Empire Burgers & Brew
NapervilleFood Editor
Local team review
At 11:30 PM on a Saturday, with most of downtown shuttered, a double smash burger and a cold local IPA from the rotating tap felt like exactly what Naperville needed. The truffle fries are the quiet star — tossed in truffle oil and Parmesan while still screaming hot from the fryer, they disappear before the burger arrives. The bartender knew every pour on the 20-tap wall and steered us toward a Midwest pale ale that cut through the richness perfectly. This is an honest late-night bar that happens to serve a genuinely excellent burger.
About the Restaurant
Empire fills a specific need downtown: a burger that's built with care, a tap list that rotates with intention, and hours that stretch past midnight on weekends for the crowd that isn't done yet. The burgers are hand-formed and cooked to order, the Empire Classic with its tangy special sauce and crispy shallots is the default, and the wings are crispy enough to compete with dedicated wing spots. It's a neighborhood bar at heart, with a sports-friendly layout and a vibe that says 'stay for another round.' The late-night kitchen is a downtown rarity worth remembering.
Insider Tip
The late-night menu runs until close on weekends, after 10 PM, it's one of the only kitchens still firing downtown.
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Hours
Details
48 W Chicago Ave, Downtown
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