Billy Goat Tavern (Navy Pier) — Restaurant in Chicago

Decent Food, Iconic Vibe—But the Staff’s Attitude Was a Letdown

I visited Billy Goat Tavern at Navy Pier with high expectations, drawn by its legendary status and quirky history. The ambiance definitely delivers on that front—retro signage, classic diner vibes, and a menu that’s unapologetically simple. It’s the kind of place that feels like a slice of Chicago’s past, and for that, it’s worth a visit.

The food was solid. The cheeseburger was juicy, the bun nicely toasted, and the fries were crisp and well-seasoned. It’s not gourmet, but it’s exactly what you’d expect from a place like this—no frills, just comfort food done right. The prices were reasonable for a tourist-heavy spot like Navy Pier.

Unfortunately, what really soured the experience was the attitude of the staff. From the moment we walked in, there was a noticeable lack of warmth. The ordering process felt rushed and borderline dismissive, as if we were inconveniencing them by being there. I get that the “cheezborger” chant is part of the shtick, but it came off more curt than playful. When we asked a simple question about the menu, the response was short and unhelpful.

It’s a shame because the place has so much character, and a little friendliness could have made the visit memorable in a good way. Instead, it felt like we were just another transaction in a long line of tourists.

Overall, Billy Goat Tavern is worth checking out for the novelty and the food, but don’t expect warm service. If you’re in the mood for a quick bite and some Chicago nostalgia, it’ll do the trick—but if you value hospitality, you might leave...

The service was terrible. two women and the fry cook intentionally try to confuse costumers into ordering things so they spend more. They basically try to order for you. the cook asked the man behind me "double?" he said single and the cook repeated "double?" three times and then asked "so you want two?" and the man kept repeating "just a single cheesebuger." they ask you if you want chips as they hand you the bag and they question you if you try to give it back. when my friend asked how much the chips were, the woman gave him a look and said "you wanna eat or you wanna ask prices?" in a sarcastic way. the chip bags are as expensive as any other fast food place only 1/4 of the size. if you want to spend under $10 you have to be very insistent on what you dont want.

The food was incredibly bland. the burger patty was flavorless and thinner than any ive seen. The bun was oversized and completely dry. I ordered an egg and bacon on my burger, expecting an egg over easy but it was cooked dry and mutilated so that it was flavorless as well. the only thing on the burger with any flavor at all was the bacon which is impossible to mess up if its cooked, but it was cooked into the egg which made it too chewy. ketchup could barely salvage this meal, and they keep it behind the counter and you must ask for it, just like with anything else. which means you best be prepared to get some attitude.

I was excited to try this place and couldnt have been more disappointed. needless to say, i wont ever be going back and i wouldnt even recommend this place to my...

One of the more affordable places to have a meal on a patio in Navy Pier. The food's not too bad, but being able to people watch and enjoy the weather on a warm summer's day in the comfort of a shaded patio, without burning a hole in your pocket or on your skin, makes up for any lack in the quality of the food.

I had the double cheesborger. When I first saw it, I thought to myself: Is that it? It's just two patties, a slice of cheese and a bun. Later I realized that I had to add onions, mustard, ketchup and relish at the condiments counter. I love my condiments so I slopped everything on. After taking a few bites, I found that the burger, or borger, was actually quite tasty. The patty wasn't too greasy, it didn't taste 'fake', it tasted like it was made of real meat and not other 'stuff' and the bun was quite nice as well, not too dry or flaky.

Overall, this is not a bad option if you want to sit on a patio and are being price conscious. The other restaurants that have patios are at least 3 times more expensive, of course they serve better food but if you're just want something to fill your stomach, Billy Goat is a...