The way Zak’s Place Chef Yamandu Perez sees it, there are at least 3,500 restaurants in the city of Chicago and suburbs that could have the perfect burger.

That’s why he was taken aback this month when his Hinsdale restaurant ranked 13th among all Chicago eateries that feature a version of a meat patty between two pieces of bread.

“If you are fortunate to be placed on these lists, it is an honor,” Perez said of the Chicago Magazine ranking of the 30 best burgers in Chicago. “Zak’s Burger,” the simple name that reflects the no-nonsense anatomy the sandwich, is one of the only suburban burgers on the list.

“I want you to feel like the burger came from someone’s backyard grill,” he said. “I want it to bring you back to summer.”

He accomplishes this, he says, by lightly seasoning the 11 oz. black angus patty and making sure the meat has perfect, crisscrossed grill marks before it goes on the plate.

“When you are having a burger it should taste like a steak,” he said.

There are no cheap tricks or gimmicks that go into Perez’s burger. While customers can order whatever they please to grace the insides of the caramelized onion Brioche bun, the chef prefers the standard “Zak’s Burger” come with minimalist toppings.

“Red onion, lettuce and tomato, that’s it,” he said. “If you want something else, ask for it, this is a good, old-fashioned burger.”

Actually finishing the burger is a challenge, not because of the taste, but because of its size, said Perez. The near 1 pound burger and the side of Perez’s homemade fries is usually sometimes too much for regular customer John Karstrand of Hinsdale.

“My kids have a contest to see if they can finish it,” he said of his sons Charlie, 7, and Andrew, 10. Karstrand prefers the burger the way Perez eats it himself, topped only with blue cheese and Applewood smoked bacon.

Those curious about the prestigious platter won’t find the dish on the dining room menu at Zak’s Place, however. According to Perez, the burger is exclusive to the bar menu served in the casually themed front of the restaurant.

Zak’s Place is located at 112 S. Washington St., Hinsdale. For more information, visit www.zaksplace.com.

–Chicago Magazine is owned by the Tribune Co., which also owns Triblocal.com.

By Mick Swasko

Triblocal.com reporter