Mud Bug Otb

The picture shown is the old building. They tore down that building and moved across the street. The new building is a lot smaller and is adjacent to sports bar. So what you have here is an older crowd mixing with a lot younger crowd that really shows up on the weekends to watch college sports. In a perfect world this might work but it doesn’t work here. You have working class folks, cab drivers, police officers and street hustlers, then you have yuppies and wanna be yuppies. Its like mixing oil and water. Don’t try this joint on any big race day because its fire code unsafe.

Being from Kentucky, there are a few things that I miss. One of them is horse racing. However, put me on a track, give me a guide and I’m all about giving it my best in hopes for the big payout… the trifecta. OK, so this is an OTB. Why not watch several races on Mud Bug’s several TV’s instead? It’s a great place to grab some friends, have some drinks and throw in some money in attempts to win big money. The automatic machines make placing bets easy. Even if you know what you want to bet, but not sure how to explain it, no need to worry because all you do is type your wage in the computer and go.
I’ve been there a few times with a group of friends and we all had a great time. No, I haven’t won the big payout, but I’ve had fun trying.

This dirty little gem is the place to be if you want to watch the Kentucky Derby in the city. It was fun, tacky, and run down… just like an OTB should be! My large group of girlfriends and I stood out like a sore thumb among the overweight, white filthy t-​shirt wearing regulars. I can’t say I’d ever be caught dead here on any day other than the Derby, but it served it’s purpose and we all still talk about the randomness fondly.

Yes, I went to an OTB. Don’t judge, ok?
I had absolutely no idea what to expect. In my mind, I thought it would be a bit classier than it was. When I think of horse races, I think of the Kentucky Derby, with all the beautiful women in their fancy hats, and the beautiful horses and rich owners, etc.
However, this is not what I actually saw…
What I did see is a number of people with missing teeth, sweatpants, socks with sandals (cardinal sin), etc. etc. You get the picture.
But that didn’t matter. Because betting is so much fun! I can see how it gets addicting. It was easy to place your bets, and no lines for drinks or anything. To me, it’s fun to see the horses race and try to figure out any combination that could potentially score you some cash. Very difficult, however, and my dad blew through around $ 100, but what the hell, we tried and it was a fun experience.
A bit dirty, yes, but I get the feeling OTBs aren’t the classiest of hang outs. I can imagine this place would be very fun around the time of the Derby.

Its not the best OTB in the Chicagoland area — you have to go to the burbs for those. It is however the best OTB inside of Chicago. They have the stereotypical appearance of wood paneling, not so polished floors, and a really nice staff.
The food leaves something to be desired — but find me an OTB that is in Zagats. The bar prices are about average, but again thats par for the course.
Things it doesnt have that other OTBs have:
1) A large collection of 400 lb russian/​italian men who have «their seats» and gamble on the horses all day
2) Good parking
3) A reasonably safe neighborhood (look for car dates going down nearby)
4) A sense of humor.
Otherwise I’m down with this place if I am bored and in the area.

Solid OTB in the Chi. Not as fancy as Stretch Run (which closed) but I don’t think an OTB should be fancy. 4 stars for:
1) allowing you to drink/​gamble/​eat at the same time
2) not trying to be classy
3) mediocre bar food
4) decent service

this is an otb ok, it’s dirty and so are a lot of the people in it, i don’t even think there’s a bouncer, literally everyone is allowed in no matter if they live in a million dollar penthouse or under the expressway at armitage, do not come here expecting awesome service or any frills at all, come here to bet and watch races, most days there are just a bunch of regulars there and now that the other otbs downtown are closed they all go here, this one guy snorts extremely loud every 30 seconds, but at the end of the day it’s an above average otb, they’ve got the good machines and it’s not trying to be more than it is, it can get crazy on the big racing days (breeders cup/​derby), but any other time you should be able to find a decent spot to chill and go about your business

Minus 1 star for the 2.00 fee to pay when you walk in. Minus 1 star for having to pay almost 2.00 for a pen you can get a whole pack of at a drug store.
1 star for the great bar and great bartender :) Wish they had a few beer specials, not that I am a weekly frequenter or anything !!! It just would be nice.
1 star for the friendly guys who take bets for having to deal with me and my friends who sometimes need a little help with placing the bets :) hehe…
1 star for being really clean and for not making you feel like an outcast among all the regulars. And i like the name. Mudbug, hehe.

