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Baba's Famous Steak & Lemonade
$ · Burgers

9 E 111th St, Chicago, IL 60628
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ZipPicks Awards

Best Steakhouse in Austin Best Steakhouse in Chatham Best Burgers in Roseland

Vibe Check this spot

Food Quality 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5
Consistency 5
Cultural Relevance 5

0 / 5 selected

Master Critic Review

Baba's Famous Steak & Lemonade 7.8
West Lawn
Vibes: Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance Quick Bites Champions Comfort Food Classics Late Night Legends
A Roseland counter built around sandwiches and quick comfort, where the cheeseburger lane delivers a salty, satisfying, no-frills hit. Go in expecting speed, big portions, and classic Chicago carryout energy rather than a craft-burger build.
Must-Try Dishes: Cheeseburger, Gyro cheeseburger, Fries
Scores:
Value: 8.3 Service: 7.4 Consistency: 7.7 Food Quality: 7.9 Atmosphere: 6.1 Cultural Relevance: 7.2
What makes it special: Classic carryout burgers with big-portion, late-hours energy.
Who should go: No-frills burger-and-fries regulars
When to visit: Late evening for a fast, filling meal
What to order: Cheeseburger, gyro cheeseburger, fries
Insider tip: Ask for the burger hot-off-grill and eat it fresh.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Mostly street parking in the immediate area (usually manageable), with occasional competition during late-night rush. Best move: park on the same block if possible and keep pickup quick.
Dress code: Ultra casual—hoodie, jeans, work clothes, anything comfortable. This is classic Chicago carryout energy.
Noise level: Low to moderate—mostly order-callout and kitchen noise. Fine for quick conversation, not a lingering hangout vibe.
Weekend wait: 10-25 min typical (can spike later at night when the rush hits)
Weekday lunch: 0-10 min typical (fast counter pace)
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited—fries and basic sides are the safest plays. Most of the menu is meat-forward, so vegetarians will feel constrained.
Vegan options: Very limited—mostly fries/sides (confirm cooking oil and seasoning). Not a reliable vegan stop.
Gluten-free options: Limited—burger/gyro buns are standard. You can ask for a sandwich without the bun, but cross-contact risk is likely in a fast carryout kitchen.
Best For
Better for: Fast, filling, budget-friendly burgers with classic Chicago carryout energy—especially when you want something salty, hot, and satisfying without paying ‘craft burger’ prices.
Consider Alternatives If: Skip it if you want a sit-down burger experience, cleaner ‘premium’ ingredients, or strong dietary flexibility (vegan/vegetarian/gluten-free). In those cases, choose a more modern burger shop or a restaurant built for dine-in.