Billy Goat Tavern (The Original)
Hamburger restaurant · Lower 430 North, N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, United States · United States
★ 4.5 on Google · 6,047 reviews · View on Google Maps
Manipulation score
CleanCompleted Aug 5, 2026 · 91 reviews flagged
How this score works
The score estimates how strongly this place's review record matches known manipulation patterns, from 0 (no signs) to 100. Verdicts: Clean below 40, Suspicious from 40, Likely Manipulated from 70. It rises with the share of reviews flagged and how suspicious each one is.
- Burst
- — an abnormal spike of five-star reviews in a single day compared to the place's usual pace.
- Low activity account
- — the reviewer has almost no other reviews, photos, or Local Guide history; throwaway accounts look like this.
- Duplicate text
- — the wording is nearly identical to another review of the same place.
Verdicts are statistical estimates based on public review patterns, not accusations.
Review anatomy
Reviews examined
1,000
Flagged
91
9% of examined
Flagged avg rating
4.8★
place average 4.5★
Reviews per month
| Month | Reviews | Flagged |
|---|---|---|
| Jun ’25 | 45 | 27 |
| Jul ’25 | 110 | 9 |
| Aug ’25 | 96 | 5 |
| Sep ’25 | 99 | 2 |
| Oct ’25 | 76 | 2 |
| Nov ’25 | 60 | 1 |
| Dec ’25 | 43 | 2 |
| Jan ’26 | 29 | 3 |
| Feb ’26 | 35 | 5 |
| Mar ’26 | 58 | 7 |
| Apr ’26 | 61 | 3 |
| May ’26 | 79 | 9 |
| Jun ’26 | 102 | 8 |
| Jul ’26 | 95 | 6 |
| Aug ’26 | 12 | 2 |
Rating distribution
Evidence
-
burst
8 occurrences — worst: 7 five-star reviews on 2025-06-27 vs avg 0.8/day
weight 1
Show all 8
- 3 five-star reviews on 2025-06-20 vs avg 0.0/day
- 3 five-star reviews on 2025-06-21 vs avg 0.1/day
- 4 five-star reviews on 2025-06-22 vs avg 0.2/day
- 3 five-star reviews on 2025-06-23 vs avg 0.3/day
- 3 five-star reviews on 2025-06-24 vs avg 0.4/day
- 4 five-star reviews on 2025-06-25 vs avg 0.5/day
- 7 five-star reviews on 2025-06-27 vs avg 0.8/day
- 5 five-star reviews on 2026-02-20 vs avg 0.9/day
- low activity account 55 reviews flagged weight 0.8
- duplicate text 7 reviews flagged weight 0.9
Flagged reviews
Exhibit — 3 reviews, near-identical wording
Enjoy the food and great service!
- Shawn Callies ★★★★★ 2025-08-29 suspicion 63
- C B D ★★★★★ 2025-12-05 suspicion 66
- Royce Schwendiman ★★★★★ 2026-01-15 suspicion 66
Exhibit — 2 reviews, near-identical wording
Cheeseburger, chips, Coke (no Pepsi).
- Christopher Mann ★★★★★ 2025-07-30 suspicion 60
- Bert Pluska ★★★ 2026-08-02 suspicion 60
Exhibit — 2 reviews, near-identical wording
Fabulous burgers and a great atmosphere
- Luke Davies-Colley ★★★★★ 2025-06-21 suspicion 95
- JOSE LUIS OLMEDO CERVERA ★★★★★ 2026-05-12 suspicion 67
Showing the 10 most suspicious of 84 remaining flagged reviews.
Brody Vejprava
2 reviews
★★★★★
2026-02-20
Amazing service, amazing cheezborger, amazing music & vibes! Manoli & Aurora made the experience! 10/10
katherine brady
1 review · Local Guide
★★★★★
2025-06-27
Joe Knauf
4 reviews
★★★★★
2026-02-20
Tyler Webb
5 reviews
★★★★★
2026-02-20
What a great experience. I'll arrive again! This is my new favorite place in Chicago. My meal and beverage choice was assisted with the tasteful recommendations from Aurora and Manoli. Top tier and elite establishment 👍
Brett P
3 reviews
★★★★★
2026-02-20
Fantastic service from Manila and Aurora. The double cheeseborger was great.
Jamie Cochrane
37 reviews · Local Guide
★★★★★
2026-02-20
Sweet baby rays! The people here are the best. Manoli and Aurora served us succulent boooorgers and were super nice. Will most def be recommending. Thanks guys.
FAYE GARDNER
5 reviews · Local Guide
★★★★★
2025-06-27
Theresa Flores
47 reviews · Local Guide
★★★★★
2025-06-27
We love this place. Food is good and atmosphere is friendly.
Phil Ault
89 reviews · Local Guide
★★★★★
2025-06-27
Awesome historic burger place. Must visit.
Agustin Sandoval
284 reviews · Local Guide
★★★★★
2025-06-27
Doesn’t look like much but service is quick and friendly. Basic menu with affordable pricing considering location. Worth a stop for a dated nostalgic feel of an older restaurant with nothing fancy. Got a triple burger with chips and a soda. Affordable and tastes good. Worth stopping in for a quick b...
Report generated Aug 5, 2026. Reviews change — you can request a fresh investigation.
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