After what felt like 5 years to try this place, I FINALLY got to try the famous burger here! Spark notes: this place is definitely worth the wait! My friend and I dedicated a day where we would just put our name down and however long it took we would wait haha. We drove into the city which took and hour and we put our name down and waited an hour before we were called. The weather was great so we just walked around the west loop area. We started with a half size of the green salad and a half size of the roasted bone marrow. The house salad is super refreshing. A lot of vinegar in the dressing which I personally really like. Also tasted some fennel which was an interesting flavor. The roasted bone marrow is the winner of the night. I would come back to Au Cheval for this alone. It was paired with a thick slice of Texas toast and a beef cheek marmalade and it is seriously the PERFECT balance of flavors. Fatty. Sweet. Buttery. Literally insane and this is a must order! Then came the famous burger. My friend and I each ordered a single cheeseburger with the egg and bacon added. Something to note is that the single cheeseburger actually has 2 patties and the double cheeseburger has 3 patties (3/4lbs of beef). The presentation itself is beautiful and makes you just not want to eat it haha. The burger itself is so decadent and hefty with the burger patties, cheese, egg and bacon. I'll be honest, I needed some more pickles or just something to cut all the fattiness of the burger. There were pickles in the burger and it is served with a huge pickle spear. But I still was itching for some more bitterness/acid to balance the flavors. It was so decadent, I couldn't finish it all. All in all, I would definitely come back and order the burger again and would recommend it to anyone! We ordered a side of fries which came with their garlic aioli. The fries were cooked to perfection. Super crunchy on the outside and nice and soft on the inside and piping hot! The garlic aioli is perfect and have no notes for it. We also were treated to a vanilla scoop with chocolate sauce which was the perfect cap to our meal! Our waitress was so friendly and my friend and I loved her! She was so sweet and genuine. Hog Salt restaurants never fail with their service! read more

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Au Cheval is likely the most coveted restaurant destination for out-of-towners. "Best Burger" "it's so delicious with the egg" "I'm glad you're ending your trip with Au Cheval". I'd like to throw in my own quote into the gauntlet: "it's ok". It sounds harsh but Our burger patty was noticeably dry. The bread... was also dry. The egg and bacon add-ons were good but as a whole, the burger was missing the core aspect. The bread being dry I can justify by knowing that Au Cheval makes it a point to make everything gluten-free (or so someone told me). I think that's cool but not necessarily what I came looking for. I actually noticed prior to our trip from photos that the buns looked noticeably arid but I gave them no heed because of all of the praise. And I can give them the benefit of the doubt that we were there on a Sunday night, so potentially not the most quality inventory (although I personally don't think that's a great excuse). The service and the ambiance were on point! If you're wondering if there's a required attire (no shorts or flip flops) I wouldn't fret, the atmosphere is a lot more casual despite self-describing as an "intimate" setting. It's definitely more intimate than a normal burger restaurant, with dim lighting and isolated booths but what you're wearing isn't going to dictate how other guests and staff feel. I would cover up anyways just cause there was ac running. I told my friend who moved from Nyc to Chicago and he said he felt the same. And one of our couple friends were surprised to hear the patty being dry, so... off day? read more

Au Cheval - Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Au Cheval absolutely lived up to the hype. We were quoted a 45-minute wait, and it ended up being almost exactly 45 minutes, which gave us time to explore the area. Once our table was ready, we were seated right away. The restaurant is on the smaller side, so seating is limited and it can get crowded, but it honestly adds to the lively atmosphere. From the moment we sat down, our server was amazing. He was incredibly attentive, walked us through the menu, and explained that the "single" cheeseburger is actually a double patty, while the "double" is actually a triple. He also recommended ordering the bone marrow and saving the jam that comes with it to spread on the burger, a little "Au Cheval hack" that many regulars apparently swear by. We tried it, and it made the burger even more flavorful. I also highly recommend adding the fried egg to the burger. It gave it a rich, creamy texture that brought everything together perfectly. Despite being such a simple burger, the quality of the ingredients and the balance of flavors made it one of the best burgers I've had in a long time. The service from everyone: the host stand to our server was exceptional. And while I didn't order the wings, several tables around us did, and they looked and smelled incredible. They're definitely on my list for my next visit. I'll absolutely be back. read more

