(312) 222-1525
430 N Michigan Ave
(Miracle Mile)
Chicago,
IL
60611
41.8904
-87.6241
Neighborhoods: Near North Side, Central
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
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 |
|
|---|---|---|
| drinks | 92.8600025177002% positive |
|
| food quality | 76.66999816894531% positive |
|
| menu variety | 100.0% positive |
|
| overall | 100.0% positive |
|
| service | 75.0% positive |
|
| value | 33.3299994468689% positive |
|
| wait time | 62.5% positive |
|
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.
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!
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
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

