Burger Antics is the neighborhood burger joint on Grand Boulevard in Brookfield, IL, just over 10 easy miles west of Chicago. It looks a little punk rock in the best way. Most of its TVs run movies instead of sports, the soundtrack leans bold, and the staff moves with that easy confidence you get only in a well-run burger place.

In the kitchen, owner and executive chef Brenna Velcich keeps the focus tight and the quality high. Sauces are made in-house and the team sources meat and produce from local distributors, growers, and farmers whenever they can, so the plate tastes like it came from here. Out front, co-owner and general manager Daniel Velcich brings serious bar cred as a Certified Cicerone and United States Bartenders’ Guild member, which means the quality of the beer list matches that of what comes off the grill.

They call the house philosophy the Antics Revolution: Think less suburban status quo and more “do a few things really well, treat people right, and build community.” It shows up in the way the menu mixes dialed-in standards with a playful Burger of the Week and in how regulars talk about the place. Come as you are, stay for another round, and expect service that feels like a neighborhood spot should.

We put this guide together to make ordering simple. Below are seven bites we’d travel for—a mix of staples and seasonal one-offs—plus a couple of can’t-miss sides and a smart sip. Skim it, save this list for later, and if you’re short on time, call in takeout and grab a seat when you get there.

The 7 Bites

After a few visits, it’s clear that Burger Antics isn’t chasing one of those 10-page menus. They keep it tight, make a lot of it in-house, and focus on doing the hits right.

Here are the seven items we travel for (and pretty far too!).

Chipotle Chicken Ranch Dip (Appetizers)

Scoopable, smoky, and exactly what you want when the Midwest turns sweater weather, this crock folds chargrilled chicken breast into a creamy base of cream cheese and other cheeses. It’s studded with applewood smoked bacon, jalapeño, onion, and roasted garlic, then finished with the house chipotle ranch that gives it a gentle burn instead of a dare. A melt of sharp cheddar and a sprinkle of fresh tomato ride on top, so every pull hits creamy, salty, and bright at once. The house-fried tortilla chips come warm and sturdy, built for serious dipping. Perfect for fall in Brookfield or, honestly, any time you need something shareable to kick off a Burger Antics meal.

Mac ’n Cheese (Appetizer or Main, Your Choice)

Shells were made for cheese, and Burger Antics proves it. Each order starts with shell pasta tossed to order in a silky cheese sauce, then crowned with a toasted breadcrumb cap and a snowfall of Parmesan. It’s rich without being heavy, the kind of bowl you keep “one more bite”-ing until it’s mysteriously gone.

Make it your own with smart add-ins. Keep it garden-bright with tomato, onion, mushroom, red pepper, or jalapeño. Turn up the aromatics with roasted garlic, or go flame-forward with habanero. If you’re feeling indulgent, fold in applewood smoked bacon, crumbled chorizo, or a fried egg that breaks into the sauce like a built-in upgrade. You can also go protein-heavy with ground beef or a grilled chicken breast for a full-on entrée.

Our favorite routes: jalapeño + bacon for spicy-smoky comfort; mushroom + roasted garlic for a steakhouse-by-the-fire vibe; and chorizo + habanero when you want that slow burn on a chilly Brookfield night. Either way, this is the kind of mac that earns a spot on your “worth the trip” list.

Black ’n Blue (Burger)

You’ve probably had a black-and-blue burger before; this one lands cleaner and more dialed-in. A Cajun rub gives the patty a crisp edge and gentle heat. Blue cheese shows up twice—crumbles for direct punch and an in-house blue cheese dressing that smooths the salt and spice—so you get richness without overload. Frizzled onion adds light crunch instead of a heavy stack, which keeps every bite balanced. It’s the kind of build that doesn’t need ketchup and still hits all the notes. Grab fries or fried pickles on the side and you’ll see why Burger Antics keeps landing in the “best burger near Chicago” conversation in Brookfield.

Midland (Burger)

Midland is the everyday classic with pub roots and zero fluff. English cheddar melts into the patty but keeps its nutty bite. Caramelized onion brings that slow, sweet depth, while pickle chips cut through with acidity and the house-made Dijon mustard ties it all together. The result is a straight-ahead cheeseburger that tastes intentional—nothing piled on just to show off here. If you typically reach for ketchup, try your first few bites without it; the cheddar-Dijon combo already gives you the snap you’re looking for. Add onion rings or the mac ’n cheese if you want to turn it into a full burger-joint feast on Grand Boulevard.

Burger of the Week (Rotating Burger)

Burger Antics runs a Burger of the Week program featuring new builds, lots of creativity, and limited availability. Expect smart combos and in-house sauces, from sweet heat to smoky-savory, plus swaps like a pretzel bun, cheeses like gouda, pepper jack, or goat cheese, and the occasional playful curveball like peanut butter bacon. One recent example from their Bob’s Burgers series, “New Bacon-ings,” stacked sharp cheddar, applewood smoked bacon, frizzled red onion, romaine, tomato, a house-made fig BBQ sauce, and a candied pork belly lollipop. The lineup changes weekly, so check the board or their socials, and don’t sleep on takeout if something speaks to you. Odds are the rotating special becomes your new favorite burger at this burger place.

BBQ Pub Chips (Side)

Maybe it’s because you don’t get chips like this alongside a burger very often, or maybe it’s because they’re just that good (we’re betting the second). Burger Antics slices potatoes in-house every morning, fries them to a shatter, then tosses them in a house-made BBQ seasoning that’s sweet, smoky, and a little salty. They land warm and crackly and are great on their own, even better with a side of chipotle mayo or classic ketchup.

Grilled Angel Food Cake (Dessert)

The sleeper hit of Grand Boulevard in Brookfield. House-baked angel food cake gets a quick kiss on the grill, caramelizing the edges while the center stays cloud-light. It comes topped with bright house lemon curd, a brown-sugar crumble for crunch, and toasted marshmallow fluff that tastes like a campfire finale. It’s hot-cold, soft-crisp, sweet-tangy in every bite. Order it even if you swore you were full. It’s excellent with coffee or a stout.