Burgers were awesome. But Antonio was perfect, and went above and beyond making our dinner special. It was my first time in the restaurant and asked if the fries of hash was better, he recommended the fries but later surprised us with the hash comped. But that's not all-- he also came with a sunday "just to celebrate" it wasn't anyone's birthday or anniversary but we definitely were in the mood to celebrate after a night talking with him. Thanks for great service and great food, give Antonio a raise he is AWESOME read more

Arrived before having to wait more than 30 minutes as others after me had to. I waited no more than 20 minutes for a seat. I got sat at the bar area where you can see all the action of the kitchen. The place is busy and full and I think it's awesome that it's an open kitchen cause you can see the magic happening. My waitress was super friendly and seems like she's used to everyone coming in to try the burger lol I heard her repeat the spiel many times. A single patty is 2 and a double is 3z I went with a double but honestly should have done a single. Food came out quick and the burger is super juicy. Fries were hot and delicious and even though it was the simplest burger I've ever had in my life I would say it's one of my top three favorite burgers I've ever had. Can't wait to come back. read more

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So I was in Chicago after a long hiatus from the area and decided to finally check out Au Cheval which has been on my bucket list for at least a decade now. Part of the reason why it worked for this round is that I found myself solo dining for a night after a flight so I knew it would be easier to just walk in vs with a group or a party.  The joint is lively and tight inside but absolutely friendly. I was able to walk in at around 4:45 PM on a Monday night with no wait. Was seated at the bar which is a great spot to be at. The service here was fantastic and the menu is broken into a simple structure with the food (burgers and sands, some sides and "strong drinks" I really came here for the Cheeseburger so there was no debate in what to order.  Just so people are aware, a single cheeseburger is actually a "double" I know it's confusing but good to know.  I ordered a dirty martini (Extra) and it was fantastic. The best blue cheese olives ive had in a while and they did not hold back on the spirit heavy sided of the drink. Absolutely addicting and delicious. The burger was also delicious with the bacon. Solid burger.  I will say I was expecting a life changing experience and not sure it was that... but it was a really solid burger to ingest. Glad I finally got to try this place. Delish! read more

Au Cheval - Single with bacon and egg - Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Always a 5-star experience. They now take reservations on resy, definitely recommend, it's a small diner style restaurant so sits are limited, be prepared to wait 2 hours if u don't have a reservation or get there when they open! The drinks never disappoint--they're strong, balanced, and worth every sip. And the burger? Absolute perfection every single time. A quick tip before you order: the single burger is actually two patties, and the double comes with four patties. Come hungry or be prepared to take some home! If you add bacon, I highly recommend asking for it well done. The slices are extra thick, and if they're not cooked a little longer, they can be soft and almost resemble a slice of ham rather than crispy bacon. As for the bone marrow...it's just not my thing. That said, if you're a fan, you're in good hands. I watched plate after plate leave the kitchen, so it's clearly a crowd favorite. I can't personally vouch for it, but if you love bone marrow, everyone seems to agree it's fire. Au Cheval continues to be one of those places that lives up to the hype. Great cocktails, one of the best burgers around, and consistently delivers every time. read more

Au Cheval - Well done bacon !!!! Single burger (2 patties ) - Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Arrived just as they opened at 10AM on a Friday and were the first customers in the door, but by the time we left at 11:30 there was a good sized line. Vibes inside are excellent and drinks are (very) boozy with a variety of booths, tables, and bar seating available. Burger with Egg and Bacon (4.25/5): Look, this is a great burger. Bacon is melt in your mouth and the egg adds a bit of creamy richness on top of the fatty, salty beef and cheese combo. The bread bun is pillowy, but I wouldn't wait in a line for hours for this. Bone Marrow (10/5): Now I would wait in line for hours for this bone marrow dish that absolutely changed my life. This comes with 4 HUGE pieces of bone marrow that you spread over fluffy, perfectly toasted Texas toast and pair with a beef cheek marmalade that exactly rides the line between sweet and savory. If you come here without ordering this, you're missing out big time. Green Salad (4/5): Nice, fresh and I needed some fiber. Nothing mind blowing, but a good change of pace. Crispy Fries (4/5): Very lightly crispy fries (reminiscent of light well for the west coasters), but the sauces are where this shines. Garlic aioli and mornay sauce (think white gravy) were rich, thick, and excellent! Key Lime Pie (4.25/5): Whipped cream on this INCREDIBLE, wish you could just order a bowl of that. I think they serve it slightly warmer than fridge temp (cool not cold) and it just melts on the tongue with really strong vanilla flavor. Pie itself is also good; nice strong tartness with the buttery and salty crust. Mille-Feuille (4.5/5): Chocolate sauce has a nice depth of flavor with the shattering crisp of the pastry. Pastry cream was a lot thicker than I expected, but super rich and delicious. Definitely a dessert to share. read more

