Billy Goat Tavern

(312) 222-1525

430 N Michigan Ave (Miracle Mile)
Chicago, IL 60611 41.8904 -87.6241

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Neighborhoods: Near North Side, Central

BILLYGOATTAVERN.COM

Years in business

Established in 1934

Hours:

Mon-Fri 6am-2am

Sat 10am-2am

Sun 11am-2am

Price:

$

Last updated 10.15.11

Category:

Restaurants, Bars & Pubs, Taverns

Payment Methods:

Cash

Restaurant Special Features:

Local Favorite, Breakfast, People Watching, Lunch Spot, Happy Hour, Cheap Eats, Dine At The Bar, Bar Scene

Cuisine:

Hamburgers, Traditional American, Fast Food

Smoking Permitted:

Yes

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About Billy Goat Tavern

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

The Scene – So Chicago, it's surreal. The original wood-paneled '60s decor remains, and walls are covered with photographs, reprinted columns and a "Wall of Fame" of Chicago journalists (Mike Royko has his own wall), some of whom still can be found warming bar stools here. Royko's replacement at the Trib--John Kass--is a regular. – – The Food – Burgers, dogs, steaks--but you're sure to get berated if you don't order the double cheez. The two thin, greasy patties come straight off the grill, onto a bun and into your hands. Grab a bag of potato chips--still no fries--and…

Editor's Tips

Know Before You Go:
No credit cards are accepted here, so unless you want to wash dishes with the guys in back, bring the green stuff.
ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. “good eats and great ambience.”
  2. “like the atmosphere.”
  3. “love the atmosphere of this smoky little joint on lower Michigan Avenue.”
  4. “The cheeseburger was delicious and the atmosphere was fun.”
  5. “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.”
drinks
92.8600025177002% positive
  1. “This is a great hangout for a beer/burger and watch the Cubs or any other game that is on.”
  2. “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.”
  3. “great place to have a burger and a few drinks and meet people from all over the world, come as you are.”
  4. “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 su”
  5. “Order a "doubla", have a beer, and enjoy some old city history, with the hundreds of photos and newspaper clippings on the wall.”
  6. “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.”
  7. “Everybody talks about the great hamburgers, well, the burgers are no different from the burger you can get at any other smoke-filled bar around the country.”
food quality
76.66999816894531% positive
  1. “By the way, I love the burgers.”
  2. “That's what makes it a great burger, not just the taste, but the flavor of it all.”
  3. “The burgers are disgusting.”
  4. “found that the food is pretty good too.”
  5. “And the burger was pretty darn good for the price.”
  6. “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.”
  7. “The food is actually expensive when you consider the fact that you don't even get fries with your order.”
  8. “can't say the food is best.”
  9. “You have to order fries separately.”
  10. “Darn good burger”
  11. “You're the one who makes the Goat's burger great.”
  12. “bad burger, bad service, McDonald is much better !”
  13. “Even though the food is not the best in the city, the entire experience is great.”
  14. “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 sk”
  15. “This is a great hangout for a beer/burger and watch the Cubs or any other game that is on.”
  16. “The bun was too big, but tasty.”
  17. “The burgers are lousy: greasy and no taste.”
  18. “The cheeseburger was delicious and the atmosphere was fun.”
  19. “Thick, huge slices of raw onion; great pickles and relish.”
  20. “Nothing significant, just like at most other fast food hamburger joints.”
  21. “great place to have a burger and a few drinks and meet people from all over the world, come as you are.”
  22. “wouldn't recommend anyone who wanted a good burger to go to Billy Goat Tavern”
  23. “ate my overpriced bread in disbelief.”
  24. “Everybody talks about the great hamburgers, well, the burgers are no different from the burger you can get at any other smoke-filled bar around the country.”
  25. “This place should not be included on this list and is by far the worst burger I have ever had.”
  26. “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 su”
  27. “Billy goat is good for a hang over, good grease but not a quality burger.”
  28. “visited the BG for the first time recently because some family from out of state wanted to experience something that's authentic Chicago.”
  29. “Sorry but times have changed not to mention the other Goat locations around Chicago serve fries, fairly good fries at that.”
  30. “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.”
  31. “If you go to the Billy Goat for the great food, you're probably missing the point.”
  32. “the billy goat has the best greasy burgers that I have ever had and you get the greasy cooked onions as well.”
  33. “think less red meat is probably good for you, no?”
  34. “But putting history aside, the "cheeseborger" was something unique that I quickly identified as not a typical burger.”
  35. “To put it plainly, this is one of the worst burgers I've ever eaten.”
  36. “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.”
  37. “authentic- hope it never changes - always stop at the Goat for a brew and a burger when in town”
  38. “but the food is the worst I've ever had.”
  39. “You won't find fries here or Pepsi as the other half of the famous line goes”
  40. “you wanna big burger, go someplace else.”
  41. “Come here for the experience, but if you want great burgers hit up Epic Burger or Edzo's.”
  42. “Billy Goat Tavern is THE best place to get burgers when you're in the Chicago area!”
  43. “Still, if you want a good burger in Chicago, go elsewhere.”
  44. “The burgers are horrible.”
  45. “good coat of grease after a night of drinking, try kilroys in lansing, half the bun and 3 times the meat”
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. “The famous "cheeseborger cheeseborger cheeseborger" line reigns true here, despite having other items on the menu too.”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “Billy Goat Tavern is THE best place to get burgers when you're in the Chicago area!”
  2. “great place to have a burger and a few drinks and meet people from all over the world, come as you are.”
  3. “This is a nice place to get a great cheeseburger.”
service
75.0% positive
  1. “In short this place deserves to go out of business, it's a scruffy dump, the staff and owners are rude.”
  2. “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.”
  3. “At least Billy Goat doesn't even cast any illussions to having good service like the francises that always boast of having.”
  4. “bad burger, bad service, McDonald is much better !”
  5. “Nick, the bartender, was definitely friendly.”
  6. “Saying that, the service was fast and friendly and the walls were good for a quick read.”
  7. “great place to have a burger and a few drinks and meet people from all over the world, come as you are.”
  8. “Waiters are very friendly, and help you to meet people while there.”
  9. “not a trip to chicago goes by that i don't visit the billy goat, and jeff my favorite bartender, every day.”
  10. “The Cheezborger is greasy but delicous and the people are very friendly.”
  11. “The service was rude and the "cook" told me to tip him.”
  12. “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.”
value
33.3299994468689% positive
  1. “ate my overpriced bread in disbelief.”
  2. “The food is actually expensive when you consider the fact that you don't even get fries with your order.”
  3. “The patties are flat so a double is probably worth it more than the single cheeze.”
  4. “The BGT must still be open only because of SNL--if it weren't for that, the overpriced and undersized cheezborgers would have put them out of business long ago.”
  5. “And the burger was pretty darn good for the price.”
  6. “Thick, huge slices of raw onion; great pickles and relish.”
wait time
62.5% positive
  1. “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.”
  2. “Saying that, the service was fast and friendly and the walls were good for a quick read.”
  3. “The BGT must still be open only because of SNL--if it weren't for that, the overpriced and undersized cheezborgers would have put them out of business long ago.”
  4. “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 su”
1 Star Rating: Poor