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Au Cheval is a rusty diner that serves a good burger. What makes their burgers unique is the peppered bacon: it's hand-cut in-house and is as thick as their burger patties. Their "single" cheeseburger is actually a double cheeseburger, and their "double" cheeseburger is actually a triple -- makes no sense, but that is their naming convention. Bacon is extra. Fried egg is extra. Even fries is extra. I got a "double" cheeseburger + bacon + fries and it ended up being $40, which is a lot for burger and fries (1 star off). I enjoyed my bacon burger, but probably would hit another delicious and heart attack-inducing burger joint next time given the hefty price tag here. Need to save enough money for that cardiac bypass. read more

Au Cheval - Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Au Cheval lives up to the hype. They only cooked the burger one way and I would say it's probably something along the lines of a medium. The single is actually a double patty burger and a double is actually a triple patty burger I went with the double and added the egg and the bacon, which I understand is the most classic. I was afraid the bacon would be a little tough, but he was absolutely not. He was closer to pork belly and just pulled apart easily. The hashbrowns were a bit salty for my taste, but were perfectly crispy and a little cheesy it seemed. Keylime was very good too. If I were to return, I would do the burger, the same get the Keylime and maybe try a different side. For sure a return. read more

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(Kari's Rating 8.5/10) TLDR: -Reservations encouraged -A La Carte recommendation -Single burger = 2, double burger = 3 patties I made a reservation about two weeks ago, and we were finally checking in on a Monday around 6:15pm. We opted to Uber there as there's not a lot of CTA options that worked with our timing. Because it was a Monday, we really didn't feel like drinking, so we ended up getting a crisp Diet Coke. We both ended up getting a single burger with bacon, and my friend decided to add avocado. So it's been a few years since we've been here, and truthfully, it was exactly like I remembered. It was juicy, and the perfect ratio of meat to bun. read more

No good vegan options :( I got the green salad and added avocado (paid extra just for 30% of an avocado) and extra dressing. Overpriced salad for sure. Also the outdoor seating was horrible. No umbrellas so we were melting under the hot sun the whole time. My friends enjoyed the fries but said the burger lacked veggies. read more

Au Cheval - Salad - Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Au Cheval in downtown Chicago has a nice location. It is not too far from the L/CTA. The ambiance was excellent. The place appeared charming, rustic, and quaint while surprisingly and strikingly providing an air of an urbane disposition and smooth metropolitan bearing. It was like a paradox of impressive aesthetics. I went there for the burger. At the time, I read it was the best burger in the USA. Naturally, I felt inclined to try it. We were seated right away when we got to the restaurant. We went during a weekday, however. It was a bright, sunny, and warm day. I got one their cheeseburgers with pretty much everything, including bacon and egg. We got fries. I also got a ginger beer. I was grateful for my food and thanked God for it in the Name of the Lord Yeshua. May everyone have an excellent day. read more

The infamous burger they say. I say regular burger. Nothing to write home about but was solid. Very busy and offers only walk up reservations. read more

Au Cheval - Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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We were heavily recommended this place by a friend and boy it was worth it. We showed up on a Sunday around noon, only had a 45min wait, which was not bad at all compared to our original attempt on Friday night! We were seated near where I could watch the line work, which I appreciated as someone in the food industry. Our server was extremely friendly and helpful, explaining the quirks of the menu as well as his own suggestions for us to try. The burgers themselves were amazing. Easily in my top 5 favorite restaurant style burgers of all time. The tender peppered bacon is the perfect touch for these burgers. If you can withstand the wait, it's truly a wonderful time at Au Cheval. read more

