Billy Goat Tavern Reviews

Good place to go have a cheeseborger and a cold beer with an authentic Chicago so e bar vibe. Simple but good.

Burgers are tasty. Nice outdoor dining at Navy pier. We have also been indoor sometimes and the local is fun for families with kids, with plenty of photos of famous guests

I'd read about this place in Lonely Planet as part of a walking tour, so decided to eat as well as look. It is famous as the owner, Billy Sianis, once tried to enter Wrigley Field with his pet goat. There are lots of photos on the walls of it and famous people with Billy. It is basically a bar/tavern and burger joint. There is no vegetarian option except to have egg and cheese. The burgers are pretty basic: burger with the options of cheese/egg/bacon plus you can add pickle/gherkin and sauce yourself. (No tomato, lettuce etc) But prices were very cheap - both burgers and drinks. It wasn't busy so plenty of room to find a quiet table. Worth a visit.

My first trip back in two years meant a return to this wonderfully eccentric eaterie and bar. Not much has changed, and that's good. Had a cheeseburger but no chips (gave them up for Lent) and just enjoyed the atmosphere. Love this place.

The Billy Goat Tavern has a lot of history. The Billy Goat Curse of the Chicago Cubs is legendary. The ambience is a typical tavern. The tavern is clean and serves a damn good Chicago Dog.

We were looking for a quick hamburger after a long day and came across this place close to where we were staying. It’s underground in a dark corner then down some stairs, not sure I would be in this area at dark. We walked in and it’s the original Billy Goat Tavern so things are very old and dingy. We ordered burgers they were good but disappointed you could only get chips no fries and you build your own burger but the only condiments they have are relish onion and pickle no lettuce or tomatoes which was weird. It was an okay stop, funny thing is we then ate at the Billy Goat Tavern at midway airport on our way home and we got fries and all the fixings and the food was WAY better. But at least I can say we were at the original one, wouldn’t go again to the original one.

We stopped in for lunch and got the classic cheeseborger. Enjoyed the history hanging on the walls and loved the classic feel of the place. A wonderful stop to soak up some Chicago culture. Definitely on the greatest hits list for a reason—the food was ready before we could pay for it, and it was delicious.

Decent, inexpensive food in a hard to find place under street level. It is the inspiration for the classic SNL skit about cheeseburgers and the curse of the Chicago Cubs

American fast food with walls that tell the story! Few hot dog or cheezburger sandwiches, Self Service! Absolutely worth trying!

This gem is a little difficult to locate...hint-its below Ulta on Michigan Avenue. The double cheese burger is phenomenal, great flavorful meat on a toast bun. Atmosphere is reminiscent of old Chicago. History is all over the restaurant! This is a must for any Chicago visit.

This location is hard to find. You will need take the stairs down to get underneath the main shopping strip (underground). The cashier played along with the Saturday night live skit. Too fun! We had the jalapeño burger, which was great! There is memorabilia on the walls. The bathrooms were nice.

Billy Goat Tavern is what you imagine it to be. We were under the elevated train/plazza and it was great. The ambience and atmosphere are UR- USA and the food was very, very tasty. The restaurant is clean and it was a lot of fun to eat there. I recommend the hot dog but the cheeseburger also looked great. (next table) — Billy Goat Tavern is how you're imagined. We were under the elevated railway/Plazza and it was great. The ambience and atmosphere are UR-USA and the food was very, very delicious. The restaurant is clean, and it was a lot of fun to eat there. I recommend the hot dog but the cheeseburger also looked great. (Next table

Ok 1st off you wont get the worlds greatest hamburger here, they are perfectly edible and certainly cheap enough. You come here for the history, the ambience or lack of it depending on your viewpoint and to say that you have been here. Can be hard to find as it's actually in the lower level below Michigan avenue. Just go with the flow and have some fun.

Chicago institution, need a classic double cheeseburger fix with all right touches, diner feel, open grill, smell of beef and beer in the air! Walk down the stairs from N Michigan Avenue into that subterranean under belly and get a feed! Keep it simple!

When it comes to looking for a burger in Chicago, there are no shortages of options. But if you want one with a long history and character, then Billy Goat Tavern is the place to go. Thanks to its connection with the old Saturday Night Live skit, the place is an institution. It’s no-frills, but that’s a big part of its charm! The menu is fairly short focusing on the essentials: cheeseburgers, chips, and drinks. My cheeseburger came out fast. The aviance was great and the bartender entertained us all. If you are looking to park nearby, there are some paid lots you can use. We walked over there from our hotel.

What fast food should be. Quick and delicious burger. I like that you get to top it how you want. Affordable prices. Cool atmosphere at this location under Michigan Ave. great spot for a quick bite

My reasonably priced hot dog was tasty and the roll was fresh. The service was quick. I liked that pickles were offered as a topping.

Yes ew is right when i tried that burger i thought i was biting a sponge and meat was thinner than mcdonalds fries were gross

A unique tavern certainly, somewhat hidden and half neglected the place where it is, but worth knowing. The place clean, very busy and practical, only sell double burgers and hot dogs with chip option, very rich everything and very cheap. There are all kinds of people in the environment. A hard fought bar to sit on. If you can go!

If you’re in Chicago and looking for a non tourist spot for a great burger then hit up the Billy Goat Tavern! Awesome atmosphere and staff!

Best burgers in the country. It one of the only cheeseburgers I don’t want to put anything on it. If you are remotely close, you have to put it to the test.

In town for a convention at Hyatt. Others told us we had to at least try this place so we walked there. Historic (kinda) interesting and unique place. Lots of memorabilia on walls, newspaper articles etc. had some snacks to go with our cold beers. Reasonable priced, especially for downtown Chicago. Service was good, mostly other travelers there on a week night. We’d go back.

