Really great experience from a friendly neighborhood place! Came on a colder spring day where they were still willing to serve us outside with our dog. So thankfully they were willing to do that! Servers were so friendly to us and our pupper. They even turned the patio heater on for us! This place is a must for anyone out with their dog! All the food was delicious and brought out quick. Loved the Mac and cheese squares! The drinks were well balanced and I had a delightful Bloody Mary! All the portions were generous and well worth the price. Excellent quality all around! The location is amazing in the heart of Ravenswood. It's perfect for a date, catching up with friends, or an impromptu late lunch in early spring! Can't wait for another visit after warmer weather sets in! read more

Came here for the first time this Friday and loved the vibe. Great service and great French dip! Horse radish isn't my favorite but good thing they bring it out on the side. Will definitely return. read more

Wolcott Tap - French Dip - Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Better than average bar food; as your attorney I advise you to try the French dip and tortilla soup. Big pours of bourbon, good cocktail list, large outdoor space, cool servers and staff. The electronic jukebox is hit and miss. I had to suffer through Whitney Houston and Michael Jackson before Beastie Boys finally strolled to the mike. read more

We've been to Wolcott Tap several times in the past couple years and have never been disappointed. While I prefer it in the warmer months when you can outside rather than in the smaller, often cramped bar space, it's always a really good hang with friendly service and perhaps the best bar food around. We really miss their former veggie burger, an unbelievable beet patty that just hot every possible flavor note. That said. the current black bean burger is one the few, and probably best, in the city, packed with chopped peppers and corn and seared very nicely. I might like a liiiiittle more seasoning, but it's really well done. The brioche bun is perfect, holding up to the substantial patty for every bite. Everything else we've had there is really good as well, from the mac and cheese squares to the chicken sandwich and various desserts. And, I know they're frozen unlike just about anything else on the menu, whatever they do to those sweet potato tots is divine - they are so delicious and cravable. Cocktail prices are fair, and while the beer is a bit pricey, you can always grab a $4 Schlitz. And this is my only critique with Wolcott Tap and its sister spots (Avondale Tap, etc). While it is probably the best bar food in the area, my god are you going to pay for it. The veggie burger, subbing the tots for fries, comes out to $23.50 before tax or tip. Which means you and your partner can go to a corner bar, have a drink each, an app, and two entrees and spend $125 minimum with tax and tip. I know inflation and everything else, but that's a stunning price tag for bar food. Which is why, lately, we've been doing the takeout option, which is still pricey, but at least saves us about 40-50% on the bill. If we lived a little closer to Wolcott Tap, we'd probably suck up the price tag and be there once a week. It's far superior in quality and service to, say, Village Tap or the equivalent. But, because we live just far enough away that it's a drive not a walk, it's far more a once-in-a-while spot simply because of the price. read more

Wolcott Tap - Veggie Burger - Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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It was a bit disappointing. I ordered takeaway since I was shopping across the street and my grocery delivery was delayed. We got a French dip, thanksgiving sandwich, and macaroni and cheese squares. The French dip was just a French, because they didn't send along the eponymous jus with the sandwich. That's one of the best parts of it so I can totally understand it being a bit disappointing. As for the Thanksgiving sandwich... I don't know how to explain it; it was like the turkey was pressed meat. It was not like deli sliced turkey, nor was it like something that was sliced off a turkey breast. Maybe it was like deli turkey that has been sliced in much thicker slices than what you get at the deli counter so that's why it was unfamiliar? Anyway, like I said. Bit disappointing. I would give them one more chance if there was a reason to go here, but having lived in the neighborhood almost a decade and a half and been here once I'm probably not going to rush back. read more

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Great drinks, okay food, and one awkward moment. My first impression of this place was really strong. I came in one night and ordered a hot toddy, and it was hands-down the best I've ever had. I went back a few more times just for that drink--it was consistently amazing. That said, there are a couple things holding this place back. The biggest one? The food is just... meh. It's not bad, but it's not good either. I live literally across the street and would go way more often, but my wife won't eat mediocre food--she's just not into it. I'm less picky, but even I've only been there a half-dozen times. Every time I suggest going, she passes, so I only end up stopping in when I'm by myself, which obviously limits how often I go. Also, one time they mistook me for someone else and nearly refused to serve me because of it. It was a weird moment, and instead of just owning the mix-up, they tried to turn it around on me like I was overreacting. That kind of thing shouldn't happen. To their credit, they did eventually comp me a drink, and I came back several more times after that without issue. Overall, I still think it's a solid bar with excellent drinks and mostly friendly service. But if they could step up the food game, it would be a no-brainer local go-to--especially for people like me who live right next door. read more

Typical pub food, with some weirdly shaped French fries. We came here on a Friday around 5:30pm and there were 5 of us. It was busy but there were still a few places to eat. This place is very kid friendly, almost every table had a child, or was being set for a a child. They have a great patio, not sure of the inside. And the staff are pretty nice. We ordered and our food and drinks came out pretty quick. I got the veggie burger, definitely not made in house, and I got onion rings, which were good (normal thickies). My child got a grilled cheese and the bread was so thick, way thicker than Texas toast. And the oddly shaped fries (fries were good). Someone with us got the fish and chips, looked good and like a pretty typical fish and chip dish. Overall a normal pub in Chicago that is kid friendly. Depends on your priorities as to whether you'll enjoy it here read more

