Goldyburgers - Forest Park

As you may know, the Oak Park Boys LTH dining/drinking "club" recently went over to Goldyburgers. I wanted to do kind of a "low" culture outing after last month's "high" culture at Marion Street Cheese Market. I would say dollar for dollar, there's no comparison as to where I'd rather spend my time and money.

Goldy's is a dive bar that's been around for 50-60 years. It looks like it hasn't changed much since it opened. The newest decorations are some Bears Super Bowl XX posters. The beer and liquor selection is poor (I stick with Guinness when there), but it's free flowing and cheap. HOWEVER, not surprisingly (given the name of the place), they make a pretty good bar burger, which comes with fries for about $8 or $9. And you get a paper plate too, which you can keep or give back, either way.

Now, in my opinion, the Goldyburger annihilates the Five Guys burger in a head-to-head comp. Alas, the fries are no great shakes (Sysco special). Apps are only of the deep-fried kind, but they aren't too bad for that kind of thing. Wings were OK. I would get them again if I were burgered-out.

Ronnie took some photos, which you can find in this thread: viewtopic.php?f=19&t=31045&p=363991#p363991

However, Ronnie is such a good photographer, he makes the place look much too nice.


Goldyburgers
7316 Circle Avenue
(between Belvidere Ave & Franklin St)
Forest Park, IL 60130
(708) 366-0750

My experiences eating at Goldyburgers have been less than remarkable. I do appreciate the homemade from-scratch qualities of their burgers, but at the same time, they remind me too much of my own homemade from-scratch burgers - which is to say, nothing special. You're right, though, that it is a bit of a dive, and without a doubt the burgers are indeed the only item on the menu worth a shot. But please take that as faint praise.

teatpuller wrote:Ronnie took some photos, which you can find in this thread: http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.ph ... 91#p363991

I'm reposting the liquor-impaired shots here, just for convenience sake . . .


"Goldydog"



Royal Burger with grilled onions



Unknown Burger



Unknown Burger



Unknown Burger



Unknown Burgermeisters

I had a good time the other night at Goldyburgers. My burger was fine -- not the best, not the worst. Teatpuller advised me to order it rare and I'm glad I did because it came out medium.

Pigmon pointed out to me that up until a few years ago, most reviews of this place were positive and then, as if someone flipped a switch, the momentum got decidedly negative. Does anyone know if some event triggered this shift?

I can't remember the last time I saw Early Times behind a bar but that's what I ordered and it -- along with the stellar company -- swung my Monday from negative to positive.

I don't think this place is a destination by any means but if you're in the area, it's probably worth an occasional stop.

=R=

Interesting that you bring that up. When I moved to Oak Park some 8 years ago, Goldyburgers was one of my first discoveries, and I recall my first burger there being pretty good. But I also recall my second and third burgers in subsequent years being not as good. Different meat? Different owner? Different cook? Who knows. Same crappy fries, though.

If you don't like a Goldyburger, it's because you haven't had enough to drink.

Ha, might I refer you to your first post, in which you note the poor beer and liquor selection. And thus a vicious cycle is born.

HAving worked in the area for years, I can say that the Oak Park area is sadly void of great burger options as far I can tell. When I crave them at work, I must admit that I opt for Culvers or even Portillos further west on North Ave (my two fave fast food burgers).

Winberies on Lake St in Oak Park has a very nice higher end burger.

Are there any great burgers in this area?

Vitesse98 wrote:Ha, might I refer you to your first post, in which you note the poor beer and liquor selection. And thus a vicious cycle is born.

You're not supposed to START drinking at Goldyburgers!

Probably depending on whose in the kitchen will determine the quality of your burger.

I like Goldys and have almost always been satisfied with the burger.

So I will not KNOCK Goldy's. But to me, Goldys is one of those "once in a while" places you visit because of the atmosphere, history and because the burger is good .

I do agree that Oak Park is lacking.

I couldn't wait to try Five Guys. I gave it 3 trys. Five Guys is HIGHLY over rated and has not ONCE got my order right on the first try. I have no desire to return. ( I got a better burger from that local snack shop at Marion and Lake).

I will however give several stars to Mickeys on Harlem.

Their Big Mickey (Double Cheeseburger) has never failed to satisfy. No, it's not a gormet burger, as it catagorizes more as a SMASH burger. But in taste and price.. It's many times better than Five Guys will ever be.

I have to say I really like Goldyburger.
The fries as noted are nothing great but I've never had a burger there I didn't thoroughly enjoy.

I am lukewarm to Goldy's burgers. In the Oak Park area, I think the burgers at Duckfat (to which I am a recent convert), Avenue Ale House and the Kobe burger at Maya del Sol are better.

I am partial to Goldyburgers, and have been for many, many years. This place has had exactly two owners since it opened in the 1920's. I think that is also the number of menu changes in all that time. There is something to be said for consistency. This is, and always has been, a neighborhood joint with very low prices, good, friendly service and a serviceable menu of safe, reliable eats. They are not Duckfat, Avenue Ale House or O'Sullivans-nor do they aspire to be. They are a local Forest Park tavern that serves a 2.75 bottle of beer and a six dollar burger. If I don't want the fries, which ain't great, I get the potato pancakes, or celery/carrot/blue cheese combo from the wings. It works well for me. I am sure there a better burgers, better venues, etc. than Goldy's. But for over fifty years I've known what I am getting into when I walk in the door: an enjoyable evening with friends, a bunch of cheap beer and a good burger.

Our burgers (or at least mine) the other night were more carelessly charred and skimpier on the meat than my last visits, a distinct improvement on both counts, as I usually find them a weird, pale, giant meatball of a sandwich, reminiscent of a Chicago softball. I say this not without affection; this is a unique style, and with hand-formed patties so bizarrely rare around these parts, there has historically been much to value in the Goldyburger. The brogue and arched eyebrows they were served with was just the right seasoning; an admirably-organized evening, volcanically blistering mushrooms notwithstanding.

I think thick summed it up nicely:

thick wrote:This is, and always has been, a neighborhood joint with very low prices, good, friendly service and a serviceable menu of safe, reliable eats. They are not Duckfat, Avenue Ale House or O'Sullivans-nor do they aspire to be. They are a local Forest Park tavern that serves a 2.75 bottle of beer and a six dollar burger.
(snipped by zoid)
But for over fifty years I've known what I am getting into when I walk in the door: an enjoyable evening with friends, a bunch of cheap beer and a good burger.

Sometimes I just want a well made burger and a few bottles of beer to go along with some good company - Goldyburger fills that need very nicely.