After enjoying a day a Wrigley Field, what is the best thing to do? Getting a great burger of course. We ended up going to the Billy Goat Tavern for some good old fashioned burger. The tavern is located literally under the city's main level, in an alley, gives a sketchy feeling. The interior looks like it hasn't been updated in a century, not a bad thing, it gives a 1920's speakeasy vibe. But the burgers are the main attraction, they are a good size patty juicy and greasy, the way God intended. I ordered the Double Cheezeborger, and it ranks as one the best burger I've eaten. I highly recommend the Billy Goat Tavern, it's a very tasty piece of Chicago history.

Just walking up we knew we were in for a treat. Just a good old fashion, juicy, old school burger. And the setting is a throwback for sure. Was wonderful! Had the double bacon cheeseburga. Yummm

A small place very hard to find Nice and clean double cheese burger Very fast and very delicious burger A must place to visit

The Billy Goat is always a fun place to visit. The burgers are good, the beer is better, and the atmosphere is the best!

What's not to like? Simply burgers and/or hot dogs to order. No messing. And a bar serving drinks. Hidden under the underpass just by the riverfront this rough and ready place just knocks out simple grub - take it or leave it! A great local spot to emerge yourself in a bit of Chicago.

Visit to try the hamburger. We got a cheeseburger, excellent. We also got 2 hot dogs. You can put mustard, ketchup, pickles, onion, etc. on your own. Very good prices compared to other similar shops.

The cheezeborger was awesome. Loved the experience of eating at the original place and the nostalgia of the Jim belushi skit on snl.

If you remember the original Saturday Night Live routine with John Belushi, this place must be on your list. Frankly, the hamburgers really aren't that good, but it is the atmosphere that counts. This place was the hangout for many a Chicago reporter, made famous by the legendary columnist Mike Royko, so there is plenty of memorabilia on the walls. The restaurant is a little hard to find, since you have to locate the stairway on Michigan Ave that will take you down to the lower level and then make the right turn to the door. But the trip is worth it.

Rink Burgers! This place reminded me of my childhood, eating burgers at small prairie town rinks in Canada while playing in tournaments or watching bonspiels. Juicy flavourful burgers that are quick and hit the spot. The young staff were impatient and judging all of us which made the experience feel authentic. I am only giving it a 4 cause they only had burgers, but I think that was the point.

An institution on Michigan avenue. Simple but effective burgers with unbeatable prices.

They are very simple and old school but the burgers are very good and the fries, the location is also great next to the train loop

In a place a little hidden next to the Great Shopping Avenue, accessed by a staircase from Michigan Ave., is this small place, a typical American hamburger, and also are not bad. Has some awards, recommend the experience, very standard Amercian

A restaurant of celebrity appreciation yet nostalgic at the same time. Menu is simple and delicious, lets face it we all come here for a good burger. The old man owner, seemed a little full of himself. We said hello but got no response. What, we have to be Bill Murray to get a hello back?

Worth the visit for the history, but the cheeseburgers are damn fine too. Great experience and great food! Fully stocked bar and beer menu.

Had a late night meal here after taking the architecture cruise. It was a neat atmosphere, but the food was a little average. It would be nice if they had some more options to go with your 'borger' other than bagged potato chips.

Good spot to try a traditional Chicago hotdog, it was good and prices were reasonable. Most of the time I keep my hot dogs plain but I tried it anyways and the flavor was good. Peppers are a bit hot at first, just a heads up.

I visited the Midway Airport location in August of 2021, during a long layover. BGT's burger had such a delicious, smokey, fire-grilled taste that I had to give them kudos! The service was also very friendly and efficient. Keep up the great work! If ever I happen to pass through that airport again, I'll certainly be hitting up the Billy Goat Tavern!

If you know the history of this restaurant, it is particularly fun to go. The food is standard burger fare, but the ambiance is great.

So we went here for the nostalgia and quickness of service. The kids had a long day at a karate tournament and this was a block and half away. Also key is George Mott recommended it in his book Hamburger America. It didn’t disappoint, a family of four polished off seven double cheeseburgers. The kids ate two a piece after sweating it out on the mats earlier in the day. Good food, great burgers that are simple at a reasonable price. Highly recommended.

Burgers fresh, basic and tasty. Service from rude young staff member didn’t match. If you have an accent from outside of Chicago, don’t bother. Was also over charged. Not worth the hype, much nicer places in Chicago.

Okay so it look sketchy getting there the underground area it in but OMG it’s the best burger place you have to eat her at least a once if not every day you can’t beat the burgers on the old fashion grill they use sooooo good the service is amazing they had fun at my husband for saying no lettuce or tomatoes (they ate basic burgers with pickles and onions) and that all you need I am in love with with place and all the pictures of people that have been there is so cool to look at

Definitely a tourist stop and yes it is worth it. The food nothing to brag about but the atmosphere is great. Drop by and have a beer.Cheezborger!!! Cheezborger!!!

We ordered the Cheeseborger!! Yes, a cheeseburger, but not your traditional burger with all the fixings. It is bun with meat and you add your toppings. The bread is something you've never had. It is delicious. The food is great, the atmosphere is just as great. I am not a beer drinker but if I was I don't think I'd ever leave that place.

This is a world famous authentic hamburger place in the basement at Hubbard Street. The location is the best although you have to go down a few stairs from ground level Michigan Avenue. The atmosphere is fantastic, friendly, great "cheezborger!" and beer. The service is incredibly fast, almost no waiting time. Very cheap, great food, great place, great value.

I brought the kid in here to show her some old school Chicago dives and she was impressed. I had to explain to her about the “curse”, the SNL sketch, and who Mike Royko was. I decided to start the day with a steak egg and cheese breakfast sandwich and man what a sandwich it was. I couldn’t believe the size of the steak they threw on the grill. It was the perfect way to start the day, underneath Chicago surrounded by memories of days past. Places like this are fading away so make sure you go in here and check it out while it’s still here. One of a kind.

There seemed to be a lot of history here and we enjoyed our meal which was very reasonably priced! The location looks a little scary at first as it is the lower level part of the street, but after you get inside, you kind of feel like you are going back in history and time. I am glad we gave it a try!

