Billy Goat Tavern
The Billy Goat Tavern is a famous tavern in Chicago originally because it was a rowdy and popular sports bar. It used to be located across from the United Center which is now the home of the Chicago Bulls and Blackhawks. The owner came into the adoption of a lost goat and so it gained its name.
Most people are mistaken about the back story to this pubs fame. I read a visitors post on here to the Billy Goat that is located on Michigan Ave, which is a tourist trap. The true fame of Billy Goat was born out of a television show skit. The show was Saturday Night Live and they were mocking the stereotype of Chicagoans. In the skit they would shout out "cheeseborger cheeseborger!!" And become quite obnoxious. The tavern never did this. Except to bring in business when slower after the skit aired. But the recognition of Billy Goat on national television has attracted thousands and thousands of tourists a year.
This pub is a beat up, fast burger flipping, non gourmet, hot dog stand of a place. their burgers are not the best burgers in the world. You probably won't crave it later. (However their breakfast sandwiches I HAVE craved) BUT this tavern is about the experience. It is about being in a true Chicago old school pub....and having a greasy hot dog or Chicago burger while you are at it. It's about watching a Chicago game here and reading the old clippings in the walls from the 30s.
It's part of Chicago's personality