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Wow! So happy I finally got to come here. They have recently started accepting some reservations and I was lucky enough to get one. I understand why they are famous for their burgers. I had the single cheeseburger and it lived up to the hype. I learned that the single burger is actually a double and the double is actually a triple. I was recommended to add an egg and bacon to the burger and I'm glad I did. Each bite was a glorious burst of flavor. The bacon is epic. Thick juicy slices. The cheeseburger was perfect. I didn't need additional condiments and that never happens for me. The fries were good too and came with a delicious aioli. For beverages, I loved my Arnold Palmer. I also tried a cocktail--the Long Island Iced Coffee. It was pretty strong. I added a shot of bourbon cream to it and that sweetened it up and made it perfect for me. Unfortunately, I didn't have room for dessert. Cute restaurant. Cozy inside. They have an outdoor patio as well. If you don't have a reservation, be prepared to wait. Excellent food. Excellent service. Jennifer took great care of me and made great suggestions. It's pricy but it's worth it. read more

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My friend wanted to go to Au Cheval while we were both visiting Chicago, which is one of the most popular restaurants for tourists. I've heard the wait is insane, so it's recommended to make a reservation on Resy. Off the bat, I was already side-eyeing this process. I had to pay $2.49 per person to secure a reservation, which is crazy. This is not a deposit either, which I would have understood. I've just never encountered a restaurant that charges a fee to make a reservation. Upon arrival, we got seated immediately (which I would hope so, after paying to make a reservation). Our server collected our orders quickly and our food came out about 15-20 minutes later. CRISPY FRIES - 13.99 Charging $14 for a side of fries is wild enough, but topping it with a completely solid fried egg was baffling. I'm not sure what the culinary vision was. Are we supposed to mash it all together into some sort of hash brown situation, or awkwardly eat the fried egg on its own? The fries themselves were fine, nothing to write home about. However, I did enjoy the mornay sauce and garlic aioli that came on the side. SINGLE CHEESEBURGER - 17.99 +3.49 for egg Over $20 for a burger that doesn't come with sides? I was a little disappointed my burger came with a side of a knife instead. I thought the whole gimmick was having the knife strike straight down into the burger. Beyond that, the burger wasn't anything unique. The bun itself was dry and mid, not the soft and fluffy bun I had envisioned. Everything else was fine -- not bad, but certainly not great. While it wasn't a bad burger, I can't help but feel incredibly disappointed given the hype around Au Cheval burgers. My friend told me the way to "fully experience" Au Cheval is to get the cheeseburger plus both the egg and bacon add-ons, which our server also recommended. I did try a piece of my friend's bacon with my burger and it does add a depth of smoky sweetness. However, that becomes a 17.99 + 3.49 + 6.99 = 28.47 for a burger. That's insane. The add-ons themselves cost more than half of the burger. I'm not doing that to my wallet. Sorry, but this was a disappointing experience for me. I'd rather just go to Shake Shack, which at least comes with tasty and juicy burgers for 1/3 of the price. read more

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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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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 is definitely worth trying if you're a burger fan. I ordered the single burger (which is actually two beef patties) and added the fried egg. The quality of the beef was excellent, and you can tell they use great ingredients. The burger was juicy, cooked well, and very rich. That said, this might be a hot take, but I felt like it was missing something. For all the hype, I was expecting more flavor. Personally, I think it could have used a little more sauce to tie everything together. While the beef shines, the overall bite felt a bit one-dimensional to me. It's still a very good burger and I'm glad I tried it, but based on the expectations, it landed in the "good, not life-changing" category. I'd absolutely recommend giving it a try and deciding for yourself, but for me it was just okay compared to the hype. read more

(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

It was my first time in Chicago and I've heard so many good things about this burger place. I came on a Saturday around 5pm and put my name down with my friends (we had a total of 5 people). They didn't have an estimate of how long we were supposed to be waiting. My friends and I also had reservations to the river cruise around 7 and thought we could eat before, to no avail. We stood outside the restaurant for about an hour beside we decided that we should leave to make the river cruise. We were halfway to the river cruise destination when we got a text saying that our table was ready. We had to cancel it since we weren't going to make it and decided to come back the next day. The following day, we came around noon and was 11th place in line. The hostess told us it would be around an hour wait but we were fine with it since we didn't have any obligations in the afternoon. Within 5 minutes, we got a text saying to check in and that our table was ready despite the hostess telling us it was an hour wait!! We got seated immediately and scanned the menu. Each of us ordered the single cheeseburger, some without pickles, some with an egg on top. The food came out in about 15 mins looking like a regular cheeseburger. I loved the flavor of the patty and could see why this restaurant was so hyped up. Overall, I would not come back but it was a good experience! read more

