Small Cheval Wrigleyville Upgrades Burger Choices For Cubs Fans

Hot dogs have long been linked with baseball, but burgers are making their way into the ballpark this year.

Case in point: Small Cheval, the little sibling to Au Cheval, has opened a location steps from the iconic red Wrigley Field marquee. The chain goes Into space vacated by Maddon’s Post, the restaurant co-owned by former Cubs manager Joe Maddon, in Gallagher Way, the parkway in front of the stadium that debuted in 2018. It was part of the new construction, including the Hotel Zachary, that transformed the neighborhood.

This new Small Cheval is Hogsalt’s largest and includes a private dining room and two bars. This is the sixth location of the mini-chain, a joint venture between Hogsalt and Four Corners. The burgers have developed a huge following, and though the Small Cheval version slightly differs from the original served at Au Cheval in West Loop, patrons can order takeout and delivery from the spinoff. And no one needs to wait in the long lines that accumulate along Randolph Street.

The secret, allegedly, is how the burgers are griddled topped with sharp cheddar and a Dijonaise. The beef is standard issue from Sysco, a food vendor that supplies foods to restaurants across the U.S. There’s also a plant-based version and another new twist in Wrigley: a wagyu-truffle option. That’s something customers can’t find at nearby Shake Shack.

Baseball seems to have a new infatuation with wagyu. The New York Yankees this season introduced its own wagyu burger named after star slugger Aaron Judge. Like his uniform number, 99 burgers are available per game day in the Bronx. Wagyu refers to the premium Japanese beef that’s highly marbled and known for its juiciness. However, there are different types of wagyu which range in quality and price. Websites for the Yankees and Small Cheval don’t specify, so fans are left guessing.

As with the Yankees burger, Small Cheval will also be available to fans inside the ballpark. There’s a new Small Cheval stand station near Wrigley’s bleachers.

Walk through the neighborhood’s new amenity below.

Small Cheval Wrigleyville, 1119 W. Waveland Avenue, open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday; 11 a.m. to midnight on nights of concerts.

Drinks like a Long Island Cold Brew, Margarita, Old Fashioned, and Pink Vodka Lemonade are available.