The bar looked like it was stuck in the 70's. Tons of gnats flying around the liquor bottles and at the bar. Service was not much better. Environment was lacking and we hurried up to finish our drinks to get the hell out of that dungeon.

Historic Chicago venue, founded in the 1930s. You descend to an underground room that is located on an underground road. There is a menu but you can only eat cheeseburgers or hotdogs. No side dishes, Chips in the bag. If you want you can add self service i cucumbers and sauces. No Table Service. Good sandwiches, a piece of Chicago history.

I have come to the realization that the bartender wrongfully charged me twice for the same order. I was not able to realize what he did until I got home.

It was the perfect spot for my first night in town for a work conference, on a chilly Monday evening. Not too crowded, super friendly service, and a no frills place with its stories! The "cheezeborger" was perfect! Comfort food in a comfortable spot at its best!

Nothing special but was an inexpensive spot to grab lunch while walking around Nacy Pier. If you sit at the bar for food it is counter services so you must go get it and bring it back.

actually we stumbled upon it by accident. We were so hungry woulda eaten an old shoe - to which the single burger reminded. The hot dogs looked somewhat more edible but too much mustard. however, the old newspaper articles made good reading; and I can say 'I was there.'

Visited the Billy Goat for breakfast. Great atmosphere great breakfast great value. Well worth a visit when you’re in Chicago.

Had a group of 11 show up for dinner. Wanted a Chicago experience. Finding the place took several maps and a phone call but we found it. Just need to take the steps in front of Ulta down to the restaurant. We took the longer wAy. It was a semi busy night and the put us in a private room which was great. We. Hold be as loud as we wanted. We ordered our beverages and then our food which was all burgers. Everything was delicious. The only gods/bad tho g was no dessert however that probably was a good thing as well. I absolutely would return, everybody loved their burgers and our server was top notch. I really appreciated him. Sorry I do not remember his name. It was Tuesday Aug 27 about 7pm. Highly recommend this place.

Was told it was downstairs, but didn't know what to expect. Got downstairs and was easy to find. Its nothing special when you walk in, plenty of seating. Wasn't sure where to order but was greeted and menu was simple and easy. I ordered a triple cheezborger, wife got a double. Chip, no fries. Coke, no Pepsi. (see the 70's SNL skit of the "Olympia Restaurant", this was the place that inspired the skit.) For a place that doesn't look like much, that cheezborger was possibly the best I've ever put in my mouth. My only regret was it disappeared waaay too fast.

Cheezborger! Cheezborger! Cheezborger! That iconic phrase was made famous in a Saturday Night Live skit during the John Belushi/Bill Murray era. But I never heeded the call to Billy Goat Tavern. Not until this week. I was a sports reporter for the Chicago Daily News and Sun-Times from 1968 to 2001. During that time, I never ventured into the subterranean environ often frequented by Mike Royko, Roger Ebert and other newspaper icons. I don't drink. But Billy Goat Tavern, located at lower 430 North Michigan Avenue, under the Magnificent Mile and Wrigley Building, is famous for its cheezborger or double cheeseburger, not its beer. And that's what I came for, a quarter-pound double cheeseburger on a Kaiser roll made especially for the Goat with two 100 percent fresh, never frozen beef patties, a Kosher dill pickle, American cheese, ketchup, mustard and onions. With fries. Oh, you can order a half-pound triple cheeseburger or a 2/3-pound home run cheeseburger. Also a ribeye sandwich, Italian beef, grilled cheese, grilled chicken, Chicago-style hot dog, Italian sausage or Polish sausage. With cheese fries or BBQ potato chips. If you are just starting your day, try the all-day breakfast sandwich with sausage, fried egg and American cheese on a Vienna roll. Billy "Goat" Sianis founded his tavern in 1934 across from old Chicago Stadium on West Madison Street. In 1964, he moved his flagship restaurant to its present location. Today, there are seven other locations in the Chicago area.

We were looking for a place to cool off and get a beer after our boat tour on the Chicago River and this was the closest tavern according to google maps. When we had to walk down the stairs to the dark underworld, I was feeling a bit nervous, and the interior didn’t do much to allay my concern. It looks like it hasn’t been remodeled or upgraded since the 1960’s. However, we were greeted warmly at the bar and were offered a taste of their Billy Goat IPA. We ended up having 2 pints each, and having a nice chat with the bartender and another patron before we left for our dinner reservations nearby. We didn’t try the food, but there was a steady flow of customers who seemed to be enjoying the burgers, and the prices are reasonable. The walls are covered with memorabilia and it was fun to read about “the curse”, and the billy goat. The restrooms are modern and clean, obviously remodeled much more recently than the rest of the tavern.

Funny place, very minimalist but the cheeseburger and beer were ok and the quality price ratio very large mainly due to the low price... to my us friends this placr had some Saturday Night Show links, they told me it was the model for the Olympia tavern... to me this meant almost nothing but anyway it was a nice experience.

My favorite meal in my whole Chicago stay! The burgers are absolutely delicious despite not having many ingredients; so you can tell their quality is great. It now has many locations (in The Pier and so) but we went to the original underground tavern, and it was a vibe! My only negative observations would be: 1) The lack of vegetarian options. We had a veggie person in our party and the only option were the grilled cheese sandwiches —which, according to her, were delicious, but still, it would’ve been nice if she could’ve had a plant-based burger. 2) The size of the burgers is a bit small. They are not extremely expensive (at least by USA standards), but for the price you would expect a slightly bigger portion. We had double patty burgers but they were so thin that my mom mistakenly thought they had given us single.

Go have fun at a bar under a street. Affordable and tasty. Old school place to go and enjoy a beer and a burger and not go broke while having fun.

I love this place! I used to go a bunch in the late 80’s but moved out of town. It hasn’t changed, which is a good thing! Smash burgers, chips, and coke no Pepsi!

