It is pretty much a hole-in-the-wall. The food is good, and they it has a great atmosphere. This is the original restaurant inspiration for "Cheezeborger, cheezeborger cheezeborger" on the original Saturday Night Live.

Other notable pieces of Chicago history involving the Goat are:

• It is said that the original owner, William Sianis, cursed the Cubs because they would not let him bring his goat into Wrigley Field, which is why they will never win a World Series.
• The restaurant is filled with pictures of reporters who hang out there. Mike Royko, legendary tribune columnist, was a regular there. I think his discussion about modern restaurants pretty much sums up the Billy Goat:

John Belushi made this Chicago institution famous with his imitation of a Greek cook at the Billy Goat Tavern on "Saturday Night Live", but his portrayal was accurate. Located at 430 North Michigan, you need to go down the stairs in front of the Wrigley Building, then turn right to find this hole-in-the-wall joint - "Enter at your own risk," as the sign reads.

Billy Goat originator Sam Sianis is famous for another reason: during the 1945 World Series, he was forbidden from bringing his goat onto Wrigley Field. He cursed the ball club, saying the Cubs would never again win a World Series - and amazingly, 57 years later, that's still true.

The original location is a true neighborhood joint, with Formica on the counters, linoleum on the floors, Schlitz has been the draft of choice for 62 years, and the walls decked with clippings about the place and pictures of people who've made their mark here personally, or who frequent the place and are local (or national) celebrities: newspaper writers share wall space with beauty queens. The place has a character all its own, and although they've opened a few other locations (309 W. Washington; 1535 W. Madison; 3615 N. Clark; 600 E. Grand/Navy Pier; O'Hare - and several of these locations DO serve fries AND chips), you must visit the original. They also have a booth at the annual Taste of Chicago (June-July).

The Billy Goat was an institution before Belushi and SNL, however - with the personable cooks slinging burgers. Their fare is simple and priced cheep - err, cheap. You can have a full meal here for under $5 - compare that to the McDonald's upstairs, which is missing the colorful regulars and staff for the same price. And if you wander in looking lost, they'll make the decision for you: "Cheezeboiger! Oh, you sir, YOU a double cheezeboiger!" They're rarely wrong, and people walk away happy.

The burgers are made quick and tasty, and served on a tasty bun. They come without toppings, and there is a small bar of traditional toppings - ketchup, dill pickle chips, onions; one or two other choices - where you can top up your meal. The pickle chips are so thick and crisp as to be a tasty side on their own.

Smoking: Yes, at bar
Alcohol: Beer

This is a greasy spoon with the best classic double cheeseburgers and fries around. If you dare to order something else....guess waahhhtt? 'Ya probably will get a cheezbagaa anyhow! The service is quick and to the point, so if yu stand undecided and hesitate, the staff will cut you up like a weeping onion! If you wallow by the door you will be stampeded, so for 'Chrissake have a gameplan in mind and don't be shy about it!