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It's burger time! I was so excited to come experience the Au Cheval burger. I must tell you, I love burgers, but I love big juicy flavorful burgers. The patties here, are very thin. They put a double patty, with the delicious caramelized, bacon and egg. It makes up for the tiny little patties that you experience with your burger. The service is outstanding. I'm gonna tell you, quick and very efficient. I really wanted to like these thin, tiny patties, but I just couldn't. However... I always like me some skin on french fries. read more

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Best.Burger.Period! You need to come here as soon as they open, no reservation.. you need to get in line/waitlist. read more

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Au Cheval does not need anymore positive reviews and is a classic staple of Chicago, and one of my favorite burgers of all time. You will need to either come off hours for a shorter wait, or be prepared to wait for several hours. It's nice that you can be texted when your table is ready, because there are so many other restaurants and bars you can kill time at before coming back for your beloved burger. A warning that the standard burger already comes with two patties, so if you get an extra patty it is a total of 3. Definitely add the delicious thick cut peppered bacon to the burger (and I am not even usually a bacon person), and the egg if you want a bit of extra goo. We've also tried the fried chicken which was delicious, but if your mind is set on just burger, I'd recommend sticking to that. If you are with a small group that wants a bit of variety and is willing to share burgers, I'd recommend adding the chicken. read more

Au Cheval - Standard burger with added bacon + egg - Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Enjoyed lunch here when we touched down in Chicago. The restaurant was quite busy, which is always a good sign. The inside of the restaurant is a bit compact, but super friendly. Great music was playing the entire time, which had me rocking in my seat. Our server was super nice and helpful with the menu. We went for the single cheeseburger and the bologna sandwich. Both were good, but the burger waa wAaay better in my opinion. A must try, and you only need a single. We added bacon, with the egg, Soo good. I took off one star because I think the burger is a bit pricey, and the bologna wasn't all that. Otherwise this place was legit and I'd definitely return. read more

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Really solid burger. Would give the burger a 4.4 out of 5. It can get busy so you can reserve for approx 2.50 a person. Or you can go off peak around 430 and there is a short wait on weekdays. We ordered single cheeseburger, but keep in mind it comes with two patties. The thick cut bacon is an additional 6.99. You can also add a fried egg. We opted not to get the egg as it can get messy. The burger is a hearty, meaty burger especially with the bacon. It is for burger purists who want meat, bread, and cheese. There are a few toppings and sauce inside but it gets overshadowed with each meaty bite. The meat patties are perfectly cooked and the bun is sturdy enough to hold up to the meat and toppings without falling apart. The side pickle is a must have and is included because you will need some acid to cut through the meatiness of the burger. It was worth it because we did not wait very long. However if I had to wait an hour or two i would say come back another time. We did not try the bone marrow which is what seems to be very popular here but given the order of 4 hamburgers and fries we knew it would be too much food for a group of 4. Service was great. Interior was great. My only request is that the music be turned down just a little bit because it is quite loud inside. read more

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Au Cheval was solid overall. The burger absolutely lived up to the hype, and the fries and root beer were great as well. I deducted a star because of the service. Our waitress forgot to put in our appetizer order, which is understandable and mistakes happen. After we finished our burgers, she brought us our check. We kindly reminded her that we were still waiting on our chicken to come out. She apologized and said she would bring us an order of chicken to go. She comped the chicken, which I appreciated. However, as tourists, we were looking forward to enjoying the full meal in the restaurant. Since there were several open tables at the time, it felt a little strange to be encouraged toward takeout instead of being able to stay and enjoy the appetizer there. Having to walk to the hotel with the chicken also noticeably affected the quality and overall experience. Overall, the food was great, but the service experience kept it from being a five-star visit. read more

Au Cheval - Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This is my husband's death row meal. He's obsessed with the bacon on the burger and tells everyone about it. We usually go on Saturday nights and it's almost always a 3 hr wait but every time it's worth it. read more

