Small Cheval- Fulton Market

Burgers are very good, also ordered a strawberry shake that was a little thick but very good. The place is great, especially when outdoor season helps, as it has a big patio. A little cold in winter even inside, and not a lot of space for eating, but still good enough as burgers won’t take forever to eat. Burgers are done right to order and take a little bit compared to other fast food places, but it is worth the wait. Only downside is the “tipping culture” where there are no waiters (service is good, don’t get me wrong, but you have to stand up and get the food yourself, so they basically put the burger in a basket and give you ketchup if you want) but they still put 18-20-22% in the screen. Can you tip whatever you want or not tip? Yes, you can, but forcing people to make the decision that quick doesn’t help at all. Also, worth mentioning that two doubles with added bacon, a regular side of fries, and a strawberry shake were $45, add the tip and you paid $50 for two burgers and one side of fries. It is good, but not sure if that good. Will give them a second chance in the outdoor season!

I've been wanting to stop here for a while. Finally made it. Glad I did! Very nice neat clean efficient place! Great place to have a lunch or do a little afternoon work on the laptop and grab a bite or a beer. Has a huge outside area. Can't wait to go in the summer and sit out. Here's some photos. Can't wait to get back again!

I stop here every time I go to Bottom Lounge and it is consistent and doesn't disappoint. The burger just hits all the notes perfectly with pickle, onion, mayo. The fries are the weakest part for me, but they are crisp and fluffy inside. I just never finish an order because I get bored of them before they're gone. The sparrows love them though.

Small Cheval Cheeseburger: Chicago's Au Cheval serves up arguably one of the best burgers in the United States. The downside is that the wait times can be a couple hours long, but I highly recommend trying it at least once. On the plus side, Au Cheval's spin-off restaurant Small Cheval offers a cheeseburger almost as good as the original with little to no wait. I believe there are nine Small Cheval locations in the Chicago area. The cheeseburger comes with two juicy beef patties (served medium), melty American cheese, crunchy pickles, onions, and creamy dijonnaise. The bun is just as vital to the beef when it comes to a great cheeseburger. Small Cheval serves theirs on a lightly toasted buttery brioche bun that is perfectly soft, chewy, and proportional to the amount of beef. For $13 you would be hard pressed to find a better burger in Chicago. Au Cheval is still the gold standard as you can add an over easy egg and thick cut maple glazed bacon, but Small Cheval is definitely no ersatz Au Cheval. Just like Au Cheval, Small Cheval's phenomenal cheeseburger is Doughboy approved doughboy_food_reviews

Solid place for burgers. Not too pricey. The burger wasn’t necessarily a standout for me, but the fries and garlic aioli combo was amazing. Perfectly fine for a quick solo meal or a casual meetup with friends

Quick service, delicious selections and very accommodating to add the whipped cream on my chocolate strawberry shake, but did forget the 2 garlic aïoli sauces.

End of the night the food was served slightly cold. First time here, Usually I go to the one in Wicker Park which seems more local/ low key than this location.

The food is great. Burger is legendary. Only thing I didn't like was that the lobby music is on a forever loop. Poor workers have to listen to the same song. Change it up. But it didn't take away from the experience or the brand.

Alright. The bulls just lost so now I need a pick me up. Stumbled in to small cheval. Got a beer to wet my whistle since my throat felt a little horse after all that gameday energy. Anyway. This place screams classic burger and a shake. Def gonna be a future date night with the girlfriend.

Can't go wrong with a burger from Small Cheval! They're sooo good and cooked to perfection. The shakes are worth the splurge too. We didn't get the fries on our most recent visit but we usually enjoy those as well. This particular location in Fulton market has limited indoor seating but in the warmer months they have a large patio!

I love Small Cheval and this was my first time at the Fulton Market location even though I live in the area. We came here for a pickup on a late Sunday afternoon because it was like an hour wait at Au Cheval. I love how the service is super quick and easy here. It is super spacious and cozy inside. I cannot wait to be back. I have zero complaints about Small Cheval cause it will always hit the spot when I'm in the mood for a burger and some fries. It was my parents first time trying Small Cheval and they said it's just as good as Au Cheval (haha) Keep up the great work and I'll definitely be back very soon!

