How To Celebrate National Grilling Month

Though the 4th of July is a pretty big deal in the United States, let's not forget another important American holiday – National Grilling Month. Also, celebrated in July, National Grilling Month is a month long celebration of all things, charcoal, meat and BBQ. You can pay homage to the charcoal flames at any of the local happenings below. Move over 4th of July, Grilling Month is on.

(Photo Credit: Castaways' Facebook)

(Photo Credit: Castaways' Facebook)

Castaways
1603 N. Lake Shore Drive
North Avenue Beach
Chicago, IL
www.castawayschicago.com
 
Guests can celebrate National Grilling Month this July with items from the grill and iced cold drinks at Castaways, located on North Avenue Beach. Enjoy grilled items like the Ranch Chicken Griller (Grilled chicken breast topped with provolone cheese and bacon, served on grilled Texas toast; $9.95), Castaways Signature Burger (Half-pound char burger, soft egg, grilled bacon, ham, cheddar cheese and Castaways sauce, served on a brioche; $12.95) and the Veggie Burger (Grilled veggie patty with lettuce, tomato and onion; $7.95).

Frontier
1072 North Milwaukee
Chicago, IL
www.thefrontierchicago.com
 
Indulge during National Grilling Month with The Frontier Burger featuring Butcher & Larder ground beef, Hook's 3-year cheddar, lettuce, tomato, red onion, house pickle, and smoked tomato ketchup on a brioche bun. This gem can be enjoyed for $13.
Kanela Breakfast Club
3231 N. Clark St.- Lakeview
1552 N. Wells St.- Old Town
Chicago, IL
www.kanelacafe.com
 
Grill lovers are invited to eat local during Grilling Month at Kanela in Old Town and Lakeview with their signature Tallgrass Beef Burger (aged cheddar, guacamole, romaine, tomato, red onion on a bun), available for $10. Kanela uses grass fed beef from Tallgrass Beef Company, which has certified farms throughout the Midwest.
 
Vegetarians can celebrate National Grilling Month with the Black Bean Burger topped with avocado, romaine, tomato, red onion and chili aioli, available for $10.
(Photo Credit: webergrillrestaurant.com)

(Photo Credit: webergrillrestaurant.com)

Weber Grill
River North, Lombard
and Schaumburg
www.webergrillrestaurant.com
 
Weber Grill restaurants (River North, Lombard and Schaumburg) salute National Grilling Month by adding the Veteran's Burger to the menu all month long with proceeds going back to Illinois' Operation Home Front.
 
Check out Weber's two 5 oz. seared Black Angus beef patties, cherry wood smoked bacon, lettuce, tomato, onion and American cheese stacked on a brioche bun.
 
For every Veteran's Burger purchased, Weber Grill restaurants will donate $1 to the organization.

Lauren Wulf LaRoche, CBS Chicago
 
Lauren Wulf LaRoche writes about living in Chicago on a budget on her website, A Poor Girl's Guide Chicago.