Unexpected surprises highlight deep bench of offerings at The Huddle Restaurant

DeKALB - A one-of-a-kind wrap and a zesty, perfectly fried Buffalo chicken sandwich highlighted the offerings at The Huddle Restaurant in DeKalb.

The high point of the burger stand’s offerings was most unexpected - the Mediterranean wrap features both chicken and beef mixed with veggies and specialty sauces. The flavors melded together perfectly for a unique taste. All the meat was prepared well and outpaced the standard gyro offered by most places.

The Buffalo chicken sandwich was also excellent, with a fried patty that was not greasy and was cooked just right. We ordered it mild for a younger palate, and it could be too tame for those expecting more of a kick. But it was on par with most mild Buffalo sauces, and although we did not try the hot sauce, that would obviously bring more heat.

The Huskie burger with its flavorful char was also a solid offering from the eatery. A half-pound burger, it featured two kinds of cheese and the place’s OMG sauce - one of two signature sauces offered. It had a very gentle kick, falling somewhere between a Thousand Island dressing and the kind of “Southwest” sauce large chains serve with onion rings.

They also offer a Wicked sauce, but we did not sample that one.

Another younger member of our party tried the cheese dog - a hot dog smothered in cheese sauce. While the dog was tasty, the cheese sauce was reminiscent of ballpark nachos at a little league game. But the dog itself stood out and probably is great prepared Chicago style, another offering on the menu.

The regular hamburger was overdone, which seemed more like a one-off issue given the caliber of The Huskie burger. The buns are of an incredibly high quality - either brioche or a ridiculously well-put-together regular bun.

The onion rings were a treat, sporting the thick batter you see in high-end make-at-home style frozen rings but with a much better crisp and better flavor.

But the real star of the side dishes was the fries. They didn’t come with any of the burgers, but are definitely worth a separate order. Their texture was perfect – just a really great experience from start to finish. The OMG sauce might be worth the extra upcharge if you’re a fan of those Southwest-style sauces. And although we didn’t try the Wicked sauce, I certainly would want to give it a chance, though both sauces would probably go better with the onion rings, as the fries definitely can stand on their own.

Overall, The Huddle is a great spot for those looking for a good burger joint in DeKalb amid a row of chains and sit-down restaurants – thanks to some really great and unexpected options.

• The Mystery Diner is a Daily Chronicle employee who reports on their experience at local restaurants. The diner’s identity is not revealed to restaurant staff when ordering or picking up the food. If the Mystery Diner cannot recommend the establishment, we will not publish a story.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: The Huddle Restaurant

WHERE: 817 W. Lincoln Highway, DeKalb,

PHONE: 815-758-8899

INFORMATION: www.huddledekalbil.com