Billy Goat Tavern & Grill

I’m PISSED this location got shut down! It was my go-​to hot spot for lunch every friday. It was a neighbrhood feel and the burgers were always DELICIOUS. A whole meal to make you stuffed, for less than $ 5. Why did this location get shut down!!!

This location is now a Verizon store. :(

I happened by this place on pure chance. My appointment ran late and the bus less me out right in front of this place. Pulled open the door and it was packed. figured, I’d try my chances. There is so much going on and then this guys yells at me to ask me what I was having. I had NO clue. I heard everyone ordering doubles and triple cheez. In a panic I ordered a triple cheez. then I get to the front and I say oh wait. is this a grilled cheese or does it have meat. He says, it has meat but do you want a grilled cheese. Hesitant, I say yes, but I’ll pay for both. He says no that’s okay, we’ll get you what you want. Then he adds I must be doing my job if I made you nervous when you ordered. Boo and LOL at the same time. Then you proceed through the line pay, grab your prewrapped fries off the counter, wait for your sandwich served on parchment paper and open so you can decorate it yourself.
This scene was intense for a first time. To my surprise (and lack of processing ability). I read about this place in the Red Eye and today was its last day and that’s why it was super packed. I heard they had to close because the management company wanted to go up an enormous about on their rent. That’s so unfortunate because you could tell people enjoyed the place. j
So for all of that, I thought my half melted grilled cheese was just okay, the wedge fries were hot and tasty, and the price was right. Glad I got to experience it just once.

This place would have gotten 5 stars had I been an actual billy goat that didn’t give a fuck about what I ate. This place looked okay, it definitely had a dive bar sort of feel. I had a double cheezborger. The only unique thing about the burger was the spelling. Two patties and a slice (maybe 2?) of cheese. The burger was pretty dry so I’m pretty sure it was only one slice of cheese. The patties were a little on the burned side, which would have been okay had I been drunk and didn’t care which I assume most people are when they eat here.
The one saving grace about this place is that the food was cheap at least. This place would be good for college kids/​newgraduates/​homeless people who have enough dough.

I went to this place because it’s close to where I live (and I didn’t know any better) and I had heard about it on Saturday Night Live (you know, «Ham-​booger, Ham-​booger, Cheese-​booger», that should have told me something right there).
I don’t mind the funky atmosphere, really I don’t, and I can even look past the place not being 100% spic and span, BUT the hamburgers tasted like those pre-​made pattys that are about ¹⁄₈ of an inch thick that you buy in the freezer section of the grocery store, They were really flavorless and no matter how you order them they come out dry as a bone. The bread was that white wonder breat type bun that gets mushy in your mouth before you swallow it… I don’t even remember what the fries were like (I don’t think they were particularly memorable).
It’s hard for me to believe that some of these places can survive as long as they do. UNLESS you’re really desparate and you’re down town on a Saturday night and you’re too broke to go somewhere else, I’d say hold on to your better memories from Saturday Night Live and find somwhere else to eat. (I you want good fries go to Lukes on Jackson & Wells).

This used to be the place my best friend and I went to after Free Thursdays at the Art Institute so we could get the double cheeseburger special.
I love this place. I even put aside all my sanitation phobias because I love this place that much.
The burgers are yummy (but I ALWAYS get a double cheeseburger because the patties are small and the buns are huge), and the fries are even better. The only thing I haven’t gotten is a drink here yet because I’m working out how to pronounce that name on the banner that will get you a free drink (Bill Papatheodoro.. .kapolous I think).
Yeah, the atmosphere is a little mish-​mashy and just a little icky, but who cares? The kind of people who go there are usually pretty friendly, and that’s really all that matters.

The same as the original Billy Goat Tavern, except without the history, ambiance or characters. So this place is judged on food alone, and the burgers here are just average. Thin and well done, the double cheezeborgers are served on a large floury bun that lends itself to an overall slightly dry hamburger experience.
Go to the original.

