At Au Cheval, you are given the option to add bacon and/or a fried egg on top. It’s everything you ever wanted from a burger.

No complaints if things get a little messy — after all, it’s built for taste, not construction. “What are you going to do?” asks Rodriguez with a sly smile. “It’s a commitment. It’s perfect.”

While you certainly have the potential to make your dream burger, don’t be afraid to put your trust in one of their homespun favorites.

Expect to hear your stomach growl during this spotlight on three Chicago restaurants

We took a survey of locals to find the best burger joints in the city, and then we got to dig in. All in the name of journalism By Trent Modglin, Jennifer Billock, Danielle Berry and Jerone Tyler For a while there, it seemed as if the good ol’ burger would go the way of ...