Billy Goat Tavern
(312) 222-1525
430 N Michigan Ave
Chicago,
IL
60611
41.8902
-87.6243
Neighborhoods: Near North Side, Central
Reviews & Ratings for Billy Goat Tavern
78 reviews
What users are saying:
Showing 1-10 of 78 reviews
an original
by radiohouse
November 04, 2008
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.
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.
Of course it's not the cleanest, flashiest place...but there's loads of those kinds of places elsewhere.
Go, enjoy and know you've seen something bit different.
- Pros: atmosphere, food
- Cons: whats not to like?
Best Chi-town Tavern Experience
by Katiebugs
October 15, 2008
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.
Neat Story by Pam F. at InsiderPages
Contributor
August 16, 2008
This little Tavern was a neat little place with a great story behind it. The cheeseburger was delicious and the atmosphere was fun. Would definatly go there again and take friends and family.
Smelly, Surly, S**t Hole.
by Bazoomas
May 13, 2008
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.
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.
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.
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
Chee-burger Chee-burger! by Sharon G. at InsiderPages
Contributor
March 18, 2008
Chee-burger, Chee-burger, Chee-burger! No fries-Chips! No Coke-Pepsi! Legend has it that this hole in the wall luncheonette was the inspiration for the skit made famous on Saturday night live by John Belushi, Dan Akroyd and Bill Murray among others. To this day the staff still plays it up for the tourist crowd. Good burgers. Worth checking out on your visit to the windy city.
Cheeseborger Cheeseborger Cheeseborger
by vegitoboi
October 17, 2007
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
Best greasy dive in the city
by uradel
July 27, 2007
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
interesting place below the street...
by akira101
February 27, 2007
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
JAYZUSSSS!!! It's Billy Goat's !!!!!!!
by kismett
September 25, 2006
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.
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.
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.
Get thee to the Goat's, or get thee gone.
- Pros: It's real.
- Cons: You're probably not.
my favorite things
by harrycanary
July 23, 2006
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
- Cons: NONE
