Welcome to Small Cheval- Wicker Park
Small Cheval- Wicker Park is a must-visit for burger lovers in Chicago. Nestled in the trendy Wicker Park neighborhood, this gem offers a mouthwatering menu with options for both meat-eaters and vegans. The burgers are cooked to perfection, bursting with flavor, and served in a casual, hipster-friendly atmosphere. From the crips fries to the truffle cheese sauce and hot honey chicken strips, each dish is a culinary delight. The friendly staff, outdoor seating, cashless facility, and shot offerings add to the unique experience. Small Cheval truly lives up to its reputation as serving some of the best burgers in the city.
- 1732 N Milwaukee Ave Chicago, IL 606471732 N Milwaukee Ave Chicago, IL 60647 Hotline: (312) 837-3859
Located in the vibrant Wicker Park neighborhood of Chicago, Small Cheval has quickly become a must-visit destination for burger lovers and casual diners alike. Nestled at 1732 N Milwaukee Ave, this charming eatery specializes in American fare, offering a menu that showcases their renowned hamburgers and cheeseburgers. Each burger is cooked to medium perfection and is topped with the enticing combination of Dijonnaise, pickles, and onions. The small but delightful menu also includes golden fries, a selection of shakes in flavors like chocolate and vanilla, and a variety of refreshing sodas.
The praises for Small Cheval are many, with visitors like Clayton M. lauding it as "the best burger" they've had in the city, claiming it to be a hidden gem among Chicago's culinary scene. The balance between flavors and the perfect size of the burgers leave diners satisfied without the guilt of overindulgence. Imagine biting into a juicy burger, slightly crispy on the edges, with a thoughtful accompaniment of garlic aioli on the side; it’s no wonder patrons keep coming back.
For those who appreciate vibrant outdoor dining, the patio provides a pleasant atmosphere to enjoy your meal under the Chicago sky. Reviewers emphasize the friendly and welcoming nature of the staff, consistently highlighting their attentiveness and knowledge about the menu. With limited indoor seating, the layout encourages an informal dining experience, perfect for those looking to relax and savor their meal.
Another standout feature is the addition of boozy shakes and a variety of alcoholic beverages, which add a fun twist to the traditional burger and fries offering. Claire J. mentioned that the cheeseburger, a double patty creation, was a delightful surprise that balanced well with the toppings, showcasing the attention to detail that Small Cheval is known for.
Angela S. raved about the gluten-free options, including tantalizing chicken strips paired with hot honey sauce—an exciting twist that elevates the menu's appeal. The outdoor seating, though limited in indoor space, is a charming option for patrons looking to enjoy their meal while taking in the lively street scene.
Overall, Small Cheval- Wicker Park embodies the spirit of Chicago's burger landscape, combining quality ingredients, a laid-back atmosphere, and a touch of creativity that leaves a lasting impression. Whether you're a local or a traveler exploring the city, this gem is undoubtedly worth a visit.

This burger was incredible. Best burger we had in the city. One of the best meals. We went to a lot of Chicago's go-to tourist spots, and this was one of our favorite meals we had on our trip. Does everybody know about this place or is it a hidden gem? Burger has such good flavor. Cooked to perfection. Perfect size--you leave feeling full but not gross. Garlic aioli sauce on the side was NUTS! So good. Still thinking about it. Fries also were amazing. So glad we came! Definitely will be back someday.

This place is small and seating is hard to find but so worth it. The food was delicious, the weather was wonderful and overall the price was great. Would definitely recommend this to people and go again myself.

Before diving into the review, I want to emphasize that Small Cheval serves the best cheeseburger I've ever had. During a visit to Chicago, while exploring the northern neighborhoods, I ended up walking through Wicker Park. I decided to stop by Small Cheval and was blown away by the experience. The staff was exceptionally friendly and welcoming, and the place was clean. The interior didn't have any tables that I noticed, but the outside dining area was very pleasant. The menu offers a variety of tasty options, including boozy shakes and a vodka pink lemonade, which added a fun twist to the typical burger and fries selection. There's also a wide range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages available, making the menu surprisingly extensive. I ordered a cheeseburger with all the classic toppings, plus lettuce and tomato. I didn't realize the cheeseburger was a double patty until it arrived, and although I typically prefer single patties, this double was fantastic. The key to its perfection was the well-balanced ratio of toppings to patties. I also ordered their fries with garlic aioli on the side, and the garlic aioli made the entire meal. It was absolutely delicious and in a cute container. Two minor downsides include that the fries are sold separately and as I review Small Cheval's website, the prices aren't listed.

Legit place! Loved the gluten free chicken strips and hot honey sauce that you can add. Truffle cheese sauce was fantastic! Server was super helpful and answered our many questions, very knowledgeable about the ingredients, process and options! Outdoor seating is soo cool! Place inside is small with a well managed system. No indoor seating. And cashless facility!

Awesome smash burgers - I had been to the Au Cheval in NYC multiple times and was hoping to try small cheval during my recent trip to Chicago. I liked it so much after the first time, we ended up ordering a second time during our trip! The quality of the meat was really good - both the burger patty itself and also the bacon. We had also read really positive things about their chicken tenders, which were very flavorful and juicy!

What other food stand that you frequent sells shots? The second I saw that on the menu I knew Small Cheval was going to live up to the hype! Checked them out as they seem to be on every best burger list out there and were pleased to find the burger to live up to the hype. A bit pricey but no real complaints. Super casual vibe with carrot or eat outside options exclusively.

It was almost a 5 from me, really close. On the way to the Chop Shop, we stopped here to grab a burger. After some tight parking, you walk in the side entrance to a small room to order. There's a separate line for the ride share ordering, so it's easy to get confused about which line to be in. I got a double cheese burger and shared fries with my fiancee. The burger was delicious. I always appreciate a great tasting burger that's not greasy. Seating is interesting. You go back outside with your pager and wait for then to page you to go back in and get your food. The patio area has several picnic tables (no umbrellas). It was cold out, but luckily, they had a couple of outdoor heaters running on 3 of the tables (we were able to snag a table with a heater after a family finally left). I would definitely return (maybe not in the winter haha).

Wanted a place to get a burger fix. Definitely hit the spot! I was happy when I asked for no bun. They offered lettuce wrap. It took about 20 minutes for food. Burger was super juicy. Fries tasty, too! Cups of water are self-serve, and they have sodas, beers, and shots. Small Cheval = small menu but not small taste!!

Guilty pleasures are a must! And Small Cheval is one of mine! You can always count on the same quality, flavors, and just all around fantastic burger coming here. Parking is a little tricky esp during the peak times of lunch and dinner. But the street parking is free! The restaurant does not have indoor seating but they do have heated outdoor seating for those who want to stay and enjoy. When you go in to order they have a menu at the front and offer additional toppings if you like or just keep their included toppings. They offer soda, and alcoholic beverages as well. Once you order they give you a pager for you to grab your food when it's ready. Keep in mind that while they do get food out quickly there isn't much space inside. But plenty outside by the tables! No matter which burger or style you get, the burgers are fresh and full of flavor with each bite. They offer condiments on the side along with their garlic aioli which is a must! ESP for their friends! All in all, it's a treat everytime! We're already thinking about our next visit!