Billy Goat Tavern

This was the worst Burger my husband and I have ever had. We got our burger super fast as we were about the only ones in the place for lunch. The girl behind the counter told us what we should order, ""The double cheese burger"". Two thin patties w cheese, a dried out bun , choose chopped or sliced onions, pickle relish or sliced pickles, mustard, ketchup. No lettuce no tomatoes no mayo. Unfortunately these lacking ingredients wouldn't have helped. Do your self a favor, pass it up. more

Quaint tavern with a lot of history. A fun stop on a Chicago pub crawl! more

Went to the Billy Goat after a recommendation from our five star hotel . I was very precise in what we we looking for. We wanted a great place for food and cold beers where the "" LOCALS"" hang out. Well not the case. THIS IS THE PLACE ON THE OLD SATURDAY NITE LIVE - cheese burger, cheese burger, Pepsi, Pepsi, for those who remember. Its kinda funny to see but when it wheres off in five minutes or so the novelty is DONE. Period. Soon as you get a beer from the rude as you know what bartender and take the first bite from your over priced less quality burger from MC Donald's you will agree. What a dump. I do not recommend to anybody. Go in buy a beer watch the five minute show then go get a good burger at the million of great places to eat in Chicago. Oh bring cash, they don't take cards, oh but they conveniently have a ATM machine that will ding you for a additional 3 bucks. WORST BURGER EVER. I have to add this: I have been in the food business for over 50 years, the burgers are possessed to for those on here who think they are real. more

5 stars, go here now, trust me! enough said! more

The food is reasonably priced and my entire family LOVES this place. Okay the wine is bad, the beer is basic, but you can get a cheap rum and diet coke or a gin and tonic which is fine. The cheezeburgers are great--not more greasy than fast food, but without the chemicals. Try the steak sandwich. Think the burgers, chicken breast or steak is bland? Duh--just put on raw or grilled onions! Or both. The buns are fresh Italian and tasty. A+++ Fries are great too. The staff is funky, the decor is funky and interesting. If you get to know the staff, the guys are very nice. Not for suburbanites. Not known for cleanliness. But that's okay, it's just fine for building your immune system. Keep that hand sanitizer away! more

Please. this is just resting on its SNL laurels.\r Cheezborger cheezborger. pepsi pepsi chips chips.\r \r come on. a tasteless grilled burger on a wonder bun. and too expensive. if downtown go to LuxBar.\r Or go to M Burger on Huron off Michigan. \r \r furgeddaboudit Pros: the signs around the place. nice nostalgia Cons: the food more

As a journalism student, this place is legendary, and it's a juxtaposition of greasy dive and museum. It's so neat seeing all of the headlines and byline on the walls and imagining the great SNL actors and journalists who have eaten here before you. The menu is small, which I wouldn't mind if each item were truly good. I had a double cheeseburger, since that's what they are famous for, but it fell short of expectations. The patties were incredibly thin and the cheese was not of very good quality. I can see why the unpretentious atmosphere would be a favorite among industry members, and I saw quite a few business folk chatting it up and having a grand old time with beer and burgers. Come here for the experience, but if you want great burgers hit up Epic Burger or Edzo's. Pros: Atmosphere, Decor Cons: Food more

The staff was almost as strange as it's patrons...all with as much character as the hambuger bun I was served, quickly left. Some may enjoy it's vibe.... more

One of my all-time favorite places, perhaps in the world. It's not SO much about the food but the history,... more

One of my all-time favorite places, perhaps in the world. It's not SO much about the food but the history, the ambiance (or lack thereof), locatio... more

We've only been to Chicago three times and already it feels like we've gotten into a habit of going to Billy Goat's.\r When we've flown over from the UK and are tired and jet-lagged, the tavern is great to go on our first night for a carb fest. We love the 'cheseborgers' and the chance to sit and watch the world go by.\r Of course it's not the cleanest, flashiest place...but there's loads of those kinds of places elsewhere.\r Go, enjoy and know you've seen something bit different. Pros: atmosphere, food Cons: whats not to like? more

To the rather impertinent Brit - suppose you are entitled to your opinion, though I've been in some dive pubs in the UK that are revered by the locals and couldn't see why but then I wasn't a local. First of all, dive is the word - perhaps not in the OED as used in regards to Billy Goat's but your culinary expectations should be low when that word is used in conjunction with any bar in the States. Second, you're there for the history so if you can't get into that, then nothing else follows, including the staff's perception of your purpose in being there so if your G&T is not up to snuff, go elsewhere. Third, I first became acquainted with Billy Goat's in 1968 while working part-time in the Wrigley Building when I was old enough only to be served a Coke. In 1989, I returned with my husband (who is a Brit, by the way) and my sister and who should walk in but Mike Royko! We bought his book that was being sold behind the bar, 'Sez Who' and Royko personalized it to us. Nick, the bartender, was definitely friendly. Sometimes it's you, the guest, that has to make an effort to the locals. more

On holiday in Chicago with my Girlfriend and after reading the history behind the BGT we decided to have a drink and some food on a Sunday evening at the original location.\r On entering the bar at about 7.30pm we nearly turned around and walked out again. If you're thinking of going to BGT DON'T EXPECT 1, a smile- 2, any eye contact from the staff- 3, a please or thank you- 4, a decent drink- 5, any sort of entertainment. \r However...you CAN EXPECT 1, surly service without a smile - 2, a smelly, scruffy establishment devoid of any sort of atmosphere ( yes I'm aware of all the history but there are plenty of museums with history...and they tend to have a better atmosphere) 3, A packet of crisps (or chips as yanks call them) with your burger...nice! 4,loads of grainy photo's of the original owner (some Greek bloke who looks like Colonel Saunders) with various 'celebs' who've been through the doors 5, To wait 10 minutes to get served as the grease-ball proprieter is ordering more bbq sauce from his suppliers - 6, a drink that is completely flat and warm, all seved up in a filthy glass inside a filthy bar.\r In short this place deserves to go out of business, it's a scruffy dump, the staff and owners are rude...and I wouldn't feed my dog Patch on the food from their kitchen. Avoid. Pros: Good Location Cons: everything else more

