The Drop In is an absolute gem we feel very lucky to have in the neighborhood. The ambiance is casual and laidback, while still being very intimate. It has a divey feel, but elevated. The menu is limited to their signature burger (the Not a Damn Chance) and two fries options (simple or loaded). The burger is legit. One of my favorite smash burgers in the city. It seems to have undergone some changes for the better recently, with the new burgers being a bit smaller, less oniony and maybe also less saucy. The result is an equally flavorful, satisfying and comforting burger with less mess. Service is just fine. Come here for a spontaneous chill dinner with someone you enjoy having long conversations with. The Drop In is above a sister omakase restaurant, Sushi by Scratch. I think that the owners could further cement their place in the neighborhood and the connection between both restaurants by rewarding regulars to the Drop In with priority access to Sushi by Scratch reservations. Just a thought! read more

The Drop In - Japan Air and Tokyo Fruit Punch - Wine Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

One of the best burgers I've ever eaten. The cocktails are also fun and yummy. I've been trying every famous burger in Chicago attempting to find my favorite and the NADC burger is a top 3 contender. The sauce, the patty, the bun - all perfection. read more

The Drop In - Wine Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Great spot! Went in to order a to go order. It was ready in 15 minutes and staff were very friendly! Cute spot! I got the NADC burger. This was very good, I really liked the jalapeños and grilled onion on it! I do wish it had more sauce on it! Similar to in and out! I also got the beast mode fries which is what I would come here again for! These were animal style fries and the sauce was perfect! The jalapeños were a nice touch! read more

The Drop In - NADC burger Beast mode fries - Wine Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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A very unassuming bar off of Grand, The Drop In is a great place to get a quick bite to eat. After hearing about the NADC burger I had to check it out for myself. I went in early on a Monday and I was the only one there aside from one other patron, super quiet. They only serve the burger and fries, and nothing else. Love the simplicity of it all. The food was out really quickly and I thought it was a pretty decent burger. I wouldn't call it my favorite in the city but it was well made and I appreciated all the homemade elements to make it what it is. It was pretty heavy though and I wasn't able to finish it all. Would I come back again? Possibly. But there are a lot of great burgers in the city that I need to try first! read more

The Drop In - NADC burger and fries - Wine Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

My friend and I really wanted a burger on a Saturday night, and apparently so did the rest of Chicago. After many tries, we landed in the drop in. I walked in and managed to get the only 2 available seats in the whole place Bar is pretty small/narrow. Our seat faced the kitchen so we watched their burger making process. Everything moved pretty quick. I had a pornstar martini, the burger and beast mode fries. They take their burger very serious, no changes are made. It was a delicious burger and. Not over priced. read more

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One of the best damn burgers in town. Small cozy bar with friendly staff. This is not only a delicious burger for a bar but this is up there with Au Cheval. The burger is pretty damn heavy so beware but gat damn it's delicious. Very juicy and flavorful with all the toppings. Also had the beast mode fries which comes with all the toppings of their cheeseburger. As delicious as they were, I was so full from the burger, the extra toppings on the fries were a bit much for me but on their own they're like a 7.5. Fries were nice n crispy just how I like'em. Next time I'll get the burger and plain fries. Bartenders were so hospitable and talkative. Will most definitely return. Highly recommended. read more

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One of the best burgers I've had in Chicago! So so good. Fries were crispy and tasty, as well, and the ketchup tasted like it was made in-house. We came on a Sunday shortly after they opened and seating was already slim. There was a group of 6 of us. We were able to snag 4 seats at the bar and 2 people stood. Right after we ordered, a table in the back opened up, so we squeezed in there. Food came out in a reasonable amount of time and service was friendly. If you go at a peak time, you'll like need to wait as it's a small dive bar. It will be worth your wait tho!! read more

The Drop In - NADC burger - Wine Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Cool drinks and the burger is really good! Definitely on my list of top burgers in the city read more

The Drop In - Wine Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

After walking past this place almost every day on my way to work I finally dropped in. The smash burger wasn't fully smashed and wasn't overly flavorful. I also couldn't taste the jalapeños at all. The burger as a whole just tasted like a typical smash burger (meat, cheese, sauce, and pickles) with nothing sticking out. On the side, the fries were battered which gave them a good crisp, however, they weren't hot or tasty. read more

The Drop In - NADC burger with a side of fries - Wine Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Delicious burger, vibes like the name, drop in, don't question or try to modify the menu. Order the burger, order the fries, have a beer and head on. Great spot. read more