Probably one of the best burgers I've tried. I always get the double cheeseburger with a side of fries and it never disappoints. The staff at this location is extremely friendly as well. Definitely worth a visit!

Easily one of the best burgers I've had in Chicago and it never misses. The service is quick when picking up and dining in. Super chill spot close to my office and I always enjoy a good double cheese burger. Emily's always grabbing my order and she's very sweet and has a welcoming service whenever I go!

Delicious and juicy takeout burgers without the long wait from Au Cheval when one is on the go. Every bite is full of flavor, that has you wanting more. It was my first time ordering from small Cheval as my husband and I wanted a break from cooking, and honestly such a great decision as it satisfied our burger craving. Not pictured are the fries and the garlic aioli that gives it perfect balance. As for the soft serve, with the extreme heat the city was going through, it was the best way to refresh and take a little break while waiting for the order to be ready.

Good burger and fries! This is a super casual and faster experience with solid burger options. The shakes looked pretty good too!

Wagyu Truffle Cheeseburger It's tasty, as it should be for almost $25 The meat is very tender. Worth it to try once. If $25 burgers were the norm, this is a very tasty option. Great ample seating. Great for outdoor weather days. Nice vibe. Service is prompt and great tasty food prepared quickly too.

A burger at Small Cheval is always the best move to make! I adore this location in Fulton Market - their large patio is great and it's located on a quieter corner. Paid street parking is available around the area. I always get a signature double cheeseburger with a side of fries. The burgers are always so juicy and good and you can add things like lettuce and tomatoes by request! I'm looking forward to coming back to get some ice cream!

Small cheval is the sister of Au Cheval but a lot more casual and convenient if you don't want to wait / make a reservation for Au Cheval! This location in West Loop has a ton of outdoor seating when the weather is nice. I actually loved this burger and the garlic aioli is delicious! Dipped both the fries and burger and it made it even better. Tasted like a pretty high quality burger for a fast casual place and would definitely come back to try the veggie burger and milkshakes.

I recently visited Small Cheval in Fulton Market, Chicago, on a hot weekend afternoon, looking for something cold to cool down before dinner. We opted to sit outside and I ordered a root beer float. It was pretty good, though I have to admit it was a bit much for one person to finish--but I managed to anyway! The outdoor seating was pleasant, and I appreciated that it was dog-friendly, which added to the relaxed atmosphere. While I only had the float this time, I'm definitely planning to come back to try one of their burgers. The spot has a great vibe, and I'm looking forward to my next visit.

Like many people who come to this location, it is most likely because you were not willing to wait 2+ hours for a seat at Au Cheval. Likewise, if you're around this part of West Loop around dinner time, I would much recommend The Loyalist right down the street from here if you're craving a burger (though getting a seat there can also be quite a wait). With that being said, I think Small Cheval is a very solid replacement option and a lower price point. They make a very solid cheese burger, fries are great, and the aioli they have in the tiny condiment container is absolute crack to me. My friend also ordered a root beer float and seemed to quite enjoy it. There's some seating inside, but I can see this place really shining in the warmer months where they have a ton of outdoor seating. It is right off the train line though so it can get a little noisy. That being said, a very solid lunch option in the west loop. A bit on the far west side of it, but certainly wouldn't be mad to flock over here for lunch with a friend.

I have a love/hate relationship with Small Cheval, because they're not as good Au Cheval and they're just a little bit better than Redhot Ranch. Before they had a West Loop location my only Small Cheval option was on Milwaukee Ave, and if I'm out that way then I'd rather do Redhot Ranch, especially on a nice day so that I can enjoy the L passing overhead. I used to love to hate on Small Cheval; I'd say nay, I'd rather go to the real thing (Au Cheval) or not all. However, thats not the case anymore now that there's a West Loop location. I live close to the West Loop location and I have really started to appreciate Small Cheval more as it has a huge patio with a L train (pink&green line) that passes by just like Redhot Ranch, and they have really good burgers for a better price the most of the other burgers in the area. Small Cheval's signature double ($10.92) is about twice the burger that Redhot ranch is, and it's twice as delicious too. With the comparison to Redhot ranch being made, the signature double cost $4 more and doesn't come with fries. The $10.92 signature double cheeseburger and order of $4.49 golden fries will cost you $15.41 plus tax. Add a can of soda for $3.19 to go with your meal and you're walking out the door just over $20 plus tax. Service has been great at all Cheval locations that I have frequented.

