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Categories: Dive Bars, Burgers, American (Traditional) [Edit]
7316 Circle AvenueHarlem (Green)
Mon-Wed. 5:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.
Thu. 11:30 a.m. - 2:00 a.m.
Fri-Sat. 11:30 a.m. - 3:00 a.m.
Sun. 11:30 a.m. - 2:00 a.m.
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Okay, I'll up the stars a bit for Goldyburgers, since I actually had a pleasant night there a couple weeks ago, with the boyf and another couple.
Still can't give it massive props, though, because there was a big "get together" of some sort going on adjacent to where we were sitting... and it involved loads of screaming, bratty children. And it was a weeknight.
The boyf mumbled something about using birth control under his breath...
Yaaaaaawn! Dull and boring dive... Didn't try the food, although I've heard decent things. My… Read more »
The burgers and the atmosphere kind of remind me of a way more Caucasian Casey's in Detroit. Old, beat up, really not that great, makes you feel uncomfortable, and only worth a return trip if you live around the corner. Certainly not anywhere near what it's cracked up to be.
One thing that really got me was the obviously canned, cold sliced mushrooms that came on my big boy. I can understand going that route in a dive-type burger joint, but at least toss them on the grill for a couple minutes, if only to warm them up and not to give them some color.
Not worth a wholehearted pan, but not worth a full-fledged review either.
Nancy K. didn't go here. They don't cut their burgers in half.Ever. I've been going here for 30 years so I know.
Best burgers anywhere. They have really good cheddar balls. Way better food then Culver's in which people seem to brag about. I assume they brag about this place because they have never been to Goldyburgers. I take people here all the time and they convert. They love it here.
It is dim inside and very simple. I am actually surprised about the eh type reviews. I have never had bad food here.
After hearing over and over again how good the burgers were at Goldyburger, my husband and I couldn't wait to try them.
The first time we went we ordered the Fried Cheese Curds as an appetizer. We were excited to see them on the menu as we both went to College in Wisconsin and this was something we both had all the time! When they came, they were cold and just not good.
Then our burgers came. We both ordered them medium but we got them well done and very dry....I can't even describe the disappointment.
We left sad and defeated, we were excited to have this gem of a burger joint in our neighborhood but then we thought, OK - everyone gets it wrong once in a while, after all several people we know and trust have recommended this place to us so we opted to hold out our judgment after a second go at it.
About 2 months later we went again. We both went in with an open mind and hopeful that this would turn into a staple in our dining out regimen.
We did not get an appetizer this time, we just headed right for the main event. We both ordered burgers with Cheddar. When the waitress asked us how we wanted it cooked, we asked if medium would have a slightly pink center and she said yes. So we both ordered ours medium.
When they came out they lwere way over cooked and dry.
All in all, I will not be going back to Goldyburgers. I think it is a nostalgic restaurant to those who grew up in the area but now is just plainly not good.
I am sorry - I really tried!
Just ok pub grub for a dive bar. Felt like we were on vacation, in Wisconsin near a great fishing place, for folks that have been out on the water all day and didn't catch anything -- in 1969. This joint has been around since 1926 and the place itself has not changed at all -- which has it's charms. They're famous for their burgers. There were 2 parties of two and someone sitting at the bar.
We ordered diet coke and it tasted funny, so we asked what it was -- diet rite (icky and served in small glasses, I had to go up to the bar and ask for a refill). Do you have root beer -- no, do you have regular coke -- no, RC (that's cool).
We ordered a fried mixed combo of shrooms, onion rings and zucchini that comes with cocktail sauce. Came out in a plastic basket with waxed paper and two paper plates. Decent freezer from the bag decent, the sauce was a thick tomato (ice cold) concoction which was ok. We weren't half way done when "here's round two".
We ordered the burgers warm pink and she said "oh medium rare", we said whatever you call it -- we want it a little pink. Came out on styrofoam plates, cut it in half and it's red and tons of red juices flowing out. Waved the server down and she states that's pink, she then took the plates away. My dining companion is ready to leave because they lost their appetite. I said, I think she is going to have it cooked more, at this point they just wanted to leave.
