Media Fellows at Billy Goat Tavern
The SOC Media Fellows got a real taste of Chicago when they recently feasted on cheeseburgers, chips and Coke, (no Pepsi), at the famous Billy Goat Tavern.
The 25 Media Fellows took a field trip to the original Billy Goat, a burger joint made famous in a classic Saturday Night Live sketch which coined the phrase, “cheeseborger, cheeseborger, chesseborger.”
Soda jerk caps on and smiles all around as Billy Goat Tavern staff welcome Media Fellows behind the counter for an unforgettable Chicago experience.
The Billy Goat was opened in 1934 on the lower level of Michigan Avenue, and was mainly a hangout for newspaper reporters, cops and other Chicago characters. Owner William Sianis made history in 1945 when he placed a curse on the Chicago Cubs after the team wouldn’t let his pet goat into Wrigley Field. But it was the 1978 SNL skit which gave the Billy Goat national recognition.
The trip to the Billy Goat was one of the special activities for this inaugural class of Media Fellows, a select group of freshmen who will spend the next four years taking classes together and participating in special events and activities, travel, internships, community engagement and service projects.
Media Fellows go behind the counter at the original Billy Goat Tavern, flipping burgers and getting a hands-on taste of Chicago history.
After watching the SNL skit in class, the Media Fellows dutifully marched down Michigan Avenue and lined up at the Billy Goat for double cheeseburgers, chips and Coke. (The Billy Goat has traditionally served Coke, despite the SNL skit tagline: “No Coke, Pepsi.”)
“Not being from Chicago, I was surprised to find such an amazing place under the street. Even before we sat down with our food, the Billy Goat Tavern felt so authentic because of the human interactions and the original backlit menu signs. And the best cheeseburger I’ve ever had,” said Media Fellow Norman Tiedemann, a Film & Digital Media major.
The Billy Goat staff surprised each student by giving them a “soda jerk” cap. And the cook even let some of the Media Fellows behind the counter to flip burgers on the grill.
“It was a fun experience, and even more fun when I asked one of the cooks if it was possible to flip some patties on the grill. Moments later, my classmate Sophia and I were working the kitchen. For sure a Fellows Media moment I won't forget,” said Media Fellow Kim Flores, a Communication Studies major.
The Media Fellows take over the original Billy Goat Tavern after watching the iconic SNL “cheeseborger” skit and heading out for a field trip on Michigan Avenue.
“It was so cool to see the place that inspired the famous 'cheeseborger, cheeseborger, cheesborger' SNL skit,” said Media Fellow Sophia LaGalbo, a Film & Digital Media major. “But it was even better getting behind the counter to cook our own burgers and act out the skit ourselves.”
The trip to the Billy Goat was one of the special activities this inaugural class of Media Fellows has experienced during the 2025-26 school year. Other outings have included a deep dish pizza making class, an improve workshop at Second City, and later this spring, a trip to Wrigley Field for a tour and a Cubs game.
Each year, a new group of freshman are selected to be Media Fellows based on their academic performance, extracurricular accomplishments and their creativity. Incoming freshmen for the 2026-27 school year can apply here to be a Media Fellow: SOC Media Fellows Application
Story by John Slania • Photos by Paul Quinn • Feb. 10, 2026
“Cheeseborger, Cheeseborger, Cheeseborger!” Media Fellows get taste of Chicago at Billy Goat Tavern
The Billy Goat was opened in 1934 on the lower level of Michigan Avenue, and was mainly a hangout for newspaper reporters, cops and other Chicago characters. Owner William Sianis made history in 1945 when he placed a curse on the Chicago Cubs after the team wouldn’t let his pet goat into Wrigley Field. But it was the 1978 SNL skit which gave the Billy Goat national recognition.
The trip to the Billy Goat was one of the special activities for this inaugural class of Media Fellows, a select group of freshmen who will spend the next four years taking classes together and participating in special events and activities, travel, internships, community engagement and service projects.
After watching the SNL skit in class, the Media Fellows dutifully marched down Michigan Avenue and lined up at the Billy Goat for double cheeseburgers, chips and Coke. (The Billy Goat has traditionally served Coke, despite the SNL skit tagline: “No Coke, Pepsi.”)
“Not being from Chicago, I was surprised to find such an amazing place under the street. Even before we sat down with our food, the Billy Goat Tavern felt so authentic because of the human interactions and the original backlit menu signs. And the best cheeseburger I’ve ever had,” said Media Fellow Norman Tiedemann, a Film & Digital Media major.
The Billy Goat staff surprised each student by giving them a “soda jerk” cap. And the cook even let some of the Media Fellows behind the counter to flip burgers on the grill.
“It was a fun experience, and even more fun when I asked one of the cooks if it was possible to flip some patties on the grill. Moments later, my classmate Sophia and I were working the kitchen. For sure a Fellows Media moment I won't forget,” said Media Fellow Kim Flores, a Communication Studies major.
“It was so cool to see the place that inspired the famous 'cheeseborger, cheeseborger, cheesborger' SNL skit,” said Media Fellow Sophia LaGalbo, a Film & Digital Media major. “But it was even better getting behind the counter to cook our own burgers and act out the skit ourselves.”
The trip to the Billy Goat was one of the special activities this inaugural class of Media Fellows has experienced during the 2025-26 school year. Other outings have included a deep dish pizza making class, an improve workshop at Second City, and later this spring, a trip to Wrigley Field for a tour and a Cubs game.
Each year, a new group of freshman are selected to be Media Fellows based on their academic performance, extracurricular accomplishments and their creativity. Incoming freshmen for the 2026-27 school year can apply here to be a Media Fellow: SOC Media Fellows Application