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Chicago Tribune / May 31, 2007  Buns of beef -------------------- By Phil Vettel Tribune restaurant critic May 31, 2007 Man Issue deserves a dining page that focuses on Man Food, and so we take this opportunity to spotlight three brawny burgers. We revisited the restaurant that won our "Best Burger" competition in 2005, took a peek at Oprah Winfrey's favorite burger, and sampled a few burgers -- traditional and not -- at one of the newest burger places in Chicago. POAG MAHONE'S 333 S. Wells St.; 312-566-9100 This excellent Loop burger was overlooked in our June 2005 roundup, but not in the July 2005 issue of GQ, where writer Alan Richman declared it one of "The 20 Hamburgers You Must Eat Before You Die," an article that gathered additional currency when Oprah Winfrey pal Gayle King visited all 20 places for Oprah's show. Whoever's raving about Poag's burger, they're right. It's a juicy, nine-ounce hunk of prime sirloin, served on a firm, eggy bun that holds up to all that weight and beefy juice. Poag's burgers, even at medium-rare, are thoroughly charred, maybe a bit much for some (but not for me). And the menu includes a "Burger Eater's Bill of Rights" that includes the right to fresh meat, hot fries and a cold pickle spear. Fries are an extra $1.85, but the burger's only $6.30 ($6.80 with cheese); $8.70 for a cheeseburger with fries is a bargain for such top-notch quality. Not bad for a restaurant whose name is actually a vulgar expression in Gaelic. Click here for full article Citysearch.com / Best of Citysearch 2006  Winner - Best Irish Pub, Chicago GQ Magazine / July 2005 One of the “Top Twenty Burgers You Must Eat Before You Die”Click here for full article Citysearch.com / Best of Citysearch 2005  Click here for full article ABC7 News Chicago / Hungry Hound “Lunching in the Loop” hosted by Steve DolinskyClick here for full article Chicago Tribune / September 4, 2005 The July Issue of GQ featured “The 20 Hamburgers You Must Eat Before You Die”, so we started working our way up the list and headed over to the lone Chicago entry, Poag Mahone’s, at 175 West Jackon St. Author Alan Richman, according to GQ, consumed more than 150,000 calories – no doubt inching him closer to his own expiration date – as he traveled 24,000 miles and judged 162 burgers. The one at Poag Mahone’s (Gaelic translation: “Kiss my,” you know) finished at No.18. So what do you get for your $5.75? A pretty good burger. It’s 9 ounces of freshly ground sirloin, served on an exceptional toasted bun (manly enough to hold up through the entire meal), with lettuce and tomato. Fries, slaw and the ubiquitous pickle spear are included. Accouterments such as cheese and grilled onions are extra. It’s flavorful and it’s filling. And they’ll actually grill it rare – truly rare, not that wimpy slightly-pink-in-the-middle rare – if you ask. It was so good, it’ll make you want to search out the 17 burgers GQ placed ahead of Poag Mahone’s. ---William Hageman | |||
