Chicago's Most Famous Burger | Au Cheval

Au Cheval has been named America's best burger by multiple publications, and after two visits, I understand why people have been lining up since 2012. Located at 800 West Randolph Street in Chicago's West Loop, this diner-style bar and restaurant serves elevated diner fare highlighted by a signature cheeseburger that has earned legendary status.

Is it the best burger in Chicago? I don't know yet as I have a few places that I still have to hit. What I do know is that it's an incredibly delicious burger with perfectly grilled patties, gooey cheese, and a delicious dijonnaise.

Quick Facts

📍 Location: 800 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60607

⏰ Hours: Check website for current hours (open daily)

💵 Price Range: $30 - $40+ / per person

🚗 Parking: Street parking and nearby lots

📱 Website: https://www.auchevaldiner.com/chicago/home

☎️ Phone: Available on website

🌟 Best For: Legendary burgers, elevated diner fare, cozy atmosphere, bar seating

First Impressions & Process

Head on in and you'll run into the host stand up front. If you're by yourself, you'll probably end up at the bar. Pick a spot and they'll hand you your menus.

The menu would make it seem like there are endless options as there are actually two menus printed front and back. But it's quite simple. Only one side of one of the menus is food and the rest are drinks. The food menu is intentionally focused: when perfection has been achieved, diversity becomes moot.

Once you've ordered, it's only a matter of minutes before you'll be feasting on one of the best burgers in Chicago. The open kitchen operates like a well-oiled machine, with cooks constantly working the grill due to the steady stream of orders. Once you're done with your meal, they'll grab you your check and you'll be ready to head out.

The Food: What I Ordered

I went with the Double Cheeseburger with egg and fries, along with an Arnold Palmer. Let me clarify the naming system here, which can be confusing: a "single" cheeseburger actually has two thin griddled patties, and a "double" has three. I think the single cheese, which actually has two patties, would be perfect for most people. But I was starving.

Three patties and a couple pieces of cheese sit neatly on the bottom half of the bun. My fried egg and pickles are hanging out on the inverted top half. The yolk is sitting there staring at me, practically daring me to take that first bite.

The burger itself is a perfect balance. The beef is perfectly seasoned and cooked medium. The American cheese melts between the patties creating that gooey richness you want. The dijonnaise, a mixture of lemon juice, mayo, and Dijon mustard, adds tang without overwhelming. The housemade pickles provide acidity and crunch. All of this sits on a toasted bun from a local bakery that holds up to the end despite the richness.

The thick-cut peppered bacon deserves its own paragraph. Multiple reviewers have called it heavenly, life-changing, the best they've ever tasted. My wife and I ordered a side of the bacon for snacking and topping our burgers during my first visit, and those descriptions aren't exaggeration. It's slightly sweet, perfectly thick-cut, and absolutely delicious.

The fries come with two dipping sauces: a mornay sauce and garlic aioli. Both are excellent and worth trying.

It's a small menu of amazing food items. I've heard wonderful things about both the fried chicken and the bologna sandwich. The bourbon and whiskey menu is insane, offering an extensive selection that matches the quality of the food.

Seating & Wait Times

Eight or so booths and a small handful of tables with maybe 16 or so barstools wrap around the open kitchen. The space is intentionally small, which contributes to both the cozy atmosphere and the wait times.

This is my second time at Au Cheval. I came by myself and got here around 5 PM on a Tuesday. I was lucky enough to get seated right away at the bar.

The first time I came here it was for a team outing for work. Because we needed a booth, it ended up being about an hour wait to get a seat.

Au Cheval uses a text system to let you know when your table is ready, which means you can roam around the West Loop while you wait. They also have an app where you can see how many parties are ahead of you. Wait times can stretch from one to three hours during peak times, though solo diners often get seated faster at the bar.

Plan accordingly to make sure you have enough time. Give yourself a little extra time to find some parking just in case.

Atmosphere

It's a cozy little 1950s style diner with leather cushy seating. Loud music combined with the open kitchen really produces an energizing atmosphere. The walls are mostly exposed brick, and the long bar with counter seating is the main fixture, taking up a good portion of the eatery's footprint.

