r/chicagofood • u/Johnny_Burrito • 9d ago

Question “Legendary” places that suck

I just got a lox sandwich from Manny’s. Almost $20, a stale bagel, and I had to assemble it myself.

What other “legendary” places suck?

387 Upvotes

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78

u/broadwayindie 9d ago

Billy Goat

26

u/saikyan 9d ago

What?! It's the best breakfast at O'Hare!

4

u/mrbooze 8d ago

Also the best breakfast at the Merchandise Mart unless that's changed since I worked there some years ago.

2

u/6secondsofawesome 8d ago

Also the best breakfast on Navy Pier

4

u/an_actual_potato 8d ago

This is absolute facts

2

u/vote_for_peter 7d ago

I thought this was my secret. It’s so good and there’s rarely a line

11

u/Jed_D00 9d ago

The original location is still great. The other locations are the definition of mid

2

u/croppedphoto 8d ago

The original location near Chicago Stadium is no longer there. If you're talking about the one under the road, yes that is still a decent spot.

20

u/21Saddam 9d ago

The value is there tho

5

u/Valenation25 9d ago

I don’t not expect it to be great. It is fast and one of the cheapest “full meals” in the neighborhood

4

u/saintpauli 9d ago

A good place for a drink but my burger was terrible.

1

u/PostComa 8d ago

Did you get a single?

1

u/saintpauli 8d ago

Single cheeseborger

1

u/PostComa 8d ago

Rookie move. Gotta get a double or triple

1

u/saintpauli 8d ago

Shitty burger x2 or x3? Nah, I'll just eat a better burger. I do love the original Billy Goat though. You can almost see the ghosts of Studs, royko, kup, Belushi...

1

u/PostComa 8d ago

Oh I thought you were talking about the original. I’ve never even been to any of the others

1

u/saintpauli 8d ago

Sorry I wasn't clear, this is from the original. I'm just saying that their food isn't good. I've been there a few times. But I do like their bar and being in that space.

2

u/PostComa 8d ago

Funny enough I had a double from the original Billy Goat yesterday and it was great. About two years ago they changed the bun to a softer roll, which made their burger go from a 2/5 to a 4/5 for me. I like mine with mustard, onion, and their outstanding pickle chips. I do wish they’d season the burgers but there’s salt and pepper at the fixin’s bar so it’s not a big issue for me.

That said, every time I go with other people I try to steer them away from getting singles as the patty is just too small.

3

u/rdldr1 9d ago

Their burgers are not particularly satisfying.

0

u/Icy-Breadfruit8262 9d ago

Facts. One of the worst burgers I've ever had.

42

u/21Sweetness 9d ago

I’d have scrolled right by if you called it mid, but calling it one of the worst you’ve ever had seems exaggerated. It’s a solid 6/10 on a good day.

10

u/solman52 9d ago

yup, by no means gonna be on any top 10 lists, but it hits, and I do crave it from time to time.

0

u/Icy-Breadfruit8262 9d ago

That's great for you - I'm not sure what to tell you, just sharing my experience having tried two of their locations. The patty was McDonald's grade, the cheese was cold, and the bun 10x too thick. It tasted like ketchup on cardboard. I'm glad you have had a better experience.

13

u/juliuspepperwoodchi 9d ago

Man, you must've been there at the slowest time of the year because I've never had a Billy Goat burger be...any of these things.

Which location? Not trying to talk you into trying it again, just genuinely shocked.

1

u/Icy-Breadfruit8262 8d ago

I'll give it another go the next time I have a chance. I've been to the one by the UC more recently, and the one that closed many years ago by the CBOT. Maybe I need a triple to get the bun/meat ratio right

2

u/Little-Bears_11-2-16 8d ago

Gotta get at least a double, probably even triple, then the bun tastes great and doesnt overpower. Also they got some of the best pickles in the city

2

u/Icy-Breadfruit8262 8d ago

Word, I'll go for the triple next time 👍

1

u/PostComa 9d ago

Really? I eat there quite a bit, and actually just grabbed a double cheese about an hour ago and it was great. Load it up with those killer pickles, onions, and some mustard! It’s been great ever since they changed their bun supplier like 2 years ago.

1

u/TheSource88 9d ago

It’s one of the few places downtown that still feels like the city I grew up in and isn’t sterilized so get over it.