I recently discovered the "food court" on Macy's 7th floor. This day I decided that I wanted a burger, and when I saw Marcus Samuelson's picture up on the wall, I knew this place had to be good. I asked the cashier which burger she recommends, and she told me the most popular was the Smoky BBQ Burger. I also got the homemade lemonade and a chocolate chip cookie. The Smoky BBQ Burger is a 6 oz. beef patty cooked medium and is made with paprika, applewood bacon, homemade bbq sauce, and kettle chips. All burgers also come with fries. When I received my burger about 8 minutes later, I was surprised at how big it was. I guess I was expecting a 6 oz. burger to be smaller (and maybe it is small, but is piled up with all the fixins, and who doesn't love that!) I had to cut the burger in half to begin eating it. This burger has so much flavor. I was amazed, excited, and didn't want to finish the burger because I wanted to savour the flavor..... The homemade lemonade was good. It was sweet and tart, just the way I like my lemonade. The chocolate chip cookie was fresh, soft and delicious. The chocolate chips melted in my mouth. I highly recommend if you go the Marc's Burger to get the Smoky BBQ Burger. It won't disappoint.
(5)
Ayrin B.
This is one of my "go to" lunch places. Located in Macy's I can do a little shopping, eat, and make it back to the office in reasonable time. The line can get long around noon, but it goes pretty fast. I love the fries, "homemade" pickles, and spicy ketchup. My favorite is the Grilled Fish Sandwich and Turkey Burger. I wouldn't call myself a burger lover, but I like the Cheddar Burger as well. It's an all around good and convenient burger place. It's way better than the average mall food court.
(4)
Angela R.
Over priced and poor quality! Very disappointed as I had heard better things. I am a big fan of burgers and this did not come close to meeting expectations.
(1)
Brian M.
Marc Burger is one of my 'go to' weekday lunch spots in the Loop. It's part of Macy Field's 7th floor food emporium and is usually one of the less crowded places. I typically get the turkey burger which is really thick and juicy, however a little bland, but good nonetheless. With the burger, you get these deliciously and lightly seasoned garlic and cracked pepper fries, housemade pickles, and a slightly spicy side of coleslaw. I must say, it's a pretty good spread for $7.95. Everything is always cooked to order, ensuring a hot and fresh product each time. I also always give credit to places that make an attempt to serve foods that are healthier and easier on the environment. The turkey they serve comes from free range birds and the beef is a grass fed variety. If you're looking for a relatively cheap, made to order lunch that you can feel good about, Marc Burger is your spot.
(4)
Ray W.
It's a bit of a trek getting to Macy's 7th floor (elevators are a challenge to find and slow), but Marc burgers never disappoint! My favorite is the one with carmelized onions and portobello mushroom. Very juicy and tasty, and for about $10 you get fries, cole slaw, sweet pickles and an unbeatable view! Love the horseradish sauce. I have them put it on the side and I dip the fries in it. Oh, and they have a frequent buyer club, after 7 meals at Marc or any of the other food court restaurants, get one free.
(5)
Chaelin K.
It wasn't that hard finding the place, looking at the reviews, I was expecting a lot. It turned out to be ok. I got the fried chicken sandwich with curry mayo, which came with garlic cracked pepper fries, and a "pomegranate lemondade" for the heck of it. Overall it was a pretty decent meal, I cut my sandwich in half because the piece of chicken was huge. About halfway, I started to get really nauseous so I ended up cutting off the fried layer which revealed bits of pepper on the chicken so it was still pretty flavorful! The bun was yummy at first too and then I had to abandon it also as it made me nauseous. Pomegranate Lemonade was alright. Too sweet, so I diluted it. My cousin who was with me said it tasted like strawberry lemonade. The fries are pretty good too. Good texture, I think I tasted the pepper/garlic. I also had the spicy ketchup but it wasn't working for me. Not enough tomato flavor, and the spicy is an interesting/weird spicy. It also came with their own version of pickles and sauerkraut. I liked these better than the main parts of my meal. The sauerkraut has jalapeños in it which added a nice new twist, but tasted very heavy after a while. The pickles have a very light pickle flavor / acidity it was pretty tasty and I liked how it wasn't that strong. tldr, it was an ok experience. my meal cost about $12. Wouldnt really go back , it's in a food court so the atmosphere is a bit meh.
(3)
Mark C.
Shopping for wedding bands down in the jewelry district, my fiancee and I needed a quick bite - I suggested Chick-Fil-A, but given she works down in that area, she turned me down, so we went to one of our go-to loop spots on the 7th floor at Macy's - a food court with spots by Rick Bayless, Takashi, and the burger joint by Marcus Samuelsson. I got the pesto burger - a 6oz patty topped with lettuce, tomato, a salty pesto sauce, and a thick slice of chewy mozzarella. The burger was cooked to a solid medium, suprisingly juicy, but had underwhelming flavor, the pesto sauce balanced that out and the mozzarella was a perfect fit. The bun itself was a bit dry and the weak point of the burger. The fries here are medium to thick cut, well cooked but lacked crisp on the outside. I went with the rosemary parmesan blend, the rosemary a bit burnt and sparse, but the parmesan was heaped on. Samuelsson's spicy house ketchup was not spicy at all, just mixed with a bit of mustard. If you're up at Macy's on State or in the Loop looking for a lunch spot (btw, it's closed on Sundays), Marc Burger isn't a bad choice, but by no means is it a destination for burgers, and the options at Frontera and Takashi are a bit better, but it all depends on what you're in the mood for. Pics and more up on my blog: eatinginchicago2014.word…
(3)
Jacob A.
The food here is not that great. The service behind the counter is the only redeeming quality. The staff really does work hard. I just wish it would translate into the food. At just under $13 for a fish sandwich that was just mediocre is preposterous. Turkey Burger is no better, though slightly cheaper. Won't be returning here.
(2)
John L.
Great burger variety, whether you're craving the bacon & cheese or portabella option. Chardae... 5 stars She was working the register as I'd come in from what felt like 90 degrees and 90% humidity. I'd wanted a shake and their machine was broken down. Chardae, told me I could get one from another restaurant in the food court... and then out of no where asked me to hold tight while she went there and brought a shake back for me. It is often difficult to associate high quality, customer service with fast food, so not only was this a standout effort; Chadae set the bar! The only reason I hold back on a star is that there have been many visits were the smoke from the grill pours out into the dining areas making you feel and smell like you are the one wearing an apron, flipping burgers.
(4)
Alice J.
Decent place for lunch in the Macy's food court area. To my liking the patty was cooked medium rare. The bun was nicely buttered and toasted. I recommend getting the onion strings they're delicious. You can substitute them for your fries at no extra cost. I was too full or else I would have tried the custard milkshake. Overall good portion and reasonably priced. A great spot for a quick, casual lunch.
(3)
Chad M.
It feels like they're still ironing out the kinks with the work flow at the counter. Once they take care of that it'll be a great place for lunch. Have to hand it to the hard working folks on the grill, nice job. Good food. Line moves quick enough. Do not deviate from the menu... guy in front of me was trying to customize a few menu items for his kids and the cashier was giving him some Ed Debevics style attitude and some awesome eye rolling. Not necessary... Great Fries. Burger was good. Thick and juicy. Crisp lettuce, fresh toppings. Custard shakes are pretty good but don't order one if it's busy. I got my food and waited at the counter for another 5 minutes for my shake while my burger and fries cooled off. (i know, boo hoo). Still prefer Epic Burger for the price and service...
(2)
Karen C.
I went Friday during lunchtime about 12:15. They are located in the food court Seven on State across from the Walnut Room. They now have a sign with their name on it. I ordered the Classic Burger. All their burgers are cooked Medium unless you request a different temp. I was expecting a medium rare, however, my burger was red inside (in parts) the rest was pink. I almost considered going back but changed my mind and ate the burger which is juicy and very good. Filling. Couldn't finish my burger or fries. The line wasn't bad and they moved fast, so it appears they ironed out their kinks as reported by others in the past. Lots of seating areas in the food court. I was also given a punch card at the register. Buy 7 entrees at any of their venues which includes Noodles, Frontera, Salads, and Soups & Sandwiches for a minimum $7.95 and the 8th entree is free! My total cost for the burger (fries included and they are good) with tax was $8.78. Not bad for the loop.
(4)
Jeff R.
I've written before about my great fondness for the 7th floor at Macy's and the various lunch options. We went today (Friday's are always a good reason to go for something special) and since I've tried Takashi and Frontera, Marc Burger was next on the list. Marc stands for Marcus Samuelsson, and Marc Burger is his farm to table, fresh ingredient burger stand (there's actually two, the other in CA). The menu is simple with eight burger options (basic, pesto burger, turkey burger, bbq, etc), sides, shakes, etc. It's perfect for the space and the lines are never short. Today we just had a regular cheeseburger with white cheddar. The home made ketchup was pretty good but not quite memorable. The burger was solid but also sort of average. The garlic fries were tasty but since they are somewhat mass produced they didn't seem that fresh. I'd be interested in trying the other burgers, and maybe a shake. It makes me really wish I still lived across the street the DMK Burger Bar. Marc Burger is a good option in the 7th Floor Macy's food court. I still prefer Frontera but Marc is close behind.
(3)
Lo C.
This place is just fine. Good location downtown and plenty of places to sit and eat. I've gotten the buffalo burger, beef burger, and turkey burger. Most turkey burgers are pretty bland - this one has some cumin in it. Very tasty. The other burgers were tasty as well. Fries are nicely seasoned. Nothing crazy extraordinary and nothing disappointing...except that this isn't in Marshall Fields anymore!
(3)
Hoang L.
Pros: -Marc Burger is good. Love eggs. I think it's just A1 sauce on it. -Spicy ketchup is good but I think it's just a mix of ketchup and mustard. -Free refills. Cons: -Cashier did not ask me how I wanted my burger. (Default: cooked medium) -Waited about 15 minutes for my burger. 3 people behind me got their food first. -All their trays seem to be bent. I can see this to be easy to drop a drink. -They only gave me one napkin. Do they not understand that the yolk breaks and makes it very messy? -$0.50 extra for some cheese on a $13 burger. I don't like people nickeling and diming me. -Fries were average. Needs more seasoning. Portions not generous.
(3)
Melissa T.
My Marc Burger experience was pretty much a low 3 star review. It wasn't to the extent of 2 stars because my overall experience really was ok; I only wish that there had been a better preparation of my meal (and an offering of more than one napkin for my messy burger). The burger (marc burger) I ordered was flavorful - although leaning toward too salty for my taste with the A1-type sauce - and I was just thankful my egg was runny. Unfortunately, my burger was way overcooked. Here's the deal: if you're not going to cook burgers to order, don't say that you can. It's incredibly annoying to me because I get my hopes up for the delicious taste of a medium rare burger since that is, after all, what I requested, but then I get medium to medium well. It's one thing if I didn't ask and just received a default medium burger, but when I specifically inquire: "Hey, can you guys cook your burgers to order." "Yes we can." "Awesome, may I have mine cooked medium rare," I think it's safe to say that I would like my burger medium rare. The fries were good, but I'm nearly positive the special sauce was simply a mix of ketchup and mustard. I could have done that on my own and don't see the need to brag about a special dipping sauce if it's not that special at all. Overall, I'd try other places again before I went back to Marc Burger but if craving a burger and was in Macy's, I'd certainly give this place another chance.
(3)
Farha K.
Marc Samuelsson is a genius and it is evident in every burger on the menu at Marc Burger. Hidden away on the 7th floor of Macy's Marc Burger is flanked by other fast food restaurants by big name chefs, but holds it own quite wonderfully. My personal favorites on the menu are the Kobe sliders which are drizzled with truffle oil and a spicy aioli served with their signature fries and coleslaw. The lines are a bit cumbersome because it does take a while for them to grill up your burger, but it is well worth the wait and a treat during lunch breaks on a weekday.
(5)
Vanessa R.
Several weeks ago, we decided to take advantage of a nice, Friday lunch hour and hit up Marc Burger. Marc Burger is housed on Seven on State, the food court inside of Macy's up on the 7th Floor. We were one of the first people to be up there, since they open at 11 AM. This place is touted as having the "Loop's best burgers" so we figured we'd give them a try and judge this for ourselves. (My hands down favorite, hole-in-the-wall Peppers still holds this distinction). I went ahead and ordered a hamburger, fries and soft drink. I knew going into this place that we'd be paying more than your average McDonalds since they serve "gourmet hamburgers" and supposedly the creator of this place is a renowned New York chef. But over $11? A bit much. Granted, the soft drinks came with unlimited refills, but still. I was given a glass with the pop and waited for them to cook up the burger. This took a while, but I didn't mind since they had just opened up, plus it meant it would be fresh off the grill. While the cashier was very nice, she kept trying to sell me other things like cookies, custard and a shake; it reminded me of the Subway "chips and drink" mantra. No means no, thanks! In the meantime, I figured I'd step away from the counter and the cashiers' sales pitches and get my ketchup and other condiments ready to go. Small problem: the ketchup and mustard pumps were broken. I struggled to push down the pump, thinking I somehow just wasn't doing it right or that my arms were in fact much weaker than I thought. After about 5 minutes of struggling, someone came over and confirmed that something was indeed wrong with the pumps. It turned into a big ordeal, with yet another employee coming over trying to fix these things. Several minutes and four-five people later, we managed to squeeze some ketchup and mustard out of the pumps. Finally my hamburger came out in a wire food basket and paper napkins, which contrasted with the china plates, glasses and silverware... identity crisis? In all honesty, I didn't care much about the presentation of the meal at this point. The hamburger looked like it had potential and the fries looked good too; hopefully the wait and ketchup pump ordeal had been worth it! We finally walked over to the window area seating, but were disappointed that we really couldn't look out the glass since the window panes were so dirty and the window sills were pretty dusty too. If you're going to have seating right in front of these windows, you'd think this would be clean, right? The hamburger was very thick and juicy and hot off of the grill. It was cooked just right and was quite a large portion, topped with crispy lettuce and a tomato slice. It also came with a small cup of cole slaw and pickle slices. The hamburger bun was a bit dry however (I'm assuming it was potato bread?) but the beef made up for it, seasoned with just the right amount of black pepper. The fries were probably my favorite part of the meal - thin and crispy, skin-on fries seasoned with visible specks of garlic, salt and pepper -- and these too were nice and warm. About halfway into the meal, I thought I may as well take advantage of the free refills. Unfortunately, instead of having a self-service refill station, you had to go up and ask the cashier at the counter to fill you up. I definitely didn't like this since the counter was far from where we were sitting, plus I didn't want the cashier to try and sell me more stuff and/or think I was a fatty for getting refills! Overall, the hamburger and fries were good, but not great. The customer service was average at best and the atmosphere up on Seven on State wasn't all that great either. But the main reason why I docked this place major points was the cost. Would I come back to Marc Burger? No. It's difficult to justify coming back to eat at this place when you could go just about anywhere else and get the same meal for half the price. I will however, try and come back and eat at Rick Bayless's Frontera Fresco!
(3)
Rob B.
Expected more from Marc and more for the money. Fries were good and too that specially ketchup, but the burger was fair and the roll was terrible. The slaw was so small we could not share it. I might add that of the many concepts at seven on State, Marc burger was the least patronized.
(2)
Sam L.
Marc Burger is potential, wasted. The burgers are delicious. The fries, too. But the wait can be much too long, even when no one is ahead of you in line. The chef doesn't seem to know how to produce burgers in a steady stream. He makes them batches, creating some truly ridiculous wait times. This is not a hard problem to rectify: anticipate how many burgers are needed during rush hours and begin cooking them in a continuous stream. Some petty complaints: no ketchup dispenser (you're invited to grab a handful of packets from a bin) and the fry portions have gotten smaller.
(3)
Dave S.
I am always on the lookout for a tasty burger. This place was a find for me because they do have tasty.burgers I would have never in a million years associated Marc Samuelsson with a burger joint . My burger and fries here were outstanding to say the least. The prices were a bit on the higher side (it is located in Macy's) but not overly ridiculous. I wish I knew about this place sooner as it was a really good find. Fortunately my wife came across this place by accident while meandering through Macy's and introduced me to it. I may have never discovered this burger if it wasn't for her. This establishment is well off of the beaten path and the main reason I have not returned is he the whole "out of sight, out of mind" concept. It is in a food court buried in Macy's. I will never really "be in the area" again. maybe not the greatest choice of location if that is your only Chicago location but I am glad to know it is there when I crave more (which I am starting to do)
(4)
Arlene A.
Yummy burgers to be found here at Marc Burger. While the actual Marc burger is a little on the rich side, still very delicious. My real favorite however are the sliders. I split them with my Honey and it's all good. Service could be improved, there's not a sense of urgency. Not panic, urgency. Please at least pretend you care about getting me my food. What also is a bit of a downer is God help you, if you ask for a glass of water. I've had to ask numerous times, and don't much care for the sideways look. The stars are strictly for the food, service is underwhelming, but once you're seated at a table, who cares.
(3)
Fred G.
I'll start off by saying that there aren't a lot of places to get grass-fed beef burgers, and Marc Burger definitely makes knows how to make them. Because this restaurant is in the Macy's food court, it's hard for a lot of people to find out about it. However, those that do know about it bring all their friends, which means that if you show up for lunch at 12:00 you'll be waiting in line for your food for at least 15 minutes. The burgers here are usually very fresh and tasty, so fresh that I don't usually need anything more than the standard lettuce, tomato and cheese to top it off. If you decide to visit Marc Burger several times, be sure to pick up a punch card so that your 8th burger is free! + Grass fed beef + Fresh ingredients + Quality of food - Price
(4)
Ashley S.
I liked watching Marc on top check masters so I was excited to try this place. Unfortunately, it's just OKAY. There's nothing special about this food. The burger wasn't bad but nothing about it stood out to me, same goes for the fries.
(3)
Robyn T.
After getting nods as one of the best burgers how can you not come check this place out? You'll have to battle the tourists on weekends or the lunch crowd during the week but for a solid burger why not? I stuck with a cheeseburger (swiss) and was really happy with my meal. For about $9 I had a juicy burger on a really wonderful bun (because it's not just about the meat) and a side of fries. The burger was juicy without being some huge hunk of meat. I LOVED the spicy ketchup and I'm not really a huge ketchup fan usually. My big question was why doesn't Macy's capitalize on this and cell some of Marcus' ketchup?
(4)
Kara B.
A bit tricky to find. The burgers were not magical, but they were yummy, nonetheless. The fries and the homemade ketchup were my favorite! Great place for lunch!
(3)
Jenn S.
When I need a good burger on a work day without having to feel too guilty, I go to Marc Burger. Although its always busy, and the line is usually long (and slow), its worth the wait if you're looking to have a burger without having to sit down at a restaurant. I usually go with the turkey burger. Its cajun seasoning on the outside leaves an interesting taste in your mouth. Interesting, but a good one. A bit of warning though, these burgers may be made to order...but they make them ALL well done. The cajun seasoning on the burger goes very well with the spicy cole slaw and seasoned fries. The fries are seriously the best part of the meal! D-LISH! I highly HIGHLY recommend going to the 7th floor at Macy's before noon. Don't even bother after that because it just gets ridiculous.
(3)
Paul B.
Very pleased with my BBQ burger. Fries were very good. Spicy ketchup also very good. Guess I'm short on details today after writing 10 reviews, but when I'm looking for a burger in the loop this will be my first choice.... or maybe Epic Burger. Regardless lunch was very good
(4)
Nicolas H.
Nothing infuriates me more when ordering a burger than having it overcooked and this place really overdid it. I specifically ordered it medium-rare and the cash register worker even asked someone how to enter it properly into the system. After a 15 minute wait here comes my burger completely overcooked no where near even medium. If it wasn't the lunch rush and there wasn't a huge line I probably would've sent it back, but begrudgingly I ate it. The flavor was decent, but the meat was so dry I had to drench it in ketchup. The fries were actually good and the bun was tasty, however over $10 for an overcooked burger just doesn't do it for me...
(2)
Sandra D.
Pros: I love this place! The burgers are awesome. I wholeheartedly recommend the turkey burger with bacon. I used to hate ketchup, but after tasting the spicy ketchup, I have become a convert. The crispy, crunchy and well-seasoned fries are just so damn addictive. The homemade pickles served with the burgers are delish. Putting apples and jalapeño peppers in the coleslaw was a stroke of genius. Amazingly, you can order limeade off of the Frontera Fresco menu. The frozen custard shakes are sinfully delicious. Cons: The BBQ sauce is an overly sweet, soupy mess. The portion of coleslaw offered is laughable. Tip: Arrive before noon or after 2pm to receive prompt service.
(4)
michael p.
Went here during a long lunch while playing hookie with the boss gone... I have to admit I had an instant snob reaction when i went up to the top floor of Macy's on State street for a burger from a food court. I calmed down when i realized Marc Samuelsson was the guy behind it It was a little after 12pm and the line was long but the smells from the grill kept me in place. I looked at the menu options...classic burger, eh maybe...turkey burger...yeah right...portabella burger...not this day...then there it was...the BBQ burger, angus beef, seasoned with paprika, smoked bacon, and a "chunky" bbq sauce...this is the one for me today. Now granted its a food court so I'm not going to bother with the service review. I wait maybe 4 minutes then i pick up my burger. I notice right off the bat the fresh toppings, phat ass slice of tomato, crispy lettuce. The burger comes medium, bacon is crisp but not overdone, the cheddar was great and the chunky bbq sauce was nuts, its like a bbq, onion marmalade and was really tasty, I just wish it was served as warm as the burger. Burger itself was quite juicy, yes I've had way better burger but the toppings made it a 3 star and def return visit. fries were decent, way over seasoned but the "spicy" ketchup was a nice option for dipping. If you work in the loop and want a better burger option under 10 bucks then i would def suggest this spot.
(3)
Jami K.
Maybe I was just cranky today, but this place pissed me off. I had decided on the portobello burger, but as I approached the counter, I saw that they had some lentil nuggets on special. Since that sounded delicious I thought that I would splurge and try the three piece variety for $3. After I had paid, I saw my receipt and noticed that they had charged me for two items which were $1.75. I showed it to the cashier and said that I thought I was overcharged and she said that was special. Now, I can understand if a special item isn't on the register, but when the two entries add up to $3.50 instead of the advertised $3.00, that is a cause for concern for me. Now, $.50 isn't a ton of money, but I was feeling ripped off, she gave me a dirty look, went over to a manager and then came back and told me that the price had changed. No apology or anything. Well, I got my money back and went somewhere else for lunch. What a deceptive, sleazy practice. It's too bad because the food really did sound tasty,
(1)
Chris B.
I haven't written a Yelp review in a loooong time, thanks to the twittering nature of quicker social media the past 2 yrs (apologies), but my experience today at Marc Burger drove me back to spread the word... Overall -- and to start off with a positive: I can't say I didn't like the *taste* of the Smoky BBQ Burger (replete with sauce, crumbled kettle chips, monterey jack), but EVERYTHING that people are mentioning here as the other-than-the-burger negatives are things I experienced: - ONE NAPKIN...seriously? Weird. Just an odd thing to skimp on for a $12 lunch. - Flat soda - Warped trays - Broken ketchup maker - Other people (Macy's employees?) getting served and waited on around us with winks and nods - literally watching food come out of the kitchen and walked by Seven on State employees to people in the back of the line with handshakes and chuckles. - An OUTRAGEOUS line -- they worked through the cashier line quickly enough, but I literally stood in line for at least 20 min. waiting for the actual food with 50 of my now closest friends -- it was embarrassingly long...and like someone else wrote, I was gazing longingly at the swift and efficient Frontera Fresco line next to us. - Greasy and limp fries... - Horrible attention to detail on the plating -- cole slaw was slopped out of the tiny plastic ramekin onto the red/white checkered wrapper, getting the bun wet, and it was in/on the pickles, of which I only received 2...2 little limp pickles. So other than the actual taste-in-my-mouth of a decent BBQ burger, the rest of the experience was an UTTER disaster. Marcus Samuelsson likely had ZERO to do with this place other than offering his branding, name and face (much like C-House), so if I were him, I'd pay a visit to Macy's as a member of it's "Culinary Council" and fix what's wrong. And the fact that my experience was the SAME as people commenting in 2009 and 2010 let alone the first 6 months of 2011 tells me that they don't care. Most disappointed I've been in a Chicago restaurant/food destination in memory.
