This location looks deceptively small from the outside: indeed, we weren't even sure if there was seating or if it was just grab and go. But there is a dining area hidden deeper in the building, so fear not. There is not a large menu, just a few burger options along with fries and drinks including shakes. The food was tasty, but the details were lacking. I ordered the wagyu truffle burger, described as "black truffle cheese sauce melted between two pressed & griddled patties of wagyu beef and topped with 1 slice of sharp american cheddar." Nowhere did it mention pickles, onions etc so I don't know if someone just messed up and made it wrong, or if they just didn't list those ingredients for some reason (which would be dumb with people's allergies etc). Also, both my boyfriend's and my burgers came out red. Not pink, red. The outsides were clearly done, so I feel like this is something of a feat for them to have been so rare considering how thin the patties are. The fries with the white cheese sauce may have been my favorite thing (my boyfriend also had the garlic aioli as a dip for the fries if you are a garlic fan because it is not fooling around), and the chocolate shake was also good once it melted slightly, but overall if you only make basically one item, you need to do a better job than this. read more

Small Cheval- Riverside - Wagyu truffle burger, fries with white cheese sauce - Burgers Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Amazing burgers! Passed by here on a Friday evening with a few friends while walking along the Chicago Riverwalk and decided to treat ourselves with some tasty burgers. I got a Single Deluxe Cheeseburger with some Golden Fries to share. The burger was fantastic! I would highly recommend getting the Truffle and White Cheese sauces. They both go so well with the burger and the fries! A must try if you can afford the visit! read more

Small Cheval- Riverside - cheeseburger and fries: don't forget the sauces! - Burgers Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

As someone with Celiac disease, Small Cheval is my saving grace, and this location is no exception. I only came in for a carry out, but the service was fast, friendly, and the server was very knowledgeable about celiac! This was my first time getting the lettuce wrap and it was fine, but the GF bun is my favorite I've ever had so next time I would get that again. Small Cheval: I love you and your dedicated GF fryers, never change! read more

The food here always hits the spot! I love that the menu is limited because you know exactly what you're craving when you decide to eat Small Cheval. I enjoy adding everything to the cheeseburger! The fried chicken sandwich is one of the best chicken sandwiches I've had. So good and crispy!! Both burger and sandwich taste even better when dipped in the aioli sauce. Same with the fries. You have to ask for sauce after paying and getting your food, but definitely do that! They also serve shakes and alcoholic beverages. I got to try a sample of the beers before deciding on one. Nice and fast. Only outdoor seating is available. Casual vibes. read more

Small Cheval- Riverside - Cheeseburger with everything added; Fried Chicken Sandwich - Burgers Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I haven't been to actual Au Cheval yet so I can't compare the two but this place was really nice! I got a cheese bun house style with extra toppings and it reminded me of the in n out grilled cheese (with better fries oops sorry in n out). It's right along the river so the views are gorg as well. read more

Small Cheval- Riverside - Cheese Bun + Fries - Burgers Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Burger was pretty good, especially the truffle cheese sauce, which came on the side. Make sure to ask for lettuce and tomatoes if you want them as they're only included upon request. The fries seemed to be fried in fried chicken oil,as they had a unique flavor that was pretty good. The garlic aioli sauce that came with the fries was also pretty good. Service was quick and bathrooms were clean. Outdoor seating area is cute and the overall design of the store is very pleasant read more

Small Cheval- Riverside - Single cheeseburger with lettuce,tomato, onions and truffle cheese sauce - Burgers Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

It's no doubt a very solid and good quality burger, but I'm not sure if it's worth the hype or the price. On a Monday night, the Riverside location was pretty empty and there was no wait to order. I got the single cheeseburger and fries. The burger patty is very tender and juicy, the pickles and onions add a really nice crunch, and the bun is buttery, soft, and toasted beautifully. The fries were alright and pretty crispy; the garlic aioli sauce was definitely a game-changing dip for both the burger and fries. The Riverside location also has a nice window seat view of the river, bridge, and L train. I would probably come again with friends or if I'm really craving a good burger, though for ~$15 total, it's definitely pricey for what it is, and the menu is very limited. -- Price (relative to peers): 4/5 Food: 4.5/5 Ambience: 4.7/5 Service: N/A Overall Value: 4.2/5 read more

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Delicious burger, toasted bun. Fresh cut fries. We all enjoyed the garlic aioli sauce. Location near the river with casual outdoor seating. read more