Dear Billy Goat,
You are so much cleaner and sunnier than your sibling on lower wacker that I always expect less grease and goodness. Nope! For $ 6.80 I wolfed down a double cheezborger and fries today. I was scowled at and scolded for not ordering the triple cheezborger special, as I should be! That’s how you roll. And now, food coma. Thank you.
Love,
Me

Cheezborger Cheezborger! Billy Goat Tavern is definitely a good spot to satisfy all of your grease and fried needs. I always go with the double cheezborger and fries and almost always go into a food coma soon after.
Not a date place or a place for fine dining, but sometimes you just need a freaking greasy burger and this is definitely the spot to get it done. Definitely an old school tavern type atmosphere, so don’t get upset if you don’t hear the latest Né-​Yo or Justin Bieber songs or if they don’t have your favorite fruit flavored vodkas. Get a burger, fries, and beer dangit. Boom!

This place is named after the goat that started the Chicago fire. Later this mythic goat and his brothers guarded the bridge over the Chicago River and when a troll (Al Capone) tried to pass tossed him over into the river rendering him sick.
But little did I know besides being historical, it’s funzies?
The prices are nothing to sneeze at. Maybe to laugh incredulously at. Such cheap (cheep?) buckets of beers. And I got cranberry vodkas. One with Grey Goose, two with well. All free pours and strong. Price for all. Four dollars each. Yup.
Have you ever wondered what I’d be like to get drunk in a church basement or cafeteria? Or want to relive that memory of your youth? That’s what the card tables pushed up against each other in rows, mismatched garage sale vinyl chairs, and folding chairs will remind you of. When it’s crowded it looks like a bingo night, but instead of old timers hunched over cards it’s working stiffs leaning with determination over beers.
The crowd is a great mix of young professionals, tourists, and older regulars. I witnessed some mature patrons at the bar shooting dice.
The food is standard greasy counter fair, but have been told the fries are bombdotcom. Fresh made, super-​hot, hit the spot, for after work or to soak up the booze and make yummy in the tummy.
Service is great. The bartender, Bobby, gave me an awesome compliment and my head is easily turned with flattery. The busser is also named Bobby. The cook I didn’t catch his name so I’ll call him Billy. Billy the Cook. I made him famous.
The bathroom I like (um, why?). They had a hand written sign on how to flush the toilet– «Push handle in.» I don’t know why I find that lollerskates but if you can’t master operating a toilet and you’re getting your drank on.. . maybe it’s time to look into a life skills class with a strong remedial program.
*Walks up and gives my bestie ten dollars*
«Whats this for?»
My reply, «For telling me about the Goat.»
Or maybe I’ll just buy him a few rounds next time.
It’s right by public transportation and infinity businesses. See you there!

Poop burgers, except poop burgers would have more meat on them. Seriously, this place has nothing. Food sucks. Atmosphere sucks.
If you are dating or married to someone who likes this place, break up immediately. You can do better.

This dump is a total outrage
The golden tea machine is a joke. I hit the ball totally straight. I use my palms and my fingers. And I follow through. Result??? 500 ft away! No dice. No fun. No luck. Godammit
Also, the fries were overdone
Thanks for nothing Goat
I love having a horrible time
I’ll see you in hell

This place was pretty nast. I was really looking forward to cheap, greasy hamburgers and beer, and left really unsatisfied. The burger was thin, served on a huge stale bun, rendering it dry and tasteless. The fries were soggy and unsalted. The beer was decent, but I’m not too picky about beer.
Honestly, there really aren’t any redeeming qualities about this place.

