Mini bites

Got a taste for something small? We toured the 'burbs to try these mini-burgers on for size.

Adelle's
Wheaton
FIXIN'S: Topped with bleu cheese, caramelized onions; speared cornichon atop each bun.
EATIN': Fantastic flavor; asked and received medium-rare meat. Soft brioche bun is slightly sweet; the perfect size for patties. Adelle's has since added bacon-Cheddar and mushroom-Swiss mini-burgers; an order includes one of each.
THE DEAL: $12 for 3 burgers. With onion strings. -- Phil Vettel

Bar Louie
Locations in Bolingbrook, Naperville and Evanston
FIXIN'S: Cheddar cheese was only cheese choice.
EATIN': Thin burgers shaped for the bun. Called sliders, they might have been emulating White Castle -- but they didn't taste like the real thing.
THE DEAL: $7.99 for 4. With fried onions. -- Maureen Hart

Bennigan's
Locations throughout the 'burbs
FIXIN'S: Dressed with American cheese and lettuce on a simple egg bun.
EATIN': Not juicy. Not very warm. Our server didn't ask how I wanted them cooked. Asked if it was an option, I was told they were all cooked the same (medium-well to well) because they couldn't cook ground beef beneath a certain temp. The bun was the high point: decent soft bun, held up well and fit the patties.
THE DEAL: $8.49 for 4. With seasoned fries and Bennigan's "secret sauce" for dipping. -- Fauzia Arain

Cheeseburger in Paradise
Locations in Downers Grove, Algonquin and Des Plaines
FIXIN'S: Topped with American cheese, pickle slice, diced onions.
EATIN': Mini-burgers were juicy and slightly pink (waiter forgot to ask) but somewhat over-salted; minis would be excellent otherwise. Toasted egg bun was a nice touch and just the right size.
THE DEAL: $8.99 for 6. With choice of fries, sweet-potato chips, rice or vegetable; the chips are terrific. (Or pay -- with no sides -- $7.49 for 6 burgers; $4.99 for 4; $11.99 for 10.) -- Phil Vettel

Monkey Dish Bar & Grill
Gurnee
FIXIN'S: From the menu: "Angus Ground Beef, Grilled onions, dill pickle, Monkey Dish special sauce." That special sauce is ketchup, mayo, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper.
EATIN': Moist and succulent patty, with mustardy onions and thick crunchy pickles. Bun's like a soft dinner roll, crisp on the surface but with a top that's a bit thick.
THE DEAL: Classic: 2 for $4.99, 4 for $8.99. No sides. -- Kevin Pang

Now We're Cookin' Grill
Highland Park
FIXIN'S: Dill pickle slices, grilled onion slices
EATIN': Boasting a nice char flavor, the thin burgers -- called "Uptown Sliders" -- are well-cooked. Eggy, wonderful bun reminiscent of challah at this kosher carry-out
THE DEAL: $7.95 for 4. No sides. -- Judy Hevrdejs

Rookies
St. Charles
FIXIN'S: Topped with American cheese.
EATIN': Decent flavor, but barely moist. Egg bun is slightly too large for the patty, but it's not extreme.
THE DEAL: $1.50 each; $5 for 4. With homemade chips (very crunchy and good) or fries. -- Phil Vettel

Ruby Tuesday
Locations throughout the 'burbs, including Schaumburg, Downers Grove and Orland Park
FIXIN'S: American cheese, onion straws, ketchup on top, mayo/mustard on bottom, pickle.
EATIN': Ruby Minis arrived nearly well done. I love that crunch from breaded onion "tanglers" in the burger. A bit of a tang from the pickles. Nice textual contrast. Nicely done. Buns are crisp on edges; inside, it's very soft on top.
THE DEAL: $8.99 for 4. With choice of one side (from list that includes veggies, fries and more); I went with more "onion tanglers." Also turkey. -- Kevin Pang

Sam Maguire's Irish Pub
Orland Park
FIXIN'S: Choice of four cheeses: American, Cheddar, mozzarella, provolone; and pickles.
EATIN': They were very good. Although we weren't asked a cooking preference, we thought they were quite tasty and moist. They looked like hand-shaped burgers. The bun held up well.
THE DEAL: $8.99 for 4. With (good) fries. -- Maureen Hart

Originally published August 2 by Chicago Tribune.