(1)
Brian M.
Good food. Good price. Hard to find. To start, this place is on the 7th Floor of Macy's in the food court. If you ask anyone, they will not have heard of it. No one (jewelry counter, pedestrian, cop, CTA worker, mall employee) will know what you're talking about if you ask where it is. A cop and I actually pulled it up on our phones, used interactive maps to move around in the pedway system, and we never found it. Later, I found a review that mentioned it being in Macy's on the 7th Floor. I wonder if Macy's knows it is on the 7th floor! The directory in the store doesn't mention it. The elevator doesn't list it. The signs you first come across on the 7th floor don't mention it. Only when you get close to the "Noodles" sign, do you see Marc Burger actually listed in a nearly transparent logo in the corner. When you walk out into the main area, it is hidden back in the corner as if it is a secret. Even where you are expected to stand and make your order is in question. Signage in Chicago is horrible, but this place is pathetic! As for the burger -- It was worth it. I read that I should try the barbecue bacon cheeseburger w/ their special seasoned dill fries w/ the spicy ketchup. I was taking mine to go, and I didn't know you have to ask for the ketchup, so I missed out on that part. However, the rest was really good. It is not one of the top 5 burgers in town, but it is in the upper crust. For the price, $9 for burger and fries, it is a good deal in The Loop.
(4)
Rachel L.
Destination #2 on the Burger Safari list. I was pleasantly surprised by Marc Burger since the yelp reviews had lowered my expectations. I tried the BBQ Burger, and my burger buddy had the signature Marc Burger with fried egg. Low points: Wait was a bit long, copious amounts of homemade BBQ sauce made for a messy burger, patty was a little smaller than the bun. High points: Reletively hassle free location, affordable and tasty loop lunch location, homemade sauces and ketchup were really yummy, fries were awesomely seasoned with garlic and herbs! Overall, this place gets props for being one of the few places to get a great burger on your lunch hour in the loop.
(3)
Haley S.
Decent burgers if you work in the Loop. Excellent fries, and love the chili ketchup. Not the best I've had in Chicago or NYC, but totally passable if you need a fix.
(3)
Casandra G.
A busy lunch counter on Macy's 7th floor. Open only during the weekday lunch rush, a line is basically unavoidable so come expecting a good 15 minute wait or so. Breakdown: The good: rich, creamy strawberry milkshake. Delightful garlicky fries. Fresh made pickles. And they seemed to be working as promptly as possible to get you your food. The fine: burger cooked about medium-well (light pink middle), juicy and generally satisfying but not mind blowing. The mediocre: soggy and depressing looking cole slaw. The recap: try it, if it's convenient to do so, but not a must.
(3)
DJ A.
Just another sunny afternoon. I am meeting my sister for lunch today(a nice respite from work). We decide to head over to the 7th floor of Macy's, the Seven on State food court. Now, I have been here before and it is basically an upscale food court. Most of the food is made to order. Nice but nothing special. Today I decide to try Marcus Samuelsson's burger joint. My sister had been telling me how good it was. Not thinking much about it, I order the Turkey Burger. The Turkey Burger comes with Jack Cheese, Tomato, Lettuce, a spicy aioli, and of course the Turkey Burger. Wow!!! This was absolutely the best Turkey Burger(yes, it does deserve to be capitalized) made anywhere, anytime, by anyone, ever!!! I have never had a Turkey Burger with this much flavor. The Turkey Burger was very well seasoned, not too much salt and just enough kick. As you know with the average turkey patty(non-capitalized) they tend to be a dry crumbly mess. Not this Turkey Burger. It was as juicy as a beef burger(which I will try next time especially, since their beef is grassfed, big bonus there) and as flavorful. Simply amazing!! The side dishes were stellar too. Now, keep in mind I Hate coleslaw the same way the Cubs Hate winning(yes I said it and yes I am a White Sox Fan). This coleslaw was amazing. It was not over sweet or over vinegary. It also had a nice spicy kick to it. If you can get me to like coleslaw you must be able to do something right. The French fries were very good as well. Another interesting seasoning on the fries that I can't quite describe. All in all I will definitely be back. I also suggest you go now. Unless of course you hate good food. I can't give it 5 stars until i try the other Burgers.
(4)
Cam C.
It is a great place for lunch. The burger was nothing special but the fries and the ketchup were my favorite.
(3)
Jims L.
I think the disappointment with Marc Burger had to do with its dumb marketing. I'm sure if it wasn't heralded as bugers made by amazing James Beard Award winning Chef Marcus Samuelsson the place would get better reception. Maybe if the Chef invited you over to his personal home for a bbq bash and personally cooked you up some prime meat burger, it would be something to remember, but then you expect the same at a Macy's food court when the only thing that can be cooked and served with any extra finesse or skill are the patties by people who don't work with the Chef on a regular basis. Surprise, the burgers aren't extraordinary, but it's not your fault for expecting them to be. The people who decided to put up a huge picture of Marcus Samuelsson next to his uninventive quote up on the wall are to blame. I wasn't disappointed with my patty, it was thick and juicy, but perhaps it was a little too thick and juicy? Shrug. If the same exact burger options were sold down street at State and ______ at "Chicago Generic Grill" the place would be getting 5 star reviews, I'm sure.
(3)
John M.
Marcus Samuelsson has a burger place? I had to check it out. I was very interested to see his take on an American gastro-icon. The stand is located in the food court of the Macy's building downtown. From the looks of it, it is going for a very wholesome, 1950's car-hop diner feel, which is really too bad, as it's an indication Samuelsson has done nothing but lend his name to this place. I went with a burger with cheddar (American is not listed, but apparently is available) with L,T,O and M. Looking at the grill, the patties appeared to have been frozen and were very heavily shaped into almost perfect cylindrical form. The top and bottom edges were sharp. But I then noticed a bun butterer/toaster, so I wanted to give it a chance. I also went for a chocolate malt as I am a glutton for punishment. It took a while for the burger to come--I finished most of my malt waiting in line for it. I took my first bite and it was greasy and overcooked. Also, the burger grinds were tiny--as if mounds of sawdust had somehow been mechanically compressed into patty form--and the burger felt gritty in my mouth. The only taste exhibited was the taste of char from the grill. The fries were actually not that bad, and the malt was good--which is the only reason I am awarding this place a star. I would not go back however, and if I was Marcus Samuelsson, I would distance myself from this disaster of a burger stand ASAP.
(1)
Chirag P.
I was a big fan of the garlic/cracked pepper tossed french fries... the homemade spicy catch up is great with anything. Had the crunchy bbq burger which was pretty good, messy to eat, but what do you expect with bacon, bbq sauce and kettle chips on a burger. I'm a fan for sure... I'm just a fan of Chef Marcus Samuelsson in general so maybe a little jaded.
(4)
Chrisa H.
I had pretty high expectations for a $7 burger from a food court. I had the burger with pesto and mozzarella, and it was worth coming down to Macy's from the Miracle Mile for lunch on a Saturday. The burger was jucy and cooked perfectly, and the pesto was amazingly fresh. The fries weren't super crispy like I like them, but they were nice and garlicy. The lemonade was SUPER tart, but definitely from real lemon juice.
(4)
Jerry W.
It's the end of another work week and pay day too it couldn't be better. Well I guess it could but that's another discussion. My buddy DJ A and I decide to head out for a Friday lunch. This time we convince two of our workmates to come along as we head over to Marc Burger on the 7th floor of Macy's. Now the last time I was in this food court was probably 4 or 5 years ago when the family and I stopped for lunch during our process of adopting our youngest two children. So yes I have very fond memories of the Macy's (at that time Marshal Fields) food court. Well DJ A has been raving to me about the Turkey burger here. I trust my buddys reviews and we seem to have similar tastes (we both are food geeks and both have Hispanic wifes). So I get in line thinking I'm going to order the Turkey Burger. But then I see on the menu, 2 Kobe Slider Burgers with all the fixings and now I have made my decision, it's the Kobe Sliders. Well for $8.95 they were really good little burgers. They weren't the best I have ever had but they were really good. The coleslaw that came with it was good (not really a big coleslaw type of guy). But the fries were truly unbelievable!!! I was watching the chef make them so I know they were freshly made. I saw him ever so gently springle the salt over them and then add one of the most delicious seasonings to the fries I have ever had. If you know me or have read my earlier reviews you know I could have just ordered a main course of the fries and then Marc's would have gotten a five plus star review. Of course the next time I head over to Marc Burger (and I will) I still have to try the Turkey Burger. And of course get more of those truly delicious fries (as I type this I am drooling just like Homer Simpson does over pork chops, damn the keyboard is getting wet).
(4)
Michael H.
The burgers, fries, and onion rings are really tasty here. I love the buffalo burger. The onion rings are lightly breaded--just perfect. Very underrated burger.
(5)
Michelle W.
The turkey burger was amazing - it had a crust, was not dried out and was a huge portion. I approve of the bun, which was a kaiser type thing but maybe slightly richer and proved that not everything has to be served on a pretzel roll. Also tried a bite of the BBQ burger which was good, but the turkey was even better. Fries were stellar and ample. The pickles weren't quite sour enough to my taste but the spicy cole slaw made up for it. Overall, it's not cheap but you get good value for what you pay for.
(5)
Jasmine P.
Marc burger is so awesome! I was impressed by the turkey burger! So tender and not dry. I also like the chicken breast sandwich. The chicken breast wasn't dry either and the avocado mayo on top complemented the chicken breast very well. The burgers are all served on potato bread too. yum! All sandwiches come with cole slaw, pickles, and fries. (I must also add that the fries were REALLLLYYY good too!) I sometimes wish they would offer an option to order extra fries because I so would want more. mmmmmmmm! As I've said about other lunch locations in the Loop, get there early or get there late. If you go right during the rush hour, you'll have to wait in a very long line. Pricey for a burger, but I've paid similar or more for burgers that don't taste as good. Service is great too! free refills on water and soda. Even though it's a food court type atmosphere, the staff is great about coming around to your table to offer you a free beverage refill or clean your table off after you've finished.
(4)
Jillian H.
I enjoy watching Marcus Samuelsson on cooking shows so I was really excited to try his Marc Burger restaurant located in Macy's. I had really high expectations from someone who was named "Best Chef - New York City and judges other chefs on cooking show. I was really disappointed. Service: The restaurant was busy but the service was extremely slow. Food: I got the classic burger . It was cooked properly and the flavor was good but nothing outstanding. Nothing special about the homemade pickles or the basic out of a plastic bag bun. The fries had decent flavor but were very soggy and slightly over cooked. The coleslaw seems like it was a throw away side dish. It was so bland, no seasoning or creaminess. The last time I had something this bland was probably the paste I ate in kindergarten. Much better burger joints can be had in the city.
(2)
Rachel H.
Here goes review number two where I seemed to get lucky at an inconsistent foodery. See Texas de Brazil. It seems like a lot of people had the same complaints here while others did not. I'm in that camp of those who escaped the pitfalls that are probably due to the fact that this place is in the Macy's food court. I was meeting the bffs new-ish bf and she wanted a burger. It was also the day after her birthday. Enough Bs for you? Anywhoo, we got here right after noon and the line wasn't too long, particularly compared to Frontera. I went for the cheeseburger which comes with fries. I went medium rare and got it, which seems to be the issue a lot of people had here. The burger was very pink and juicy, and we all really liked the bun which was soft but held up to a bloody beef patty. I also grabbed a homemade lemonade which tasted like a carnival lemonade shakeup but with less ice. Excellent. The fries were fine as was the slaw which has a spicy kick to it. I was a little bummed that the pickles were sweetish and seemed oddly unpickled. I guess I'm just a picklepuss. Definitely a better choice for me than a fast food burger at McDs or even a diner type burger at Pittsfield.
(4)
Sonia T.
Oh, how I missed this burger! It's just as good as I remembered. And the fries, oh, the fries...
(5)
Natalka K.
Great burger place located inside Macy's on the 7th floor on State St. Came here for lunch while running errands. You choose which burger you like, your cheese and within a few minutes - your burger arrives! The fries were good and they come with pickles and a coleslaw - i thought i tasted peppers.
(4)
Edwin W.
NOT A GOOD BURGER! If this is medium, I don't even want to know what medium well is like. A hockey puck?? Sheesh. Top Chef Master? Are you kidding me? Horrible choice for a bun. Under seasoned patty that was over cooked. I usually don't do ketchup on burgers, but even Heinz couldn't help this sad excuse for a burger. I know I have high expectations with being spoiled by places like Lockdown and Kuma's Corner, but I wouldn't even buy this burger if it was a bar special for $1. Speaking of which, the $1 burger at tavern tasted 10x better than what I had to pull out of my wallet ($9.00!!!) for this one. How the hell did Susur Lee lose to this guy?
(2)
Joscelyn M.
I love burgers. I was STARVING! I didn't even finish my Marc buger, it was so gross. I'll stick to Frontera Fresco for lunch and get my burger fix elsewhere.
(1)
John K.
Ordered the kobe beef sliders. The design of the food was simplistic enough (mayo, lettuce, tomato, and a burger), but the burger...the taste was amazing! I really appreciate it when a simple dish that makes you think of fast food can be done in a nice manner like at Marc Burger. I have to admit though that I was not completely satisfied. I think it was because I was originally excited by their home-made spicy ketchup that was supposed to accompany my fries...no ketchup...I probably should have asked them for it but when you're in a hurry and they just give you to-go container with its lid sealed shut, I have few options. Frontera Fresco was better overall
(3)
Rod C.
I had lunch here around 130pm on a sunny Friday afternoon and was surprised to see how empty the cafe seating was. The cheeseburger was outstanding! One of the best burgers in the city! I would hold off on the Marc Burger, too much going on with the fried egg and the steak sauce. Good place to have a lunch!
(4)
Lee M.
I honestly didn't realize Marcus Samuelsson was associated with Marc burger until after I sat down and saw his face on the wall after I took a few bites - so I had zero expectations going in. My prior experience at the salad place on the 7th Floor was subpar and again I didn't want to wait on the long lines for Bayless or Takashi. Ordered the Marc Signature burger - 10oz, fried egg, and steak sauce. The burger itself was pretty good quality. The fried egg and steak sauce were relatively flavorless though and did absolutely nothing for me. The garlic fries were a waste of calories in my opinion - they were neither crispy on the outsdie nor creamy on the inside. This is probably due to the fact that they are kept in an enormous metal mixing bowl - and I wouldn't doubt that they steamed while waiting to arrive on my plate. The spicy ketchup - as other reviewers have noted is merely ketchup and mustard. I think I was expecting it to have kick from cayenne, chipotle or tabasco or something like that. Sour ketchup would have been a more appropriate name. There is no question that if you go here during peak lunch hours, you can easily wait 20 minutes to be served. If I make it back, I know next time to keep it simple. Classic burger - lettuce, tomato and onion with a couple of packets of ketchup.
(3)
Scott B.
I stopped by today while doing some shopping. I got there right as things were opening. I was the first person in line. The food took about 5-7 minutes. Not a big deal. I ordered the Cheddar Burger and added Bacon for an upcharge. I also had the fries and lemonade. The burger was delicious. The bun was very soft and tasty. The bacon slices were very large and worth the upcharge. This was easily one of the better "fast food" burgers in the loop. The fries were crispy and seasoned very well, maybe a bit on the strong side. I was very surprised by some of the other reviews. Maybe since I was there right after opening, everything was more fresh. Either way, worth checking out.
(4)
Pete V.
This place is for people who like White Castle and want to splurge on somethin' nice fore a change. Otherwise serious burger connoisseurs should avoid this vile disgrace to Seven on State. First off, the spiffy signage is deceptive marketing....the seemingly high quality ingredients and toppings that they list on the menu are nonexistent. The burgers are decent size, but are fatty and have all been precooked. I really think all they do is warm the burgers up in the microwave, pour on a dollop of mayonnaise and serve it on 4-day old buns on clearance from Aldi. $9 for a burger at this place is highway robbery and my fries were cold. They better get their act together or Rick Bayless will take over their space in a heartbeat!
(1)
Zach T.
Good (not great) burgers. Small, but they have a great flavor. You have to contend with $10 prices, and $2 soft drinks (COME ON, MACY'S)! But it's a decent burger if you have a craving. The spicy ketchup tastes like Steak & Shake peppers mixed with ketchup. If you're looking for spicy ketchup, go to KUMA'S!
Came here with a friend for lunch today. It was crowded in the food hall but not terribly so - we waited a couple minutes to order and about 5 minutes to receive our food. Whoever put the ketchup and mustard dispensers so high up? Hard to get at for a shorty like me. The burger I had was pretty good - it was just a plain burger, no cheese, with lettuce and mustard with the little cup of sweet pickles. Decent taste to the meat. The burger came with a side of the garlic and cracked pepper fries and they were decent but I guess I was missing the point of the garlic and pepper on there. The wee cup of cole slaw was pretty tasty and not loaded with mayo, which I like. I will say if you're not a fan of Angus beef, which I am on the fence about, you may want to choose one of the other options such as the buffalo or the turkey burger. Lots of Angus flavor in this Angus burger. Add being ambushed by firemen coming out the Macy's elevator and it was definitely a lunch to remember. If I have the opportunity, it's somewhere I would eat again (and that is saying a lot with Frontera Fresco right next door).
(4)
Phantom D.
This is one of the best burgers in Chicago!!!!! When you see flames rising from the grill as the cook flips the patties and hear the the sizzle, your mouth will begin to water. Marc has created a unique taste which is complimented by a lightly buttered bun and perfectly seasoned fries. I usually pass on fish. However, the grilled mahi mahi is perfectly cooked and marinated with a citrus glaze that is sweet like BBQ. If you see a chocolate chip cooke, grab it and forget about the calories. This place is DAMN GOOD!!!!
(5)
Dale H.
Nothing struck me as amazing, to say it was fantastic would be a stretch. It was good, nothing needed to be returned, or complained about. The burger was ok, the fries were ok. I had the Marc Burger, now maybe I'm not aware of the proper meaning of a fried egg, but I always thought the yolk was dry, and this wasn't so that may have ruined it for me as well. I worked around it, and like I said, it was just ok.
(3)
Tracey S.
The French fries and spicy ketchup are really great, and worth a return trip, however......the burger was horrible.......way too much of a burnt char taste to it.....I couldn't eat more than two bites. Very disappointing....
(2)
ernest f.
Summary: ZERO STARS. Would NOT go back. The beef patty is overcooked and tastes like rubber. The wait is long. Do yourself a favor and go anywhere else. Review: If I could, I would give this place ZERO STARS. I would not come back and even if somebody forced me to come back here, I would definitely not get a beef burger. I came during lunch hour on a weekday, so the wait was long. That's fine but if I'm waiting for lunch, then I'm going to have higher expectations, and I was sorely disappointed. You know as a kid, we all enjoyed fast food burgers over diner/fancy burgers? That was because a lot of diner/fancy burger overcook their burgers, reducing a fine meat patty into a tasteless, rock hard, piece of ground beef. Marc Burger was exactly like that. The patty was so overcooked that I had to double check what I was eating. Yes, it was a burger. No, it wasn't from a high school cafeteria. No, it wasn't from a crappy bbq. Yes, I paid 10 dollars for a burger that is not better than ANY local burger joint, located ANYWHERE ELSE in chicago. Also, the presentation was sad. That could be because I ordered my burger to go. However, all it had was a sad piece of lettuce, some non-ripe tomatoes, and some half melted white cheddar... Don't go back. You'll thank me later.
(1)
Matthew S.
Good Burgers and as a bonus, you get to walk past the hotties working in the cosmetics department at Macy's. Just order the regular burger and enjoy the spicy ketchup.
(4)
Miguel T.
Great place for a quick burger, The spicy ketchup was the best thing. I had the cheese burger with Monterrey Jack cheese and the flavor was really good. Fries are well seasoned as well.
(4)
William S.
The burger was mediocre at best. overly sauced, and frozen meat taste, but what really bothered me was I had rancid coleslaw, it was like I was Gordon Ramsey at a Kitchen Nightmare, rancid food is a health issue, not poorly cooked food.
(1)
Heather K.
Headed to Seven on State for an early lunch in order to try Marcus Samuelsson's new addition to the Macy's food court scene. Marc Burger has replaced the Macy's Grill, with Angus burgers and a few other takes on classic sandwiches. I went for the mahi-mahi sandwich, which had perfect grill marks and was marinated/glazed with a citrus teriyaki sauce. For $10, the sandwich came with fantastic fries (they were so nicely seasoned, you didn't even need ketchup) and ramekins of coleslaw and pickle slices. Though it was a bit more than I would normally spend on lunch (ranging from $8-13 not including a drink), I thought the details justified the price. Things like butter lettuce (not iceberg) on the sandwich, crisp apples in the slaw, sweet and spicy pickles instead of just dill slices... all of these added up and made for an all around great lunch. I'm definitely going back to try the burgers and the custard shakes!
(4)
Tohru O.
Not a great experience. Well, we'll start with the positives. Fries were great. Spicy ketchup, nice. Now the negatives. Ordered the Marc burger with cheese and a drink. Over $17. Damn. Better be worth it. It wasn't. Took almost 15 minutes to get my food, first of all. My friends were already done by the time I got my food. When I ordered it, the lady at the register said, "the Marc burger comes medium rare. Is that ok?" I said, yes, of course. Got my burger. WELL DONE. Not medium, not medium well. Completely cooked through and through. Egg was pretty much cooked all the way through as well, instead of over easy. Flavors were pretty good, but by then I couldn't enjoy it. Plus, the entire thing disintegrates in your hand more and more with each bite. By the end, I was using a fork. I expected a lot and was very disappointed.
(2)
Lisa B.
HORRIBLE. The burgers tasted like a stack of frozen processed meat you'd get in bulk at Costco. They are not homemade, handmade, etc. Just a boring, overcooked piece of formed, processed crappy beef. There was a nice slice of fresh tomato and a bib lettuce leaf though. Yippee. Unfortunately it was on a crappy potato bun that reminded me of the Jewel brand potato buns, no different. I agree the fries were good and well seasoned but the burger sucked. For $10 I'd head to Epic Burger down the street at State/Congress and get a little change back.
(1)
Edwin W.
NOT A GOOD BURGER! If this is medium, I don't even want to know what medium well is like. A hockey puck?? Sheesh. Top Chef Master? Are you kidding me? Horrible choice for a bun. Under seasoned patty that was over cooked. I usually don't do ketchup on burgers, but even Heinz couldn't help this sad excuse for a burger. I know I have high expectations with being spoiled by places like Lockdown and Kuma's Corner, but I wouldn't even buy this burger if it was a bar special for $1. Speaking of which, the $1 burger at tavern tasted 10x better than what I had to pull out of my wallet ($9.00!!!) for this one. How the hell did Susur Lee lose to this guy?
