Single Cheeseburger with bacon
1 / 10

Au Cheval

4.6
·491k reviews·,

A West Loop diner famed for its award-winning cheeseburger, offering a cozy atmosphere and inventive cocktails with ingredients from bologna to foie g...

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Wed/Fri 18-21h

Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

CrowdLow
Single Cheeseburger with bacon

Au Cheval

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A West Loop diner famed for its award-winning cheeseburger, offering a cozy atmosphere and inventive cocktails with ingredients from bologna to foie gras. [^M1, ^M2]

4.6
(491k reviews)

"Believe the hype: Au Cheval serves up one of the best burgers you'll ever have. TikTokReddit"

TIP

Beat the Crowds

Visit mid-day or during off-peak hours for shorter waits. Be prepared for potential long waits during peak times. [^M1, ^R3]

Beyond the Burger

Don't overlook other menu items like the fried bologna sandwich or the General Jane's fried chicken. [^M3]

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Open·Closes 11:15PM

Cuisine

American Diner

Price

$$$

Phone

(312) 929-4580

Address

800 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60607, USA

Insta-Factor

High

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

The Legendary Au Cheval Burger

The Legendary Au Cheval Burger

Consistently hailed as one of America's best, this burger features juicy patties, thick-cut bacon, and a perfectly cooked egg.

TikTokGoogle Review+3
Exceptional Bone Marrow

Exceptional Bone Marrow

Decadent bone marrow served with delicious beef jam and toast, a dish lauded for its rich flavor and unique preparation. [^M1, ^R4]

The First Timer’s Guide To Eating In Chicago - ChicagoGoogle Review
Cozy Diner Atmosphere

Cozy Diner Atmosphere

Enjoy a vintage-yet-modern diner ambiance with cool music and inventive cocktails in this popular West Loop spot. [^M2, ^R4]

Restaurants in ChicagoGoogle Review
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Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

I’m in Chicago for the weekend so I thought I’d rip up some good muck spots. Au Cheval was recommended to me by a ton of people so I had to give it a shot. Overall super cool place, vibe was dope but the burger really wasn’t my jam. I understand why people recommended this to me but I honestly found it to be a bit too much (which could also be because ordered the double instead of the single). I l...
@billylovebaby
12.3K likes • 165.9K views

Beat the Crowds

Visit mid-day or during off-peak hours for shorter waits. Be prepared for potential long waits during peak times. [^M1, ^R3]

Beyond the Burger

Don't overlook other menu items like the fried bologna sandwich or the General Jane's fried chicken. [^M3]

If you were wondering if the Double Cheeseburger at Au Cheval still lives up to the hype, we are happy to report that it still does. It’s the best cheeseburger in Chicago. And possibly the country?! . The downside? It’s expensive if you get the toppings, meaning the egg and bacon, added on to the burger. Here is how much one will set you back: ➖ Double Cheeseburger: $18.99 ➖ Add Egg: $2.99 ➖ Add T...
@russky002
285 likes • 36.7K views
They say it’s the best burger in the United States—and after one bite, I believe it. Au Cheval is known for its legendary cheeseburger, stacked high with juicy patties, thick-cut bacon, and that perfect ooze of melted cheese. This spot has earned national recognition, including a top spot from the Food Network—and it lives up to every bit of the hype. Simple, indulgent, unforgettable. 📍 Au Cheval ...
@foodiedhillon
121 likes • 5.2K views

The 'Handshake' Drink

For tourists, ask Spencer for a 'handshake' drink recommendation for an authentic experience. [^data.tips[2]]

Au Cheval: Is this the best burger in America? #chicago #burger #cheeseburger #aucheval #restaurantreview #docueatery #highspeeddining
@highspeeddining
47K likes • 449.3K views

Tips

from all over the internet

Beat the Crowds

Visit mid-day or during off-peak hours for shorter waits. Be prepared for potential long waits during peak times. [^M1, ^R3]

Beyond the Burger

Don't overlook other menu items like the fried bologna sandwich or the General Jane's fried chicken. [^M3]

The 'Handshake' Drink

For tourists, ask Spencer for a 'handshake' drink recommendation for an authentic experience. [^data.tips[2]]

What Travellers Say

4.6
(491k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Au Cheval is renowned for its legendary cheeseburger, often cited as one of the best in the country. Diners also praise the decadent bone marrow and the restaurant's cozy, lively atmosphere. While many find the food exceptional and worth the wait, some note that the fries can be ordinary and the music can be quite loud. The service is generally described as friendly and attentive, with staff knowledgeable about the menu. [^R1, ^R2, ^R3, ^R4, ^M1, ^M2]

"Au Cheval – Worth the Wait, Every Time

Au Cheval keeps it simple—but everything on the menu is executed to perfection. We had to wait a bit for a table, but it was absolutely worth it. Once seated, the service was fast, friendly, and spot-on from start to finish.

