This was a return visit for me and our women's group selected The White Oak Tavern for our monthly dinner outing. Overall it was a pleasant experience with good food and a welcoming atmosphere. Parking was easy and conveniently located directly in front of the restaurant. There is also outdoor seating available during good weather, and they even offer a dog-friendly menu for your four-legged companions. I would recommend calling ahead to confirm whether the dog menu is available year-round or only when the patio is open. Inside, the dining area is spacious and comfortable, making it a good option for both small and larger groups. They offer daily and weekly specials in addition to their regular all-day menu. Tuesday wing specials seemed to be especially popular with several members of our group. The food was the highlight of the evening. Everything brought to the table looked fresh and flavorful, and I did not hear a single complaint about anyone's meal. A few people ordered the wings and thoroughly enjoyed them. The biggest challenge during our visit was the service. Our server was friendly and clearly trying his best, but with a larger group and separate checks, things became a bit scattered and confusing at times. Orders and checks needed a few corrections before the end of the evening. In fairness, the general manager stepped in to help resolve an issue with one meal, which was appreciated and helped improve the situation. Overall, despite a few service hiccups, the quality of the food and the comfortable atmosphere made this a worthwhile visit, and I would return again. read more

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Average food, average service, loud and surprisingly lots of kids for a Tavern , but then again they do have a kids menu. they do have a lot of gluten free options tho, including desserts , so good for folks who don't eat gluten. We had fried chicken sandwich and shrimp salad sandwich , cheese parmesan fries and fried calamari appetizer and GF brownie - all typical bar food and nothing to write home about. we stayed away from fresh vegetable due to the cyclosporiasis outbreak in the news as we were traveling this week ;) read more

Tons of free parking. Accepts cash and credit card. 3.6 out of 5. If you are looking for a great place for social gatherings, this place is definitely it. Located in a busy shopping is the White Oak Tavern. We wanted to give this place a try. Their burgers were okay but felt like they were on the smaller side. The prices were okay. Their Mac and cheese is very kid friendly. As a place known for their burgers, we felt it was a let down. Maybe it was the time of day when I ordered as they were very busy. The staff here were very friendly. read more

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A pretty nice local restaurant tucked away in a corner of the Enchanted Forest shopping center with plenty of parking and specious inside. Their happy hour menu is good and burger and wings were great. The bartender who served us was attentive and friendly. I would definitely visit for more quick bites. read more

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Came here on a whim one Saturday evening. I was actually planning on going to a nearby favorite, however, decided to give this place a try instead. We were promptly greeted by friendly hostesses and sat in the dining area. There was a nearby group of guys drinking and talking very loudly, which was a bit obnoxious; take that to the bar. As the restaurant was filling up and got closer to the dinner rush, a manager did ask them to move to the bar, and they happily complied. We ordered Stuffed Portabella, Fried Chicken Sandwich, and kids' chicken strips. All were incredibly tasty. The fries that came with the meals were probably the best local fries I've had. We were all completely satisfied with our food. Our waitress was attentive, and our drinks frequently refilled. The prices were also very fair for the great quality. I would recommend this restaurant. read more

The White Oak Tavern - Stuffed Portabella - GF & VE - New American Near Me - Ellicott City, Maryland

Food was excellent and so was the service. They have outdoor seating and welcome pups. The pups even have their own menu! Would definitely eat here again! read more

lol, was planning to meet at a nearby restaurant only to find out upon arrival that they open for dinner only. So we decided to hop in here to try for the first time. It's a huge space with both indoor and outdoor options. The server was friendly and attentive. I tried the veggie omelette which interesting, the jury is still out on the sauce over the omelette. Its flavors were unique, I just haven't decided if I'm a fan or not. read more

The White Oak Tavern - Veggie Omelet - GF & VE - New American Near Me - Ellicott City, Maryland

Enjoyed a wonderful evening with a group of friends. One of our group had mobility issues and the wait staff were extremely helpful and got us a table that accommodated all of us. White Oak has a solid selection of Maryland craft beers and specialty cocktails. We ordered a wide range of apps and mains so everyone could enjoy the menu. The soup flight was an inspired choice that we enjoyed. The rice and beans bowl and burgers were also standouts. There was live music that included a group of fans. The music was good, but it was nice to not be drowned by music that was too loud. read more

This cozy spot in Ellicott City was a win for me and my kids. The server was helpful and friendly. My white oak burger was seasoned nicely with the perfect buttered crispy bun. The only issue is, I ordered it medium and it was well done. The other burger was ordered medium rare and it came out medium well. Besides that everything was great! The wings were crispy and delicious. read more

