YOOOO seriously one of the best burgers of my life! My brother recommended this spot and we came on a Friday night. It was about a 30 minute wait, but it was so worth. The burgers are amazing - it has that beef tallow taste and adding the sunny side up egg was awesome. It's cooked perfectly to where the yolk is not dripping down my fingers, but just enough to where it trickles into the burger and adds another dimension of flavor. The interesting thing is that "single" patties are actually double, and "double" patties are actually triple. Not sure why they named it like that, but our server was good about making that known. Fries were solid but not as amazing as the burger. Wished they were a little thinner. Pretty small seating inside, only a couple booths, tables, and bar seating. They do have a fair sized patio for outdoor seating, so that helps with getting people in and out. Since the space is a bit compact, it can get a little noisy inside. We did paid street parking read more

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

We'd made a lunch reservation at Au Cheval in advance, which wasn't too hard for a Monday. The interior was smaller than I'd expected but so classic and stylish. We were seated at a comfortable booth near the window. For drinks, I chose the Citrus Ritual mocktail, which I loved - so well-made and refreshing. I also got a Single Cheeseburger with the added egg and an order of French Fries to share with my coworker. I was a bit confused because it turns out a single cheeseburger at Au Cheval is actually a double because it comes with two beef patties. Personally, I would've just preferred one. Otherwise, it was a very nice burger, but I can't say it changed my brain chemistry. The French Fries were also tasty. Service was incredibly professional, attentive, and quick. Worth the visit! read more

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Great lunch today at Au Cheval! I went with the famous Single Cheeseburger, which is a little misleading because the "single" actually comes with two beef patties. It's loaded with melted sharp American cheddar, pickles, griddled onions and dijonnaise. I added the thick-cut bacon but passed on the fried egg -- and for me, that was the right call. The bacon adds another level of smoky, sweet, and salty richness without taking away from the burger itself. read more

Au Cheval - Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Before I begin, let me start off by saying that I am a huge fan of juice thick burgers. Not smash burgers. So please take that into consideration when reading this review. The patty was dry and the bacon didn't really save it unfortunately. The runny egg is a nice touch, but I also felt like it wasn't worth the hype. Fries were home made style, nothing exciting. But the aioli it came with was good. I'm glad I tried it and I know I'm in the minority when I saw this isn't worth the hype. Now, for a smashburger, I *think* it's probably on the good end. Service was quick. It was crowded on a weekday lunch hour. The place is tavern-esque so it's dimly lit and the small tables are close to each other. Couldn't really hear my partner across from the table. If you're in the area, go just to say you've been, and make your own decision on this place. read more

Au Cheval - Single Cheeseburger with Thick Cut Peppered Bacon and egg - Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I've never had a burger quite like this, and I'll be dreaming about it until I return to Chicago! What an incredible experience. Everything was simple yet executed to perfection--a well-seasoned patty, perfectly cut bacon, and spot-on proportions. It was truly a treat. The fried chicken was also delicious and cooked to perfection. I couldn't finish everything in one sitting, but it was just as good cold in my hotel room later that evening. It was worth every minute of the wait, and I completely understand why it's always packed. Though it's a small space, sitting at the bar and watching everything being prepared made it even more fun. read more

Au mother Fugging Cheval -- A Burger That Actually Lives Up to the Hype The Spot itself has major aura and swagger. Hard to describe but you just know you're at a very important place but that doesn't take itself too seriously. There are burgers that are good, burgers that are great, and then there's Au Cheval. I went in with pretty ridiculous expectations considering this place has been called one of the best burger spots in the world...and somehow, the burger still delivered. That's rare. The patties were insanely juicy and perfectly cooked, with that beautiful crispy, caramelized edge you want from a great griddle burger. The combination of the melted cheese, creamy sauce, onions, pickles and that ridiculously buttery brioche bun was borderline unfair. Rich, messy, salty, savory and completely indulgent in the best possible way. And that bun deserves its own mention. Soft enough to absorb all that glorious burger juice without completely falling apart. The whole thing is constructed like someone actually understands what makes a burger great. Is it the best burger I've ever had? I DONT FUCKING KNOW. but I completely understand why people put Au Cheval in the conversation for best burger in America, if not the world. The hype is real. This is a fucking burger. 9.7/10 read more

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This place came up on my radar because I saw it on lots of top burgers in the city/ country lists. I came into town for a beer festival and really wanted to come here. I also saw that lines are long weights are typical here. Well, I came here after getting int town on a weeknight. It was on the later side and it was still busy, but the wait for me was only 30 minutes! When I finally got to sit down at the bar, I was greeted by really friendly folks. It was busy inside, but not super packed. The vibe here was pretty chill with dim lighting. I ordered the roasted marrow bone and a single cheeseburger. Believe me, the single is way more than enough burger for a person to handle. I'm not want to rank food items, but I have to say this burger definitely lives up to the hype. A really delicious burger. I can see why it's so popular. The menu also features beers from local breweries and a good variety of cocktails. They also have some other fun menu items. I wish I lived closer where I can come here often enough where I would get the other items as well. read more

