The Ultimate Burger Lover's Guide to Roscoe Village Burger Fest 2026

A Local's Guide to One of Chicago's Favorite Summer Traditions

Every summer, one of Chicago's most charming neighborhoods transforms into something truly special.

For one weekend, Belmont Avenue closes to traffic, the grills fire up, live music fills the air, and thousands of people gather in Roscoe Village to celebrate what has become one of the city's most anticipated summer traditions—Roscoe Village Burger Fest.

While the burgers may be the main attraction, anyone who has spent time here knows Burger Fest is about much more than food. It's about neighbors catching up on familiar street corners, local businesses opening their doors to new faces, families spending the day together, and celebrating everything that makes Roscoe Village one of Chicago's most welcoming communities.

For us, this festival has always been personal.

As the owners of Pioneer Realty Group, Roscoe Village has been home to our family for well over a decade. We've built our lives here, invested in the neighborhood, and have been fortunate enough to help hundreds of families buy, sell, lease, and invest in homes throughout Roscoe Village and the surrounding North Side communities.

Today, we own several multifamily buildings throughout the neighborhood, and our office is located at 2301 W. Belmont Avenue, just outside the festival boundaries. During Burger Fest weekend, our front door sits only a short walk from the music, the crowds, and some of the best burgers Chicago has to offer.

This isn't simply another event on our calendar.

It's our neighborhood.

It's where we've watched first-time homebuyers become longtime friends. It's where we've helped growing families find more space, investors build their portfolios, and longtime homeowners move on to their next chapter. Every year Burger Fest reminds us why we fell in love with Roscoe Village in the first place.

One of the things we appreciate most about the festival is that it showcases everything that makes Chicago's food scene so remarkable.

There isn't just one style of burger represented here.

Some restaurants have been serving Chicago neighborhoods for generations, building loyal followings one burger at a time. Others are newer concepts that have quickly earned national attention through creativity and craftsmanship. Some specialize in perfectly executed smashburgers, while others lean into old-school char-grilled classics, elevated gastropub fare, or globally inspired flavors that reflect the diversity of Chicago itself.

Every vendor brings something different to the grill.

That's what makes Burger Fest so much fun.

You can spend an entire afternoon tasting completely different interpretations of the American hamburger without ever leaving Belmont Avenue.

This year's lineup features an outstanding mix of neighborhood favorites, legendary Chicago institutions, exciting newcomers, and returning champions. Some restaurants are competing on their home turf just blocks from the festival, while others are making the trip from different parts of the city to showcase what has made them local favorites for years.

Rather than telling you which burger is "the best," we wanted to create something a little different.

Think of this as your insider's guide to Burger Fest.

We'll introduce you to every burger vendor, share a little about their story, explain what makes each restaurant unique, and highlight what you should watch for before you place your order. Whether you're trying to map out your first stop, decide which burgers to split with friends, or simply learn a little more about the restaurants behind the grills, our goal is to help you enjoy everything Burger Fest has to offer.

So grab a few friends, come hungry, and don't be afraid to try something outside your comfort zone. One of the best parts of Burger Fest is discovering a new favorite restaurant you might never have visited otherwise.

After all, every great neighborhood has a story.

This weekend, you'll find eleven of Chicago's best burger stories cooking side by side on Belmont Avenue.

Let's meet this year's competitors.  Click on their logo to learn more!

The StopAlong

The Defending Champion Returns Home

Neighborhoods: Roscoe Village, Bucktown & Logan Square
Founded: 2016
Known For: New York-style pizza, smash burgers, garlic knots, and neighborhood hospitality

Burger Fest Resume: 2025 People's Choice Winner & 2025 Critic's Choice Winner

Fatso's Last Stand

A Chicago Burger Institution That Never Goes Out of Style

Neighborhood: Ukrainian Village (Chicago Avenue) & Lincoln Park
Founded: 2010 (by the owners of Phil's Last Stand)
Known For: Char-grilled burgers, hand-cut fries, Chicago-style dogs, and classic roadside stand nostalgia.

Burger Fest Resume: Longtime Burger Fest participant and one of Chicago's most recognizable independent burger destinations.

Tandoor Char House

Where Indian Tradition Meets the American Burger

Neighborhood: Lincoln Park & River North

Founded: 2015

Known For: Indian-American fusion cuisine, family recipes, tandoor-cooked meats, and bold flavors.

Burger Fest Resume: One of Burger Fest's most distinctive competitors, bringing global flavors to Chicago's favorite summer burger festival.

Byron's Hot Dogs

Nearly Fifty Years of Chicago Tradition—And a Burger That Deserves the Spotlight

Neighborhoods: Irving Park & Buena Park

Founded: 1975

Known For: Chicago-style hot dogs, char-grilled burgers, hand-cut fries, and nearly five decades of serving the North Side.

Burger Fest Resume: A longtime Chicago institution bringing decades of neighborhood tradition to Roscoe Village Burger Fest.

Epic Burger

The Chicago Company That Helped Redefine the Modern Burger

Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois

Founded: 2008

Known For: Premium all-natural beef, fresh ingredients, house-made sauces, and helping pioneer Chicago's fast-casual burger movement.