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The White Oak Tavern was a great place to eat on a cold Friday night. The vibe is very tavern-like and cozy with many TVs so you can watch sports. They had a nice seasonal drink menu. We had the brown sugar espresso martini and Blueberry Bourbon Bramble and they were both great. Our waiter recommended the Chesapeake Wings (their signature sauce) and they were well cooked and had a tangy flavor. Someone else got the crawfish and shrimp chowder which was a hit. We all got the White Oak burger and it was worth the hype! Super juicy and flavorful. If you are a ranch fan, ask for some on the side to dip your fries in. read more

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Been here a few times with different people. Servers are very friendly, food disappointing.. Yesterday we both ordered the beet salad and the beets were so hard we thot they were apples. And the salad dressing was very heavy on the vinegar. Manager came out and we explained our disappointment. Asked us if we were then going to order something else. I decided to try a burger since they seem to be known for them. Again, very disappointed - burger was ok but fries were COLD and tasted like they had been sitting around for awhile. I hope this was not becuz we sent back the salads........ read more

Much too loud. Bartenders needed help. Waiting forever for service. Not a big fan. Food just okay.

Service was great - Joy was attentive and considerate of our small dog out on the patio.

We went to The White Oak Tavern for lunch and were very happy with our experience. The decor is simple but warm and comfortable. Our server, Allison, was very friendly and attentive. The food was served hot and was delicious. The bar offers countless beers if one is interested. There is also a dog menu for those eating outside on the patio with their dogs. (On Sundays brunch is offered with live jazz). Overall a great experience. read more

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I've never been disappointed with the food here. Everything is always fresh and delicious. The rotational seasonal menu means there's always something new to try! I seriously dream about their burgers though hands down best I've had. The outdoor area is perfect in the warmer months; equipped with umbrellas for shade. They also have an indoor stage to host live music! read more

I actually used to really enjoy this place but I got carry out from here and they really let me down. I'll have to re evaluate if I'll come back. I ordered the truffle mac and cheese which was basically just cooked pasta with truffle oil - there wasn't really a cheese sauce for the "and cheese" part. See photo. For the steak burger- there was no Gorgonzola present. I ordered roasted beets and received their brussel sprouts which had no beets and overcooked brussel sprouts and hard pears. I get the sprouts would be mushy... but this was really disappointing. I'm not sure what happened but I'm disappointed. read more

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Staff members were super friendly! Greeted at the door and seated promptly. Blueberry nojito mocktail was refreshing so I ordered multiple. The salmon risotto was presented well but could use more flavor (was a tad bland). The burger hit the spot and definitely was a hit! The location is not to be expected. Pretty huge inside but the outside patio area was a tad small. Enjoyed the nice spring weather on the patio with the table umbrella and with a nice cold beer. read more

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Great overall visit and customer service by Davina. I located this place on Yelp and wanted to try. Today, I showed up w hubby and son. Super easy to find, large parking lot, visually attractive dining area and bar. We sat, ordered, and waited a work shift for our food. We waited at least 40 minutes for our food. We ordered the following. Smoked Wings: Delish. Crispy. Steak n Eggs: Very good, well seasoned and prepared. Pear Hot Cider: Very tasty, soothing. * I forgot to take a pic of my delish chicken sandwich. Overall, super cool visit. Just gotta work on the food prep time. I may return in the future for entertainment. They host several bands, several days monthly. read more

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Truly great burgers prepared perfectly. Expensive ($20.00 per burger) but you get what you pay for.

We decided to try this restaurant on an early evening after work. The restaurant was practically empty. We were seated immediately. We tried the strawberry lemonade cocktail and it was delicious. I ordered the Caesar salad with chicken and a side of fries. The fries are delicious! read more

Love love love love love this place!! First time we came across it was during warmer weather, so we got to sit outside. We were specifically looking for a dog friendly place due to having our mini husky with us, (maybe it was our chihuahuas, now I'm not sure, but we had our doggos!) we were astonished when we had an entire dog menu handed to us!! Immediately started trying to find something to order for them. I had a rootbeer float that day because I couldn't resist, it was superb. We sat and played a game of Magic and enjoyed our time. Our waiter (I wish I remembered his name, a long haired gentleman) was amazing. After our game he came out and asked us who won. I said my partner cheated haha because he won. Since this time though we've been back twice because it such a great place, with good homemade sauces and delicious food options. The dog menu really took it home for us. I can't wait for the weather to be warmer so we can enjoy sitting outside there again. Bonus: their mocktails are DELICIOUS!! I don't drink alcohol, so those are a yummy win! read more

