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  • Small Cheval

    Post #1 - August 16th, 2015, 4:11 pm
    Post #1 - August 16th, 2015, 4:11 pm Post #1 - August 16th, 2015, 4:11 pm
    i looked for a thread on this, but couldn't find it. so, i'll start one. i had a noon lunch yesterday (Sat.) with some friends. they all were very happy with the burgers. the menu consists of only burger/cheeseburger/fries, and soft drinks and alcohol. the service is like a fast food restaurant. they'd barely handed us our pager before our food was ready. nothing at all wrong with that, but i would have liked to have known that the cheeseburger would be gooey with 'dijonaise', so i could have asked for it without it. it's a substantial burger, but i didn't think it was beefy tasting. adding some housemade garlic aioli made it tastier, but i enjoyed my $6 cheeseburger at parts and labor last week much more. the small cheval burger is 2 patties (i assume 1/4# each). i noticed some pink in some of the burgers in my party, but mine were well done. no crispy edges to enhance the taste. considering what a madhouse it was, i really didn't get much pleasure eating/sitting there. i'm glad to try it once, but no need to go back for an ordinary, if large, burger. i'm probably in the minority on this, but so be it.... there's seating outside; most of it in adirondack chairs set at tables, that look extremely unlikely to be a comfortable place to eat a messy burger...

    SMALL CHEVAL
    1732 n. milwaukee
  • Post #2 - August 16th, 2015, 7:46 pm
    Post #2 - August 16th, 2015, 7:46 pm Post #2 - August 16th, 2015, 7:46 pm
    I agree with your assessment of the burger. I expected something like Au Cheval and it was totally different. Overall I found it to be slightly more packed with ingredients than Au Cheval is, and it needed some more acidity. The Au Cheval dijonnaise is missing. The burger needs some tweaking.
    "People are too busy in these times to care about good food. We used to spend months working over a bonne-femme sauce, trying to determine just the right proportions of paprika and fresh forest mushrooms to use." -Karoly Gundel, Blue Trout and Black Truffles: The Peregrinations of an Epicure, Joseph Wechsberg, 1954.
  • Post #3 - August 17th, 2015, 11:02 am
    Post #3 - August 17th, 2015, 11:02 am Post #3 - August 17th, 2015, 11:02 am
    From the Tribune:

    Au Cheval, Small Cheval: How different are the burgers?
  • Post #4 - August 17th, 2015, 11:43 am
    Post #4 - August 17th, 2015, 11:43 am Post #4 - August 17th, 2015, 11:43 am
    i'm confused by this article: i had no option to choose a single patty when i was there saturday. it was a double with cheese (which i did order). the article says that single pattys are available at small cheval, but it's not on the small menu board, or i would have ordered it.
  • Post #5 - August 17th, 2015, 12:53 pm
    Post #5 - August 17th, 2015, 12:53 pm Post #5 - August 17th, 2015, 12:53 pm
    justjoan wrote:i'm confused by this article: i had no option to choose a single patty when i was there saturday. it was a double with cheese (which i did order). the article says that single pattys are available at small cheval, but it's not on the small menu board, or i would have ordered it.


    Article indicates that a "single" at both places includes two patties. Appears to be no way to get a burger with just one patty at either place.
  • Post #6 - August 17th, 2015, 12:57 pm
    Post #6 - August 17th, 2015, 12:57 pm Post #6 - August 17th, 2015, 12:57 pm
    justjoan wrote:i'm confused by this article: i had no option to choose a single patty when i was there saturday. it was a double with cheese (which i did order). the article says that single pattys are available at small cheval, but it's not on the small menu board, or i would have ordered it.


    I guess you could ask if they'll make one like that special just for you, but at the real Au Cheval, a single has two patties, IIRC. It's probably the same at small cheval.
    Steve Z.

    “Only the pure in heart can make a good soup.”
    ― Ludwig van Beethoven
  • Post #7 - August 17th, 2015, 1:25 pm
    Post #7 - August 17th, 2015, 1:25 pm Post #7 - August 17th, 2015, 1:25 pm
    Hopped Up wrote:Appears to be no way to get a burger with just one patty at either place.

