It's home to one of the best burgers in all of Chicago, a cheeseburger so good that, yes, we will begrudgingly wait on an hours-long line for it—so why exactly is Au Cheval closed right now?
If you've tried to dine at the elevated diner at 800 W Randolph St in recent days, you'll notice that the usual patty-grilling proceedings have been paused But don't fret! According to Brendan Sodikoff, CEO of the restaurant's hospitality group Hogsalt, the shuttering will only be temporary, a result of a planned "refresh" of the restaurant's interiors
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According to Block Club Chicago, the West Loop flagship of the famous burger joint—which also has a sister location in New York City's Tribeca)—will have some "cosmetic" nips and tucks over the next few weeks, including "painting, fixing tile and upholstery as needed.” As for when the restaurant and its standout burger will return on Chicago's culinary scene, the Au Cheval website presently boasts a banner that reads: "We are temporarily closed for a refresh. We look forward to welcoming you back late May."
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While Au Cheval proper remains closed for the majority of the month, its spinoff spot Small Cheval—which similarly serves juicy double-decker cheeseburgers as well as fried chicken, dipped cones, craft cocktails and more—will still be operating, with locations in Rosemont, Hyde Park, Riverside Plaza, Lincoln Square, Lincoln Park, Old Town, Waveland, Milwaukee Ave and Lake St.
Prolific restaurateur Brendan Sodikoff—whose Chicago-based restaurant empire includes local eateries like Ciccio Mio, Aster Hall, Bavette's, Lobster Bar and High Five Ramen, among others—opened Au Cheval back in 2012 and soon gained national attention for its signature double cheeseburger, which comes piled high with Kraft singles, Dijonnaise and house-made pickles, and optional add-ons like a fried egg or thick-cut bacon.
Our taste buds aren't happy that we'll have to wait a few weeks for another gloriously messy bite, but our arteries probably are.