Small Cheval Opens a Downtown Burger Beacon Along the River

Burger fans can now find one of the city’s most-popular options downtown thanks to Small Cheval. The second iteration of Brandon Sodikoff and Hogsalt Hospitality’s renown burger restaurant opened on Monday morning along the river near Randolph and Canal streets. It’s on the ground floor of 150 North Riverside Plaza, a brand new skyscraper on the westside of the river.

There’s five tables inside, and the main entrance is off Randolph’s north side. The space has a unique round shape with windows that extend from floor to ceiling. That way customers can grab some sun and see the river from their seats.

Ashok Selvam

Small Cheval is the fast-casual cousin of Au Cheval, Hogsalt’s Randolph Street restaurant. Au Cheval’s burgers have reached cult status, and customers can opt to order them with an egg on top. Small Cheval diners don’t have the egg option, but they can add bacon to their thin and griddled patties. Fresh-cut fries are the only side dish option.

The original Small Cheval opened in August 2015 in Bucktown. That location serves booze, but that’s not the case along the river. Is this the start of a major expansion? Hogsalt is also opening a third Small Cheval in Old Town.

Small Cheval, 150 North Riverside Plaza, open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays; closed on weekends.