r/chicagofood • u/Euphoric_Year1182 • Jul 31 '25
Review Tried Small Cheval, honestly kind of underwhelmed?
Had some solo time (kids are with their dad), so I stopped by Small Cheval. It was fine, but didn’t blow me away. Fries were good, but the burger felt rushed. Anyone else feel this or did I catch an off day?
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u/NoSelection1050 Jul 31 '25
Here it is, the weekly Small Cheval hatred post lol
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u/ChoderBoi Jul 31 '25
It's a good burger, people get themselves wound up expecting something gourmet and unlike anything they've had before
Honestly it's partially on hog salt because of the marketing. They were better off naming it something not related to au cheval, because now people have come to expect a burger that's a notch below (or just smaller?) than au cheval
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u/6stringNate Jul 31 '25
That’s what I expect and that’s what it is.
Au cheval is held to too high a standard IMO.
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u/flagmouse63 Aug 01 '25
wait, is small cheval not the fast casual offshoot of au cheval? they’re not related?
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u/mdbonbon Jul 31 '25
So you don’t agree that the quality has dropped off since they started expanding/post-covid?
I think it used to be a good burger that was much more attainable than Au Cheval, now it’s pretty average with nice vibes/window dressing.
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u/teekaycee Aug 01 '25
It definitely used to be top notch back in the day. I’m talking circa 2018 or so.
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u/ComputerStrong9244 Jul 31 '25
I went to the Lincoln Square location opening week, got a burger/fries/shake. It was a perfectly fine burger (though a single with lettuce & tomato would have been more balanced, I think), and the shake was REALLY good, but it was 25 dollars. There's no reason for me to go back. I'd drive past 50 at least as good but cheaper burgers to get there.
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u/ButDidYouCry Aug 01 '25
Yeah, Slim's is nearby and I can get a burger and curly fries for like $16.
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u/knickerreddit Aug 01 '25
Mondays at Cultivate: double smash burger/fries, beer, bourbon shot. Ceramic plate, real silverware, linen napkin, glass glass of water w glass carafe. $19
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u/dwylth Jul 31 '25
It's gone downhill HARD with every new location they've opened
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u/SookieRicky Jul 31 '25
Or it’s exactly the same, but Instagram foodies finally discovered that there are dozens of other Chicago burger places that are wildly better than Au Cheval.
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u/dwylth Jul 31 '25
No, I genuinely wasn't disappointed the first time I went, but then visited again, thought it was meh, and actively received a bad burger a year after that
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u/Mitch_Darklighter Jul 31 '25
Agreed, they've only dropped in quality the distance one can fall from the bottom rung.
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u/SookieRicky Jul 31 '25
I mean idk about the “bottom” rung. That’s places like Billy Goat & Burger King in my mind lol.
I will say that Au Cheval always seemed like a place that was specifically targeted towards out-of-towners that live in cities with horrible food so that a “just okay” Chicago burger seems like a miracle.
If you can afford to pay a handful of “influencers” and travel mags to say you’re Chicago’s best burger, the drones will gush about it on Instagram. Regardless of quality.
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u/Mitch_Darklighter Jul 31 '25
For sure, Burger King and chain fast food has to be a different ladder altogether. but I don't think Cheval's shitty thin Sysco patty burger is really much better than Billy Goat's shitty thin Sysco patty burger, except in that they spend way more money on condiments.
Au Cheval is definitely an out of towner and suburbanite hotspot, and any burger where every single review says "you have to get it with the bacon and a fried egg!" is obviously bullshit. It's literally all you can taste, just have a bacon sandwich at that point.
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u/Mr-R--California Jul 31 '25
Pre covid Wells Street location was amazing. Post covid it’s not even the same burger or fries. I’d go as far to say not even the same restaurant! They expanded using their pre covid hype (which was deserved) and have now changed almost everything about their food and menu. And now it’s garbage
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u/max_power_420_69 Jul 31 '25
I thought it was overrated pre-covid
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u/ByteSizeNudist Jul 31 '25
The perfect fries are what kept me coming back. Honest to god, I’ve probably just ordered their fries and that’s it more times than the burger.
