The restaurant that made a double cheeseburger into a two-hour wait and convinced Chicago it was worth it. Au Cheval's burger — two thick patties, American cheese, dijonnaise on a soft bun, with the optional fried egg that pushes it into mythology — is the kind of food that generates arguments about whether it is the best burger in the country or merely the best in the Midwest. The diner format (counter, booths, open kitchen) deliberately underplays the ambition: everything on the menu, from the bone marrow to the foie gras hash, is executed with a technique that the setting pretends not to contain. Brendan Sodikoff built an empire from this kitchen, and the burger remains the cornerstone.
Location
West Loop, Chicago
Insider Intel
The double cheeseburger with a fried egg on top — this is the canonical order and deviation is not recommended on a first visit. The single is insufficient; the double is the correct ratio of meat to cheese to bun. The chopped liver with bacon marmalade is an underrated starter. The bone marrow with chimichurri is excessive in the best way. Hash browns, crispy. A milkshake to complete the diner fantasy.
Weekday at 11am when lunch service opens and the wait is under 30 minutes. Weekend brunch and dinner waits routinely exceed two hours, and the restaurant does not take reservations for parties under six. Put your name on the list, walk to another West Loop bar, and return when texted. Late-night (after 10pm) on weeknights sometimes has shorter waits.
No reservations for small parties — walk-in only, with a waitlist managed by text. The wait is the price of entry and is legendary in Chicago dining circles. The Randolph Street location means you can drink at Lone Wolf or another West Loop bar while waiting. Counter seats are the fastest to turn over. Expect $25-35 per person for food, more with drinks. Small Wonder next door is Sodikoff's cocktail bar and functions as the unofficial waiting room.