Meh, maybe Small Cheval isn't all it's cracked up to be - at least for me it was a total miss! I walked in, there were no lines but the overhead music was so incredibly LOUD the order taker couldn't hear me. Having not ever been to Small Cheval before, I had very basic questions since there isn't a description of what comes on the burgers or any pricing. This resulted in an awkward situation when the girl asked what I wanted and I had to shout "where's your menu? I want a burger but not sure of my options here or what goes on for toppings" to which she pointed above her then replied "well cheese or no cheese?" Do better. Going in I had heard all the hype of how good Au Cheval is but the Small Cheval food is supposedly the same food just without the long wait. Well, I ordered a cheeseburger sans onions, extra pickles and it came to $12.65 and tasted like McDonalds which left me wondering what all the hype is about. Shortly after I placed my order, a large group walked in, clearly regulars who took over the community table near me enjoying burgers, fries and shakes. I will give credit to the burger flippers, they seemed busy and the guy wrapping them into foil appeared to be having a good time dancing to the music. Not sure I'd recommend it as a solid spot for a juicy burger but as a Yelp tip, they have a week day happy hour that might be good to know about. read more

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We loved Small Cheval! We forgot to take a picture before taking a few bites. The fries were exactly how I like them. They have enough salt and are thin with a nice amount of crispiness. The burger is cooked to perfection. It is a smash burger and has pickles and their special sauce. It is nice and cheesy too. The inside is clean and nicely designed. The outside is a nice area to sit too with a view of the river. We definitely will be back next time we are in Chicago. read more

Small Cheval- Riverside - Burgers Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I really can't say anything bad about Small Cheval. First time trying their burgers. Pretty busy during lunch hour. Thankfully there was only one person ahead of me and then I put in my order. Lots of people to my right waiting for their food. Took less than 15 minutes to get my cheeseburger. I was happy with it and enjoyed their sauce they put on it. I like that they say on their menu you have to request lettuce and tomato otherwise I would have wondered where it was. I got everything on my burger except for the onions. Overall, solid burger and I'd come here again to get the same great burger and next time see how their fries are read more

Small Cheval- Riverside - Burgers Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Bun was meh and a bit stale. I ate at the original twice over the years. First time blew my mind. In my view these are not once they once were. Maybe my expectations can't be met. But, the price is fair compared to a lot of places. Fries were good, which everyone doesn't seem to agree on. Would to back to original location. read more

I'll admit, I was a skeptic. Usually whenever there is a local burger place, everyone hypes it due to their nostalgia and it doesn't quite live up. Not Small Cheval though. I had a cheeseburger with bacon and some fries. Every bit of the burger was a continuation of the wonderful flavor journey. The burger was cooked to perfection with a proper layer of mayo and cheese atop it. The fries were neither too crispy nor soggy, allowing them to bathe in the side of mayo they provide. On top of that, the service was fantastic. I hope to be back again soon. read more

Small Cheval- Riverside - Double Cheeseburger - Burgers Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I'm not a big burger fan, but I LOVED this. While the burger is a tad small, it was a really solid and flavorful burger. People really hype up their fries and they were fine but not life changing. read more

Small Cheval- Riverside - Burgers Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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LOVE love love! Every time I visit Chicago I can't leave without getting a burger. Such a simple classic done so well. And perfect late night after a few drinks as well! They have multiple locations that all have great ambiance and quick service good for last minute fix or groups. read more

Small Cheval- Riverside - Burgers Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I'm gonna be honest, is this place worth spending $40 for 2 burgers, some fries, and a shake? Nope. Don't get me wrong the food wasn't bad but I've spent that kind of money on a burger before and it was way better. In regards to service? The food took forever. Was it also worth the wait? Probably not. The people are nice though but I don't think I would come back. The vibe is like that of a fast food place that everyone goes to on their lunch break. I don't see the big deal about this place honestly. read more

Small Cheval- Riverside - Interior - Burgers Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Love me a small menu with just the essentials! I went to this place on a whim after doing some sightseeing and it did not disappoint. The burger comes standard with two patties which is a good size and not too heavy. My favorite part of the burger is that the meat slightly seasoned and the bread is a brioche bun. The fries are almost shoe string like with a nice crispy and ratio of salt. This is a takeout oriented place, but there is some seating in the back. The service was prompt and the staff was great! Would def come back on another trip to Chicago. TLDR: This was a pretty good burger that I forgot to take a picture of read more

It would be a no for me.... Burger and fries are both WAY over salted. The location is the best part. Basically it's an expensive subpar burger and fries. I feel like they're trying to mimic In-n-Out... which by the way is also very overrated read more

Usually around lunch time there is a long line, but it moves fairly quickly. My advice is order on the app ahead of time and pick up your order, it usually is faster and less hassle that way. This is definitely one of the best burgers in the world much less Chicago. read more

Small Cheval- Riverside - Inside menu at small Cheval - Burgers Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Burger was drier and saltier than the mothership Au Cheval. I'd skip here and go there instead. read more

