Walking around Chicago and trying to navigate between the bottom streets and the top streets threw me off, but am I glad it did because I found the Billy Goat Tavern which is tucked and nestled underneath an overpass. This burger spot really hits everything you could imagine. It's simple and easy - cheeseburger, burgers, double cheeseburgers, hot dogs, and beers. Very simple but so impactful. So good that I came two days in a row with different folks and they were all in agreement that this was one of the best burgers they've had. read more

Having been a fan of original SNL, this place has always been on my list of places to go in Chicago. Great food, great service and a great atmosphere all around. While I didn't hear anyone do the famous "cheeseborger" quote, it's a great dive and city landmark! read more

Billy Goat Tavern - Chicago - Food - Burgers Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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. read more

Billy Goat Tavern - Chicago - Menu - Burgers Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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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. read more

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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. read more

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

Billy Goat Tavern - Chicago - Basement bar - Burgers Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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!!! read more

Billy Goat Tavern - Chicago - Bar menu - Burgers Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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. read more

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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. read more

Billy Goat Tavern - Chicago - Inside - Burgers Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

A classic Chicago establishment that represents the old days of the city. Based on a popular SNL skit. They are know for their cheeseburgers. This spot is a little tricky to find as it is on the lower level of Michigan Avenue. Once you get in it feels like you are transported back in time. The line works pretty efficiently and they have a system that works pretty well. The burgers are delicious and a great place to go with friends. read more

Billy Goat Tavern - Chicago - Burgers Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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This place is an institution! So cool! We loved the fact that it was tucked away at street level and the off almost speakeasy vibes before entering. Inside you get a true old school bar/diner feel with the grill being operated right in front of you. Sure, the burgers are simple - but that's the whole point and the price point matches. We voted on our favorite meals/places we visited and the Billy Goat was the top across the board. If you are going to go - I'd strongly recommend the OG. PS - they have mayo for you fellow midwesterners but toppings are pretty limited! read more

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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. read more

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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. read more

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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. read more

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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. read more

Billy Goat Tavern - Chicago - Burgers Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I try to come here every time I am visiting Chicago. I love all the history of this place, from the real history to the SNL history. I love to sit at the bar and have a cold beer, cheesborger and chips and talk to the bartender. It's always a lot of fun, the beer is cold and the burgers great! Plus, I just love the vibe of an old-school Chicago tavern. WHile I am sure there are many tourists here, it never seems touristy, everybody enjoying the vibe, like me. I highly recommend stopping by and checking this olace out, it's alway a fun time! read more

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The burger buns are NOT the same ones I used to get back in the 80's. The new ones are soft and ruin what was once the best burger anywhere. Please return to the Kaiser rolls you had years ago! read more

Somehow landed here and let me tell you...the burger was SO good! I was originally going to stick with a single patty, but went with the double and couldn't be happier with that choice. Everything is made fresh to order--one cashier running the counter while the chef is back there flipping burgers to perfection. The menu is short and sweet, which makes ordering super easy. They also have a little topping station with extras like pickles, onions, and ketchup so you can dress it up how you like. Since I'm not local, it took me a minute to find the place. Tip: keep an eye out for the signage on the lower level--it's easy to miss if you're not looking closely. This spot is honestly in a category of its own. If you're in the area, definitely worth the stop! read more

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If you come expecting a hole in the wall, no-frills pub, then you will be delighted with this. Just get a cheeseburger, freshly made off the grill in a few seconds, and ask for their dark pint. Staff is friendly at the bar and quick at the burger line. read more

Billy Goat Tavern - Chicago - Cheeseburger - Burgers Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Cool place. Second time here, first time eating here. The double cheezborger was great. Get the double because the patties are really thin. Very tasty burger. Love the pictures on the wall and the sports memoribilia too. One of the best lunch options downtown in my opinion. read more

Billy Goat Tavern - Chicago - double cheezborger. fantastic. - Burgers Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We were recommended to try this iconic chicago diner by our boat tour guide. You order at the front and the food comes out so quickly. I got a grilled cheese to keep things simple. The cashier recommended all my friends to get the double cheeseburger. Once the food is ready you pick it up at the front and head to the topping station. They have relish, pickles, onions, ketchup, & mayo. I wish they had tomatoes as well. I love that you can get as many pickles as your heart desires and customize ur meal however you would like. I also like that they don't have plates. Instead you eat off of parchment paper and just wrap it up to throw away once you are done. It gives the place a simple diner feel. I just wish they had fries on their menu as well, but other that that, a definite must try! read more