For the out of towners who may not know much about Chicago, the famous Billy Goat Tavern underneath the viaducts on Michigan Ave by Navy Pier is a classic restaurant sketch come to life from the old Saturday Night Live days, just like the other classic sketch of Hub's Fast Food Restaurant with ""the juice"". For Chicagoians, the Billy Goat is more than a hidden gem in Chicago. It's history dating back to the 1945 Chicago Cubs and the Curse of the Billy Goat. For me, my first go around with the Billy Goat Tavern came on New Year's Eve 05 when my cousin and former friend decided to head to Navy Pier to see the fireworks. On the way to the Pier, low and behold the Billy Goat was right on the path. Now I knew about the Curse and the SNL sketch, but never did I imagine the history that was inside surrounding the walls and the ambience. The famous ""cheeseborger cheeseborger cheeseborger"" line reigns true here, despite having other items on the menu too. But putting history aside, the ""cheeseborger"" was something unique that I quickly identified as not a typical burger. Whether it was their unique, soft, flakey bun they use of the actual seasoning of the beef, something just jumps out and says to you, ""That's a good cheeseborger."" You won't find fries here or Pepsi as the other half of the famous line goes ""...no Pepsi, Coke, no fries, chips"", but who needs them. We even got the chance to meet the owner of the place. So if you're looking for a piece of Chicago history with your ""cheeseborger"" and chips, this is a definite place to go. Pros: Tourist spot, Made famous by SNL, ""Cheeseborger Cheeseborger Cheeseborger..."" Landmark in Chicago Cons: ""...No Pepsi, Coke, no fries, chips."", No Parking, small underground place more

Billy Goats is the best dive for a ""cheezborger"". My most recent visit was the Navy Pier location. Just a speck but still Billy Goats. There is an old saying among the yacht crowd that sometimes you just have to dock at the seediest joint on the wharf. This is that joint. I love it. Pros: It's so divey it's chic. Cons: no french fries more

There's a lot of history behind this place in regards to the 1945 world series. But let's get back to the restaurant: cheese-burger, cheese-burger, cheese-burger. The burgers are simple: croisant burger with cheese, put the toppings on yourself. it's a simple local sports/dive bar under michigan ave. a little peice of history in chicago. Pros: location, food Cons: service was a little rude more

From days when there were FOUR daily newspapers, printers 'round the clock, paper hats and ink smudges, and a shotn'abeer was the stuff of life.\r \r It is THE definitive bar downtown and the food is exactly as promised. If you don't get into it, you have issues. Either see a counselor or get a real job instead of floating information around the globe. OH, and before you leave...buy one of those stupid T-shirts to show you have a true weltaunschaung.\r \r Sadly, in the interest of income, there are two supposed clones. A shame, really--like pretending there are two Michael Jordans. Feasible, but highly unlikely. Culture can't be franchised.\r \r Get thee to the Goat's, or get thee gone. Pros: It's real. Cons: You're probably not. more

I can't believe all the people who get on here and complain about the food. First of all, it's a bar OK, and an historic one at that. Secondly, it's a tribute to Chicago journalism. It would take several days to read all of the old newspaper clippings of journalists such as Mike Royko. If you're not interested in any of that, then I guess there's no point in you going, really. I like the atmosphere. There are a gazillion yuppie sports bars/brew pubs and they smell in a different sort of way. This is the real deal. Been underneath Michigan Av since around 1965. Nick, the friendly bartender has been there quite a long time as well and he always has time to chat if he's not busy with somebody else. I also like the fact that there is rarely or no music playing. Quite a refreshing change from the nasty blaring night clubs and sports bars playing jimmy buffett. You don't have to shout at each other to be heard. As for the food, why complain about the thin burgers? I think less red meat is probably good for you, no? you wanna big burger, go someplace else. besides, the the traditional pickles, onions, ketchup is what makes them just fine in my book. Wouldn't wanna eat 'em that often, but like I say, it's mainly a bar. This joint is special. In short, if you wanna go have a few drinks, hang out, browse hundreds of old photos, watch a ball game (or movie) on TV, and read up on some chicago newspaper history, this place is the one and only. Long live the Billy Goat Tavern! Pros: no loud music, living history, Nick the bartender more

It is what it is. Cheap, smokey, friendly, fun. We walk in, ""HEY!! JAMISON AND WATER! HEY DARK DRAFT!"" A couple of greasy burgers, the cubs game. It's all good.\r \r Break a tooth? the dentist at the bar takes a look. Want to talk movies. there's the Tribune's film critic. Want to pet a goat... there's a goat (when the cubs are in the playoffs). \r \r Want to be famous? Order and eat a 17 pattie burger (the current record.)\r \r They have fun with the Saturday Night Live thing, but it is what it is -- a real old school newspaper bar.\r Pros: Cheap, fast, fun Cons: CHEAP food. Order something fancy... more

Downtown Chicago... Got two Doubles, Chips and Cokes for less then $15.00. Mickey D's doesn't come close! Hey I can eat at McD's everywhere. When in Chicago go to the places that ain't everywhere else. Bad Service? At least Billy Goat doesn't even cast any illussions to having good service like the francises that always boast of having... without really furnishing. The honesty is refreshing. It is actually a great laid back meal on the Mag Mile that is more genuine then all the upper crust stuff going on upstairs. Pros: Good Burger, Good Price, No Pepsi Cons: Smokey more