Okay, I may be the only person here but I preferred the burger here at Small Cheval over Au Cheval. I don't know if it's the fact that I didn't have to wait 3 hours for a burger or the fact that I got to sit outside in a very relaxed environment, but it just tasted much much better over here. We got here on a Friday afternoon around 1pm and it was pretty busy as the patio was full so I was thinking I would have to wait quite a while but to my surprise I only waited inside like 10 minutes. Then when I asked the guy how long until my pager would be called, he said it would another 10 minutes which I thought is a pretty fair deal. However, my pager went off in like 2 minutes time no joke! Seriously score. I got to have this amazing burger in my hands within 15 minutes of arrival. I think that made it taste that much better. I liked the patio more than the inside maybe due to all those colored chairs and there were a few umbrellas where you can hide from the sun but this would totally be a great place in the evening if you want some comfort food or absolutely amazing burgers anytime of the year actually. Although I probably wouldn't sit outside in the winter and would grab myself a burger to go since I can imagine the inside getting tight very fast. The actual burger was delicious, I wouldn't say cheap since it's the same price as Au Cheval and fries are extra. I would make it a few dollars cheaper since it's not the same exact experience. The fries are so worth getting, super crispy and they have all their sauces you can get on the side including that much talked about garlic aoli (yep, get that). The burger itself super moist but not over done where the bread gets soggy, it's seriously the perfect all american burger and one of my faves in Chicago. I will definitely be back here and not sure if I'll be back to Au Cheval since the wait is just not worth it, but small cheval is definitely doing BIG things. read more

Best "fast food style" burger I've ever had in my entire life, hands down. There is definitely a difference between burgers like this (with small, thin patties) and big burger patties like Kuma's Corner. In terms of thin burger patties, this burger was amazing. It's the perfect blend of salt and seasonings. Five stars for the burger. The fries were OK - could be better. Nice to have fries with the burger, but not necessary and I would pass on the fries if you were on a budget. The shake was good too - but not any better than say Portillo's or any other fast food shake. Atmosphere was cool. Small little one room restaurant with a big table with open seating and then seats lining the walls. Didn't have trouble finding seating at 8 PM on a Friday night (though it was raining). There is a nice outdoor patio too. Parking in the area was fine (given the rain though). Price overall is expensive - $50 for two burgers, one fry, one shake, two cans of pop, and a beer. To be fair, the burgers are AMAZING. I ate mine in 1 minute or less and wanted another one immediately after I realized what I had done! I'm actually craving a burger now that I'm writing this review... read more

This is the best cheeseburger I've ever had in my life. The garlic aioli is to die for. I think about this place all the time.

Brought an out of town friend here last week. The menu could not be more basic, and it is a little pricey, but they do everything so well. The bun can make or break a burger, and this one is perfect. The whole thing just melts in your mouth. Share the fries, they complete the meal and there's more than enough for 2-3 people. And the vanilla shake is excellent. Do I wish they had grilled onions and strawberry shakes? Of course. Will that keep me from coming here? Absolutely not! read more

Blah, blah, blah...not that great. Just OK. There are so many better burgers in the city- I wasn't impressed. For the cost- I would rather have a Lockdown or Kumas burger hands down!!! read more

You gotta stop by if you love a good burger! Only two options but make sure to add the bacon and grab a shake. Can't wait for them to open their second location in Fulton River District. read more

Small Cheval- Wicker Park - Great outdoor space during the summer/fall months. - Burgers Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Having been to Au Cheval, i felt compelled to visit this location...This place has an interesting layout with adequate seating options and definitely no waiting time on a tuesday afternoon! The menu is so simple you really cant go wrong with what you order but in that degree that might explain why you dont have long wait lines because its in the variety it lacks that probably might be its draw back...I did like my burger for freshness and taste(when you go to a burger place and they get it right without you telling them how to cook your burger thats a good thing!), and the fries were crunchy which was also good with the option of getting unlimited garlic aioli at your discretion at the dispenser! They have 2 different ketchup one heinz and sir kensington! Prices are reasonable and service quick! Although as good as my experience overall, this is not a replacement for Au Cheval by any means(Wait lines? just line up 30 mins before it opens)... read more

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This is my third time being here, and the wait time was great no more than five minutes. The food is very pricey, but they have a precise quality with their burgers that I appreciate. I ordered it to go and after taking a hour ride home and miceowaving it since it was so cold, the food still retained the juicy flavor of the beef and moistness in the pickles and Dijon mustard. I can only imagine how it would have tasted right off the grill. A great recommendation, so bring friends and money for great food and drinks. read more

Bacon cheeseburger and an ipa. Don't get much better than that. The garlic aioli is a little bland but better than the acidic ketchup.