    At least, not without going all Jack Nicholson on the server. :)

  • Post #8 - August 17th, 2015, 2:02 pm
    Post #8 - August 17th, 2015, 2:02 pm Post #8 - August 17th, 2015, 2:02 pm
    Hopped Up wrote:
    justjoan wrote:i'm confused by this article: i had no option to choose a single patty when i was there saturday. it was a double with cheese (which i did order). the article says that single pattys are available at small cheval, but it's not on the small menu board, or i would have ordered it.


    Article indicates that a "single" at both places includes two patties. Appears to be no way to get a burger with just one patty at either place.

    i managed to read the article quickly but missed the 2 patties thing... i've never been to au cheval, so i had no expectations. too much of a scene for my taste...thanks all of you.
  • Post #9 - August 28th, 2015, 2:03 pm
    Post #9 - August 28th, 2015, 2:03 pm Post #9 - August 28th, 2015, 2:03 pm
    Ask for a "small burger." You'll get a single patty.
  • Post #10 - August 28th, 2015, 2:05 pm
    Post #10 - August 28th, 2015, 2:05 pm Post #10 - August 28th, 2015, 2:05 pm
    jhdouglass wrote:Ask for a "small burger." You'll get a single patty.


    thanks, i didn't like it enough to go back....probably...but i never know when the pressing urge for a burger will hit...
  • Post #11 - February 15th, 2017, 2:07 pm
    Post #11 - February 15th, 2017, 2:07 pm Post #11 - February 15th, 2017, 2:07 pm
    Small Cheval, the more casual version of West Loop hamburger hotspot Au Cheval, will open this year in the new office tower at 150 N. Riverside Plaza, the tower's developer says.

    https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/2017021 ... ntown-loop
    Never order barbecue in a place that also serves quiche - Lewis Grizzard
  • Post #12 - November 21st, 2017, 12:06 pm
    Post #12 - November 21st, 2017, 12:06 pm Post #12 - November 21st, 2017, 12:06 pm
    Been to the new place on the river twice now - once on opening day and back again today. I must say, it's a great big....meh. I really like the Au burger - bacon/egg/mash of flavor. Small is missing a lot in that regard, decent but for $14 (w/o bacon - 16 plus) with fries I think UBDogs is a much better value.

    Now if we can get Joey to bring back the Italian beefs the lunch rotation is complete.
  • Post #13 - March 29th, 2018, 3:13 pm
    Post #13 - March 29th, 2018, 3:13 pm Post #13 - March 29th, 2018, 3:13 pm
    Went last night, and the line wasn't terrible but it did seem long for a Wednesday. We got there maybe around 8pm, and the line got longer and longer. The outside was open, but as it was raining and 40F, I don't think anyone went to sit out there. I thought the burger was tasty but too salty, and could only finish 1/2.
    Leek

    SAVING ONE DOG may not change the world,
    but it CHANGES THE WORLD for that one dog.
    American Brittany Rescue always needs foster homes. Please think about helping that one dog. http://www.americanbrittanyrescue.org
  • Post #14 - December 14th, 2018, 8:52 am
    Post #14 - December 14th, 2018, 8:52 am Post #14 - December 14th, 2018, 8:52 am
    HI,

    Went last night after passing by it a number of times.

    Minimalist food offerings: burger, cheeseburger, +bacon, french fries.

    Far broader range of drinks including shakes and cocktails.

    I ordered a cheeseburger with extra onions, fries and a pop.

    The extra onions were on the side to allow me to add as much or as little as I wished. I never received before such a small quantity of tiny minced onions ever before. It barely qualified as extra onions. I scrapped every itty bitty piece onto my burger.

    I did like my burger despite the extra onions being barely present.

    I really liked the aioli for the fries. The fries were terrific.

    Sat with a friend on the corner of the communal table. Lots of families with kids were present. We left rather quickly to give seating to the next wave of customers.

    Overall there was a happy vibe about this place.