I came here last night for the first time with some co-​workers, I’d never heard of The Billy Goat before (can it really be «world famous» if you need to be a SNL watcher or a native Chicagoan in order to have heard of it?), but after reading some of the reviews I was excited to give it a try.
So I show up and my friend immediately takes me over to the grill and orders me their «cheezeborger» and fries; Tuesday’s special is the cheezeborger for $ 2, for about $ 1 more I got fries to go with it. Once my order was up I saw that, like others had mentioned, the bun to burger ratio is totally whack. But it works! Even though the burger was about the thickness of 3 pieces of paper it was absolutely awesome and juicy, and the fries ZOMG! After I totally stuffed my face-​hole like the lady I am I decided to order another (hey, they’re only $ 2). I probably should have stopped at one and the pile of fries but no, gluttony was the name of the night’s game. I think next time I’ll just order the double-​cheezeborger.

Was meeting a friend at Ogilvie Station, and we wanted to grab a burger and hang for a few hours. We popped in here, and it only had about 8 people, most bellied up to the bar having drinks after work. The grill man who took our order was so friendly and chatty. He was the kind of man you’d see up at the grill counter in a 1940s movie. He recommended condiments, and was all around fun! 2 double cheese burgers with fries– $ 16.
We got a bucket of beers too– 5 beers for $ 14. And then we asked for 2 glasses so we could split the last beer, and the bartender said, «What the… Here you go!» He just gave us another beer thinking our splitting the one was ridiculous. NICE!
The place emptied out, but the remaining people there wer so friendly. I felt like we were eating at a friends’ family tavern or something. The place has no ambiance, it’s run down, but clean, they have the best smelling women’s bathroom EVAH. Whaddaya know? I’ll go back if I’m in the neighborhood. And they’re open till 10 on weekdays.

I like coming to this place for lunch for a good, quick burger. Came in here around 1 for lunch the other day, surprised there was no line. Walking into this place is like walking into you’re Grandparents basement. It’s dingy and dark, with a mix match of chairs and tables, and the walls covered in fake wood paneling.
I ordered the double cheezeborger w/​fries. The burgers come on a kaiser roll. It’s great, but I think I need to order the triple cheeze next time. With the double, the bread slightly overwhelms the meat, with the triple, it’d be more meat than bread.
Everything is really cheap here, double cheeze, fries, and coke, $ 6.50. Can’t beat that for lunch in the loop. Even the beer is pretty cheap here, I saw one of their specials was a bucket of lite for $ 13.

Right across the street from the gig = very convenient
Specials everyday
Great triple Cheezeborger!
They have alcohol there too, but I can’t drink during my lunch break

I’m saying it loud and proud– I love this place. I love that grease is still dripping off of the fries as you eat them. I love that the burger is about as thin as a piece of paper and the bun is as big as a softball. I love the disgusting slice of processed cheese that gets thrown on your burger at the last second. I love that the burger is (sometimes quite literally) thrown across the counter at you when it’s done. I love the endless supply of pickles that you can help yourself to and have a pickle party. I love the horrible décor and the colorful people who work in there.
It’s absolutely horrible, but I love it.

Thursday — Double Cheezborger is $ 3.25
$ 3.25!!!
Their buns are pretty good. Like the atmosphere.

No, this isn’t the ORIGINAL Billy Goat but meh, it’s close enough. There are cheezborgers and cheeps and all the Coke you can drink. A twist to this franchise is that they also serve fries. Score — you just won the lottery!
Don’t come in here expecting anything fancy. If you’re aware of the famous SNL skit which made the Billy Goat a legend, you already know what you should expect — a down and dirty burger w/​down and dirty service. Come in, order your burger, pick up your food, eat it and shut up.
There is a bar here in case you want to get your drink on and hang out w/​the local construction crew that is consistently at the bar doing heavy shots of Jameson (is that safe, by the way?). I’m going to just assume the guys are completely off their shift when they’re doing this as I’m not sure that’s exactly what’s encouraged of these guys on the clock.
Speaking of guys — the ratio of men to women at this place is a staggering 30:1 at any given time. If you’ve ever bitched about not being able to meet any guys in this city, you may want to come here and check this place out.