Small Cheval- Riverside - Burger was too dry and salty compared to Au Cheval. Skip here and go there instead. - Burgers Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

My first visit to a Small Cheval and I wasn't disappointed-- the burger is juicy and perfectly cooked (double patties). I got lettuce and tomatoes on my cheeseburger and with the brioche bun was spot on. Paired with the perfectly crispy fries -- it was a similar eat to the OG AuCheval. There a nice sitting area with counter like and communal table with nice views of the river. A keeper! read more

Small Cheval- Riverside - Cheeseburger - Burgers Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Went here, as the regular Chevalier was over an hour wait. Little tricky to find, being a tourist, as it was ground floor of a business building. Once there, no lines and great view of the river Enjoyed the burger, fries and atmosphere Definitely go again read more

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Good cheeseburger. Wish they had the fried egg on the menu. Love the sauce. Fries were just the way I like them. Beverage selection was nice. Place was clean. Food was served quickly. Staff was ok...didn't talk much. Definitely most orders seem to be for takeout but they have plenty of seating. read more

Is it worth a try? Yes. Is it tasty? Yes. Fries and great too. But the price and ridiculous. It's too high a price for a burger. If your a large family i would probably save your coins cuz it's gonna hit the wallet. I did appreciate they sold beers, especially with the hot muggy summer days. read more

Au Cheval was one of my favorite meals in Chicago, but knew the wait would be long so was super happy to dine at Small Cheval. The workers here are super lively and friendly and even gave me a sampling of two of their draft beers to help me make a decision. I got a cheeseburger and added bacon, along with fries with the white truffle cheese sauce. Didn't wait too long til my order was ready and it was a nice night to eat outside. For some reason, I didn't know you could add veggies like lettuce until afterwards, but I loved all the ingredients on the burger. Next time I'd ask for more chopped onions. Also, I did not know what I ordered would be two patties, so it was a bit much for me, but on a hungry day, I could see myself devouring the whole thing. The fries are perfection, and a LOT! Easily sharable between two people. The truffle cheese sauce was good, but since this was a heavy meal, I got full pretty quickly. Mouth is watering just thinking about this meal though! read more

Stopped here for dinner and the place is located in a beautiful spot! Lots of windows and pretty aesthetic inside. Order taking was a breeze and service was also great! I ordered the Cheeseburger & Fries and although pricy, it was pretty good! My friends and I all thought the burger was a little too salty, BUT it came with 2 patties to our surprise. The fries were mediocre but what made them better was the Garlic Aioli (provided at the condiment stand in bulk). Overall, this meal was FILLING & I'm not disappointed! read more

Small Cheval- Riverside - Cheeseburger Golden Fries - Burgers Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

These guys do a cheeseburger urger and fries right. Simple yet delicious. The fries were crispy which I really appreciate because I can't stand a soggy French fry. The burger could've used a touch more salt but that's only cause I like my hypertension. Great food and drinks not far from where we were staying that was reasonably priced, what more could you ask for. read more

Was walking around the city and wanted a good burger. Decided to go to small cheval. Burger did not disappoint and these were probably some of the best fries I have had! Nice size, decent price and was filling. The burger at this location is not as large as the one at Au Cheval but I find it was a good size. I would go back when on the lookout for a good burger. Love the location, easy to get to and not far from the train station. The seats are not that comfortable but they are fine if there only to eat and run. read more

Small Cheval- Riverside - Double Cheeseburger with fries - Burgers Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I got the cheeseburger and WOW! It's the best I've ever eaten. It held up well and the ingredients were of high quality. I hammered my burger. I loved it so much I ordered two! I never eat like that, but I wasn't sure when I would be able to eat another one again. read more

INCREDIBLE burger and fries! I was surprised that there were TWO patties on the burger. I thought I wouldn't finish it but I ate every bite! Food came out quickly and it was so nice to eat on the water. They had a plant-based burger, which I always love to see! read more

Small Cheval- Riverside - Cheeseburger and Golden Fries - Burgers Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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My experience at small cheval was okay. To be honest the food wasn't amazing (it was a standard burger that was lacking a little bit in flavor). The burger wasn't bad - but it wasn't anything special - and not worth the hype of Au Chevals burgers. There wasn't much service or ambiance either. It was a quick pick up and go to get your burgers, and the seating there was limited If you're in the area it's not a terrible spot, but with so many other fantastic restaurants in Chicago, it's not the best The only thing I would say is the fries with garlic aioli is fantastic. They were crispy light and airy with a great sauce! read more