We needed to eat and were wore out. This places we casual and easy with 3 kids. Not a ton of choices so make sure you like what they offer, especially with kids, but we liked the food and enjoyed the laid back atmosphere.

Once you find it on lower Michigan, you need to take the time to read some of the articles and memorabilia on the walls. The burgers and local beer are classic pub food.

Affordable, fun. Good old time Chicago. Old Style and their own brews. Royko. Ebert. Locals. Tourists. Sports. Hot dogs. Polish. Pepsi, no Coke. A must visit

After a 3+ Mile Walk around Millennium Park and the Riverwalk, these burgers HIT THE SPOT. Warm, fresh, simple and delicious. Small tavern, but a great place. So much to look at on the walls. if you have the time.

How can you beat the historic Billy Goat? Cheeseborger, Cheeseborger, Cheeseborger, Pepsi. Seriously, the burger melted in our mouths and the hard edge environment oozed genuine and authentic vibes. Stop by here if you are looking for a great burger and even better time at a legit Chi-town icon.

This hamburger restaurant has one of the fastest services in all of Chicago: hamburgers are delivered around the same time they are ordered. They're fine, again the meat has quality. The place is very retro with a '60s vibe and if it is advisable to have a midday snack in the downtown Chicago area.

Marco is fantastic at the bar!! Can’t go wrong with a fried egg cheeseburger for food and a cold draft beer!! We were four ladies from out of state and loved the atmosphere.

Kudos to them for keeping a business going since the 1930's ... but i'm amazed that it has ... worst meal I had in Chicago ... i ordered a grilled ham and cheese, and a corned beef sandwich ... terrible ham with cheap cheese ... corned beef was ok. Tables were dirty, service was exceptionally slow (for the beer). Don't bother going ... there are many better places to visit

Had heard good things about this place and happened to walk by it so we went in. The highlight for us wasnt the burgers but the fries. They were excellent. Nice and crispy on the outside but soft on the inside. The patties are very thin and nothing to really write home about. There is a little bar and a few tables to eat at. Staff was friendly and helpful ( you order at the counter). It is expensive for what you get but worth it for a try.

I had to come here but it was more awesome than I could have expected. The burger was good along with the chips and coke, no fries and no Pepsi. It was made famous by SNL in a skit lampooning its limited menu and management. However, this is a place you visit for the experience. First, I had no idea it was underground. Not really, they just built today's Chicago above the ground floor so you have to find this place. Once you go in it is like a time warp to the 1970s. It was counter fast food service with an old school sports bar, like sports writers bar. Yes I had better meals in Chicago but none of them were this cool. I loved this place. If you are in Chicago, make sure you eat lunch here.

Stopped in late to the original Billy Goat tavern. Great environment in a traditional Chicago tavern. The cheesebooger was great. The cook played along as we tried to order fries.

Here you come for the history of the place and nn for the best hamburgers. Said this very characteristic and for me beautiful place. Discreet burgers as really miserable and expensive. No chips but only in a bag...!!!! Good beer. I would still stay there...

What a great find, so much history and delicious cheese burgers ( Cheezborger) A known hangout for old school journalists.

We have a massive Billy Goats fan in the family, who went for a Borger every day we were in Chicago. But for the family visit we had to go to the original, and take in the ambience of the place. Great burgers, and great bar service.

No no no, No no no. Cheezborger...overrated. Served plain. Skinniest and driest burger without any flavor or juice on a giant bun. Did I say dry as cardboard and lacking any flavor? The place feels dirty, maybe even filthy. Rude woman taking orders.

A friend recommended this when I request a burger place. It’s got so much personality and my family enjoyed their cheeseburgers so much that we went a second time during our vacation. This is a no frills diner where the focus is on the atmosphere and food. Burgers come wrapped in deli paper and you dress them yourself. SO MANY newspapers on the walls telling about the founder’s exploits and where it got the name. It was a little surreal walking down the stairs to go under the street to find the door, but we were glad we did!

Great place to eat on the Pier. We’ve taken our kids. Love the hot dogs and quick service even mid-summer when they are packed and the pier is busy. Fun atmosphere!

This is an experience you won't get anywhere else. This is a historic restaurant where all the famous journalists went. It hasn't changed one bit. It is famous for "cheezeborger, cheezeborger, cheezborger". Google it and you'll see. The burger itself was just okay but you're going for the experience. Super affordable. Service is good.

The bar has a rich history of Chicago, a must see. Great drinks and food, fast and friendly service opposite of the SNL skit.

One of those "must visit" places I suppose. Location etc considered the price isn't too bad. Double cheese burger was tasty ......don't expect what some YouTubers pretend you get.....it's not eye rolling delicious euphoria...it's just a double cheeseburger 👀🤣 I actually reckon this is value. A double cheeseburger and a coke is $10 cheaper than a packaged chicken Caesar salad and soft drink at Fields Museum 💰🫰🤓 Also a little less than a beef role with fountain drinks. I'd visit here again.

Had high expectations for this place because i was born and raised chicagoan. Brought friends , this place isn't chicago

A great tradition with unspectacular food. Experience is what counts and something will surely happen to you without you spending so much. Health!

A no fuss, no nonsense, burger joint and bar in 1 with a lot of history. Burgers are simple old fashioned style but they will craft one how you like it (double, triple, cheese, onions, bacon, egg etc). No desert menu. Bar looks like it would have in 1970 i guess, drinks are cheap and atmosphere never intimidating in my experience. Just the spot if you have arrived late and need something to eat and staying at river end of north Michigan avenue. Lots of history to soak up as it used to be haunt of Chicago Tribune reporters and many famous people have been (long time ago). Hone of the Billy Goat Curse on Chicago Cubs which was only broken recently when they won the world series baseball. Look up curse of billy goat chicago on internet

Classic Chicago Tavern and burger joint right off of Magnificent Mile. Tons of history here and a link to SNL skit of years ago. Very limited menu but tasty burger at reasonable price.

