Billy Goat Tavern

Location: 430 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611

A Quick Word:
Billy Goat Tavern is one of Chicago's most famous establishments.  It has been around since the 1930s and now has several locations throughout the city.  When first walking into the restaurant, you get that diner feel... a counter to order food, self serve condiments, and plenty of memorabilia lining the walls.  Two historic events have made this restaurant famous--the SNL skit and the Billy Goat Curse.  Just check out their website for more information.  In terms of food, however, it isn't bad.  In fact, I would call it average.  The burgers are cooked on flat top grills and are reminiscent of childhood eats.  The staff is friendly enough, but you still get the diner-like attitude.  The fries are awful (no wonder everyone orders chips).  After plenty of thought, the experience is worth the visit, but the food is only worthy of a 3 mile rating.

What I Ate:

Double Cheezborger

The first part of the skit goes... Cheezborger, Cheezborger, Cheezborger.  So a double cheezborger must be even better.  This burger is cooked to order on a flat-top grill and topped with American cheese.  The condiments are all self-serve with pickles, onions, mustard, and ketchup.  I was pleasantly surprised by the size of the patty.  and the American cheese is the type that congeals just enough to remind you of picnic grill burgers from your childhood.  The bun is nothing special, but it is soft and holds up nicely even with the juices of the burger.  They do offer a triple... it will probably be the next burger for me.

Supposedly they don't have fries?  (Well they shouldnt...)

With the part of their skit being No Fries... CHEEPS... I would expect them to not have fries, or not have tasty fries.  Unfortunately, that is exactly what I encountered.  The fries are thicker cut, but they have absolutely no salt and some were actually cold.  They were on the soggy side despite being cooked fresh in front of me.  Stick with the chips everyone.  This was the first time I ordered the fries and definitely the last time.

The DOs/DON'Ts:
DO:
- Order your food at the counter and then grab a seat.  It takes a little bit of time to cook the burgers.  They come plain, so then visit the condiment bar for ketchup, mustard, pickles, onion, and relish.  If you want the food to go, then start wrapping and packing it up yourself.  This ain't a 5-star restaurant for a reason... yet alone a 2 star.  But the atmosphere makes up for it all!
- If you are having difficult finding the place, remember... it is UNDERNEATH the street.

DON'T:
- No Pepsi
- Don't order fries.

How far would I walk for this food?