Aug 18, 2015 | Cheezborger, Michigan Avenue
The following is an excerpt from Rick Kogan’s book “A Chicago Tavern. A Goat, a Curse, and the American Dream.”
Bill Murray is hungry and that is why we are walking toward one of the Goat’s red-and-white-checkered tables. He is here in June 1999 to promote a book he has written, Cinderella Story: My Life in Golf. Waiter Tito Chacon recognizes him immediately.
“Billy Murray,” he says. “You are the funniest.”
“The funniest what?” Says Murray.
Sam sees Murray and walks over. The two men hug.
“How’s your oldest boy?” asks Sam.
“He’s huge,” says Murray, whose two grown sons have been coming to the Goat since they were kids. “He could swallow both of us. All he needs is a couple of tattoos.”
The two men talk for a while. A couple of pictures are taken.
“I saw that new place of yours over by the United Center,” Murray says. “For a minute I thought they’d run you out of here.”
“No, no,” says Sam. “I always will have this place.”
“Sam, you’re the most successful Greek in the world,” Murray says.
“You help make that happen,” says Sam.
“Don’t blame me,” says Murray.
Check out the book “A Chicago Tavern.” You’ll find the most complete set of Billy Goat Tavern stories available. Buy it now in our online store! https://www.billygoattavern.com/souvenirs/index.php/all-products/book-a-chicago-tavern.html
Aug 10, 2015 | Cheezborger, Lake Street, Madison, Michigan Avenue
After a tough day at work, you can’t beat a hot burger, a cold beer, and a great bartender.
Folks have been stopping here after work even when there wasn’t any.
Billy Goat. Chicago’s after-work tavern since 1934.
Aug 4, 2015 | Billy Goat Curse, Michigan Avenue, Sam Sianis
Around the time Billy Sianis opened the Billy Goat Inn, miles away his nephew, Sam Sianis, was born in a little village in Greece. He would grow to become a strong, dedicated, loyal, and hardworking adult. At 19 years old, he would take those attributes to pursue a life in America working with his Uncle at the Tavern. When Billy dies in October 1970, Sam would take over and become one of Chicago’s finest and a legend in his own right. Raised on goat’s milk….it must be in his blood.
Jun 24, 2015 | Cheezborger, Madison, Michigan Avenue, Navy Pier
Celebrate 50 years of The Grateful Dead with Billy Goat! If you are going to the concerts on July 3rd, 4th or 5th, stop by Billy Goat first. You can’t dance on an empty stomach!
We’ll even play some Uncle John’s Baaaaaand!
Jun 19, 2015 | Billy Goat Curse, Madison, Michigan Avenue
The first time Billy Goat appears in print is on June 19, 1938, in the Tribune: “One great personality in Our Town is a goat.” It isn’t much, just a couple of paragraphs, the first item in a column called “Our Town.” It tells of the tavern and details Billy’s trouble getting a copy of his U.S. citizenship papers because the photo he sent to Washington no longer resembles the 22-year-old, whiskerless picture that has been on file since 1916. “Billy could solve it right away with a shave, but he just can’t bring himself to do it,” the anonymous columnist writes.
That the columnist has no byline is not unusual. That’s the way it is in these days, when bylines have to be earned, sometimes over years of writing stories. But the writer is well-acquainted with Billy and his tavern. That’s the way it is in these days, too. Newspapers and booze have been joined at the hip for at least a couple of centuries, and few places ever provided as comforting a home for the press as the Billy Goat.
A Chicago Tavern: A Goat, a Curse, and the American Dream – By Rick Kogan
https://www.billygoattavern.com/souvenirs/index.php/all-products/book-a-chicago-tavern.html
Jun 16, 2015 | Blackhawks, Lake Street, Madison, Michigan Avenue
Congratulations Blackhawks on bringing the Stanley Cup back home to Chicago!
Three championships in six years! What could be more satisfying? Well, good things do come in threes!
