I’ve been to many good restaurants in Chicago, mostly as a guest of my work colleagues. But none had the impression that Hamburger Mary’s made.

I’d been out in the sun watching the parade, then got rained on; the bus ride to the restaurant was long and full of traffic; I was dehydrated and hungry. So to be greeted by a larger than life plastic waitress with a huge burger in her hands gave me a big smile. This is a franchise chain started in 1972 with several branches all over the US. It’s a kinda burger joint, a kinda bar, quaint and a little camp. Beer on tap included Miller’s and Sapporo, food was the expected American casual burger fare.

I had a guacamole burger. The beef was good! Juicy, nicely flavoured and came with a giant steak knife stabbed in the middle of it. I had coleslaw with it, not having enough energy to face fries or mashed potatoes.

Strange that I pick a burger place for this entry, but it’s my choice if I had to bring anyone out for a meal.