Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Billy Goat Tavern - Chicago

    3.7 (1.4k reviews)
    ModerateBurgers
    Open • 7:00 am - 12:00 AM (Next day)
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Order Billy Goat Tavern - Chicago Takeout or Delivery

    Billy Goat Tavern - Chicago Photos

    Business Info

    BILLY GOAT TAVERN - CHICAGO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Divey
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

    More like Billy Goat Tavern - Chicago

    Recommended Reviews - Billy Goat Tavern - Chicago

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Delicious steak & egg sandwich, great with A1 sauce
    Sophia Y.

    So glad I got a chance to try this Tavern while passing thru Chicago. Got the steak & egg sandwich, delicious with the A1 steak sauce packet, and enjoyed it with my dear friends. The man on the grill was totally handling business and cranking out AMAZING food- quick, greasy (in the best way possible), delicious, fun food. Lots of tables for you to sit at and enjoy your food with your buddies and loved ones. Clean and cool spot. Loved reading the history of Billy Goat hangingon their wall!

    This is a nod to a classic Saturday Night Live sketch.
    Jeremiah A.

    My fiancée and I wanted to be sure and try Billy Goat Tavern while on a trip to Chicago. We were very impressed. As an old SNL fan, I appreciated the nods to one of their sketches from decades ago. Upon entering, we noticed the classic decor , with photos of famous visitors, news clippings about the restaurant, and TVs showing local sports. The menu is simple, and we tried a cheeseburger and a double cheeseburger. The service was friendly and efficient. Once we had the burgers, topping them was up to us, with plenty of options at the topping bar. We paired the burgers with a couple of local brews. We enjoyed the experience very much. We'd happily come back on a return visit to Chicago.

    Obama burger, chips, and drink
    Zay M.

    After visiting the bean with my sons, I wanted a good burger from a local spot. Google led me to Billy Goat. We walked there and arrived around 7:30pm on a Tuesday. It is located on the lower level and my son actually noticed the signage stating the establishment was on the lower level. Outside can be a bit sketchy as there was a person with bizarre behavior. Inside, things were fine and retro. You order at the counter and it was made right then and there. They have 2 sides, one is calmer and has a couple TVs with games; the other side is a little louder with music and the bar. I got the Obama burger (2 patties, bacon, caramelized onions, and an egg) w/ chips & drink. (Note: No fries). I got my sons the double burger (plus chips and drink; one had bacon on their burger). The Cashier was very friendly and helpful! The food was ready quick and it was very delicious! You add your own toppings. They don't have "combos" so everything is separate. The drinks were $3 and the chips were about $2.50, which is a little on the higher end. For 3 "combos" it was a little over $50.

    Menu
    Joey L.

    Billy Goat is very quick, quite tasty and a unique stop in the river area, for both its location and its offerings. I've visited here every time I've been in Chicago and the food hasn't changed in many years. It's still a bar and a diner style burger restaurant that serves breakfast sandwiches from 6am and then burgers mostly until the late night/early morning. The breakfast sandwiches are winners, fresh cooked eggs, greasy meats, and a soft bun. The steak and egg with cheese comes out to a pricy $18 but it hits all the bad spots in the am. It's also tight next to the river so there are other businesses and buildings nearby that have gotten more expensive and upscale while Billy Goat has stuck to its roots. It's a little tricky to find but start out on upper street level Michigan Ave and look for a set of stairs with a Billy Goat plaque, head down and the tavern is to your right.

    Brie G.

    Honestly, like any good Chicago staple, there are rules. It's not a fancy spot, but it's iconic. Service is so fast, because they've seen it all! Know what you want when you walk in so you don't hold up the line - it'll go faster than you think! Nice to have pickles and onions out so you can fix up your cheezborger to your tastebuds' liking. The full bar will keep the party going if that's the vibe. Whether we should or not, this is a great spot to end the night. Get some carbs and protein into your belly before you fall into a slumber. NO PEPSI....Coke! P.S. hot tip, don't look for french fries here, this is a potato chips only kinda spot. The food is good, but know the single cheeseburger is like a kids meal size from your favorite fast food spot.

    Cheeseburger
    Hayley P.

    This place is a no frills burger joint in downtown Chicago. When we came in we were looking for lunch and somewhere to rest our feet after sightseeing all morning. It's old school in the best way possible. My partner and I both ordered double cheeseborgers. And here you get to dress it up how you want, which I loved!!! As many pickles as my heart desires. The food came out quickly and they cook it right in front of you. We ate and relaxed, you see all kinds of people coming through during the lunch rush. It was a fun peek into what downtown Chicago life is like. The staff are all very nice and efficient. This is a great spot for a quick lunch.

    Bar
    May W.

    Love the ambiance and history of Billy goat tavern! Always a great time here when visiting Chicago! Aside from the cultural history (the Billy goat curse on the cubs and SNL skit, the double cheezeborger here is pretty good. No frills burger and they have a self-serve toppings bar. They also have a bar with their own Billy goat beer.

