Owen & Engine

Those two stars pain me but I feel I would be doing this typically stellar establishment a disservice if I didn’t make note of why I’m shelling out the measly two star rating.
My sister was visiting home from Denver with her boyfriend whom had never been to Chicago and she had been raving to him about when I took her to Owen for the best burger in the city during her last visit home. Naturally, he was eager to see what all the hype was about…
My sister, her beau, my brother, and I made our way into Owen around 4:45-ish yesterday (Sunday). It was pretty quiet at that time, however, we found ourselves standing by the front door for more than just a few minutes as several bartenders and other employees not only looked at us but moseyed right on by us without acknowledging we were waiting or even motioning us over to «grab a table.» Now, we would have sat at the bar but there weren’t enough seats and I’m aware of the obscure time we visited, however, that does not excuse being ignored. Finally, I had ask, in a fairly disruptive manner, if we could grab a table or if someone could seat us.
As we were seated, it was noted that the servers were in a «meeting» and someone would be with us shortly. We all laughed because we had just walked by the servers outside, their «meeting» was a group smoke break. Hey, take breaks, enjoy the silence before the chaos but be sure someone is keeping an eye on customers so they don’t feel like they’re burdening those employees who are working during the odd hours/​shift changes.
That being said, I knew the food would help make up for the blatant disregard. While I’ve visited Owen several times, I knew what to expect but the true enjoyment came from watching my sister, her boyfriend, and my brother savor every bite of their food and THAT is what I’m hoping they take away from their visit to Owen.
Me, I’m going to be much harsher and hold a bit of a grudge. Like I said, I’ve been to Owen a bunch and never have I been treated as if my/​our presence were more of a burden than anything else. I think your Sunday game needs to be stepped up quite a bit. Shame on you, guys.

Soft shell crab– fantastic. Burger– best in the city. Go crazy with the apps– order things you’ve never tried, you won’t be disappointed. We tried the scotch egg, pretzel, and meat tray– all extremely delicious. Service was great.
I love that the fries were seasoned for the main dishes differently. You don’t see that everyday.

Their BBB option on Tuesdays is a stand out — beer, bourbon and a burger for $ 16 — the burger is super fantastic and incredibly rich. You’ll think it’s too small for you, but it’s hard to finish. I do hate their housemade ketchup, which sucks because I really WANT ketchup with the fries, but it’s just not my taste. I can chalk that up to my own preference.
However, I’m downgrading them to 4 because although our first visit was outstanding we’ve been back a few times and had total misses on a couple occasions — once we had a sort of bouillabaisse that was too tomatoey and the fishes were not of great quality — chewy squid, overcooked fish, and almost all of the mussels were not open, which should not have been served. I was almost embarrassed by how bad the seafood was. Also had a cheese plate there once that was highly disappointing — kinda unremarkable cheeses, dry and truly absurdly small portions (and I know cheese plates are always small, but this was silly for the price). On the cheese plate occasion I also didn’t order dessert — literally nothing sounded good. There was too much emphasis on salty and not sweet — trying too hard to be avant guard.
I still like it, love the space, and will be back, but they’re not really 5 star in my book overall anymore.

We loved our meal at Owen and Engine. The ‘Thrillist’ article, ‘Best Burgers in Chicago’ brought us here for dinner, and we were not disappointed! The burger was absolutely delicious! It was complex in flavor but simple in design. The burger was marinated in a delicious vinegar, topped with caramelized onions, and nestled in a savory and crunchy bun! So simple, yet fresh and unique in flavor.
Also, I expected the burger to be good but was not prepared for the house made fries. Oh. My. Goodness. I could have eaten a bucket of these garlicky and parsley treats with malt vinegar aioli dipping sauce. Yes, it is as taste-​bud-​blowing as it sounds.
We started out with some drinks and were pleased. My partner ordered from the extensive draft beer list and I ordered the rittenhouse rye cocktail. It was fairly priced and absolutely delicious.
Our server was amiable, attentive, and helpful. Prices were very fair, especially if you stick to the burger. All cocktails are $ 11.
If you haven’t checked out this fabulous establishment, get there ASAP!

Pretty solid place. Met a buddy here for beer week. They don’t offer flights but Jeremy (the bar tender) made some recommendations and we did a flight of several beers and had the burger. Best bar burger I’ve ever had. The whole staff is super friendly and chill. Will definitely be back!

Fish and chips are fantastic. Skin on haddock. Fresh. Not overlooked. Fries could be crispier but the aoli was great. The scotch egg with a soft boiled egg was great. Cooked well and the sausage was just a little spicy. It was great. Wonderful beer on tap selection and a huge cider section.