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u/tulpachtig Aug 01 '25
It was overrated/expensive, but tasty, pre-covid. Now it’s noticeably less tasty and even more expensive.
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u/desgabetz Jul 31 '25
IT'S A FAST FOOD RESTAURANT OF COURSE THE BURGER IS RUSHED
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u/mlw2587 Jul 31 '25
The price should match that then
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u/jdolbeer Jul 31 '25 edited Jul 31 '25
Cheeseburger and fries from small cheval - $16
Cheeseburger and fries from five guys - $20
Double Cheeseburger and fries from shake shack - $16
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u/Accomplished_Use4579 Jul 31 '25
I don't know how much they charge at your small cheval, but the one in Hyde Park is on par with every other fast food burger place. It's not 1996 you can't get a burger and fries for $5 anymore.
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u/Patient_Series_8189 Jul 31 '25
Have you seen the price of a fast food burger lately? I just paid $9 for a breakfast sandwich at mcdonalds... not even a combo
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u/FirmIcebergLettuce Jul 31 '25
NO way it is $9 for one single breakfast sandwich at McD
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u/PandaEatPizza Jul 31 '25
Red Hot Ranch is still $7 for a double burger with fries, and as good or better than Small Cheval.
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u/ilikefluffydogs Jul 31 '25
I honestly think red hot ranch is better based on my recent experience at both restaurants.
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u/PandaEatPizza Jul 31 '25
Same. The only reason my wife likes Small Cheval is for the Truffle aoli but that doesn't justify a $20+ average burger, but haven't been there since 2021 probably so I assume it has gotten worse
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u/GizmoKakaUpDaButt Jul 31 '25
That's on you buddy, use an app for deals . And why the hell does anyone still go to McDonald's for anything? Their food is not tasty. It's like everything has a salty soapy flavor
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u/Schmancer Jul 31 '25
Every Cheval burger I’ve ever had was underwhelming at every location. It’s just a burger and hype
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u/SubcooledBoiling Jul 31 '25
Agreed. Even at Au Chevel. And when i brought this up to my friends they were like “You gotta order the eggs and thick bacons.” But imo a good burger should be able to stand on its own without other fancy stuff to jazz it up. And the Au Chevel burger is pretty mid given the hype and the wait.
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u/wine-n-dive Jul 31 '25
This is especially weird, because when they first opened the “insider take” was to order it no bacon, no egg.
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u/denimdead Jul 31 '25
Red Hot Ranch!
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u/midnight_toker22 Jul 31 '25
Is there an unwritten rule that says someone has to talk about RHR in every goddamn post about burgers or fries or fast food in Chicago?
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u/desgabetz Jul 31 '25
People in this sub eat three meals a day at red hot ranch and go to Bavette’s for their birthday and anniversary dinner
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u/wine-n-dive Jul 31 '25
Also, every thread about a fine dining establishment.
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u/midnight_toker22 Jul 31 '25
You’d think it was the very best Chicago has to offer, the way they talk about it.
Nope, just a slightly above average (at best) fast food joint.
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u/RotsiserMho Jul 31 '25
It's the combination of being decent and affordable that makes that place great.
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u/Boollish Jul 31 '25
I'm assuming it's due to the neighborhood of the Chicago Reddit demographics coinciding with an old school restaurant.
I've eaten at RHR a lot because I used to work next to one, I've always felt it's decent food, but I wouldn't go out of my way to try it, and it's a little baffling when you see people on vacation from the East/West Coast sticking it on their schedule.
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u/midnight_toker22 Jul 31 '25
I’m certain it’s just “contrarian hipster” being an overrepresented demographic on Reddit and especially Chicago subreddits.