I have to admit, I've never been a huge fan of regular Au Chevals burger. It's good, I just never understood the hype. So when Small Cheval opened in my backyard, I wasn't terribly excited, other than for just the overall spectacle of it all. And spectacle it is. The line wraps around the building most nights. Nonetheless, on a particularly nice night, a group of four of us decided to stick it out. The result: the burger is not only different than the one at regular Au Cheval, it's BETTER. SO good. And the patio space is pretty awesome. Inside smells like a diner, so not sure I'd love that in winter, but hit it up now while the weather is good. Garlic aioli for the fries is the bomb diggity. One star down for the negroni, which was $12 and kind of gross. But everything else was spot on. read more

I ate here for the first time. I got a bacon cheese burger with fries. The bun was grilled and the cheeseburger was dripping with cheese. I was surprised to find it was a double pattie but they did not fit the bun. I could hardly tell there was bacon on it. The fries were crispy and flavorful. I go again to give them another shot. read more

Hands down one of the best burgers in the city. Even with the sometimes longer wait just to get in the door it is totally worth it.

I have been wanting to try Small Cheval, I didn't want to wait in a long line for a burger..thankfully- at 1PM on a dreary Thursday -no line. My order was simple enough, kind of like the menu- Cheesburger, with bacon, tomato and lettuce- Vanilla Milkshake- price- was just over 17 bucks with tax- OUCH! Let me start by saying the milkshake was 5 stars- perfect- As I was getting some ketchup and the garlic aioli(which is a nice add on), I was looking for some salt- none to be found- turns out they have one salt shaker for the whole place- the guy behind the counter explained they didn't think their food need any more seasoning than what they cook with- so I skipped the salt on the burger- I suppose it didn't need any extra salt- The Cheeseburger- was a little under cooked for a thin burger (two of them) ..There was a thin piece of tasteless bacon- certainly not worth 2 bucks- couldn't even taste it.. So you have a ten dollar burger a four dollar milk shake- I skipped the fries in favor of my waistline. I really think you get a better burger and shake at Culver's for half the price of Small Cheval. Culver's is everywhere- Small Cheval is in Wicker Park- so if you're there- you are there. I am glad I don't have to rush back to Small Cheval. read more

My order did not come to me complete. I ordered 2 burgers and 2 fries, but only received one of the burgers. I tried to call the restaurant several times, but it went straight to a voicemail telling me I could not leave a message. I had no way of contacting the restaurant, which is SO UNPROFESSIONAL. I had to split the burger that was delivered and luckily it was good. But extremely disappointed in this restaurant as I have heard great things. If you cannot count how many burgers are in a bag vs. how many are ordered, maybe the job is not for you. read more

Fantastic burger in cool little hut. Bun was perfect and sirloin mix very tasty. Nice outdoor seating and parking wasn't a haze! Cannot wait to come back! read more

Had the cheeseburger with bacon tonight. Once again it doesn't fail. Please pay this place a visit. This might be my candidate for best burger in the city right now. read more

I know the entire city is all up in hype about Au Cheval and trust me, they should be because its unreal. But waiting 2 hours to eat a burger and get 40 likes on your instagram is absolutely bananas. Small Cheval is the new Au. Is quick, easy and to the point. I went this past Saturday night at 7:00, got a high top along the window after ordering and waiting for maybe 2 minutes and had my food within 10. Burger equaled Au in every way. I was also here back in the summer and the outdoor area is real sweet. Very low key "fast food" place which is great if you just want the burger (Au Cheval has more options on their menu). read more

Their house style cheeseburger is amazing. This is one of the best cheeseburgers in the city. You might ague, it's just an ordinary cheeseburger. It's true, it doesn't have any fancy topping. But honestly, it doesn't need those items to excel. Make sure you get it house style. You won't regret it. I don't know how a simple cheeseburger can be so juicy and tasty, but it is. If I want a great, no frills cheeseburger, this is my go to joint. The golden fries with the garlic Aioli are also to die for. read more

Sooooooooooo good! Burgers are great, music is great, employees are great! Cute little beer selection and great aoili. I can't wait till it's warm again so I can nom burgers out on the patio! read more

Damn. ..that was one helluva burger and fries. Definitely worth the hype. Love how they keep it simple, because they do it right. Would have loved a cold beer with the meal, but was in lunch break. maybe a little on the pricey side, but worth it on occasion. read more

Get the house style cheeseburger! It's savory and delicious. You have to respect a place that focuses on doing one thing very, very well.

Casual quint space, positive/welcoming vibes, small menu (not a bad thing!), $10 per person average but good quality items. No need to travel across town but if walking by in the neighborhood give them a try. read more

I adore this place. It is everything of your dreams in a burger and fries. First up, I rarely indulge in burgers except for In-N-Out when I'm on the West Coast looking for a quick lunch between work meetings. After a night out for a friend's birthday dancing until 3 am, I may have been in need of wonderful comfort food. The foodie in me was unwilling to settle lol. I love patty melts so my first choice snubbed me for lunch saying they only have dine-in. Small cheval stepped in. I've read a number of reviews on the wonders of Au Cheval burgers so I thought...here is the opportunity given sore feet and late new year's revelry. The service was impeccable. So nice, friendly and quick! I love malort on the menu even tho I passed. I also really liked the communal large table. Nice and welcoming. Good outdoor option on a rare nice day for January 5th. I devoured the fries on the way home. It is rare to be impressed with fries since they are so common. Really unique and magnificent. I worked my way through the cheeseburger throughout the day. The garlic aoili is wonderful. Soooooo yummy. I salute you Small Cheval genius. I will be back when I have another craving! read more

