One Good Sandwich: Hop Haus's Mini Game Burgers

By Chuck Sudo in Food on Mar 25, 2009 8:20PM

Monday night I met up with Gapers Block Editor/Publisher Andrew Huff after he'd reported that Hop Haus was opening a new location in Rogers Park, in the old Amphora/Gateway space at 7545 N. Clark. We were literally the first two customers in the place. This gave us some time to be able to speak to some of the Leona's corporate folk about their plans for the space and expectations as residents become aware that they're open.

It's been a while since either Huff or i had been to Hop Haus's River North location, so we were only slightly taken aback to see wild game mini burgers. Huff was the first to point out that the wild game burgers used to be the same size as Hop Haus's other gourmet offerings. Leona's corporate chef Ramiro Nunez told us that the decision had two purposes: sliders are popular, and the cost of wild game is expensive. By offering wild game minis, they're able to maximize profit margin with the meat.

I actually preferred the minis to Hop Haus's 1/2-pound gourmet offerings. The latter has too much in the way of toppings getting in the way of the flavor of the meat. The mini, not so much. I was able to actually taste my wild boar burger; Huff ordered lamb but was equally impressed. Moreover, Hop Haus's minis are like tweener sliders, falling somewhere in size between the offerings at Minnie's and a standard Top Notch beefburger. Hop Haus also offers their minis with ostrich or kangaroo. The deal of the menu is to order any three for $13.95.