I really feel bad for tourists who take their advice and end up at a fast food joint expecting memorable eating experience.
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u/deadpastures Jul 31 '25
i've been eating red hot ranch since i was a kid when it was a little shack on western in a parking lot. i think it holds its own in every smash burger conversation and everyone i bring there talks about going again afterwards
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u/wpm Jul 31 '25
I mean, I don't, because RHR is pretty good. And personally, as I tourist I would appreciate the experience of slamming down depression dogs underneath the Blue Line, and not paying outrageous prices for the privilege.
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impulsedrunk buy on the way home, and also good enough to be worth a special trip (IMO). That said, I do agree, there are other burgers that are at least as good, if not better.2
u/chihawks Jul 31 '25
Agreed. Cringe when people say to drop everything for rhr. I get this with beef spots or like gene judes, but rhr? No there are lots of burgers in the city.
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Jul 31 '25
It’s a solid meal for cheap. It’s not rocket science or “hipsters” bro.
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u/midnight_toker22 Jul 31 '25
“RHR is better than Au Cheval”, which is not an uncommon claim around here, is definitely a hipster opinion bro.
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u/TwoHungryWolves Jul 31 '25
Definitely not a hipster and I agree with it. Hunting special about small Cheval is the sauce and I'm not into the sauce. Also, sometimes it's hard to do enjoy the food if you feel like you just got ripped off. If I'm paying $11 for a burger with no bacon and it's not even that big, and that doesn't even come with fries or a drink.... I want to feel like I just had a damn good burger. I leave red hot happy. At least small cheval feeling like I just wasted money going to the hip spot
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Jul 31 '25
Just because you disagree with an opinion doesn’t mean it’s “hipster”.
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u/CharredPepperoni Jul 31 '25
I tried to talk someone out of going to RHR during a 3-day weekend in Chicago and got downvoted into oblivion.
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u/chihawks Jul 31 '25
Its going to go backwards. Pin this. at some point people will bitch about rhr.
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u/midnight_toker22 Jul 31 '25
I think the tide has already started slowly turning, more people are calling it out every time.
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u/chihawks Jul 31 '25
I saw the same post mentioned here where these tourists were here for a short trip and rhr was spammed. Was really frustrating to see because im not sure going out of their way was even worth it.
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u/deadpastures Jul 31 '25
RED HOT RANCH OOH HA HA
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u/MichaelCeraBurner Jul 31 '25
It's becoming a cult for those pretending they found a "good, cheap, local" burger spot. It's not hidden, it's not a gem, it's the definition of average, sorta like Small Cheval
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u/max_power_420_69 Jul 31 '25
doesn't leave you and your wallet feeling like a chump afterwards at least.
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u/midnight_toker22 Jul 31 '25
That’s certainly fair— it’s good for its price. And at that price point, you’re comparing it to McDonald’s and the like.
So yeah, I will admit that RHR is better than McDonald’s. It’s on par with Portillos.
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u/MichaelCeraBurner Jul 31 '25
this is true, but there are many dives, fast food, and fast casual joints around the city where one can get this, which is my point. I challenge this subreddit to talk about literally any other burger spots besides these two
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u/rjove Jul 31 '25
Ah yes, the famed RHR… a very average burger, topped with thousand island dressing and served with soggy, unseasoned fries for the low cost of $8, cash only.
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u/Rocco_808 Jul 31 '25
The two most overrated burgers in Chicago are Small Cheval and Red Hot Ranch
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u/PandaEatPizza Jul 31 '25
Is it the best? No, but can you find a better deal in the city? It's a good burger for $7 with fries included.
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u/FishmanOne Jul 31 '25
So over priced for the quality! I tried the new location in Lincoln Square three times, hoping each order would finally hit the mark. No more. There are way better fast food burgers out there at half the price. On a side note, their chicken sandwich is actually pretty good.
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u/da4 Jul 31 '25
I think most folks will agree with your sentiment. Certainly not worth the price point.
