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Billy Goat Tavern

Burger Joint and Dive Bar$$$$

Streeterville, Chicago

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Billy Goat Tavern

8.1^/10

689

ratings

Ranked #5 for inexpensive places in Near North Side
The experts at The Wall Street Journal and Michelin Travel & Lifestyle recommend this place
"Double cheese is the best!"(13 Tips)
"Get a double cheezborger and remember "chips no fries.""(6 Tips)
"double cheezeborger."(3 Tips)
"Friendly staff, great cheeseburgers and more."(16 Tips)

158 Tips and reviews

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burgers
double cheese
cheeseburgers
cheezeborger
double cheezborger
good for groups
authentic
casual
beer
good for a quick meal
happy hour
breakfast food
grilled cheese sandwiches
hot dogs
pickles
eggs
tours
chips
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Serious EatsMay 21, 2013
The skinny burgers get a nice sear on the hot griddle, and you can top them with as many of the wonderful pickles as you want. You can't order fries, but the chips help bulk this out to a fine meal.
Upvoted 1 week ago
Social News NetworkAugust 2, 2013
An underground gem in the heart of Chicago. Double double is the way to go. Be ready to order quickly, but don't be turned off by the staff's rough facade--they just really like the double double.
Upvoted 2 weeks ago
The Wall Street JournalAugust 3, 2014
Underneath the Chicago Tribune Building, the original hangover cure serves greasy cheeseburgers and many beers. Bright lights and surly reporters. What's not to like? Read more
Lella CirSeptember 19, 2018
Double cheeseburger is the best! Great and lively atmosphere full of old time locals and friendly staff!
Brad HagerNovember 30, 2019
Lots of nostalgia here, good cheeseburgers, a couple of decent beers on tap. Nothing fancy but cool to drop by for a burger and cold beer.
Time Out ChicagoJuly 7, 2014
The stories are true—this subterranean tavern is still the best spot to get a made-to-order “cheezborger” with a side of shtick. Read more
Cole KennedyAugust 8, 2015
Classic dive bar popular with journalists from the Chicago Tribune. Only two types of beer. Feels like you've traveled back in time. Get a double cheeseburger, of course.
Steve ‘Pudgy’ De RoseOctober 10, 2012
Been here 5+ times
The ‘cheezborger’ gets incessant airplay to this day; but it has evolved to good craftbeers on offer, & its house drafts are a superb value for the money. And it will turn on the soccer game.
Chris FSeptember 8, 2015
Decent burgers and fun place to visit. Order a double cheese with chips and leave the poor waitstaff alone!
Mark HowardAugust 30, 2012
The billy goat dark beer is $3.50 a mug.. well worth it. Try it. Also, get a double if you want any meat. Thin patties and lots of bread. A triple is more balanced.
Megan HarmerSeptember 25, 2014
This is must-do at least once in your time in Chicago, whether you're born and bred or a tourist like me. Remember the cheezeburger SNL classic skit?
William QuiñonesAugust 10, 2015
1st time at the Billy Goat Tavern. I know it's an institution in Chicago so I want to give it a try. Maybe it was the time, but is was Ok for me. Nothing really stands out, but maybe that's the charm.
brad dornickMay 2, 2012
Been here 5+ times
If you try to eat 5 triple cheeseburgers in an hour, don't buy them all at the same time. Order the next one as you finish the last or the fifth one will be ice cold when you bite into it.
Amy RobertsonSeptember 19, 2017
A single cheezeborger is a great afternoon snack after walking the mag mile. A double is more appropriately a meal.
Casey RucinsNovember 27, 2012
Gotta get the double if you want a burger with substance. Classic Chicago joint that shouldn't be missed.
Ellen S. P.May 20, 2015
Get a double cheesborgie. Schlitz on tap! A classic dive with history on the walls. Surprisingly clean bathroom.
TylerJanuary 7, 2014
New development on the site of the building where the Billy Goat Tavern exists may displace the iconic restaurant. Get there while you still can!
Matthew SobocanNovember 12, 2016
Great historic venue with a lot of Chicago history. Great to visit right after the Cubs Word Series win. Curse broken!!
Josh.OMay 24, 2012
Been here 5+ times
Daytime bartenderJeff Magill is one of the best you'll find in the city. Pleasant, efficient, and always smiling. He's been there since the early 1980s.