(2)
Jacob A.
The food here is not that great. The service behind the counter is the only redeeming quality. The staff really does work hard. I just wish it would translate into the food. At just under $13 for a fish sandwich that was just mediocre is preposterous. Turkey Burger is no better, though slightly cheaper. Won't be returning here.
(2)
Ayrin B.
This is one of my "go to" lunch places. Located in Macy's I can do a little shopping, eat, and make it back to the office in reasonable time. The line can get long around noon, but it goes pretty fast. I love the fries, "homemade" pickles, and spicy ketchup. My favorite is the Grilled Fish Sandwich and Turkey Burger. I wouldn't call myself a burger lover, but I like the Cheddar Burger as well. It's an all around good and convenient burger place. It's way better than the average mall food court.
(4)
Angela R.
Over priced and poor quality! Very disappointed as I had heard better things. I am a big fan of burgers and this did not come close to meeting expectations.
(1)
Jennifer P.
I recently discovered the "food court" on Macy's 7th floor. This day I decided that I wanted a burger, and when I saw Marcus Samuelson's picture up on the wall, I knew this place had to be good. I asked the cashier which burger she recommends, and she told me the most popular was the Smoky BBQ Burger. I also got the homemade lemonade and a chocolate chip cookie. The Smoky BBQ Burger is a 6 oz. beef patty cooked medium and is made with paprika, applewood bacon, homemade bbq sauce, and kettle chips. All burgers also come with fries. When I received my burger about 8 minutes later, I was surprised at how big it was. I guess I was expecting a 6 oz. burger to be smaller (and maybe it is small, but is piled up with all the fixins, and who doesn't love that!) I had to cut the burger in half to begin eating it. This burger has so much flavor. I was amazed, excited, and didn't want to finish the burger because I wanted to savour the flavor..... The homemade lemonade was good. It was sweet and tart, just the way I like my lemonade. The chocolate chip cookie was fresh, soft and delicious. The chocolate chips melted in my mouth. I highly recommend if you go the Marc's Burger to get the Smoky BBQ Burger. It won't disappoint.
(5)
Brian M.
Marc Burger is one of my 'go to' weekday lunch spots in the Loop. It's part of Macy Field's 7th floor food emporium and is usually one of the less crowded places. I typically get the turkey burger which is really thick and juicy, however a little bland, but good nonetheless. With the burger, you get these deliciously and lightly seasoned garlic and cracked pepper fries, housemade pickles, and a slightly spicy side of coleslaw. I must say, it's a pretty good spread for $7.95. Everything is always cooked to order, ensuring a hot and fresh product each time. I also always give credit to places that make an attempt to serve foods that are healthier and easier on the environment. The turkey they serve comes from free range birds and the beef is a grass fed variety. If you're looking for a relatively cheap, made to order lunch that you can feel good about, Marc Burger is your spot.
(4)
Ray W.
It's a bit of a trek getting to Macy's 7th floor (elevators are a challenge to find and slow), but Marc burgers never disappoint! My favorite is the one with carmelized onions and portobello mushroom. Very juicy and tasty, and for about $10 you get fries, cole slaw, sweet pickles and an unbeatable view! Love the horseradish sauce. I have them put it on the side and I dip the fries in it. Oh, and they have a frequent buyer club, after 7 meals at Marc or any of the other food court restaurants, get one free.
(5)
Chaelin K.
It wasn't that hard finding the place, looking at the reviews, I was expecting a lot. It turned out to be ok. I got the fried chicken sandwich with curry mayo, which came with garlic cracked pepper fries, and a "pomegranate lemondade" for the heck of it. Overall it was a pretty decent meal, I cut my sandwich in half because the piece of chicken was huge. About halfway, I started to get really nauseous so I ended up cutting off the fried layer which revealed bits of pepper on the chicken so it was still pretty flavorful! The bun was yummy at first too and then I had to abandon it also as it made me nauseous. Pomegranate Lemonade was alright. Too sweet, so I diluted it. My cousin who was with me said it tasted like strawberry lemonade. The fries are pretty good too. Good texture, I think I tasted the pepper/garlic. I also had the spicy ketchup but it wasn't working for me. Not enough tomato flavor, and the spicy is an interesting/weird spicy. It also came with their own version of pickles and sauerkraut. I liked these better than the main parts of my meal. The sauerkraut has jalapeños in it which added a nice new twist, but tasted very heavy after a while. The pickles have a very light pickle flavor / acidity it was pretty tasty and I liked how it wasn't that strong. tldr, it was an ok experience. my meal cost about $12. Wouldnt really go back , it's in a food court so the atmosphere is a bit meh.
(3)
Natalka K.
Great burger place located inside Macy's on the 7th floor on State St. Came here for lunch while running errands. You choose which burger you like, your cheese and within a few minutes - your burger arrives! The fries were good and they come with pickles and a coleslaw - i thought i tasted peppers.
(4)
Mark C.
Shopping for wedding bands down in the jewelry district, my fiancee and I needed a quick bite - I suggested Chick-Fil-A, but given she works down in that area, she turned me down, so we went to one of our go-to loop spots on the 7th floor at Macy's - a food court with spots by Rick Bayless, Takashi, and the burger joint by Marcus Samuelsson. I got the pesto burger - a 6oz patty topped with lettuce, tomato, a salty pesto sauce, and a thick slice of chewy mozzarella. The burger was cooked to a solid medium, suprisingly juicy, but had underwhelming flavor, the pesto sauce balanced that out and the mozzarella was a perfect fit. The bun itself was a bit dry and the weak point of the burger. The fries here are medium to thick cut, well cooked but lacked crisp on the outside. I went with the rosemary parmesan blend, the rosemary a bit burnt and sparse, but the parmesan was heaped on. Samuelsson's spicy house ketchup was not spicy at all, just mixed with a bit of mustard. If you're up at Macy's on State or in the Loop looking for a lunch spot (btw, it's closed on Sundays), Marc Burger isn't a bad choice, but by no means is it a destination for burgers, and the options at Frontera and Takashi are a bit better, but it all depends on what you're in the mood for. Pics and more up on my blog: eatinginchicago2014.word…
(3)
Jillian H.
I enjoy watching Marcus Samuelsson on cooking shows so I was really excited to try his Marc Burger restaurant located in Macy's. I had really high expectations from someone who was named "Best Chef - New York City and judges other chefs on cooking show. I was really disappointed. Service: The restaurant was busy but the service was extremely slow. Food: I got the classic burger . It was cooked properly and the flavor was good but nothing outstanding. Nothing special about the homemade pickles or the basic out of a plastic bag bun. The fries had decent flavor but were very soggy and slightly over cooked. The coleslaw seems like it was a throw away side dish. It was so bland, no seasoning or creaminess. The last time I had something this bland was probably the paste I ate in kindergarten. Much better burger joints can be had in the city.
(2)
Rachel H.
Here goes review number two where I seemed to get lucky at an inconsistent foodery. See Texas de Brazil. It seems like a lot of people had the same complaints here while others did not. I'm in that camp of those who escaped the pitfalls that are probably due to the fact that this place is in the Macy's food court. I was meeting the bffs new-ish bf and she wanted a burger. It was also the day after her birthday. Enough Bs for you? Anywhoo, we got here right after noon and the line wasn't too long, particularly compared to Frontera. I went for the cheeseburger which comes with fries. I went medium rare and got it, which seems to be the issue a lot of people had here. The burger was very pink and juicy, and we all really liked the bun which was soft but held up to a bloody beef patty. I also grabbed a homemade lemonade which tasted like a carnival lemonade shakeup but with less ice. Excellent. The fries were fine as was the slaw which has a spicy kick to it. I was a little bummed that the pickles were sweetish and seemed oddly unpickled. I guess I'm just a picklepuss. Definitely a better choice for me than a fast food burger at McDs or even a diner type burger at Pittsfield.
(4)
Sonia T.
Oh, how I missed this burger! It's just as good as I remembered. And the fries, oh, the fries...
(5)
John L.
Great burger variety, whether you're craving the bacon & cheese or portabella option. Chardae... 5 stars She was working the register as I'd come in from what felt like 90 degrees and 90% humidity. I'd wanted a shake and their machine was broken down. Chardae, told me I could get one from another restaurant in the food court... and then out of no where asked me to hold tight while she went there and brought a shake back for me. It is often difficult to associate high quality, customer service with fast food, so not only was this a standout effort; Chadae set the bar! The only reason I hold back on a star is that there have been many visits were the smoke from the grill pours out into the dining areas making you feel and smell like you are the one wearing an apron, flipping burgers.
(4)
Alice J.
Decent place for lunch in the Macy's food court area. To my liking the patty was cooked medium rare. The bun was nicely buttered and toasted. I recommend getting the onion strings they're delicious. You can substitute them for your fries at no extra cost. I was too full or else I would have tried the custard milkshake. Overall good portion and reasonably priced. A great spot for a quick, casual lunch.
(3)
Chad M.
It feels like they're still ironing out the kinks with the work flow at the counter. Once they take care of that it'll be a great place for lunch. Have to hand it to the hard working folks on the grill, nice job. Good food. Line moves quick enough. Do not deviate from the menu... guy in front of me was trying to customize a few menu items for his kids and the cashier was giving him some Ed Debevics style attitude and some awesome eye rolling. Not necessary... Great Fries. Burger was good. Thick and juicy. Crisp lettuce, fresh toppings. Custard shakes are pretty good but don't order one if it's busy. I got my food and waited at the counter for another 5 minutes for my shake while my burger and fries cooled off. (i know, boo hoo). Still prefer Epic Burger for the price and service...
(2)
Karen C.
I went Friday during lunchtime about 12:15. They are located in the food court Seven on State across from the Walnut Room. They now have a sign with their name on it. I ordered the Classic Burger. All their burgers are cooked Medium unless you request a different temp. I was expecting a medium rare, however, my burger was red inside (in parts) the rest was pink. I almost considered going back but changed my mind and ate the burger which is juicy and very good. Filling. Couldn't finish my burger or fries. The line wasn't bad and they moved fast, so it appears they ironed out their kinks as reported by others in the past. Lots of seating areas in the food court. I was also given a punch card at the register. Buy 7 entrees at any of their venues which includes Noodles, Frontera, Salads, and Soups & Sandwiches for a minimum $7.95 and the 8th entree is free! My total cost for the burger (fries included and they are good) with tax was $8.78. Not bad for the loop.
(4)
Jeff R.
I've written before about my great fondness for the 7th floor at Macy's and the various lunch options. We went today (Friday's are always a good reason to go for something special) and since I've tried Takashi and Frontera, Marc Burger was next on the list. Marc stands for Marcus Samuelsson, and Marc Burger is his farm to table, fresh ingredient burger stand (there's actually two, the other in CA). The menu is simple with eight burger options (basic, pesto burger, turkey burger, bbq, etc), sides, shakes, etc. It's perfect for the space and the lines are never short. Today we just had a regular cheeseburger with white cheddar. The home made ketchup was pretty good but not quite memorable. The burger was solid but also sort of average. The garlic fries were tasty but since they are somewhat mass produced they didn't seem that fresh. I'd be interested in trying the other burgers, and maybe a shake. It makes me really wish I still lived across the street the DMK Burger Bar. Marc Burger is a good option in the 7th Floor Macy's food court. I still prefer Frontera but Marc is close behind.
(3)
Lo C.
This place is just fine. Good location downtown and plenty of places to sit and eat. I've gotten the buffalo burger, beef burger, and turkey burger. Most turkey burgers are pretty bland - this one has some cumin in it. Very tasty. The other burgers were tasty as well. Fries are nicely seasoned. Nothing crazy extraordinary and nothing disappointing...except that this isn't in Marshall Fields anymore!
(3)
Hoang L.
Pros: -Marc Burger is good. Love eggs. I think it's just A1 sauce on it. -Spicy ketchup is good but I think it's just a mix of ketchup and mustard. -Free refills. Cons: -Cashier did not ask me how I wanted my burger. (Default: cooked medium) -Waited about 15 minutes for my burger. 3 people behind me got their food first. -All their trays seem to be bent. I can see this to be easy to drop a drink. -They only gave me one napkin. Do they not understand that the yolk breaks and makes it very messy? -$0.50 extra for some cheese on a $13 burger. I don't like people nickeling and diming me. -Fries were average. Needs more seasoning. Portions not generous.
(3)
Melissa T.
My Marc Burger experience was pretty much a low 3 star review. It wasn't to the extent of 2 stars because my overall experience really was ok; I only wish that there had been a better preparation of my meal (and an offering of more than one napkin for my messy burger). The burger (marc burger) I ordered was flavorful - although leaning toward too salty for my taste with the A1-type sauce - and I was just thankful my egg was runny. Unfortunately, my burger was way overcooked. Here's the deal: if you're not going to cook burgers to order, don't say that you can. It's incredibly annoying to me because I get my hopes up for the delicious taste of a medium rare burger since that is, after all, what I requested, but then I get medium to medium well. It's one thing if I didn't ask and just received a default medium burger, but when I specifically inquire: "Hey, can you guys cook your burgers to order." "Yes we can." "Awesome, may I have mine cooked medium rare," I think it's safe to say that I would like my burger medium rare. The fries were good, but I'm nearly positive the special sauce was simply a mix of ketchup and mustard. I could have done that on my own and don't see the need to brag about a special dipping sauce if it's not that special at all. Overall, I'd try other places again before I went back to Marc Burger but if craving a burger and was in Macy's, I'd certainly give this place another chance.
(3)
Farha K.
Marc Samuelsson is a genius and it is evident in every burger on the menu at Marc Burger. Hidden away on the 7th floor of Macy's Marc Burger is flanked by other fast food restaurants by big name chefs, but holds it own quite wonderfully. My personal favorites on the menu are the Kobe sliders which are drizzled with truffle oil and a spicy aioli served with their signature fries and coleslaw. The lines are a bit cumbersome because it does take a while for them to grill up your burger, but it is well worth the wait and a treat during lunch breaks on a weekday.
(5)
Vanessa R.
Several weeks ago, we decided to take advantage of a nice, Friday lunch hour and hit up Marc Burger. Marc Burger is housed on Seven on State, the food court inside of Macy's up on the 7th Floor. We were one of the first people to be up there, since they open at 11 AM. This place is touted as having the "Loop's best burgers" so we figured we'd give them a try and judge this for ourselves. (My hands down favorite, hole-in-the-wall Peppers still holds this distinction). I went ahead and ordered a hamburger, fries and soft drink. I knew going into this place that we'd be paying more than your average McDonalds since they serve "gourmet hamburgers" and supposedly the creator of this place is a renowned New York chef. But over $11? A bit much. Granted, the soft drinks came with unlimited refills, but still. I was given a glass with the pop and waited for them to cook up the burger. This took a while, but I didn't mind since they had just opened up, plus it meant it would be fresh off the grill. While the cashier was very nice, she kept trying to sell me other things like cookies, custard and a shake; it reminded me of the Subway "chips and drink" mantra. No means no, thanks! In the meantime, I figured I'd step away from the counter and the cashiers' sales pitches and get my ketchup and other condiments ready to go. Small problem: the ketchup and mustard pumps were broken. I struggled to push down the pump, thinking I somehow just wasn't doing it right or that my arms were in fact much weaker than I thought. After about 5 minutes of struggling, someone came over and confirmed that something was indeed wrong with the pumps. It turned into a big ordeal, with yet another employee coming over trying to fix these things. Several minutes and four-five people later, we managed to squeeze some ketchup and mustard out of the pumps. Finally my hamburger came out in a wire food basket and paper napkins, which contrasted with the china plates, glasses and silverware... identity crisis? In all honesty, I didn't care much about the presentation of the meal at this point. The hamburger looked like it had potential and the fries looked good too; hopefully the wait and ketchup pump ordeal had been worth it! We finally walked over to the window area seating, but were disappointed that we really couldn't look out the glass since the window panes were so dirty and the window sills were pretty dusty too. If you're going to have seating right in front of these windows, you'd think this would be clean, right? The hamburger was very thick and juicy and hot off of the grill. It was cooked just right and was quite a large portion, topped with crispy lettuce and a tomato slice. It also came with a small cup of cole slaw and pickle slices. The hamburger bun was a bit dry however (I'm assuming it was potato bread?) but the beef made up for it, seasoned with just the right amount of black pepper. The fries were probably my favorite part of the meal - thin and crispy, skin-on fries seasoned with visible specks of garlic, salt and pepper -- and these too were nice and warm. About halfway into the meal, I thought I may as well take advantage of the free refills. Unfortunately, instead of having a self-service refill station, you had to go up and ask the cashier at the counter to fill you up. I definitely didn't like this since the counter was far from where we were sitting, plus I didn't want the cashier to try and sell me more stuff and/or think I was a fatty for getting refills! Overall, the hamburger and fries were good, but not great. The customer service was average at best and the atmosphere up on Seven on State wasn't all that great either. But the main reason why I docked this place major points was the cost. Would I come back to Marc Burger? No. It's difficult to justify coming back to eat at this place when you could go just about anywhere else and get the same meal for half the price. I will however, try and come back and eat at Rick Bayless's Frontera Fresco!
(3)
Rob B.
Expected more from Marc and more for the money. Fries were good and too that specially ketchup, but the burger was fair and the roll was terrible. The slaw was so small we could not share it. I might add that of the many concepts at seven on State, Marc burger was the least patronized.
(2)
John K.
Ordered the kobe beef sliders. The design of the food was simplistic enough (mayo, lettuce, tomato, and a burger), but the burger...the taste was amazing! I really appreciate it when a simple dish that makes you think of fast food can be done in a nice manner like at Marc Burger. I have to admit though that I was not completely satisfied. I think it was because I was originally excited by their home-made spicy ketchup that was supposed to accompany my fries...no ketchup...I probably should have asked them for it but when you're in a hurry and they just give you to-go container with its lid sealed shut, I have few options. Frontera Fresco was better overall
(3)
Rod C.
I had lunch here around 130pm on a sunny Friday afternoon and was surprised to see how empty the cafe seating was. The cheeseburger was outstanding! One of the best burgers in the city! I would hold off on the Marc Burger, too much going on with the fried egg and the steak sauce. Good place to have a lunch!
(4)
Arlene A.
Yummy burgers to be found here at Marc Burger. While the actual Marc burger is a little on the rich side, still very delicious. My real favorite however are the sliders. I split them with my Honey and it's all good. Service could be improved, there's not a sense of urgency. Not panic, urgency. Please at least pretend you care about getting me my food. What also is a bit of a downer is God help you, if you ask for a glass of water. I've had to ask numerous times, and don't much care for the sideways look. The stars are strictly for the food, service is underwhelming, but once you're seated at a table, who cares.
(3)
Jasmine P.
Marc burger is so awesome! I was impressed by the turkey burger! So tender and not dry. I also like the chicken breast sandwich. The chicken breast wasn't dry either and the avocado mayo on top complemented the chicken breast very well. The burgers are all served on potato bread too. yum! All sandwiches come with cole slaw, pickles, and fries. (I must also add that the fries were REALLLLYYY good too!) I sometimes wish they would offer an option to order extra fries because I so would want more. mmmmmmmm! As I've said about other lunch locations in the Loop, get there early or get there late. If you go right during the rush hour, you'll have to wait in a very long line. Pricey for a burger, but I've paid similar or more for burgers that don't taste as good. Service is great too! free refills on water and soda. Even though it's a food court type atmosphere, the staff is great about coming around to your table to offer you a free beverage refill or clean your table off after you've finished.
(4)
Jessica G.
Came here with a friend for lunch today. It was crowded in the food hall but not terribly so - we waited a couple minutes to order and about 5 minutes to receive our food. Whoever put the ketchup and mustard dispensers so high up? Hard to get at for a shorty like me. The burger I had was pretty good - it was just a plain burger, no cheese, with lettuce and mustard with the little cup of sweet pickles. Decent taste to the meat. The burger came with a side of the garlic and cracked pepper fries and they were decent but I guess I was missing the point of the garlic and pepper on there. The wee cup of cole slaw was pretty tasty and not loaded with mayo, which I like. I will say if you're not a fan of Angus beef, which I am on the fence about, you may want to choose one of the other options such as the buffalo or the turkey burger. Lots of Angus flavor in this Angus burger. Add being ambushed by firemen coming out the Macy's elevator and it was definitely a lunch to remember. If I have the opportunity, it's somewhere I would eat again (and that is saying a lot with Frontera Fresco right next door).
(4)
Phantom D.
This is one of the best burgers in Chicago!!!!! When you see flames rising from the grill as the cook flips the patties and hear the the sizzle, your mouth will begin to water. Marc has created a unique taste which is complimented by a lightly buttered bun and perfectly seasoned fries. I usually pass on fish. However, the grilled mahi mahi is perfectly cooked and marinated with a citrus glaze that is sweet like BBQ. If you see a chocolate chip cooke, grab it and forget about the calories. This place is DAMN GOOD!!!!
(5)
Dale H.
Nothing struck me as amazing, to say it was fantastic would be a stretch. It was good, nothing needed to be returned, or complained about. The burger was ok, the fries were ok. I had the Marc Burger, now maybe I'm not aware of the proper meaning of a fried egg, but I always thought the yolk was dry, and this wasn't so that may have ruined it for me as well. I worked around it, and like I said, it was just ok.
(3)
Tracey S.
The French fries and spicy ketchup are really great, and worth a return trip, however......the burger was horrible.......way too much of a burnt char taste to it.....I couldn't eat more than two bites. Very disappointing....
(2)
Lee M.
I honestly didn't realize Marcus Samuelsson was associated with Marc burger until after I sat down and saw his face on the wall after I took a few bites - so I had zero expectations going in. My prior experience at the salad place on the 7th Floor was subpar and again I didn't want to wait on the long lines for Bayless or Takashi. Ordered the Marc Signature burger - 10oz, fried egg, and steak sauce. The burger itself was pretty good quality. The fried egg and steak sauce were relatively flavorless though and did absolutely nothing for me. The garlic fries were a waste of calories in my opinion - they were neither crispy on the outsdie nor creamy on the inside. This is probably due to the fact that they are kept in an enormous metal mixing bowl - and I wouldn't doubt that they steamed while waiting to arrive on my plate. The spicy ketchup - as other reviewers have noted is merely ketchup and mustard. I think I was expecting it to have kick from cayenne, chipotle or tabasco or something like that. Sour ketchup would have been a more appropriate name. There is no question that if you go here during peak lunch hours, you can easily wait 20 minutes to be served. If I make it back, I know next time to keep it simple. Classic burger - lettuce, tomato and onion with a couple of packets of ketchup.
(3)
Scott B.
I stopped by today while doing some shopping. I got there right as things were opening. I was the first person in line. The food took about 5-7 minutes. Not a big deal. I ordered the Cheddar Burger and added Bacon for an upcharge. I also had the fries and lemonade. The burger was delicious. The bun was very soft and tasty. The bacon slices were very large and worth the upcharge. This was easily one of the better "fast food" burgers in the loop. The fries were crispy and seasoned very well, maybe a bit on the strong side. I was very surprised by some of the other reviews. Maybe since I was there right after opening, everything was more fresh. Either way, worth checking out.
(4)
Sam L.
Marc Burger is potential, wasted. The burgers are delicious. The fries, too. But the wait can be much too long, even when no one is ahead of you in line. The chef doesn't seem to know how to produce burgers in a steady stream. He makes them batches, creating some truly ridiculous wait times. This is not a hard problem to rectify: anticipate how many burgers are needed during rush hours and begin cooking them in a continuous stream. Some petty complaints: no ketchup dispenser (you're invited to grab a handful of packets from a bin) and the fry portions have gotten smaller.