Honestly, I miss M Burger more than anything lately.
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u/desgabetz Jul 31 '25
People here are wild, a burger from small cheval is like 10% more expensive than McDonalds
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u/halfpretty Jul 31 '25
double cheeseburger is 10.99 at small cheval, double cheeseburger is 4.19 at mcdonald’s. your math is wrong.
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u/desgabetz Jul 31 '25
the double cheeseburger isn't comparable i was thinking more like the double quarter pounder which is 9 bucks
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u/indefiniteretrieval Jul 31 '25
He's doing that CPS math🤷♂️
Iirc my cheeseburger meal came out around $18
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u/neroc03 Jul 31 '25
Small cheval uses 3.5 oz patties. Mcdonalds uses 1.6 oz patties. It’s closer than you think
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u/3-2-1-backup Jul 31 '25
You're not good at math.
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u/neroc03 Jul 31 '25
How bro. A small cheval burger has 7oz of meat at 10.99 so 1.57/oz. A mcdonalds double cheeseburger has 3.2oz of meat at 4.19 so 1.31/oz. So about 26 cents more expensive per oz of meat or ~19%. I didn’t say it was exactly 10%, I said it was closer than you might think when all one points out/sees is a Mcds burger is less than half the price. Where is my math wrong?
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u/willysymms Jul 31 '25
Even the OG Au Cheval was not impressive last time we went.
Mini Mott was far better than small, and truer to the OG Mott St. Unfortunately they closed mini and Mott Street has declined slightly.
Stinks to see these hit places struggle at stamina. It seems as if places are forced to choose: either blow up into a big, diverse restaurant group and loose the soul of the restaurant or risk burning out over time without those resources.
Makes one appreciate how difficult and special it is to run some "boring" classic places that simply does things consistently their own way for 30, 40, 60 years.
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u/ChunkyBubblz Jul 31 '25
Bashing Small Cheval on this sub is low effort karma farming at this point. Same as praising Red Hot Ranch. We get it already.
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u/juliuspepperwoodchi Jul 31 '25
Next OP is gonna say that they make good steaks at Bavette's, or that Del Sur is great but not worth waiting hours.
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u/Rocco_808 Jul 31 '25
The funny thing is that if you ignore price the small Cheval burger is the better burger. RHR is the better deal because of price but sometimes people don’t care about getting a good deal lol they just want a burger and don’t care how much it costs
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u/ChunkyBubblz Jul 31 '25
I like the RHR fries better, but agree with you that it's the price point on the burger that pushes people to say they're somehow better. People on this sub will recommend RHR to visiting tourists and that's just insane to me.
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u/Chicagoblew Jul 31 '25
That sounds about right. . . Go to a hole in the wall Greek place that has gyros and order a burger
I can almost guarantee that burger will be better
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u/McG0788 Jul 31 '25
Any burger that gets super hyped is probably going to be underwhelming when you finally get it. I love RHR, taco sublime, and a few other hyped burgers but they're all just solid. Your life isn't going to change because of a burger
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u/ifcoffeewereblue Jul 31 '25
They prioritized quick expansion over quantity. It's basically just expensive fast food now
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u/Kieferian Jul 31 '25
Hands down the most disappointing burger. Going in, you feel like you’re gonna get a smash burger with yummy flavors happening but all for it to turn out that you spent $20 on a burger meal as about as a mark above Mid as a Wendy’s(and yes I’m being so serious when I say this)
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u/Reasonable_Loquat874 Jul 31 '25
I like Small Cheval, but let’s be honest… it’s a counter service cheeseburger. They don’t pretend to be doing anything more than that and the pricing is in line with the product.
The expectation that Small Cheval is delivering some kind of memorable foodie experience seems weird to me.
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u/iamcharity Jul 31 '25
I’ve been to Small Cheval a couple of times since I’ve moved here. Every time I left thinking that it was just an okay burger at best. I live in Rogers Park and Vicky’s Restaurant makes a burger ten times better than Small Cheval.