11/13/11

Are you kidding me

by world traveler 007

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.

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

01/25/11

A must for anyone on Mich. Ave

by EpicPhail

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

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

09/04/10

Billy Goats is best grubby tavern in chicago

by joanne denison

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!

1 Star Rating: Poor

07/25/10

Way past its prime

by hpbecker

Please. this is just resting on its SNL laurels.

Cheezborger cheezborger. pepsi pepsi chips chips.

come on. a tasteless grilled burger on a wonder bun. and too expensive. if downtown go to LuxBar.

Or go to M Burger on Huron off Michigan.

furgeddaboudit

  • Pros: the signs around the place. nice nostalgia
  • Cons: the food
2 Star Rating: Below Average

06/05/10

Come here for history and folklore, not food

by Amber Gibson

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

The Details on Billy Goat Tavern

Place Categories:

  • good burger
  • worst food
  • nice place
  • nice cheeseburger
  • rude service
  • unique flakey bun
  • like unpretentious atmosphere
  • warm drink
  • favorite bartender
  • unique billy goat
  • famous billy goat tavern
  • overpriced cheezborgers
  • great hamburgers
  • famous line
  • authentic walls
  • fairly good fries
  • unique cheeseborger
  • very friendly people
  • not best healthy arteries
  • authentic chicago
  • great laid back meal
  • great story
  • definitely friendly nick
  • rude staff
  • just like nothing
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