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

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

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

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

I have loved this place for many years as someone who lives in the neighborhood and used to always rave about it to guests . The staffs attitude is getting intolerable these days , from the host stands behavior to the dismissive manager , the snobbish attitude is exhausting. Heads up this restaurant only has 4 tops if your a party of 6 they will squeeze you in a 4 top booth and tell you too bad they said restaurant policy is to NEVER push tables together In the back so that your 6 top can have an enjoyable dinner. Walked out last night with the feeling the staff hates the customers . Shame on management for treating customer like this , will never bring customers or friends here again . Have been here no less than 10xs with guests . read more

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

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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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 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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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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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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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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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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Often times in my reviews, you hear about emphasis on service and how I have repeatedly said that I wish service in this country would improve (my comparison point being India). A brief background; been in Chicago for about 15 years. Heard of Au Cheval back in 2015 or 16. Took a while to give it a shot and went; wait for 2 hours. Hmmmmm, didn't work out. Tried a second time 2 or 3 years later. Still didn't happen. Tried a third time when I had a friend visiting from overseas....wait time was just so long and just didn't have the 'desire' to wait that long. I think for the first time in my life, I had to kick myself as I wish I would have waited the very first time. Had my nephew visiting me from out of town. While I did want to take him to Au Cheval, with the limited time I had, I did not want to wait. I happened to go on their website and noticed that they now offer reservations. That was one of the most beautiful sights I had seen in a long time. Not only do I get to take my nephew out to Au Cheval, but I myself finally get to try the burgers here that have been the talk of the town and were rated the best burger in the United States of America for many years. My nephew absolutely devoured and loved the burger. He was in heaven. I cannot say I was not in heaven myself because the burger was absolutely epic, but that's not just what this review is about. This review is about one of the few joints in America that I have come across and that provided the level of attention to detail and went way above and beyond what I would have ever imagined in my wildest dreams to make this a memorable lunch. She had gone with my mother-in-law as well, so it was my mother-in-law, my nephew, and I. My mother-in-law is a vegetarian, and we figured we would go ahead and get the fries. What we did not know was that the fries are in beef tallow or have some beef seasoning (I forget), so in the end, she was not able to eat anything. My nephew and I just ordered each a burger. Our server proactively brought a house salad, which was vegetarian, and he said, "This is on the house. You guys enjoy the burgers." That, honestly, is a level of service that goes beyond usual service, but there was human empathy involved here. After a while, the head chef comes out, super friendly, and asks how everything was. He then says, "I heard you've been waiting 10 years over here, and I hope it was worth it." He made sure my mother and I were comfortable, and he made sure my nephew was comfortable. The level of service and care here was very special, and I personally appreciated it from the heart. For me, it was a memory built with my nephew and my mother-in-law, one that is going to stick with us for the rest of our lives. Not to mention, I am getting hungry right now, so I need to make a reservation and go down there tomorrow. 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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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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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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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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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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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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"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

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

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 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

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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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

This spot was recommended by a friend for having one of the best burgers in town. It also happened to be a Resy restaurant that qualifies for the American Express Platinum's quarterly $100 Resy credits, so definitely sweetened the deal. Made a reservation 2 weeks in advance and was promptly seated inside when we arrived. Restaurant itself has an old-timey diner-pub vibe with darker wood tones and warm mood lighting with groovy music blasting in the background. Very chill and relaxed atmosphere that doesn't take themselves too seriously. I got the single cheeseburger with an egg and bacon and "The Last Word" to drink. The single cheeseburger actually contains 2 meat patties despite it being called a "single" (their double contains 3) so that was a pleasant suprise and the drink was good, but nothing special. Great food, vibe, and overall experience, but wouldn't want to make a reservation as far out as I did for the privilege. I did come during a holiday weekend, so I'm not going to knock them for it. read more

Au Cheval - Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The service was super fast and the employees were all very manner-able. Burger was super yummy and they supply you with free aioli. The fries were very good aswell, I like they the dining was outside too! The bathroom was very clean and I appreciate that always because if you have been around you know that bathrooms can tell alot about the food! I highly recommend this place,wether it's a solo thing, you and you partner, you and the kids, etc.. read more

