Billy Goat Tavern

The SNL sketch about this place is a classic and I still think it's funny to this day. What is not so funny is getting just fair service and just a fair at best burger. After you have been there once the thrill is gone. After going the first time you can say you were at the place that the gang from SNL parodied. After that it's your cash, so if you like eating here or you just like to hang out here and look for celebs or reporters from Chgo. papers to come in; go for it. Just be warned the food is not all that great. more

I love this place. I love this place because it is quint-essential Chicago and has the best hamburgers in the entire city. Yes, this is the place that inspired the SNL bit with the Cheezeborger, cheezeborger bit. So, be prepared when you walk into this Chicago classic. First of all, you have to find it. It looks like you are about to go underground to find the subway. The entire place is beneath Michigan Avenue, so keep your eyes open for the signs and the stairs. When you get in, you find yourself in a bar. Yes, the Billy Goat is a bar. That's why there's smoke and why it looks like...well...a bar. The men behind the bar will let out a Cheezeborger, cheezeborger for you. They will also tell you there is no Coke but Pepsi and no fries but chips. I recommend the double-cheeseburger which comes out "Double-Oh Cheeeze" when shouted down the line. You then get two delicious, greasy hamburgers on kaiser-type roles. You get to add the ketchup and onions. This is greasy, heart-clogging hamburgers the way they were meant to be. This is a legendary restaurant complete with Cubs-related lore. Mike Royko, the famous columnist from Chicago, was famous for hanging out in this place. It's history and it's delicious. If you are looking for something fancy, go visit the Signature Room down the street in the Hancock Building. more

Billy Goat's Tavern is definitely a Chicago institution, but I've only eaten there a handful of times. Each time, I was pretty satisfied with the burgers, but honestly, they aren't anything to get excited about. They're large, thin, greasy patties served on a kaiser roll and you have to put the toppings on by yourself. I definitely wouldn't go out of my way or drive all the way in from the suburbs just to eat here. But if I'm in the area, I don't mind stopping in. more

You know why I have to take a deep breath? To prepare myself for the possible attacks of "Goat people" throughout the city. So many people love this place, but I'm not sure why. Yeah, we all know how they become famous, don't we? Right...cheezeborger, cheezeborger skits and such. But this place does not make me happy at all. First of all, it's filled with so much smoke that it looks like a Cheech and Chong convention. But what gets me is the food is way below average, the attitude stinks (I can get past that if the food was good) and some of the patrons are an annoying mix of tourists, college kids on a barfing spree and people of questionable hygiene habits. I tried the chicken sandwich once and it was raw! Plus it cost $6.50 and didn't come with anything else. Hey, I'm confident enough to rip into a Chicago "legend." We rock and rollers are used to making waves. more