We really like this place for brunch and this was our first time for dinner. It wasn't as good as it Al, everything came out cold. Or was super busy so we didn't say anything. It still tasted good but would definitely have been better warm. read more

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Came here on a Friday night to check it out. They Asked for reservations. So we sat at the bar. Place was busy. I saw some open tables. Staff took a while to come by and welcome us. Decor was very woody, hence "white oak" Staff Didn't seem too friendly. The food other people had looked good. The Wing options were not the best. They claimed to be smoked, no smoke signs out of the kitchen. Must be those "smoke bitter drops"..since the wings were wack and value for meal wasnt there. I didnt order the burger. Would I come back? Maybe To try the burgers. But for the prices, lets just say I wouldnt go out of my way knowing theres other options. read more

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The manager was very rude we ask for a table she said it was reserved we walked out . The lady with the blond hair . Very rude we were disappointed with the service.plus they hang out up front doing nothing but talking . Bad service. read more

Really nice place. The outside doesn't do it justice. Rotating beer and food menu. We went for dinner and it was very family friendly, though it looks like it is probably more for adults at night. They also welcome dogs on the patio and even have dog treats on their menu. They also had cool tablets for kids to doodle on, very creative. I'm not normally a fan of fancy burgers, but these were great. The kids Mac and cheese was "okay" according to my 11 year old and the chicken nuggets were fantastic according to my 8 year old. We all agree the fries are epic. We will definitely be back. read more

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One of the best burgers I've had in a while! I had a dog with me and wanted to find a spot for lunch - a bit challenging in the dead of fall. They had an outdoor patio that is dog friendly and was open in November. No heaters or anything but worked for my needs! Inside looked great, awesome place to catch a football game. read more

Lived in Columbia most of my life and come up here on occasion. Now moved to EC and have been here more times in the past 3 months than probably past 3 years combined. This is a comprehensive review. Brunch is *typically* the best time to visit. The brisket hash or veggie hash is great. Been here with live jazz music on a brunch that really classed up the place. Decided to do brunch here on Mothers Day weekend Saturday- horrible mistake. Just like your average politician or Healthcare CEO, White Oak Tavern preferred their profits over their patrons dining experience, and sat a loud, obnoxious 15 person surprise bridal shower in the middle of the dining room amongst guests. It was unbearable to try to talk to the three other people I was with. The "manager" came over to ask how everything was - I was honest that the food was good but it was uncomfortably loud. He laughed and walked away. If you dont have a private room- dont book a screeching party amongst everyone else, simple. Lunch and Dinner are just eh. Did dinner not too long ago and sat at the bar; the bartender spilled an entire bottle of wine she was opening on my boyfriend and said bar. "Your first drink is on me!" was the apology. We had to throw out his shirt, but hey, the 1 drink between the two of us was free! Also this year, post Ellicott City move in maybe February or March, I had a truffle parmesan french fries along side one of their winter salads with sweet potato. Thought I was going to end up in the emergency room with the gastrointestinal issues it caused. I know White Oak is going to quip something back at me as they do to all their negative reviews, but this is honest to god me coming back time after time and having mediocre to bad experiences and I think I'm finally done this merry-go-round. read more

Nine years later, and my original criticism still stands. I gave White Oak another chance this past week, but service was, again, painfully slow despite a half-empty dining room. There seemed to be four or five servers working, so perhaps the kitchen was the logjam. Regardless, White Oak's menu is wholly uninspired, and I will continue to go elsewhere for my Sysco slop. read more

Went to White Oak Tavern recently and had an AMAZING time. The food was delicious and the place itself is a great vibe! Tara and Juan and all the staff were super kind, on top of things, and made us feel genuinely welcomed! Would absolutely go back and recommend it! read more

First time and here and definitely would reccommend . Made a spontaneous visit with a friend for a burger sans this place did not disappoint. Ordered a medium-well bacon cheese burger with fries. My burger was thick and juicy and way bigger than I had expected. The fries were out and evenly seasoned with the perfect amount of salt. Our server was by far the best . He made the best recommendations and was able to run down all the specials without any hesitations . He was constantly checking on us and making random conversation was nice . The bar its self was nicely clean and great size to come and just catch a game . Parking was just okay but we were lucky enough to park up front read more

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Tara was a great waitress. Came in for brunch and the bottomless mimosas. It was packed on a Sunday morning but I made a reservation in advance. Could not get a space anywhere close to the restaurant but the weather was nice and I didn't mind the walk. I had a coupon for a free burger in the month of January so no time like the present to redeem it. I have always been a fan of their burgers and especially their house made ketchup. I also ordered one of my brunch favorites short rib hash. It normally comes with poached eggs but they will allow you to substitute with the eggs of your choice. I prefer scrambled with no cheese. Service this trip was outstanding. Tara checked on use frequently and I never had to ask for anything. Most importantly she kept the mimosas flowing. I don't think my glass was ever empty. read more

