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According to Food Network, Au Cheval has the best burger in the nation. With its original location being just downtown, I decided to give it a try.
Previously, I got to eat at the restaurant’s sister location in New York City. It wasn’t the best experience, but it was still decent. However, I was mind blown by the Chicago location.
To begin, the words “Au Cheval” are French. As a literal translation, they mean “on horseback,” but in food terms it means “topped with a fried egg.”
With that being said, many of the food options include fried egg: cheeseburgers, fries, etc. I’m not much of a fan of eggs, but it was worth a try.
Walking into the restaurant, I noticed it was very tiny. They did not accept reservations, and tables fit only a maximum of four people.
The restaurant also has a dress code. One should be dressed business casual to enter.
However, the service was extraordinarily quick. I entered the restaurant with my party a minute after they opened, and nearly every patron inside had their food and was eating.
When we were seated, we were asked what we wanted to drink. I heard from my uncle that the root beer was homebrewed. Not even five seconds after I said that’s what I wanted, it was brought to me in an extremely fancy glass.
Just the aesthetic of it was unique, and the taste was unlike any root beer I’ve had before. It went down smoothly, without any kind of carbonation that rises in one’s throat. It also tasted delightful. I regret not getting it as a root beer float.
I then ordered a single cheeseburger, with bacon on the side. I almost made my burger a double cheeseburger, but I think that would’ve been a mistake. The host of my table, a very kind and descriptive man, revealed that single cheeseburgers have two patties and double cheeseburgers have three. Honestly, that helps make up for the price of the burger.
For a side, I decided to simply just order French fries to share. However, they too had a fried egg on top, along with a warm cheese sauce.
Not even five minutes later, our food was brought to the table. Something I noticed was that the restaurant chef’s are always cooking, due to the mass amounts of people that wait outside to get a table. I was even told that the outdoor standby line has even had people waiting more than three hours for food. The commitment just proves that the restaurant was worth it.
The food looked absolutely stunning, and the ratio of cheese to burger was perfect. If only I could stay in that moment of taking the first bite. It was heaven; the melted cheese, the buttered bun, and the juice of the burger. Sorry Gordon Ramsay Burger, Au Cheval takes the win.
The fries were heavenly, and they came with two dipping sauces. One was a mornay sauce, and the other was a garlic aioli.
Additionally, the bacon was thick and incredibly flavorful.
I was sad to say that I didn’t have any leftovers; the food was too good. It was a quick meal, especially since the restaurant was beginning to get busy. However, my party had leftovers.
It was then that the restaurant gave plastic containers for both our food, and small cups with lids for the sauces. Additionally, they gave us a very nice bag to put these in. It’s absolutely worth the price.
Speaking of price, it was relatively similar to Gordon Ramsay Burger. The traditional cheeseburgers ranged from $17-$19, and sides were around $8.
The price was absolutely worth it. My meal at Au Cheval was an unforgettable experience, but may be saved for special occasions. I have nothing but good things to say about the restaurant and its service.
Au Cheval is located at 800 W. Randolph St, Chicago, IL, 60607. They are open daily from 10AM to 11PM, but make sure to arrive early since they don’t accept reservations!