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Small Cheval - Riverside
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
Small Cheval - Riverside
8.5
Small Cheval’s Riverside outpost is a fast-casual spin on Au Cheval’s famed burger, dropping thick, griddled patties, melty cheese, and dijonnaise into a stripped-down menu. Office workers and river walkers line up for cheeseburgers, fries, and shakes with rare waterfront seating in the middle of the Loop.
Must-Try Dishes:
Cheeseburger, Bacon Cheeseburger, Fries with garlic aioli
Scores:
Value: 7.7
Service: 6.9
Consistency: 8.3
Food Quality: 9.1
Atmosphere: 8.3
Cultural Relevance: 8.5
What makes it special: A stripped-down, riverfront offshoot of Au Cheval focused almost entirely on burgers, fries, and shakes.
Who should go: Burger purists chasing a fast but serious patty.
When to visit: Late lunch or early dinner to dodge peak office lines.
What to order: Cheeseburger with bacon, fries, classic shake.
Insider tip: Head for the riverfront patio on nice days; it turns a quick burger run into a full-on downtown moment.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No on-site parking; closest options are nearby paid garages and limited metered street parking in the Loop.
Dress code: Casual — office attire, jeans, and athleisure are all common.
Noise level: Moderate — outdoor seating is breezier and conversational; the interior can feel busy during rush periods.
Weekend wait: 20–40 minutes during warm-weather patio days; shorter in colder months.
Weekday lunch: 10–25 minutes at peak office lunch hours; little to no wait off-peak.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Very limited — fries and shakes are the main non-meat items.
Vegan options: Minimal — fries may be workable depending on preferences, but there is no dedicated vegan burger.
Gluten-free options: Limited — no dedicated gluten-free bun; fries may be an option depending on sensitivity and cross-contact comfort.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if you’re going for casual and quick — it’s counter-service and focused on burgers, so it works better for a low-key meetup than a long sit-down date.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — there are no reservations; seating is first-come, first-served, and patio tables go fastest during nice weather.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for casual outings — simple menu, outdoor seating, and quick service work well for older kids; limited space and lines may be tougher with strollers.
Best For
Better for: Fast, high-quality burgers with riverfront seating and a streamlined menu that keeps the focus on the patty and fries.
Skip if: You want a wide menu, table service, a veggie/vegan burger option, or a quieter, linger-longer meal.
Small Cheval - Riverside
8.4
A tight, counter-service burger stand where the move is a griddled cheeseburger and a fresh-drop basket of fries that stay crisp even when you take them to the riverwalk. It’s built for speed—order, grab, and eat—so the fries shine most when you hit them immediately and alternate with bites of dijonnaise-and-cheddar burger.
Must-Try Dishes:
French fries, Cheeseburger, House-made shakes
Scores:
Value: 8.4
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 7.3
Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: Fast, high-precision fries paired with a minimalist burger program.
Who should go: Loop workers and river walkers craving quick fries.
When to visit: Off-peak lunch for shortest lines.
What to order: Fries, cheeseburger, shake.
Insider tip: Eat the fries first—this is a “fresh-drop” place.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No dedicated parking. Metered street parking is limited during business hours; nearby garages serve office towers, but pricing varies. Most diners arrive on foot from the Loop or via the Riverwalk.
Dress code: Ultra-casual. Workday office attire, jeans, shorts, and sneakers all fit the room.
Noise level: Moderate during peak lunch rush, low outside of it. Conversation is easy once you’re seated or eating outside.
Weekend wait: 10–20 minutes at peak riverwalk hours, shorter if lines move quickly.
Weekday lunch: 5–15 minutes during noon rush; minimal wait before 11:45am or after 1:30pm.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited. Fries and shakes are the main vegetarian-friendly options.
Vegan options: Very limited. Fries are the safest choice; buns, sauces, and shakes are not vegan-friendly.
Gluten-free options: Limited. Fries only; burgers and buns are not gluten-free and there is shared prep space.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if you want it casual and fast. The fries are excellent, but the counter-service format and quick turnover make it better for a low-pressure meetup than a linger-and-talk date.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—there are no reservations. Seating is first-come, first-served, with outdoor tables turning over quickly.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes in a practical sense. Fries, burgers, and shakes work well for kids, though seating is limited and there’s no dedicated kids menu.