Au Cheval - Au cheval burger with egg and bacon, fries - Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I think im no longer a fan of burgers so I cant review based on the burger alone but it was cooked well. Both the bone marrow and rootbeer were fantastic and the savory salty slightly acidic jam really elevated the dish. read more

Au Cheval - Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Amazing burger! The vibe is so cute and even though there is typically a wait there are so many cute bars around it to have a drink while you wait. read more

Au Cheval - Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

One of my students, who was from Chicago, highly recommended Au Cheval to me. He actually recommended it for their cocktails being that it was one of the best places he's had a bourbon drink. After doing my own research I found that it was recognized as having one of the best burgers in America. For that alone I had to try the place. Au Cheval was my first stop after flying into Midway. I knew that the place didn't take reservations, so I gambled with the fact that I was dropping by on a Monday night. No way that the place would be busy. Boy, was I wrong. I arrived around 7:30pm and the place was packed. I put myself on the waitlist and thankfully they add you to an automated system where you get texted when your seat is almost ready. I went to the bar next door thinking I was going to be there for a while, but I really only waited for 15-20 minutes. When I checked in, one of the front desk hostesses kindly offered to hold my luggage for me. They must get that a lot, because they have a whole ticketed coat check system. I had a seat at the bar where service was great and vibes were everything. I was feeling the old school hip hop instrumentals while waiting shortly for my food and drink. My server was friendly and helped to offer modifications that worked to my dietary preferences. I don't eat pork, which I understood was a very popular add-on to the burger, so he suggested I try it with foie gras as the next best thing. I got a single cheeseburger (comes with 2 patties) and added a sunny side egg and foie gras. I thought the burger was delicious. It was so flavorful and well seasoned, and the egg and foie gras gave the burger extra richness. The burger sans add-ons was $30, so it came out to ~$44 with everything. Was it really worth that price? Debatable. That said, I would still recommend this place and want to try their chilaquiles! read more

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While still a four-star burger for me, subtle changes have made it not quite the best anymore. The patties are smaller and the bun is different now. I was even there the day the bun changed and the cooks and manager were impressed I noticed--it's like McDonald's changing the Big Mac sesame seed bun! There's some things you just don't do. The bologna sandwich is very salty and garlicky, not quite as balanced as the original. On the plus side, service is still pretty good, and the fries are excellent, along with the well-made cocktails and tasty chicken. While three-hour waits will ensure a disappointing meal, I've noticed the wait has been more reasonable as the hype has died down. 3.75 stars overall read more

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Stopped by Au Cheval in Chicago this past weekend for my birthday trip with my girls and it was honestly one of the best burgers I've had. The Single Cheeseburger comes with 2 patties with the addition of their bacon and egg. Highly recommend this spot for a quick bite! It is a small bar spot with tight seating but it really wasn't a bother. read more

Au Cheval - Single Cheeseburger Thick Cut Peppered Bacon Farm Egg - Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I am not by any means someone who goes out of their way for a burger, let alone craves one. I would equally be pressed to give an establishment 5 stars solely for a burger but this place defies all odds. Au Cheval was recommended to me during a work trip and I am SO glad I gave it a shot. Easily the best burger I've ever had, so much that I ordered it twice during my stay. Would highly recommend, their burgers are life changing. read more

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Went to Small Cheval and Au Cheval back to back on consecutive days. Both were fabulous. We went to Au Cheval when they opened on a Monday and only had a 15-minute wait. I don't know that I would wait 4-5 hours to eat here, yet it was delicious! We each ordered burgers, as well as shared fries and hash browns. The hash browns were a bit too crispy for my tastes, but still good. Others in our party loved them. The burgers were cooked to perfection and the taste out of this world! As busy as they were, the food is served fast and the portions filling! Isa was a great server and made sure our drinks were always topped off. read more

