Get Your Cheezborger On at the Billy Goat Tavern
The Billy Goat Tavern is a legend here in Chicago, and it was one long before "Saturday Night Live" parodied it in the mid-‘70s. You know that curse on the Cubs, the one involving the goat? Well, it was the original owner of the Billy Goat, William Sianis, who was responsible for that. When he was not allowed to bring his goat into a 1945 World Series game, he cursed the team, saying the Cubs would never win another championship game. So far, Sianis has the edge.
This little hole in the wall restaurant hasn't changed in decades. It's still frequented by locals, tourists and writers. It still doesn't serve French fries. The employees still yell out "Cheezborger, cheezborger, cheezborger," and they still don't serve Pepsi. They've had Schlitz beer on tap for longer than most of us have been alive. The Billy Goat Tavern is a mecca of local color, too. On the walls you'll find a Wall of Fame with photos and articles, featuring famous customers, criminals and the late Sianis himself.
The atmosphere is genuine, vintage Chicago, and if you want to get a real feel for the city, you'll want to stop here. As for the food-it isn't the best burger you'll ever have, but it's pretty darn good. Let them talk you into a double cheeseburger and forget your arteries for the day. The experience is worth it. There's a full bar, a VIP room and a very basic tables and chairs setup. It's nothing fancy, yet it's not to be missed. And it gets pretty packed at lunchtime, so be warned.
The Billy Goat Tavern is located on lower Michigan Avenue and can be easily missed, since you have to descend stairs to actually get to it. Keep an eye out when you're walking just north of the Chicago River, and you'll see the sign. The address is 430 N. Michigan Ave. (the Chicago Tribune tower is at 435 N. Michigan Ave.). Parking is difficult here, whether paid or street, so take public transportation if possible. A cab is a great choice; the closest Red Line CTA stop is at Grand.
