Epic Burger

THE LEGEND CONTINUES Epic Burger, Epic Burger: Let me count the ways. Your flattened patties, crisp and lacy on the edges, juicy and still pink in the center. Your buns, buttered and toasted golden. Your refreshing Lemon Squeeze smoothie; your rich, creamy chocolate shake; your skin-on, fresh-cut fries. Even you, turkey burger—I love even you. But your mod-ish, orange-and-red decor? Eh, I’ll take it or leave it. And it appears David Friedman, Epic’s owner, is on the same wavelength. At the second location of Epic Burger, slated to open Tuesday 1 in the former Transitions Bookplace (“There’s good karma going on in the space,” Friedman says) in Lincoln Park, nothing about that beloved menu of burgers, fries and shakes will change. Neither will the ethics behind them: Cage-free eggs, trans-fat-free oils, fresh (not frozen) beef—it’s all making the move. But this location has a few improvements: It will have a more natural palette of wood and brick materials. And it will be BYOB and have lots of free parking—two characteristics worthy of their own ode. 1000 W North Ave, 312-440-9700.

• More just opened restaurants and bars
• More Restaurants & Bars articles