Famous Cheeseburger Restaurant Underground in Chicago
For a memorable, greasy cheeseburger steeped in Chicago history, stop by the Billy Goat Tavern. Tucked beneath Michigan Avenue since 1964, the Billy Goat was made famous in a Saturday Night Live sketch performed by John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd.
Saturday Night Live
Be prepared. When you enter the restaurant, you are likely to be greeted by a middle- aged Greek man, with salt-and-pepper hair, trying to imitate Belushi by shouting,"Cheeseborger, cheeseborger, cheeseborger!" The Greek is imitating Belushi, who was originally imitating the Greek in the Saturday Night Live sketch that aired in 1978. In the sketch, Aykroyd and Belushi belligerently tell customers what they can and cannot order. "No fries, cheeps!" Belushi barks. "No Pepsi, Coke!"
Lunch Line Moves
The Billy Goat in real life tries to give customers what they expect based on the Saturday Night Live sketch. Joining the lunch line that usually starts as you enter the front door, it becomes immediately clear that you are expected to make up your mind about what you want to order, and must move quickly. The line winds past a white lunch counter for 30 feet or so. Waiters walk up and down the line taking orders (usually a cheeseburger), so that by the time you reach the cash register, your order is nearly ready.
Wall of Fame
Find a place to sit at any of the tables, but look for those with a pattern of red-and-white checkers. They are located in a spot near the grill known as the "Wall of Fame." A seat next to the Wall of Fame makes for some interesting mealtime reading. The walls are covered with newspaper columns and photographs about happenings in the city. Some were written by the late Chicago Tribune columnist Mike Royko, who won the Pulitzer Prize. The tavern was one of Royko's favorite dining spots, according to the Billy Goat Tavern's official website.
Your meal arrives quickly. You eat just as quickly because that is the fashion in this bustling diner. Just as you wipe the last spot of grease from your lips, a waiter will appear at your elbow, even before your napkin drops to the table--to take your plate and encourage you to leave. "Thank you very much, come again," they say, swooping in to clear your place and not-so-subtly hold the back of your chair, as they wait for you to leave. It is a brief, but satisfying meal, served with a huge helping of genuine Chicago hospitality.
Tags: Billy Goat, Night Live, Saturday Night, Saturday Night Live, Live sketch, Night Live sketch, Wall Fame