No photos 'cuz I'm guessing you know what a hamburger looks like. If this were not such a hyped location it was easily be 4 star. I don't feel it comes close to living up to the hype. In no way does it merit standing in line and it sure is not worth the $2.50/pp reservation fee that is not credited to your bill. That's just an obnoxious money grab. The atmosphere is dark, crowded, and a little noisy. In other words, bar-like. Service is good. No real complaints beyond asking for my burger with sauce on the side, being assured they would do that, and then having to scrape off the sauce that came on the burger. Okay, the food. The burgers are fine. Hardly life changing and not even the best in the city but definitely good. Worth the price? I doubt it. My dining partner liked the chopped liver starter (which came well after the burger) and the hash browns with duck heart gravy. I was much less impressed. I was confused by the "chopped" liver. Next to an immense pile of cornichons was a heap of large, again barely seasoned, diced liver pieces coated in a white sauce that the server told me was schmaltz. I make my own schmaltz and it has never been thick, white, and having no chicken flavor at all. Maybe they used a few drops of chicken fat to make a mayo? I don't know, but it certainly is a different take on chopped liver. The hash browns were piping hot and crispy but the potatoes themselves were badly underseasoned. The duck heart gravy was nice but the dish really didn't need the slightly congealed white cream gravy that adding nothing but more fat. If you're thinking about bacon, get it on the burger, not on the side. By itself it's way too sweet and peppery. On the burger, it works. Which brings me to... Food sensitivities. You will be asked about allergies and I'm sure you will be accommodated but you may not be happy with the results. The components of the dishes do not stand well on their own. They're clearly meant to be eaten together. Because so much egg and dairy is used in so many places if you want to avoid either your dish might be very suboptimal. So while it's okay it's a one and done for me. I'll stay with Small Cheval (very close in taste, much better value) or Burger Bar. 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

I am surprised this trendy spot lived up to the hype. Best burger I've ever had that didn't come from Frisch's Big Boy. Thank god we narrowly made our reservation after a 1.5 hr drive from our hotel. The seared muffin was also unreal and the bacon was ok just not crispy enough. They were also playing J Dilla and Common which was dope read more

Au Cheval - Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Often recognized as having the most recognizable and hyped burger in Chicago, Au Cheval is a Gilded-Age inspired diner (opening in 2012), serving up thick freshly made burgers along with a good selection of drinks. The process of getting seated through a busy period, and the service throughout was excellent. But as often happens with me, the food didn't live up to the hype. My wife and I were picking up my brother and his son from O'Hare at around 10 am on a Saturday. We had dinner plans with our uncle, but had not planned anything in between. The flight came in on time, and once confirmed we all had the time, my brother suggested going to Chicago to try Au Cheval. He knew about their location LV, but none of us had tried their original location in Chicago. So we drove into Chicago, arriving at the restaurant at 11 (it opens at 10am). There was a check-in stand set-up outside, where someone was taking names/phone numbers to put on the waiting list. We were quoted a 45 minute wait, and got the text to hurry back after about 30 minutes. There was a line to put your name down on the list, so we skipped that by going right in. The friendly hostess seated us in a booth, with a nice view of the kitchen where they were making the burgers in mass. The waitress explained that a single burger meant two patties (each patty is 4 oz, so basically a half pound burger), and a double meaning three. My brother and his son both ordered a double cheeseburger ($19.99 each), and I got a single with added sunny side up egg ($21.48). I wanted my wife to be able to take a bite, so asked for everything to be on the side (sauce, dill pickle slices, and grilled onion bits). We also ordered french fries ($8.99), cooked in duck fat. In the meanwhile, followed a fellow yelpers suggestion and got two Allagash Whites ($9 each) for me and my nephew. It's a really good beer that I've had many times during happy hour, and goes great with rich, greasy food. My wife got something else: the General Janes Chicken, which is their version of Korean Fried Chicken ($24.98). She enjoyed it (the coating was still crispy, and the sauce had that pronounced kochujang flavor that we like). Everything is a la carte here (except for the complementary pickle spear with burgers), so she shared in the ordered fries. Food came out together and was served hot. There is a mandatory 3.25% surcharge, and payment is taken at the table. As mentioned, service was excellent throughout. To be honest, I'm not the right person to judge a burger like this (I like it backyard style, with a lot of lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickles...and mayo/ketchup). But my brother and nephew are (they have tried many, many burgers all across the world, and don't like too much toppings on their burger), and they said the burger was just OK for them. I liked the frites (cooked in duck fat)...very light in color, but still crispy on the outside. However, nobody else really ate them, saying they weren't great. It's unusual for me to be the least critical after dining, but I'm sure it had something to do with the observation that I didn't have to pay for it (since it was my brother's treat). read more

