I am not one of those folks who views the hamburger as the greatest edible item known to man (currently that title is reserved for La Quercia Acorn Edition Prosciuttio). Even though I've had Chicago’s finest, and I appreciate a good one, I will almost always pass up a burger in favor of a decent slice of pizza or a well-grilled steak.
At least that’s how I thought I felt until I happened upon Schoop's near the Chicago/Indiana border. The crazy thing is it's not even the best burger I’ve had in Chicago—it’s not nearly as well seasoned and cooked as Rosebud's, or as juicy and smoky as Marc Burger's, or as fresh and classic as Topnotch's. But there’s something about the whole package—the tangy pickles, the drippy mayo, the pillowy bun, and, more than anything, the crispy crust—that makes me crave one more than any other burger in a 20-mile radius (that’s how close the nearest Schoop's is to me).
Schoop's somehow commits two of the greatest grilling sins ever, including cooking their patties well done and flattening them with a spatula so much that the thinned out edges get dry and crispy. And yet, that contrast of the crispy edge and somehow still juicy interior is what makes me road trip for this burger on a regular basis. I don’t even hold a grudge that every time I dine there I get this horribly cheesy early 9'0s hip hop anthem from Salt-N-Pepa stuck in my head. Clearly, this is one great burger.
Schoop's
1449 Indianapolis Blvd, Whiting IN 46394 (map)
219-659-7030
For other locations in Illinois and Indiana, visit schoophamburgers.com
About the author:Michael Nagrant writes for Serious Eats from Chicago, where he also publishes Hungry magazine. Michael never met an organ meat he didn't like. He hopes to meet many more.
The problem is you're still looking at this in terms of what makes a big fat bar burger good, which is lots of beef and nothing else matters. It's okay if a patty is well done if it's lacy-thin. (The crispiness at the edges seems to be a fetish specific to Indiana.) It's not all about the big hunka beef in the middle, it's supposed to be the sum of all its parts, the soft bun, the onion and pickle and mustard and cheese and salt (the often-underutilized foundation of great burgerdom).
Oh man, I grew up in NW Indiana and have been craving Schoops lately! My favorite was always a plain burger w/cheese fries..and then I poured the cheese on top of the burger (our just dipped it into the cup). MMM yum. I think I may have to make a stop there while I am home for the holiday weekend :)
Finally! Schoop's tastes of my childhood (also NW Indiana). I miss the burgers, the fries, the shakes. If I make it to heaven, I hope there's a Schoop's Double Cheeseburger (mustard, mayo, pickles) waiting for me, with a big basket of fries.
Definitely can't miss out on the green river milk shakes either if you happen across one. You can't quite place the taste, but boy does it wash the burger down nicely.
I live a MILE down the road from Schoop's. Do I win the prize? It's expensive but always worth it. The burgers are like wider and thicker versions of Steak-n-Shake burgers. My husband always gets the old fashioned cherry Coke and milkshakes. My most embarrassingly gluttonous meal there was a single hamburger with the Irish fries (cheese, bacon, scallions, sour cream). And I ate it all! Their fries are thick sticks, not crinkle or frozen.
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9 Comments:
The problem is you're still looking at this in terms of what makes a big fat bar burger good, which is lots of beef and nothing else matters. It's okay if a patty is well done if it's lacy-thin. (The crispiness at the edges seems to be a fetish specific to Indiana.) It's not all about the big hunka beef in the middle, it's supposed to be the sum of all its parts, the soft bun, the onion and pickle and mustard and cheese and salt (the often-underutilized foundation of great burgerdom).
Sky Full of Bacon at 1:21PM on 09/03/09
Oh man, I grew up in NW Indiana and have been craving Schoops lately! My favorite was always a plain burger w/cheese fries..and then I poured the cheese on top of the burger (our just dipped it into the cup). MMM yum. I think I may have to make a stop there while I am home for the holiday weekend :)
kellybelly223 at 1:55PM on 09/03/09
Finally! Schoop's tastes of my childhood (also NW Indiana). I miss the burgers, the fries, the shakes. If I make it to heaven, I hope there's a Schoop's Double Cheeseburger (mustard, mayo, pickles) waiting for me, with a big basket of fries.
NotAmerican at 2:09PM on 09/03/09
Ah man...this is my favorite kind of burger. I'm going to have to stop by there soon.
Nick Kindelsperger at 2:30PM on 09/03/09
This hideous, bukake-like photo doesn't begin to do justice to Schoop's. Please put one that doesn't have all that revolting garbage on top. Thanks!
jozersky at 2:38PM on 09/03/09
the description reminds me of Blimpie Burger in Ann Arbor.
rexroof at 3:45PM on 09/03/09
Definitely can't miss out on the green river milk shakes either if you happen across one. You can't quite place the taste, but boy does it wash the burger down nicely.
winternutt at 4:22PM on 09/03/09
I'm from NW Indiana too and remember those burgers fondly!
There used to be a GREAT burger place in Michigan City that people would drive hours to get to - the name is escaping me.
amyatkendall at 8:07AM on 09/04/09
I live a MILE down the road from Schoop's. Do I win the prize? It's expensive but always worth it. The burgers are like wider and thicker versions of Steak-n-Shake burgers. My husband always gets the old fashioned cherry Coke and milkshakes. My most embarrassingly gluttonous meal there was a single hamburger with the Irish fries (cheese, bacon, scallions, sour cream). And I ate it all! Their fries are thick sticks, not crinkle or frozen.
elahood at 10:35AM on 09/04/09