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

If Burger Fest had a team to beat this year, it would undoubtedly be The StopAlong.

After sweeping both the People's Choice and Critic's Choice competitions last year, The StopAlong returns to Roscoe Village Burger Fest carrying the kind of expectations usually reserved for defending champions. Every burger they serve this weekend will be measured against last year's winning performance, and every competitor will be hoping to knock them from the top of the podium.

What makes The StopAlong's story so interesting is that they didn't begin as "the burger place."

When owners Bob Magiet and Jen Magiet opened the original Bucktown location in 2016, their vision centered around creating the kind of neighborhood restaurant they wanted to visit themselves—a place where great pizza, quality burgers, local beer, and a welcoming atmosphere all came together under one roof. Located just steps from The 606 Trail, the restaurant quickly became a destination for neighbors looking for a casual place to gather after a walk, a bike ride, or simply a long day at work.

While many people initially came for the New York-style pizza and house-made garlic knots, something unexpected happened.

The burgers began developing a following of their own.

Not because they were over-the-top.

Not because they were piled high with ingredients.

But because they were exceptionally well executed.

The StopAlong embraces the philosophy that a great burger doesn't need gimmicks. Their signature smash burgers are built around quality beef, a perfectly caramelized crust, melted American cheese, fresh toppings, and a soft brioche bun. Every ingredient has a purpose. Nothing feels excessive. It's a burger that rewards simplicity, proving that careful technique and quality ingredients can be more memorable than elaborate toppings.

Since opening, The StopAlong has expanded beyond Bucktown, adding locations in Logan Square and Roscoe Village while maintaining the neighborhood-first culture that helped build its reputation. Despite that growth, the restaurants have never lost the feeling of being local gathering places. Families stop in after Little League games. Friends meet over pizza and burgers before concerts. Neighbors celebrate birthdays, watch sporting events, and catch up over a beer at the bar. That sense of community is part of the restaurant's identity just as much as anything on the menu.

That community connection makes Burger Fest a natural fit.

Unlike some traveling food festivals, Roscoe Village Burger Fest is deeply rooted in the neighborhood. The restaurants that participate aren't simply trying to sell burgers for a weekend—they're introducing themselves to thousands of Chicagoans who may become lifelong customers. Few restaurants understand that better than The StopAlong, whose owners have spoken about serving thousands of burgers over the course of the festival and embracing the opportunity to connect with the community. Bob Magiet joked that after each day of Burger Fest, his wife insists he shower before getting into bed because he comes home smelling like "a potato and a hamburger" after grilling all day.

Now comes perhaps the hardest part.

Living up to last year's success.

Winning either the People's Choice or Critic's Choice award is an impressive accomplishment. Winning both is rare. Returning the following year means every attendee arrives with elevated expectations, wondering whether the defending champion can do it again.

If history is any indication, The StopAlong won't try to reinvent itself.

Instead, they'll likely do what earned them those titles in the first place: focus on quality, consistency, and serving the same thoughtfully crafted burgers that have made them one of Chicago's favorite neighborhood restaurants.

Whether they repeat as champions remains to be seen.

But one thing is certain: if you're attending Roscoe Village Burger Fest for the first time, The StopAlong deserves to be one of your first stops—not simply because they're the defending champions, but because they embody everything that makes this festival special. They're a neighborhood success story, built on great food, loyal customers, and a genuine connection to the communities they serve.

By Sunday evening, don't be surprised if they're once again one of the most talked-about names at Burger Fest.

What to Watch For

• Defending People's Choice and Critic's Choice champions.
• The signature smash burger that helped put The StopAlong on Chicago's burger map.
• A restaurant that has grown from a Bucktown neighborhood favorite into a respected local brand with multiple North Side locations.
• Owners Bob and Jen Magiet, who have built a reputation for creating welcoming neighborhood restaurants that feel as much like community gathering places as they do dining destinations.

Social Media

• Instagram: @thestopalong
• Facebook: The StopAlong