    Regards,
    Cathy2
    Cathy2

    "You'll be remembered long after you're dead if you make good gravy, mashed potatoes and biscuits." -- Nathalie Dupree
    Facebook, Twitter, Greater Midwest Foodways,
  • Post #15 - September 14th, 2020, 3:56 pm
    Post #15 - September 14th, 2020, 3:56 pm Post #15 - September 14th, 2020, 3:56 pm
    Small Cheval Could Open Less Than A Mile From Au Cheval In West Loop
    https://blockclubchicago.org/2020/09/14 ... west-loop/
    Never order barbecue in a place that also serves quiche - Lewis Grizzard
  • Post #16 - February 2nd, 2022, 8:30 am
    Post #16 - February 2nd, 2022, 8:30 am Post #16 - February 2nd, 2022, 8:30 am
    Small Cheval, Hogsalt Hospitality’s burger mini-chain, has filed liquor license applications for two new locations, at 1307 E. 53rd Street in Hyde Park and 1352 W. Lake Street in the West Loop.

    https://chicago.eater.com/2022/1/11/228 ... ttractions
    Never order barbecue in a place that also serves quiche - Lewis Grizzard
  • Post #17 - February 2nd, 2022, 1:12 pm
    Post #17 - February 2nd, 2022, 1:12 pm Post #17 - February 2nd, 2022, 1:12 pm
    getting closer to this situation

    https://www.theonion.com/new-starbucks- ... 1819564800
  • Post #18 - August 8th, 2022, 11:35 am
    Post #18 - August 8th, 2022, 11:35 am Post #18 - August 8th, 2022, 11:35 am
    A casual hamburger chain spun off from a popular West Loop diner is now open on 53rd Street, bringing a stripped-down food menu, cocktails and outdoor seating to Hyde Park.

    https://flip.it/vtLi-e
    Never order barbecue in a place that also serves quiche - Lewis Grizzard
  • Post #19 - August 8th, 2022, 3:28 pm
    Post #19 - August 8th, 2022, 3:28 pm Post #19 - August 8th, 2022, 3:28 pm
    Dave148 wrote:
    A casual hamburger chain spun off from a popular West Loop diner is now open on 53rd Street, bringing a stripped-down food menu, cocktails and outdoor seating to Hyde Park.

    https://flip.it/vtLi-e


    I had read that they were going into the old Edwardos (and Packed, and Cemitas Pueblas, and a couple short lived tenants) at 1321 E. 57th.
  • Post #20 - March 3rd, 2023, 11:17 am
    Post #20 - March 3rd, 2023, 11:17 am Post #20 - March 3rd, 2023, 11:17 am
    Small Cheval, Hogsalt Hospitality’s spinoff of the famous Au Cheval burger spot, is opening soon in Wrigleyville. The Wrigleyville outpost at 1119 W. Waveland Ave. will be the sixth Small Cheval restaurant in Chicago since Hogsalt opened the first restaurant in 2015 in Bucktown.

    https://blockclubchicago.org/2023/03/02 ... is-spring/
    Never order barbecue in a place that also serves quiche - Lewis Grizzard
  • Post #21 - March 3rd, 2023, 12:48 pm
    Post #21 - March 3rd, 2023, 12:48 pm Post #21 - March 3rd, 2023, 12:48 pm
    Dave148 wrote:
    Small Cheval, Hogsalt Hospitality’s spinoff of the famous Au Cheval burger spot, is opening soon in Wrigleyville. The Wrigleyville outpost at 1119 W. Waveland Ave. will be the sixth Small Cheval restaurant in Chicago since Hogsalt opened the first restaurant in 2015 in Bucktown.

    https://blockclubchicago.org/2023/03/02 ... is-spring/


    I should have mentioned earlier I really enjoy the Hyde Park location, which is just a few doors down from the Budlong (which is overpriced and understaffed but in a beautiful sunny room). Small Cheval 53rd has a lovely heated beer garden and a very quick ordering system, plus generous condiments including malt vinegar and their secret sauce aioli for fries or the burgers. I find it worth it for the elevated wallet hit and would knock only the sour commercial margaritas.
  • Post #22 - March 3rd, 2023, 7:18 pm
    Post #22 - March 3rd, 2023, 7:18 pm Post #22 - March 3rd, 2023, 7:18 pm
    So, how much are they charging for reservations? :evil: :evil: :evil: (ref)
  • Post #23 - March 3rd, 2023, 7:26 pm
    Post #23 - March 3rd, 2023, 7:26 pm Post #23 - March 3rd, 2023, 7:26 pm
    nsxtasy wrote:So, how much are they charging for reservations? :evil: :evil: :evil: (ref)

