Billy Goat Tavern (The Original) — Restaurant in Chicago

A Chicago Institution: The Billy Goat Tavern

Tucked beneath Michigan Avenue's bustling overpass lies a slice of authentic Chicago history that has withstood the test of time. The Billy Goat Tavern isn't just a restaurant; it's a cultural landmark that has been serving locals, journalists, and curious tourists since 1934. When my brother and I decided to visit the original location during our Chicago trip, we knew we were in for more than just a meal—we were about to experience a genuine piece of the Windy City's heritage.

The tavern's underground location adds to its mystique. Descending the stairs from Michigan Avenue, you feel as though you're entering a secret Chicago institution—which, in many ways, you are. The famous "Cheezborger! Cheezborger! No fries, chips! No Pepsi, Coke!" greeting immortalized by Saturday Night Live in the 1970s might be what brought the Billy Goat national fame, but it's the authentic atmosphere that keeps people coming back.

Upon entering, we were immediately struck by the unpretentious, welcoming vibe. The walls adorned with yellowing newspaper clippings and photographs tell the story of the tavern's deep connection to Chicago journalism. For decades, reporters from the Chicago Tribune and Sun-Times made this their unofficial headquarters, crafting stories over burgers and beers. This rich history permeates the space, giving it that rare "home away from home" feeling that's impossible to manufacture.

The ordering process stays true to the tavern's no-nonsense reputation—quick, efficient, and charmingly brusque. I opted for their spicy burger, which arrived with the perfect balance of heat from jalapeños complemented by the sweetness of grilled onions and a juicy beef patty. My brother's ham and egg sandwich was equally impressive—simple fare executed perfectly. The food arrived promptly, served in paper wrapping rather than on plates—an unexpected but fitting touch that adds to the authentic experience.

What truly elevates the Billy Goat beyond just another burger joint is the atmosphere. During our visit, we found ourselves sitting with locals and tourists alike, all drawn together by the tavern's magnetic charm. The staff, friendly but never fawning, treated everyone with the same genuine Chicago hospitality. They were quick with recommendations.

The drinks menu is straightforward but satisfying—cold beer served in frosted mugs pairs perfectly with their signature double cheeseburgers. There's something deeply satisfying about enjoying such simple pleasures in a place with so much character and history.

What makes the Billy Goat Tavern special isn't culinary innovation or trendy décor—it's authenticity. In an era of carefully curated restaurant experiences, the Billy Goat remains refreshingly genuine. It doesn't try to be anything other than what it is: a beloved Chicago institution serving good, honest food in an atmosphere steeped in local lore.

For visitors to Chicago, the Billy Goat offers something increasingly rare—a true taste of local culture that hasn't been sanitized for tourism. For my brother and me, our visit transcended mere dining; it was an essential Chicago experience that lived up to its legendary status. As we climbed back up to Michigan Avenue, we knew with certainty that we'd be back on our next visit to the Windy City. The Billy Goat Tavern isn't just worth visiting—it's worth returning to...

The food here is good and I usually have good experiences here but last night (Friday June 6th) around 11 pm, one of the bartenders was extremely rude (the taller guy that's older 40s-50s with black square glasses and a distinct accent). I was with three of my friends sitting at the end of the bar that's closest to the entrance (with me sitting furthest from the entrance and closest to him), and first the bartender comes up and asked how old I am to which I replied "I'm 23 I can show you my id if you need me to" so I start pulling out my wallet. Then he starts saying "you can't sit here you can't eat here" and the. I become confused and say "why I thought you just wanted to see ID, and you didn't even ID my friends" and he starts yelling "THIS IS A SERVICE AREA" and I'm like "ok I dont understand what the problem is because my friends are eating right next to me" then he yells louder and gets closer to my face "DO YOU NOT UNDERSTAND ENGLISH THIS IS A SERVICE AREA" and I'm like ok jeez and he proceeds to flip up that little door that I'm sitting in front of (which is still technically a counter space). It was enough to almost flip my burger off the table but luckily it didn't and I walked away and sat at a normal table while my friends got to keep sitting at the bar with no trouble from this guy. Then, 2 girls set their food in that same spot and one of them sits in the stool I was sitting when I got yelled at, and it looked like he was being VERY friendly to them. Seemed like unfair treatment. I don't know this guy's name but he was out of control he is one of your bartenders that was there at 11pm-12 midnight timeframe working the side closest to the entrance. He also seemed like he could've been drunk the way he got aggressive with me for not reason. It overall ruined my mood for the rest of the time there but in glad I didn't retaliate and cause a bigger scene. I'm going to call your location later today and inform you of this situation and id appreciate if you read this whole review. My friends even made the point that if people can't sit there why is a stoole placed there? Also it was very weird that he was so friendly with the girls that sat in that spot 5 mins later and put their food and drinks on the table similar to me, yet they didn't get mistreated or IDed or anything. It seems like he wasn't ID'ing other college age looking pepple for their drinks but he was ready to ID me and all I had was food. Yikes... I really want your manager to see this yes I will be a Karen about this you can even check the cameras I wasn't doing anything wrong to deserve that that level...

A Beloved Spot's Sour Note

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...