Five-Star Burger Joints
Frostop
Last visited in September 2024.
Located on US 150 in Chrisman, IL, Frostop is a little family-owned drive-in burger stand that doesn’t look like it’s changed much since it opened over sixty years ago. This place is absolutely adorable and has salty 1/4″ crinkle-cut fries.
The burger is a smashed 1/4# patty with good grilled bacon on a toasty bun. It has a good sear taste, like it was smashed on a flattop that sees a lot of bacon.
Service was friendly and fast and they still have carhops that come out to your car to get your order.
This place is locally owned and family-run, has Coke products as well as really good small-batch root beer, and totally decent ice cream.
Final Score – 5/5
It’ll Do
Last visited September 2024.
Located on Walnut Street in Arthur, IL, this place is a clean, friendly, quiet small-town tavern (at least at lunch time, it’s quiet). One of the things that first drew me to this place was their seasoned waffle fries, and I wasn’t disappointed.
The burger itself is a 1/4# frozen patty on a plain bun with acceptable bacon and a very good flattop sear flavor.
The service was fast and friendly with the right amount of banter. The bartender is also the grill cook, so she was quite attentive for being the only one working that day.
This joint is locally owned, has Coke products, serves booze, and has pool tables.
Final Rating – 5/5
Max’s Family Diner
Last visited September 2024.
Located on Vine street in downtown Arthur (if such a thing can be said to exist), this is a cute little diner. It was quiet and had a great color scheme. The fries were square-cut seasoned fries that were pretty good.
The burger was a 1/4# frozen patty with good grilled bacon on a toasted sesame seed bun. It had a taste similar to Burger King or Hardee’s, but the bacon and cheese really carried the load to make it stand out.
The service was fast and friendly.
This joint is locally owned and has Coke products and milkshakes, but does use ESP packaging for carryout.
Final Rating – 5/5
Smith Burger Co.
Last visited last week (at any given time).
Smith Burger started as a food truck that can be found all over Urbana-Champaign and has a permanent location at Collective Pour on Neil Street in Champaign. They have the best 3/8″ square cut Cajun fries I’ve had.
The burger is two 1/6# smashed patties with proper chewy/snappy bacon and American cheese on a toasted bun. The burgers always have a great sear flavor and the bacon is always great.
The service is fast and friendly. The guy who takes my order at the food truck is the platonic ideal of great burger service.
This joint is locally owned, has Coke products and Mountain Dew, has good vegetarian options (I’m told), and all of their packaging is compostable except for the aluminum cans of soda, which are infinitely recyclable.
Final Rating – 5/5