Decent burger, I didn't care for the cheese but would definitely order again, without that. Server was super friendly and helpful. Cafeteria style set up.

Service & Food was Great! I always get the most chosen burger, fries and the salted caramel shake was to die for.

Love this location. As always, great burger, fries and ice cream. I also love that they have the hard cherry dip for the soft serve. Friendly service every time and quality meal every time.

This is a quick stop w a great view of the Chicago river and many little stores nearby. The double cheese burger ($11) with or Without American cheese, is really good quality. Single burgers are $9.19 with cheese. Single burgers without cheese is $8. They also have a veggie burger option. I didn't try it yet. The fries are $5 and thin and mostly crispy (I hate soggy fries) but wish it were more crispy. They have a dine in big restaurant but this is the fast food place with just 4-5 items to make it simple. It's extra to add lettuce and tomato and bacon. Quality food at a decent price with a nice view in West Loop.

Very simple burger place. Loved the flavor of the cheeseburger. My boyfriend got the wagyu one and it was delicious but it's only good for a few bites, and then it gets overwhelming when you finish it. Loved the quickness of the service and food. And the ambiance was my favorite because it reminded me of an upscale, modernized vintage burger shop.

The quality of the burger is above average. The cheeseburger was ordinary, but the Wagyu truffle burger was outstanding! Highly recommend the salted caramel shake. This location is has limited indoor seating but a lot of outdoor seating! The staff was friendly and very helpful.

First visit. Charming service at the counter. Patio closed due to weather/season. Free water spout. I couldn't get a slushy as I have to drive. Got home and learned they either messed up my order or gave me some else's burger. I tried calling but it was busy for the last 30min. Que sera sera

One of the best burgers in Chicago hands down. I'm always happy be able to have a nice cold craft brew to accompany it. Perfect pair!

Small Cheval is a spin-off of their main restaurant, Au Cheval. Containing only a few items on their menu, it's a quick and easy burger joint for those that need their burger fix. I frequently visit the Old Town location, but decided to check out this one due to pictures of its outdoor patio. The patio area was large and had many tables and benches. It was a very cutely decorated area. We ordered their Cheeseburger (house-style) with a side of fries. I'm not gonna lie, if you've ever visited one of these restaurants before, you'll already know they will be very greasy so be warned if you were expecting a nice, clean burger! The patties were perfectly cooked to a medium and the cheese melted over the edges of the patties, slathering them in an ooey, cheesy richness. It is topped with a few pickles and sandwiched between two delicious, soft, greasy buns. I recommend adding their garlic aioli! Fries were nice and thin shoestrings and each one was fried to a crisp (no soggy fries here!) Although my meal was good, it just didn't seem to hit the same way as the Old Town location did. Nonetheless, if you're in the area and craving a burger, definitely stop by!

Best burger!! The atmosphere is killer! Perfect for a lunch or dinner sitting out on the patio. The cheeseburger might be one of the best I've ever had. A delicious amount of cheese in each bite! The fries were solid but PRO TIP get the garlic aïoli to elevate them! Service & staff was very great! Truly I was very impressed with everything! I'm gonna come back for sure!

Great service and vibe but the burger was just okay. I would say in and out is a better burger than this. Cute to try though, no real complaints.

This was my first time trying any "Cheval" burger since I've moved to Chicago. The cheese burger was incredible. It was cooked perfectly, seasoned well, and tasted fresh. The burger buns were a bit sweet in my opinion, but I think that actually added more flavor. The aioli was mouthwatering delicious - it was the perfect tie to the whole meal, DO NOT SKIP THAT. You can either add it to your burger or you can dip your fries in it. The fries were a bit on the salty side to be honest, but were definitely flavorful. The place itself is clean, decorated nicely and service was excellent. The employee behind the counter was very friendly and even recommended other burgers at Au Cheval to try. Great place. Great ambiance. Great burger.

