We showed you the most expensive truffle-covered burger in Chicago, now how about some excess of a different variety? Just west of the city in Elmwood Park sits Burger Boss with a challenge known as the CEO or “Chew Every Ounce.” The burger containes 12 patties (2 1/3 pounds of beef), each topped with slices of cheddar (1/2 pounds of cheese) and strips of bacon (1/4 pound of pig). In case over 3 pounds of fat and dairy isn’t enough, they add a fried egg, pickles, secret Boss sauce and mayo before skewering it bewteen a toasted brioche bun. Are you dead yet? No? Good, because this monstrosity sits on a bed made from one pound of French fries. Challengers have one hour to clear their plate. Those who can stomach all that grilled and fried food, walk away with a place of honor on the CEO’s wall, a Burger Boss CEO Big Boss t-shirt and a stomach ache. Watch them make this towering creation in the video.

The Double Cheeseburger at Burger Boss

Unlike the other stops, Burger Boss opened recently, but Mauro likes that it cooks burgers the old way. “I appreciate the pub burger, all big and juicy, but there is something so satisfying about the old school griddled patty that is thin with crispy edges.” He likes keeping toppings to a minimum, adding just American cheese, onions, and raw jalapeño slices: “I love the fruity grassiness and the heat of the raw jalapeño. I don’t think a pickled jalapeño would work in the same way.” The burger also comes with a side of Boss sauce (sort of like Thousand Island) and some very skinny fries.

You might not love the dramatic relatives, but everyone loves something on the plate Thanksgiving day and beyond – the sides, the bird and the leftovers. Why limit all that food love to just a couple of days?

Burger Boss celebrates Thanksgiving all month long with its Talk Turkey To Me burger. From now through November 30th, turkey lovers can order the Talk Turkey To Me, which features a grilled turkey patty, tangy cranberry sauce, mayonnaise and homemade stuffing all on a freshly toasted brioche bun. Get a single patty for $4.89, 1/3lb for $5.39 or go for the 1/2lb for $6.39.

To make your Thanksgiving feast complete, order a delicious Pumpkin Shake for $3.50, available for a limited time only.

Mike comes from a well-rounded culinary background, having been in the catering and restaurant business for many years. In opening up Burger Boss along with his partners, Mike is back to cooking exactly what he loves – burgers and fries. Using that extensive and well-skilled background, Mike combines quality ingredients with great techniques. This brings the best Burger Boss meal to customers and it is quickly becoming a neighborhood favorite!

About Burger Boss

The Boss knows best…
Which is why so much thought was put into Burger Boss. Not just another burger joint, quality in the menu, ingredients and preparation to a thoughtfulness in environmental responsibility all around proves that we mean business.
On the Burger Boss menu, beef is 100% Angus, ingredients are all-natural and organic as available, and produce is procured locally. Everything is made to order, with plenty of create your own choices or one of our signature Boss selections. Fries are fresh cut Idaho’s or sweet potatoes, shakes are hand-packed ice cream and fruit smoothies are fresh and delicious.

We put our beliefs in sustainability, the use of renewable and recycled materials, and working a little greener into the floor plan and everyday operations. Biodegradable corn cups are used, recycled napkins are available in a one-at-a time dispenser to curb waste, which is the same for the utensil dispensers. Touches that might not be as visible include the use of LCD screens to save energy, 50% recycled multi-colored wall tiles, reduced wattage LED or CFL lights and a recycling service to gather and sort all waste.

How far would you drive in the suburbs to get a great burger? Chances are, you wouldn’t want to drive very far. And, frankly, you wouldn’t need to. Between the suburban surge in upscale burger specialists (Five Guys, Tom & Eddie’s, Smashburger, Everest Burger, Bar Louie) and the resilience of tried-and-true establishments (Hackney’s, Edzo’s, Everest Burger), a first-rate burger is rarely very far away. Here are some of my suburban faves.

Burger Boss. A little more than a year old, this burger concept isn’t a chain yet. But if brothers Anthony and Nick Gambino (who also own Cucina Paradiso in Oak Park) have their way, it soon will be. Created with an organic/sustainable/environmental ethic, the counter-service restaurant was built with recycled materials, features biodegradable cups and flatware and offers a customizable menu of burger patties (all Angus beef), cheeses and sauces, all of which end up inside a toasted brioche bun. A one-third-pound cheeseburger costs $5.69. Terrific sweet-potato fries too. 7512 W. North Ave., Elmwood Park, 708-452-7288

Anthony Gambino has established a strong reputation as a restaurant owner and operator with more than 20 years of experience in the food industry. Gambino was born into the restaurant business and his first years of experience came from working in his father’s pizzeria. In 1988, at the age of 18, Gambino opened his first restaurant Trattoria Peppino, a quick, self-service Italian restaurant in Elmwood Park. In 1995, Gambino opened his second restaurant Cucina Paradiso, a contemporary Italian restaurant in Oak Park. Cucina Paradiso has been recognized by food critics and patrons alike and has been featured in the prestigious Michelin Guide Chicago, Zagat, Chicago magazine and more. In 1999, Gambino added to his food service pedigree and opened the catering business 2MayToz Event Catering with his brother Nick Gambino. In April 2011, the Gambino brothers expanded beyond Italian and opened Burger Boss, an elevated fast-casual burger concept in Elmwood Park. The brothers have plans to open additional Burger Boss locations in the future.

