Billy Goat Tavern & Grill

They have cheez-​burgers but they aren’t the best I’ve had. The bun is way to thick and the meat patty is way too thin. That’s my opinion. The interior is nice at this location, but again, nothing to write home about. It’s just a burger joint. At least they don’t overcharge for their burgers. Their website is:

Look, I’ll be honest. I will never understand why this place is such a big deal, nor do I understand where the idea for this business stems from. It’s like a diner with really good food. Kind of fast food looking from the inside, like a little cafeteria. But nice in the morning or for lunch. The bar seems really out of place, but if you want a cheap beer (Bud, since that’s pretty much all they have) go for it. The bottle will be dusty, but enjoy. The bartenders here are really nice though. It feels like a townie bar. Other than that, coming here after work just feels depressing. On the upside, you meet a lot of nice retired folk. So it’s up you… food or drink. Neither. A quick breakfast and lunch for cheap. Or none of the above because you just don’t care.

So we all know this an outpost of the original on lower Michigan Avenue. That said, the burgers suck. Yep, a lot of bun, thin meat, it is what is. If you order a burger, get a double.
So why four stars? Their French fries are the best in the city and burbs. Trust me on this Unilocalers. This outpost is also where drunk loop workers including day traders go for grease after getting wasted at Ceres Café in the Board of Trade building. You don’t go here for lunch. You go here after several cocktails post work for a crappy burger, awesome fries and a to go cup with your cocktail to drunkingly walk to the train to the burbs or hail a cab to take you pack to your pad in the city. It exists for this solely and does it quite well!

Good, cheesy, juicy CHEEZBORGER. Can’t go wrong with a classic.

I come in here every Saturday morning for breakfast.
It’s a very odd space, seems like fast food, but there’s a bar? I dunno. I get take out and bring it to work rather than eat amongst the cliques of construction workers watching Friday night’s sports highlights.
The food however is what gets the four stars. That is some damn good French toast! Add bacon and it’s still only about 6 bucks. It’s the eggy, fresh, and thick bread French toast that will keep me coming back. And when I relocate to another job? I’ll relocate to another Billy Goat.

Being in the bottom of my building, the Goat is a convenient place to hop down and grab a bite. I personally enjoy their salami sandwiches more than their burgers; the salami is cut thick and grilled well, slapped with some tasty cheese. Burgers are hit-​or-​miss, fries are pretty boring and not incredibly tasty or amazing, and the staff is generally fine. Three stars: A-​OK. It’s safe, but don’t go out of your way to stop in this particular location.

Native Chicagoan here. The only reason I ever come to any Billy Goat taverns is because tourists I’m with insist on it bc of SNL. This place gives me a case of the sads bc when I have to come here it means I’m wasting prime stomach space for food that actually tastes really good in this city that is full of wonderful eats. Everything else about the place is very good except the food. Take a quick picture for your Instagram feed, hang out for a cheap beer maybe, and eat something that actually tastes awesome elsewhere is my recommendation.

Awesome burgers.
I have been here many times and it’s always very good. Fries are very good as well.
I recommend the double.

For a vegetarian this place sucks! I can make the same grilled cheese at home! They don’t have lettuce, tomatoes or anything besides a slice of bread and a slice of cheese. My husband got the triple cheeseburger, it was good and cheap. Again no toppings, and nothing over the top but it was okay. The tvs and customer service was horrible! Wouldn’t recommend going there again.

Definitely not what I was expecting. It’s pretty much a fast food with a bar.
The hamburgers have no lettuce, tomatoes or anything. They offer onions and pickles on the side, and my husband also asked for some jalapeños en they gave some on the side. The French fries were delicious!

As the 2 star average indicates, there is nothing incredibly special other than the very cheap food. The burger to bun ratio was a bit unbalanced and if you know sandwiches, you know how detrimental that can be. Also, the bun was not toasted or heated at the particular time I dined.
That being said, it did serve it’s purpose as a casual eatery for two passerby’ers. The staff was friendly and there is something charming about the mom and pop esc duo manning the register and grill.
TIP: if you dine, hollow out your burger bun for a better meat to bread ratio.