Great prices... the cheese burger w/bacon lettuce and tomato is phenomenal! Juicy, flavorful and filling. Plant based burger is a great substitute as well. Now the slushy is a killer...the coconut painkiller is a cure for all. Quick convenient service. Drop in for a pick-up or have a seat outside and enjoy the weather

I've been reading about Au Cheval burgers for a while. I happened to be walking around the west part of the West Loop and saw that this place had opened! I ordered a cheeseburger to go and was quite pleased! Best burger of my life? Not quite, but someplace I'd definitely go back to, especially when the weather allows for me to sit out on that patio!

i LOVE small cheval burgers. And their fries. But I do not love their prices :( I would go here weekly if I could justify the price, but for now it remains a treat

On a recent trip to Chicago, this was our first stop for lunch. What a great choice. First of all, the service was fantastic from the moment we arrived until we left. They were helpful with suggestions and made sure the food was piping hot when it came out. I had the cheeseburger and fries. I know it sounds very pedestrian, however this is a REALLY good burger. The bun, the beef and the toppings are top shelf. This is an expertly cooked, juicy and savory burger. "Memorable" is the word I would use to describe it. The fries are equally amazing. Please try the garlic aioli for dipping. I went through two of these, and I could have probably eaten a few more. It is just that good. The outside seating is a wonderful place to eat, chat and watch the world go by. You feel like you are in the city without being overwhelmed by being in the city. I highly recommend it for a lunch stop, or a mid afternoon snack. Five very strong stars to Small Cheval for a very Large Cheval flavor. Outstanding!!

Popped in here for a bite after a busy morning. Great ambience, delicious burger. I didn't get onions and was quite surprised that it still tasted like onions, but it wasn't bad. The onions are a texture thing for me, so it was fine. I'm not a huge fan of the fry style here, but I didn't get them just stone one from my son. Side note - not a great place to bring a family with small kids. They do have high chairs, but the rest of the chairs are stools. Might be tough to find a seat during a really busy time. Also - I ordered a root beer float and as you can see it's 75% ice cream which isn't ideal for a float, IMO.

Well let's start off, the place is a bit expensive, but we really understand we are in Chicago, we nonetheless enjoyed our burgers, the bacon on the cheese burger was particularly good. I tend to think Au Cheval may be better, because they can put the egg on the cheeseburger and maybe just maybe the beef is better. To be honest, I've never ate at Au Cheval. My wife also had a vanilla shake which she enjoyed. We came here when I noticed the restaurant from coming out of the Peoria Meat Market. We are not from Chicago, but we heard the Peoria Meat Market is a really nice place to buy meat. Anyway, the next time I go to Peoria Meat Market, I will go to Small a Cheval for lunch.

For the vegetarians: Went here before a show at Bottom Lounge and didn't even realize they had a veg option until my friend told me. I got a burger, fries and a white claw. Total was over $34 which seemed pretty crazy for that. I do understand this is a highly recommended place so I kind of assumed it'd be a lot, but in my opinion the food doesn't warrant that price tag. I've had much better veggie burgers. I will say the portion sizes of the burger and fries was pretty big so I'll give them that. Staff was extremely nice and patio was great. Will likely only come back in a fit of hunger desperation before a show lol Also note to those veg/vegans who have this concern: they cook the plant based burgers on the same cooktop as burgers and the fries in beef fat. That is not as big of a deal to me but I know it would be others so I'd figure I'd mention it. (They do tell you this also when you order so that's very considerate)

It's just delicious! The best burger on the face of the planet, in my humble opinion. Ordering delivery from Small Cheval is much better than waiting in line at Au Cheval for the same delicious burger. Yum!

What a great burger! I'm so glad this location has opened. The cheeseburger is a double cheeseburger. The only have one size fries which is quite a bit for one. The truffle cheese on the side is delicious and packed with flavor. The garlic aioli is pretty good and garlicky. The staff is very friendly. The inside has limited seating but the outside has a lot so the spring and summer will be nice for that. I'll definitely be back!!

BOMB spot in Chicago. Got in late and had a few burgers. BOMB is all I have to say! I would def recommend it would go back in a heart beat!

Instead of waiting 3+ hours to get into Au Cheval, go to Small Cheval in West Loop for the same great burgers! I stopped here the other day for lunch and walked right up to the counter to order. The staff is very friendly and quick to serve. I had the cheeseburger with fries - delicious as always! There's a nice outdoor space with table & chairs and a smaller indoor space as well. Will definitely be back!

