I’ve had the privilege of scoring a table a time or two at the venerable West Loop Au Cheval for the best burger of all time. Pair it with a tequila cocktail and some ’90s hip hop and you have a surefire recipe for success. So, when I recently was staying in the corporate stripmall-land that is Rosemont, I felt like I’d wont the lottery when I spotted a Small Cheval within walking distance from the Westin. I had no idea that these existed so it felt like finding a real treasure. When I was gloating on my find the next day in the office I was greeted with a “well those are everywhere.” WHAT. When did this happen?

Regardless, they are adorable.

The interior was super fun with an open roof plan (seems crazy for Chicago) because you had a front row seat to jets landing as you smashed your smash burger.

Meow…. I will say as lovely as the burger was, the fries are nothing to right home about and serve mainly as vessels for the garlic aioli self-served. It definitely felt fast food, and was still a fun find, I just don’t think I’ll make it a destination restaurant like the original.