I suggested that we finish the fried vege basket and as we were finishing that when the burgers came back out, No Pink whatsoever but still juicy. They state they use sirloin (and still that juicy? although bland, so maybe it was), came with a nondescript lightweight bun, a slice of onion, a couple leaves of white iceberg lettuce, a mushy slice of tomato, and a couple of slices of jarred pickles that were yucky and fries that were crispy and ok for frozen.
One of the places that was on our list to go and explore, now it's crossed off and we will not be returning, rather disappointing.
This place not so great had a way better burger else where. It is as if they purchase everything frozen and cook it. Fries frozen bland.appetizer: Enlands potato frozen pancakes ( I purchased thoughs in the frozen foods department at jewel)they were enlands alright. Pickles were jared. Soda was in a kiddie cup from playskool kitchen set. One sip the soda was done. Waitress was straight ignant never came to ask if we needed refills you needed to chase her down. The food came out on dirty strofoam plates. And no credit cards excepted!! Never again will I go back.
We use to go to Goldy's years ago with kids. We decided to go back again. We've been back twice. The place hasn't changed much over the years.
We don't eat much meat so it should be good. They were good burgers.
Fries were ok. You gotta love the old, not up-dated or trendy bars, we did.
Service was good. When hungry for a burger, we'd go back. Prices are good.
Good beers on draught.
Finally had the chance to try this on a beautiful June evening. Another case of making sure your expectations are calibrated. I had the standard Goldyburger, which was, as others have mentioned, overcooked. Order rare if you want any pink at all. Fries were good, service was honestly friendly. And patient: we had 6 kids at our table, so, outside at least, it's kid-friendly (though there are no burgers less than the $6 burger).
But that burger was really thick and tasty, and the outdoor eating area very spacious and pleasant. This is a good, solid neighborhood bar and grill, but not really a destination restaurant. I'll go back
BEST BURGER I HAVE EVER HAD IN MY LIFE.
Yup, I'm telling the truth. Read the review below mine for more details and a pretty accurate description.
I suggest you grab a burger there in the daytime or evening if you are between the ages of 21-28. The crowd is a bit older and "less sophistcicated" as Mike P. says below me.
GREAT DATE TIP: You can walk one block South to Circle Bowling Lanes after your awesome burger. OR Walk 3 blocks North to Madison Street and go to the bars there.
This place is a hole in the wall with the best burgers and cheese balls I've ever had. The outside is just your average tavern and so is the inside for that matter. It reminded me of my childhood since my grandfather owned one over by Humboldt Park.
The food is what makes the place though. The Goldyburger, The Hawaiian Burger, the Royal Blue Burger, the Mushroom Burger, and not let's forget the Big Daddy. They also serve fried shrimp, soup, chicken and other things but it's the burger that will keep you coming back.
The neighborhood is slowly changing but I hope this place never does. We have introduce many of our friends to this establishment. I hope you like it as much as we do.
I agree with the great reviews. One of my favorite places to go when it is snowing and damn cold outside. They have sassy Irish waitresses and barmaids. For real.
No credit cards, no checks (though this is the kind of place that might consider cashing your end-of-the-week check for a beer and a shot).
The neighborhood is gentrifying quickly, catch this place before it gets torn down into a condo monstrosity.
http://www.oakparkdad.com
Quick tip: they don't deliver, but you can call ahead and get a nice greasy sack of burgers and onion rings. MMMMM
Like Russell's Barbeque and Parky's Red Hots, Goldyburgers is a near-West suburban "legend". But just like those other two places, Goldyburgers is just a tired, run-down place running on the nostalgia of regulars and folks who ate there as kids. I have eaten there almost annually for a dozen years, each time walking away incredibly disappointed.