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I have been wanting to go to this place since 2025 and I finally got to go today. The wait time for a single person at the bar was one hour. I was grateful for the young lady hostess, who took my name and monitored my wait time. Sorry I didn't get her name, but she was great once I finally made it in. Antonio was my server and he was great very fast and efficient and friendly. I already knew what I wanted because I looked at the menu and didn't want to waste time because I was not going to pay for additional parking. I sat at the bar and was able to see the cooks and the bartender with their magic. The environment was very busy very fast paced. Understandable as you should know what you want for the wait time that there is take the time to look at the menu, I got the single burger, which was explained to me as a double burger and the double burger was a triple burger and I got fries with the aïoli sauce. The food was amazing and truly worth the wait. I also had a French martini, which didn't sit well with me and that was totally my fault. I had a slight incident, but Joey was amazing and I'm grateful that he was there. As well as another young lady server. They both were truly lifesavers. read more

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Finally made it to Au Cheval and it lived up to the hype. The staff was great, and Natalia especially stood out--very polite and patient with everyone waiting to get on the waitlist, which made the whole process feel smooth even during a busy time. Started with their root beer on tap and it was excellent. My friend and I split a single cheeseburger and a double cheeseburger with egg so we could try both. After tasting both, I'd probably go with a single cheeseburger and add egg and their bacon next time--that combo seems like the sweet spot. The ambiance was great--definitely crowded, but still enough room to wiggle around and move without feeling packed in. Bathrooms were gender neutral, which was nice and convenient. Parking was easy with street parking nearby, and since I went on a Monday Randolph wasn't too hectic. Overall a solid burger spot, and I can definitely see why it consistently lands in the top 5 burger spots in the city. Now I'm curious how different Small Cheval is compared to the original. read more

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The vibes were amazing. Dim lighting, great loud music, and a fun energy without feeling chaotic. Solid 8/10 atmosphere. Service felt a little off at first, probably because our original server was about to leave, but once we switched, everything was fine. 6/10. Now the burger... it might actually be one of the best I've had. It tasted familiar, like something you could make at home, but somehow still fantastic and delicious. Adding the bacon and egg made it perfect. Everything went so well together. 9.5/10. Yes, it's around $29 which is kinda wild, but it really is that good. The roasted marrow bones were incredible. The sweet onion jam with the toast was such a good combo. 9.5/10. The cocktail was plain and felt like it was missing something but it was still delicious. 8/10. The cheeseburger is definitely worth the hype and get the bone marrow too! read more

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This venue is perfect for both elegant breakfasts and memorable parties. Breakfast is beautifully presented, fresh, and flavorful, creating a refined start to the day. For gatherings, the space is stylish and welcoming, with attention to detail that makes every event feel special. The staff is attentive and professional, ensuring that both meals and celebrations go smoothly. A wonderful choice for anyone looking to combine great food with a sophisticated atmosphere. read more

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Best burger in the city (so far) - definitely recommend adding the eggs + bacon, which was the highlight of the meal. Meat was cooked perfectly. We just walked around West Loop while waiting for ~1.5 hours on a Saturday afternoon, so the time went by pretty quickly. Definitely worth the wait! read more

Au Cheval - Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Best fries and burger I've ever had. Add the egg and bacon as well- it's worth it. Expensive but worth it. read more

Au Cheval - Single Cheeseburger - Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Au Cheval has a reputation for its delicious burgers and long lines. Luckily enough, I came right when they opened for lunch and was able to get a table immediately. Fun fact about the burgers here--a single burger has two patties, a double has three, and so on. I came hungry, so I was pleasantly surprised that my single cheeseburger has two patties in it. The burger itself was very enjoyable BUT I wouldn't say that it was mind blowing my any means. I added an egg which enhanced it, but dare I say, this burger wasn't even close to one of the best I've had. Coming from California, my husband made a comment saying that while it's good, In n Out is better (which although In N Out makes an amazing burger, it's fast food so we didn't think the two would be comparable). So while we enjoyed our meal, we were underwhelmed by the food. On the positive side, service here is extremely friendly! The vibes here are cool too because it's like a lux diner. So would I recommend this spot? Maybe if there's no line. But absolutely not if I had to wait more than 10 minutes. read more