The Drop In - Wine Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Was told by a good friend of mine to check this out, told me it rivaled Gretel as one of the better burgers in Chicago. Anytime someone mentions Gretel in comparison, it has to be checked out. Upon entering, was greeted quickly by bar staff and sat at the bar, although there are tables to sit at. We did order some mixed drinks that were prepared quickly and looked as good as they tasted. There were also some decently prized drink deals as well, although we didn't partake. I believe there was a shot and a beer combos that were decently priced. Anyways - the main reason we were there. The burgers. There isn't a big variety of burgers, so we got their smash burgers and they did not disappoint. The burgers were cooked to perfection, good combination of crispy and juicy, they didn't hold back on their house sauce which added a nice tang/color, and the buns were a perfect compliment to an already delicious burger. My friends ordered their fries as well which were great - very well seasoned/crispy , it also came with a "spicy" ketchup and it was a very good change of pace compared to regular ketchup. You will definitely be full after having this burger + fries. The bartender, who was also just a very nice guy, who took our order also perfectly described how they source their meat and info about waygu, staff definitely are well versed in their menu which is also refreshing to hear. I also believe they also have sushi downstairs, which I was told was extremely good(almost a hidden spot) - but you're going to have to find that out by yourself :) Highly recommend to try if you're in the area! read more

Been here a few Sunday's in a row now and the burger it the perfect lazy Sunday meal, delicious and keeps you full for your day on the sofa of just relaxing. The jalapeños give it a nice little kick and the house ketchup is delicious with the fries! read more

The Drop In - Burger and fries - Wine Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Great lil neighborhood bar, no frills. Solid beer selection, good service. But the NADC burger... that's why you really come here. She ain't pretty/IG-worthy & not the most aesthetically-pleasing but WOW she's so tasty. Two wagyu patties with some pickles, cheese, & a secret sauce (I might be missing something else?) make for some delicious bites. Definitely in my top 5 burgers of Chicago for sure, check them out! read more

The Drop In - Cheeseburger - Wine Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I've been trying to try this burger for about a year now. Finally had the chance with the family and it didn't disappoint. This is a classic perfectly cooked smash. The jalapeños give a nice touch without really bringing any heat. The ketchup had a kick that my kids said was spicy but I loved. My wife and I had a couple happy hour espresso martinis before dinner and it all really hit the spot. Great to have another good burger option in town. read more

The Drop In - Wine Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Not A Damn Chance Burger, a bold statement, wrapped in simplicity, this burger makes quite a statement. Every bite is a griddled delight, expertly cheesed with a nice sauce along with understated grilled onions and jalapenos. Classic, soft bun, could get messy, but somehow I managed pretty well, either way it was going to be a glorious experience. I recognized this as soon as I saw that special package drop in front of me. French Fries were nice, cocktail excellent, can't remember the name, some sort of a bourbon sour, bitterly sweet. Interesting space, love the open kitchen in the rear, quite nice, this is a burger you are not going to forget, Not A Damn Chance! (FDV Approved 4.6 - Food, 4.8; Design, 4.6; Value, 4.5). read more

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If you like Mezcal, do yourself a favor and get the disco flip. Hands down best burger I've had in Chicago. Great staff, super friendly. Small, intimate setting but the do everything well. The tip is included, but that's stated on the menu and the bartender also made us aware. Would go back and would recommend! read more

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Holy moly the food here is SO good!! The smashburger is incredible (very heavy so don't try running a marathon after). And THE FRIES!! Beer battered, fried to a golden crisp. Served with a spicy ketchup. C'est magnifique!!! Please never change! The staff are very friendly and the atmosphere is cool. Well done! read more

Limited tables/seating around the bar area with the kitchen in the back. It took a while until we were able to place our order with the bartender, but the food came out fairly quick. The burgers were good, and the ketchup was homemade. The fries were average. read more

The Drop In - Burger - Wine Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Definitely a top-10 burger in the city. I mean...just look at that photo. Delicious. Not a huge space inside, but there are a few tables and you can also sit at the bar. Our server was really friendly and the bartender greeted us with smiles as we came in. A pretty no-frills experience, but that was exactly what I was expecting. I'll definitely be going back. read more

The Drop In - They pretty much have just this one thing on the menu. - Wine Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I've know Chef Phillip Frankland Lee going back 8 years when he opened up the Scratch Bar in Encino, CA where I used to live. He was a Michelin Star chef in a location that didn't understand what that meant. Encino, is a desert wasteland for restaurants. The mortality rate for any good eatery in this section of L.A. is horrible. Phillip being a smart savvy guy knew to diversify into other markets that understood what he was doing. That brings me to The Drop In Restaurant here in Chicago's Fulton River District tonight, a restaurant with Phillips touch and mentorship written all over it. Their NADC (Not A Damn Chance) cheeseburger is the only thing on their menu, along with a side of French fries or (if you don't eat meat) a grilled cheese sandwich. The NADC burger I had tonight was great! I loved it. It is a smash burger with pickles, grilled onions, jalapeño and their secret sauce. It worked in every way. My side of fries and a Miller High Life beer kick this dinner into the stratosphere. The ambience is......well, there is no ambiance. It's a bar with some tables that is pretty bare bones. The eating experience was order - eat - pay - leave! I had put 90 minutes on my parking spot, but needed on 30 minutes. I know this sounds "brisk" but my meal was so good, I didn't mind the dispatch. This was definitely not a lounge around restaurant and I appreciated what they were doing. The Drop In Restaurant makes a high end, expensive, well worth the money smash burger that can stand up against any other place that does the same but Drop In does it better. I'm glad the "Scratch" brand decided to open in Chicago. My next venture with these nice people will be their Japanese Omakase restaurant in this same location. Stay tuned for that review! What can I say other than I'm a huge fan of Chef Phillips; he can do no wrong, whether in Encino, Chicago, Austin or Mars! read more