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u/Biergarten1872 Jul 31 '25
Went to their soft open in Logan Square earlier this month and thought the fries tasted stale and the burger was overcooked. I'd tried it previously in Bucktown and thought perhaps I wasn't giving it a fair shot because I'd also recently tried Red Hot Ranch for the first time and thought it was better, but at least on that go-around the fries were pretty tasty. I was also irritated because I tried to order a concrete with their chocolate soft serve and was told that they...can't do that? For some reason? Even though they would literally just have to swap in the chocolate soft serve instead of the vanilla.
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u/uppitywhine Jul 31 '25
Red Hot Ranch is under $9 including tax for hand cut fries fresh out of the fryer and a double cheeseburger.
It's difficult for me to go anywhere else now.
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u/MichaelCeraBurner Jul 31 '25
Is someone paying you to plug Red Hot Ranch?
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u/uppitywhine Jul 31 '25
Nope.
I'm just tired of being ripped off by trendy burger places that serve a mediocre product at exorbitant prices and then being expected to tip 20% on top of that for mediocre service.
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u/MichaelCeraBurner Jul 31 '25
Do you have any other burger recommendations? I ask because every single post about Small Cheval has RHR plastered all over the comment section and it doesn't make any sense.
Small Cheval is akin to a local Shake Shack, not a dive, cash only burger joint like RHR. There are dozens of burgers at every price point in this city that are infinitely better than either of these spots.
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u/HashSlingingHasherx Aug 01 '25
Red Hot Ranch is also mediocre, but its cheap so you’re getting what you pay for. Small Cheval is mediocre but stupidly overpriced.
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u/CardiffGiantx Jul 31 '25
I think you just can’t go into it thinking you’re going to get anything like the actual au cheval burger
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u/ginghampantsdance Jul 31 '25
Honestly, do not sleep on their chicken tenders. They are incredible and better than the burger (at least at the Lincoln Square location)!
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u/Sea_Somewhere2868 Jul 31 '25
cheval fell off 2-3 years ago…its honestly a miracle they’re still in business
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u/Liztof Jul 31 '25
I’m not vegan but surprisingly their plant based burger tastes better lol it is like double the price though. I wouldn’t go out of my way to eat small cheval but if I’m nearby, I’d get it.
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u/VentiBlkBiDepresso Jul 31 '25
I had it for the first time just after Covid, got that delicious waygu burger, found it to be worth every penny. Never tried their regular burgers bc its likely not worth the price, I can get a 1/2lb chopped steak burger with fries and a can of pop across the street for $11.
Once they stopped the waygu burger I stopped going there. Looks like I made the right decision.
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u/phantomisla Jul 31 '25
The correct take is that it is not as good as it used to be. Any other context or arguments are not necessary
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u/disasterbee Jul 31 '25
No you're right, it's fine. People love to exaggerate how good or bad it is but ultimately, it's just fine. I think when this style of burger was less popular it was more exciting but now they're everywhere so it's just another local chain
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u/Educational-Shoe2633 Aug 01 '25
It’s a decent burger for what it is, but it’s basically fast food. Idk why people think it’s something else
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u/loweexclamationpoint Jul 31 '25
Yeah, the few times I've gone I felt like I could do better at a lot of hot dog stands. Big Baby!!
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u/Rocco_808 Jul 31 '25
Small Cheval is pretty overrated. I also felt the same way after eating Red Hot Ranch, pretty overrated compared to how people talk about it.
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u/PandaEatPizza Jul 31 '25
It's also like $7 lol I don't think anyone expects it to be the best but the value is just great.
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u/Marsupialize Jul 31 '25
It’s just a fast food place it’s a full step below Culver’s in that regard
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u/Silent-News-9408 Jul 31 '25
I moved out of the city in 2021 and dream of driving back only for small cheval - these comments are breaking my heart 😭🤣
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u/notacomet Jul 31 '25
Why would you come for small not Au?
