Billy Goat Tavern Menu 2026: Cheezborgers, Chicago Legend & Full Menu Guide

Billy Goat Tavern is famous for two things: its double cheeseburgers and the Saturday Night Live sketch that immortalized them. In 1978, John Belushi performed a parody of the counter workers shouting 'Cheezborger! Cheezborger! No Pepsi — Coke! No fries — cheeps!' The sketch aired on SNL and turned a beloved Chicago dive bar into a national legend. The original location has been open since 1934 on Lower Michigan Avenue — literally beneath the upper Mag Mile.

The original and most famous location is at 430 N. Michigan Ave. Lower Level, Chicago, IL 60611 — tucked beneath the upper level of Michigan Avenue (the Magnificent Mile) via a staircase or ramp near the Chicago Tribune building. This subterranean address contributes to the bar's legendary, hole-in-the-wall atmosphere. There are several additional Chicago-area locations, including Wacker Drive, Navy Pier, O'Hare Airport and others.

The Billy Goat Curse (also called the Curse of the Billy Goat or the Cubs Curse) refers to a supposed hex placed on the Chicago Cubs in 1945 by tavern owner William 'Billy Goat' Sianis. Sianis was reportedly ejected from Wrigley Field during the 1945 World Series because his pet goat smelled bad. He allegedly declared, 'Them Cubs, they ain't gonna win no more.' The Cubs went 71 years without a World Series title before finally winning in 2016, breaking the alleged curse.

Billy Goat Tavern does not publish current prices online, and pricing can vary by location. The double cheeseburger is the signature item and has historically been one of the most affordable burgers in Chicago — in keeping with the bar's no-frills, working-class identity. Visit in person or call the specific location for current pricing. The original Lower Michigan Avenue location tends to be the busiest and most consistent.

'Cheezborger! Cheezborger!' is a phonetic approximation of how the Greek immigrant counter workers at Billy Goat Tavern were perceived to say 'Cheeseburger!' The SNL sketch — written by Don Novello and performed by John Belushi, Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd and others — parodied the rapid-fire, heavily accented counter service at the Goat. The bit also included 'No fries — cheeps!' and 'No Pepsi — Coke!' Both are accurate to the real Billy Goat experience: chips are the traditional side, and Coke is the only cola served.

The original Lower Michigan Avenue location has traditionally been cash-friendly and in keeping with a classic Chicago bar atmosphere, though most locations now accept credit and debit cards. It is always worth having cash on hand if you visit the original location. Call ahead or check with the specific location for current payment policies.

The original Lower Michigan Avenue location is generally open Monday through Friday from around 6 AM to 2 AM, Saturday from approximately 10 AM to 3 AM, and Sunday from 11 AM to 2 AM — though hours shift seasonally and for special events. Other locations (Navy Pier, O'Hare, etc.) keep varying hours tied to their venues. Always confirm current hours on billygoattavern.com or by calling the location directly.

Yes. In addition to the famous original at 430 N. Michigan Ave. Lower Level, Billy Goat Tavern operates additional Chicago locations including 309 W. Washington St. (Loop), Navy Pier, O'Hare International Airport (Terminals 1 and 3), Soldier Field, and others. The original Lower Michigan location is the must-visit for the full atmosphere and history.

Order the Double Cheeseburger — full stop. It is the reason the place exists in popular culture. Pair it with chips (not fries — the counter workers will tell you so) and a Coke or an Old Style draft beer. If you visit for breakfast, the egg-and-cheese roll is a solid choice. Keep your order simple: the Billy Goat is not a menu-exploration spot, it is a destination for one specific burger and a cold beer in an irreplaceable Chicago setting.