The Burger Joint 

On a small, patio-heavy lot on Montrose Boulevard, The Burger Joint slings classic burgers with new-classic twists alongside a handful of sandwiches, dogs and salads. The basics are well executed here, as with the archetypal classic single with cheese. Though the burgers could often use a harder turn on the griddle, and maybe a bit more fat in the mix to maximize drippage, they are cooked flawlessly to specification — a rare treat in burgerdom. If you’re feeling fancy, try the kimchi burger, with its bed of chopped fermented cabbage serving as an excellent retaining vessel for the flood of yolk from the fried egg topper. Or perhaps the Mexi, which plays salty sweet ham off lush avocado and prickly pickled jalapeño. It’s so well appointed, you’ll hardly notice the absence of melty cheese, a burger deal breaker for many. Steer clear of the burger bowls, where an overly sweet dressing drowns out the beef and renders the french fries sad and soggy. An array of well-chosen taps from near and far help the charming indoor-outdoor space feel even more like a permanent patio party. If you’re looking for a shake, the peanut butter version is a good bet, with a generous scoop of the chunky stuff helping to thicken up the otherwise runny texture of the soft-serve base.