    Reservations are free but they charge you to enter and exit the space. :lol:

    =R=
    Same planet, different world
  • Post #24 - May 6th, 2023, 6:43 am
    Post #24 - May 6th, 2023, 6:43 am Post #24 - May 6th, 2023, 6:43 am
    Small Cheval, the beloved Chicago micro chain with a stripped-down menu of Au Cheval, appears to be opening a new location in Lincoln Square at 2156 W Montrose Ave.

    https://whatnowchicago.com/small-cheval ... ln-square/
    Never order barbecue in a place that also serves quiche - Lewis Grizzard
  • Post #25 - July 24th, 2023, 1:49 pm
    Post #25 - July 24th, 2023, 1:49 pm Post #25 - July 24th, 2023, 1:49 pm
    Block Club has more on the upcoming Lincoln Square location.
    The Montrose Avenue property was previously home to two real estate offices and, more recently, the Chicago Waldorf School.

    City records show construction permits to convert the interior of the building into a restaurant were approved May 23.

    Much farther back the site had a German restaurant in a frame building, which burned down. They rebuilt with a single story building but did not last long. Later a Bulgarian restaurant and coffee shop went in. They built the partial second story shown in the picture in the Block Club story. The rest of the roof was made into a patio, which could probably be rebuilt.

    The area around the intersections of Lincoln, Montrose and Leavitt is becoming quite a restaurant grouping. Small Cheval should fit right in.
  • Post #26 - July 27th, 2023, 1:58 pm
    Post #26 - July 27th, 2023, 1:58 pm Post #26 - July 27th, 2023, 1:58 pm
    I have never been to Small or Au Cheval so I've never tried the legendary burger.

    But, I remember reading here years ago that the meat is just a standard Sysco burger patty? If that's true I don't undertstand the hype the burger gets?

    How is it considered to be so good if they are using a mass produced burger patty made off site in a factory?

    What am I missing here?
  • Post #27 - July 27th, 2023, 3:00 pm
    Post #27 - July 27th, 2023, 3:00 pm Post #27 - July 27th, 2023, 3:00 pm
    shakes wrote:But, I remember reading here years ago that the meat is just a standard Sysco burger patty? If that's true I don't undertstand the hype the burger gets?

    How is it considered to be so good if they are using a mass produced burger patty made off site in a factory?


    Discussion about Sysco here: https://lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?p=499152
  • Post #28 - July 27th, 2023, 6:25 pm
    Post #28 - July 27th, 2023, 6:25 pm Post #28 - July 27th, 2023, 6:25 pm
    I'm sure they're procuring a quality product, even if it's mass produced and frozen.

    Not a regular stop for me, but I thoroughly enjoy it when I go. There's backlash because of the overhype and high expectations, but it's still a good ass burger.
  • Post #29 - July 27th, 2023, 7:35 pm
    Post #29 - July 27th, 2023, 7:35 pm Post #29 - July 27th, 2023, 7:35 pm
    I hit up the Small Cheval on Milwaukee maybe 5 or 6 years ago and the experience was excellent. Recently, at the new location in Wrigley it was barely subpar. Not sure if it was just an off night, or the quality is degrading. In any case, if I'm craving a burger in Lincoln Square I'll likely end up at Bad Apple.
  • Post #30 - July 27th, 2023, 8:23 pm
    Post #30 - July 27th, 2023, 8:23 pm Post #30 - July 27th, 2023, 8:23 pm
    I had one from the Old Town location last week and was extremely underwhelmed. I've never loved Small Cheval but this was not a good burger. It did remind me that it's been years since I went to the original, which I'm certain uses a very different patty than Small Cheval. At least they did. Hopefully that's still the case.

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