We had dinner here. Fun history to this place. Love all the character it has. The cheeseburger was good too. No fries. Just chips!

Stopped in for breakfast before a day of shopping. True Chicago attitude with a service of great food. Will definitely go back. I had an omelet and my hubby had an egg and bacon sandwich on a fresh, homemade bun.

This is the place you want to visit in Chicago and feel like a local. The place has a lot of nostalgic charm. It’s relaxed and everyone here is very friendly. The food was great.

I’m so glad we finally came here. The cheezborger was delicious! It has a great dive bar feel to it, and it wasn’t too busy either. They also have their own beers on draft! Any person visiting this city should come here.

Had an excellent French Toast with Egg in side, thus the name Bulls Eye French Toast - yum. I’ll be back for that alone!

If you've ever seen the SNL skit for this place, you need to go! A lot of history and wonderful staff - even if they do act cranky sometimes. It's part of the schtick!

Good smashburger, cheeseburger, pop, chips. Reasonable prices. It is located underneath Michigan Ave near the Wrigley building. It was made famous on the Saturday Night Live skit featuring Dan Akroyd, John Belushi, Bill Murray, Jane Curtin, Buck Henry, etc. There is memorabilia on the walls. You can buy hats and tshirts. I recommend a visit if you like classic Chicago.

Relaxed friendly place for a drink and cheeseborger. No fuss low frills and helpful staff. Worth a visit and reasonable prices too considering surrounding area.

I wish I could go to the store downtown, but you still have the SNL vibe here with the "Cheezboger Cheezboger": Pepsi, no Coke" the food is very good. and the burgers are great. It's a nice view of the Harbor and Lake Michigan off of Navy Pier.

Fun little hole in the wall. Staff was very helpful and very friendly! Food was mediocre. Burgers and chips. If you haven’t been there before, they will tell you that the burgers are very thin. One burger is not enough. Two burgers is. a little better but three, it’s probably what most people would want. They are famous for their cheeseburgers.

We were looking for something for dinner that wasn’t too expensive. Our hotel suggested we go here. He was right on! Excellent Burgers, quiet, and affordable. My double cheese burger was cooked to order and only $5.95! This place was made famous by SNL’s Cheeseborger skit. It’s a little hard to find because it’s on the lower level of Michigan Ave., just under Ulta and Charles schwabb. Have your driver drop you off at Ulta and take the stairs down...it’s right there!!!

It's just fun to go here if you can find it. It's sort-of garden level underground mid-century greasy spoon diner, but so much character. The food is good, too, and affordable! A nice diversion from the glitter and glam of Michigan Avenue.

I had no idea what I was walking into nor had I ever heard of it. A step back in time. You need to take the stairs down under Michigan Ave right by the Ulta & Starbucks to find it. Famous for the SNL skit "Cheez-borger skit". It's truly stepping back in time. Go have a double cheese-borger, chips and a Coke (or a cold draft beer!). That's right, they have a bar that is a complete flashback. A Chicago must visit fun spot for a lunch or dinner!

true old school a plus restaurant...fabulous burgers and coorned beef. great atmosphere,,ya gotta go!!!!!!!!!!!!

the service was amazing my son spilled his plate it was replaced right away they were very helpful even offered an extra plate

My Chicago-born dad ate here when he was a young man...back in 1939. He told me stories about the tavern, so I stop in on all my visits. Plus, as a SNL lover from the early days, it's fun to order a cheeseburger and chips here. A good, filling quick lunch, with other options available as well.

Kind of hard to find as it’s below street level, but everything I expected. The place is a bit of a dive, but it only adds to the atmosphere. Fast and friendly service. The burger patties are thin, so definitely go for the triple if you’re hungry. Take a few minutes to walk around and check out all the kitchen on the walls.

Short review as it’s not deserving of my time. Very average. Two bland pieces of meat in a cold roll. Go for the tourist tick-the-box but don’t expect a mind blowing burger experience. The likes of In-N-Out would destroy this place. Head to Portillo’s for a hotdog or one of their broiled burgers instead if you’re in this area. Chick-FiL-A round the corner would be a better bet to be honest.

Was here 4 times the last 4 days, hoping to get similar service to my first visit. Guy in his late 30's/early 40's, great bartender. Wise crack and generally great at his job. Next visit although ok, it wouldn't have temped me back. Last twice, older gentleman, no humour about him, like I was being a pest asking for a drink. Tonight 5th July, I went in, my wife went to the ladies room, she had come back and still I had not been approached by the bartender. It was quiet yet this so called bar keep came nowhere near. Shocking service. Please anyone dint visit, shockingly bad service!!

We stopped in at the Goat for our first Chicago meal. 2 cheeseburgers and a couple of beers. The staff there were great,and even gave us some hats to wear. A fun reasonable stop for all.

Had a Chicago style hot dog with fries here. It tasted okay guess I’m not a big fan of pickles and peppers on my dogs. Fries were tasty. Good value for Chicago. We were at the one on Navy Pier so the view was nice.

Very classic American burger experience. Good prices and exactly what expected from a burger joint. Has a lot of history on the walls which creates a established and classic dinner atmosphere. Would recommend as a quick stop for a bite to eat. Only downside is not a huge amount of Vegetarian options - only egg or egg and cheese burger.

This place has SOO much history. It is a must see! Go to this location, not the other ones. They are famous for the Cheeseburger. There is a lot of bread, so you probably need a double or triple burger. The bartender was great.

Took us forever to find it but we didn't really know Chicago so our fault but it was so worth it, genuine old school charm, the head server had worked there for 30 odd years and was extremely nice and funny. $4 beers had me securely in the seat at the bar and the decor looked like it hadn't changed in 5 decades, albeit clean and neat. Didn't eat there but beers were great, cool vibe. Must go. And Anthony Bordain has been here so there's that too.