My friend and I went for brunch on a Sunday around 11:30. They really weren’t crowded at all, with people well dispersed between the 1^st floor, 2^nd floor and upstairs patio. It’s a really cool looking place, with them going for the old school British pub feel.
They had some amazing sounding options for their pastry board that morning but we passed for the sake of our waistlines. My friend got the cheddar biscuits and gravy while I went with their famous burger. I had read not to add anything to it (cheese, egg, bacon, etc…) so I held true to the chef’s intended design. And hot damn, that thing was amazing! It’s a large patty with every bite as juicy and flavorful as the next. The caramelized onions do a great job adding to the flavor while letting the meat run the show. Definitely Top 5 burger in all of Chicago.
My friends biscuits and gravy were also outstanding. On top of all this great food, we even found and ordered a beer that tasted like Reese Puffs! (4 Hands Brewing — Absence of Light). Our server was excellent as well, polite and on top of things without intruding too much.
Great experience at Owen & Engine. Can’t wait to come back!

Unique and delicious. Definitely not your typical bar. Fairly cheap as well. Definitely will go back.
Got the salad and the dehydrated chocolate mousse. Usually salads bore me — this one was interesting and tasty.

Stop by Owen & Engine for an awesome meal and a tasty ale or two in a refined but relaxed environment. We’ve all heard the stereotype that British food is bland and uninspired. While the sample size is inconclusive, O&E’s bar-​style creations certainly lend some credibility to the kitchens across the pond. The cozy Logan Square gastropub resembles a small smoking lounge or parlor, with plush leather seats, paneled walls, and patterned rugs and wallpaper. The servers were quirky but attentive, and highly knowledgeable about the food and beer selection. They have a phenomenal selection of domestic and European beers on tap — you’re crazy, in my opinion, if you don’t get at least a pint of something.
The menu offers both traditional British preparations along with Anglo-​Indian and hybrid Middle Eastern fare. We started first with the pan-​seared Halloumi which is fantastic if you enjoy the briny characteristics of the cheese. I wish there were more than two small pieces, although the rich, creamy bed of hummus was a worthy distraction. The Brussels Sprouts were likewise savory and satisfying. My entrée, their award-​winning burger, is simple but packs a wallop; undoubtedly one of the best I’ve had. The beef patty is small but thick and, in its medium-​rare form, explosively pink and juicy beneath a mild crust. Everything from the potato-​based bun to the cave-​aged cheese (+$ 2) to the sweet onions elevate the burger to incomparable levels of taste. The thick hand-​cut fries and tangy aioli are quite deserving of their place on the plate as well.

Another cool place for Tuesday special, A set of delicious 9oz burger, fries, a shot of bourbon and a pint of beer for only $ 16, If you love cheese and want to add on your juicy burger, it’s $ 2 more for that, great offer. I added aged cheese on mine and I loved it.
A cozy rustic British pub, well decorated with a lot of wood finished, so beautiful. Second floor has a few comfy big chairs and a gorgeous sofa next to the fireplace. My friend and I got so lucky to have that sofa after 30 mins wait.
There was another small bar upstairs, they have a lots of crafted beverages & some good local beers as well.
The service was excellent. I didn’t make a reservation and took a risk of a long wait. I told the hostess that I’m here for the first time to try their special. He was really helpful, he checked the list and told me to stay because a small group from upstairs is leaving soon. He made my day and I was really impressed because they were people lined up for dinner too but we got the best spot upstairs.
They serve high-​quality traditional British inspired comfort food with their amazing crafted beverages. I love it here and would like to share my great experience with ya’ll. I had a great dinner and really enjoyed my time at OWEN & ENGINE.

Not only is this the best burger I’ve had in Chicago, this is simply the best burger I’ve had.
I was very impressed all around with Owen & Engine. The service, food and recommendations were all amazing! My fiancé and I stopped by before a movie on a Saturday night, luckily we had a reservation a little before the dinner rush so we were seated very quickly. We split a scotch egg, order of mussels and the burger, all of which were phenomenal! Splitting the burger with all this food was perfect for us, I would love to have had more but definitely didn’t need it. We ordered the burger medium rare, which came out perfectly cooked. The burger was filling, but didn’t feel too heavy.
After a quick talk about bourbon, our waiter recommended an amazing glass which is now easily one of my favorites (High Mark Midwinter Night’s Dram). It accompanied our dessert perfectly, really great recommendation!
I can’t wait to come back!