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Well, what can I say that John Belushi didn't nail already. Cheesborger, cheesborger, cheesborger... No fries! Chips!. This place is so odd. It's tucked underground in a tunnel like roadway under the city of Chicago. So much history around this place, from the iconic SNL skit to the legend of the curse of the goat. I don't think this place has changed much in decades, but that's what makes it so cool! Still reasonably priced. Full bar with a good selection of regional options on tap. It's not fancy at all, so just come on in! Grab a beer, brag a burger,grab a seat. read more

Billy Goat Tavern - Chicago - Burgers Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Watch the skit on SNL. Ambiance: 5 star sub-pedestrian tavern Cheeseburger: 3 star, condiment bar available to load up on toppings Beer on tap and full bar read more

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I used to love coming here for the iconic Chicago beer & 'borger. The burgers are still good, but it seems like they are capitalizing on their storied history. It has the divey feel from yesteryear, but the prices are wayyyyyyy higher. $7 for an Old Style? Over $20 for two doubles? My wife had never been before, and with her being a big fan of classic SNL, it was a must do for our Chicago trip. Aside from that, it's not what it used to be. I will say, our order came out pretty quickly, despite the line being somewhat long. read more

Billy Goat Tavern - Chicago - Cheeborger, cheeborger, Old Style, no Coke. - Burgers Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Doesn't look like much but service is quick and friendly. Basic menu with affordable pricing considering location. Worth a stop for a dated nostalgic feel of an older restaurant with nothing fancy. Got a triple burger with chips and a soda. Affordable and tastes good. Worth stopping in for a quick bite to eat read more

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This place is a classic but still a little hidden. It's underneath the "Magnificent Mile" but I think it's better than the fancy places up top. Sure it has a great history, and it gets plenty of tourist traffic. But these guys aren't resting on those laurels! They are bringing the good food (the cheeseburgers really are excellent!) and the local beer (do NOT leave without an Old Style) and I'll be back again and again! read more

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Great experience at the Original Billy Goat Tavern. Located on Hubbard Street beneath the underpass between North Rush street and Michigan avenue. Great space with lots of tables and chairs as well as some bar seating in the bar area. Food ordered and picked up in the center station. There is a small condiment counter (onions, pickles, relish...) off to the side if needed. The bar area has a variety of drink options, including beer and hard liquor. Reasonably prices and the food was really good. A few garages as well as metered street parking in the surrounding area. read more

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Classic, quintessential dive bar burger underneath the Wrigley Building in downtown Chicago. Iconic spot of the famed SNL skit called "Cheezborger, Cheezborger". Best burgers ever? Nope. Fun, nostalgic trip down memory lane with a very decent smashburger to boot? Hell yes! In addition to the typical grill items for lunch, hey also serve a very respectable breakfast sandwich and have a small bar area with sports constantly blaring away. What a fun atmosphere! I had my go-to burger set-up...double smashburger, grilled onions, American cheese, pickle chips, ketchup and mustard. Add a bag of chips (remember, no fries!) and a Coke (also remember, no Pepsi!) and you have a meal fit for a king! The patties were just greasy enough, charred on a flattop grill and a grilled bun to match, it all came together just right. We basked in the historical spot taking in all the wall art and memorabilia throughout the space...it was a real treat and am so glad to have finally sat down and enjoyed a meal here. read more

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Billy Goat Tavern has probably one of the best burgers you can get and plus...you won't break the bank for it!! This place is tucked away and not super flashy or anything, but as soon as you go down the steps you know you're in for a great burger. That signature burger smell hits you like a truck and looking around to see classic burger joint aesthetic really gets your mouth salivating as soon as you enter the restaurant! The server at the counter was super nice and recommended burgers based on how hungry we thought we were. I initially ordered the double hamburger and added the condiments after they (very quickly) whipped up our burgers. The cook the food right in front of you too so that was pretty dope!! The burger...SUPER juicy and I can't get over the fact that it was so cheap relative to its amazing taste. The one regret I had was not listening to the host and just straight up order a triple hamburger, but hey you live and you learn! I actually ended up ordering the ribeye steak sandwich after cause I was still hungry and craving more! The ribeye was good, but I definitely prefer the hamburger cause it was cheaper and juicier!! Overall, I can't recommend Billy Goat Tavern enough. Love the cool burger feeling and love the burgers even more! I can't wait to come back next time I'm in Chicago!! read more

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old school burger joint...no non-sense...tight space though...decent bar selection...nice staff read more