(3)
Dave S.
I am always on the lookout for a tasty burger. This place was a find for me because they do have tasty.burgers I would have never in a million years associated Marc Samuelsson with a burger joint . My burger and fries here were outstanding to say the least. The prices were a bit on the higher side (it is located in Macy's) but not overly ridiculous. I wish I knew about this place sooner as it was a really good find. Fortunately my wife came across this place by accident while meandering through Macy's and introduced me to it. I may have never discovered this burger if it wasn't for her. This establishment is well off of the beaten path and the main reason I have not returned is he the whole "out of sight, out of mind" concept. It is in a food court buried in Macy's. I will never really "be in the area" again. maybe not the greatest choice of location if that is your only Chicago location but I am glad to know it is there when I crave more (which I am starting to do)
(4)
Fred G.
I'll start off by saying that there aren't a lot of places to get grass-fed beef burgers, and Marc Burger definitely makes knows how to make them. Because this restaurant is in the Macy's food court, it's hard for a lot of people to find out about it. However, those that do know about it bring all their friends, which means that if you show up for lunch at 12:00 you'll be waiting in line for your food for at least 15 minutes. The burgers here are usually very fresh and tasty, so fresh that I don't usually need anything more than the standard lettuce, tomato and cheese to top it off. If you decide to visit Marc Burger several times, be sure to pick up a punch card so that your 8th burger is free! + Grass fed beef + Fresh ingredients + Quality of food - Price
(4)
Ashley S.
I liked watching Marc on top check masters so I was excited to try this place. Unfortunately, it's just OKAY. There's nothing special about this food. The burger wasn't bad but nothing about it stood out to me, same goes for the fries.
(3)
Rachel L.
Destination #2 on the Burger Safari list. I was pleasantly surprised by Marc Burger since the yelp reviews had lowered my expectations. I tried the BBQ Burger, and my burger buddy had the signature Marc Burger with fried egg. Low points: Wait was a bit long, copious amounts of homemade BBQ sauce made for a messy burger, patty was a little smaller than the bun. High points: Reletively hassle free location, affordable and tasty loop lunch location, homemade sauces and ketchup were really yummy, fries were awesomely seasoned with garlic and herbs! Overall, this place gets props for being one of the few places to get a great burger on your lunch hour in the loop.
(3)
Haley S.
Decent burgers if you work in the Loop. Excellent fries, and love the chili ketchup. Not the best I've had in Chicago or NYC, but totally passable if you need a fix.
(3)
Chris B.
I haven't written a Yelp review in a loooong time, thanks to the twittering nature of quicker social media the past 2 yrs (apologies), but my experience today at Marc Burger drove me back to spread the word... Overall -- and to start off with a positive: I can't say I didn't like the *taste* of the Smoky BBQ Burger (replete with sauce, crumbled kettle chips, monterey jack), but EVERYTHING that people are mentioning here as the other-than-the-burger negatives are things I experienced: - ONE NAPKIN...seriously? Weird. Just an odd thing to skimp on for a $12 lunch. - Flat soda - Warped trays - Broken ketchup maker - Other people (Macy's employees?) getting served and waited on around us with winks and nods - literally watching food come out of the kitchen and walked by Seven on State employees to people in the back of the line with handshakes and chuckles. - An OUTRAGEOUS line -- they worked through the cashier line quickly enough, but I literally stood in line for at least 20 min. waiting for the actual food with 50 of my now closest friends -- it was embarrassingly long...and like someone else wrote, I was gazing longingly at the swift and efficient Frontera Fresco line next to us. - Greasy and limp fries... - Horrible attention to detail on the plating -- cole slaw was slopped out of the tiny plastic ramekin onto the red/white checkered wrapper, getting the bun wet, and it was in/on the pickles, of which I only received 2...2 little limp pickles. So other than the actual taste-in-my-mouth of a decent BBQ burger, the rest of the experience was an UTTER disaster. Marcus Samuelsson likely had ZERO to do with this place other than offering his branding, name and face (much like C-House), so if I were him, I'd pay a visit to Macy's as a member of it's "Culinary Council" and fix what's wrong. And the fact that my experience was the SAME as people commenting in 2009 and 2010 let alone the first 6 months of 2011 tells me that they don't care. Most disappointed I've been in a Chicago restaurant/food destination in memory.
(1)
Brian M.
Good food. Good price. Hard to find. To start, this place is on the 7th Floor of Macy's in the food court. If you ask anyone, they will not have heard of it. No one (jewelry counter, pedestrian, cop, CTA worker, mall employee) will know what you're talking about if you ask where it is. A cop and I actually pulled it up on our phones, used interactive maps to move around in the pedway system, and we never found it. Later, I found a review that mentioned it being in Macy's on the 7th Floor. I wonder if Macy's knows it is on the 7th floor! The directory in the store doesn't mention it. The elevator doesn't list it. The signs you first come across on the 7th floor don't mention it. Only when you get close to the "Noodles" sign, do you see Marc Burger actually listed in a nearly transparent logo in the corner. When you walk out into the main area, it is hidden back in the corner as if it is a secret. Even where you are expected to stand and make your order is in question. Signage in Chicago is horrible, but this place is pathetic! As for the burger -- It was worth it. I read that I should try the barbecue bacon cheeseburger w/ their special seasoned dill fries w/ the spicy ketchup. I was taking mine to go, and I didn't know you have to ask for the ketchup, so I missed out on that part. However, the rest was really good. It is not one of the top 5 burgers in town, but it is in the upper crust. For the price, $9 for burger and fries, it is a good deal in The Loop.
(4)
Casandra G.
A busy lunch counter on Macy's 7th floor. Open only during the weekday lunch rush, a line is basically unavoidable so come expecting a good 15 minute wait or so. Breakdown: The good: rich, creamy strawberry milkshake. Delightful garlicky fries. Fresh made pickles. And they seemed to be working as promptly as possible to get you your food. The fine: burger cooked about medium-well (light pink middle), juicy and generally satisfying but not mind blowing. The mediocre: soggy and depressing looking cole slaw. The recap: try it, if it's convenient to do so, but not a must.
(3)
DJ A.
Just another sunny afternoon. I am meeting my sister for lunch today(a nice respite from work). We decide to head over to the 7th floor of Macy's, the Seven on State food court. Now, I have been here before and it is basically an upscale food court. Most of the food is made to order. Nice but nothing special. Today I decide to try Marcus Samuelsson's burger joint. My sister had been telling me how good it was. Not thinking much about it, I order the Turkey Burger. The Turkey Burger comes with Jack Cheese, Tomato, Lettuce, a spicy aioli, and of course the Turkey Burger. Wow!!! This was absolutely the best Turkey Burger(yes, it does deserve to be capitalized) made anywhere, anytime, by anyone, ever!!! I have never had a Turkey Burger with this much flavor. The Turkey Burger was very well seasoned, not too much salt and just enough kick. As you know with the average turkey patty(non-capitalized) they tend to be a dry crumbly mess. Not this Turkey Burger. It was as juicy as a beef burger(which I will try next time especially, since their beef is grassfed, big bonus there) and as flavorful. Simply amazing!! The side dishes were stellar too. Now, keep in mind I Hate coleslaw the same way the Cubs Hate winning(yes I said it and yes I am a White Sox Fan). This coleslaw was amazing. It was not over sweet or over vinegary. It also had a nice spicy kick to it. If you can get me to like coleslaw you must be able to do something right. The French fries were very good as well. Another interesting seasoning on the fries that I can't quite describe. All in all I will definitely be back. I also suggest you go now. Unless of course you hate good food. I can't give it 5 stars until i try the other Burgers.
(4)
Cam C.
It is a great place for lunch. The burger was nothing special but the fries and the ketchup were my favorite.
(3)
Joscelyn M.
I love burgers. I was STARVING! I didn't even finish my Marc buger, it was so gross. I'll stick to Frontera Fresco for lunch and get my burger fix elsewhere.
(1)
Robyn T.
After getting nods as one of the best burgers how can you not come check this place out? You'll have to battle the tourists on weekends or the lunch crowd during the week but for a solid burger why not? I stuck with a cheeseburger (swiss) and was really happy with my meal. For about $9 I had a juicy burger on a really wonderful bun (because it's not just about the meat) and a side of fries. The burger was juicy without being some huge hunk of meat. I LOVED the spicy ketchup and I'm not really a huge ketchup fan usually. My big question was why doesn't Macy's capitalize on this and cell some of Marcus' ketchup?
(4)
Kara B.
A bit tricky to find. The burgers were not magical, but they were yummy, nonetheless. The fries and the homemade ketchup were my favorite! Great place for lunch!
(3)
Jims L.
I think the disappointment with Marc Burger had to do with its dumb marketing. I'm sure if it wasn't heralded as bugers made by amazing James Beard Award winning Chef Marcus Samuelsson the place would get better reception. Maybe if the Chef invited you over to his personal home for a bbq bash and personally cooked you up some prime meat burger, it would be something to remember, but then you expect the same at a Macy's food court when the only thing that can be cooked and served with any extra finesse or skill are the patties by people who don't work with the Chef on a regular basis. Surprise, the burgers aren't extraordinary, but it's not your fault for expecting them to be. The people who decided to put up a huge picture of Marcus Samuelsson next to his uninventive quote up on the wall are to blame. I wasn't disappointed with my patty, it was thick and juicy, but perhaps it was a little too thick and juicy? Shrug. If the same exact burger options were sold down street at State and ______ at "Chicago Generic Grill" the place would be getting 5 star reviews, I'm sure.
(3)
John M.
Marcus Samuelsson has a burger place? I had to check it out. I was very interested to see his take on an American gastro-icon. The stand is located in the food court of the Macy's building downtown. From the looks of it, it is going for a very wholesome, 1950's car-hop diner feel, which is really too bad, as it's an indication Samuelsson has done nothing but lend his name to this place. I went with a burger with cheddar (American is not listed, but apparently is available) with L,T,O and M. Looking at the grill, the patties appeared to have been frozen and were very heavily shaped into almost perfect cylindrical form. The top and bottom edges were sharp. But I then noticed a bun butterer/toaster, so I wanted to give it a chance. I also went for a chocolate malt as I am a glutton for punishment. It took a while for the burger to come--I finished most of my malt waiting in line for it. I took my first bite and it was greasy and overcooked. Also, the burger grinds were tiny--as if mounds of sawdust had somehow been mechanically compressed into patty form--and the burger felt gritty in my mouth. The only taste exhibited was the taste of char from the grill. The fries were actually not that bad, and the malt was good--which is the only reason I am awarding this place a star. I would not go back however, and if I was Marcus Samuelsson, I would distance myself from this disaster of a burger stand ASAP.
(1)
Chirag P.
I was a big fan of the garlic/cracked pepper tossed french fries... the homemade spicy catch up is great with anything. Had the crunchy bbq burger which was pretty good, messy to eat, but what do you expect with bacon, bbq sauce and kettle chips on a burger. I'm a fan for sure... I'm just a fan of Chef Marcus Samuelsson in general so maybe a little jaded.
(4)
Chrisa H.
I had pretty high expectations for a $7 burger from a food court. I had the burger with pesto and mozzarella, and it was worth coming down to Macy's from the Miracle Mile for lunch on a Saturday. The burger was jucy and cooked perfectly, and the pesto was amazingly fresh. The fries weren't super crispy like I like them, but they were nice and garlicy. The lemonade was SUPER tart, but definitely from real lemon juice.
(4)
Jenn S.
When I need a good burger on a work day without having to feel too guilty, I go to Marc Burger. Although its always busy, and the line is usually long (and slow), its worth the wait if you're looking to have a burger without having to sit down at a restaurant. I usually go with the turkey burger. Its cajun seasoning on the outside leaves an interesting taste in your mouth. Interesting, but a good one. A bit of warning though, these burgers may be made to order...but they make them ALL well done. The cajun seasoning on the burger goes very well with the spicy cole slaw and seasoned fries. The fries are seriously the best part of the meal! D-LISH! I highly HIGHLY recommend going to the 7th floor at Macy's before noon. Don't even bother after that because it just gets ridiculous.
(3)
Paul B.
Very pleased with my BBQ burger. Fries were very good. Spicy ketchup also very good. Guess I'm short on details today after writing 10 reviews, but when I'm looking for a burger in the loop this will be my first choice.... or maybe Epic Burger. Regardless lunch was very good
(4)
Nicolas H.
Nothing infuriates me more when ordering a burger than having it overcooked and this place really overdid it. I specifically ordered it medium-rare and the cash register worker even asked someone how to enter it properly into the system. After a 15 minute wait here comes my burger completely overcooked no where near even medium. If it wasn't the lunch rush and there wasn't a huge line I probably would've sent it back, but begrudgingly I ate it. The flavor was decent, but the meat was so dry I had to drench it in ketchup. The fries were actually good and the bun was tasty, however over $10 for an overcooked burger just doesn't do it for me...
(2)
Sandra D.
Pros: I love this place! The burgers are awesome. I wholeheartedly recommend the turkey burger with bacon. I used to hate ketchup, but after tasting the spicy ketchup, I have become a convert. The crispy, crunchy and well-seasoned fries are just so damn addictive. The homemade pickles served with the burgers are delish. Putting apples and jalapeño peppers in the coleslaw was a stroke of genius. Amazingly, you can order limeade off of the Frontera Fresco menu. The frozen custard shakes are sinfully delicious. Cons: The BBQ sauce is an overly sweet, soupy mess. The portion of coleslaw offered is laughable. Tip: Arrive before noon or after 2pm to receive prompt service.
(4)
michael p.
Went here during a long lunch while playing hookie with the boss gone... I have to admit I had an instant snob reaction when i went up to the top floor of Macy's on State street for a burger from a food court. I calmed down when i realized Marc Samuelsson was the guy behind it It was a little after 12pm and the line was long but the smells from the grill kept me in place. I looked at the menu options...classic burger, eh maybe...turkey burger...yeah right...portabella burger...not this day...then there it was...the BBQ burger, angus beef, seasoned with paprika, smoked bacon, and a "chunky" bbq sauce...this is the one for me today. Now granted its a food court so I'm not going to bother with the service review. I wait maybe 4 minutes then i pick up my burger. I notice right off the bat the fresh toppings, phat ass slice of tomato, crispy lettuce. The burger comes medium, bacon is crisp but not overdone, the cheddar was great and the chunky bbq sauce was nuts, its like a bbq, onion marmalade and was really tasty, I just wish it was served as warm as the burger. Burger itself was quite juicy, yes I've had way better burger but the toppings made it a 3 star and def return visit. fries were decent, way over seasoned but the "spicy" ketchup was a nice option for dipping. If you work in the loop and want a better burger option under 10 bucks then i would def suggest this spot.
(3)
Jami K.
Maybe I was just cranky today, but this place pissed me off. I had decided on the portobello burger, but as I approached the counter, I saw that they had some lentil nuggets on special. Since that sounded delicious I thought that I would splurge and try the three piece variety for $3. After I had paid, I saw my receipt and noticed that they had charged me for two items which were $1.75. I showed it to the cashier and said that I thought I was overcharged and she said that was special. Now, I can understand if a special item isn't on the register, but when the two entries add up to $3.50 instead of the advertised $3.00, that is a cause for concern for me. Now, $.50 isn't a ton of money, but I was feeling ripped off, she gave me a dirty look, went over to a manager and then came back and told me that the price had changed. No apology or anything. Well, I got my money back and went somewhere else for lunch. What a deceptive, sleazy practice. It's too bad because the food really did sound tasty,
(1)
Pete V.
This place is for people who like White Castle and want to splurge on somethin' nice fore a change. Otherwise serious burger connoisseurs should avoid this vile disgrace to Seven on State. First off, the spiffy signage is deceptive marketing....the seemingly high quality ingredients and toppings that they list on the menu are nonexistent. The burgers are decent size, but are fatty and have all been precooked. I really think all they do is warm the burgers up in the microwave, pour on a dollop of mayonnaise and serve it on 4-day old buns on clearance from Aldi. $9 for a burger at this place is highway robbery and my fries were cold. They better get their act together or Rick Bayless will take over their space in a heartbeat!
(1)
Zach T.
Good (not great) burgers. Small, but they have a great flavor. You have to contend with $10 prices, and $2 soft drinks (COME ON, MACY'S)! But it's a decent burger if you have a craving. The spicy ketchup tastes like Steak & Shake peppers mixed with ketchup. If you're looking for spicy ketchup, go to KUMA'S!
It's the end of another work week and pay day too it couldn't be better. Well I guess it could but that's another discussion. My buddy DJ A and I decide to head out for a Friday lunch. This time we convince two of our workmates to come along as we head over to Marc Burger on the 7th floor of Macy's. Now the last time I was in this food court was probably 4 or 5 years ago when the family and I stopped for lunch during our process of adopting our youngest two children. So yes I have very fond memories of the Macy's (at that time Marshal Fields) food court. Well DJ A has been raving to me about the Turkey burger here. I trust my buddys reviews and we seem to have similar tastes (we both are food geeks and both have Hispanic wifes). So I get in line thinking I'm going to order the Turkey Burger. But then I see on the menu, 2 Kobe Slider Burgers with all the fixings and now I have made my decision, it's the Kobe Sliders. Well for $8.95 they were really good little burgers. They weren't the best I have ever had but they were really good. The coleslaw that came with it was good (not really a big coleslaw type of guy). But the fries were truly unbelievable!!! I was watching the chef make them so I know they were freshly made. I saw him ever so gently springle the salt over them and then add one of the most delicious seasonings to the fries I have ever had. If you know me or have read my earlier reviews you know I could have just ordered a main course of the fries and then Marc's would have gotten a five plus star review. Of course the next time I head over to Marc Burger (and I will) I still have to try the Turkey Burger. And of course get more of those truly delicious fries (as I type this I am drooling just like Homer Simpson does over pork chops, damn the keyboard is getting wet).
(4)
Michael H.
The burgers, fries, and onion rings are really tasty here. I love the buffalo burger. The onion rings are lightly breaded--just perfect. Very underrated burger.
(5)
Michelle W.
The turkey burger was amazing - it had a crust, was not dried out and was a huge portion. I approve of the bun, which was a kaiser type thing but maybe slightly richer and proved that not everything has to be served on a pretzel roll. Also tried a bite of the BBQ burger which was good, but the turkey was even better. Fries were stellar and ample. The pickles weren't quite sour enough to my taste but the spicy cole slaw made up for it. Overall, it's not cheap but you get good value for what you pay for.
(5)
ernest f.
Summary: ZERO STARS. Would NOT go back. The beef patty is overcooked and tastes like rubber. The wait is long. Do yourself a favor and go anywhere else. Review: If I could, I would give this place ZERO STARS. I would not come back and even if somebody forced me to come back here, I would definitely not get a beef burger. I came during lunch hour on a weekday, so the wait was long. That's fine but if I'm waiting for lunch, then I'm going to have higher expectations, and I was sorely disappointed. You know as a kid, we all enjoyed fast food burgers over diner/fancy burgers? That was because a lot of diner/fancy burger overcook their burgers, reducing a fine meat patty into a tasteless, rock hard, piece of ground beef. Marc Burger was exactly like that. The patty was so overcooked that I had to double check what I was eating. Yes, it was a burger. No, it wasn't from a high school cafeteria. No, it wasn't from a crappy bbq. Yes, I paid 10 dollars for a burger that is not better than ANY local burger joint, located ANYWHERE ELSE in chicago. Also, the presentation was sad. That could be because I ordered my burger to go. However, all it had was a sad piece of lettuce, some non-ripe tomatoes, and some half melted white cheddar... Don't go back. You'll thank me later.
(1)
Matthew S.
Good Burgers and as a bonus, you get to walk past the hotties working in the cosmetics department at Macy's. Just order the regular burger and enjoy the spicy ketchup.
(4)
Miguel T.
Great place for a quick burger, The spicy ketchup was the best thing. I had the cheese burger with Monterrey Jack cheese and the flavor was really good. Fries are well seasoned as well.
(4)
William S.
The burger was mediocre at best. overly sauced, and frozen meat taste, but what really bothered me was I had rancid coleslaw, it was like I was Gordon Ramsey at a Kitchen Nightmare, rancid food is a health issue, not poorly cooked food.
(1)
Heather K.
Headed to Seven on State for an early lunch in order to try Marcus Samuelsson's new addition to the Macy's food court scene. Marc Burger has replaced the Macy's Grill, with Angus burgers and a few other takes on classic sandwiches. I went for the mahi-mahi sandwich, which had perfect grill marks and was marinated/glazed with a citrus teriyaki sauce. For $10, the sandwich came with fantastic fries (they were so nicely seasoned, you didn't even need ketchup) and ramekins of coleslaw and pickle slices. Though it was a bit more than I would normally spend on lunch (ranging from $8-13 not including a drink), I thought the details justified the price. Things like butter lettuce (not iceberg) on the sandwich, crisp apples in the slaw, sweet and spicy pickles instead of just dill slices... all of these added up and made for an all around great lunch. I'm definitely going back to try the burgers and the custard shakes!
(4)
Tohru O.
Not a great experience. Well, we'll start with the positives. Fries were great. Spicy ketchup, nice. Now the negatives. Ordered the Marc burger with cheese and a drink. Over $17. Damn. Better be worth it. It wasn't. Took almost 15 minutes to get my food, first of all. My friends were already done by the time I got my food. When I ordered it, the lady at the register said, "the Marc burger comes medium rare. Is that ok?" I said, yes, of course. Got my burger. WELL DONE. Not medium, not medium well. Completely cooked through and through. Egg was pretty much cooked all the way through as well, instead of over easy. Flavors were pretty good, but by then I couldn't enjoy it. Plus, the entire thing disintegrates in your hand more and more with each bite. By the end, I was using a fork. I expected a lot and was very disappointed.
(2)
Lisa B.
HORRIBLE. The burgers tasted like a stack of frozen processed meat you'd get in bulk at Costco. They are not homemade, handmade, etc. Just a boring, overcooked piece of formed, processed crappy beef. There was a nice slice of fresh tomato and a bib lettuce leaf though. Yippee. Unfortunately it was on a crappy potato bun that reminded me of the Jewel brand potato buns, no different. I agree the fries were good and well seasoned but the burger sucked. For $10 I'd head to Epic Burger down the street at State/Congress and get a little change back.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : No Drive-Thru : No Caters : No
Burger or Hamburger is savored as the most desired fast food meal in the United States. A hamburger is basically a sandwich prepared by stuffing ground meat patty, generally beef, between two slices of a bun cut in half. Hamburger is also famous for its seasoning. Most popular condiments used in hamburgers in the United States are mustard, mayonnaise, and ketchup. Besides ground meat patty, hamburgers are also stuffed with lettuce, onions, tomato slices, pickles, and cheese.
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Jennifer P.
I recently discovered the "food court" on Macy's 7th floor. This day I decided that I wanted a burger, and when I saw Marcus Samuelson's picture up on the wall, I knew this place had to be good. I asked the cashier which burger she recommends, and she told me the most popular was the Smoky BBQ Burger. I also got the homemade lemonade and a chocolate chip cookie. The Smoky BBQ Burger is a 6 oz. beef patty cooked medium and is made with paprika, applewood bacon, homemade bbq sauce, and kettle chips. All burgers also come with fries. When I received my burger about 8 minutes later, I was surprised at how big it was. I guess I was expecting a 6 oz. burger to be smaller (and maybe it is small, but is piled up with all the fixins, and who doesn't love that!) I had to cut the burger in half to begin eating it. This burger has so much flavor. I was amazed, excited, and didn't want to finish the burger because I wanted to savour the flavor..... The homemade lemonade was good. It was sweet and tart, just the way I like my lemonade. The chocolate chip cookie was fresh, soft and delicious. The chocolate chips melted in my mouth. I highly recommend if you go the Marc's Burger to get the Smoky BBQ Burger. It won't disappoint.