Some history here. Order quickly and get out of the way. Great food, great prices. Family owned. Loved my burger

A stop at the Billy Goat is always a great plan in downtown Chicago. A burger and a beer for around $10 is a great deal and the staff is excellent as well!

My hubby had to stop in due to seeing Anthony bourdain on tv here. He ordered the double cheese, went to the restroom and it was done when he got back, super fast and super good. One of the best burgers hes had. Will stop back again every time we come downtown

Step back into time! Cool place to grab a bite to eat…. Burgers, grilled cheese, hotdogs….. the history of the tavern is super neat! Loved the atmosphere!

Great must do. We weren’t sure what to expect with a little hole in the wall tavern. But definitely worth the visit. Get the double burger.

Billy Goat Tavern has always been one of my absolute favorite spots in Chicago. Seriously, whenever I'm in town, grabbing a burger there is a non-negotiable priority. The cooks are always super friendly, and those burgers? Delicious. So naturally, I always look forward to stopping by. But tonight? Tonight was a total disappointment. My friend and I swung by after grabbing some drinks nearby. We walked in, ordered our burgers, and were just chatting it up with the cooks like always. While we were waiting for our food, I decided I wanted to grab a drink from the bar. As I was ordering, my friend walked over, still holding his to-go cup. That's when things took a turn. The guy behind the bar immediately came at us, aggressively demanding to know what was in my friend's cup and where he got it. My friend calmly said he’d brought it in. The man then rudely, and I mean rudely, told my friend he couldn’t bring outside drinks in. He repeated it at least three times, back to back, getting more aggressive each time. We just started feeling super uncomfortable waiting for our food. I actually changed my mind about getting a drink and told the guy we weren't staying anymore, and that once our burgers were ready, we were out of there. We walked away from the bar to pick up our food. My friend was clearly embarrassed and extremely uncomfortable, especially as the man started yelling at him for the to-go drink. My friend just stayed quiet, grabbed his burger, and wanted to leave. But as we were literally picking up our food, the man came from behind the bar, walked right up to my friend, and aggressively said, "Hey, I'm talking to you." By this point, we were beyond uncomfortable. We just told him again that we were leaving as soon as we got the food we’d already paid for. He was incredibly rude and aggressive the entire time. We had zero issue leaving the place, but the way we were treated was just awful. It’s truly a shame to experience such rude customer service at a restaurant we've been supporting for years. All that guy had to say was, "Hey, we don't allow outside drinks in here." Instead, he chose to be incredibly rude and aggressive, basically forcing us to leave before we even got our food. Honestly, it felt racially motivated and insensitive. I really do believe if we had looked different, we would have been approached much more kindly instead of this man coming from behind the counter yelling at a Black man.

We sort of stumbled into this place, right n the centre of Chicago, by accident, but it was a lucky stumble. Being an Englishman with a liking and a knowledge of beer, I was pleasantly surprised by the choice on offer. We sampled several different styles, and all were very, very good. Served rather on the cold side for the English palate, but delicious and refreshing, none the less. We didn't eat, but the burgers were flying around and looked to be rather exceptional

Was seriously the best burger. The pickles are amazing. We sat outside and the tables where clean. The service was awesome. By far tge best burger for your buck

5 * Service in this iconic Chicago institution. You MUST visit this place. Beer is good and the burgers are the best. Tucked away but you gotta find it and sit at the bar and savour the atmosphere.

Excellent old school diner. Fantastic burgers with fast service. Limited menu, but what they have is great. Definitely stop by if downtown.

Very hidden and basic place but with excellent food and quality/price ratio. Special mention for the fried foods and the large assortment of beers. Prices more than honest

We’d read some bad reviews so were a bit wary of eventually realizing our dream of getting to Billy Goat’s. We shouldn’t have worried, the food service was fast and accurate, the cheezeborger was great, a bit thinner than other places but really tasty. They wanted to upsell me a double cheeseburger but the single was definitely enough. Hot dog also fine, I know, you don’t really come here for the dogs but they're really good. The place is steeped in SNL history, lots of memorabilia on the walls. Everywhere was very clean and the food q moved quickly. We moved to the bar stools after eating, again the staff were really chatty, helpful and made us feel welcome. We were very lucky to get seats, I guess we went at the right time…3 ish pm

This is a must visit while in Chicago. It's a living piece of history that you could never duplicate today. Those of us old enough to remember SNL will understand.

Great experience at the Original Billy Goat Tavern. Located on Hubbard Street beneath the underpass between North Rush street and Michigan avenue. Great space with lots of tables and chairs as well as some bar seating in the bar area. Food ordered and picked up in the center station. There is a small condiment counter (onions, pickles, relish...) off to the side if needed. The bar area has a variety of drink options, including beer and hard liquor. Reasonably prices and the food was really good. A few garages as well as metered street parking in the surrounding area.

this was my go to place for years. Excellent steak and egg, burgers were meaty and tasty. Last week, burgers were as thin as WhiteCastle. A single cheeseburger was mostly bread, great breqd , but I wanted meat too. They offer a double or triple. Very sad. Had not been for 2 years and mistakenly recommended it to all travelers but not anymore. Maybe the real ones in Chicago are different. Belushi is break dancing in his grave. Samurai this joint.

Good, solid without frills! Great atmosphere, down to earth. Great value for money. Lots of history and photos!

Awesome burgers. Its very old, and if you aren't ready for a real dive you will not be happy. There is a very small menu, with very few substitutions. So if you have dietary restrictions stay away. The burgers are best in city. Easily.

...And pretty good food. Everybody has their own opinions on what makes a good burger, but having a burger here is like biting into history. There is so much going on around you as you eat, you can easily be distracted into finishing your sandwich without realizing it's gone. They got a full bar here too. If you happen to catch the Cheeburger Cheeburger skit on Saturday Night Live, you'll know then the restaurant that influenced it in the first place. They've even got souvenirs you can take home to commemorate The Experience. Enjoy.