Burger was great the bartender was an asshole if you want tips leave out a tip jar out. I wanted to find him after my meal but he hid like a bitch. My job is the only reason I didn't crash out on him. read more

The vibes here were great, dark good music. The service was awesome. Our waiter was really attentive and had good chat. The drinks were good and reasonably priced. The burger and fries were 10/10! I know a smash burger has been done before but this was really good (huge plus it wasn't greasy)! The fries were crispy, I personally preferred the loaded fries. All in all, definitely worth the trip. read more

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Au cheval has been the reigning champ for decades and dare I say it, this might share the top spot with them. Burger, fries, and a beer and shot special - BOMB. It's a must try - you won't regret it. read more

It's not every day you get to to have the best burger you've ever had. But once you try this burger you'll be having daily cravings. Perfect ratio of meat, cheese, bun, sauce. It's just perfect, juicy and holds together well read more

The Drop In - Cheeseburger - Wine Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Such good burgers! You can only get the burger and fries which are the only thing on the menu. You also can't make substitutions, so might not be the best place if you are a picky eater! The bartender was great and very attentive. You should expect to wait a bit if you come with a big group or you come at a busy time, but well worth the wait! read more

Best burger in chicago. I'll be back. Wasn't even close. Perfection. Magical. To good read more

The Drop In - Best burger in chicago hands down. I'll be back. - Wine Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We came here on a Monday and the burger (1 paddy) and fries were $25 and came in a to-go bag. You had to order at the counter and pick up your food to go. It was an okay burger but wayyyy too expensive. For this price, go to Au cheval or the Loyalist. These places are SIGNIFICANTLY better and are at the same price point. The drop In was also dead inside, where other places in west loop have a good crowd. The Drop In - please lower your prices. $25+ for a burger and fries is a sit down meal in west loop, not a drop in spot. read more

Great burgers and service at this bar. We were happy to get a table and eat on a beautiful Saturday in Chicago. Staff was fantastic.

The burger I had was exceptional and the beast fries are a must-try. The service was great and the drinks were amazing. Vibes are cool as well. read more

The burger is worth stopping by, delicious. They also have a really good cocktail menu. Those in search of the best burger in Chicago this one place to drop in and try the burger. read more

What the f!!! So good. The biggest thing is that Au Cheval is widely considered the best burger in town... The Drop In proves that is complete malarkey. This is by far the best burger... that I ever had. 10/10, would do again. Do yourself a service and just try it. In my opinion, completely worth a trip from the suburbs to downtown just to experience this again. Size of burger is small enough for one person. Fries are immaculate, regular fries are fine, no need to get them Beast Mode. read more

This place charges a 20% service charge on take out orders. Never seen anything like that. An extra $4 just to swipe my credit card and wait for my food to be ran out of the kitchen to me. Literally paid an extra 20% for zero service. Avoid this place for take out. read more

The NADC burger was good, but too many pickles and peppers on it, couldn't really taste the beef. Also kind of small for $16. The fries were additional, and I don't recommend getting the beast fries for $8 as there is hardly any cheese on them, and it's just a few chopped up peppers on them. Also, they charge a 20% gratuity automatically, even for take out orders. The takeout burger and some fries weren't worth the $33. read more

I never leave reviews but I had to take the time in order to praise the service provided by Drew. His charismatic personality and attention to detail truly provided a warming atmosphere. As a local resident, I will definitely be back as long as he is able to participate in sharing a well mixed cocktail with me and my group. 9.2/10 read more

This place used to be amazing but now the service and the food has gone downhill. We had a bartender that wouldn't serve my boyfriend even though he had his temporary on his phone and the recently expired license from when he turned 30. That just set the night off on the wrong note and the vibe was off after. Probably would not go back. Sad this place isn't what it used to be. read more

One of the best burgers in town! It's a small dive bar with punk rock tunes. The drinks were great and they also had a diverse selection of liquor. Our bartender Emily was fantastic ! read more

The Drop In - One of the best burgers in town & fantastic drinks with a diverse selection of liquor. Emily our bartender was fantastic! - Wine Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Late night smash burgers after show at the Salt Shed were delicious! Bartender was cool. Definitely going back next time in ChiTown

Poor Service and Rude Bartenders Mediocre Burgers 20% gratuity automatically charged to bill read more

Burger was amazing, Service was great. Fries are not that great in my opinion. They also put on a 20% service fee. That's a lot if you are also expected to tip. The service fee is entered before the tax is calculated, so you have to pay 10% taxes on that also, so it really is 22%. I feel bad, but you can't expect to pay 22% and then leave another 20% tip. That's crazy to pay 42%. read more

First time there and the food was amazing. They don't take reservations but the wait wasn't bad the drinks were great and the service was good as well. Very friendly staff, small place but cozy. read more