Kevin M. McNally, CMPAugust 20, 2018
It's not five star but it's that famous neighborhood place you have to experience. Friendly staff, great cheeseburgers and more. While you're there-pick up a T-Shirt too!
Kevin M. McNally, CMPAugust 20, 2018
It's not five star but it's that famous neighborhood place you have to experience. Friendly staff, great cheezborgers and more. While you're there-pick up a T-Shirt too!
Michelin Travel & LifestyleMarch 3, 2013
Subterranean 'cheezborger' joint made famous by a 1978 SNL skit, it's an only-in-Chicago place to eat. Request a souvenir paper hat. – Green Guide Editor
Mandy C.December 31, 2012
If you want a real dive experience & a fun place to eat you gotta try the legendary Billy Goat. You won't be sorry.
Michael DorseyAugust 3, 2016
The burgers are their popular item. Lot of Chicago history. Beer selection is poor. Old Style in the bottle.
Ben K.August 30, 2013
Get a double cheezborger and remember "chips no fries." Don't miss the pickle and onion bar to the right of the counter.
Chris DavisMarch 7, 2017
I like how it's historic and in a location not easy to find. Staff wasn't the friendliest when I was there.
Tim BackusOctober 24, 2018
Friendly atmosphere, good burgers, and great beer
jimApril 24, 2017
This i art of history, you simply must get a double cheeseborger, cheeseborger, cheeseborger here!
Eddy GonzalezNovember 2, 2015
Cheeseburgers are great, love that you have pickles on the side just wish they had fries
Yaqoob AlobaidliNovember 12, 2014
Triple cheese borger is good but not the best , the place is part of American burger history
Rachel QinDecember 29, 2013
Only $6.99 and it tastes way better than the burger from the diner downstairs at my work! Awwwww Chicago I love you~
Martín WankiewiczAugust 27, 2016
The best hamburguer in town, i hope return, but i dont know becouse i dont have a lot of money😕 remember forever thank youu
Jack HallJune 26, 2013
Been here 5+ times
Double Cheese is the best and remember you need to wait at the counter for your food.
Anthony VillareOctober 23, 2011
U better know what u want by the time it's ur turn to order. Get the double cheezborger! Not the greatest, but hey, it's the Billy Goat!
Analise BluemelMay 8, 2013
Loved it! Great prices and good food! And it's a ton of fun if you know the history!
Federico BazoSeptember 12, 2013
Sit in the left side, beside the wall, theres a lot to read and you'll get a view of the whole place.
Zach RAugust 23, 2016
The Double was actually much better than expected. Lots of history here!
Lauren DJuly 3, 2015
Their hot dogs are great! And by "hotdogs", I mean "hamburgers", and by "hamburgers", I mean "Double!"
Mike McNamaraFebruary 5, 2015
Been here 50+ times
Get the Jen Special (grilled cheese with double burger patties)
Sean McEnteeJune 26, 2012
Been here 5+ times
They will give you grief if they don't recognize you, but the ribeye steak sandwich is a nice break from double cheezborgerz
Caitlin SalzbergMay 12, 2013
Cheap drinks, good service... Kind of a staple! If you're down town, check it out!
Drunken HistoryNovember 22, 2011
The source for the idea of the SNL skit Olympia Cafe and the curse that haunts the Cubs to this day, stop in here to get away from the shopping on upper Michigan Ave and enjoy a real piece of Chicago
Brian ChaseJuly 15, 2014
While they have several options listed, they sure do 'encourage' everyone to order the double cheezeborger. To be honest, I wasn't that impressed.
Collin VoldAugust 27, 2013
It's a must for fans of SNL. Other than that, skip. Get the double or triple cheezeborger. Slices of burger are paper thin and over-cooked.
Alice FerrisNovember 16, 2015
Try the Cheezborger Cheezborger - Another Chicago icon checked off the list. Cheezborger! No Pepsi, Coke! (via @Foodspotting)
M MApril 16, 2022
The food is good, but the best is the place!
KyleAugust 24, 2013
What a delicious little dive. Cannot comment on the food, but the atmosphere is great.
Tim MunroeSeptember 20, 2011
Saturday Night Live association aside, it's a great slice of Chicago newspaper history with all the old columns on the walls. Read more
toluAugust 28, 2020
great food and service but hard to get a pickup if using rideshare
Nallely MendozaJanuary 7, 2017
A mysterious, hidden and great underground place.

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