We had done the cocktail bars, we were heading a few doors away for Shaws Crab shack, where else would we try for that essential next drink. this place is something different. Below street level you enter a large room with formica topped tables with a central kitchen where burgers are the main draw. One half of the room is lined by a long bar with every stool taken apart from the three we needed. Service is unique: a bartender who knows every customer's wish and when they need the next drink and exactly what they owe. He knows this and can communicate it with he minimum of words. It is laid back, honed, minimalist service but it suits this place exactly. The drinks appeared in seconds, perfectly mixed G and T, a local beer. and when we left, there was a flicker of a smile - he knew we appreciated his style. It is an institution but not as you would expect, but I really liked the style and the atmosphere as welcome change to the overbearing service found in so many other places. Keep it going, guys. Cool place.

Fun low key place for a couple rounds of drinks. It’s a good place to go when you are between places. It’s nothing fancy, but worth the trip.

My wife and I were in town to see Da Bears game and were doing some sight seeing. I wanted to hit this place up for lunch because all of the hype and reviews I had heard about it over the years. The place is full of character and history. Overall, we enjoyed our visit. It was a fun experience and we enjoyed the burgers. The burgers were tasty. As we were sitting down one of the staff members sawI was wearing my Bears shirt and we got talking about the team, players and how the season was going. I would definitely go back again.

My husband and I read about this bar and decided to search for it one afternoon on our trip. Our GPS really helped us find it but seriously, it's below street level and it's dark down there with not much else around. Who knew we would walk in and have one of the most fun afternoons sitting around drinking and people watching! Brisa was our server and she was fantastic! Such a nice lady with a funny personality, and very good at her job!! She also really knows her stuff mixing drinks. We came to try the beer, which was very good, nice and light, just like we like it. We had a blast watching Brisa go from one end of the bar to the other, serving something called a Chicago Handshake to all the young people who came in in large groups. (We watched her ID everyone first, very thoroughly.) This shot is basically Old Style Beer mixed with Malört...which we had never before heard of. She decided that we needed to try it too, and gave us each a shot. Man, was it ever horrible! But in a good way? We left with a real nice buzz going after almost 2 hours I think. We could have stayed longer, especially if we had of been hungry. The food looked good too; Old school diner style. This whole establishment just had a cool vibe to it. It made you feel at home with all of the old photos covering every inch of the walls, and the other young girls who were working and seemed to all be very nice. The bathrooms were even clean! Come check it out. You wont be dissapointed in the beer, nor the service!

I visited this place due to the hype surrounding it watching videos and reading guides on Chicago eateries and famous iconic places. When I went is was around 10am for Breakfast and was practically empty. I got the Bacon & Egg sandwich and a Coffee. The whole lot cost me $7.13 an absolute bargain as the sandwich was tasty but the Coffee really was something else. The staff were nice, friendly and welcoming. I loved the decor of the place with the photos, memorabilia and the newspaper cuttings. Just a note it is a bit tricky to find as its underneath the Wrigley building and the main street. I really enjoyed my visit and would definitely recommend.

Everything is fast: my cheeseburger was done in less than 2 minutes, dry, razor thin. Cheap but still..... Service is a bit arrogant like advertized, and I do not mind. Just that the food is not worth visiting imo. Actually the worst I have have in Chicago.

Historic place to eat. Just being in there and looking at the walls of who all has been there to eat is enough to want to go back. Get the double with cheese. Just like the three bears: the single is too little meat, the triple is too much meat, the double is just right.

If you're one of those SNL fanboys, you might as well just go. If you're one of those baseball lore fanboys, you might as well just go. Otherwise it's just the kitsch. Tourists, don't be afraid of this place lest its location under the main road. Yeah it's dingy and divey, but that's part of the allure, right? A big sign will tell you to enter at your own risk. Don't be afraid! You won't get yelled at for being a tourist (you probably will). It's a really cool interior and definitely instagram worthy for those of you coming from afar. Though the food is satisfying, it is extremely average. The rolls they serve the burgers in are really good, but as the bread is so plentiful and the burger patties are so thin, you need to get at least a double, if not a triple. Flat top burgers. Tasty, but very average. They serve alcohol at the bar. I've read lots of comments that talk about how rude the staff is, but I dunno where that's coming from because the staff is great. It's Chicago, not Disneyland.

Great breakfast sandwich in Midway. Service is fast and the food is good for an airport location. The line moves quick and food comes out fast.

We are so glad we stopped at this iconic location. We shared a double cheese-borger and thought it was pretty tasty! It is a bit crazy when you walk down the stairs under Michigan avenue like entering another world.

The original Billy Goat Tavern located underneath the city downtown is a Famous Chicago spot where celebrities hung out before they became famous! It offers cheap food and drinks in a relaxe atmosphere.

we were recommended to go to the original one, under the Wrigley Building and glad we did..food was very good!! Bartender very friendly. Lots of memorabilia on the walls...

This place is filled with down to earth people and a great staff willing to go the extra mile for you. My wife and I decided to go here to eat a reasonably priced meal in the heart of Chicago. While it is located in the semi-subterranean part of Michigan Ave, it is easy to get to. The food is priced well, nothing fancy, but served with a friendly staff. Clearly a favorite of the locals.

Fun, fast spot! Underground, need to look for it. They know how to cook a burger and get people in & out. Wish they had fries but cheeseburger good!!!

Take out only . Do not get the Italian Beef . Bun fell apart in my hand . Cheese fries were decent .Probably should have gotten the burger with cheese .

Great burgers which they are know for. Fries were pretty bland. the service was great you order at the counter short wait time made to order . Iconic burger place in Chicago. Prices super reasonable

Since I was staying in a hotel next to this restaurant and also, since I heard about the popularity of this restaurant, I stopped in for a breakfast burger one day. I got there right at opening time, so there was no wait. The guy handling the grill rang me up quickly, I ordered the Cursebreaker Cheezborger. I watched him make it, as they have an open kitchen with the grill right next to the cashier. Once it was done, I added my own mustard, mayo, and pickles and WOW, it was tasty! It’s a little on the greasy side, but not bad and the grease definitely wasn’t dripping or messy. But the overall flavor was great and that bun was excellent. Would definitely suggest giving them a try, if you’re into borgers!!