(5)Ayrin B.
This is one of my "go to" lunch places. Located in Macy's I can do a little shopping, eat, and make it back to the office in reasonable time. The line can get long around noon, but it goes pretty fast. I love the fries, "homemade" pickles, and spicy ketchup. My favorite is the Grilled Fish Sandwich and Turkey Burger. I wouldn't call myself a burger lover, but I like the Cheddar Burger as well. It's an all around good and convenient burger place. It's way better than the average mall food court.
(4)Angela R.
Over priced and poor quality! Very disappointed as I had heard better things. I am a big fan of burgers and this did not come close to meeting expectations.
(1)Brian M.
Marc Burger is one of my 'go to' weekday lunch spots in the Loop. It's part of Macy Field's 7th floor food emporium and is usually one of the less crowded places. I typically get the turkey burger which is really thick and juicy, however a little bland, but good nonetheless. With the burger, you get these deliciously and lightly seasoned garlic and cracked pepper fries, housemade pickles, and a slightly spicy side of coleslaw. I must say, it's a pretty good spread for $7.95. Everything is always cooked to order, ensuring a hot and fresh product each time. I also always give credit to places that make an attempt to serve foods that are healthier and easier on the environment. The turkey they serve comes from free range birds and the beef is a grass fed variety. If you're looking for a relatively cheap, made to order lunch that you can feel good about, Marc Burger is your spot.
(4)Ray W.
It's a bit of a trek getting to Macy's 7th floor (elevators are a challenge to find and slow), but Marc burgers never disappoint! My favorite is the one with carmelized onions and portobello mushroom. Very juicy and tasty, and for about $10 you get fries, cole slaw, sweet pickles and an unbeatable view! Love the horseradish sauce. I have them put it on the side and I dip the fries in it. Oh, and they have a frequent buyer club, after 7 meals at Marc or any of the other food court restaurants, get one free.
(5)Chaelin K.
It wasn't that hard finding the place, looking at the reviews, I was expecting a lot. It turned out to be ok. I got the fried chicken sandwich with curry mayo, which came with garlic cracked pepper fries, and a "pomegranate lemondade" for the heck of it. Overall it was a pretty decent meal, I cut my sandwich in half because the piece of chicken was huge. About halfway, I started to get really nauseous so I ended up cutting off the fried layer which revealed bits of pepper on the chicken so it was still pretty flavorful! The bun was yummy at first too and then I had to abandon it also as it made me nauseous. Pomegranate Lemonade was alright. Too sweet, so I diluted it. My cousin who was with me said it tasted like strawberry lemonade. The fries are pretty good too. Good texture, I think I tasted the pepper/garlic. I also had the spicy ketchup but it wasn't working for me. Not enough tomato flavor, and the spicy is an interesting/weird spicy. It also came with their own version of pickles and sauerkraut. I liked these better than the main parts of my meal. The sauerkraut has jalapeños in it which added a nice new twist, but tasted very heavy after a while. The pickles have a very light pickle flavor / acidity it was pretty tasty and I liked how it wasn't that strong. tldr, it was an ok experience. my meal cost about $12. Wouldnt really go back , it's in a food court so the atmosphere is a bit meh.
(3)Mark C.
Shopping for wedding bands down in the jewelry district, my fiancee and I needed a quick bite - I suggested Chick-Fil-A, but given she works down in that area, she turned me down, so we went to one of our go-to loop spots on the 7th floor at Macy's - a food court with spots by Rick Bayless, Takashi, and the burger joint by Marcus Samuelsson. I got the pesto burger - a 6oz patty topped with lettuce, tomato, a salty pesto sauce, and a thick slice of chewy mozzarella. The burger was cooked to a solid medium, suprisingly juicy, but had underwhelming flavor, the pesto sauce balanced that out and the mozzarella was a perfect fit. The bun itself was a bit dry and the weak point of the burger. The fries here are medium to thick cut, well cooked but lacked crisp on the outside. I went with the rosemary parmesan blend, the rosemary a bit burnt and sparse, but the parmesan was heaped on. Samuelsson's spicy house ketchup was not spicy at all, just mixed with a bit of mustard. If you're up at Macy's on State or in the Loop looking for a lunch spot (btw, it's closed on Sundays), Marc Burger isn't a bad choice, but by no means is it a destination for burgers, and the options at Frontera and Takashi are a bit better, but it all depends on what you're in the mood for. Pics and more up on my blog: eatinginchicago2014.word…
(3)Jacob A.
The food here is not that great. The service behind the counter is the only redeeming quality. The staff really does work hard. I just wish it would translate into the food. At just under $13 for a fish sandwich that was just mediocre is preposterous. Turkey Burger is no better, though slightly cheaper. Won't be returning here.
(2)John L.
Great burger variety, whether you're craving the bacon & cheese or portabella option. Chardae... 5 stars She was working the register as I'd come in from what felt like 90 degrees and 90% humidity. I'd wanted a shake and their machine was broken down. Chardae, told me I could get one from another restaurant in the food court... and then out of no where asked me to hold tight while she went there and brought a shake back for me. It is often difficult to associate high quality, customer service with fast food, so not only was this a standout effort; Chadae set the bar! The only reason I hold back on a star is that there have been many visits were the smoke from the grill pours out into the dining areas making you feel and smell like you are the one wearing an apron, flipping burgers.
(4)Alice J.
Decent place for lunch in the Macy's food court area. To my liking the patty was cooked medium rare. The bun was nicely buttered and toasted. I recommend getting the onion strings they're delicious. You can substitute them for your fries at no extra cost. I was too full or else I would have tried the custard milkshake. Overall good portion and reasonably priced. A great spot for a quick, casual lunch.
(3)Chad M.
It feels like they're still ironing out the kinks with the work flow at the counter. Once they take care of that it'll be a great place for lunch. Have to hand it to the hard working folks on the grill, nice job. Good food. Line moves quick enough. Do not deviate from the menu... guy in front of me was trying to customize a few menu items for his kids and the cashier was giving him some Ed Debevics style attitude and some awesome eye rolling. Not necessary... Great Fries. Burger was good. Thick and juicy. Crisp lettuce, fresh toppings. Custard shakes are pretty good but don't order one if it's busy. I got my food and waited at the counter for another 5 minutes for my shake while my burger and fries cooled off. (i know, boo hoo). Still prefer Epic Burger for the price and service...
(2)Karen C.
I went Friday during lunchtime about 12:15. They are located in the food court Seven on State across from the Walnut Room. They now have a sign with their name on it. I ordered the Classic Burger. All their burgers are cooked Medium unless you request a different temp. I was expecting a medium rare, however, my burger was red inside (in parts) the rest was pink. I almost considered going back but changed my mind and ate the burger which is juicy and very good. Filling. Couldn't finish my burger or fries. The line wasn't bad and they moved fast, so it appears they ironed out their kinks as reported by others in the past. Lots of seating areas in the food court. I was also given a punch card at the register. Buy 7 entrees at any of their venues which includes Noodles, Frontera, Salads, and Soups & Sandwiches for a minimum $7.95 and the 8th entree is free! My total cost for the burger (fries included and they are good) with tax was $8.78. Not bad for the loop.
(4)Jeff R.
I've written before about my great fondness for the 7th floor at Macy's and the various lunch options. We went today (Friday's are always a good reason to go for something special) and since I've tried Takashi and Frontera, Marc Burger was next on the list. Marc stands for Marcus Samuelsson, and Marc Burger is his farm to table, fresh ingredient burger stand (there's actually two, the other in CA). The menu is simple with eight burger options (basic, pesto burger, turkey burger, bbq, etc), sides, shakes, etc. It's perfect for the space and the lines are never short. Today we just had a regular cheeseburger with white cheddar. The home made ketchup was pretty good but not quite memorable. The burger was solid but also sort of average. The garlic fries were tasty but since they are somewhat mass produced they didn't seem that fresh. I'd be interested in trying the other burgers, and maybe a shake. It makes me really wish I still lived across the street the DMK Burger Bar. Marc Burger is a good option in the 7th Floor Macy's food court. I still prefer Frontera but Marc is close behind.
(3)Lo C.
This place is just fine. Good location downtown and plenty of places to sit and eat. I've gotten the buffalo burger, beef burger, and turkey burger. Most turkey burgers are pretty bland - this one has some cumin in it. Very tasty. The other burgers were tasty as well. Fries are nicely seasoned. Nothing crazy extraordinary and nothing disappointing...except that this isn't in Marshall Fields anymore!
(3)Hoang L.
Pros: -Marc Burger is good. Love eggs. I think it's just A1 sauce on it. -Spicy ketchup is good but I think it's just a mix of ketchup and mustard. -Free refills. Cons: -Cashier did not ask me how I wanted my burger. (Default: cooked medium) -Waited about 15 minutes for my burger. 3 people behind me got their food first. -All their trays seem to be bent. I can see this to be easy to drop a drink. -They only gave me one napkin. Do they not understand that the yolk breaks and makes it very messy? -$0.50 extra for some cheese on a $13 burger. I don't like people nickeling and diming me. -Fries were average. Needs more seasoning. Portions not generous.
(3)Melissa T.
My Marc Burger experience was pretty much a low 3 star review. It wasn't to the extent of 2 stars because my overall experience really was ok; I only wish that there had been a better preparation of my meal (and an offering of more than one napkin for my messy burger). The burger (marc burger) I ordered was flavorful - although leaning toward too salty for my taste with the A1-type sauce - and I was just thankful my egg was runny. Unfortunately, my burger was way overcooked. Here's the deal: if you're not going to cook burgers to order, don't say that you can. It's incredibly annoying to me because I get my hopes up for the delicious taste of a medium rare burger since that is, after all, what I requested, but then I get medium to medium well. It's one thing if I didn't ask and just received a default medium burger, but when I specifically inquire: "Hey, can you guys cook your burgers to order." "Yes we can." "Awesome, may I have mine cooked medium rare," I think it's safe to say that I would like my burger medium rare. The fries were good, but I'm nearly positive the special sauce was simply a mix of ketchup and mustard. I could have done that on my own and don't see the need to brag about a special dipping sauce if it's not that special at all. Overall, I'd try other places again before I went back to Marc Burger but if craving a burger and was in Macy's, I'd certainly give this place another chance.
(3)Farha K.
Marc Samuelsson is a genius and it is evident in every burger on the menu at Marc Burger. Hidden away on the 7th floor of Macy's Marc Burger is flanked by other fast food restaurants by big name chefs, but holds it own quite wonderfully. My personal favorites on the menu are the Kobe sliders which are drizzled with truffle oil and a spicy aioli served with their signature fries and coleslaw. The lines are a bit cumbersome because it does take a while for them to grill up your burger, but it is well worth the wait and a treat during lunch breaks on a weekday.
(5)Vanessa R.
Several weeks ago, we decided to take advantage of a nice, Friday lunch hour and hit up Marc Burger. Marc Burger is housed on Seven on State, the food court inside of Macy's up on the 7th Floor. We were one of the first people to be up there, since they open at 11 AM. This place is touted as having the "Loop's best burgers" so we figured we'd give them a try and judge this for ourselves. (My hands down favorite, hole-in-the-wall Peppers still holds this distinction). I went ahead and ordered a hamburger, fries and soft drink. I knew going into this place that we'd be paying more than your average McDonalds since they serve "gourmet hamburgers" and supposedly the creator of this place is a renowned New York chef. But over $11? A bit much. Granted, the soft drinks came with unlimited refills, but still. I was given a glass with the pop and waited for them to cook up the burger. This took a while, but I didn't mind since they had just opened up, plus it meant it would be fresh off the grill. While the cashier was very nice, she kept trying to sell me other things like cookies, custard and a shake; it reminded me of the Subway "chips and drink" mantra. No means no, thanks! In the meantime, I figured I'd step away from the counter and the cashiers' sales pitches and get my ketchup and other condiments ready to go. Small problem: the ketchup and mustard pumps were broken. I struggled to push down the pump, thinking I somehow just wasn't doing it right or that my arms were in fact much weaker than I thought. After about 5 minutes of struggling, someone came over and confirmed that something was indeed wrong with the pumps. It turned into a big ordeal, with yet another employee coming over trying to fix these things. Several minutes and four-five people later, we managed to squeeze some ketchup and mustard out of the pumps. Finally my hamburger came out in a wire food basket and paper napkins, which contrasted with the china plates, glasses and silverware... identity crisis? In all honesty, I didn't care much about the presentation of the meal at this point. The hamburger looked like it had potential and the fries looked good too; hopefully the wait and ketchup pump ordeal had been worth it! We finally walked over to the window area seating, but were disappointed that we really couldn't look out the glass since the window panes were so dirty and the window sills were pretty dusty too. If you're going to have seating right in front of these windows, you'd think this would be clean, right? The hamburger was very thick and juicy and hot off of the grill. It was cooked just right and was quite a large portion, topped with crispy lettuce and a tomato slice. It also came with a small cup of cole slaw and pickle slices. The hamburger bun was a bit dry however (I'm assuming it was potato bread?) but the beef made up for it, seasoned with just the right amount of black pepper. The fries were probably my favorite part of the meal - thin and crispy, skin-on fries seasoned with visible specks of garlic, salt and pepper -- and these too were nice and warm. About halfway into the meal, I thought I may as well take advantage of the free refills. Unfortunately, instead of having a self-service refill station, you had to go up and ask the cashier at the counter to fill you up. I definitely didn't like this since the counter was far from where we were sitting, plus I didn't want the cashier to try and sell me more stuff and/or think I was a fatty for getting refills! Overall, the hamburger and fries were good, but not great. The customer service was average at best and the atmosphere up on Seven on State wasn't all that great either. But the main reason why I docked this place major points was the cost. Would I come back to Marc Burger? No. It's difficult to justify coming back to eat at this place when you could go just about anywhere else and get the same meal for half the price. I will however, try and come back and eat at Rick Bayless's Frontera Fresco!
(3)Rob B.
Expected more from Marc and more for the money. Fries were good and too that specially ketchup, but the burger was fair and the roll was terrible. The slaw was so small we could not share it. I might add that of the many concepts at seven on State, Marc burger was the least patronized.
(2)Sam L.
Marc Burger is potential, wasted. The burgers are delicious. The fries, too. But the wait can be much too long, even when no one is ahead of you in line. The chef doesn't seem to know how to produce burgers in a steady stream. He makes them batches, creating some truly ridiculous wait times. This is not a hard problem to rectify: anticipate how many burgers are needed during rush hours and begin cooking them in a continuous stream. Some petty complaints: no ketchup dispenser (you're invited to grab a handful of packets from a bin) and the fry portions have gotten smaller.
(3)Dave S.
I am always on the lookout for a tasty burger. This place was a find for me because they do have tasty.burgers I would have never in a million years associated Marc Samuelsson with a burger joint . My burger and fries here were outstanding to say the least. The prices were a bit on the higher side (it is located in Macy's) but not overly ridiculous. I wish I knew about this place sooner as it was a really good find. Fortunately my wife came across this place by accident while meandering through Macy's and introduced me to it. I may have never discovered this burger if it wasn't for her. This establishment is well off of the beaten path and the main reason I have not returned is he the whole "out of sight, out of mind" concept. It is in a food court buried in Macy's. I will never really "be in the area" again. maybe not the greatest choice of location if that is your only Chicago location but I am glad to know it is there when I crave more (which I am starting to do)
(4)Arlene A.
Yummy burgers to be found here at Marc Burger. While the actual Marc burger is a little on the rich side, still very delicious. My real favorite however are the sliders. I split them with my Honey and it's all good. Service could be improved, there's not a sense of urgency. Not panic, urgency. Please at least pretend you care about getting me my food. What also is a bit of a downer is God help you, if you ask for a glass of water. I've had to ask numerous times, and don't much care for the sideways look. The stars are strictly for the food, service is underwhelming, but once you're seated at a table, who cares.
(3)Fred G.
I'll start off by saying that there aren't a lot of places to get grass-fed beef burgers, and Marc Burger definitely makes knows how to make them. Because this restaurant is in the Macy's food court, it's hard for a lot of people to find out about it. However, those that do know about it bring all their friends, which means that if you show up for lunch at 12:00 you'll be waiting in line for your food for at least 15 minutes. The burgers here are usually very fresh and tasty, so fresh that I don't usually need anything more than the standard lettuce, tomato and cheese to top it off. If you decide to visit Marc Burger several times, be sure to pick up a punch card so that your 8th burger is free! + Grass fed beef + Fresh ingredients + Quality of food - Price
(4)Ashley S.
I liked watching Marc on top check masters so I was excited to try this place. Unfortunately, it's just OKAY. There's nothing special about this food. The burger wasn't bad but nothing about it stood out to me, same goes for the fries.
(3)Robyn T.
After getting nods as one of the best burgers how can you not come check this place out? You'll have to battle the tourists on weekends or the lunch crowd during the week but for a solid burger why not? I stuck with a cheeseburger (swiss) and was really happy with my meal. For about $9 I had a juicy burger on a really wonderful bun (because it's not just about the meat) and a side of fries. The burger was juicy without being some huge hunk of meat. I LOVED the spicy ketchup and I'm not really a huge ketchup fan usually. My big question was why doesn't Macy's capitalize on this and cell some of Marcus' ketchup?
(4)Kara B.
A bit tricky to find. The burgers were not magical, but they were yummy, nonetheless. The fries and the homemade ketchup were my favorite! Great place for lunch!
(3)Jenn S.
When I need a good burger on a work day without having to feel too guilty, I go to Marc Burger. Although its always busy, and the line is usually long (and slow), its worth the wait if you're looking to have a burger without having to sit down at a restaurant. I usually go with the turkey burger. Its cajun seasoning on the outside leaves an interesting taste in your mouth. Interesting, but a good one. A bit of warning though, these burgers may be made to order...but they make them ALL well done. The cajun seasoning on the burger goes very well with the spicy cole slaw and seasoned fries. The fries are seriously the best part of the meal! D-LISH! I highly HIGHLY recommend going to the 7th floor at Macy's before noon. Don't even bother after that because it just gets ridiculous.
(3)Paul B.
Very pleased with my BBQ burger. Fries were very good. Spicy ketchup also very good. Guess I'm short on details today after writing 10 reviews, but when I'm looking for a burger in the loop this will be my first choice.... or maybe Epic Burger. Regardless lunch was very good
(4)Nicolas H.
Nothing infuriates me more when ordering a burger than having it overcooked and this place really overdid it. I specifically ordered it medium-rare and the cash register worker even asked someone how to enter it properly into the system. After a 15 minute wait here comes my burger completely overcooked no where near even medium. If it wasn't the lunch rush and there wasn't a huge line I probably would've sent it back, but begrudgingly I ate it. The flavor was decent, but the meat was so dry I had to drench it in ketchup. The fries were actually good and the bun was tasty, however over $10 for an overcooked burger just doesn't do it for me...
(2)Sandra D.
Pros: I love this place! The burgers are awesome. I wholeheartedly recommend the turkey burger with bacon. I used to hate ketchup, but after tasting the spicy ketchup, I have become a convert. The crispy, crunchy and well-seasoned fries are just so damn addictive. The homemade pickles served with the burgers are delish. Putting apples and jalapeño peppers in the coleslaw was a stroke of genius. Amazingly, you can order limeade off of the Frontera Fresco menu. The frozen custard shakes are sinfully delicious. Cons: The BBQ sauce is an overly sweet, soupy mess. The portion of coleslaw offered is laughable. Tip: Arrive before noon or after 2pm to receive prompt service.
(4)michael p.
Went here during a long lunch while playing hookie with the boss gone... I have to admit I had an instant snob reaction when i went up to the top floor of Macy's on State street for a burger from a food court. I calmed down when i realized Marc Samuelsson was the guy behind it It was a little after 12pm and the line was long but the smells from the grill kept me in place. I looked at the menu options...classic burger, eh maybe...turkey burger...yeah right...portabella burger...not this day...then there it was...the BBQ burger, angus beef, seasoned with paprika, smoked bacon, and a "chunky" bbq sauce...this is the one for me today. Now granted its a food court so I'm not going to bother with the service review. I wait maybe 4 minutes then i pick up my burger. I notice right off the bat the fresh toppings, phat ass slice of tomato, crispy lettuce. The burger comes medium, bacon is crisp but not overdone, the cheddar was great and the chunky bbq sauce was nuts, its like a bbq, onion marmalade and was really tasty, I just wish it was served as warm as the burger. Burger itself was quite juicy, yes I've had way better burger but the toppings made it a 3 star and def return visit. fries were decent, way over seasoned but the "spicy" ketchup was a nice option for dipping. If you work in the loop and want a better burger option under 10 bucks then i would def suggest this spot.
(3)Jami K.
Maybe I was just cranky today, but this place pissed me off. I had decided on the portobello burger, but as I approached the counter, I saw that they had some lentil nuggets on special. Since that sounded delicious I thought that I would splurge and try the three piece variety for $3. After I had paid, I saw my receipt and noticed that they had charged me for two items which were $1.75. I showed it to the cashier and said that I thought I was overcharged and she said that was special. Now, I can understand if a special item isn't on the register, but when the two entries add up to $3.50 instead of the advertised $3.00, that is a cause for concern for me. Now, $.50 isn't a ton of money, but I was feeling ripped off, she gave me a dirty look, went over to a manager and then came back and told me that the price had changed. No apology or anything. Well, I got my money back and went somewhere else for lunch. What a deceptive, sleazy practice. It's too bad because the food really did sound tasty,
(1)Chris B.
I haven't written a Yelp review in a loooong time, thanks to the twittering nature of quicker social media the past 2 yrs (apologies), but my experience today at Marc Burger drove me back to spread the word... Overall -- and to start off with a positive: I can't say I didn't like the *taste* of the Smoky BBQ Burger (replete with sauce, crumbled kettle chips, monterey jack), but EVERYTHING that people are mentioning here as the other-than-the-burger negatives are things I experienced: - ONE NAPKIN...seriously? Weird. Just an odd thing to skimp on for a $12 lunch. - Flat soda - Warped trays - Broken ketchup maker - Other people (Macy's employees?) getting served and waited on around us with winks and nods - literally watching food come out of the kitchen and walked by Seven on State employees to people in the back of the line with handshakes and chuckles. - An OUTRAGEOUS line -- they worked through the cashier line quickly enough, but I literally stood in line for at least 20 min. waiting for the actual food with 50 of my now closest friends -- it was embarrassingly long...and like someone else wrote, I was gazing longingly at the swift and efficient Frontera Fresco line next to us. - Greasy and limp fries... - Horrible attention to detail on the plating -- cole slaw was slopped out of the tiny plastic ramekin onto the red/white checkered wrapper, getting the bun wet, and it was in/on the pickles, of which I only received 2...2 little limp pickles. So other than the actual taste-in-my-mouth of a decent BBQ burger, the rest of the experience was an UTTER disaster. Marcus Samuelsson likely had ZERO to do with this place other than offering his branding, name and face (much like C-House), so if I were him, I'd pay a visit to Macy's as a member of it's "Culinary Council" and fix what's wrong. And the fact that my experience was the SAME as people commenting in 2009 and 2010 let alone the first 6 months of 2011 tells me that they don't care. Most disappointed I've been in a Chicago restaurant/food destination in memory.
