Three of the four plants that manufacture the ammonium hydroxide-treated beef have stopped production for 60 days after the recent public outcry. But a new website attempts (we think without success) to debunk your fears. more ›

In other news: there will be lines at all M Burger locations next Wednesday. more ›

McDonald's announced that they would no longer be selling beef treated with ammonium hydroxide - otherwise known as "pink slime." more ›

For the last few months, the internet has been all a-tizzy watching time-lapse photographs of a McDonalds hamburger failing to rot, despite sitting out on a counter for months and months at a time. Horrified consumers have wondered if the sheer artificiality of these foodstuffs make them incapable of decomposing. Salon and Comsumerist have both written stories explaining the "why" of the burgers - they don't have enough moisture, the bread has preservatives. Some burgers have sat for more than 10 years, though the current crazy was started as an art project by Sally Davies, who decided to take pictures of a happy meal every day until it rotted. It never did. more ›

M Burger, in the former chef's table seating area of Tru, has been doing good business in the near month its been open to the public. The combination of its catchy name, "secret" menu and location have drawn comparisons to that Holy Grail of burger chains, In 'N Out. More than one person has made that comparison to us when discussing burgers. No less an authority than Michael Nagrant declared in a recent NewCity column that M Burger served "probably the best fast food burger in the city." 'Course, that's like saying the Cubs are in contention on Opening Day. more ›

Last week, we visited the newly-opened DMK Burger Bar. A joint venture of Michael Kornick (mk) and David Morton, DMK aims to provide upscale burgers and accoutrements, made with grass-fed beef and a lot of wit and charm. While the experience had a few minor bumps, they are moving along through their opening jitters quite nicely. more ›

After a less-than satisfying experience with Five Guys, there's been some reluctance to throw a hat into the ring with another chain from out-of-state as the next big thing in burgers. The Counter Burger, a California-based chain whose Lincoln Park location has been doing brisk business since opening late last summer, unfortunately doesn't do the trick, either. more ›

From today's Tribune, Chris Borelli does a fine job interviewing George Motz, the man behind the film "Hamburger America" and its new companion book listing the top 100 burgers in the country. Like most on the East Coast, Motz thinks that Chicago is too "hot dog crazy", not to mention being hung up on "that stupid pizza thing," to have a hamburger identity. more ›