Bad Apple, Lincoln Park
20 people recommend, 16 warn against itvia r/chicagofood, r/chicago30 comments cited below
The comments cited below are a sample of the full tally across 14 threads.
What people say, in short
Bad Apple draws Chicago-wide burger opinions, including explicit mentions of the Lincoln Park branch. Supporters praise its substantial burgers and name the Elvis burger, while one praises a simply dressed version. Critics describe overcooked burgers, inconsistent visits and a decline from earlier experiences. Experiences from Northcenter or unidentified outlets should not be assumed to describe this kitchen, and the balance of praise and criticism is close.
Address
The Bad Apple, 658 W Belden Ave, Chicago, IL 60614
Nearby on this map
Other places on this map closest to Bad Apple, Lincoln Park, as the crow flies.
The evidence
Every point below is paraphrased from a real public comment, ordered by how much the community engaged with it. Caveats and negatives are kept in — follow any link to read the original for yourself.
- Recommendsu/kurisuti in r/chicagofood · Feb 2026
Says they love Bad Apple and recommends it alongside other picks.
- Recommendsu/blipsman in r/chicagofood · Oct 2026
Suggests Bad Apple as an answer to the burger request.
- Mixedu/SomeCountryFriedBS in r/chicagofood · Feb 2026consistency
Finds the food uneven but excellent when it turns out well.
- Caveatu/p739397 in r/chicagofood · Oct 2026consistency
Questions the earlier pick; says quality hasn't held up since a change in ownership.
- Recommendsu/benphoster in r/chicagofood · Feb 2026taste
Recommends the Northcenter Bad Apple and its Jake and Elwood burger with side fries.
- Caveatu/Marsupialize in r/chicagofood · Oct 2025consistency
Says Bad Apple hasn't been good for years.
- Caveatu/Whole-Concern-1794 in r/chicagofood · Oct 2025consistency
Feels the food has declined substantially since the business changed hands.
- Caveatu/commandercool724 in r/chicagofood · Oct 2026consistency
Says Bad Apple has declined since changing hands years ago; tried it three times without improvement.
Show all 30 cited comments
- Caveatu/Elobornola in r/chicagofood · Aug 2024consistency
Doubts Bad Apple belongs on best-burger lists and feels its quality has declined sharply.
- Caveatu/valgalder in r/chicagofood · Oct 2025taste
Agrees it was once top-tier, but says the last visit was severely underwhelming and won't return.
- Recommendsu/BiteMeHard67 in r/chicagofood · Oct 2025taste
Finds a simply dressed Bad Apple burger very good.
- Recommendsu/hermes_conrad94 in r/chicago · Jul 2024taste
Says the Elvis last supper dish is excellent.
- Caveatu/Ok-Butterscotch2321 in r/chicagofood · Oct 2025consistency
Found the Lincoln and Belden branch disappointing.
- Caveatu/camelCaseCoffeeTable in r/chicagofood · Aug 2024
Found the burger overcooked after a long wait.
- Caveatu/baloof1621 in r/chicagofood · Oct 2026taste
Says their last Lincoln Park visit had poor food and off-tasting beer, so doubts the praise.
- Recommendsu/FancySmoke81 in r/chicagofood · Feb 2026taste
Says Bad Apple's burgers are excellent.
- Recommendsu/bizllator in r/chicagofood · Feb 2026taste
Usually a smash fan, but still really likes Bad Apple's burger for occasional steakhouse cravings.
- Caveatu/chanceofsnowtoday in r/chicagofood · Oct 2025consistency
Two visits since the sale disappointed; suspects a meat change and got a cold, crumbling bun.
- Mixedu/SensibleBrownPants in r/chicagofood · Aug 2024value
Calls the old happy-hour beer-and-burger special the best thing, implying the current place is not as good.
- Mixedu/Gyshall669 in r/chicagofood · Feb 2026taste
Praises the burger but calls the ketchup awful.
- Recommendsu/johnnyscarecrow0126 in r/chicagofood · Nov 2025taste
Praises Bad Apple's Elvis Burger, saying it may have changed their life.
- Caveatu/awakeshieyow in r/chicagofood · Oct 2025consistency
Says the place never matched earlier quality after the sale and has cut corners on food and drink selection.
- Recommendsu/mike_stifle in r/chicagofood · Sep 2025taste
Says Bad Apple handles that style better; agrees with the parent.
- Recommendsu/ojosqnxven in r/chicagofood · Feb 2025consistency
Returns there whenever in the mood for a burger; finds each order consistent with past ones.
- Caveatu/DwarvenJarl in r/chicagofood · Aug 2024consistency
Says the place from years ago feels like a different restaurant now; used to be a favorite, rarely goes now.
- Recommendsu/lofono5567 in r/chicagofood · Jun 2024taste
Says they prefer burgers from places like Bad Apple over this spot's.
- Recommendsu/jjchivini in r/chicagofood · Oct 2025
Names the Lincoln Ave branch as a direct answer to the question.
- Mixedu/slp0923 in r/chicagofood · Aug 2024consistency
Long-time customer; says it has slipped with frequent order errors, though the burger is okay overall.
- Recommendsu/40DegreeDays in r/chicago · Jul 2024taste
Names it as their top choice and singles out one burger.
- Recommendsu/samir_katta in r/chicagofood · Jan 2025variety
Recommends the Lincoln Park branch for a more unusual burger.
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Freshness
Details last checked 11 Nov 2026. Recommendations reflect what people said at the time; confirm current details before you go.