(1)Brian M.
Good food. Good price. Hard to find. To start, this place is on the 7th Floor of Macy's in the food court. If you ask anyone, they will not have heard of it. No one (jewelry counter, pedestrian, cop, CTA worker, mall employee) will know what you're talking about if you ask where it is. A cop and I actually pulled it up on our phones, used interactive maps to move around in the pedway system, and we never found it. Later, I found a review that mentioned it being in Macy's on the 7th Floor. I wonder if Macy's knows it is on the 7th floor! The directory in the store doesn't mention it. The elevator doesn't list it. The signs you first come across on the 7th floor don't mention it. Only when you get close to the "Noodles" sign, do you see Marc Burger actually listed in a nearly transparent logo in the corner. When you walk out into the main area, it is hidden back in the corner as if it is a secret. Even where you are expected to stand and make your order is in question. Signage in Chicago is horrible, but this place is pathetic! As for the burger -- It was worth it. I read that I should try the barbecue bacon cheeseburger w/ their special seasoned dill fries w/ the spicy ketchup. I was taking mine to go, and I didn't know you have to ask for the ketchup, so I missed out on that part. However, the rest was really good. It is not one of the top 5 burgers in town, but it is in the upper crust. For the price, $9 for burger and fries, it is a good deal in The Loop.
(4)Rachel L.
Destination #2 on the Burger Safari list. I was pleasantly surprised by Marc Burger since the yelp reviews had lowered my expectations. I tried the BBQ Burger, and my burger buddy had the signature Marc Burger with fried egg. Low points: Wait was a bit long, copious amounts of homemade BBQ sauce made for a messy burger, patty was a little smaller than the bun. High points: Reletively hassle free location, affordable and tasty loop lunch location, homemade sauces and ketchup were really yummy, fries were awesomely seasoned with garlic and herbs! Overall, this place gets props for being one of the few places to get a great burger on your lunch hour in the loop.
(3)Haley S.
Decent burgers if you work in the Loop. Excellent fries, and love the chili ketchup. Not the best I've had in Chicago or NYC, but totally passable if you need a fix.
(3)Casandra G.
A busy lunch counter on Macy's 7th floor. Open only during the weekday lunch rush, a line is basically unavoidable so come expecting a good 15 minute wait or so. Breakdown: The good: rich, creamy strawberry milkshake. Delightful garlicky fries. Fresh made pickles. And they seemed to be working as promptly as possible to get you your food. The fine: burger cooked about medium-well (light pink middle), juicy and generally satisfying but not mind blowing. The mediocre: soggy and depressing looking cole slaw. The recap: try it, if it's convenient to do so, but not a must.
(3)DJ A.
Just another sunny afternoon. I am meeting my sister for lunch today(a nice respite from work). We decide to head over to the 7th floor of Macy's, the Seven on State food court. Now, I have been here before and it is basically an upscale food court. Most of the food is made to order. Nice but nothing special. Today I decide to try Marcus Samuelsson's burger joint. My sister had been telling me how good it was. Not thinking much about it, I order the Turkey Burger. The Turkey Burger comes with Jack Cheese, Tomato, Lettuce, a spicy aioli, and of course the Turkey Burger. Wow!!! This was absolutely the best Turkey Burger(yes, it does deserve to be capitalized) made anywhere, anytime, by anyone, ever!!! I have never had a Turkey Burger with this much flavor. The Turkey Burger was very well seasoned, not too much salt and just enough kick. As you know with the average turkey patty(non-capitalized) they tend to be a dry crumbly mess. Not this Turkey Burger. It was as juicy as a beef burger(which I will try next time especially, since their beef is grassfed, big bonus there) and as flavorful. Simply amazing!! The side dishes were stellar too. Now, keep in mind I Hate coleslaw the same way the Cubs Hate winning(yes I said it and yes I am a White Sox Fan). This coleslaw was amazing. It was not over sweet or over vinegary. It also had a nice spicy kick to it. If you can get me to like coleslaw you must be able to do something right. The French fries were very good as well. Another interesting seasoning on the fries that I can't quite describe. All in all I will definitely be back. I also suggest you go now. Unless of course you hate good food. I can't give it 5 stars until i try the other Burgers.
(4)Cam C.
It is a great place for lunch. The burger was nothing special but the fries and the ketchup were my favorite.
(3)Jims L.
I think the disappointment with Marc Burger had to do with its dumb marketing. I'm sure if it wasn't heralded as bugers made by amazing James Beard Award winning Chef Marcus Samuelsson the place would get better reception. Maybe if the Chef invited you over to his personal home for a bbq bash and personally cooked you up some prime meat burger, it would be something to remember, but then you expect the same at a Macy's food court when the only thing that can be cooked and served with any extra finesse or skill are the patties by people who don't work with the Chef on a regular basis. Surprise, the burgers aren't extraordinary, but it's not your fault for expecting them to be. The people who decided to put up a huge picture of Marcus Samuelsson next to his uninventive quote up on the wall are to blame. I wasn't disappointed with my patty, it was thick and juicy, but perhaps it was a little too thick and juicy? Shrug. If the same exact burger options were sold down street at State and ______ at "Chicago Generic Grill" the place would be getting 5 star reviews, I'm sure.
(3)John M.
Marcus Samuelsson has a burger place? I had to check it out. I was very interested to see his take on an American gastro-icon. The stand is located in the food court of the Macy's building downtown. From the looks of it, it is going for a very wholesome, 1950's car-hop diner feel, which is really too bad, as it's an indication Samuelsson has done nothing but lend his name to this place. I went with a burger with cheddar (American is not listed, but apparently is available) with L,T,O and M. Looking at the grill, the patties appeared to have been frozen and were very heavily shaped into almost perfect cylindrical form. The top and bottom edges were sharp. But I then noticed a bun butterer/toaster, so I wanted to give it a chance. I also went for a chocolate malt as I am a glutton for punishment. It took a while for the burger to come--I finished most of my malt waiting in line for it. I took my first bite and it was greasy and overcooked. Also, the burger grinds were tiny--as if mounds of sawdust had somehow been mechanically compressed into patty form--and the burger felt gritty in my mouth. The only taste exhibited was the taste of char from the grill. The fries were actually not that bad, and the malt was good--which is the only reason I am awarding this place a star. I would not go back however, and if I was Marcus Samuelsson, I would distance myself from this disaster of a burger stand ASAP.
(1)Chirag P.
I was a big fan of the garlic/cracked pepper tossed french fries... the homemade spicy catch up is great with anything. Had the crunchy bbq burger which was pretty good, messy to eat, but what do you expect with bacon, bbq sauce and kettle chips on a burger. I'm a fan for sure... I'm just a fan of Chef Marcus Samuelsson in general so maybe a little jaded.
(4)Chrisa H.
I had pretty high expectations for a $7 burger from a food court. I had the burger with pesto and mozzarella, and it was worth coming down to Macy's from the Miracle Mile for lunch on a Saturday. The burger was jucy and cooked perfectly, and the pesto was amazingly fresh. The fries weren't super crispy like I like them, but they were nice and garlicy. The lemonade was SUPER tart, but definitely from real lemon juice.
(4)Jerry W.
It's the end of another work week and pay day too it couldn't be better. Well I guess it could but that's another discussion. My buddy DJ A and I decide to head out for a Friday lunch. This time we convince two of our workmates to come along as we head over to Marc Burger on the 7th floor of Macy's. Now the last time I was in this food court was probably 4 or 5 years ago when the family and I stopped for lunch during our process of adopting our youngest two children. So yes I have very fond memories of the Macy's (at that time Marshal Fields) food court. Well DJ A has been raving to me about the Turkey burger here. I trust my buddys reviews and we seem to have similar tastes (we both are food geeks and both have Hispanic wifes). So I get in line thinking I'm going to order the Turkey Burger. But then I see on the menu, 2 Kobe Slider Burgers with all the fixings and now I have made my decision, it's the Kobe Sliders. Well for $8.95 they were really good little burgers. They weren't the best I have ever had but they were really good. The coleslaw that came with it was good (not really a big coleslaw type of guy). But the fries were truly unbelievable!!! I was watching the chef make them so I know they were freshly made. I saw him ever so gently springle the salt over them and then add one of the most delicious seasonings to the fries I have ever had. If you know me or have read my earlier reviews you know I could have just ordered a main course of the fries and then Marc's would have gotten a five plus star review. Of course the next time I head over to Marc Burger (and I will) I still have to try the Turkey Burger. And of course get more of those truly delicious fries (as I type this I am drooling just like Homer Simpson does over pork chops, damn the keyboard is getting wet).
(4)Michael H.
The burgers, fries, and onion rings are really tasty here. I love the buffalo burger. The onion rings are lightly breaded--just perfect. Very underrated burger.
(5)Michelle W.
The turkey burger was amazing - it had a crust, was not dried out and was a huge portion. I approve of the bun, which was a kaiser type thing but maybe slightly richer and proved that not everything has to be served on a pretzel roll. Also tried a bite of the BBQ burger which was good, but the turkey was even better. Fries were stellar and ample. The pickles weren't quite sour enough to my taste but the spicy cole slaw made up for it. Overall, it's not cheap but you get good value for what you pay for.
(5)Jasmine P.
Marc burger is so awesome! I was impressed by the turkey burger! So tender and not dry. I also like the chicken breast sandwich. The chicken breast wasn't dry either and the avocado mayo on top complemented the chicken breast very well. The burgers are all served on potato bread too. yum! All sandwiches come with cole slaw, pickles, and fries. (I must also add that the fries were REALLLLYYY good too!) I sometimes wish they would offer an option to order extra fries because I so would want more. mmmmmmmm! As I've said about other lunch locations in the Loop, get there early or get there late. If you go right during the rush hour, you'll have to wait in a very long line. Pricey for a burger, but I've paid similar or more for burgers that don't taste as good. Service is great too! free refills on water and soda. Even though it's a food court type atmosphere, the staff is great about coming around to your table to offer you a free beverage refill or clean your table off after you've finished.
(4)Jillian H.
I enjoy watching Marcus Samuelsson on cooking shows so I was really excited to try his Marc Burger restaurant located in Macy's. I had really high expectations from someone who was named "Best Chef - New York City and judges other chefs on cooking show. I was really disappointed. Service: The restaurant was busy but the service was extremely slow. Food: I got the classic burger . It was cooked properly and the flavor was good but nothing outstanding. Nothing special about the homemade pickles or the basic out of a plastic bag bun. The fries had decent flavor but were very soggy and slightly over cooked. The coleslaw seems like it was a throw away side dish. It was so bland, no seasoning or creaminess. The last time I had something this bland was probably the paste I ate in kindergarten. Much better burger joints can be had in the city.
(2)Rachel H.
Here goes review number two where I seemed to get lucky at an inconsistent foodery. See Texas de Brazil. It seems like a lot of people had the same complaints here while others did not. I'm in that camp of those who escaped the pitfalls that are probably due to the fact that this place is in the Macy's food court. I was meeting the bffs new-ish bf and she wanted a burger. It was also the day after her birthday. Enough Bs for you? Anywhoo, we got here right after noon and the line wasn't too long, particularly compared to Frontera. I went for the cheeseburger which comes with fries. I went medium rare and got it, which seems to be the issue a lot of people had here. The burger was very pink and juicy, and we all really liked the bun which was soft but held up to a bloody beef patty. I also grabbed a homemade lemonade which tasted like a carnival lemonade shakeup but with less ice. Excellent. The fries were fine as was the slaw which has a spicy kick to it. I was a little bummed that the pickles were sweetish and seemed oddly unpickled. I guess I'm just a picklepuss. Definitely a better choice for me than a fast food burger at McDs or even a diner type burger at Pittsfield.
(4)Sonia T.
Oh, how I missed this burger! It's just as good as I remembered. And the fries, oh, the fries...
(5)Natalka K.
Great burger place located inside Macy's on the 7th floor on State St. Came here for lunch while running errands. You choose which burger you like, your cheese and within a few minutes - your burger arrives! The fries were good and they come with pickles and a coleslaw - i thought i tasted peppers.
(4)Edwin W.
NOT A GOOD BURGER! If this is medium, I don't even want to know what medium well is like. A hockey puck?? Sheesh. Top Chef Master? Are you kidding me? Horrible choice for a bun. Under seasoned patty that was over cooked. I usually don't do ketchup on burgers, but even Heinz couldn't help this sad excuse for a burger. I know I have high expectations with being spoiled by places like Lockdown and Kuma's Corner, but I wouldn't even buy this burger if it was a bar special for $1. Speaking of which, the $1 burger at tavern tasted 10x better than what I had to pull out of my wallet ($9.00!!!) for this one. How the hell did Susur Lee lose to this guy?
(2)Joscelyn M.
I love burgers. I was STARVING! I didn't even finish my Marc buger, it was so gross. I'll stick to Frontera Fresco for lunch and get my burger fix elsewhere.
(1)John K.
Ordered the kobe beef sliders. The design of the food was simplistic enough (mayo, lettuce, tomato, and a burger), but the burger...the taste was amazing! I really appreciate it when a simple dish that makes you think of fast food can be done in a nice manner like at Marc Burger. I have to admit though that I was not completely satisfied. I think it was because I was originally excited by their home-made spicy ketchup that was supposed to accompany my fries...no ketchup...I probably should have asked them for it but when you're in a hurry and they just give you to-go container with its lid sealed shut, I have few options. Frontera Fresco was better overall
(3)Rod C.
I had lunch here around 130pm on a sunny Friday afternoon and was surprised to see how empty the cafe seating was. The cheeseburger was outstanding! One of the best burgers in the city! I would hold off on the Marc Burger, too much going on with the fried egg and the steak sauce. Good place to have a lunch!
(4)Lee M.
I honestly didn't realize Marcus Samuelsson was associated with Marc burger until after I sat down and saw his face on the wall after I took a few bites - so I had zero expectations going in. My prior experience at the salad place on the 7th Floor was subpar and again I didn't want to wait on the long lines for Bayless or Takashi. Ordered the Marc Signature burger - 10oz, fried egg, and steak sauce. The burger itself was pretty good quality. The fried egg and steak sauce were relatively flavorless though and did absolutely nothing for me. The garlic fries were a waste of calories in my opinion - they were neither crispy on the outsdie nor creamy on the inside. This is probably due to the fact that they are kept in an enormous metal mixing bowl - and I wouldn't doubt that they steamed while waiting to arrive on my plate. The spicy ketchup - as other reviewers have noted is merely ketchup and mustard. I think I was expecting it to have kick from cayenne, chipotle or tabasco or something like that. Sour ketchup would have been a more appropriate name. There is no question that if you go here during peak lunch hours, you can easily wait 20 minutes to be served. If I make it back, I know next time to keep it simple. Classic burger - lettuce, tomato and onion with a couple of packets of ketchup.
(3)Scott B.
I stopped by today while doing some shopping. I got there right as things were opening. I was the first person in line. The food took about 5-7 minutes. Not a big deal. I ordered the Cheddar Burger and added Bacon for an upcharge. I also had the fries and lemonade. The burger was delicious. The bun was very soft and tasty. The bacon slices were very large and worth the upcharge. This was easily one of the better "fast food" burgers in the loop. The fries were crispy and seasoned very well, maybe a bit on the strong side. I was very surprised by some of the other reviews. Maybe since I was there right after opening, everything was more fresh. Either way, worth checking out.
(4)Pete V.
This place is for people who like White Castle and want to splurge on somethin' nice fore a change. Otherwise serious burger connoisseurs should avoid this vile disgrace to Seven on State. First off, the spiffy signage is deceptive marketing....the seemingly high quality ingredients and toppings that they list on the menu are nonexistent. The burgers are decent size, but are fatty and have all been precooked. I really think all they do is warm the burgers up in the microwave, pour on a dollop of mayonnaise and serve it on 4-day old buns on clearance from Aldi. $9 for a burger at this place is highway robbery and my fries were cold. They better get their act together or Rick Bayless will take over their space in a heartbeat!
(1)Zach T.
Good (not great) burgers. Small, but they have a great flavor. You have to contend with $10 prices, and $2 soft drinks (COME ON, MACY'S)! But it's a decent burger if you have a craving. The spicy ketchup tastes like Steak & Shake peppers mixed with ketchup. If you're looking for spicy ketchup, go to KUMA'S!
(3)Paul C.
Located in the Macy's food court, I didn't expect my lunch options to be so gourmet. We got there at 11:40am, and there was no wait at all. It seems as though right after I ordered, there appeared a line of 5-6 people at Marc Burger. Where did they appear from? I guess I beat the rush. I decided on the Marc prime burger. The difference between the prime ($10.95) and the standard ($7.95) is a 10oz patty compared to 6oz. The burger was very juicy. The bun was nice and soft. Huge tomato slice and a leaf of lettuce. Medium rare. Nicely seasoned. The seasoned fries were awesome. There are three dipping sauces, deli mustard, spicy ketchup, and ketchup. The spicy ketchup was great, the ketchup was, well, ketchup. The frozen vanilla custard milkshake was the best, even on the coldest of days. At $2.95, that's not unreasonable. Overall, it was a good, tasty meal. The burger, fries, and milkshake were a perfect trio. However, for that price, $15.50, they should have included table service in that ménage à trois.
(3)Jessica G.
Came here with a friend for lunch today. It was crowded in the food hall but not terribly so - we waited a couple minutes to order and about 5 minutes to receive our food. Whoever put the ketchup and mustard dispensers so high up? Hard to get at for a shorty like me. The burger I had was pretty good - it was just a plain burger, no cheese, with lettuce and mustard with the little cup of sweet pickles. Decent taste to the meat. The burger came with a side of the garlic and cracked pepper fries and they were decent but I guess I was missing the point of the garlic and pepper on there. The wee cup of cole slaw was pretty tasty and not loaded with mayo, which I like. I will say if you're not a fan of Angus beef, which I am on the fence about, you may want to choose one of the other options such as the buffalo or the turkey burger. Lots of Angus flavor in this Angus burger. Add being ambushed by firemen coming out the Macy's elevator and it was definitely a lunch to remember. If I have the opportunity, it's somewhere I would eat again (and that is saying a lot with Frontera Fresco right next door).
(4)Phantom D.
This is one of the best burgers in Chicago!!!!! When you see flames rising from the grill as the cook flips the patties and hear the the sizzle, your mouth will begin to water. Marc has created a unique taste which is complimented by a lightly buttered bun and perfectly seasoned fries. I usually pass on fish. However, the grilled mahi mahi is perfectly cooked and marinated with a citrus glaze that is sweet like BBQ. If you see a chocolate chip cooke, grab it and forget about the calories. This place is DAMN GOOD!!!!
(5)Dale H.
Nothing struck me as amazing, to say it was fantastic would be a stretch. It was good, nothing needed to be returned, or complained about. The burger was ok, the fries were ok. I had the Marc Burger, now maybe I'm not aware of the proper meaning of a fried egg, but I always thought the yolk was dry, and this wasn't so that may have ruined it for me as well. I worked around it, and like I said, it was just ok.
(3)Tracey S.
The French fries and spicy ketchup are really great, and worth a return trip, however......the burger was horrible.......way too much of a burnt char taste to it.....I couldn't eat more than two bites. Very disappointing....
(2)ernest f.
Summary: ZERO STARS. Would NOT go back. The beef patty is overcooked and tastes like rubber. The wait is long. Do yourself a favor and go anywhere else. Review: If I could, I would give this place ZERO STARS. I would not come back and even if somebody forced me to come back here, I would definitely not get a beef burger. I came during lunch hour on a weekday, so the wait was long. That's fine but if I'm waiting for lunch, then I'm going to have higher expectations, and I was sorely disappointed. You know as a kid, we all enjoyed fast food burgers over diner/fancy burgers? That was because a lot of diner/fancy burger overcook their burgers, reducing a fine meat patty into a tasteless, rock hard, piece of ground beef. Marc Burger was exactly like that. The patty was so overcooked that I had to double check what I was eating. Yes, it was a burger. No, it wasn't from a high school cafeteria. No, it wasn't from a crappy bbq. Yes, I paid 10 dollars for a burger that is not better than ANY local burger joint, located ANYWHERE ELSE in chicago. Also, the presentation was sad. That could be because I ordered my burger to go. However, all it had was a sad piece of lettuce, some non-ripe tomatoes, and some half melted white cheddar... Don't go back. You'll thank me later.
(1)Matthew S.
Good Burgers and as a bonus, you get to walk past the hotties working in the cosmetics department at Macy's. Just order the regular burger and enjoy the spicy ketchup.
(4)Miguel T.
Great place for a quick burger, The spicy ketchup was the best thing. I had the cheese burger with Monterrey Jack cheese and the flavor was really good. Fries are well seasoned as well.
(4)William S.
The burger was mediocre at best. overly sauced, and frozen meat taste, but what really bothered me was I had rancid coleslaw, it was like I was Gordon Ramsey at a Kitchen Nightmare, rancid food is a health issue, not poorly cooked food.
(1)Heather K.
Headed to Seven on State for an early lunch in order to try Marcus Samuelsson's new addition to the Macy's food court scene. Marc Burger has replaced the Macy's Grill, with Angus burgers and a few other takes on classic sandwiches. I went for the mahi-mahi sandwich, which had perfect grill marks and was marinated/glazed with a citrus teriyaki sauce. For $10, the sandwich came with fantastic fries (they were so nicely seasoned, you didn't even need ketchup) and ramekins of coleslaw and pickle slices. Though it was a bit more than I would normally spend on lunch (ranging from $8-13 not including a drink), I thought the details justified the price. Things like butter lettuce (not iceberg) on the sandwich, crisp apples in the slaw, sweet and spicy pickles instead of just dill slices... all of these added up and made for an all around great lunch. I'm definitely going back to try the burgers and the custard shakes!
(4)Tohru O.
Not a great experience. Well, we'll start with the positives. Fries were great. Spicy ketchup, nice. Now the negatives. Ordered the Marc burger with cheese and a drink. Over $17. Damn. Better be worth it. It wasn't. Took almost 15 minutes to get my food, first of all. My friends were already done by the time I got my food. When I ordered it, the lady at the register said, "the Marc burger comes medium rare. Is that ok?" I said, yes, of course. Got my burger. WELL DONE. Not medium, not medium well. Completely cooked through and through. Egg was pretty much cooked all the way through as well, instead of over easy. Flavors were pretty good, but by then I couldn't enjoy it. Plus, the entire thing disintegrates in your hand more and more with each bite. By the end, I was using a fork. I expected a lot and was very disappointed.
(2)Lisa B.
HORRIBLE. The burgers tasted like a stack of frozen processed meat you'd get in bulk at Costco. They are not homemade, handmade, etc. Just a boring, overcooked piece of formed, processed crappy beef. There was a nice slice of fresh tomato and a bib lettuce leaf though. Yippee. Unfortunately it was on a crappy potato bun that reminded me of the Jewel brand potato buns, no different. I agree the fries were good and well seasoned but the burger sucked. For $10 I'd head to Epic Burger down the street at State/Congress and get a little change back.
(1)Edwin W.
