I had a chance recently to eat at the original Billy Goat Tavern in Chicago.
If you’re not familiar with the legend, many years ago the owner wasn’t allowed to bring his goat into Wrigley Field and stated “the Cubs will never win a World Series so long as the goat is not allowed in Wrigley Field.”
To find it, head south on Michigan Avenue just past Illinois Street, and then head downstairs to the underground portion of the street. I would never think to go down there unless I knew the restaurant was there. It’s such a contrast from the busy, bright world above it.
By the way, the Billy Goat Tavern was lampooned in a 1978 “Saturday Night Live” skit. It’s odd that in the skit they say, “No Coke, Pepsi,” while the restaurant has it in reverse.
For the most part, I did eat the meal in the skit. Instead of a cheezborger (“The Original”) I had a double cheezborger (“The Best,” $5.35). I was wondering why it was fairly inexpensive (for Chicago), and then I realized it’s because the two patties were paper-thin (at least they only took a minute to cook on the griddle). Worse, the patties were swallowed inside a massive bun, which meant all I tasted was bun.
My choice of cheeps (chips) was the Vitner’s barbeque, and I had a tiny whiskey-Diet Coke ($6). Oddly, the cashier where you order food took credit cards, but the bar takes cash only. Speaking of the bar, it’s pretty robust, and it seems like many people come here just to drink.
The rest of the menu includes hot sandwiches (e.g. ribeye steak, grilled cheese), egg sandwiches and breakfast.
Besides the original restaurant, Billy Goat tavern has five other locations in the city, plus one in O’Hare and two others outside Chicago.
Tags: Chicago