Burger Fest Resume: A longtime Chicago favorite bringing a polished, ingredient-first philosophy to one of the city's biggest burger competitions.

Reclaimed Bar & Restaurant

A Roscoe Village Neighborhood Favorite Competing on Home Turf

Neighborhood: Roscoe Village
Opened: 2012
Known For: Elevated comfort food, creative burgers, craft cocktails, and one of the neighborhood's most inviting patios.
Burger Fest Resume: A hometown favorite representing Roscoe Village in its own backyard.

NADC Burger

From Michelin-Star Kitchens to Roscoe Village Burger Fest

Chicago Location: Wicker Park

Founded: 2022

Known For: Premium smash burgers, simple menus, high-quality ingredients, and one of the fastest-growing burger concepts in America.

Burger Fest Resume: One of this year's most anticipated newcomers and a fresh face in Chicago's burger scene.

Chicago Dog House

Where Chicago Street Food Meets Culinary Creativity

Neighborhood: Portage Park (Chicago's Northwest Side)

Founded: 2009

Known For: Creative takes on Chicago street food, specialty burgers, gourmet hot dogs, homemade sausages, and bold flavor combinations.

Burger Fest Resume: A longtime favorite among adventurous eaters, bringing creativity and personality to Burger Fest.

Robinson's No. 1 Ribs

When Chicago Barbecue Legends Turn Their Attention to Burgers

Neighborhood: Bronzeville (Original South Side roots)

Founded: 1982

Known For: Award-winning barbecue, slow-smoked meats, family recipes, and more than four decades of Chicago barbecue tradition.

Burger Fest Resume: A longtime Chicago favorite bringing championship barbecue experience to one of the city's premier burger festivals.

Reggies

Where Chicago's Music Scene Meets the Perfect Burger

Neighborhood: South Loop (2105 S. State Street)

Founded: 2007

Known For: Live music, legendary concert venue, burgers, barbecue, and one of Chicago's most unique dining experiences.

Burger Fest Resume: A Burger Fest favorite bringing South Side flavor and rock-and-roll energy to Roscoe Village.

Bust Outs

One of Chicago's Best-Kept Festival Secrets

Neighborhood: Chicago (Festival & Catering Favorite)

Known For: Handcrafted burgers, oversized sandwiches, comfort food, and a loyal following on Chicago's summer festival circuit.

Burger Fest Resume: A seasoned festival vendor that has quietly built a reputation for serving some of the biggest flavors at Chicago street festivals.

The Competition Is On

One of the things that makes Roscoe Village Burger Fest so much fun is that everyone gets a vote.

Throughout the weekend, festival attendees have the opportunity to help decide who will take home one of the festival's highest honors—the People's Choice Award. Simply look for the official QR codes posted at each participating burger vendor, scan the code with your phone, and cast your vote for your favorite burger of the weekend. It's one of the easiest ways to support your favorite restaurant while joining thousands of fellow food lovers in crowning this year's champion.

If you're curious how the professionals see the competition, don't miss the Critic's Choice Award, where a panel of local media personalities, community leaders, and special guests sample the field before selecting their favorite burger. The Critic's Choice winner will be announced on the Damen Stage on Saturday evening, while the People's Choice winner will be revealed on Sunday evening, bringing an exciting finish to an incredible weekend of food, music, and community.

Whether you're cheering for the defending champions at The StopAlong, rooting for a Roscoe Village favorite like Reclaimed, eager to try one of Chicago's legendary institutions like Byron's or Fatso's, or curious to experience exciting newcomers like NADC Burger, every vote helps celebrate the incredible talent that makes Chicago one of America's great food cities.

The only question left is...

Who gets your vote?

We'll See You at Burger Fest

Roscoe Village Burger Fest has always been about more than burgers.

It's about spending time with friends and family on a beautiful Chicago summer weekend. It's about discovering a restaurant you've never tried before. It's about supporting local businesses, enjoying live music, and celebrating one of the city's most vibrant neighborhoods.

As local business owners—and more importantly, as neighbors—we're incredibly proud to be part of this year's festival.

If you're walking Belmont this weekend, we'd love for you to stop by the Pioneer Realty Group tent and say hello. Whether you've lived in Roscoe Village for thirty years or you're visiting the neighborhood for the very first time, we'd love the opportunity to meet you.

We'll be serving FREE ice cream, FREE frozen drinks, and talking all things Chicago real estate with anyone who wants to chat.

If you've ever wondered what your home might be worth, we're also offering complimentary home value analyses throughout the weekend. And while you're there, don't forget to enter our Roscoe Village Home Giveaway, where one local homeowner will receive a FREE home listing with 0% seller-side listing commission—our way of giving back to the neighborhood that has given so much to us.

However you choose to spend your weekend, we hope you'll take your time, explore every corner of the festival, support these incredible restaurants, and most importantly, enjoy everything that makes Roscoe Village such a special place to call home.

Thank you to the Lakeview Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce, the volunteers, sponsors, musicians, vendors, and all of the restaurants who work so hard to make Burger Fest one of Chicago's signature summer traditions.

We'll see you on Belmont.

Happy Burger Fest!

— Sean Flynt & Helen Bailey
Pioneer Realty Group
Proud Roscoe Village Residents, Business Owners, and Neighbors