Here’s what we ordered,
Green Salad with Avocado - Surprisingly memorable for such a simple dish. Crisp greens, creamy avocado, and a perfectly balanced vinaigrette made it light, fresh, and satisfying.

Fried Bologna Sandwich - A nostalgic favorite elevated to gourmet status. Thick-cut bologna, seared to perfection, stacked high on pillowy bread with just the right mix of textures and flavors. Comfort food with serious style.

Single Cheeseburger - Believe the hype. Juicy, flavorful, perfectly cooked—this is everything a burger should be. Melted cheese, soft bun, and just the right amount of messiness. You’ll wish you ordered two.

Garlicky Fries -Crispy, golden, and loaded with garlic. Addictive and shareable (though you might not want to).

The vibe is cool, the menu is focused, and the flavors are unforgettable. Au Cheval lives up to its reputation—simple, bold, and absolutely delicious."

Greg V

"When I had my first Au Cheval burger years back, I legitimately thought "this is the best burger I've ever had." I'm happy to confirm Au Cheval is still serving up some of the best burgers around.

For a diner, Au Cheval's ambiance is upscale, but the vibe is laid back. There is usually a wait to dine in. The service is attentive and professional. During my most recent visit, I was there about an hour, and noticed nearly everyone dining in order a burger. The "single" is actually a double, and the "double" is a triple. Regardless of which option you choose, I highly recommend adding an egg. If you're a bacon lover, that's an option, as well. An order of fries is probably enough for two, considering how filling the burgers are.

Like many places in Chicago, Au Cheval is on the pricier side. Frankly, I don't even care. This is one of my absolute favorite restaurants, and each meal I've had here has been worth every penny."

Ned’s Eats Detroit

"Oh wow. We were not prepared for the excellence. Randomly popped by on day two of my husband’s birthday trip to Chicago, and what a happy accident it was.

We snagged a front row seat at the counter after a quick and worth it 30-minute wait, right next to the expo. As a food nerd (I’m sorry!) this was the perfect spot to watch all the action go down, and the food was even better than the well-oiled show displayed on the flattops.

Upon learning that we were celebrating a birthday tomorrow, my hubby’s burger arrived with a lit candle, and a surprise ice cream was delivered at the end of the meal with the same. Two very nice touches that made the whole experience extra special.

The food, my word, was SO GOOD. Burgers with perfect runny eggs (for which we watched a dude hand-center the yolks in each of a dozen tiny sauté pans), and bacon that is unmatched in flavor, texture, and seasoning. Every bite was a perfect bite. That is what life is all about.

Service was on the money - everyone was clearly busy but we wanted for nothing and appreciated our waiter’s good humor and attention to detail. Pros all around, and the special touches meant a great deal.

We need a nap now, but we can’t wait to return on our next trip to Chicago (or maybe Sunday morning before our flight back to NY). Thank you, Au Cheval!"

Stephanie Long

What People Like

Legendary cheeseburger
Decadent bone marrow
Cozy diner atmosphere

What People Dislike

Long wait times
Loud music
Ordinary fries

Frequently Asked Questions

Many diners and critics agree that Au Cheval's legendary burger and unique dishes are well worth the wait, despite potential long lines. TikTokReddit+1

TikTokGoogle Review+1

The most famous dish is the Au Cheval Cheeseburger, often called one of the best in America, with options to add bacon and an egg. [^R2, ^M8, ^T3]

TikTokWhere to Eat and Drink in ChicagoGoogle Review

While known for its meat-centric menu, options like the Green Salad and French Fries are available. Specific vegetarian dishes are not extensively highlighted in reviews. [^data.menuItems]

Au Cheval does not accept reservations, so be prepared to wait. Consider visiting during off-peak hours. [^M1, ^M2, ^R3]

The First Timer’s Guide To Eating In Chicago - ChicagoRestaurants in ChicagoGoogle Review

To avoid long waits, try visiting mid-day or during off-peak hours. Late night hours are also available with a limited menu. [^data.tips[0], ^M2]

Restaurants in Chicago

The Bloody Mary is highly recommended, and for tourists, asking 'Spencer' for a 'handshake' drink recommendation is a unique experience. [^R1, ^data.tips[2]]

Google Review

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Although many Chicagoans enjoy Au Cheval Restaurant for its upscale old-school fare and strong classic cocktails, sinking into the dark, cushiony booths for a memorable meal is not only for special occasions. Many diners come just to dig into one of Chicago’s quintessential famous foods: the Au Cheval Cheeseburger!. The “Single” is made of two 4-ounce prime beef patties, each paired with a slice of American cheese, then topped with house-made Dijonnaise dressing and house-cured pickles.

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