I’ve been here twice now (last year for the KY Derby, and this year for the KY Derby). It’s a pretty fun time. Last year one of our friends got there early and fought the crowds to get us a table. This year I called and got a reservation (I was impressed that they took reservations for an event as big as the Derby). We had a group of 12 or so and they were able to accomodate us all.
The place itself is def not high class or swanky. It’s an OTB place– it’s clean but very bare bones, outdated. It is also HUGE and a TON of fun!
By I’d say 1pm the place was packed. The crowd was made up of young people, old people, regulars and novice gamblers. Luckily one of our friends is more hip to pony racing and was able to explain to us how to place bets. I won $ 23 whole dollars!
You can place bets at a touch screen computer or get in line and go up to the window. To me, the window was more fun, but the computer was the way I placed my bets for race 11 just due to the long lines.
There are TVs EVERYWHERE so there is no such thing as a bad seat. They’ve got big screen, flat screen, small flat screen, and I think there were even some projection, but I could be mistaken.
The staff was helpful even with the crazy crowds and all the novice gamblers who had no idea what they were doing.
A fun note: my girls and I dressed in sundresses and sported awesome KY Derby hats which got a lot of fun attention. People even asked us if we’d take pics with them. There were a bunch of guys also dressed for the event– some even in seer sucker suits. It’s a fun time, especially if you have a fun group that will really get into the spirit of things!
I recomment the place!

«I won my first 3 grand here», said Clara. And she did.
Now then; James doesn’t know what he’s talking about. He’s clearly lost the farm, his shirt, and his dog to a few lousy bets. This cat’s a real lame Jones… and what I call a «cooler». Avoid him.
Come on Derby Day and wear a hat. Wear a hat and win some money. This place is the only place you need to be BEFORE a few Juleps at Charlies place for the actual race. On Derby Day. Or any of the triple crown happenings. Or if you just need to satisfy your inner bettin needs.
Join us PARTY PEOPLE!!! ;)

Seriously, I’d never come here. My friend knew the bartender, and that got us free drinks, and the bartender was cool, but the ambiance was rather bitter and sad. Old guys clutching paper and frowning while nursing their beers. It was a sad scene.
Also, please check the photo I posted. It’s a sign I found on the inside of the mens room, posted by the management. People must get REAL messed up at this place. If you’re just looking for a drink, cross the street and watch the million TV’s at Joe’s.

I have been going to this OTB the past couple of years to bet the Derby, the Breeders Cup, and the occasional random bored afternoon. Given the options on Weed St. and the surrounding area, if you choose to go in here, you probably know what you are getting yourself into, but I’ll give you my thoughts anyway. I like the place and it is really big so that is a plus. Also, they open up some outside windows on Derby day so you don’t have to go in there, you can just make your bet and continue along to your mint julep drinking and big hat wearing Derby party. Just the same, It’s probably not where you want to take your new Gold Coast girlfriend to share your love of horseracing with her (for that I would recommend chartering a private jet to Royal Ascot in England… or if that is a little out of your budget, Arlington Park).
This place does not get 5 stars for the following reasons:
1. It reeks of cigar smoke (no suprise there)
2. There is a $ 2 admission charge, (it used to be just $ 1 until recently), but that is not the establishment’s fault it is Daley’s «amusement tax». (you can bet avoid this by betting outside on Derby day)
3. Breeder’s Cup day 2006 I got towed when I parked in the Old Navy Parking lot and ran in there for 5 minutes, I have learned my lesson.

If you’re wanting the least gritty, cleanest OTB there is, this is probably it.
One of the better OTBs I’ve been to. (OK I haven’t really been to that many!). And I didn’t feel like a TOTAL outcast newbie, like you might elsewhere.
The place is huge, there’s a huge bar with plenty of TVs, and the bartender made good strong drinks. There are plenty of betting machines, no long lines.
I’ve heard on busy busy days (Derby Day) you have to make reservations to get in.