NOT A GOOD BURGER! If this is medium, I don't even want to know what medium well is like. A hockey puck?? Sheesh. Top Chef Master? Are you kidding me? Horrible choice for a bun. Under seasoned patty that was over cooked. I usually don't do ketchup on burgers, but even Heinz couldn't help this sad excuse for a burger. I know I have high expectations with being spoiled by places like Lockdown and Kuma's Corner, but I wouldn't even buy this burger if it was a bar special for $1. Speaking of which, the $1 burger at tavern tasted 10x better than what I had to pull out of my wallet ($9.00!!!) for this one. How the hell did Susur Lee lose to this guy?
(2)Jacob A.
The food here is not that great. The service behind the counter is the only redeeming quality. The staff really does work hard. I just wish it would translate into the food. At just under $13 for a fish sandwich that was just mediocre is preposterous. Turkey Burger is no better, though slightly cheaper. Won't be returning here.
(2)Ayrin B.
This is one of my "go to" lunch places. Located in Macy's I can do a little shopping, eat, and make it back to the office in reasonable time. The line can get long around noon, but it goes pretty fast. I love the fries, "homemade" pickles, and spicy ketchup. My favorite is the Grilled Fish Sandwich and Turkey Burger. I wouldn't call myself a burger lover, but I like the Cheddar Burger as well. It's an all around good and convenient burger place. It's way better than the average mall food court.
(4)Angela R.
Over priced and poor quality! Very disappointed as I had heard better things. I am a big fan of burgers and this did not come close to meeting expectations.
(1)Jennifer P.
I recently discovered the "food court" on Macy's 7th floor. This day I decided that I wanted a burger, and when I saw Marcus Samuelson's picture up on the wall, I knew this place had to be good. I asked the cashier which burger she recommends, and she told me the most popular was the Smoky BBQ Burger. I also got the homemade lemonade and a chocolate chip cookie. The Smoky BBQ Burger is a 6 oz. beef patty cooked medium and is made with paprika, applewood bacon, homemade bbq sauce, and kettle chips. All burgers also come with fries. When I received my burger about 8 minutes later, I was surprised at how big it was. I guess I was expecting a 6 oz. burger to be smaller (and maybe it is small, but is piled up with all the fixins, and who doesn't love that!) I had to cut the burger in half to begin eating it. This burger has so much flavor. I was amazed, excited, and didn't want to finish the burger because I wanted to savour the flavor..... The homemade lemonade was good. It was sweet and tart, just the way I like my lemonade. The chocolate chip cookie was fresh, soft and delicious. The chocolate chips melted in my mouth. I highly recommend if you go the Marc's Burger to get the Smoky BBQ Burger. It won't disappoint.
(5)Brian M.
Marc Burger is one of my 'go to' weekday lunch spots in the Loop. It's part of Macy Field's 7th floor food emporium and is usually one of the less crowded places. I typically get the turkey burger which is really thick and juicy, however a little bland, but good nonetheless. With the burger, you get these deliciously and lightly seasoned garlic and cracked pepper fries, housemade pickles, and a slightly spicy side of coleslaw. I must say, it's a pretty good spread for $7.95. Everything is always cooked to order, ensuring a hot and fresh product each time. I also always give credit to places that make an attempt to serve foods that are healthier and easier on the environment. The turkey they serve comes from free range birds and the beef is a grass fed variety. If you're looking for a relatively cheap, made to order lunch that you can feel good about, Marc Burger is your spot.
(4)Ray W.
It's a bit of a trek getting to Macy's 7th floor (elevators are a challenge to find and slow), but Marc burgers never disappoint! My favorite is the one with carmelized onions and portobello mushroom. Very juicy and tasty, and for about $10 you get fries, cole slaw, sweet pickles and an unbeatable view! Love the horseradish sauce. I have them put it on the side and I dip the fries in it. Oh, and they have a frequent buyer club, after 7 meals at Marc or any of the other food court restaurants, get one free.
(5)Chaelin K.
It wasn't that hard finding the place, looking at the reviews, I was expecting a lot. It turned out to be ok. I got the fried chicken sandwich with curry mayo, which came with garlic cracked pepper fries, and a "pomegranate lemondade" for the heck of it. Overall it was a pretty decent meal, I cut my sandwich in half because the piece of chicken was huge. About halfway, I started to get really nauseous so I ended up cutting off the fried layer which revealed bits of pepper on the chicken so it was still pretty flavorful! The bun was yummy at first too and then I had to abandon it also as it made me nauseous. Pomegranate Lemonade was alright. Too sweet, so I diluted it. My cousin who was with me said it tasted like strawberry lemonade. The fries are pretty good too. Good texture, I think I tasted the pepper/garlic. I also had the spicy ketchup but it wasn't working for me. Not enough tomato flavor, and the spicy is an interesting/weird spicy. It also came with their own version of pickles and sauerkraut. I liked these better than the main parts of my meal. The sauerkraut has jalapeños in it which added a nice new twist, but tasted very heavy after a while. The pickles have a very light pickle flavor / acidity it was pretty tasty and I liked how it wasn't that strong. tldr, it was an ok experience. my meal cost about $12. Wouldnt really go back , it's in a food court so the atmosphere is a bit meh.
(3)Natalka K.
Great burger place located inside Macy's on the 7th floor on State St. Came here for lunch while running errands. You choose which burger you like, your cheese and within a few minutes - your burger arrives! The fries were good and they come with pickles and a coleslaw - i thought i tasted peppers.
(4)Mark C.
Shopping for wedding bands down in the jewelry district, my fiancee and I needed a quick bite - I suggested Chick-Fil-A, but given she works down in that area, she turned me down, so we went to one of our go-to loop spots on the 7th floor at Macy's - a food court with spots by Rick Bayless, Takashi, and the burger joint by Marcus Samuelsson. I got the pesto burger - a 6oz patty topped with lettuce, tomato, a salty pesto sauce, and a thick slice of chewy mozzarella. The burger was cooked to a solid medium, suprisingly juicy, but had underwhelming flavor, the pesto sauce balanced that out and the mozzarella was a perfect fit. The bun itself was a bit dry and the weak point of the burger. The fries here are medium to thick cut, well cooked but lacked crisp on the outside. I went with the rosemary parmesan blend, the rosemary a bit burnt and sparse, but the parmesan was heaped on. Samuelsson's spicy house ketchup was not spicy at all, just mixed with a bit of mustard. If you're up at Macy's on State or in the Loop looking for a lunch spot (btw, it's closed on Sundays), Marc Burger isn't a bad choice, but by no means is it a destination for burgers, and the options at Frontera and Takashi are a bit better, but it all depends on what you're in the mood for. Pics and more up on my blog: eatinginchicago2014.word…
(3)Jillian H.
I enjoy watching Marcus Samuelsson on cooking shows so I was really excited to try his Marc Burger restaurant located in Macy's. I had really high expectations from someone who was named "Best Chef - New York City and judges other chefs on cooking show. I was really disappointed. Service: The restaurant was busy but the service was extremely slow. Food: I got the classic burger . It was cooked properly and the flavor was good but nothing outstanding. Nothing special about the homemade pickles or the basic out of a plastic bag bun. The fries had decent flavor but were very soggy and slightly over cooked. The coleslaw seems like it was a throw away side dish. It was so bland, no seasoning or creaminess. The last time I had something this bland was probably the paste I ate in kindergarten. Much better burger joints can be had in the city.
(2)Rachel H.
Here goes review number two where I seemed to get lucky at an inconsistent foodery. See Texas de Brazil. It seems like a lot of people had the same complaints here while others did not. I'm in that camp of those who escaped the pitfalls that are probably due to the fact that this place is in the Macy's food court. I was meeting the bffs new-ish bf and she wanted a burger. It was also the day after her birthday. Enough Bs for you? Anywhoo, we got here right after noon and the line wasn't too long, particularly compared to Frontera. I went for the cheeseburger which comes with fries. I went medium rare and got it, which seems to be the issue a lot of people had here. The burger was very pink and juicy, and we all really liked the bun which was soft but held up to a bloody beef patty. I also grabbed a homemade lemonade which tasted like a carnival lemonade shakeup but with less ice. Excellent. The fries were fine as was the slaw which has a spicy kick to it. I was a little bummed that the pickles were sweetish and seemed oddly unpickled. I guess I'm just a picklepuss. Definitely a better choice for me than a fast food burger at McDs or even a diner type burger at Pittsfield.
(4)Sonia T.
Oh, how I missed this burger! It's just as good as I remembered. And the fries, oh, the fries...
(5)John L.
Great burger variety, whether you're craving the bacon & cheese or portabella option. Chardae... 5 stars She was working the register as I'd come in from what felt like 90 degrees and 90% humidity. I'd wanted a shake and their machine was broken down. Chardae, told me I could get one from another restaurant in the food court... and then out of no where asked me to hold tight while she went there and brought a shake back for me. It is often difficult to associate high quality, customer service with fast food, so not only was this a standout effort; Chadae set the bar! The only reason I hold back on a star is that there have been many visits were the smoke from the grill pours out into the dining areas making you feel and smell like you are the one wearing an apron, flipping burgers.
(4)Alice J.
Decent place for lunch in the Macy's food court area. To my liking the patty was cooked medium rare. The bun was nicely buttered and toasted. I recommend getting the onion strings they're delicious. You can substitute them for your fries at no extra cost. I was too full or else I would have tried the custard milkshake. Overall good portion and reasonably priced. A great spot for a quick, casual lunch.
(3)Chad M.
It feels like they're still ironing out the kinks with the work flow at the counter. Once they take care of that it'll be a great place for lunch. Have to hand it to the hard working folks on the grill, nice job. Good food. Line moves quick enough. Do not deviate from the menu... guy in front of me was trying to customize a few menu items for his kids and the cashier was giving him some Ed Debevics style attitude and some awesome eye rolling. Not necessary... Great Fries. Burger was good. Thick and juicy. Crisp lettuce, fresh toppings. Custard shakes are pretty good but don't order one if it's busy. I got my food and waited at the counter for another 5 minutes for my shake while my burger and fries cooled off. (i know, boo hoo). Still prefer Epic Burger for the price and service...
(2)Karen C.
I went Friday during lunchtime about 12:15. They are located in the food court Seven on State across from the Walnut Room. They now have a sign with their name on it. I ordered the Classic Burger. All their burgers are cooked Medium unless you request a different temp. I was expecting a medium rare, however, my burger was red inside (in parts) the rest was pink. I almost considered going back but changed my mind and ate the burger which is juicy and very good. Filling. Couldn't finish my burger or fries. The line wasn't bad and they moved fast, so it appears they ironed out their kinks as reported by others in the past. Lots of seating areas in the food court. I was also given a punch card at the register. Buy 7 entrees at any of their venues which includes Noodles, Frontera, Salads, and Soups & Sandwiches for a minimum $7.95 and the 8th entree is free! My total cost for the burger (fries included and they are good) with tax was $8.78. Not bad for the loop.
(4)Jeff R.
I've written before about my great fondness for the 7th floor at Macy's and the various lunch options. We went today (Friday's are always a good reason to go for something special) and since I've tried Takashi and Frontera, Marc Burger was next on the list. Marc stands for Marcus Samuelsson, and Marc Burger is his farm to table, fresh ingredient burger stand (there's actually two, the other in CA). The menu is simple with eight burger options (basic, pesto burger, turkey burger, bbq, etc), sides, shakes, etc. It's perfect for the space and the lines are never short. Today we just had a regular cheeseburger with white cheddar. The home made ketchup was pretty good but not quite memorable. The burger was solid but also sort of average. The garlic fries were tasty but since they are somewhat mass produced they didn't seem that fresh. I'd be interested in trying the other burgers, and maybe a shake. It makes me really wish I still lived across the street the DMK Burger Bar. Marc Burger is a good option in the 7th Floor Macy's food court. I still prefer Frontera but Marc is close behind.
(3)Lo C.
This place is just fine. Good location downtown and plenty of places to sit and eat. I've gotten the buffalo burger, beef burger, and turkey burger. Most turkey burgers are pretty bland - this one has some cumin in it. Very tasty. The other burgers were tasty as well. Fries are nicely seasoned. Nothing crazy extraordinary and nothing disappointing...except that this isn't in Marshall Fields anymore!
(3)Hoang L.
Pros: -Marc Burger is good. Love eggs. I think it's just A1 sauce on it. -Spicy ketchup is good but I think it's just a mix of ketchup and mustard. -Free refills. Cons: -Cashier did not ask me how I wanted my burger. (Default: cooked medium) -Waited about 15 minutes for my burger. 3 people behind me got their food first. -All their trays seem to be bent. I can see this to be easy to drop a drink. -They only gave me one napkin. Do they not understand that the yolk breaks and makes it very messy? -$0.50 extra for some cheese on a $13 burger. I don't like people nickeling and diming me. -Fries were average. Needs more seasoning. Portions not generous.
(3)Melissa T.
My Marc Burger experience was pretty much a low 3 star review. It wasn't to the extent of 2 stars because my overall experience really was ok; I only wish that there had been a better preparation of my meal (and an offering of more than one napkin for my messy burger). The burger (marc burger) I ordered was flavorful - although leaning toward too salty for my taste with the A1-type sauce - and I was just thankful my egg was runny. Unfortunately, my burger was way overcooked. Here's the deal: if you're not going to cook burgers to order, don't say that you can. It's incredibly annoying to me because I get my hopes up for the delicious taste of a medium rare burger since that is, after all, what I requested, but then I get medium to medium well. It's one thing if I didn't ask and just received a default medium burger, but when I specifically inquire: "Hey, can you guys cook your burgers to order." "Yes we can." "Awesome, may I have mine cooked medium rare," I think it's safe to say that I would like my burger medium rare. The fries were good, but I'm nearly positive the special sauce was simply a mix of ketchup and mustard. I could have done that on my own and don't see the need to brag about a special dipping sauce if it's not that special at all. Overall, I'd try other places again before I went back to Marc Burger but if craving a burger and was in Macy's, I'd certainly give this place another chance.
(3)Farha K.
Marc Samuelsson is a genius and it is evident in every burger on the menu at Marc Burger. Hidden away on the 7th floor of Macy's Marc Burger is flanked by other fast food restaurants by big name chefs, but holds it own quite wonderfully. My personal favorites on the menu are the Kobe sliders which are drizzled with truffle oil and a spicy aioli served with their signature fries and coleslaw. The lines are a bit cumbersome because it does take a while for them to grill up your burger, but it is well worth the wait and a treat during lunch breaks on a weekday.
(5)Vanessa R.
Several weeks ago, we decided to take advantage of a nice, Friday lunch hour and hit up Marc Burger. Marc Burger is housed on Seven on State, the food court inside of Macy's up on the 7th Floor. We were one of the first people to be up there, since they open at 11 AM. This place is touted as having the "Loop's best burgers" so we figured we'd give them a try and judge this for ourselves. (My hands down favorite, hole-in-the-wall Peppers still holds this distinction). I went ahead and ordered a hamburger, fries and soft drink. I knew going into this place that we'd be paying more than your average McDonalds since they serve "gourmet hamburgers" and supposedly the creator of this place is a renowned New York chef. But over $11? A bit much. Granted, the soft drinks came with unlimited refills, but still. I was given a glass with the pop and waited for them to cook up the burger. This took a while, but I didn't mind since they had just opened up, plus it meant it would be fresh off the grill. While the cashier was very nice, she kept trying to sell me other things like cookies, custard and a shake; it reminded me of the Subway "chips and drink" mantra. No means no, thanks! In the meantime, I figured I'd step away from the counter and the cashiers' sales pitches and get my ketchup and other condiments ready to go. Small problem: the ketchup and mustard pumps were broken. I struggled to push down the pump, thinking I somehow just wasn't doing it right or that my arms were in fact much weaker than I thought. After about 5 minutes of struggling, someone came over and confirmed that something was indeed wrong with the pumps. It turned into a big ordeal, with yet another employee coming over trying to fix these things. Several minutes and four-five people later, we managed to squeeze some ketchup and mustard out of the pumps. Finally my hamburger came out in a wire food basket and paper napkins, which contrasted with the china plates, glasses and silverware... identity crisis? In all honesty, I didn't care much about the presentation of the meal at this point. The hamburger looked like it had potential and the fries looked good too; hopefully the wait and ketchup pump ordeal had been worth it! We finally walked over to the window area seating, but were disappointed that we really couldn't look out the glass since the window panes were so dirty and the window sills were pretty dusty too. If you're going to have seating right in front of these windows, you'd think this would be clean, right? The hamburger was very thick and juicy and hot off of the grill. It was cooked just right and was quite a large portion, topped with crispy lettuce and a tomato slice. It also came with a small cup of cole slaw and pickle slices. The hamburger bun was a bit dry however (I'm assuming it was potato bread?) but the beef made up for it, seasoned with just the right amount of black pepper. The fries were probably my favorite part of the meal - thin and crispy, skin-on fries seasoned with visible specks of garlic, salt and pepper -- and these too were nice and warm. About halfway into the meal, I thought I may as well take advantage of the free refills. Unfortunately, instead of having a self-service refill station, you had to go up and ask the cashier at the counter to fill you up. I definitely didn't like this since the counter was far from where we were sitting, plus I didn't want the cashier to try and sell me more stuff and/or think I was a fatty for getting refills! Overall, the hamburger and fries were good, but not great. The customer service was average at best and the atmosphere up on Seven on State wasn't all that great either. But the main reason why I docked this place major points was the cost. Would I come back to Marc Burger? No. It's difficult to justify coming back to eat at this place when you could go just about anywhere else and get the same meal for half the price. I will however, try and come back and eat at Rick Bayless's Frontera Fresco!
(3)Rob B.
Expected more from Marc and more for the money. Fries were good and too that specially ketchup, but the burger was fair and the roll was terrible. The slaw was so small we could not share it. I might add that of the many concepts at seven on State, Marc burger was the least patronized.
(2)John K.
Ordered the kobe beef sliders. The design of the food was simplistic enough (mayo, lettuce, tomato, and a burger), but the burger...the taste was amazing! I really appreciate it when a simple dish that makes you think of fast food can be done in a nice manner like at Marc Burger. I have to admit though that I was not completely satisfied. I think it was because I was originally excited by their home-made spicy ketchup that was supposed to accompany my fries...no ketchup...I probably should have asked them for it but when you're in a hurry and they just give you to-go container with its lid sealed shut, I have few options. Frontera Fresco was better overall
(3)Rod C.
I had lunch here around 130pm on a sunny Friday afternoon and was surprised to see how empty the cafe seating was. The cheeseburger was outstanding! One of the best burgers in the city! I would hold off on the Marc Burger, too much going on with the fried egg and the steak sauce. Good place to have a lunch!
(4)Arlene A.
Yummy burgers to be found here at Marc Burger. While the actual Marc burger is a little on the rich side, still very delicious. My real favorite however are the sliders. I split them with my Honey and it's all good. Service could be improved, there's not a sense of urgency. Not panic, urgency. Please at least pretend you care about getting me my food. What also is a bit of a downer is God help you, if you ask for a glass of water. I've had to ask numerous times, and don't much care for the sideways look. The stars are strictly for the food, service is underwhelming, but once you're seated at a table, who cares.
(3)Jasmine P.
Marc burger is so awesome! I was impressed by the turkey burger! So tender and not dry. I also like the chicken breast sandwich. The chicken breast wasn't dry either and the avocado mayo on top complemented the chicken breast very well. The burgers are all served on potato bread too. yum! All sandwiches come with cole slaw, pickles, and fries. (I must also add that the fries were REALLLLYYY good too!) I sometimes wish they would offer an option to order extra fries because I so would want more. mmmmmmmm! As I've said about other lunch locations in the Loop, get there early or get there late. If you go right during the rush hour, you'll have to wait in a very long line. Pricey for a burger, but I've paid similar or more for burgers that don't taste as good. Service is great too! free refills on water and soda. Even though it's a food court type atmosphere, the staff is great about coming around to your table to offer you a free beverage refill or clean your table off after you've finished.
(4)Jessica G.
Came here with a friend for lunch today. It was crowded in the food hall but not terribly so - we waited a couple minutes to order and about 5 minutes to receive our food. Whoever put the ketchup and mustard dispensers so high up? Hard to get at for a shorty like me. The burger I had was pretty good - it was just a plain burger, no cheese, with lettuce and mustard with the little cup of sweet pickles. Decent taste to the meat. The burger came with a side of the garlic and cracked pepper fries and they were decent but I guess I was missing the point of the garlic and pepper on there. The wee cup of cole slaw was pretty tasty and not loaded with mayo, which I like. I will say if you're not a fan of Angus beef, which I am on the fence about, you may want to choose one of the other options such as the buffalo or the turkey burger. Lots of Angus flavor in this Angus burger. Add being ambushed by firemen coming out the Macy's elevator and it was definitely a lunch to remember. If I have the opportunity, it's somewhere I would eat again (and that is saying a lot with Frontera Fresco right next door).
(4)Phantom D.
This is one of the best burgers in Chicago!!!!! When you see flames rising from the grill as the cook flips the patties and hear the the sizzle, your mouth will begin to water. Marc has created a unique taste which is complimented by a lightly buttered bun and perfectly seasoned fries. I usually pass on fish. However, the grilled mahi mahi is perfectly cooked and marinated with a citrus glaze that is sweet like BBQ. If you see a chocolate chip cooke, grab it and forget about the calories. This place is DAMN GOOD!!!!
(5)Dale H.
Nothing struck me as amazing, to say it was fantastic would be a stretch. It was good, nothing needed to be returned, or complained about. The burger was ok, the fries were ok. I had the Marc Burger, now maybe I'm not aware of the proper meaning of a fried egg, but I always thought the yolk was dry, and this wasn't so that may have ruined it for me as well. I worked around it, and like I said, it was just ok.
(3)Tracey S.
The French fries and spicy ketchup are really great, and worth a return trip, however......the burger was horrible.......way too much of a burnt char taste to it.....I couldn't eat more than two bites. Very disappointing....
(2)Lee M.
I honestly didn't realize Marcus Samuelsson was associated with Marc burger until after I sat down and saw his face on the wall after I took a few bites - so I had zero expectations going in. My prior experience at the salad place on the 7th Floor was subpar and again I didn't want to wait on the long lines for Bayless or Takashi. Ordered the Marc Signature burger - 10oz, fried egg, and steak sauce. The burger itself was pretty good quality. The fried egg and steak sauce were relatively flavorless though and did absolutely nothing for me. The garlic fries were a waste of calories in my opinion - they were neither crispy on the outsdie nor creamy on the inside. This is probably due to the fact that they are kept in an enormous metal mixing bowl - and I wouldn't doubt that they steamed while waiting to arrive on my plate. The spicy ketchup - as other reviewers have noted is merely ketchup and mustard. I think I was expecting it to have kick from cayenne, chipotle or tabasco or something like that. Sour ketchup would have been a more appropriate name. There is no question that if you go here during peak lunch hours, you can easily wait 20 minutes to be served. If I make it back, I know next time to keep it simple. Classic burger - lettuce, tomato and onion with a couple of packets of ketchup.
(3)Scott B.
I stopped by today while doing some shopping. I got there right as things were opening. I was the first person in line. The food took about 5-7 minutes. Not a big deal. I ordered the Cheddar Burger and added Bacon for an upcharge. I also had the fries and lemonade. The burger was delicious. The bun was very soft and tasty. The bacon slices were very large and worth the upcharge. This was easily one of the better "fast food" burgers in the loop. The fries were crispy and seasoned very well, maybe a bit on the strong side. I was very surprised by some of the other reviews. Maybe since I was there right after opening, everything was more fresh. Either way, worth checking out.
(4)Sam L.
