Small Cheval- Wicker Park — Restaurant in West Chicago Township

Stopped by here for a quick bite to eat. The first thing you notice is the small, cramped, claustrophobic interior. The place was almost packed when I came in, with only a few bar stools available here and there. Within minutes of me arriving more people came and filled up the place. With it being cold outside the large outside area was empty, which was why the place was so packed (although it was most definitely due to someone deciding to bring their 15 person family here for whatever reason as well which instantly left no room for other patrons to sit...thanks.)

Luckily I didn't plan on staying, especially since I'm not huge on small, quaint hipster interiors as I don't like feeling a stranger's hot burger breath on my cheeks and our elbows touching while I'm trying to eat myself. The interior is wood paneling, it looks like an old basement inside, complete with the dim lighting you only find in horror movies. The line to order pretty much immediately begins once you enter the door. There was an employee taking drink orders in line while another took food orders at the register.

I ended up getting the homestyle cheeseburger and fries which came out to a whopping $14.25. This was without a drink, which actually makes Small Cheval outrank Five Guys for the worse price gouging. It took about 10 minutes for my burger to be ready, I promptly ran up to the front once my buzzer went off as the place was filling up quickly.

Food wise, it's a lesser, but "fancy" version of Five Guys. The best way to describe it would be Five Guys, but with brioche buns, garlic aioli and not nearly as good. The fries were the best part as they were crisp with a good amount of salt. The pickles were lackluster, mostly bland. The dijonnaise sauce was way too subtle as well. You can definitely tell they spent more time on presentation than taste and quality. This burger as a whole reminds me of McDonald's sub-par "Southern Style Buttermilk Crispy Chicken Sandwich." Just throwing dijonnaise and pickles on a sandwich doesn't make it "Southern or Homestyle." There's a lot more that comes with those terms in-order for it to be "just like grandma makes it." The extra kick in the nuts was that the meal wasn't even filling. I walked home and ended up eating another 1200 calorie meal that included meatballs & marinara.

Overall I'm honestly disappointed. This place is way overpriced and on top of that they cant even make a decent burger. It's hard to believe this place has rave reviews.

3...

Despite all of the hype surrounding this spot, my first experience was poor. Swaths of to-go orders seem to drive quality down here, and the hype doesn't match the product. Better burgers elsewhere, in taste and value. Even McDonald's makes sure they are hot.

Staff was great, as far as I could tell in my brief interactions. Everyone was working hard with kindness abound.

I ordered a double cheeseburger house style with fries and received a dry, lukewarm (being generous), plain double hamburger with patties that didn't even take up the size of the bun. When I went in to mention it I was greeted with a bit of confusion, and after repeating myself I was asked if I wanted a new burger or just the toppings (I didn't realize I didn't even have the cheese at this point). I already waited 10-15 for the first burger, and storm clouds were coming in (no indoor seating at this location as far as I could tell), so I just told them whatever is easiest - I was given three topping containers. I went to enjoy a meal with a friend, and having a second wait kills that in a sense, so adding the option of a replacement meal coupon or refund would have been a better offer for future customers.

As with a lot of other spots, this place has far more to-go orders and you may be waiting 10-20 minutes despite there only being three tables of 'dine in' customers - no prioritizing of 'dine in' service.

The person I came with ordered the same and it looked a bit better having the toppings put on hot, but the patties are still laughably small. I was questioning the lower burger prices until I saw this.

Fries were alright and aioli was good, but not near worth their price tag. Again, staff was great and the tables/benches outside were frequently cleaned so I imagine they have...

When you’re in the mood for a no-nonsense, classic burger done right, Small Cheval is the place to go. Their double cheeseburger and fries embody the kind of reliably delicious meal that burger purists search for.

The double cheeseburger is a hefty hand-held meal with two beef patties that are cooked until they’re nicely browned, creating a savory crust that locks in the juices. The cheese is melted over each patty, ensuring every bite is as tasty as the last. The bun, soft with a slight toast, holds everything together without stealing the show.

The fries are exactly what you want alongside a burger: crispy, salty, and plentiful. They’re the supporting act that effortlessly complements the main event.

At Small Cheval, the vibe is casual. It's the kind of laid-back place you’ll feel comfortable in, whether you’re solo or with friends. The staff is friendly, keeping things moving so you get your food hot and fast.

Price-wise, Small Cheval offers value that’s as solid as their burgers. You’re getting a substantial meal for a fair price, which is probably why it's always crowded

In a city with a myriad of burger spots, Small Cheval cuts through the noise by sticking to the basics and doing them exceptionally well. It’s a place that proves a great burger doesn’t need frills—it just needs to be made with care and served up with a side of great fries. That’s Small Cheval’s recipe for success, and it’s definitely a...