Get the Good Stuff at Good Stuff Eatery

Good Stuff Eatery, a casual burger joint that originated in Washington D.C., set up shop in Chicago in 2015. The franchise is led by Top Chef alum, Spike Mendelsohn, whose love for nostalgic, all-American foods came to life with Good Stuff Eatery in 2008. Fresh off Top Chef, he opened up a “recession proof” fast-casual burger spot that fulfilled his nostalgia but also made it an affordable option for diners.

From a basic cheeseburger ($6.75) to “Spike’s Sunnyside” ($6.98) with dairy fresh cheese, applewood bacon, farm fresh fried egg on a brioche bun with good stuff sauce, there is a burger option for everyone to enjoy. Add sides like hand-cut fries or chili and finish off with one of Good Stuff’s delicious hand spun shakes. The Toasted Marshmallow ($5.95) highlights the shake menu but don’t forget to ask about the shake of the month to indulge in a limited-time only ice cream dream. January’s shake is the Bananas Foster that diners can only get until the end of the month.

With its D.C. origin, Good Stuff’s menu stars two “presidential” sandwiches. The first location opened up on Capitol Hill in 2008, the week of former President Obama’s inauguration inspiring Chef Mendelsohn to create the “Prez Obama Burger”. The sandwich ($7.25) is topped with applewood bacon, onion marmalade, Roquefort cheese and horseradish mayo. The Obama inspired burger became so popular that then First Lady, Michelle, heard about it and wanted a burger of her own! With her passion for fitness and healthy eating in mind, Chef Spike created the “Michelle Melt”, a healthy take on a regular beef burger. The melt ($6.98) is a free-range turkey burger topped with caramelized onions, swiss cheese, ruby tomato, lettuce and wheat bun slathered with southlawn herb garden mayo. 

Good Stuff has launched a few new menu items for 2018 including the vegetarian Fried Green Tomato Sandwich: a corn-meal fried green tomato topped with arugula, avocado, goat cheese, cilantro and drizzled with a smoked chipotle honey all hugged by a Pennsylvania Dutch bun. Also added to the menu is a Cobb Salad with all the fixings: bacon, chicken, blue cheese, tomato, avocado and hard-boiled egg. 

Among opening up a new concept taqueria on Capitol Hill called Santa Rosa, Chef Spike has been busy opening up international locations for Good Stuff Eatery. The first worldwide location opened its doors in Saudi Arabia in 2017 and is going to be followed by an opening in Egypt soon. Cleveland, Ohio and Clearwater Beach, Florida spots are expected to open in the near future as well. Along with opening restaurants, Chef Mendelsohn is a Chef Ambassador for the CARE program, a part of the International Food Advocacy organization. As an ambassador, he travels to developing countries teaching natives best farming practices to get the most out of their crop every year and helps form co-ops in order to assist in bad crop years. On a national and local level, Mendelsohn works to pass legislature to improve areas where there are food deserts. He encourages companies to build stores in food deserts in order to improve health and nutrition as well as create local jobs.

Good Stuff Eatery is open Sunday through Thursday 11am-9pm and Fridays and Saturdays until 10pm.