The space is dimly lit with music flooding the room. Multiple people have said it looks like something from a movie, and I'd have to agree. The high-volume, up-tempo music doesn't make it the best venue for a date or business meal, but it does make for a fun outing with friends or family.

The atmosphere is both intimate and lively. It's a place where you can let your hair down with a group or just eat and chat as a couple. The open kitchen adds to the energy, letting you watch the pros craft burger after burger with impressive efficiency.

Service Experience

Fast. Very fast. I got seated right away, but that was just timing. I had a server within minutes, my drink was up ASAP, and the food only took a few moments as they have a constant stream of burgers on the grill when busy.

The staff is professional and knowledgeable. They understand the menu inside and out and can make recommendations based on your preferences. The service matches the quality of the food, which is saying something given Au Cheval's reputation.

What Makes Au Cheval Special

Since opening in 2012, Au Cheval has garnered recognition from countless publications. Food Network named it the number one burger in America. Bon Appetit called it the best burger in America. Eater included it among the 21 essential hamburgers in the country. Business Insider ranked it among the best in the nation.

The accolades are impressive, but what makes Au Cheval truly special is the execution. Owner Brendan Sodikoff created a space that elevates traditional diner fare through quality ingredients, expert preparation, and attention to detail. The menu ranges from chopped chicken liver and roasted bone marrow to egg-focused entrees and that signature cheeseburger.

Almost everything at Au Cheval is aggressively rich in the best way possible. The thick-cut bacon, the dijonnaise, the perfectly griddled patties. These aren't shortcuts or approximations. This is diner fare taken to its highest expression.

It's certainly not going to be a budget option. But then again, if it's going to be Chicago's best, it isn't going to be. It also doesn't need to be.

The Verdict: Is Au Cheval Worth It?

Without a doubt. This is a must-experience on the long list of great Chicago restaurants. The burger lives up to the hype that has people waiting hours to get in. The thick-cut bacon alone is worth the visit, and when combined with those perfectly cooked patties and that ideal balance of toppings, you understand why this burger has achieved legendary status.

Bring your friends or bring your family. Whatever you do, just get here early to minimize your wait time.

Practical Tips for Your Visit

🅿️ Parking & Access: Street parking and nearby lots available in the West Loop. Give yourself extra time to find parking.

⏱️ Best time to visit: Arriving around 5 PM on weekdays can sometimes result in shorter waits. Solo diners often get seated faster at the bar. Download their app to track your place in line. Lone Wolf is nearby if you want to grab drinks while waiting.

💡 Insider tips: Order the "single" cheeseburger unless you're very hungry. It has two patties and is the perfect size. Add the thick-cut bacon. It's expensive but absolutely worth it. The egg is optional based on your love of eggs. If seated at the bar, you get to watch the kitchen work, which is impressive. The bologna sandwich and fried chicken are also highly regarded if you want to try something beyond the burger.

♿ Accessibility: Contact restaurant for specific accessibility information.

👥 Good for groups?: Works well for groups of 2-4. Larger parties will have longer waits for booth seating. The lively atmosphere makes it ideal for casual outings with friends or family rather than formal occasions.

📶 Dining style: Full-service diner with table and bar service. The loud music and energetic vibe create a fun, casual atmosphere.

Final Thoughts

Au Cheval delivers an incredibly delicious burger with perfectly grilled patties, gooey cheese, and delicious dijonnaise. The thick-cut bacon is legitimately the best I've tasted, and the cozy 1950s diner atmosphere with loud music and an open kitchen creates an energizing experience.

Is it the best burger in Chicago? That's subjective, and I still have places to try. What's objective is that Au Cheval has earned its legendary status through consistent execution, quality ingredients, and attention to detail. Publications have recognized it, but more importantly, Chicagoans and visitors have been lining up for over a decade because the food delivers.

This is a must-experience on the long list of great Chicago restaurants. The wait can be significant, but the excellent food is worth it. Whether you're a local or visiting Chicago, Au Cheval represents the kind of elevated diner fare that makes Chicago's food scene world-class.

Looking for more Chicago dining reviews? Check out my complete guide to the best burgers and restaurants in Chicago.

I paid for this meal myself. All opinions are my own.

Last updated: November 2025

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