LAKEVIEW — Burgers stuffed with everything from peanut butter to ghost peppers have arrived in Lakeview.
Burger Hub opened Thursday in the former Crepe Town, 3915 N. Sheridan Road. The West Rogers Park restaurant moved after almost three years in business.
"This is just a much better area," owner David Cooper said. "It's right by Wrigley Field, and now I'm hoping we get many more walk-ins."
Cooper has relied heavily on delivery, with only 5 percent of customers dining in the old location. With the ballpark and Sheridan "L" station nearby, he said he hopes to change that, although delivery is still definitely an option.
Renovations didn't take long after Crepe Town closed. Cooper left most of the interior intact but added a coat of bright red paint and the Burger Hub name.
Owner David Cooper did a quick remodel of the former Crepe Town, keeping most of the interior intact, but with a fresh coat of paint. [DNAinfo/Ariel Cheung]
As its name implies, Burger Hub is all about its 25 half-pound Angus and turkey burgers, which cost $10-$15. Many come stuffed along with heaps of toppings and heavy-handed seasoning, Cooper said.
One burger also comes with an "eat at your own risk" warning label. The Hell Boy is topped with scorpion, ghost and habanero peppers — some of the hottest in the world. Those who want to keep their taste buds can try less extreme versions like The Hottie.
"We use a lot of unique ingredients, and we take burgers to the next level," Cooper said.
Cooper's extensive menu features some surprises — The Nutty Professor has peanut butter, bacon, jalapeños and Swiss cheese. Deep-fried Spam and a fried egg top the Porky Pig, while the Herc'a'Cheese is sandwiched between two grilled cheese sandwiches.
Welcome to carb heaven. [Provided/Burger Hub]
Burger Hub also has more traditional options. Its top seller, the Western Division burger, comes with bacon, onion rings, cheddar and barbecue sauce. Customers can also build their own burgers with dozens of toppings to choose from.
Horseshoes — burgers with Texas Toast buns smothered in cheese — and poutine are popular items, as are the deep-fried Twinkies and Nutty Bars, Cooper said.
Sliders and appetizers like mozzarella sticks ($6.50) and loaded tots ($8) round out the menu. For those who feel their arteries clogging already, salads and wraps offer healthier options for $6.25-$9.
David Cooper brought his West Rogers Park restaurant Burger Hub to Lakeview. [DNAinfo/Ariel Cheung]
Growing up in his father's restaurants, Cooper naturally gravitated toward the food industry. After helping out his father as a teen, he managed a restaurant before opening Burger Hub in 2013.
He spent months crafting his menu, researching the latest food trends and viral food ingredients. (Sriracha, anyone?)
"I do a lot of research and look to see what's 'in,' and then I modify it to what I would like to eat myself," Cooper said.
Burger Hub is open from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. weekdays, extending to 2 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
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