Schoop's Hamburgers (Munster Location)

My nomination is for a place that I suspect a lot of folks already think is a GNR--Schoop's Hamburgers. Schoop's is one of those places that even owners of the best burger spots in town speak of with reverence--for good reason. Open since 1948, expansion beginning in the 80's, Schoop's is a local chain with a lot of fans.

Interestingly, the LTH thread with the most Schoop's posts is titled: "Why doesn’t Schoop’s have a cult-like following?" http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=35124

Well, I'd argue that it does. Schoop's was one of the best recommendations I found on the Board without a doubt. I'd never had a burger like that and the crazy-good onion rings, crispy thick fries and rich shakes were instant favorites as well.

Some may dispute the consistency of some of the locations so I've narrowed the nomination to just the Munster spot--but, truth be told, I've had great meals at many of them, including St. John's, Highland, Whiting and Schererville. The main takeaway is, that this burger is a classic--no one does crispy edges quite like Schoop's--and it's the type of family owned, uniquely Chicagoland place that, to me, represents what GNRs are all about.

Here's what a few other LTH'ers have said (the first few quotes are from the main thread):

The first time I ate Schoops, I had just turned 30. You definitely don't need to grow up with it to love it. (Commbrkdwn)

Favorite griddled patty in the world, agreed. (Jefe)

…Schoop's makes one of the best burgers around. I don't think there are many places that come close in the griddle-cooked, crispy-edged category. (ReneG)

Incredible crispy edges with amazing beefy goodness. (c_bob)

Best burger of the day with the crispy exterior, moist interior (Gleam)
http://lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=528&start=450

Onion Rings Some of the very best I've ever had. They were battered, light and really crispy. (ronnie_suburban)
http://lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=36354

Bada bing bada bing! (Mikey)
http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=9280&start=240&sk=a&sp=322447

If you haven't been, you really should--less than 18 miles from downtown and well worth the trip! And, definitely, a GNR in my book!

Schoop's
215 Ridge Rd
Munster, IN 46321
(219) 836-6233

I couldn't be happier about this nomination. I've always been a big fan of Schoop's lacy griddled burgers, and so is the Chow Poodle. This is one of the rare places that both of us like. Though I've found a few of the other locations to be somewhat variable, the Munster location always delivers the goods. Schoop's for GNR? Yessssss.

Schoop's Mickey

3rd this nomination. A Three Floyds/Schoop's combo is one of my favorite 1-2 punches in the entire area. Those crispy edges are the best. Shakes are also great.

Great nomination! I fully support it.

=R=

Jefe wrote:Favorite griddled patty in the world, agreed.

^ what I said!

Schoop's for GNR, please!

However, I tend to frequent the Whiting location, since its an easy on/off of the Skyway on my route up north. Never had a bad one there, either. I hope my opinion counts towards the Munster branch.

I admit, I really didn't want to name a location, since I've primarily eaten at Schererville, Highland, Crown Point and St. John's. I've eaten at Munster once and Whiting once. I cannot say that my experience has varied significantly between any of them--I've had mostly great burgers (my favorite griddled burger, which is my preferred style usually, anywhere), fries, rings and shakes at all of them, with only the occasional hiccup--as you would with any restaurant anywhere. I just know that some people favor one location over another and didn't want it to become an issue with the nomination, so I narrowed it to Munster. I truly hope that if someone has had great experiences at other locations, they will share those as well and that they can be factored into the evaluation--otherwise even my experience, as the nominee, would be in question!!

I love this place.

A perfect GNR nomination.

A very long time ago, maybe pre-LTH, a few of the old-timers said on a good day Schoop's Mickey is probably a better burger than In-N-Out's 2X2 animal style, not that it's a competition or anything. Yet the chain seemed an enigma and a non-starter for what passed for Chicago food media in the days of broadsheets and listserves. It's nice to see this place known a decade later as a mainstream choice celebrated as a regional gem. Our group and Kevin Pang should be proud. Pretty solid 1st GNR for a fast food chain place.

Total honesty, I've never been to the Munster location--only the Orland Mall one. Even that isn't a half bad burger, better than Culver's, no doubt, and that's no slouch by chain standards. I'll have to get to Munster to confirm, but I think Schoop's is exactly the kind of thing GNRs are about.

I like Schoop's. I have eaten there a few times, and I won't hesitate to eat there again when I'm out that direction, but to be honest to me it is pretty, pretty good, just not Great.

On the other had, sometimes it's not all about me, and I have never met anyone who shares my opinion on the place, so I must be wrong here. If I had to vote on this place, simply based on the board enthusiasm alone I would say it must be a clear GNR, so my vote would go yes.

laikom wrote:I like Schoop's. I have eaten there a few times, and I won't hesitate to eat there again when I'm out that direction, but to be honest to me it is pretty, pretty good, just not Great.

On the other had, sometimes it's not all about me, and I have never met anyone who shares my opinion on the place, so I must be wrong here. If I had to vote on this place, simply based on the board enthusiasm alone I would say it must be a clear GNR, so my vote would go yes.

That's the conundrum when it comes to Schoop's. The locations are so inconsistent that it's tough to recommend the entire chain of Schoop's (plus, what business does a chain have in getting a GNR?), but as long as we're talking about the specific Schoop's in Munster, which arguably can be considered on its own merits being the flagship, I can support the nomination.

I was reminded once again last weekend when the Southside GNR Crawl opted to visit the Schoop's in Monee, where we were served dry, overcooked burgers and onion rings that were little more than sponges for the slightly past its prime cooking oil, just how inconsistent the other Schoop's locations can be. I've never run into any issues like this in Munster.

Before today, we'd only ever eaten at the Schoop's in Michigan City, which we've liked; today, Mrs. JiLS and I tried the Munster location because of this nomination. Clearly, this location has the better physical space and decor to match the style of the food. The burgers were good, the lacy edges were crispy, and the meat was juicy, but a little overdone and not seasoned very much, I thought, although I was able to remedy that with on-table salt and pepper. The vanilla malt was excellent, although I'm surprised that they make a big deal about using Edy's ice cream when they are located just blocks from Gayety's; these two kids really should get together and watch their malts get that much better. Maybe the chain has a contract with Edy's? Well, despite the minor reservations above, I certainly support the nomination of the Munster location of Schoop's for a GNR.

Wow, can't believe I missed this! I fully support this nomination; in fact, I ate there just last night. It was amazing: crispy and juicy Mickey burger, perfect curly fries, best cherry coke around. Love Schoop's, and I usually go to Munster and Highland, though I used to frequent St. John when I worked out there; I've had consistently amazing food at all three locations. If you don't get the soup on a regular basis, you should remedy that; especially at St. John, it's always really good.

About Edy's ice cream: even just a couple years ago, Munster used another brand, I want to say Valpo Velvet but I'm not positive. Why they switched is still a mystery to me, as well as a damn shame. However, the ice cream hiccup does not affect my wholehearted support for this nominee!