One of the best burgers I’ve had! At peak times for lunch and dinner you could wait up to 30 minutes to an hour. I would definitely come back to try the other menu items.
Ambiance: It literally feels like you’ve walked in to an English pub. Its small and cozy and the acoustics of it don’t make it difficult for you to hold a conversation. Casual attire.
Food: Slagel Farm Beef Burger. The beef was so good, words can’t even describe. From the texture and the freshness, you just can’t go wrong. The fries were super crispy and the sauce that came with it was good as well, a bit on the sour side, but I believe its because its vinegar based.
Service: Our server was great, very attentive. The only thing I didn’t like is everytime I’ve been there it takes a while to get greeted by a host or a hostess.

Yey! This place rocks. How can you not enjoy this British comfort? As soon as I walked in, I felt I was entering a small pub in Britain. I was seated upstairs in a lovely room with polished wood tables everywhere and embellished walls. Our server (wish I remembered his name) did an excellent job through out our meal and knew the menu very well. To start, we ordered the Scotch Egg with stout mustard and it was delicious– perfectly packed with sausage and bread crumbs. For our entrees, my guest and I had to order the burger (I heard it was the best in Chicago) and I have to agree it is one of the best. As soon as I took my first bite, I could tell the meat was HIGH quality. The carmalised onions add a perfect tint of flavor and, although optional, the cheese on top was also a great addition. The fries were heavenly and the addition of garlic aioli is the frosting on the cake. I definitely will be back– I’m telling peeps about this place!

I lived less than a ten minute walk from Owen & Engine for one year and never got the chance to stop by until now (of course, after I’ve moved away). After stopping by for brunch I regretted not coming earlier because it was SO TASTY.
Jacqueline N. and I decided to split the ever famous scotch egg, the brioche french toast and the pan seared gnocchi (currently on their dinner menu but it was one of the specials for easter sunday brunch). The scotch egg was seriously to die for. Please give me 10 more eggs. Perfectly crispy on the outside, a flavorful layer of sausage, then the BEAUTIFUL, perfectly cooked egg in the center. Nothing gets better than that. Well, except for the next two things we ordered. The brioche french toast was just as delicious. It had the perfect balance between sweet, from the french toast and the maple syrup, and savory from the smoked ham, cheese, and egg. This was probably one of the most perfectly balanced dish I’ve ever eaten.
The pan seared gnocchi is also a must order dish. It was $ 20 which is its usual price at dinner but I thought it was well worth it even for brunch. The slight sear on the gnocchi gives it a nice little crunch and added texture just before your teeth sink into a fluff of dough. I just thought the gnocchi overall was too soft and could use a bit more bounce to it (this is just about the only negative thing I have to say). Otherwise, what I absolutely LOVED about the dish was the assortment of greens either cooked in with the gnocchi or used as a topping. Not to mention the cubed pork pieces added the perfect amount of saltiness to the dish.
Basically I would order every single item we got again and again. When I first arrived, I honestly didn’t know what to expect because I’ve never been a huge fan of English food yet O&E had such great to reviews. Now I fully understand the quality of good English food. Owen & Engine, I love ya!

I’ve been here twice so far and I really enjoyed the selection of beer they have at this place. The first time I came was to just have a small drink before the movies and the variety was beers they had for a English pub was great. I really enjoyed it.
The second time I came here was on a date. Well let me say they still had great beer, but little did I know that the food was indeed a bit pricey. The quality was good though I order some what of a asian fusion dish because they ran out of fish n chips at that time but it was fine. The asian dish was indeed intriguing the waiter spent no expense of giving me the details of why the chief did these types of food and that was in fact fun for me to learn.
So overall I believe great beer, awesome servers, and intriguing food. But just a bit pricey.

One of the better burgers I’ve had in Chicago. Big, juicy and delicious. A little heavy on the salt but made up for with the crispy bacon and cheddar. The fries were nothing special but a nice amount comes on the side. Overall, I really enjoyed the burger and the atmosphere was really chill and laid back.
The reason I gave this place 2 stars and not 4 was because the service was subpar. The server seemed pretentious and annoyed anytime we asked for anything and even worse, at the end, the bill came and we all split. I received my card total and paid my amount but when I checked my bank account, I was charged the entire amount. This seemed a bit shady since my slip indicated something different. I will not be returning for this reason alone.

