Chicago, IL

Summary of Billy Goat Tavern

photo by gusto

Billy Goat Tavern

430 N Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL 60611
+1 312 222 1525

www.billygoattavern.com

Descend the murky stairs and “Butt on in” as the sign says. Made famous by John Belushis Saturday Night Live “Cheeseburger, cheeseburger, cheeseburger” skit, this joint never fails to please in all of its sleazy glory. For a truly authentic experience, enter late when all the tourists have left. Check out the old Mike Royko columns and photographs on the walls. You can order breakfast until 11a and after that you can order a hot dog, a ham and cheese or a cheeseburger, but you cannot order fries – only chips. Try the “Doublacheez” for a wallop.

Reviews

Good cheesborger

Reviewed by sports fan on May 04, 2006

sports fan's rating:

"This place was made famous by Belushi’s (RIP man) cheezborger, cheezeborger SNL skit. They were pretty right on. The place is a dive under Michigan Ave. Never really thought I would be chillin’ on this street, but this place was nothing like the designer lined stores up above. It was easy to tell the locals from the tourists here. Waited forever and got a cheeseburger (what else?) and one of the dark Tavern beers. The burger was pretty great. No fries available so I grabbed some chips. Good meal, I must say. Sat next to a man who seemed to have been there since breakfast."

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A little piece of history

Reviewed by retirees on April 30, 2006

retirees' rating:

"Spending an afternoon at Marshall Field’s is one of the last things I want to do on vacation, so while Lynn was there spending our kids’ inheritance, I went up to the Billy Goat Tavern on Michigan Avenue. I usually can’t get her to visit places like this with me, anyway, so we both had a good afternoon. My kids know of this place because of a “Saturday Night Live” sketch, but I wanted to visit because it’s where columnist Mike Royko used to show up nearly every night. I read Royko’s columns for 20 years; I didn’t always agree with him, but I liked that he was unapologetic in his opinions. He spoke for the common man, and that’s a voice you don’t often hear in the media. Anyway, it was nice to soak in a little history in this place, and I had a burger and beer and didn’t have to listen to why I didn’t really need either. Great afternoon."

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Find it

Reviewed by ajones on March 31, 2006

ajones' rating:

"I dont know how tourist find this place. Its located under Michigan Avenue around a corner. Once you go doen the step, they really do yell the cheezbugar stuff. We sat at the bar and had one of thier own dark drafts. The bartender had been there about 40 years and was so nice and really fun to chat it up with. Lots of businesspeople lunching here, sitting amoong tourist and the occasional old drunk dude."

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