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

Beef patties were a nice medium / medium rare A lot of sameness in flavour (too salty and I was craving the pepper kick) I think I'd wanna do just the egg, pickles, no mayo next time ... creaminess from both the mayo and egg yolk was a little too much read more

Au Cheval - Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The kids and i had dinner here on a weeknight, right around 5PM. We chose to eat outside and were seated immediately, but there were booths available inside as well. They give you a glass water pitcher for the table, but they don't include ice so we had room temperature water. Eh. We were informed by our waiter that if it started raining out, he would bring us our check and boxes and that it could be messy. Okay, no problem. He also told us they make their burgers medium and to let us know if we want them well done. My older daughter asked if they would make them medium rare and he flat out said no. That's a red flag to me, so i ordered the fried bologna sandwich while the 3 of them ordered burgers. Service was pretty quick and our food came out in no time. Garnished w/pickles on the plates, the burgers were indeed, medium. All 3 of them enjoyed their selections. My fried bologna sandwich was unlike any i've ever had before. First, it came on Texas Toast. Not mentioned on the menu, but it was toasted well and held up. The bologna itself was tasty, but it was thin sliced like a deli sandwich. In the past, i've always gotten thick slices grilled. The outside of this bologna was crispy, but the inside a little too mushy for my taste. Good food at a hefty price in a trendy area. I don't think i'd go back myself, but the kids liked it. read more

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 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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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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Absolutely loved our experience here! We had the fried chicken and it was delicious, the fries were some of the best fries I've ever had (cooked in beef tallow) and the aioli sauce was also great! The drinks were pretty good too. I had the painkiller and hubby had the espresso martini (both were strong and I loved that!) Another great thing about this place was that everything came out surprisingly quickly and service was incredible!! Our waiter Iain, was an absolute sweetheart--so friendly, attentive, and genuinely made the experience even better. It was a really nice place, and if you're in the loop area, you can't miss it! read more

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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so glad we tried this place! we actually only waited about 15 mins to get seated at the bar on a wednesday night around 7pm. we came here for my boyfriends birthday and we were so happy we chose to celebrate here. the two people that helped us was antonio and issa and they made the experience 10x better. they were very attentive and friendly and just easy to talk to. gave us good recommendations and good vibes. we both really liked our drinks and were happy with the spread the food came out. we got to eat the bone marrow first which also came with this really good sauce it was almost like a meat jam but was so good on the bread and then put some of the bone marrow on for the perfect bite. now the burger, you just have to try it because it really is that good. the sauce in it was so good and it just had a really good flavor. it was just an elevated burger. we got fries as well and we shared the burger so it we were really full after. the server brought out ice cream with a candle and some sort of chocolate sauce too which just made the overall experience. we were really happy with the service and food and it just made my bfs bday that much more special and memorable. read more

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Au Cheval, touted as the best burger you can find in Chicago, and perhaps in the whole entire USA, is a must try. I got the single cheeseburger with egg and bacon added. The single is actually two beef patties, whereas the double is three beef patties, so quite peculiar on the naming. The first bite was the best bite as it was an explosion of flavors and textures; the richness of the beef came through while the creaminess of the egg yolk, the sweet and saltiness from the thick bacon and soft toasted buns absorbing the egg yolk. As the meal went on, the balance of flavors of the burger started to shift. The thick cut bacon begun to taste too salty and overpowering the whole burger. The sweetness also became too much. The burger was already rich, but with the added bacon and egg, it felt too over the top rich and overwhelmingly heavy. It was good but wish I would have gotten the single cheeseburger without the extra egg or bacon. The portion size is also on the larger side, despite considering myself a big eater. At the time of this review, a Single Cheeseburger with egg and bacon was $28.50. That is on the more pricey side, however it is a higher quality product you are getting. With an 1-hour wait on a Thursday afternoon, I would say it's at least worth a visit once. They will text you when your table is about ready. If they used a waitlist system where it is possible to join online, it would be even better. Now as for the venue itself, it is definitely tight, especially since it is always packed with people. In the winter, they do coat checks so that helps. I got seated at the bar counter and it is great to be able to see how they making all the burgers and the effort that goes into each one. The vibes are old-school and brings an element of homeyness. If you love burgers, I would put this restaurant on your radar. read more

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

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