    Inside
    Kevin Z.

    A must see while in Chicago, fun little "dive bar" that's been around since the 1930's. Larger inside than it looks, several different bars and seating areas. Has the while "cheeseborger, cheeseborger" thing from old SNL which is very cool. The cheeseburger was okay, not great, with a Coke of course, "no Pepsi", and chips no fries. Had a great time.

    Basement bar
    Gi S.

    Basement bar. No frills, fast friendly service. I come here everytime I'm in Chicago!

    Andrea U.

    I smelled the burgers outside and all the memorabilia inside was pretty cool. The pickle bar was eye-catching. A little tricky to find it was sort of underneath the river walk, under Michigan Avenue near Hubbard Street and Rush, off the beaten path and literally hidden. But the curse is what brought us in, we didn't eat here. The Billy Goat Tavern curse is a sports legend that claims a curse was placed on the Chicago Cubs in 1945 when William "Billy Goat" Sianis was ejected from Game 4 of the World Series with his pet goat, Murphy. Upset, Sianis cursed the Cubs, vowing they would never win the World Series again. This legendary curse is said to have explained the Cubs' 71-year championship drought until they finally won the World Series in 2016, with the Murph the Goat curse reportedly broken.

    Nick G.

    Stopped by Billy Goat Tavern and ordered a double cheeseborger. The burger itself was simple, old school diner style with thin patties, melted cheese, and a soft bun. I added raw whole onions and ketchup on them. Nothing fancy, but it hit the spot if you're in the mood for something quick and straightforward. The place has a lot of character with its history and that classic Chicago feel. SNL brought me here. Service was fast, and the atmosphere is more about the experience than the food itself.

    Stephanie V.

    Billy goat tavern is a no frills burger joint. Burgers are made on the line and not necessarily to order. There's a condiment bar with your basics, onions, pickles, mustard, mayo and ketchup. You take your food to a table or belly up to the bar for a Billy goat lager or dark ale. Pro-tip- the stairs are just past the clock building next to the street where you go down and you'll find the tavern tucked away amongst the loading docks.

    Bar menu
    Craig S.

    Great old school dive on downtown Chicago. I stopped by to check it out and enjoyed some ice cold old style on draft. Definitely taking a step back in time. Cool vibe. The food is very reasonably priced and looked good. Nothing fancy but cool. Enjoy!!!

    See all

    2 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ben R.
    0
    48
    36

    3 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    29 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 1

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Zay M.
    522
    817
    17892

    6 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Classic Chicago spot! Great central location, perfect for a lively late-night bite. Burgers and hotdogs at fast and friendly service.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Brie G.
    346
    761
    2840

    5 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Paul S.

    Paul S.

    Thanks Brie! We hope to see you around again very soon:)

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of John F.
    69
    58
    65

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 2
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    9 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Gi S.
    43
    208
    2367

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 10
    Thanks 3
    Love this 11
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 1
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 1

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    3 days ago

    Hamburgers were so good! And loved the old tavern atmosphere. Will definitely go back next time we go to Chicago.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of E C.
    4
    16
    20

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Luis C.
    0
    12
    11

    26 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    30 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Sean C.
    75
    1255
    522

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Laz S.
    0
    7
    10

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Owen T.
    140
    24
    2

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Erik C.
    48
    118
    26

    3 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 1

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Elly R.
    0
    10
    10

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 35

    Billy Goat Tavern - Chicago Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Billy Goat Tavern - Chicago

    Are kids ok?

    Most definitely. I would let them watch an old SNL video of the skit, so they know why you're there first though. Lots of seating and the food is on the kid level...nothing fancy.

    Is it wheelchair accessible?

    Sorry Billy Goat Tavern is not wheelchair accessible, there are stairs down into the restaurant . They may have made alternative entry by now, so if you want to go, you should call...

    View All 3 Questions

    Au Cheval

    Au Cheval

    4.4(9.6k reviews)
    1.3 mi•West Loop, Near West Side
    •$$

    I read all the bad reviews before coming and... they were just hating, having a bad day, or have…read morenever eaten a burger before to be an objective judge! Because no way did we eat at the same place. WOW! It's only been a handful of times that I've had the urge to write a review while I'm still eating because of how amazing the experience is. The ambiance is bustling and will FOR SURE keep you awake as you fill your belly. And the burger? It's not just a burger, it's culinary art and a full on flavor experience. I was full well before my plate was empty, but I simply could not imagine reheating any part of it later. The egg was cooked to sunny-side perfection, and every bite was ridiculous. It's bar-style, so the fries came out first, hot and paired with a garlic aioli that absolutely did what it needed to do. Everyone moves with purpose. The food, the service, the atmosphere--this place is a well-oiled machine of greatness. 1000/10. Will absolutely be back.

