The new Everest Burger and Bakery (91 Green Bay Rd., Glencoe; 847-242-0909), which features hormone-free, steroid-free and antibiotic-free burgers and fresh, made-on-premises baked goods, opens in Glencoe on February 21. Everest Burger is owned by restaurateurs Mark and Margarita Challenger, and is named after Mount Everest “because we are aiming to be the peak of better burger restaurants,” says Mark Challenger.
“We are sourcing the best meat, turkey, chicken and fish for our burgers” he says, “because our children were raised on high-quality fresh ingredients, and that’s something we want to offer to other families who come to our restaurant. We are also offering some great-tasting vegan burgers, including a Portabella mushroom burger, black bean burger and two to three different versions of our walnut burger.”
From the one-of-a-kind décor—featuring walls of stone and a ceiling-to-floor mural of the Himalayas—to the deliciously creative burgers, Everest Burger is poised to raise the bar for upscale burger restaurants in Chicago. Everest Burger’s meat is 100 percent hormone-free, steroid-free and antibiotic-free.
“We chose our beef carefully, and decided upon the first-rate Piedmontese beef from the noted Montana Brand Ranch,” Margarita explained. “We have locally sourced the turkey and chicken from TJ’s Poultry and our wild Alaskan Salmon will be flown in weekly.”
Guests can choose burgers prepared using beef, turkey, chicken or wild Alaskan salmon, or can opt for a vegan version using portabella mushroom, black beans or walnuts. Burgers will be served on a freshly-baked whole wheat bun, whole wheat white bun or gluten free bun, all made on the premises.
Burger selections, priced from $5 to $15, range from the simply delicious to the unique and bold. Some of the classic options include: the Base Camp Burger, lettuce, tomato and onion; Everest Burger, lettuce, tomato, onions, avocado and kalamata olives smothered with organic blue cheese; Odysseus’ Feast, lettuce, tomato, onion, kalamata olives and feta cheese grilled with olive oil for added flavor; Aloha Burger, lettuce, tomato, onion, pineapple and Swiss cheese; BLT Burger, lettuce, tomato, and onion topped with home-made turkey bacon; and the Texas BBQ, lettuce, tomato and onion topped with home-made regular or spicy BBQ sauce.
The more unique and bold options include: The Australian, pineapple, beet, lettuce and tomato topped with a fried egg and grilled onions in a tangy blend of mayonnaise and chilies; The Fez, a secret Turkish burger recipe combining spices and grains to create a spicy, nutty flavored burger; Fiesta Burger, a spicy Mexican burger cooked with chipotle peppers and topped with lettuce, tomato, onion, jalapenos and cheese; and the Chimichurri Burger, onion, cloves, cilantro, oregano and some special sauces for a spicy South American taste.
For vegetarians and vegans, the Black Bean Burger, Mushroom Burger and the Walnut Burger are all delicious and healthy options.
Not in the mood for a burger? Everest also offers beef Everest Dogs ($4), which are prepared in-house using Everest’s own high-quality beef. Guests can add a side of Organic fries to any burger or hot dog order, with a choice of regular, parmesan, Cajun or cheesy varieties. The fries are made from organic potatoes freshly cut and fried in rice bran oil to give the cleanest and best taste possible (regular $1.50/$2.50, cheesy $2.50/$3.50).
Everest Burger also will offer a children’s menu with items such as Children’s Burgers, beef, turkey, chicken or black bean, with or without cheese; Meatball Sliders, three meatballs slathered in a delicious marinara sauce and sitting on a child-sized bun; Chicken Tenders and an Everest Beef Dog. All children’s plates are $5.50 and include fries and drink.
Guests can top off the meal with refreshing Everest Organic Frozen Yogurt, prepared in-house using fresh and organic ingredients ($3-5).
Everest Burger’s unique space is divided into two areas that are separated by a mountainous wall of rock; the Burger Joint and the Bakery. To the right, the 60-seat space features high-top tables and an open kitchen grill which allows patrons to watch their orders being prepared. To the left is the bakery, where patrons can find comfort in a booth surrounded by Mount Everest memorabilia. Here they can also purchase a variety of freshly baked items and soup to eat-in or take home.
As if the ice picks, photos and climbing gear weren’t enough, the famous Nicholas Roeich painting of the Himalayas, reproduced as a wall mural at Everest Burger by a local artist, will surely transport diners to the breathtaking vastness of the highest peak on Earth. “We wanted customers to enjoy the mesmerizing mural and rock wall, while indulging in the many delicious items the Everest bakery has to offer,” says Margarita.
The extensive bakery menu will feature croissants, breads and churros as well as fast breakfast items such as quiche, breakfast burrito, croissant egg sandwiches, scones, muffins, Danishes all made using organic flours, fresh ground coffee and herbal teas.
The bakery display will also showcase desserts such as pastries, cupcakes, cookies, pies and homemade ice cream sold by the pint to take home. Dessert items will be available for purchase at both Everest Burger and Guanajuato, the Challengers’ contemporary Mexican restaurant located just a few doors away at 73 Green Bay Rd., Glencoe, Ill.
“We don’t think eating healthy means having to forego one of our favorite meals” says Mark Challenger. “Whether grabbing a burger in the restaurant or taking a breakfast sandwich from the bakery, our guests will know they are eating the finest organic ingredients and they’ll taste the difference. Everest Burger will bring them to the peak of satisfaction every time.”
Everest Burger is a better burger restaurant and bakery located at 91 Green Bay Rd., Glencoe, Ill. The restaurant and bakery is open 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. For more information or to make a reservation, contact Everest Burger at (847) 242-0909 or online at www.everestburger.com.