The Leavitt Street Inn and Tavern

The fries were nicely salted and perfectly done, and the smash burger was every bit as good as I’d hoped. It had crispy edges, good seasoning, and was just joyful to eat. The staff were really friendly, and the bartenders made us feel welcome while we ate at the bar.

The burgers were good and the servers were down to earth, but the service felt lackluster. It took almost 34 minutes for our burgers to arrive. They use a QR code system for the bill, but a server had taken our first order for drinks, which was confusing. Given that setup and the wait, I don’t think a 20% tip should be the standard. It was good, but not great.

I’d go back. The place has a nice vibe and friendly staff, the fries were crispy and really good, and I liked the creamy mac and cheese bites with their great jalapeño flavor. The smash burger was about a 7 for me. The meat was fragrant, the cheese was very good, and the homemade pickles were thinly sliced. The sauce wasn’t my favorite, though, and the whole thing was more acidic than I like.

The vibe is like a welcoming neighborhood pub, and though it gets very busy, the wait for a table and food is worth it. I loved the burgers, fries, and wedge salad, all excellent. I also had an Old Fashioned and really liked the ice ball. They’re very accommodating with gluten and corn allergies. We’re coming every time we visit Chicago!