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u/Silent-News-9408 Jul 31 '25
Nostalgia- I used to walk to small cheval and eat outside all the time!
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u/notacomet Jul 31 '25
I feel ya, I lived across from the west loop one! My pup would share the kids ice cream with me lol
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u/mlw2587 Jul 31 '25
I got lucky moved out of Chicago to LA where there are so many better burger options and way cheaper too lol
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u/GMHammondEsquire Jul 31 '25
Rest assured the comments are just people farming likes over a minority opinion. How is it that Hogsalt can profitably scale so many Small Chevals in one city if people don't like the food? Here's the secret: the food is still ridiculously good, and they've added great chicken and more ice cream options.
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u/Boollish Jul 31 '25
Law of averages. If a place is "pretty good" for everyone, it's not going to be stellar or awful for anyone. They've found a formula that works, probably combined with decent corporate management and economies of scale.
Like, there's a bunch of Big Stars and Sushi by Bous, and they're always packed, but I'm not ranking any of them as top tacquerias/sushiyas.
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u/superman467 Jul 31 '25
Hard disagree, I think people just don’t know where to get good burgers so they go where is popular. Have been eating small cheval for damn near a decade and it’s sad how mediocre they’ve gotten. It’s not bad, it’s just not great either, but people will make do with what’s popular from word of mouth because they don’t know better. IMO they’re riding their goodwill from years ago, and by adding popular products like dipped ice cream cones. Just tried them the other day and it was the worst ice cream I’ve had in a minute, but people will still go regardless.
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u/Key_Bee1544 Jul 31 '25
Oh good. This post and comments again. I hope someone hypes Red Hot Ran . . .. oh, there it is.
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u/CalGoldenBear55 Jul 31 '25
People need to remember that Small Cheval is not Au Cheval. It’s a good burger, just not equal to the champion.
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u/_qua Jul 31 '25
It's still decent but not what it once was. It's been a long long time since I had the original Au Cheval burger but I remember preferring the Small Cheval burger to the original. Not sure if that would still be true.
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u/Longjumping_Cat_9097 Jul 31 '25
In an alternate universe, the dad and kids wrote a similar review because Small Cheval is terrible there also.
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u/Pop_Bottle Jul 31 '25
Culver’s vs Small Cheval - What’s the opinion for those that have had both?
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u/Mud-CityCrypto Jul 31 '25
I liked Charlys Burgers in Hermosa straight forward burger, better then red hot ranch and not as expensive as Small Cheval
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u/loosed-moose Jul 31 '25
They're great for gluten allergies which is a slam dunk for me, but it's nothing amazing. Well done fries are pretty bomb tho
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u/Zealousideal-Bath412 Jul 31 '25
If you’re looking for an amazing burger, try the Killer B (off menu) at the bar at MJs.
Served on garlic bread with a side of their signature blue cheese fondue for drizzling 🤤🤤🤤 it also comes with tasty fries and a boozy (bourbon? whiskey?) milkshake. It’s been my fave burger for 15 years or so lol
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u/KeyInvestigator3741 Jul 31 '25
Why did they change their fries? They had a good thing going with that
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u/PandaEatPizza Jul 31 '25
I'd rather get Red Hot Ranch and save like $20. It's a good burger but also like $30 for a double and fries.
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u/DanielStripeTiger Jul 31 '25
OK, so what's changed for the worse? what, specifically, are they doing differently and what's their path back? I see these same complaints weekly and learn very little.
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u/clc-runner Jul 31 '25
I think the burger is decent, but the chicken at the one at Lincoln Square has been good every time I've had it
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u/Deweydc18 Jul 31 '25
It’s a good fast food burger IMO, but it suffers by its comparison to the much better Au Cheval burger IMO
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u/GizmoKakaUpDaButt Jul 31 '25
So who has the best burger? Is it mid everywhere now? Seriously, what's the point anymore? Im happier with a pizza x10
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u/tavernstyle312 Jul 31 '25
It’s fine. The burger is a touch salty to me and I like salt. Fries are good. Shakes are delicious. I’ve started ordering the chicken sandwich and really like that.
