Burgers are the classic all-American food.  There are millions of incarnations, from the mass-produced fast food burger to the gourmet burger with high end ingredients.  The options are endless.  While fancy burgers with unique ingredients are still going strong, old-fashioned burgers have been enjoying a renewed popularity.
Recently I had the opportunity to attend the opening of the newest Smashburger in Darien.  Not only did I get to try their burgers, I also got the chance to speak with Tom Ryan, the founder of Smashburger.  I also got to go into the kitchen …

For those living in the suburbs and tired of seeing all the typical chain restaurants, here is a unique dining option in St. Charles / Fox Valley area. The Townhouse Book Store and Cafe is absolutely adorable! – if there happens to be a wait (and the food is worth the wait), you can spend your time perusing the aisles of the bookstore where you can find just about anything in this small space!
On a nice day, you can expect a little bit of a wait on their small patio …