Au Cheval

"The rumors are true—Au Cheval has an excellent burger. But, this casual spot has a lot of other fantastic things on the menu, too. Dishes like the chilaquiles, chicken wings, and foie gras with eggs should also be on the table. They don’t take reservations, and waits can be a pain, but sometimes you just need to commit." - sam faye, adrian kane, veda kilaru, nick allen

"This leather-clad, diner-inspired restaurant is known for their famous burger and infamous lack of reservations, and attracts both local burger enthusiasts and tourists alike. But unlike dinner where the wait can be long enough to sneak in a game of Monopoly, stopping by mid-day is like catching the Burger Express. The thick-cut bacon and fried egg upgrades are a must, but make sure to also check out other non-burger items like the fluffy scrambled eggs with rich foie gras or bone marrow with beef cheek marmalade." - sam faye, adrian kane, john ringor, veda kilaru, nick allen

"The Verdict: Don’t come here just for the burger.  You’re probably aware that the Au Cheval burger is good—the 673 people standing expectantly outside the all-day restaurant right now can’t be completely wrong. The question is just how good one burger can possibly be? And should you spend three hours in a line that has stretched outside and around the corner since 2012? You shouldn’t…unless you also order dishes like the duck heart hash, chilaquiles, and towering mille-feuille. It’s the rest of this diner’s menu (along with a very good burger) that make Au Cheval one place you’ll still be waiting for no matter what time of day you show up. The food is, and always has been, worth it." - adrian kane, veda kilaru, john ringor, nick allen

"If you live in Chicago (and probably even if you don’t) you’ve heard of Au Cheval in the West Loop. And despite this popular spot being around for more than a decade, two things remain the same: They make a good f*cking burger, and there’s always a ridiculously long wait for a table. But if you show up alone, snagging a bar seat is the best way to avoid the two-hour purgatory in the front vestibule. And since most of everyone behind the bar is too busy to play 20 questions with you, you can eat and drink in peace." - john ringor, veda kilaru

"When something is as popular as Au Cheval, it’s asking to be taken down a few notches. After all, people love an underdog, and Au Cheval certainly isn’t—at this point, it’s in Tom Brady territory. Ignore the contrarians (and the wait) and recognize greatness when it’s staring you in the face. Or, in this case, when it’s two patties with cheese, pickles, and dijonnaise between a buttery bun begging to enter your face." - adrian kane, john ringor, veda kilaru