Sept. 10--Corey Grupe, executive chef for Timothy O'Toole's (622 N. Fairbanks Court, 312-642-0700), will be participating in this year's Hamburger Hop, the burger competition that kicks off Chicago Gourmet every year.
This year's Hamburger Hop (which, sadly, is sold out), will take place Sept. 25; and in the meantime, Grupe is looking for help deciding which burger he'll produce at the event.
Timothy O'Toole's will feature five gourmet burgers, priced at $11 or $13 and available at lunch, brunch and dinner, through Sept. 25. The best-selling burger will be the one Grupe will use in the competition.
Maybe the chef thinks this will help him nail down the "People's Choice" award.
So which will it be? The Chicago Burger Hop, made with bacon jam, garlic aioloi, arugula and Lagunitas cheese? The Poutine Burger, with short-rib meat, cheese curds and a barbecue glaze? Old Smokey, with its chorizo, smoked gouda and avocado-chipotle spread?
There's also the Maple Kind, made with maple bacon, smoked cheddar, braised apples and a sweet-potato-bourbon aioli; and the Little Timmy, featuring cheddar, jack, swiss and mozzarella (I guess that would be "extra extra" cheese), bacon and barbecue sauce.
Phil Vettel is a Tribune critic
