better than your standard ordinary limp fries you get at most places. They come with the basketburger, which I highly recommend. They also offer thick old-fashioned shakes, but for me it's too filling to get along with the burger and fries, so I only order it by itself not when I'm eating something. But for people with larger appetites it's the perfect accompaniment. All this for approximately $5 and change, you can get yourself a meal that will fill you up and won't break the bank.

So when you're looking for a place to go to in beautiful downtown Mt. Greenwood on Chicago's far South Side go to Wonderburger's.

11045 S. Kedzie Ave.

Chicago, IL 60655

773-238-7200