4 W I N T E R 2 0 2 4 BUSINESS spotlight Julie Baer said, “We like comfort food. If you have a bad day, you need mashed potatoes. Everything about our restaurant is extremely homey with a warm atmosphere. People want to stay here and enjoy time with their families.” Shortened Name, Long History Billygoat’s Grub & Pub was named after Julie’s grandma Alma, whose playful nickname was Billygoat due to her chin hair. The name had to be shortened to BG’s Grub & Pub for legal reasons. “Shortly after we opened, Billygoat’s Tavern in Chicago came after the name, so we had to become BG’s Grub & Pub. But it will always be Billygoat’s to us and to the locals. I still say Billygoat’s when I answer the phone,” she said. BG’s Grub & Pub is located at 110 E Warren St. in Bunker Hill, Illinois, inside a three-story 1862 building that was formerly an opera house, movie theater, basketball gym, and pharmacy. Baer recalled, “It was like an archeology treasure hunt when we went through the building’s basement. We found undisturbed medicine bottles, Mason jars from the 1800s, and an 1881 Bible. Many of those items are now on display. The tables at BG’s also have history, since they were made of wood from an old barn in the area.” Food Mixed with Fun The menu at BG’s Grub & Pub features homestyle meals (using only real butter) with generous portions at good prices— including signature apps, sandwiches, burgers, fish, specials, and salads. To top off a meal, customers love the unique Dessert Nachos, which are crispy tortilla wedges coated with cinnamon sugar and topped with the cheesecake cream flavor of the month and drizzled sauce. While customers are eating, they’ll probably get a visit from Baer, who’s described as bold and hilarious by those who know her. BG’s Grub & Pub When owners Jim and Julie Baer opened Billygoat’s Grub & Pub in 2019, the couple had no background in running a restaurant. They did, however, have a lot of travel experience and liked to eat at “mom and pop” places wherever they went. This homey place is where families love to gather
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