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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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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?
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
1 month ago
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
3 months ago
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
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
4 months ago
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
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
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
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
7 months ago
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
7 months ago
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
3 months ago
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
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
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
3 months ago
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
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
5 days ago
Best burger in the city (so far) - definitely recommend adding the eggs + bacon, which was the highlight of the meal. Meat was cooked perfectly. We just walked around West Loop while waiting for ~1.5 hours on a Saturday afternoon, so the time went by pretty quickly. Definitely worth the wait! read more
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, 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.....Au how I long for thee!!! 100% my absolute favorite spot to go when I'm in the area. Everything is fantastic, the hand cut fries are the best I've ever had and the burger is AMAZING! cooked right in the front of the house, the thick cut bacon and the perfectly cooked runny egg on top, it's the top tier burger IMHO. I'm usually a solo diner so I can get in and sit at the bar fairly quickly but there does tend to be a wait, but totally worth it. The seating area is fairly small but the tunes rock, and the staff and service are top notch!!! This is the first and last stop for me on my trips to Chicago, and dinners in between if I can make it work. *pro tip* Snag your spot in line, they will text you when your tables ready, then run across the street to the brewery and grab a beer or cocktail and people watch while you wait. read more
17 days ago
9 months ago
Oh my gosh--life changing burger. Honestly, it might be the best burger I've ever had. The patty was incredibly well-seasoned, the thick-cut bacon was perfectly peppery, and the brioche bun was soft yet toasted just right. Every bite was pure heaven. It's definitely an indulgent burger, but after trying it, I completely understand the hype. My friend and I originally went during the dinner rush, but the wait was way too long. We came back the next day for lunch and got seated immediately. We both agreed it was absolutely worth the return trip and we'd come back again in a heartbeat. The fries were spot-on--crispy, flavorful, and super satisfying. Service was friendly, attentive, and full of great recommendations. Highly recommend. read more
I'd been looking forward to this burger and planned my cheat meal around it, even but honestly, it didn't live up to the hype. The wait was rough. We stood around for over an hour, and by the time we finally got seated, we were cutting it close to the kitchen closing. Luckily, there's a bar next door that serves NA beer, so at least we had somewhere to hide out while we waited. When the burger finally hit the table, it looked good, but the taste just didn't deliver. The bun was probably the best part, soft, rich, a little sweet but the rest of it was...fine. Not terrible, not great, just wildly overhyped. After all the buildup, the long wait, and the near "sorry, kitchen's closed" panic, it just didn't feel worth it. Maybe it was an off night, but for me, this one was more "meh" than memorable. read more
8 days ago
This burger was a religious experience. Went there on the recommendation of my buddy Mike, who said it's worth the hours wait. It was lunchtime, but got sat immediately and had great service. It was super cool to watch the kitchen from the bar. Great food. Great place. read more
5 months ago
Au Cheval is one of those iconic burgers that define a city. I think this particular burger definitely needs to be topped off with a egg over easy to give all its glory with the juice and messiness. Is it a lot of money for a burger? Yes. But these are the days with a $20 burger and at least you are guaranteed a solid burger and flavors rather than something that is dry or lackluster. read more
Au Cheval is probably one of the most hyped restaurants in Chicago and I have to say that I didn't get the hype. I came around noon on a Friday and because I was a solo diner I was quoted a wait of 20 minutes. I heard groups being quoted 2.5 hours. They have a large bar area with seating that allows you a view of the cooks, some banquet seating and outdoor seating. I was seated at the bar and my server was super friendly and upbeat. I thought this was a burger restaurant but they're a full blown diner. A lot of the menu items sounded tasty and I was even tempted to get a milkshake but I landed on a crisp IPA to complement my burger. If you're coming here of course you have to get the burger. You can choose from a single (2 patties) or double (3 patties) cheeseburger and opt to add a fried egg or their thick cut bacon. I was glad that my wait time was only 20 minutes, but I waited another 30 minutes for my burger after ordering. I was a little disappointed that it came out warm instead of hot but I could see how that could happen based on the assembly line process they had going where they have all of the burgers open faced on the counter waiting for their respective toppings. Don't get me wrong, it's a tasty burger, but not one that I would wait in line for. read more
