This document discusses improving the performance of a microstrip antenna using a fractal electronic band gap (EBG) structure and vias. A fractal EBG unit cell design is presented using a square shape with nested smaller squares. Microstrip antennas were designed with and without this EBG structure, and with and without vias connecting the EBG patches to the ground plane. Measurements showed the bandwidth and S11 were improved, back radiation was reduced, and directivity was increased for the antenna with both the EBG structure and vias compared to designs without them. Specifically, bandwidth increased by 1.125% and S11 decreased by 4.188dB with the EBG structure and vias.