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By Anthony Gambino, Co-Owner and Operator of Burger Boss and Cucina Paradiso

I learned a great deal about the restaurant business working for my father at a young age. Growing up, he owned Nancy’s Stuffed Pizza and I did everything from making deep-dish pizzas and cooking to washing dishes and bussing tables.

When I was 18 years old, I took what I had learned and opened Trattoria Peppino – a quick-service Italian restaurant recognized by many publications as serving some of the best Italian “cheap eats” including pasta, pizza, sandwiches, and salads.

Not knowing much about full-service Italian dining at the time, my brother Nick and I then opened Cucina Paradiso in Oak Park when I was 25 years old. We quickly learned how to run an upscale establishment, and have enjoyed great success as well as support from the local community and food critics alike.

I took on a new venture a few years later and opened a full-service catering company that specializes in weddings, corporate and social events; my brother and I work at over a dozen premier venues, producing some of the best catering food and service available.

This year, Nick and I opened Burger Boss in Elmwood Park. We wanted to reinvest in the neighborhood where we grew up, and provide a fresh take on burgers while creating both a premium fast food and environmentally progressive business.

Burger Boss items are made-to-order from superior, all-natural, and organic ingredients as well as 100-percent Angus beef and locally-sourced produce.

As a completely different concept from our other endeavors, we tried to make Burger Boss as environmentally-friendly as possible – using recycled and sustainable furnishings, biodegradable cups and energy-saving lighting.

The restaurant business is in our blood, and we’re not slowing down any time soon; we see ourselves opening more Burger Boss locations in the Chicagoland area over the next three or four years.

Click Here to read the article on Chicago Food Mafia

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A Day to Remember: 9/11 Fudraiser w/ Tricia

Join Tricia and The Loop Street Team at A Day to Remember! Tricia will be hanging out with the Oak Park Fire Department Local 95 from 12-2pm to commemorate the 10th anniversary of 9/11. Watch the Bears home opener with Tricia and enjoy food and drinks provided by Cucina Paradiso and Burger Boss! Plus, check out live entertainment by Chicago Police Pipes and Drums! $40 donation includes food and drink. 100% of proceeds benefit the Patrick Luby Scholarship Foundation.

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10:30 AM The 9th Annual “A Night to Remember” @ Healy’s West Side. The fundraiser will include a viewing of the Bears game, live entertainment by Chicago Police Pipes and Drums, an auction and raffles. Lunch, wine and beer will be provided by Burger Boss and Cucina Paradiso. Over the past 9 years, this night has raised more than $100,000 for various charities honoring the heroes of 9/11.

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In honor of the 10th anniversary of 9/11, Burger Boss, 7512 W. North Ave., in Elmwood Park, is showing its appreciation for the men and women in blue by offering The Fire House Burger, available Sept. 5 through Sept. 11. A portion of the proceeds from each Fire House Burger will benefit the American Red Cross.

Make your order a combo by adding a side of fresh cut Idaho potato fries and a drink and Burger Boss will donate 50 cents of every order to the American Red Cross. The Firehouse Burger combo, including fries and a fountain drink, is $9.14.

Burger Boss is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday; noon to 9 p.m. Sunday.

For more information, call (708) 452-7288 or visit www.TheBurgerBoss.com and www.facebook.com/TheBurgerBoss.

Click Here to read the article on the Franklin Park Herald-Journal

On September 11, from 10:30AM to 3:30PM, Burger Boss, Cucina Paradiso and the Oak Park Fire Department, Local 95, will join forces at Healy’s (7321 W. Madison, Forest Park) to commemorate the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

The 9th Annual “A Night to Remember” fundraiser will include a viewing of the Bears game, live entertainment by Chicago Police Pipes and Drums, an auction and raffles.

Lunch, wine and beer will be provided by Burger Boss and Cucina Paradiso.

Over the past nine years, “A Night to Remember” has raised more than $100,000 for various charities honoring the heroes of 9/11.

All proceeds from the event will benefit the Patrick Luby Foundation.

Click Here to read the article on OakPark.com

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