'No Regrets': Edzo’s Burger Shop Ends Its 15-Year Run In Downtown Evanston

EVANSTON, IL — After 15 years of serving up some of the North Shore's most beloved burgers, Edzo's Burger Shop is set to close its doors for good in downtown Evanston.

Owner Eddie Lakin announced that Saturday would be the final day of service for the celebrated eatery.

Lakin opened Edzo’s in 2009 at 1571 Sherman Ave., turning a former pita shop into a North Shore burger institution. Since then, his two children have grown from toddlers to teens, he said in a social media post.

“My life is in a different place than it was back then, it’s time to regroup and reassess. It’s been a really good run,” Lakin said.

Known for its fresh, hand-ground burgers, house-cut fries and classic milkshakes, Edzo’s has earned a loyal following among college students and beyond.

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While the closure is definitive for the current location at 1571 Sherman Ave., Lakin said he hoped for a potential return elsewhere.

“I’ve been looking for new locations for a while and have a couple possibilities, but nothing for sure," he said.

Over the years, the shop drew praise for its dedication to quality ingredients and simple execution, winning accolades from food critics and national publications.

The Daily Meal named it among the best in the country, Zagat Guide once called it the best in Chicago and Patch readers have repeatedly voted for Edzo's as the best burgers in Evanston.

After taking a seven-month pause during the COVID-19 pandemic, Edzo’s remained a local favorite after its reopening in September 2022.

In his heartfelt post on Tuesday announcing the impending closure and thanking the Evanston community, Lakin said he had been blessed to have its support over the years.

"We will miss all the people that have passed through our doors, employees, customers, vendors, every relationship I’ve formed over the years has been meaningful," Lakin said.

"I’ve tried every day to live my values and run Edzo’s in a way that’s been true to my principles and I’m so grateful that the Evanston community afforded me the opportunity to do that successfully for 15 amazing years. No regrets," he added. "I wouldn’t change a thing."