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I didn't believe the hype, like at all. And I know they have one in New York but this is the original. Again I got lucky with about a 10 minute wait for a bar seat on a busy Friday night with no reservation. Server was welcoming and friendly. Of course I had to get the burger with the egg and bacon. OMG. Delicious. That's all I have to say. The bacon is thick so yo can maybe some will skip that but it added another layer of depth to the burger. Fries are perfect. Literally no complaints. And my cocktail the bee knees was strong! I would've gotten dessert but I had no room. No room at all. 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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A must visit, Au Cheval is one of the best restaurants we've visited in Chicago and it's no surprise why they are so busy. Our party of three stopped in for Sunday lunch and got seated right away, a very lucky occurance it would seem. The staff, especially our server, were all very helpful and made the experience what it was. My 9-year old had a few too many questions about the existence of peppers on the menu so our server suggested an off-menu breakfast plate of bacon and eggs. It turned out to be very well made - creamy not overdone eggs, thick/crispy/sweet bacon and thick bread. It was better than the burger, which is saying something as the burger here is as good as you'll find at any place. The standout for us was the hash with duck heart gravy. With an egg on top, the gravy was flavorful and definitely unique. read more

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Burger this burger that fuck the burger u gotta get the bone marrow with the something marmalade read more

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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Back at one of my favorite spots in Chicago, and even with a few hiccups this visit, the food still reminded me why I keep coming back. The menu has changed since my last visit, and it was definitely busy. I put my name on the list at 3:56 PM and was seated at the bar at 4:36 PM, so right around a 40-minute wait. My server, Aaliyah, was extremely helpful. I originally wanted the chicken, but they weren't doing half orders and a full order would've been way too much for me. She convinced me to go back to the burger since it had been a while--and I'm glad she did. I ordered the double cheeseburger with bacon and an egg. Funny enough, their "double" actually came with THREE patties, which I wasn't expecting! But the burger was excellent. Perfect medium center, juicy, flavorful, and absolutely worth coming back for. I switched things up and got the tater tots instead of fries, and unfortunately those weren't for me. They were more like a deconstructed hash brown than what I expected from a tater tot, and they were extremely oily. Some bites were tasty, but overall I was disappointed. To their credit, they took them off my bill. The biggest downside this visit was the wait for the food. I was seated at 4:36 and my burger didn't arrive until 5:14 PM, so it was almost another 40 minutes after being seated. I understand they were busy, but I did notice the gentleman next to me was seated around 5:05 and received his food around 5:25 after ordering both a single burger and the bologna sandwich. So the timing of my order definitely seemed unusually long. I went back and forth between 4 and 5 stars because between waiting for a table and waiting for my food, this was definitely a longer experience than I expected. But ultimately, I'm keeping it at 5 stars. Why? Because when that burger finally hit the bar, it delivered. The quality and flavor of the food are ultimately what matter most to me, Aaliyah was great, and one slower visit isn't enough to erase the consistently good experiences that have made this one of my favorite Chicago spots. I'll absolutely be back--although next time I'm sticking with the fries. read more

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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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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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Good burger and fries at a reasonable price point. The garlic aioli is a great touch! Lots of drink options onsite (sodas, lemonades, cocktails, etc.) and dessert like shakes and dipped cones as well! Good amount of seating and staff were efficient and nice. Had a buzzer system so even when I sat outside it was easy to know when my food was ready! read more

I recently tried Au Cheval for the first time and I loved it! Several friends had shared how much they love he burgers here, so I was really excited to try it out. It did not disappoint. I had a Single Cheeseburger, fries along with the Last Word Cocktail and all were amazing. I look forward to coming back again in the future! read more

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

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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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Believe the reviews and visit if you have the opportunity. Maybe the best cheeseburger around ??It is definitely a top tier burger regardless of your personal scale. Service great as well read more

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

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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

(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

WE LOVE HER SO MUCH. I take everyone who visits me in Chicago here because the burger is TO DIE FOR. I personally love sitting at the bar, and the French fries are fire. Perfect for sharing with a bestie because the portions are just right. If you're visiting Chicago, this is a MUST. I will never stop bringing people here. read more

Au Cheval was as good as advertised. Local friends had told me this was a must visit, it did not disappoint. The burger was the highlight, juicy, cheesy, messy in the best way, and the fried egg on top made it even better. The bacon is a must too. It's super thick and had so much flavor. Fries were crispy and the sauce that came with them were really good. We had the choice of having the sauce on the fries but we opted for it on the side as we weren't sure if we'd like it. We did! The pastry dessert was flaky layered with cream and covered in chocolate. The root beer float was really good too. It's dark and busy inside but that's part of the vibe. Everything we ordered hit. I'd 100% come back. read more

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To die for burger. I came all the way from the west coast just for this burger. Got the double with 3 Pattie's and egg and bacon. Juicy like juicy J.the hash browns are crispy like chips read more

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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 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

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

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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"One of the best burgers, ever!" Great ambience and awesome service. Can't wait to go back. read more

Au Cheval - View from our booth, overlooking the bar/kitchen. - Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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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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

Not worth the hype. Average burger made from pre-made patties. Waited 2 hours just to have a burger I could have gotten any where. Hostess staff was incredibly unhelpful and couldn't give us an estimated time. Waited two hours to be 4th on waitlist read more

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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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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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