Herman Joseph Berghoff founded a brewery in the state of Indiana and sold his beer at the Columbian Exposition (otherwise known as the World's Fair) in 1893. Five years later, he opened a men's-only saloon at 17 West Adams Street and served free corned beef sandwiches to patrons who purchased a stein of beer. Upon the repeal of Prohibition in 1933, the Berghoff was awarded Chicago's first two liquor licenses, one for the bar and one for the restaurant, and each is hanging on the wall in the dining room today. In fact, it wasn't until the repeal of Prohibition that the Berghoff became a "full restaurant." The bar (as opposed to the restaurant) remained a men's-only hangout until 1969, when seven members of the National Organization of Women (Gloria Steinem included) sat down at the counter and demanded service. At the time, Herman Berghoff (from the third generation of the family) was allegedly so fearful of an encounter with the women that he spent the entire time hiding in his office. He did, however, consent to their being served.

The restaurant is now in its fourth generation of family ownership and is presently operated by Carlyn Berghoff. It is the second-oldest restaurant in the city. Diners enjoy both traditional German and modern American fare, and the root beer has always been a favorite (a tradition that dates back to the Prohibition era).

By the way, movie buffs will be glad to know that Gotham cops arrested a great many gangsters inside the Berghoff in the film "The Dark Knight."