What a beautiful experience! We went when the weather was nice and we were quite surprised when the food arrived so quickly. Turns out someone brought the wrong food to our table. The waitress told us the meal we have was not ours but we still are getting our meal. We were SHOOK! The waitress was very matter of fact and stone face but the service was incredible even though it was hella busy. Now on to the food! The bone marrow appetizer felt like it was needed to be tested, but probably won't seek it out next time. The menu is very simple but impeccable. Michelin star burger seemed too good to be true and it wasn't! My partner got the chilaquiles which were okay in my opinion. The HASH BROWNS! So crispy, just like I like. We will happily be back. read more
Au Cheval is exactly who they think they are !!!! Yessssss! I've been wanting to go here for several years but not a fan of waiting for hours. I went very late after a play and was able to get a seat for one at the bar! It was still crowded at 10pm. The burger was juicy and flavorful. Service was quick and kind. I will be back ! read more
Love Au Cheval. We got in right away Friday at 4:30pm but I've heard the wait can go up to 2 hours during busy hours. The burger is so filling (you really don't need the bacon and eggs unless you really want to stuff yourself) and the fries and aioli are perfectly seasoned. Au Cheval and Little Bad Wolf (smashburgers) are my top 2 favorite burgers in Chicago. The drinks are great too! They say the bone marrow, wings and salad are fan favorites too but I would honestly forgo those (there's more authentic Korean wings and bone marrow is not worth the money imo) but you can get half portions which is nice if you just want to try a bit! read more
6 months ago
You know those place that aren't ~not~ worth the hype, but don't fully live up to the hype? That's Au Cheval for me. Good service, adorable location. Good solid burger, good salad, mediocre fries. But.. $70+ for two burgers, a salad, and a side of fries? Green salad: Fresh salad with a variety of lettuces. The sherry vinaigrette was nice and tangy. Single cheeseburger (with and without added bacon): A single is a double, and these patties were nicely cooked with lots of juiciness. The cheese was perfectly melty, though I found mine to have a little too much sauce. The version with bacon was thiiiickly cut to the point where I'm going to deem it pork belly. The flavors were nice and sweet, though I would've preferred a touch more char along with the sweetness. Fries: These were the disappointment of the meal with some limp, some soggy, some crispy. I believe truffle oil was involved, and I'm just not convinced about the truffle oil fries bandwagon. On some fries, the balance seemed to be just right, but on others the truffle oil was overpowering and bordering on bitter. I'd come back with a group. read more
More info about Au Cheval
800 W Randolph St
Chicago, IL 60607
West Loop, Near West Side
Directions
(312) 929-4580
Call Now
Visit Website
http://www.auchevaldiner.com
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Ask the Community - Au Cheval
Do they still have outdoor seating, and is it dog-friendly?
Yes, they most certainly have outdoor setting and will likely accommodate pets outside.
How long is the wait in the evening?
It was about 35 min for a party of 4. But outside seating was available immediately.
What's the dress code? Thinking about dining in before a baseball game
No dress code, honestly. I was wearing a tank top and shorts and they seated me
Is it wagyu beef and can lettuce and tomatoes be added to the burgers?
You won't even need to do any of that...it's incredible as it comes. And no x 3
If I go on a Monday with a table of 7, what time should I get there for minimal wait?
My suggestion, put your name in anticipating a 1-2 hour wait, and then walk around the west Loop. Go to Levian cookies, etc..
Do you have any non beef items?
Yes. They have French fries and they also have chicken.
Does anyone know if their meat is kosher?
Not sure but, our waiter ASKED if we had any allergies to certain foods .
Is there a quiet bar near here?
Haymarket is a great option. It's not necessarily quiet but not super loud.
Which oil do they use to fry the fries? ETA: they use beef fat per the fry cook.
They use beef fat
Since no reservations are taken what happens to guests during the wait period during the cold months? About how long would the wait be for a single guest dining alone midweek.... I will be in Chicago in early March !
There's a couple bars in the area, give them your number...go grab a couple of drinks and they'll text you when your spot is ready
Do they seat a party of 5 or more together?
We had a party of 8 and they just had us split up into groups of 4 in the booths. They could probably accommodate 8 at the tables but the wait will be very long
Is this restaurant okay for well-behaved children (8 and 14)?
it's kinda old school, a bit dark, low ceiling, I've ate inside once don't recall children, this was around 2pm on a weekday. I can't think of a reason why it wouldn't be OK, my opinion ....it's not a kid place. They have outdoor dining as well as…
Do they take reservations? Note: answered my own question. they do not. called them and asked.
You have to go in person to be put on the list and they page you with two hours usually for seating.
Do fries come with the Single Burger or does that need to be purchased separately?
Everything is a la carte
Has the wait time gone down due to COVID? Have they started taking reservations online?
I don’t know. My friend was the one who picked up our order and he called in advance. My only suggestion is to either call in advance or possibly ordering online if you’re doing takeout.
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Au Cheval - bars - Updated September 2026
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