LINCOLN PARK — M Burger is the last Chicago-based burger joint standing in a leading burger-blog's national March Madness-style bracket challenge that also included Edzo's and Kuma's Corner.
Online voters in the BurgerBusiness Burger Brackets will choose the final winner in the challenge and the third round of voting began Monday and will continue through Friday.
M Burger, a Lettuce Entertain You restaurant with four downtown locations, snagged a No. 10 seed in the Karcher division of the bracket (Carl Karcher is the founder of Carl's Jr.) and is facing off against A&W in the sweet sixteen.
The newly-opened Edzo's Burger Shop in Lincoln Park started off with a No. 12 seed in the Kroc bracket (an homage to McDonald's founder Ray Kroc) and managed to make it the second round before losing to Burgatory.
Metal-themed Kuma's was knocked out in the first round to Ted's Montana Grill, to the dismay of some customers.
"You feel like a badass when you are eating a burger there," said Cat Puttmann, a 23-year-old West Town resident. "They've got some good beers too. It's super edgy."
The lack of a national name recognition was likely the downfall for the losing Chicago brands, according to Edzo's fan George Peiks.
"They've got the classic burger down. It's top notch," Peiks, a 30-year-old Lincoln Park resident said.
The lone-standing Chicago establishment in the tournament, M Burger, is known for its signature M Burger with bacon, cheese and a secret sauce as well as its shakes that consistently rotate a secret flavor.
There are four M Burger locations, at 161 E. Huron St., 5 W. Ontario St., 835 N. Michigan Ave. and in the Thompson Center, 100 W. Randolph St.
There is still time to vote at this link.