Great, casual spot for a simple burger. Their shakes hit the sweet spot. And their garlic aioli is a perfect condiment for fry dipping. The wait wasn't too long but the rain could've kept the line gapers from forming. Will come back to satisfy my burger cravings. read more

Awesome food with even better service! Stopped by late night and order two burgers, one fry and a milk shake to share. They included another fry and milk shake no charge! Type of service doesn't exist anymore. Great job guys, can't wait to visit again. read more

Horrible. After i waited an hour after receiving text my order was ready, the food was COLD. No taste. Overcooked. Worse experience ever. Oh and it was raining and you had to order from Caviar which was another disaster. Stick to McDonald. Better quality, fast, and yeah HOT. Who likes a Cold overcooked burger. read more

Definitely up there in terms of the best burgers i've ever had. The price point and the fast casual atmosphere of the place take it to a whole other level. The place isn't fancy- your only options are going to be the basic burgers and fries, but they do it right. The option of pumping your own garlic aioli is extremely clutch. The outdoor patio area is a nice touch as well. Overall, a great option if you want something quicker but still delicious. read more

Definitely just ok and not as good as the original Au Cheval. Would rather wait 1 - 2 hours for the original. Burger was ok, fries were soggy and not crisp. Vanilla shake was ok and garlic aioli was good. Good place to grab a quick bite if you're in the hood. read more

The single patty burger with fries is my favorite treat! Burger is cooked just right, fries are perfectly crispy!

I haven't been to Au cheval so I won't make any comparisons but the burgers and fries here are really good. Super juicy and flavorful cheeseburger and awesome crispy fries...can't go wrong. Menu is super simple, which is great. Good local beers on tap. I'll definitely be going back when I'm in the mood for a solid burger. read more

everything has already been said. it's awesome. it's expensive - but awesome. fries all day, garlic aioli, and cheeseburger with bacon. read more

The line was long but the wait was not. Parking was a beast, but we finally found a spot. They were fast and professional. The food was so good, the chocolate shake simply amazing!! read more

Amazing customer service, amazing burgers and fries, amazing garlic aioli! Top it off with $3 whiskey shots, perfect Sunday funday!

Never had a better late nite burger. Period. Mess of a thing with all the right ingredients and flavors. Fries, sauces, shakes, drinks, ambiance. Worth the quick line to feast on a focused menu with friendly staff. Beats fast food all day/nite long. read more

So this place has to be a cash cow. They simply churn out a very small menu, hamburger and slap some cheese on it and you have their second main entree, the cheeseburger. What a great concept! Sell one of the most popular burgers in Chicago in its own little hut...you have small cheval. If you haven't been here or its big sister Au Cheval, you're definitely missing out! Pit this on your bucket list. Also, the garlic aioli is an awesome touch. Now, If you're reading this Mr. Sodikoff, where can I find the pizza from the previous tenants?! read more

This petite version of Au Cheval is so great! There was a line out the door, but they are so efficient and friendly! Burger and shake... you cannot go wrong! read more

I had an awesome lunch at Small Cheval Friday afternoon. The burger had multiple layers of flavor and was perfectly cooked. The bun was soft but not soggy. I usually don't like mustards but I said yes to the dijonaise on the burger and I'm glad I did. It complimented the onions and juicy thin patties really well. The fries were also delicious. Perfectly salted and piping hot. I had water to drink but they had one of those awesome soda machines that lets you get a bunch of different varieties of various sodas. Super cool. I'll definitely be back. read more

I choose this place every time over au cheval. The burger that most people wait three hours for is available here with little to no wait. There's shakes are wonderful and the employees are so nice. Every time I order a burger here I am able to have my meal within a few short minutes. This helps because the wait is absolutely unbearable since it is so amazing! Do yourself a favor and order it the way it comes because you will not be disappointed. I recommend this place to anyone visiting Wicker Park. The alcoholic milkshakes are just a plus. You may want to Uber because the milkshakes are a must try, but parking is available for others. Enjoy! read more

Not much food on the menu, but they do burgers (and fries) and they do them well. Burger was delicious, and the bun in particular was perfect. Decent amount of sauces to choose from. They have a decent beer selection too. Great outdoor area for seating in warm weather. read more

I haven't been to Au Cheval so I can't compare the two. I thought Small Cheval's burger was just OK. The buns got pretty soggy in the middle of my meal, which mixed with the melted cheese and created a sort of gooey mess. Taste wise, it was very well seasoned and the patty juicy, which further contributed to the gooey mess. I like the very simple menu. Hamburger or cheeseburger and fries. It's a no fuss or frills place. Great for after work when you're tired and don't want to think about what to order. read more