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I have tried a lot of burgers but nothing has topped Au Cheval. I can never quite finish one but every single bite is packed with flavor. It seriously hits every taste bud. Adding the pork belly and egg takes it to another level. The space is cozy and intimate but be prepared to wait. It can be anywhere from 30 minutes to a couple of hours. Your best bet is to put your name in and wait for the text alert. Thankfully Small Cheval spots are around when I need a quicker fix. As for parking it is a bit tight with valet street parking and nearby lots as your options. read more

The staff here are so friendly. They were always laughing and smiling. They answered all our questions and was able to make recommendations based on our answers. We decided to try the famous bone marrow, a double cheese burger and classic fries. Surprisingly, a single burger is actually a double patty burger. And a triple patty is actually a triple patty. The ambiance was a relaxed chilled bar vibe. They had bar seating and booth seating. read more

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10/10 recommend! From the moment you walk in, the customer service is on point. The staff is super attentive and really knowledgeable about the most popular items. They even offered me an off-menu burger with a single patty (instead of the standard double), which I appreciated. I also loved the classic, vintage vibe of the restaurant. We sat at the bar and got to watch the chef work thanks to the open kitchen concept. And let's talk about it: the burgers and fries were amazing, and the cocktails were absolutely top-tier. If you're in the Chicago area, you have to check them out! read more

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Root beer on draft and sitting at the bar watching all the cooking magic happen! The kale caesar salad is always good and my go to burger is the classic single cheeseburger. My husband loves to add bacon to his burger too. Service is always friendly, and we were seated right away when we walked in. Ambience is casual and cool inside. read more

Au Cheval - Root beer on tap - Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Probably the most overrated restaurant in Chicago. Stale fries, the salad looked and tasted like there were literal grass clippings in it. The chicken was dry and overcooked to the point that it was inedible - couldn't even chew it. Bad and slow service despite it being a very small space, certainly felt the bums rush from the second we sat down. Small cheval is much better read more

Au Cheval - Green Salad - I think it's made of grass - Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The man I have a crush on at work highly recommended Au Cheval! He said this is the best burger he ever had! And he was not lying! Here is what you need to know: -No reservations accepted -They are busy all the time so expect to wait; sometimes hours (but it is sooo worth it) -When you arrive make sure to check in at the host stand and they will text you when your table is ready -There are other bars within a block that you can grab a drink or walk around -They will not seat you until your entire party has arrived -No you can't just sit at the bar area -All the wait staff were very friendly and provided great recommendations Let's get to the good part...food and drinks! -Get the burger and yea you can add tomato, lettuce, jalapeños, etc -If you're kinda bougie you can add foie gras on the side -For my bacon eaters, YES! We wanted to try on the side, and it's tasty, fatty, thick, and seasoned -One order of fries can be shared w/ 3 people (they weren't my fav item and to be honest you'll need the tummy room for the burger) -Lemonade is made fresh, was slightly tart but they offer simple syrup on the side to sweeten it up, loved -I took a sip of the Bloody Mary (never tried before) and it was so seasoned it almost tasted like a cold tomato soup (chef's kiss) This is 2 thumbs up, 5 stars, and very satisfied! Do not think about it and GO! read more

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Au Cheval is one of those iconic burgers that define a city. I think this particular burger definitely needs to be topped off with a egg over easy to give all its glory with the juice and messiness. Is it a lot of money for a burger? Yes. But these are the days with a $20 burger and at least you are guaranteed a solid burger and flavors rather than something that is dry or lackluster. read more

