Photography sourced from Facebook and Yelp.
Albany Park's quiet overachiever — a family-owned sports bar whose smashburger has earned a place in the 'Best Burgers in Chicago' conversation, with a 4.8-star Google rating and praise from The Infatuation, chibbqking, and Burger Boyz.
Photography sourced from Facebook and Yelp.
PrimeTime Bar & Grill opened in 2023 on W. Lawrence Avenue in Albany Park, built around a simple concept: a neighborhood sports bar serious enough about its smashburgers that the food earns its own audience. Family-owned and resolutely local, PrimeTime planted its flag in one of Chicago's most underserved burger neighborhoods and quickly earned recognition from food media that wasn't there for the game.
The Double Smashburger starts with 80/20 beef seasoned with PrimeTime's house spice blend, smashed on a flat-top with thinly sliced onions that steam then caramelize into the patties during cooking. The result — per chibbqking — is crispy edges 'as crisp as a potato chip.' American cheese, grilled onions, pickles, and PrimeTime sauce round out the build on a toasted sesame bun. The smashburger fries (two chopped patties, cheese, grilled onions, jalapeños) are a signature that The Infatuation specifically called out as a must-order.
PrimeTime is primarily a sports bar. The Smash Score reflects the Double Smashburger and burger-specific food coverage, not the full bar or game-day experience.
Even if you could care less about what game is on, the smashburger creations at this Albany Park sports bar are worth checking out.
the smash burgers at PrimeTime Bar & Grill are fantastic and need to be included in the 'Best Burgers in Chicago' discussion.
This family owned sports bar on Lawrence opened about six months back and has stayed relatively under the radar despite putting out a fantastic burger.
the smashburgers are good enough to draw in those with no skin in the game
PrimeTime is RIGHT. Quality beer and a burger that knocked my socks off. Got the spicy smash; beautiful lace, great flavor, and simple where it counts.
The flavors and texture in this burger were amazing! Seriously. It was crunchy, salty, spicy, and a little sweet. Everything worked harmoniously.
Get their smashburger fries, which are loaded with two chopped-up patties, cheese, grilled onions, and jalapeños.