Dining out is a luxury nowadays, especially if you have several mouths to feed. But MadHouse Burgers, a brand-new burger joint in Duluth’s Mount Royal neighborhood, offers delicious food the whole family will love at a great price.
Here, their smash burgers start at just $7.99, and there are $4 beers available every day. So you could grab a fresh burger and a beer for about $12 before tax, which is a great value in today’s economy.
MadHouse specializes in hot, juicy smash burgers. It also offers other options like a walleye basket, chicken tenders, chicken sandwiches, and grilled cheese. Sides include tots and fries.
And because of their partnership (and shared location at 1608 Woodland Avenue) with Chilly Billy’s, frozen yogurt with many flavors and toppings is on the dessert menu!
History
Before we dive into MadHouse, let’s back up a bit. Before MadHouse came Chilly Billy’s, a frozen yogurt business founded by Bill Marker in 2011.
Its original location was in the vibrant, eclectic Minneapolis neighborhood known as Dinkytown. In 2014, it expanded to Duluth.
In November 2023, two Duluth businessmen, Andrew Weisz and Adam Daoust, purchased Chilly Billy’s and have had great success. In addition to the Duluth site, they have recently opened a new location in Superior.
For a time, Chilly Billy’s served breakfast and lunch out of the Duluth location. But recently, Weisz and Daoust decided to pivot. They opened MadHouse Burgers, which operates out of the same Duluth space, on April 26, 2025.
Vibe
I would describe the vibe at MadHouse as modern minimalist. The color scheme is primarily black and white, with glossy white tiles behind the bar, black booths, and decorative accents. The floor is a light-colored wood.
The restaurant is decorated with uniquely modern light fixtures, including a neon sign or two. A few interior posts are even wrapped in greenery, giving the space a fresh look. Seating includes booths, tables, and bar seating.
MadHouse is a fast-casual restaurant. You stand in line to place your order, and then the staff bring it to your table. Although the interaction with the staff is not as intimate as in a traditional restaurant, our experience was enjoyable.
We interacted with Amayah Littlewolf-Daoust, the general manager who handles just about every task within the restaurant. She was very friendly and helpful and answered all our questions.
On the evening we dined (a Friday around 5:30 p.m.), the restaurant was hoppin’. Our fellow diners included couples, families with young kids, and groups.
Food
MadHouse Burgers specializes in “smash burgers,” a type of burger with a thinner patty flattened (smashed) onto a hot griddle or pan. This gives the patties a distinctly crispy, caramelized exterior while staying juicy on the inside.
MadHouse offers several varieties, including the Mad Classic, Cheesy Smash, Bacon Cheesy Smash, Pulled Pork Smash, Southwest Smash, and Jalapeno Popper Smash. The menu also includes chicken strip baskets, walleye baskets, a chicken sandwich, and grilled cheese. Sides include fries and tots.
We decided to sample the namesake item and each opted for a burger. Mike chose the Mad Classic. From the menu:
The Traditional Hamburger
The Mad Classic brings it back to the basics in the best way possible. We start with a fresh, never-frozen beef patty smashed and seared on a hot griddle to lock in all that juicy flavor. Then, we top it with crisp pickles, tomatoes, and lettuce, all stacked on a perfectly toasted bun.
It’s everything you want in a classic burger: bold, beefy, and built to satisfy: no frills, no fuss, just real-deal burger goodness done the Madhouse way.
This burger is exactly as described. The two meat patties were well-seasoned and crispy on the edges, and the bun was soft and toasted to perfection. The pickles, tomatoes, and lettuce added a delightful crunch and extra flavor.
I chose the Cheesy Smash. From the menu:
The Traditional Cheeseburger
Love cheese? This one’s for you. The Cheesy Smash takes our classic seared smash patty and cranks up the comfort with double the melty American cheese, layered between a toasted bun and topped with lettuce, pickles, and tomato. It’s rich, gooey, and ridiculously satisfying, basically a cheeseburger’s cheeseburger.
This two-patty burger, loaded with cheese, was gooey, salty, and full of flavor, with a satisfying crunch from the lettuce, pickles, and ripe tomato. If you are craving a classic, juicy cheeseburger, this one hits the spot.
Your feelings about the portion sizes will depend on your appetite. While Mike polished his off, I cut mine in half and took part of it home.
For sides, French fries and tots can be ordered four different ways:
Traditional (classic salt)
Ranch (cool and savory)
Cajun (a little heat, a lot of flavor)
BBQ (sweet, smoky, and bold)
Mike chose the traditional fries, which were golden, beer-battered, and crisp with a soft interior. I chose the traditional tots, which had a great seasoned-salt flavor, a crunchy exterior, and a fluffy inside. The portions of both were very generous.
Dipping sauces are available upon request. I opted for the southwest sauce, which was smoky with just the right amount of spice. It was a great accompaniment to both the burger and the tots.
Beverages
MadHouse’s rotating tap list features local brews, easy drinkers, and crowd favorites that pair perfectly with a smash burger. I went with a local favorite, Castle Danger Cream Ale, brewed in Two Harbors.
This easy-drinking beer features a soft, malty aroma, a slightly sweet, creamy texture, and a balanced bitterness. It is a refreshing, light beer that finishes smooth and clean. It paired well with the rich, salty meal.
Mike chose the Wyder’s Pear Cider, a tangy, crisp, fruit-forward cider. Its light sweetness was a nice complement to the savory food.
Service
MadHouse does not offer traditional table-side service. However, everyone we encountered was friendly and helpful.
Verdict
MadHouse Burgers is a much-needed addition to Duluth’s Mount Royal neighborhood. With affordable food and drinks in a cozy setting, it is a great place to grab a burger and beer after work or bring the family for dinner any night of the week.
With many kid-friendly choices and a self-serve fro-yo bar, it is a great option for families. The vibe, menu, and low prices make it a solid choice for college students.
Make sure to save room for dessert!
For more information, visit Duluth Burgers and Beer—MadHouse Burgers & Beer | Duluth, MN, or find them on Facebook or Instagram.
