Feb 7, 2017 | Michigan Avenue, Sam Sianis
“It was a big day,” says Sam. “I come in early that morning and I see two guys in suits just looking around the place.I ask if they need help and they say no so I just do what I always do and then go ti a lunch meeting. I’m there and I get a call and they say Bush is coming. I am shocked and I hurry back and they are all getting ready for the president. When he gets there he eats and sits with me and four regular customers and talks about family and politics. He wants to know the history of Billy Goat and he wants to know about Mike.”
Feb 2, 2017 | Billy Goat Curse, Sam Sianis
From the day the first goat stumbled into the Tavern, the Billy Goat Inn became a circus of animals. There were numerous goats, from beer drinking to dollar bill eating, but mostly beer drinking. An avid animal lover, Billy offered the tavern as their home. A long line of Goats from Billy “the original” to Murphy “The goat curse” have always been a regular staple at the legendary Tavern.
Jan 31, 2017 | Billy Goat Curse, Cheezborger
Six more weeks of winter? That’s just a silly curse. According to Greek legend, if the Goat sees his shadow on February 2nd, it means the Cubs will win back-to-back World Series!
Jan 24, 2017 | Cheezborger
Billy Murray is hungry and that is why we are walking towards 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.
“Bill 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 awhile. A couple of pictures are taken.
“I saw the 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.
…from the book A Chicago Tavern a Goat, a Curse, and the American Dream
Jan 19, 2017 | Michigan Avenue, Mike Royko
This story is from the book “A Chicago Tavern” and was told by Tim Weigel:
“One night after a loss, we headed to the tavern to lick our wounds and gargle a few beers. After a while Sam brought a goat in for a drink. The goat smelled pretty bad and Mike kept feeding the goat $1 bills. Then some one hands Mike a $10 bill and the goat eats it. Just a couple of minutes later the goat lets loose with a fusilade of pellets on Mike’s shoes. Seeing this, Sam yells from behind the bar, ‘Hey Mike. He gave you change.”
