Au Cheval Ranks No. 35 on Top 50 Burgers
Big 7 Travel named the Chicago restaurant among the world's best burgers in its newly released global ranking.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Comfort Food
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Big 7 Travel released a ranking of the top 50 burgers served across countries worldwide, placing Chicago's Au Cheval at No. 35. Au Cheval is one of only a few U.S. burgers on the list, which ranks Hamburger America in New York City at No. 1.
Why it matters
The ranking gives Chicago diners a recognized international benchmark for one of the city's signature restaurant burgers. It also highlights how few American burgers made the global list.
Au Cheval's signature burger is built from two thin smashburger patties layered with American and cheddar cheese, dijonnaise, and pickles. Big 7 Travel judged burgers on meat quality, build, flavor integration, distinctiveness, diner reviews, atmosphere, and overall value.
The players
Big 7 Travel
Big 7 Travel is a travel publication that compiled the global ranking of the top 50 burgers.
Au Cheval
Au Cheval is a Chicago restaurant known for its smashburger, opened in 2012 by Brendan Sodikoff and Hogsalt Hospitality.
Hogsalt Hospitality
Hogsalt Hospitality is a Chicago restaurant group that co-founded Au Cheval with Brendan Sodikoff.
The details
Big 7 Travel ranked burgers on meat quality, burger build, how flavors work together, how each burger stands out, diner reviews, restaurant atmosphere, and overall value. Au Cheval was opened in 2012 by Brendan Sodikoff and Hogsalt Hospitality.
Timeline
- 2012: Au Cheval opens, founded by Brendan Sodikoff and Hogsalt Hospitality.
- 2023: George Motz creates Hamburger America, which later ranks No. 1.
- Nov. 4, 2026: Big 7 Travel publishes the top 50 burger ranking.
Season Trajectory
Big 7 Travel's ranking places Au Cheval among only a few U.S. burgers on a worldwide top 50 list, a limited American presence that reflects how the list weights international smashburger styles. The placement gives Chicago's burger scene an international reference point alongside New York's Hamburger America at No. 1.
Chicago diners looking for a top-ranked burger now have Au Cheval's signature two-patty smashburger as a recognized international option. The ranking gives a concrete reason to try the restaurant's combination of American and cheddar cheese, dijonnaise, and pickles.
The takeaway
Chicago's Au Cheval earning a spot on a global burger list shows that local restaurants can gain international recognition for a focused menu item. Diners interested in the ranking can use the judging criteria, including meat quality and overall value, to compare burgers in their own city.
Further reading
Explore more Comfort Food picks from Chicago's restaurant scene.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NBC Chicago.
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