Small is for the ice cream cone sizes. Ventured here just for ice cream. My friend came a few months prior and said they had amazing soft serve and showed me a photo of her giant cone. Apparently, she got lucky because the cones we got when I went were small. Not a dealbreaker, but the manager was hella funny about making the cones bigger. She also mentioned that dipping my oat milk cone would contaminate the dip! Lol i mean safety first I guess. But it was just odd that she's was a stickler. Wouldn't go back just for ice cream but I would try some of the food.

So I'm updating my review for two reasons. One the manager reached out to me in private and seemed genuinely concerned about my experience, which means a lot to me as a consumer. Two, I gave them a second chance tonight and my whole family was very happy. I still don't think it's the best burger I ever had in my whole life, but it's a good solid burger and the fries are really good. Will definitely be ordering again!

Love the food, very familiar with the Wicker Park location, however, this location is not one I would re-visit. Service was not welcoming at all, the man at the register took my boyfriend and I's order, and the interaction was very dry to start off. Then upon giving us the buzzer to wait for our order, he threw it on the counter. We also ordered some drinks, as I reached out my hand and waiting for him to hand it to me, he instead threw it on the counter as well. Shortly after taking our order, he took another order, this time it was a white male, his demeanor changed instantly towards them.

Dropped in on a Friday before hitting Bottom Lounge. I think this place uses its name for the selling point which is ok. The burgers were just ok, but the price was not to bad. It just felt ordinary, there wasn't any wow moment. Fries were tasty but not worth 5 bones. Service was good. It's a burger only place. The vibe on the patio is a selling point in the summer. I would return because the patio is pretty dope, would just grab two doubles and skip the fries.

OK, will be lunching at Small Cheval every visit to Chicago from now on. Burger and fries top notch and old fashioned , wow! Go, go, go...you won't be disappointed!

We ordered the cheeseburger and fries! The burger was amazing and reminiscent the of the quality from other Small Chevals. However, the fries were different. They had a slightly different taste and were skinnier than what we're accustomed to. This new Small Cheval had an amazing design and was quite spacious and the employees were kind and courteous as well!

My burger expert ranks this burger in her top 3. If she could, she would have a burger everyday. She's 10 however I approve this message. FYI. She only had the regular cheese burger...baby steps.

Burgers are good but overhyped for sure. The store itself is super cute inside, I appreciate that. It's clean. Service was fine.

Very small menu but the burger was great and worth coming for. We were there on a cooler evening and sat inside and there is very limited space. It also took a while for our food to come and it was not particularly busy. Overall worth a visit for the burger.

Really good burgers at Small Cheval.I definitely enjoyed my meal.Had a double cheeseburger with fries and coke.This West Loop spot I believe is their newest location.They have a few spots all around the city.And I just read they will be opening up in Wrigley Field this year.They are for sure popular.I do totally recommend trying them out.I would like to comeback and try their shakes next time.Im in his area quite a bit so Im sure it won't be long before I return.Thumbs up!!!

I had really high expectations finally trying small cheval given all of the hype but it ended up being just okay. Service was friendly and staff were helpful. I also really liked their wood covered interior and benches outside which were nice to sit at on a sunny day. The food (arguably most important) was where things took a turn. The burger looked amazing but was dry and lacked that umami flavor I was hoping for. The fries tasted like McDonald's fries...but worse. They were kinda limp and stale and I almost considered walking to McDonald's to get the real deal. The milkshake was also decent, but didn't compare to somewhere like Margie's. At roughly $25 for my meal I think I'd rather go elsewhere like The Loyalist for my fancy burger fix.

Stopped in for a snack (fried and shake). It was tasty! Service was quick. The outdoor patio was perfect for the sunny afternoon.

I went to see what the hype was about - this place did not disappoint! The cheeseburger is simple, but made with top tier ingredients. The fries, perfectly seasoned. And the lemonade on tap reminded me of summertime soccer practice. Kind, speedy service, plus relaxed, hip atmosphere make this a lovely lunch spot. Honestly, the small menu here means they've had a chance to perfect every aspect of their spot!