Restaurant Review – Gordon Ramsay Burger

Is Gordon Ramsay’s first Chicago-based restaurant more like ‘MasterChef?’ Or, uncharacteristically, ‘Hell’s Kitchen?’ The Michelin-starred chef has built restaurants around the world and rebuilt failing restaurants in a week. 

But in a city with many Michelin-starred restaurants and celebrity chefs,  how could Ramsay compete with Chicago’s own Grant Achatz of Alinea, or Stefanie Izard of the Girl and the Goat, for example?

The fact is, that rascal Ramsay went in a different direction. Instead of fusion specialties or New American tasting menus, Ramsay went for the basics—a superior burger, a very non-Chicago style hot dog, truffle fries, and creative appetizers and drinks. As their website states, they serve “crafted burgers basted with butter along with fries, sauces made from scratch, and delicious milkshakes – all made with the finest ingredients.”  All dishes are made to order, and can be modified to comply with dietary restrictions.

Start your Gordon Ramsay Burger experience with Hellfire Chicken Wings, with a tangy hellfire sauce and blue cheese. Or a Street Corn Dip, with elote-style corn, jalapeño, fresno chiles, cotija cheese, parmesan, lime, cilantro, and served with blue tortilla chips. Ramsay also offers Kettle Chip Nachos with braised beef, English cheddar sauce, pickled peppers, green onion, and sour cream.

For a lighter choice, try a Hellfire Chicken Salad, with grilled chicken breast, baby gem lettuce, marinated tomato, avocado, cucumber, Stilton Blue cheese, and ranch dressing. Their Caesar Salad pairs romaine, kale, and frisée with green apple, garlic croutons, parmesan, and a refreshing lemon zest, served with creamy garlic dressing.

And then…there are the burgers! The Hell’s Kitchen Burger pairs asadero cheese with roasted jalapeño, avocado, and roasted tomato. Or the Forest Burger, pairing gruyère, mixed mushrooms, fried egg, arugula, and porcini aioli. Those who like chicken will enjoy the Southern Yardbird, a chicken patty with sharp cheddar, house pickles, bibb lettuce, and mustard BBQ sauce.  

Now, about those Dawgs…Ramsay certainly has a rebel streak in him, and serving ketchup on a hot dog is just not done in Chicago. But for those who dare, their Standard Dawg has onion, mustard, and house ketchup, served on a toasted sesame seed bun. Pair your burgers or dawgs with Truffle Fries, served with house ketchup, truffle aioli, parmesan, and chives.

Wash it all down with an English-inspired Sticky Toffee Shake with brown butter ice cream, toffee sauce, and whipped cream. Or a creatively named cocktail like a Grin & Tonic, made with ritual zero proof gin alternative, fever tree premium Indian tonic. Or, try a Bloody Virgin Maria, with ritual zero proof tequila alternative, filthy Bloody Mary mix, pickle juice, and a pickle-stuffed olive.

Reviews of the month-old restaurant have ranged from rapturous to mediocre, depending on service. One Google reviewer opined, “We’ve always been fans of gourmet food and chef Gordon Ramsay so we decided to have dinner last night at his restaurant that’s nearest to us.

The burgers, most especially, the Backyard burger, was so freaking delicious. Their milkshakes are so thick, creamy, and we loved it. The service crew were also very attentive to our needs.

Overall, it was a very good experience.”

Gordon Ramsay Burger is located at 2 E. Ontario Street for dine-in only. They’re open Monday-Thursday 11am-10pm, Friday and Saturday, 11am-11pm, and Sunday, 11am-9pm. No takeout, delivery, online ordering, or reservations at this time. For more information, click here.