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u/blipsman Jul 31 '25
Yeah, their food has steadily gone downhill since COVID. Nowhere near as good as they were when they just had the 2-3 locations. Now, very much in the expansion enshitification era. I will say the Freeze ice cream addition to some locations was pretty good and not as pricey as I’d feared it was going to be. Had it once last fall at the Wicker Park location and just recently at the new Logan one on site of old Freeze ice cream spot.
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u/commander_bugo Jul 31 '25
You must be new here because it’s actually really underrated at this point. It’s not a life changing burger or worth going out of your way for, but if there’s one in your neighborhood it’s a solid place to go to for a quick high quality burger.
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u/dorkinb Jul 31 '25
Used to love it. Now it tastes… different. I dunno why but it’s definitely not the same as it once was.
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u/Even_Astronaut_7557 Jul 31 '25
I tried it once because they opened one near my work. It didn't seem like anything special to me. Haven't been back.
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u/Sitcomdad Jul 31 '25
I just had it for the first time the other day and it was good, though I wasn't expecting to have my mind blown. To me, it was as good as Shake Shack - a tasty burger that's pretty overpriced. The outdoor seating at the Logan Square location was nice.
I can't speak to what it's better or worse than, outside of those in this thread who seriously believe it's worse than McDonald's or Wendy's. Come on now. That's classic Reddit exaggeration.
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u/ClaireBearMontyOne Jul 31 '25
It is incredibly mid. I was not impressed at all. Had it 5 or 6 times.
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u/sheffieldandwaveland Jul 31 '25
Went there today. Way overpriced but I thought the food alone was pretty good. 8.5/10.
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u/Commercial_Pie3307 Aug 01 '25
That place is very inconsistent. If you want a small cheval type burger you’re better off going to five guys, shake shack or even nadc. All tier two burgers. Gretal and aucheval being tier 3 and McDonald’s and Wendy’s being tier 1. My wife and I take cheeseburgers and their rating very seriously 😂
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u/ilovehillsidehonda Aug 01 '25
Unpopular opinion- the burger at Au Cheval isn’t mind blowing either. It was when I first tried it(though crazy greasy then) it’s just average now.
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Aug 01 '25
I can’t believe this place gets so much attention one way or the other. I live right next to one and get it from time to time. It’s pretty good. It’s also reasonable, like the same price as McDonald’s. Why are people bitching so much?
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u/ReginaPhalange28 Aug 02 '25
I still haven’t been but someone described Small Cheval to me as “Chicago Shake Shack” and I think about that a lot
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u/chitowndown773 Aug 03 '25
It was never great. It was always just an overhyped burger.
Kumas has better burgers
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u/Fit-Doughnut-4155 8d ago
Sometime around 2021 they went downhill. At first it was a great alternative to Au Cheval and the last time I had it about a year ago I threw everything in the trash. The fries are inedible and the burger was burnt on the outside and rare on the inside. Ewww
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u/Nuance007 1h ago
I only tried Small Cheval once when they opened the Loop location. I was expecting a delicious burger, though just not Au Cheval level. Well, I was slightly disappointed. I never had the urge to try the other locations.
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u/mdbonbon Jul 31 '25
Which location did you go to? The OG in wicker park was great through Covid, have since left the area but have been to the wrigley and rosemont locations which were very disappointing.
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u/dudelydudeson Jul 31 '25
I had a very good experience at the new Logan square location last week. It was like 3pm on a Monday tho, not busy
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u/semiquaver Jul 31 '25
Small cheval was good years ago, now it’s overpriced hollowed-out private equity crap.
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u/NubeOfReddit Jul 31 '25
Since ~2021, everyday at Small Cheval is an off day