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Great vibe and wonderful service! The server fully explained how the burgers work - a single is two patties and a double is three patties. The fries are fresh and the foi gras eggs were decadent - a little too decadent for me. All Delicious - food comes out slow so enjoy the company you're with! read more

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best burger ever! got in easily on a weekday afternoon. the cold brew was great as well, read more

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

I heard great reviews from friends about this place and im so glad that i got to try it during my trip. came on a saturday night around 5:30 without a reservation and we were lucky enough to be seated without a wait at the bar. i noticed when we were leaving the restaurant, the waitlist had gotten longer. The waitress had informed us that a single is a double, a double is a triple, etc! Opted for a single with bacon as an add on and it was delectable. The thick pieces of bacon were truly the cherry on top. It comes with a slice of pickle. Additional sides, including fries, are extra. We unconventionally got an omelette.. but let's just say it was one of the fluffiest omelettes I've had-- not your classic breakfast omelette. Inside are roasted peppers and cheese. It's dimly lit inside to set the vibe. Service was quick and the staff were friendly. They have a QR code on the table linked to your check that you can use to pay or a check can be requested instead. read more

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Absolutely insane experience. Make sure you get a reservation because this place gets booked up quickly and rightfully so. My wife and I ordered the bone marrow to start and shared a single cheeseburger with the bacon and egg add on. The bone marrow with the marmalade on the side was amazing. I loved the thick toast they gave on the side. It was the perfect balance for such a rich dish. The burger is probably one of the best burgers I've had in my life. The bun was nice and fluffy, the burger was juicy, the bacon was thick and flavorful, and the egg was cooked to perfection. For a couple of bites, we threw a little bone marrow and the marmalade on the burger and it took it to a whole new level. The restaurant was small and comfortable. A tad loud with the music, but I didn't mind too much. I would gladly trade that for the delicious meal we had. I would highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a great burger. Just make sure you get a reservation early. read more

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Several people who have either visited or lived in Chicago told me to try the infamous cheeseburger at Au Cheval so I made it a point to stop by during my trip. I planned to dine at Au Cheval for Sunday lunch and unfortunately there weren't any reservations available on Resy for lunchtime when I checked. Of note, Resy charges $2.50 per person to book the reservation which does not go towards the bill. After looping around for parking and finding a metered spot, I checked in at the restaurant shortly after 11:30am and was told I was 28th in line and the host could not quote a wait time due to the inclusion of online reservations. I thought that was a bit odd so I ended up walking around to explore the surrounding businesses. I finally received a text that my table was ready around thirty minutes later. The restaurant itself is not big but gives off an old fashioned vibe which I guess correlated with the type of food served. I ordered a single cheeseburger, a side of thick cut peppered bacon, and a side of French fries. I figured it was more economical to order a side of bacon rather than adding it to my burger so I can eat as much or as little as I wanted. The food came around fifteen minutes later. The burger itself did not look as big on the plate as I expected, although it was apparent how thick the two hamburger patties were. Since everyone was raving about the burger I had high expectations which unfortunately were not met. The burger tasted like a burger found at any average diner across the country. The bacon pieces were thick and flavorful but I don't think they elevated the burger as much as I'd like. Also, I wished there were cheese options rather than offering only American cheese which is probably the cheapest cheese that can be added on a burger. The fries reminded me of In-N-Out fries but the fries at the bottom of the cup were way too salty as if all the salt was added to the bottom of the cup instead of trickling down after being sprinkled on the fries on top. Considering all the hype about Au Cheval and the claims that their cheeseburger is one of the best burgers in the country or world, I was very underwhelmed. If this burger were to represent the Chicago food scene on a national level, it should rank lower than several other major cities in the United States. read more

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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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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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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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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

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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One of the best burgers I've ever had. The bone marrow was really tasty too, I've never had it before read more

Au Cheval - Roasted Marrow Bones - Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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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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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

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 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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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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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

Au Cheval absolutely lived up to the hype. The burgers are rich, juicy, and perfectly cooked, with a soft bun, gooey cheese, and great balance of flavors. Adding the thick-cut bacon is definitely worth it and it takes an already great burger to another level. The fries were crispy and well-seasoned, and the overall atmosphere was lively and energetic. The wait can be long, but once the food arrives, it's easy to see why this place has such a strong reputation. If you're a burger lover, Au Cheval is a must-visit! read more