Reminded me of the old days in Saturday night live. Had a great time and price was well worth food served. Should come with an angioplasty

So, I’ve never eaten here but a co-​worker brought me in to have drinks and it was like home away from home. I’m a big fan of divey bars with welcoming regulars and a fun bartender. Billy Goat after dark has all-​o-​dat. Cheaply priced drinks for being in the loop!

Good burger!

several steps up from a fast food burger in terms of taste but not in terms of price.
definitely get at least a double burger though as the burger patties are very thin. There is always a long line but they get through it pretty quick, even sending someone down the line to take your order so that by the time you get up there it is ready for you.
as popular as it is they do run out of seating, so go early or take it to go.

During the work week in downtown Chicago, lunch breaks are filled with many great surrounding choices to eat by the office. When I crave for a nice juicy burger that is quick and fresher than fast food, my fav go to option is The Billy Goat Tavern and Grill. The business ownership are famous for two things SNL classic skit on «cheezeboga» «cheezeboga» and the long time world series curse story involving an old owner of the establishment and his goat being banned from Wrigley., and since that event the cubs would never win a world series. Any who, for $ 5 you can get a fresh «cheezeboga» patty smash grilled in front of you, takes them like 3 minutes to sear some flavor on that burger, topped with American yellow cheese and served with fries. You get to add on lettuce, tomatoes, ketchup, onion, pickles, and mustard from a self serve station.
Quick, fresh, and not a bad «cheezeboga» for $ 5, where the average lunch in downtown financial district in Chicago can range from $ 10 easily to $ 25 depending on where you dine or takeout.
Place is small, clean, and the lines are quick.
Staff is friendly as well.

I guess I can see why this place was popular decades ago: because good burger restaurants didn’t exist back then. The patties are cardboard thin and bland — you almost have to get double the meat. But even with double patties, the stale buns make up 80% of the thickness — perhaps to trick you into thinking you’re eating a big burger. Seriously, double patties is probably only ¼ lbs. We had to go somewhere else for nachos afterward because we weren’t full. Like others have mentioned, it doesn’t come with lettuce or tomatoes, and you add your own condiments (ketchup & mustard, and vats of relish, raw onions, and pickles are left out on the counter all day). The fries were also frozen before, and dare I say that the patties probably were too. Oddly, fries and chips are the only sides they offer, yet they still suck? Our meal just tasted like something you’d get from a frozen grocery store aisle. Also, the lady at the register seemed a tiny bit impatient at first and rough around the edges. I was asking her about the specials they posted on the windows that you can only see from the street but weren’t posted anywhere in sight when you’re inside and ready to order. Not a bright idea.

This place is supposed to be known for their burgers, but they are absolutely paltry. There’s no lettuce and tomatoes to go with these burgers. Yes, you can add onions and cold pickles at their condiments table. The size of the fries is also fairly small so you don’t get good value out of your meal here.

Chicago staple.
Fantastic burgers… nothing fancy, but always tasty.

Before watching Star Trek 3, a couple of friend and I came here for a quick bite. This place is a Chicago staple because of it’s feature on SNL and the «rude staff.» Their motto, Cheezborger, Cheezborger Cheezborger, No pepsi, Coke, No Fries, Chip.” They are know for double cheeseburgers and they don’t have lettuce or tomato. There is a pickle and onion bar that you make your own sandwich with and you can also buy a bag of chips if you want. The burger was quite filling and super cheap and the clientele is a mix of tourists as well as locals that were there to watch the game. I think that you should make trip before leaving Chicago and also get one of their $ 3.50 goat beers!
I give it only 3 stars because it isn’t anything special and I didn’t come during a game time. I would recommend going with friends to watch a game and I would take advantage of the beers. I would also be prepared for a rude staff and wouldn’t recommend getting the polished sausage which is just a sausage and a hamburger bun. The decoration is just a hodgepodge of Chicago history and it is almost a bit too touristy for me.
Overall, just an okay experience.