Marc Burger is potential, wasted. The burgers are delicious. The fries, too. But the wait can be much too long, even when no one is ahead of you in line. The chef doesn't seem to know how to produce burgers in a steady stream. He makes them batches, creating some truly ridiculous wait times. This is not a hard problem to rectify: anticipate how many burgers are needed during rush hours and begin cooking them in a continuous stream. Some petty complaints: no ketchup dispenser (you're invited to grab a handful of packets from a bin) and the fry portions have gotten smaller.
(3)Dave S.
I am always on the lookout for a tasty burger. This place was a find for me because they do have tasty.burgers I would have never in a million years associated Marc Samuelsson with a burger joint . My burger and fries here were outstanding to say the least. The prices were a bit on the higher side (it is located in Macy's) but not overly ridiculous. I wish I knew about this place sooner as it was a really good find. Fortunately my wife came across this place by accident while meandering through Macy's and introduced me to it. I may have never discovered this burger if it wasn't for her. This establishment is well off of the beaten path and the main reason I have not returned is he the whole "out of sight, out of mind" concept. It is in a food court buried in Macy's. I will never really "be in the area" again. maybe not the greatest choice of location if that is your only Chicago location but I am glad to know it is there when I crave more (which I am starting to do)
(4)Fred G.
I'll start off by saying that there aren't a lot of places to get grass-fed beef burgers, and Marc Burger definitely makes knows how to make them. Because this restaurant is in the Macy's food court, it's hard for a lot of people to find out about it. However, those that do know about it bring all their friends, which means that if you show up for lunch at 12:00 you'll be waiting in line for your food for at least 15 minutes. The burgers here are usually very fresh and tasty, so fresh that I don't usually need anything more than the standard lettuce, tomato and cheese to top it off. If you decide to visit Marc Burger several times, be sure to pick up a punch card so that your 8th burger is free! + Grass fed beef + Fresh ingredients + Quality of food - Price
(4)Ashley S.
I liked watching Marc on top check masters so I was excited to try this place. Unfortunately, it's just OKAY. There's nothing special about this food. The burger wasn't bad but nothing about it stood out to me, same goes for the fries.
(3)Rachel L.
Destination #2 on the Burger Safari list. I was pleasantly surprised by Marc Burger since the yelp reviews had lowered my expectations. I tried the BBQ Burger, and my burger buddy had the signature Marc Burger with fried egg. Low points: Wait was a bit long, copious amounts of homemade BBQ sauce made for a messy burger, patty was a little smaller than the bun. High points: Reletively hassle free location, affordable and tasty loop lunch location, homemade sauces and ketchup were really yummy, fries were awesomely seasoned with garlic and herbs! Overall, this place gets props for being one of the few places to get a great burger on your lunch hour in the loop.
(3)Haley S.
Decent burgers if you work in the Loop. Excellent fries, and love the chili ketchup. Not the best I've had in Chicago or NYC, but totally passable if you need a fix.
(3)Chris B.
I haven't written a Yelp review in a loooong time, thanks to the twittering nature of quicker social media the past 2 yrs (apologies), but my experience today at Marc Burger drove me back to spread the word... Overall -- and to start off with a positive: I can't say I didn't like the *taste* of the Smoky BBQ Burger (replete with sauce, crumbled kettle chips, monterey jack), but EVERYTHING that people are mentioning here as the other-than-the-burger negatives are things I experienced: - ONE NAPKIN...seriously? Weird. Just an odd thing to skimp on for a $12 lunch. - Flat soda - Warped trays - Broken ketchup maker - Other people (Macy's employees?) getting served and waited on around us with winks and nods - literally watching food come out of the kitchen and walked by Seven on State employees to people in the back of the line with handshakes and chuckles. - An OUTRAGEOUS line -- they worked through the cashier line quickly enough, but I literally stood in line for at least 20 min. waiting for the actual food with 50 of my now closest friends -- it was embarrassingly long...and like someone else wrote, I was gazing longingly at the swift and efficient Frontera Fresco line next to us. - Greasy and limp fries... - Horrible attention to detail on the plating -- cole slaw was slopped out of the tiny plastic ramekin onto the red/white checkered wrapper, getting the bun wet, and it was in/on the pickles, of which I only received 2...2 little limp pickles. So other than the actual taste-in-my-mouth of a decent BBQ burger, the rest of the experience was an UTTER disaster. Marcus Samuelsson likely had ZERO to do with this place other than offering his branding, name and face (much like C-House), so if I were him, I'd pay a visit to Macy's as a member of it's "Culinary Council" and fix what's wrong. And the fact that my experience was the SAME as people commenting in 2009 and 2010 let alone the first 6 months of 2011 tells me that they don't care. Most disappointed I've been in a Chicago restaurant/food destination in memory.
(1)Brian M.
Good food. Good price. Hard to find. To start, this place is on the 7th Floor of Macy's in the food court. If you ask anyone, they will not have heard of it. No one (jewelry counter, pedestrian, cop, CTA worker, mall employee) will know what you're talking about if you ask where it is. A cop and I actually pulled it up on our phones, used interactive maps to move around in the pedway system, and we never found it. Later, I found a review that mentioned it being in Macy's on the 7th Floor. I wonder if Macy's knows it is on the 7th floor! The directory in the store doesn't mention it. The elevator doesn't list it. The signs you first come across on the 7th floor don't mention it. Only when you get close to the "Noodles" sign, do you see Marc Burger actually listed in a nearly transparent logo in the corner. When you walk out into the main area, it is hidden back in the corner as if it is a secret. Even where you are expected to stand and make your order is in question. Signage in Chicago is horrible, but this place is pathetic! As for the burger -- It was worth it. I read that I should try the barbecue bacon cheeseburger w/ their special seasoned dill fries w/ the spicy ketchup. I was taking mine to go, and I didn't know you have to ask for the ketchup, so I missed out on that part. However, the rest was really good. It is not one of the top 5 burgers in town, but it is in the upper crust. For the price, $9 for burger and fries, it is a good deal in The Loop.
(4)Casandra G.
A busy lunch counter on Macy's 7th floor. Open only during the weekday lunch rush, a line is basically unavoidable so come expecting a good 15 minute wait or so. Breakdown: The good: rich, creamy strawberry milkshake. Delightful garlicky fries. Fresh made pickles. And they seemed to be working as promptly as possible to get you your food. The fine: burger cooked about medium-well (light pink middle), juicy and generally satisfying but not mind blowing. The mediocre: soggy and depressing looking cole slaw. The recap: try it, if it's convenient to do so, but not a must.
(3)DJ A.
Just another sunny afternoon. I am meeting my sister for lunch today(a nice respite from work). We decide to head over to the 7th floor of Macy's, the Seven on State food court. Now, I have been here before and it is basically an upscale food court. Most of the food is made to order. Nice but nothing special. Today I decide to try Marcus Samuelsson's burger joint. My sister had been telling me how good it was. Not thinking much about it, I order the Turkey Burger. The Turkey Burger comes with Jack Cheese, Tomato, Lettuce, a spicy aioli, and of course the Turkey Burger. Wow!!! This was absolutely the best Turkey Burger(yes, it does deserve to be capitalized) made anywhere, anytime, by anyone, ever!!! I have never had a Turkey Burger with this much flavor. The Turkey Burger was very well seasoned, not too much salt and just enough kick. As you know with the average turkey patty(non-capitalized) they tend to be a dry crumbly mess. Not this Turkey Burger. It was as juicy as a beef burger(which I will try next time especially, since their beef is grassfed, big bonus there) and as flavorful. Simply amazing!! The side dishes were stellar too. Now, keep in mind I Hate coleslaw the same way the Cubs Hate winning(yes I said it and yes I am a White Sox Fan). This coleslaw was amazing. It was not over sweet or over vinegary. It also had a nice spicy kick to it. If you can get me to like coleslaw you must be able to do something right. The French fries were very good as well. Another interesting seasoning on the fries that I can't quite describe. All in all I will definitely be back. I also suggest you go now. Unless of course you hate good food. I can't give it 5 stars until i try the other Burgers.
(4)Cam C.
It is a great place for lunch. The burger was nothing special but the fries and the ketchup were my favorite.
(3)Joscelyn M.
I love burgers. I was STARVING! I didn't even finish my Marc buger, it was so gross. I'll stick to Frontera Fresco for lunch and get my burger fix elsewhere.
(1)Robyn T.
After getting nods as one of the best burgers how can you not come check this place out? You'll have to battle the tourists on weekends or the lunch crowd during the week but for a solid burger why not? I stuck with a cheeseburger (swiss) and was really happy with my meal. For about $9 I had a juicy burger on a really wonderful bun (because it's not just about the meat) and a side of fries. The burger was juicy without being some huge hunk of meat. I LOVED the spicy ketchup and I'm not really a huge ketchup fan usually. My big question was why doesn't Macy's capitalize on this and cell some of Marcus' ketchup?
(4)Kara B.
A bit tricky to find. The burgers were not magical, but they were yummy, nonetheless. The fries and the homemade ketchup were my favorite! Great place for lunch!
(3)Jims L.
I think the disappointment with Marc Burger had to do with its dumb marketing. I'm sure if it wasn't heralded as bugers made by amazing James Beard Award winning Chef Marcus Samuelsson the place would get better reception. Maybe if the Chef invited you over to his personal home for a bbq bash and personally cooked you up some prime meat burger, it would be something to remember, but then you expect the same at a Macy's food court when the only thing that can be cooked and served with any extra finesse or skill are the patties by people who don't work with the Chef on a regular basis. Surprise, the burgers aren't extraordinary, but it's not your fault for expecting them to be. The people who decided to put up a huge picture of Marcus Samuelsson next to his uninventive quote up on the wall are to blame. I wasn't disappointed with my patty, it was thick and juicy, but perhaps it was a little too thick and juicy? Shrug. If the same exact burger options were sold down street at State and ______ at "Chicago Generic Grill" the place would be getting 5 star reviews, I'm sure.
(3)John M.
Marcus Samuelsson has a burger place? I had to check it out. I was very interested to see his take on an American gastro-icon. The stand is located in the food court of the Macy's building downtown. From the looks of it, it is going for a very wholesome, 1950's car-hop diner feel, which is really too bad, as it's an indication Samuelsson has done nothing but lend his name to this place. I went with a burger with cheddar (American is not listed, but apparently is available) with L,T,O and M. Looking at the grill, the patties appeared to have been frozen and were very heavily shaped into almost perfect cylindrical form. The top and bottom edges were sharp. But I then noticed a bun butterer/toaster, so I wanted to give it a chance. I also went for a chocolate malt as I am a glutton for punishment. It took a while for the burger to come--I finished most of my malt waiting in line for it. I took my first bite and it was greasy and overcooked. Also, the burger grinds were tiny--as if mounds of sawdust had somehow been mechanically compressed into patty form--and the burger felt gritty in my mouth. The only taste exhibited was the taste of char from the grill. The fries were actually not that bad, and the malt was good--which is the only reason I am awarding this place a star. I would not go back however, and if I was Marcus Samuelsson, I would distance myself from this disaster of a burger stand ASAP.
(1)Chirag P.
I was a big fan of the garlic/cracked pepper tossed french fries... the homemade spicy catch up is great with anything. Had the crunchy bbq burger which was pretty good, messy to eat, but what do you expect with bacon, bbq sauce and kettle chips on a burger. I'm a fan for sure... I'm just a fan of Chef Marcus Samuelsson in general so maybe a little jaded.
(4)Chrisa H.
I had pretty high expectations for a $7 burger from a food court. I had the burger with pesto and mozzarella, and it was worth coming down to Macy's from the Miracle Mile for lunch on a Saturday. The burger was jucy and cooked perfectly, and the pesto was amazingly fresh. The fries weren't super crispy like I like them, but they were nice and garlicy. The lemonade was SUPER tart, but definitely from real lemon juice.
(4)Jenn S.
When I need a good burger on a work day without having to feel too guilty, I go to Marc Burger. Although its always busy, and the line is usually long (and slow), its worth the wait if you're looking to have a burger without having to sit down at a restaurant. I usually go with the turkey burger. Its cajun seasoning on the outside leaves an interesting taste in your mouth. Interesting, but a good one. A bit of warning though, these burgers may be made to order...but they make them ALL well done. The cajun seasoning on the burger goes very well with the spicy cole slaw and seasoned fries. The fries are seriously the best part of the meal! D-LISH! I highly HIGHLY recommend going to the 7th floor at Macy's before noon. Don't even bother after that because it just gets ridiculous.
(3)Paul B.
Very pleased with my BBQ burger. Fries were very good. Spicy ketchup also very good. Guess I'm short on details today after writing 10 reviews, but when I'm looking for a burger in the loop this will be my first choice.... or maybe Epic Burger. Regardless lunch was very good
(4)Nicolas H.
Nothing infuriates me more when ordering a burger than having it overcooked and this place really overdid it. I specifically ordered it medium-rare and the cash register worker even asked someone how to enter it properly into the system. After a 15 minute wait here comes my burger completely overcooked no where near even medium. If it wasn't the lunch rush and there wasn't a huge line I probably would've sent it back, but begrudgingly I ate it. The flavor was decent, but the meat was so dry I had to drench it in ketchup. The fries were actually good and the bun was tasty, however over $10 for an overcooked burger just doesn't do it for me...
(2)Sandra D.
Pros: I love this place! The burgers are awesome. I wholeheartedly recommend the turkey burger with bacon. I used to hate ketchup, but after tasting the spicy ketchup, I have become a convert. The crispy, crunchy and well-seasoned fries are just so damn addictive. The homemade pickles served with the burgers are delish. Putting apples and jalapeño peppers in the coleslaw was a stroke of genius. Amazingly, you can order limeade off of the Frontera Fresco menu. The frozen custard shakes are sinfully delicious. Cons: The BBQ sauce is an overly sweet, soupy mess. The portion of coleslaw offered is laughable. Tip: Arrive before noon or after 2pm to receive prompt service.
(4)michael p.
Went here during a long lunch while playing hookie with the boss gone... I have to admit I had an instant snob reaction when i went up to the top floor of Macy's on State street for a burger from a food court. I calmed down when i realized Marc Samuelsson was the guy behind it It was a little after 12pm and the line was long but the smells from the grill kept me in place. I looked at the menu options...classic burger, eh maybe...turkey burger...yeah right...portabella burger...not this day...then there it was...the BBQ burger, angus beef, seasoned with paprika, smoked bacon, and a "chunky" bbq sauce...this is the one for me today. Now granted its a food court so I'm not going to bother with the service review. I wait maybe 4 minutes then i pick up my burger. I notice right off the bat the fresh toppings, phat ass slice of tomato, crispy lettuce. The burger comes medium, bacon is crisp but not overdone, the cheddar was great and the chunky bbq sauce was nuts, its like a bbq, onion marmalade and was really tasty, I just wish it was served as warm as the burger. Burger itself was quite juicy, yes I've had way better burger but the toppings made it a 3 star and def return visit. fries were decent, way over seasoned but the "spicy" ketchup was a nice option for dipping. If you work in the loop and want a better burger option under 10 bucks then i would def suggest this spot.
(3)Jami K.
Maybe I was just cranky today, but this place pissed me off. I had decided on the portobello burger, but as I approached the counter, I saw that they had some lentil nuggets on special. Since that sounded delicious I thought that I would splurge and try the three piece variety for $3. After I had paid, I saw my receipt and noticed that they had charged me for two items which were $1.75. I showed it to the cashier and said that I thought I was overcharged and she said that was special. Now, I can understand if a special item isn't on the register, but when the two entries add up to $3.50 instead of the advertised $3.00, that is a cause for concern for me. Now, $.50 isn't a ton of money, but I was feeling ripped off, she gave me a dirty look, went over to a manager and then came back and told me that the price had changed. No apology or anything. Well, I got my money back and went somewhere else for lunch. What a deceptive, sleazy practice. It's too bad because the food really did sound tasty,
(1)Pete V.
This place is for people who like White Castle and want to splurge on somethin' nice fore a change. Otherwise serious burger connoisseurs should avoid this vile disgrace to Seven on State. First off, the spiffy signage is deceptive marketing....the seemingly high quality ingredients and toppings that they list on the menu are nonexistent. The burgers are decent size, but are fatty and have all been precooked. I really think all they do is warm the burgers up in the microwave, pour on a dollop of mayonnaise and serve it on 4-day old buns on clearance from Aldi. $9 for a burger at this place is highway robbery and my fries were cold. They better get their act together or Rick Bayless will take over their space in a heartbeat!
(1)Zach T.
Good (not great) burgers. Small, but they have a great flavor. You have to contend with $10 prices, and $2 soft drinks (COME ON, MACY'S)! But it's a decent burger if you have a craving. The spicy ketchup tastes like Steak & Shake peppers mixed with ketchup. If you're looking for spicy ketchup, go to KUMA'S!
(3)Paul C.
Located in the Macy's food court, I didn't expect my lunch options to be so gourmet. We got there at 11:40am, and there was no wait at all. It seems as though right after I ordered, there appeared a line of 5-6 people at Marc Burger. Where did they appear from? I guess I beat the rush. I decided on the Marc prime burger. The difference between the prime ($10.95) and the standard ($7.95) is a 10oz patty compared to 6oz. The burger was very juicy. The bun was nice and soft. Huge tomato slice and a leaf of lettuce. Medium rare. Nicely seasoned. The seasoned fries were awesome. There are three dipping sauces, deli mustard, spicy ketchup, and ketchup. The spicy ketchup was great, the ketchup was, well, ketchup. The frozen vanilla custard milkshake was the best, even on the coldest of days. At $2.95, that's not unreasonable. Overall, it was a good, tasty meal. The burger, fries, and milkshake were a perfect trio. However, for that price, $15.50, they should have included table service in that ménage à trois.
(3)Jerry W.
It's the end of another work week and pay day too it couldn't be better. Well I guess it could but that's another discussion. My buddy DJ A and I decide to head out for a Friday lunch. This time we convince two of our workmates to come along as we head over to Marc Burger on the 7th floor of Macy's. Now the last time I was in this food court was probably 4 or 5 years ago when the family and I stopped for lunch during our process of adopting our youngest two children. So yes I have very fond memories of the Macy's (at that time Marshal Fields) food court. Well DJ A has been raving to me about the Turkey burger here. I trust my buddys reviews and we seem to have similar tastes (we both are food geeks and both have Hispanic wifes). So I get in line thinking I'm going to order the Turkey Burger. But then I see on the menu, 2 Kobe Slider Burgers with all the fixings and now I have made my decision, it's the Kobe Sliders. Well for $8.95 they were really good little burgers. They weren't the best I have ever had but they were really good. The coleslaw that came with it was good (not really a big coleslaw type of guy). But the fries were truly unbelievable!!! I was watching the chef make them so I know they were freshly made. I saw him ever so gently springle the salt over them and then add one of the most delicious seasonings to the fries I have ever had. If you know me or have read my earlier reviews you know I could have just ordered a main course of the fries and then Marc's would have gotten a five plus star review. Of course the next time I head over to Marc Burger (and I will) I still have to try the Turkey Burger. And of course get more of those truly delicious fries (as I type this I am drooling just like Homer Simpson does over pork chops, damn the keyboard is getting wet).
(4)Michael H.
The burgers, fries, and onion rings are really tasty here. I love the buffalo burger. The onion rings are lightly breaded--just perfect. Very underrated burger.
(5)Michelle W.
The turkey burger was amazing - it had a crust, was not dried out and was a huge portion. I approve of the bun, which was a kaiser type thing but maybe slightly richer and proved that not everything has to be served on a pretzel roll. Also tried a bite of the BBQ burger which was good, but the turkey was even better. Fries were stellar and ample. The pickles weren't quite sour enough to my taste but the spicy cole slaw made up for it. Overall, it's not cheap but you get good value for what you pay for.
(5)ernest f.
Summary: ZERO STARS. Would NOT go back. The beef patty is overcooked and tastes like rubber. The wait is long. Do yourself a favor and go anywhere else. Review: If I could, I would give this place ZERO STARS. I would not come back and even if somebody forced me to come back here, I would definitely not get a beef burger. I came during lunch hour on a weekday, so the wait was long. That's fine but if I'm waiting for lunch, then I'm going to have higher expectations, and I was sorely disappointed. You know as a kid, we all enjoyed fast food burgers over diner/fancy burgers? That was because a lot of diner/fancy burger overcook their burgers, reducing a fine meat patty into a tasteless, rock hard, piece of ground beef. Marc Burger was exactly like that. The patty was so overcooked that I had to double check what I was eating. Yes, it was a burger. No, it wasn't from a high school cafeteria. No, it wasn't from a crappy bbq. Yes, I paid 10 dollars for a burger that is not better than ANY local burger joint, located ANYWHERE ELSE in chicago. Also, the presentation was sad. That could be because I ordered my burger to go. However, all it had was a sad piece of lettuce, some non-ripe tomatoes, and some half melted white cheddar... Don't go back. You'll thank me later.
(1)Matthew S.
Good Burgers and as a bonus, you get to walk past the hotties working in the cosmetics department at Macy's. Just order the regular burger and enjoy the spicy ketchup.
(4)Miguel T.
Great place for a quick burger, The spicy ketchup was the best thing. I had the cheese burger with Monterrey Jack cheese and the flavor was really good. Fries are well seasoned as well.
(4)William S.
The burger was mediocre at best. overly sauced, and frozen meat taste, but what really bothered me was I had rancid coleslaw, it was like I was Gordon Ramsey at a Kitchen Nightmare, rancid food is a health issue, not poorly cooked food.
(1)Heather K.
Headed to Seven on State for an early lunch in order to try Marcus Samuelsson's new addition to the Macy's food court scene. Marc Burger has replaced the Macy's Grill, with Angus burgers and a few other takes on classic sandwiches. I went for the mahi-mahi sandwich, which had perfect grill marks and was marinated/glazed with a citrus teriyaki sauce. For $10, the sandwich came with fantastic fries (they were so nicely seasoned, you didn't even need ketchup) and ramekins of coleslaw and pickle slices. Though it was a bit more than I would normally spend on lunch (ranging from $8-13 not including a drink), I thought the details justified the price. Things like butter lettuce (not iceberg) on the sandwich, crisp apples in the slaw, sweet and spicy pickles instead of just dill slices... all of these added up and made for an all around great lunch. I'm definitely going back to try the burgers and the custard shakes!
(4)Tohru O.
Not a great experience. Well, we'll start with the positives. Fries were great. Spicy ketchup, nice. Now the negatives. Ordered the Marc burger with cheese and a drink. Over $17. Damn. Better be worth it. It wasn't. Took almost 15 minutes to get my food, first of all. My friends were already done by the time I got my food. When I ordered it, the lady at the register said, "the Marc burger comes medium rare. Is that ok?" I said, yes, of course. Got my burger. WELL DONE. Not medium, not medium well. Completely cooked through and through. Egg was pretty much cooked all the way through as well, instead of over easy. Flavors were pretty good, but by then I couldn't enjoy it. Plus, the entire thing disintegrates in your hand more and more with each bite. By the end, I was using a fork. I expected a lot and was very disappointed.
(2)Lisa B.
HORRIBLE. The burgers tasted like a stack of frozen processed meat you'd get in bulk at Costco. They are not homemade, handmade, etc. Just a boring, overcooked piece of formed, processed crappy beef. There was a nice slice of fresh tomato and a bib lettuce leaf though. Yippee. Unfortunately it was on a crappy potato bun that reminded me of the Jewel brand potato buns, no different. I agree the fries were good and well seasoned but the burger sucked. For $10 I'd head to Epic Burger down the street at State/Congress and get a little change back.
(1)