The namesake hamburger is, as other reviewers note, Dominick's-quality ground beef, unseasoned and cooked so long that it comes grey and dry as the bun. The rest of the menu is bar fare, taken from the freezer to the deep fryer. Despite the higher than average price, your food is served on a cheap styrofoam plate by well-interntioned servers who never seem to have their act together. The beer garden is pretty but the "TV" out there during baseball season is a 1980's relic that barely displays a picture anymore. Inside, it's a dark and dingy as Hitler's bunker. with a handful of old locals holding court over tap beers. Vote with your dollar and let this place die. It's about halfway there already.
This place is SERIOUS business for anyone who enjoys a good burger. Goldburger's has everything I want in a burger: good size, great taste, consistency, etc. I won't even mention the bun because I didn't even taste it. You know it's a good burger when you don't even care about the freakin' bun or that it's being served to you on a paper plate. And no, I was not drunk. Let me tell ya, this little dive will surprise you. The fried cheese balls were also a big hit. They served them with what tasted like cocktail sauce, but it was actually a great flavor with the deep fried goodness. I'm giving this place 4 stars because I know the next time I go, it can't be as good as the first. It's good for what it is: a grubby little joint in the near west suburbs of Chicago that serves the best damn burger around. Bring enough cash for you and your loved one to get pregnant with a food baby! Thanks.
We love this place for the cheeseballs, the burgers, the beer garden (equipped with a TV & a Cubs game) and Charlie--the most down-to-earth, caring, "hey, I remember your order every time you come" server in town.
OMG! Freaking they served my burger RARE! It was RARE BLOODY GOODNESS mixed with blue cheese! Just awesome.
MMMM...Burgery! I agree with everything said here except for the bowling alley bit--I've never been there but I'm sure it's very nice. Don't leave without sampling a mouthful of the fried cheese balls. This place is so Chicago that I half-expected them to serve my beer in one of those waxed paper "SportService" cups they had at the Stadium during Hawks games.
I went here on a Sunday afternoon with my parents I had heard some great things about this place and was very excited. It was pretty quiet with quite a few tables open. The service was very good.
We ordered an appetizer of cheddar cheese balls... they were very tasty with a nice crust on the outside and melted, smooth cheddar cheese on the inside. Very tasty! I ordered my blue cheese and bacon burger medium. Everything was served on paper/styrofoam plates. I was a little disappointed in the bun and fries (bland), but the actual burger was outstanding. There was a large amount of blue cheese on the top. I would highly recommend the blue cheese burger with bacon! The prices are actually very good.
I think I would like to come here again when it was a bit more busy to get more of a feel for the atmosphere.
that was indeed a tasty burger (although the fries were kinda subpar), but i can't for the life of me figure out how two people managed to spend fifty bucks on two burgers and two rounds of beer.
OK, Lincoln Park and Lakeview people, forget everything you know about "the city's best burger". The best burger in this state, is found at Goldyburger in Forest Park. That being said, let me qualify my statement. The best real burger is here, it's not fast food. This is a $7, hand patted, half-pound burger. The varieties are many. Goldyburger is a Forest Park bar and restaurant that has been open since the 1920's. We can't even say that for Billy Goat. The atmosphere at Goldy's is 100% "old Chicago". The ceiling of the bar and restaurant is copper. The bar 360 degree wrap around. The beer garden is simple. They have Guinness, but that's probably the most exotic beer on the menu. If you order a martini, it's probably will come in a tulip glass, and be made gin (since that is what a real martini has in it). The burgers here will please any carnivore. Don't forget to get a couple of baskets of fried cheese balls to go with it. Forest Park as a whole is great if you want to have a little less trendy or sophisticated night out. If you want to have a good beer and shots and highballs night, and get away for about half the price of the city, I recommend a trip out there.
this place has a crazy good burger.. my boyfriend took me here specifically for the burger and we ate, drank, and got stuck playing bar video games for hours -- great stop!
Forest Park, IL
Category: Irish
Forest Park, IL
Category: Italian
Forest Park, IL
Category: Dive Bars
River Forest, IL
Category: Italian
Forest Park, IL
Category: Restaurants
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