I was told that this was one of the best burgers in Chicago, so I was there.
Before getting to the burger, let talk about the restaurant. It was a big place with a classic look. We were able to get a larger table for a group of 14 on a Thursday night so that was great. Free parking is limited around the restaurant but you can probably find some if you don’t mind walking a couple of blocks. Service was nice and quick.
Now the burger. I know everyone likes their burgers their own way – my must haves for any burger are a good bun to patty ratio, a flavorful patty, and some of type of condiment that brings things together. If you couldn’t tell already from my rating, this burger just didn’t do it for me. The burger comes with a large patty and caramelized onions. You can add an egg, bacon, and cheese. I chose to add an egg. To start, the bun to patty ratio was far too much into the patty side. There was probably more meat that bread. You might ask, how is that ever a bad thing? Well, I think if they split the one huge patty into two, it would have tasted better. The one big patty had little texture and left a soggy, soggy bun. Things would have been redeemed with a flavorful patty, but it was pretty bland. The caramelized onions were good but there was just nothing special about the whole thing.
There other food looked pretty good, but if you’re searching for the best burger in Chicago, the search continues.

Dang! It was awesome. Seriously, make some reservations here and then go see a movie across the street! The place is smaller so you probably won’t walk in.
The burger and and Scotch Egg is nuts! Drinks were really good too. Not much more to say. Parking nearby is minimal.
Just go!

After repeatedly failing to follow thru on my plans to hit this spot up I finally made it to this promiseland. An English-​style pub that was supposed to have one of the best burgers in the city. «Like I haven’t heard that before»! Inside it was warm, cozy, and inviting. After a short wait I finally snagged a seat at the bar. Since it was a Tuesday I got the Cheeseburger, Beer (in my case a cider was used instead), and a shot of Bourbon. Since I went primarily for the burger this review will reflect that experience.
Yeeeeeeeeeee Doggie! Hot damn! Why I am talking like a redneck from the south in an English-​Style pub in Chicago Im not sure. Ill get back ro you on that… That Burger was pure beast mode. A thick-​ass juicy patty from Slagle Farms with aged English Cheese. It was juicy, full of flavor, melt in your mouth goodness that made me happy hungry yummy in my tummy. This burger delight rivals Au Cheval, Lockdown, Paramount Room, if not «winning» as best burger in the city. Even more impressive there was no egg, bacon, sauce on it to try to enhance the flavor just a mad flavorful patty that balanced salty, savory, fatty components perfectly. It was accompanied by a cup full of fries that were also quite tasty!
When I patronize a particular establishment because I hear their burger is one of the best in the city and it not only meets expectations but surpasses them that is an easy 5* review in my book. In addition, they replaced the beer with cider and gave me good attentive service. I’m willing to go back any day. Let’s try that Scotch Egg.

Everybody in the party was punctual to our 8:30pm Saturday reservation with the exception to O&E. We had to inconveniently wait in the bar area until our table was ready at 9:30pm.
It was an unusually late hour for dinner so most of us were starving. We immediately attacked the menu and fired away with our appetizers and entrees upon seating. But little did we know, it would take them another 45 minutes to deliver the items.
To start off, we had the cheese board and cornish pasty. One of each was divided among nine of us. Not exactly an easy and satisfying effort, but it gave everybody a bite. I highly recommend the pasty as I think it’s one of the best in town. Within the warm, flakey and crusty shell held an abundant amount of shredded pork. Pair each bite with the piccalili, chutnry, and arugula, and you’ll have yourself a delicacy.
As for entrees, I had a try of the wild boar chop and haddock fish and chips. The chop is an ugly duckling by picture, but taste-​wise is well worth your attention. It’s finished in a mango soy glaze and accompanied with stir-​fried farro, charred carrots, and crispy duck egg. I would advise you to break the egg and let the yolk run across the plate. Sounds like a mess but it certainly gave the dish an extra level of goodness. There was only one slab of chop on the plate and the meat was slightly tough.
The fish and chips came with two dipping sauces, malt vinegar mayonnaise and sauce gribiche. The latter is a mayonnaise-​style cold egg sauce which I really enjoyed. The fish was well fried in beer batter and the meat was fresh, soft, and smooth. The fries were thin cut and standard.
Also, our server was quite a charmer. He knew we were celebrating our friend’s big 30, so he kindly and generously gave the birthday boy a dessert on the house. The cookies and milk were selected. Do not be deceived by its simple name. The chocolate cookies were freshly baked and intensely rich. If I wasn’t full from dinner, I would’ve happily gorged one piece. The milk should not be forgotten. With sea salt, cinnamon, chocolate, and drambuie, this was not your typical breakfast drink.
All in all, food and service excellent. But, with the lengthy delay in dinner, the plans for the rest of the evening were thrown off track. If you are coming into dinner without other obligations, then O&E would be the good, extensive affair to have. Otherwise, plan accordingly and leave yourself with a four hour window to be safe.