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Itsa as close to a free lunch you gonna get!

The Billy Goat Tavern has announced that it will celebrate its 75th anniversary this Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009, with 75 cent cheezborgers and beers at all of its locations except O'Hare Field.

http://www.billygoattavern.com/history.html

Sam and Bill Sianis are slated to be recognized by the City Council tomorrow via the following resolution:

RESOLUTION HONORING 75 YEARS OF THE BILLY GOAT TAVERN
WHEREAS, The landmark Billy Goat Tavern is known throughout the world as an icon of Chicago’s generous hospitality, boisterous camaraderie, frosty libations, underdog opportunities, political satire, ethnic humor, sports fanaticism, working-class common sense and appreciation of journalists; and,
WHEREAS, A Greek immigrant from Paleopyrgos, Arkadia named William Sianis bought the former Lincoln Tavern across from the historic Chicago Stadium at 1855 West Madison Street in 1934. He began his family’s enterprise and became known as the “Billy Goat” for his capra aegagrus hircus-related publicity stunts and notable style of goatee facial hair; and,
WHEREAS, Sianis moved his tavern in 1964 to its present subterranean location on the lower level of 430 North Michigan Avenue. Following the passing of William “Billy Goat” Sianis on October 22, 1970, the business continues under the stewardship of nephew Sam Sianis and the growing family; and,
WHEREAS, The colorful history and lore of the Billy Goat Tavern has been documented in several City of Chicago City Council Resolutions, a tell-all book by journalist Rick Kogan titled “A Chicago Tavern: A Goat, a Curse, and the American Dream,” on the World Wide Web in the Chicago Bar Project, and on television, where, in 1978, Sam Sianis and cook Bill Charuchas were immortalized on NBC by Saturday Night Live's John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray and Loraine Newman in a sketch written by Don Novello; and,
WHEREAS, The Billy Goat Tavern has survived tumultuous changes in public taste, drastic fluctuations in Chicago’s population, encroaching real-estate speculation and rising taxes. Despite many challenges and adversities this family business has expanded to include locations on Washington Street, Wells Street, Madison Street, Navy Pier, in O'Hare International Airport, and in Washington, D.C.; and,
WHEREAS, Each Billy Goat Tavern location will celebrate this 75th anniversary with its loyal customers from all walks of life on Thursday, November 19, 2009, in Chicago, as per custom with the staff calling out to the grill cook: "Cheezborger! Cheezborger! No fries - CHEEPS! No Pepsi – COKE!"; and
WHEREAS, The Honorable Robert W. Fioretti, Alderman of the 2nd Ward, has apprised this august body of this auspicious occasion.
BE IT RESOLVED That we, the Mayor and the members of the City of Chicago City Council, gathered together this 18th Day of November, 2009 A.D., do hereby congratulate Sam Sianis on the endurance of the Billy Goat Tavern for 75 years and wish him and his family continued health and success.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED That a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to Sam Sianis.

nice! thanks for the heads up

I've just been to the one at the Mart, got my burger and hied back to the office. Its very good, and the bun is particularly high-quality.

I went at 10:30, trying to learn from my Kronos disaster, where they were out and closed by the time I got there. The guy at BGT said he wished it'd been limited to after 11, because they serve breakfast till eleven and would like to clear their surfaces for the expected rush. But he admitted there's a sliding scale about lunch, he'll have no trouble making a burger at 10, most days, but would balk at doing it at 7:00.

I'm on a very early schedule these days, so lunch at 10:45 was no hardship.

I have leftovers today so I might not hit it after all. But I'm curious to see how busy they will be.

I have a friend who works downtown. He wanted me to thank chicagotropolis.

He went to the Billy Goat at the UC around noon. It was not crowded. He had 2 burgers and a Bud for $2.25, what a deal.

D.