Au Cheval - Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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This place is so good, I brought my fiancé here during our layover in Chicago. I've been fortunate enough to visit Au Cheval twice now, and it seems I've tried most of the menu. My first visit was with some people who didn't particularly *need* to try more than just the burger here, so that left a lot for me to try in the future. And because my fiancé and I have no self control when it comes to wanting to try all the good food, we ordered way too much food for two people on this last visit (and now there's basically nothing left for us to try). As expected, we were quoted a possible hour and forty-five minute wait to be seated (around 2pm on a Saturday). They took my name and phone number, and we went off to get drinks next door. The text they send has a link you can follow to check your place in line, so I did that after we finished our first drinks. We were still in the 60+ minute section, so we closed out and walked to a different bar for another drink and an appetizer. The appetizer was a mistake for many reasons: 1. We ended up ordering way too much food at Au Cheval, even without having first eaten the appetizer 2. All the food at Au Cheval was exponentially more tasty and I wish I would have had more stomach space for the good food 3. We hadn't even received our appetizer when we got the text notifying us that our table was ready at Au Cheval So I guess I wrote all that to provide some tips: the portions are very fair and you probably can't eat as much as you think here; don't order food elsewhere while you wait to be seated here; the wait time they give you could change dramatically if a bunch of people waiting in line before you exit the queue. You should also know that this restaurant is kinda small. You may be seated at the bar if that's all that's available. People wait for an hour and then get seated at the bar sometimes...it happens. The best way to describe the atmosphere in this establishment is like "moody diner"? Kinda sultry...kinda salty. The service was awesome and welcoming, and even though a couple items came out incorrect, everything was delicious and we don't regret anything. It would take me a lot to be constantly busy all day every day and still make every customer feel special, but somehow, our guy did it. Although we did order too much food (for even our small table to hold), we still thought about it all lovingly as we were horribly bloated later on. Anyway, the burger was just as good as I remembered, and my fiancé was so pleased with it. We don't often go out to try burgers from new places, but we can definitely tell a good burger from a bad one. I think the matzo ball soup was my favorite item besides the burger, and if I ever manage to come back here in the cold, I will definitely be getting that again. The ball and the broth were both so light and flavorful, and the soup sits differently in your stomach when you're also filled with a bunch of meat and bread. There's somehow more room for the soup. Best wishes to them, and to everyone interested in trying this place out. It's worth the wait. You're worth the wait. read more

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I'm on a mission.. We weren't able to make it to Au Cheval during the last Chicago visit. So, this time was a must. The burger game in NYC and Chicago has upped x10 over the last few years. Au Cheval was once listed as the top burgers in the US by many food publications. Since then and the intro to American Wagyu to the burger scene, a few other top the list. After a disappointed wait at Bavette's to try their burger, a walk in visit to Au Cheval was on the itinerary. 10:45 am on a Sunday was the entry point. They open at 11 am and there were already people inside seated and ready to order. I've heard people wait 2-3 hours to get in. So, getting in early is the secret sauce. A spot on the diner counter is a must watching the action of the burger flipping and grease flying. The inside of Au Cheval is dim lighting, dark wood, leather button seating gives off a warm feeling. The onflow of conversations and upbeat mood makes this place a happy place. The burger here is a must. Supposedly the fried bologna sandwich is too. A single cheeseburger here is actually a double burger and a double burger is actually a triple. They tell you upfront in case you have heart problems. I guess that's their disclaimer. Adding thick cut pepper bacon is must and you'd be disappointed if you didn't coming from out of town. I didn't want a meat ache so a single it is with thick cut pepper bacon. This burger on 3 layers had juices oozing out. The slice of pickle made me feel good of at least having a veggie on the side. Some prefer to add a fried egg and a side of fries. That's just cholesterol overload and plaque buildup. The rest of the menu here look great and on our next visit I'll have to try other items, crispy potato hash, chiliquiles, foie gras. Overall, a good burger but not sure if I'd wait more than 30 minutes for it. I have my preferences and I'd prefer the Peter Luger burger over this and a few other places in LA. Great experience, good service and good vibes. read more

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