    Finally made it to Au Cheval and it did not disappoint! It seems to be busy all the time, so make a…read morereservation or plan to be there when they open. Not a huge inside seating area, but it is nice to sit outside on a nice day. We got the single cheeseburger with egg, the double cheeseburger with egg, the fried bologna sandwich with egg, crispy fries and the crispy potato hash! The single is a double patty and the double is a triple. The burgers were deliciously cooked and very hearty! Root beer compliments the burgers well! The crispy fries with the garlic aioli and mornay sauce were very yummy! The crispy potato hash was probably the lowlight of this meal... love the crispy-ness of the hash, didn't love the gravy. Service overall was okay, they were busy so it got slow once our food arrived. It does get loud inside so be prepared. Au Cheval lives up to the hype! We will totally go back for the burgers, crispy fries and root beer!

    Photos
    Au Cheval - Welcome

    Welcome

    Au Cheval - Single Cheeseburger

    Single Cheeseburger

    Au Cheval - Crispy Fries & Potato Hash

    See all

    Crispy Fries & Potato Hash

    Little Bad Wolf - Wolf Burger and frites. Duh. Solid meat to face thing.

    Little Bad Wolf

    4.4(2.6k reviews)
    6.8 mi•Andersonville, Edgewater
    •$$

    Had lunch today at Little Bad Wolf in Andersonville and ordered the Bad Burger -- and it was…read morephenomenal! Two juicy patties, American cheese, house-made pickles and red onion mayo. Nothing overly complicated -- just a really well-executed burger. Little Bad Wolf has the accolades to back it up. Time Out ranks its larger Wolf Burger #1 in Chicago, while The Infatuation actually prefers the Bad Burger, saying the simpler version allows the meat to shine. After eating it, I understand the hype.

    Have you ever heard the story of the Little Bad Wolf... who huffed, and puffed, and blew my socks…read moreaway because of HOW DELICIOUS of an exerience it was? YUP FOLKS. The Little Bad Wolf isn't just a story... it's a phenom dot com restaurant that you NEED to visit! My family and I visited after a Saturday Cubs game and luckily, there were still a handful of tables available and we were promptly seated. The staff were super friendly and provided excellent service! Almost everyone at our table ordered the Wolf Burger after hearing my sister and her husband rave about it. When our orders came to the table, we were all PLEASANTLY surprised at how beautifully stacked and dressed our burgers were. A triple stack of patties, topped with cheese, bacon, a fried egg, crispy onions, and housemade pickles?! That's a recipe for delicious success right there! The Wolf Burger was indeed SCRUMPTIOUS! My goodness, I am still thinking about it two whole days later and how I can't wait to revisit this restaurant and try some more of their menu items. An honorable mention goes out to the delicious fries on the side!! They were the perfect cut, well-seasoned, and out-of-this-world. I HIGHLY recommend Little Bad Wolf to all folks looking for a delicious experience! The burger is sensational, the environment is impeccable, and this is a great spot if you're going on a date or out with friends.

    Photos
    Little Bad Wolf - Fresh flowers

    Fresh flowers

    Little Bad Wolf - Shrimp Tacos

    Shrimp Tacos

    Little Bad Wolf - Bad Burger with fried onion strings

    See all

    Bad Burger with fried onion strings

    The Dearborn

    The Dearborn

    4.4(2.8k reviews)
    0.5 mi•The Loop
    •$$

    This was my second visit to The Dearborn, and the food and service were both on point. We ordered…read morethe salmon tataki, fish and chips, Wellington burger, and Midwest fried chicken. Everything was well prepared, but the fried chicken was the standout, especially with the hot sauce adding another level of flavor. The staff stayed attentive throughout dinner and even replaced our plates between rounds, which was a level of service I wasn't expecting. I also respected seeing the owner personally making the rounds, stopping at every table to check on the guests and the food. Calm atmosphere, solid hospitality, and a kitchen that delivers.

    OMG! Walk, run, sprint here to get the FISH N CHIPS THAT ACTUALLY BEAT BOBBY FLAY. The executive…read morechef and now chef partner, Aaron Cuschieri, is absolutely amazingly talented. I am used to really good fish and chips... I've never had better fish and chips than Tom Douglas's Mr. Fish in Seattle, UNTIL NOW!!!! Wow, wow wow wow! Do not pass GO, do not read the menu, just order the darn fish and chips! It might be a whole heart attack on a plate... But it doesn't matter... You can walk all of Chicago and burn it off. I decided to work out before I came here for this big splurge and I'm so glad I did. I can see that this is the theater district... And you could come here before a show fish and chips and have the best night of your entire life! I can't wait to try more of this chef's food! I'm BEYOND INSPIRED! ps great beers here toooooi!

    Photos
    The Dearborn - $12 Martinis for Martini Mondays

    $12 Martinis for Martini Mondays

    The Dearborn - New Spring Menu

    New Spring Menu

    The Dearborn - Spring desserts

    See all

    Spring desserts

    Billy Goat Tavern - Chicago - burgers - Updated October 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...