Cute little place in the Mall at Navy Pier. Fast, friendly service with breakfast made to order! Even can have a drink with breakfast too! Omelets, French toast, ham, steak, bacon, sausage, hash browns…. Everything you could want at a very reasonable price. Great views of the water as well. A little difficult to find but worth it! Convenient to eat here early before the mall opens and ready to shop!

It was ok. Cute and unique place. But a bit annoying when they to try to upsell to a more expensive burger than what was ordered and you have to explain why you don’t want the more expensive burger. A little bit of a shame!

11:30 am on a Saturday and we wanted a hot dog. They were already sold out. Ordered two double cheese burgers ($11 for both without tip). Worst burger ever….meat patties so thin, both my hubby and I looked inside to insure that there were indeed two patties. Buns very dense, hard as a rock and slightly stale. Served naked, bar two tiny pickle slices. Sat at the bar and asked for a local craft beer. They served us their house label Billy Goat IPA. Hum….looked it up online and it is brewed by Pabst…. Pass on this dive bar

The food and drinks were spectacular. The attention from the employees was excellent. Great atmosphere and I recommend their dark neighborhood beer 🍺 - WONDERFUL!!!

My friend and I stopped by here after lollapalooza and the cheeseburgers saved our lives. Mine was *so* good. The chef seemed a bit harried by the amount of people coming in that late, but I don't blame him lol.. Thanks for the double cheeseburger!

Baseball fans know the story of the curse on the Cubs because a goat was not allowed in Wrigley Field. The Billy Goat Tavern is a play on that curse. This is a fun hole in the wall that specializes in double cheeseburgers. A little hard to find, but a fun place to go for burgers and dogs. Could be a little cleaner.

OMG, if you are a 70's SNL fan, you have got to go back to where it all started. Of course we ordered the cheeseburger, coke and chips. You know I had to ask for french fries and the guy looked at me and pointed to the stand and said "chips". Great food and wonderful chips.

Popped in here for lunch and had double cheeseburgers and some beers. Great fast service and tasty burgers. We enjoyed the food and atmosphere so much we visited here a second day to have the exact same order! Nothing fancy, but cheap and cheerful with friendly staff.

I heard about this place for many years and finally had the chance to pop in and check it out. What a classic place to visit. I got the cheeseburger and it was good but the atmosphere and bartender were awesome. It was just what I expected. Pop in for a cheeseburger and a beer it is worth experience… No Pepsi

Maybe the place in not unsanitary but it certainly looks that way, the food is not bad and is really cheap, I assume the place gets better late at night when more people are drinking at the bar and not only consuming food, I don't really recommend it to go for lunch.

We stumbled across the Billy Goat Tavern looking for lunch. Well prepared burgers and fries. Also enjoyed a chocolate shake. Would go back, in fact before flying out of Midway Airport, I had a triple with fries and another shake. One of those bucket list places.

It is a place that is in the “lower” part of Chicago, that is, in the underground street in front of the Tribune building, on Michigan Av. I'm not a fan of the burger, but I came because of the comments. The place is very “lowlife” (haha!). Only hamburgers, hot dogs. Not a green leaf in sight!! Good burger and soda for a reasonable price.

Fun throwback blast from the past. So fun it’s under a bridge. Beer is in cold frosty glasses, burger hits the spot, and old school diner vibe. Quick beer and snack for sure!

I've lived in the Chicago suburbs all my life, and I've seen the SNL skit about this place many times. We finally stopped here! Definitely a "hole in the wall" type of place, but for a basic burger, it fit the bill perfectly. Worth stopping in

I found Billy Goat Tavern when I was looking for cheap places to eat in Chicago. And let me tell you that when we entered, we weren't sure where we were ;) For me, the feeling of excitement was mixed with a kind of disgust that it was some sort of dive 🙈🙈🙈 However, it turned out to be quite a nice place, with cheap food and beer, a place where we met many locals. I like places like this the most - with locals. You could say that I felt the Chicago atmosphere. The atmosphere was unique, like a real small-town tavern. The burgers were cheap, simple and relatively small. The tavern itself was located along one of Chicago's main streets - Michigan Avenue, but it was so hidden in an underpass that we certainly wouldn't have stumbled upon it just by walking down the street.

This is an iconic Chicago "dive bar" with GREAT hamburgers! A must stop any time we are in Chicago. the bartender Breezy is wonderful!

this place hits every spot of my wheelhouse. History, beer, its underground and BTW, the burgers are unpretentiously glorious. add to that the facts that is in the dead center of our third largest city and its quite reasonable and you got Jerusalem for those of us who follow our own kind of religious like enlightenment. just go there. the one under the street. the navy pier spot makes great burgers also but this spot is where the pilgrimage terminates.

From a goat falling off a truck causing the owner to change his appearance and the bar's name to the curse preventing the Cubs from making the World Series, this place is truly historic. Not to mention the long running SNL skit, "Cheezeborger, cheezeborger". This is what the cook told me when I asked what's good on their limited menu. This dive-y underground bar is well worth the visit. Located in that weird subterranean lower Michigan Avenue area, there is a very well stocked bar. I enjoyed the Billy Goat Pilsner on draft. The "cheezeborgers" looked good but I opted for the cheese steak which was greasy and satisfying. I understand that they franchised the name to other bars but it was fun to visit this, the OG.

It is underneath Ulta....go downstairs. Historic, a place to visit to say you did BUT also filled with lots of locals as well. Very thin burgers on a thick roll. Alcohol available also, service was fast and friendly and tons of memorabilia on the walls. I am glad we stopped!