Billy Goat Tavern - Chicago - Burgers Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Billy Goat Tavern might be the dictionary definition of "No Frills". This is a place you come to when you're either looking for a quick bite, drunk, or enjoy history. I was all 3 when I came. Food is basic yet fulfilling. I tried a burger, a polish boy for the first time, and I think another burger? Oh, and I got back in like for each of those because I wanted more and more. Also, I had several beers. read more

Billy Goat Tavern - Chicago - Cheeseburger - Burgers Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

What can I say about this place that hasn't been said a thousand times? My guess would be not much. The service was super helpful since it had not been there before, it was 8 in the morning when I went. They had everything but the Italian beef available, to be expected that early. After I ordered my burgers to go. The very pleasant woman behind the counter offered to wrap the burgers after I loaded them up with pickles and chopped onions. This is a nice chain dive bar that if it had been later in the day I would have liked to sit in and enjoy the local working class charm while drinking a moderate amount till the grey windy skies of Chicago turned to spring sun read more

Billy Goat Tavern - Chicago - Double Cheeseburger & Hamburger - Burgers Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The Billy Goat Tavern has been a Chicago staple coming up on nearly a century. It has been around since 1934 and for that reason alone, you should check the place out. But it also is a thoroughly enjoyable way to spend some time while in the Windy City. As far as the ambiance and the vibe is concerned, I think that their lack of ambiance creates its own special ambiance. The service is friendly and overall, it was a great experience. If you are in the area, I would definitely recommend the Billy Goat Tavern. I do not think that you will be disappointed. read more

Given the famous SNL sketch, we had to stop by the Billy Goat Tavern for lunch. It was quick, simple (in a good way), and incredibly juicy and delicious. We both had a doubles c(the best) and were blown away by how good it was. The meat was flavorful, the toasted bun perfect, and the pickles fresh and crunchy. Coke, no Pepsi, was music to our ears. :-) Happily, there is also a Billy Goat Tavern location at O'Hare (equally as good), so we got a final Cheezborger fix before flying home. read more

A very no-frills establishment. Got a double cheeseburger at eight in the morning and absolutely no shame. Not anything special but it's still delicious. The pickles, onion, ketchup, mustard (condiments) our self serve next to the register. The bone was soft and held everything together and I absolutely devoured it. Fair price. read more

Billy Goat Tavern - Chicago - Burgers Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Cheezborger, Cheezborger, Cheezborger! Come for the nostalgia and stay for a very good burger - or should I say Borger. We all know this place was made famous over 50 years ago on Saturday Night Live, but it has survived all these years for one reason: It has good food, and a welcoming atmosphere. Let's be clear, in this sentence: "welcoming atmosphere = dive bar". When you enter you have to go down approximately 5 steps to get to the main room. This place is divey but in a wonderfully nostalgic way. To order, walk to the right, back, corner of the counter. The menu has several options, but I'm guessing 95% of the customers order burgers. I've been to Billy Goat's many times through the years, and I've never ordered anything but the burgers. For me, the only decision is whether it is a single, double, or triple. Today (March 1st 2025), I brought my wife and daughter here for their first visits. I had a single cheeseburger and a beer. The burger was as good as ever. My wife and daughter both had burgers and agreed they are good. I should note they offer bags of chips, no fries. . The burgers are cooked and served lightening quick. They come plain or with cheese. Then, you go to the condiment station to dress it however you like. The burgers are thin and tasty, the bun is soft and fluffy. Prices are very reasonable; which is impressive considering this place is just steps off of the Magnificent Mile! If you have never been here, I recommend you stop in sometime and order a Cheezborger with a side of nostalgia. read more

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Wasn't impressed with the Billy goat at all, venue was typical fast food environment, Staff hurried customers through, it want busy, I was 3rd in line, 2 people eating, the burger was tasteless. Not quite sure what the rave is in the reviews about this place, I didn't see it, didn't feel it and didn't receive it.. read more

If you're in river north and you've never been, you've got to go. It's an institution and a flash back to a grittier Chicago time. The staff is brusque but Chicago friendly and equally efficient. (Watch the Snl skit. Duh). Get the cheeseborger get a drink. Grab some chips. Leave satiated and happy you went. read more

I absolutely love this place. I love the location, like it's a secret. It's a historical diner. It's a small restaurant/diner with a small menu. They have cheeseburgers and hotdogs, no fries. You place your order at the counter. There is a bar area with seating as well. We got the burgers and added our own toppings. The food was fantastic and reasonably priced. The staff was very friendly and the service was quick. The decor was vintage. I will definitely go back next time I am in the area. read more

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Chicago staple! Always a 10/10, traditional eat! Great meal. Service is great and always friendly! A must-stop-in when in Chicago! read more

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