WRIGLEYVILLE — With so much on the line for the Cubs as they enter the postseason Friday against the San Francisco Giants, it's natural for fans to be a little anxious.
But what could soothe the nerves of Cubs fans better than some succulent, roasted goat?
Several Wrigleyville spots are serving up goat in one form or another in hopes of beating that dead-horse Billy Sianis curse. Other bars and restaurants are finding creative ways to celebrate the postseason. Here's the rundown:
OLD CROW ROASTS GOAT
With fans desperate to reverse the curse, eating goat meat has become a popular tradition around Wrigley, both during Opening Day and with postseason hopes.
Old Crow Smokehouse, 3506 N. Clark St., is serving up a 50-pound roasted goat Friday ahead of the 8:15 p.m. game. After roasting the goat for three hours, the bar will dole out free samples during the day.
While you might worry what a smelly old goat would taste like, this goat farmer likens it to a cross between lamb and beef, although he said some people think it tastes more like venison. Because goat has a low fat content, slow roasting is a great way to keep the meat tender.
It's also prepared as steaks, barbecue and sausage, and goes well with mint, rosemary, thyme and marjoram.
Dark Horse Tap and Grill is offering a grilled goat bratwurst from Paulina Meat Market as a Cubs postseason special. [Provided/Dark Horse]
DON'T BE SUCH A BRAT
If you prefer your goat on a bun, the Dark Horse Tap and Grill will have an $11 grilled goat bratwurst, sourced from Paulina Meat Market down the street.
Ground with pork, organo and majoram, the brat is topped with carmelized onions and served on a pretzel bun with fries. Guzzle it down with some of the bar's 24 drafts, including beer from Chicago's Revolution Brewing, Goose Island Beer Company and Lagunitas.
NEED A TICKET TO THE GAME?
If fantastic karaoke and a Key West theme aren't enough to get you into Trader Todd's, perhaps some Cubs playoff tickets will do the trick.
The tiki bar, 3216 N. Sheffield Ave., will raffle off a pair of tickets to Friday and Saturday's games. Names will be drawn 30 minutes before the game, and customers must visit Trader Todd's and make a purchase the day of the game to enter their names.
Trader Todd's will also have pre-game happy hour starting three hours before the first pitch. Specials include $2 Rolling Rock and $1 sliders. Plus, free wings for fans with ticket stubs who buy a drink after the game.
Stanley's Kitchen & Tap claims to be a spot where Anthony Rizzo enjoys a few rounds of karaoke. [Provided/Stanley's]
SING KARAOKE, POSSIBLY WITH ANTHONY RIZZO
Rumor is that Anthony Rizzo enjoys belting out some tunes at Stanley's Kitchen & Tap in Lincoln Park, the restaurant claims. Chow down on some StanBurgers and keep your eyes peeled for the first baseman.
The no-nonsense homestyle eatery, 1970 N. Lincoln Ave., has been around since 1993 and offers up some tasty Southern fried chicken, homemade apple pie and what the Chicago Tribune once called "God's own mac 'n' cheese."
Bourbon is also listed as an appetizer on their dinner menu, so it's fairly certain customers will have a good time, whether they catch a glimpse of Rizzo or not.
A FRESHII NEW CAREER PATH
The fast-casual Freshii is offering a Wrigleyville franchise to a diehard Cubs fan if the team does go all the way. In exchange for one World Series title, the Toronto-based chain will waive its $30,000 franchising fee for a Wrigleyville location.
While the winner will still pay for the restaurant's renovation and equipment, it's a chance to serve up healthy wraps, bowls, burritos, frozen yogurt and smoothies to fellow Cubbies.
Interested fans can email cubiifan@freshii.com. Freshii will open Bucktown, Streeterville and Loop locations this year, joining 23 Freshiis already open in Chicago.
Merkle's has renamed itself The Pink Flamingo as a nod to Cubs manager Joe Maddon, who dreams of owning such a bar one day. [Provided/Merkle's]
THE RETURN OF THE PINK FLAMINGO
Devoted Joe Maddonites will recall his fond wish to own a bar called The Pink Flamingo. Last year, Merkle's Bar and Grill renamed itself for the playoffs in the Cubs manager's honor.
The Pink Flamingo is back at 3516 N. Clark St. and decked out with a 5-foot flamingo, flamingo lights and a special pink stool reserved for honorary owner Maddon.
Half the proceeds from four specialty postseason drinks will be donated to Cubs Care on Maddon's behalf. The drinks include last year's beer-infused cocktails named for Maddon's three flamingo pals, plus a Maddon's Mule.
Come November, the bar will revert to its old name. The bar's namesake is Fred "Bonehead" Merkle, who in some ways was responsible for the Cubs' last World Series win.
Back in 1908, Merkle was playing for the New York Giants when a teammate scored a home run, seemingly ending the game. But Merkle failed to complete his run to second base before heading to the Giants' clubhouse and was called out.
The Giants' win was erased, and the tilt in fortunes got the Cubs the National League pennant.
Let's hope we're so lucky this year.
The Cubs and Wrigley Field are 95 percent owned by a trust established for the benefit of the family of Joe Ricketts, owner and CEO of DNAinfo.com. Joe Ricketts has no direct involvement in the management of the iconic team.
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