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This a pretty standard dive bar in my opinion. The food was fine, the mini crab cakes truly were mini but the flavor was good. It's located in a strip mall so there's ample parking which is very convenient. The staff was friendly too. There was live music which was very loud as a forewarning and the drinks tasted like juice mostly which were the only downsides. read more

I have now been to The White Oak Tavern twice. Both experiences were fantastic. All of the menu items that I tried were delicious. Their outdoor seating is dog friendly and they even have a dog menu! They have a huge selection of craft beer and cocktails. I highly recommend and will definitely be back. read more

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Chill spot! Dog friendly! Lots of parking! Visited here some months ago so this review is long overdue! Sat outside on a warm Saturday afternoon. Just had wings and a few drinks. The service wasn't terrible, but wasn't great. Not necessarily a place I would be in a huge hurry to come to! read more

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My daughter was in town so wanted to have brunch before dropping her off at BWI. Some of our party have gluten issues and The White Oak had extensive GF options that quite frankly, were amazing. We were so were excited to find GF wings in several variations! Virtually impossible to order GF when dining out! All their fryers are dedicated GF so we also ordered the parmesan rosemary fries (delicious!). It was such an unexpected joy to eat a meal without worrying about gluten cross contamination and be able to order food that we normally avoid when eating out. We were there for brunch and they had a live jazz trio who were excellent. Our server was super attentive and funny. The whole dining experience was a delight! We look forward to stopping for a bite in the future on our frequent family airport runs (we are from the eastern shore) Food was delicious-everyone in our party was accommodated and it was delicious! Kudos to the owners/chef and a big thanks from some of us in the GF community!!! read more

White Oak Tavern is a nice spot to have brunch or dinner. There's indoor, outdoor and bar seating. It can get busy so definitely make reservations. The food is tasty and the customer service is great. I had brunch on a Sunday after church. It was right before the Sunday rush and I was fortune to get a table without reservations. I got the chicken french toast that was accompanied with potatoes and topped with an egg. It sounds like an odd combination, however it was rather tasty. Our waiter was attentive and kept our waters topped. The drink menu (no pictures) was appealing however I can't speak on it since I passed on drinks. I do plan on going back. read more

The White Oak Tavern - New American Near Me - Ellicott City, Maryland

Just not a fan. We ordered wings & fries to start and decided to wait to order our mains. I'm glad we waited. It took forever to get our order, two people stopped by to tell us they knew it was taking a long time but the order would be out very soon. This was not even us asking what was taking so long. Apparently they just knew it was. And yes, it did take an incredibly long time to receive just these two items. The honey old bay wings, what's not to like? were chewy and dry and did not taste like honey old bay. The ketchup for the fries was not the greatest. I guess someone told them it was good and to just keep making their own. Im not sure why... we did not order anything else and I've never had an inkling to go back. Hopeful your visit will be better! read more

People are very nice. Food is horrible. And I eat anything. How do they stay in business? Revolting food.

Visited The White Oak Tavern for the first time this past Friday and had a great experience! Our server Matt was great. He was friendly, attentive and quick with service. We let him know it was our first time, and he shared his recommendations with us. For a starter, we had the Kung Pao Green Beans, and they were sooo good! The sauce with the spice of the pepper flakes and the crunch of the peanuts made the green beans so tasty. For our main courses, I ordered the Bacon Chutney Burger and my husband ordered the Turkey Pesto Pasta. The burger was probably one of the best burgers I have had in Howard County. Even cooked medium-well, it was still very juicy (not dry at all!) and full of flavor. My husband loved his pasta, he said the turkey meatballs were delicious. We can see why this is a popular place, and will definitely be back again! read more

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We celebrated a friends birthday here a little over a month ago and it was amazing. We had a pretty large party and were seated outside. The outdoor seating was pretty nice and had a chill atmosphere. The server made sure to get all of the kiddos orders out first which was appreciated. The food was outstanding. We had the fall risotto and ordered the harvest salad but ended up getting the fall salad. This is where things start to break down. The service wasn't the best. Part of the issue was that we had a single server for our large party and she wasn't dedicated to us. It's not at all her fault. She was doing her best to serve her other tables and us as well. The kitchen was also struggling to get orders out and keep them all straight. All in all it was enjoyable but there were definitely people that were just getting food their after a couple of hours. read more