Coming off of its success with the mothership, Au Cheval begins to dig its fingers into the "fast food" market. No longer do you have to wait 3-4 hours for a top-tier burger, but then begs the question, "Are we really getting the same product?" My quick answer is "No," and what pushes Au Cheval's burger into stardom territory is in the details (perfectly toasted buns, option of an egg, thick peppered bacon). But the quality is also reflected in the price. The cheese on my double was sharper than I preferred and overpowered the burger, and the tomato slice was so thin that you might as well not even have it at all. The fries are also not as robust but do result in a crispier bite--especially if you order the fries to be well-done like the wife does; however, I still prefer the original. The garlic aoili dipping sauce is just as superb as the original, and I must admit I enjoy the drink options of this small Cheval. The line to order was rather confusing, making us seemly face the opposite direction of the counter. A couple walked in after us and cut in line since the counter was close to the entrance. Luckily, it was just 1 couple, so we paid little to no mind. We got a double cheeseburger with lettuce and tomato, a deluxe single with added bacon and lettuce, fries well done, and a bottled coke. The wait time was about 40 minutes. There are some tables in the back, but we opted to eat outside on the Riverwalk. The weather was nice but we could have done without the bees. For fast food that's not fast, it's OK. The drink options (cider, beers, seltzers, and different carbonated options) are noteworthy. The fries are great. All in all, a 3.5/ 5-star with a round up to 4 stars. read more

I was very excited to come here as I heard a lot about Cheval's burgers and I was kinda disappointed. My burger was kinda burnt and honestly bland. The fries were not hot or very salty. The tables weren't clean which typically would not be my concern if I was enjoying the food. We walked about 30 minutes in the rain to come get a bite here (totally our choice but still) and I left feeling like it was very mid to charge nearly 40 dollars for 2 burgers one fry and one drink. (Me and my boyfriend shared fries/drink) read more

The most perfect & delicious fast food burger I've ever had. We visited on a Monday afternoon, our order came out within 5 minutes! I honestly wish I would have gotten the double cheeseburger because one patty was not enough of this amazing burger. The sauce, pickles and onions gave the already juicy burger so much texture and flavor. I will definitely be coming back to try the double and fries! read more

Small Cheval- Riverside - Cheeseburger - Burgers Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I have to say I was skeptical knowing this is a chain. But wow, I wish we had this near me. The sauce on the burger was delicious and just the right amount. Get the add-ons of bacon, lettuce, and tomato - you won't regret it. Share the fries, unless you're absolutely ravenous! Everything was super quick and so good. read more

Small Cheval- Riverside - Bacon cheeseburger with fries - Burgers Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I was told I had to try the burger. So I'd tell you the same thing! So good! I couldn't finish the whole thing. I got the double patty cheeseburger, fries, and a coke. I also ordered the chicken sandwich the next day. I think the chicken sandwich would give the burger a run for the money. Can't go wrong with either. We ordered to go. It was game day and the place was packed! Our food came out quick. I'm impressed! read more

Decent burgers but great fries and garlic aioli. Their menu has only a few things - burgers, fries, and milkshakes. The burgers were okay - they taste like your average burger and I wasn't too impressed. But if your looking for a burger fix, this is the place to go. However, I really liked their fries - they are skinny crispy fries that taste amazing with their garlic aioli sauce. I went back a second time just for their fries and aioli. A few things to note: - this location is in a busy corporate location so during lunch hours, the lines are long and you may have to wait a while for your food. - ample amount of seating (but again beware of lunch hours it will be full of people) - this is basically a fast food place so the service is what it is Overall, I feel like this place does the job but isn't worth the amount of money I paid for it. ($40 for 2 burgers, fries, and a milkshake). I would go back again for their fries only. read more

Really solid burger, a step up from Shake Shack. Food takes a while to be ready. I wonder if you can order ahead. I've also never been to Au Cheval so I can't compare the two. I'll update this when I do. Location is good if you work in a nearby building, but otherwise does not offer much bike parking. read more

Small Cheval- Riverside - Burgers Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Great burger! Definitely a little pricey, but it was worth trying for sure. The patty was cooked perfectly, and the vodka lemonade was fabulous. Don't even get me started on the view from the tables. Also~ I recommend getting the garlic aoili with the fries! The employees were friendly as well. read more

Small Cheval- Riverside - Burgers Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Still the best burgers I've ever had. I used to live in Chicago and became a fan of Au Cheval. The 2+ hour waits and high prices kept me from visiting all that frequently. Small Cheval is the perfect choice for a tasty burger while on a time crunch. The fries (admittedly were a little salty) have a good crunchy texture. The shakes are perfectly frothy. The burgers...what more can I say besides they are the star of the show. In a world where smash and fast-casual burgers are far and wide, Small Cheval cuts through the noise with superior quality and flavor. read more

Small Cheval- Riverside - Burgers Near Me - Chicago, Illinois