Best For
Better for: Hot, ultra-crisp fries eaten immediately, fast service, and grab-and-go dining near the river.
Skip if: You want a relaxed sit-down meal, broader dietary accommodations, or a place to linger long after eating.
Small Cheval - Riverside
8.6
A fast-casual burger counter that keeps the order tight—smash-style patties, a soft bun, and just enough sauce to stay punchy without getting messy. The move late is a double, fries with the garlic aioli, and a shake, then bounce before the room gets too crowded.
Must-Try Dishes:
Signature Double Cheeseburger, Golden Fries with garlic aioli, Strawberry shake
Scores:
Value: 8.6
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 8.7
Food Quality: 8.9
Atmosphere: 7
Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: A stripped-down burger-and-fries play that delivers fast, char-forward consistency.
Who should go: Burger-first diners who want speed and reliability
When to visit: After 8pm for a cleaner, faster line
What to order: Double cheeseburger, golden fries, a shake
Insider tip: Add fries specifically for the garlic aioli dunk.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; metered spots nearby but can be tight late evening. Rideshare or walking from the riverwalk is easier.
Dress code: Ultra-casual — jeans, hoodies, sneakers all standard.
Noise level: Moderate to loud late-night — ordering is easy, lingering conversations are tougher during peak rush.
Weekend wait: 20–40 minutes after 8pm; lines move fast but stack up late.
Weekday lunch: 10–20 minutes during the noon rush; off-peak is often no wait.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — veggie burger available, same build as the classic.
Vegan options: Limited — veggie burger without cheese or aioli; confirm bun suitability.
Gluten-free options: Limited — no gluten-free bun; patties can be ordered without bread.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if the goal is casual and quick — it’s fun and unfussy, but not built for lingering or quiet conversation.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — counter service only. Grab any open table once you’ve ordered, or plan to eat standing during peak times.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for older kids — simple menu and fast food pacing work well, but there’s no dedicated kids menu or table service.
Best For
Better for: Late-night smash burgers with speed, consistency, and minimal decision-making.
Skip if: You want a sit-down burger bar, a quieter vibe, or broader menu flexibility.
Small Cheval - Riverside
8.4
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Comfort Food Classics
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
A tight, smash-style burger counter that keeps the menu disciplined—thin patties with real char, a soft bun, and just enough sauce to stay punchy. It’s built for speed, and the fries-and-aioli combo is the reliable add-on when you want the meal to feel complete.
Must-Try Dishes:
Double cheeseburger, Fries with garlic aioli, Milkshake
Scores:
Value: 8.2
Service: 8.3
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 7
Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: A stripped-down burger build that stays char-forward and fast.
Who should go: Burger-first diners who want speed
When to visit: After 8pm for shorter lines
What to order: Double cheeseburger, fries with aioli, a shake
Insider tip: Order fries specifically for the garlic aioli dunk.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking in the Fulton River District is limited and competitive; meters and nearby garages are the most realistic option, especially after work hours.
Dress code: Casual—jeans, sneakers, and workday basics are the norm.
Noise level: Moderate—order-at-the-counter energy with enough ambient noise that conversation is fine but not hushed.
Weekend wait: 20–40 minutes during peak hours, shorter if you’re flexible with standing or off-peak timing
Weekday lunch: Often minimal to no wait outside the noon rush
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited—grilled cheese and fries are the main non-meat options.
Vegan options: Very limited—fries only; no dedicated vegan mains.
Gluten-free options: Limited—burgers can be ordered without a bun, but cross-contact is likely.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, if you want something low-pressure and quick—less about lingering romance, more about shared comfort food and easy conversation.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—there are no reservations; you order at the counter and grab available seating, or plan on standing briefly during rushes.
Is it kid-friendly? Generally yes—simple burgers and fries work well for kids, though seating is tight and it’s better for short visits than long meals.
Best For
Better for: Fast, no-frills smash burgers with consistent char and value-driven pricing.
Skip if: You want table service, a broader menu, or plant-forward options—this is a focused burger stop, not a flexible all-around diner.