Stumbled into this place and really had a great experience. Didn't get a chance to try the food but had a few beers and they've got a great selection of beers on top. They also had a really interesting cocktail menu. The place is bright and airy but also intimate. Interesting artwork. I had a great barman named Emily That really took good care of me. The food looked pretty spectacular as it was going by and it's in a cool part of town. I'm only visiting Chicago right now, but I wish I was staying here so I could come to this place more often. Check it out. read more

Super fast service and food comes out surprisingly quick. Nice comfortable neighborhood bar feel. Chicken sandwich The fries are delicious, great seasoning on them. The chicken sandwich itself is good, sauce is good and the parmesan breading is something unique. Korean bbq wings Great wings overall but honestly still not worth paying full price. But when they have half off wings on Monday thats a great deal. read more

Wolcott Tap - Crispy Chicken - Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Solid place to grab a drink/ food and hang out with company. The service was friendly and approachable. They ran out of the cider we wanted to try so we ordered a round of manhattans for the table and they were ok. The taste over all was not that pleasant . I think it was the choice of bourbon that they used. I would give it another go and try the food. read more

A good local taphouse off of Damon, the service was solid, the wings might be one of the best on the Northside, sorry Bird's Nest. Good beers on tap and reasonably priced. We enjoyed the puppies coming and going as well, nice patio seating as well, a nice chill spot. read more

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This place has a cool small bar vibe! A little upscale, dark environment with a jukebox playing some good tunes. Food was a little over priced for what you get. I got the Caprese Sandwich with Grilled Chicken , a little greasy not going to lie but still tasty. The sweet potato fries were it!! Worth the extra $4? Maybe ... Beer selection was good too! The duck grinder was pretty good, no complaints. They were also a little short staffed so we got not the most speedy service. The waitress was really nice though! read more

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We decided to make our way to our local pub the other night, Wolcott Tap, and we had an absolutely wonderful and delicious time. The space was warm and welcoming with elevated pub decor and ambience. The staff were incredibly kind and helpful! Since it was my first time, I had a lot of questions about the menu, and our hostess was a joy to work with. I started with the four roses bourbon cocktail, and it was very yummy and perfect for a cold day. My husband loved the excellent beer menu and chose between the different IPAs. Later in the meal, I tried the gin bees knees cocktail, and also enjoyed it. Very refreshing. The bourbon drink was better for a cold day though. For our meals, my husband got the weekend fish and chips special. He absolutely loved it! He loved the large portions, and the housemaid vinegar aïoli! I got the duck grinder sandwich, since it is a unique sandwich to them. It was so full of flavor and rich textures. I definitely loved it and would get it again. The fries were perfectly crispy and flavorful, too. All that to say, there were so many items on the menu that we wanted to try that we look forward to going back again soon. See you later, Wolcott Tap! Thanks for providing an awesome local pub. If you haven't been, and you live either locally or at a distance, it is well worth the visit! read more

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Fantastic local bar and restaurant, we went because appetizers are half off after 9pm and got to catch a football game. Service was great and food was delicious. I would definitely order the chicken lettuce wraps again. read more

Wolcott Tap - Nachos - Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Better than average bar food, nice sidewalk seating & great staff. When the upstairs deck above Farm Bar isn't working out, go here instead.

A few people have recommended Wolcott Tap as a great place with great food. These recommendations definitely hold true! The drinks on tap looked and sounded so good, too. I was impressed with the variety of beers on tap and other cocktails on the menu. Unfortunately I couldn't drink that night due to an antibiotic, but next time I go back I'm definitely having a drink or two! We went on a weeknight around 6 and the restaurant was pretty full, but not too loud. The playlist was also great. Our server was knowledgeable (my friend has a food allergy she had to check in on) and was very friendly. Now the most important part, THE FOOD! The fried Mac n cheese squares are made in house and AMAZING! For future reference, I'm going to order them every time I'm back at Wolcott Tap! The squares were substantial and definitely worth making extra room for in your meal. I had the flattop burger with mustard on the side and was so pleased with the quality of that and the fries. Nothing disappointed here and I can't wait to spend time on the patio with summer weather. I'm so glad I took the recommendations and I look forward to being a regular at Wolcott Tap :) read more

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This is one of our favorite spots in Ravenswood! Come in summertime if possible. The large patio is lovely! The inside is also great, think of it more like a cozy neighborhood bar. I just prefer to save that for winter. Our favorites include the grilled chicken wrap with sweet potato tots, flat top burger, and the duck grinder with sidewinder potatoes (ask for a side of ranch). Parking is free and relatively easy around the neighborhood. Good selection of draft beer! read more

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Good fresh food and tasty beer! Got there right before the kitchen was going to close and the server was so nice and accommodating.

This review is for take out only. I was feeling like a burger and did a Yelp search to see what was out there that was new. Wolcott popped up. Ordering online was easy and straightforward. Delivery time was crazy fast. Because it was a Friday, I was figuring on 45-60 min easy, which is what was stated once the order was placed. However the food actually arrived about 25 min later, which was unexpected but a pleasant surprise. As a starter I got the Mexican Flatbread (seasoned ground beef, refried black beans, shredded cheddar, diced tomato, avocado, scallions, cilantro, salsa roja), followed by the Duck Grinder (Pulled Duck, Chimichurri, Crispy Duck Skin, Garlic Aioli, Grinder Bun) as well as the B.L.A.A.T. (Slab Bacon, Romaine, Roma Tomato, Avocado, House Aioli, Sourdough Bread). The sandwiches were delicious and of a decent size. I ended up having half of each to get an idea of the flavors and they did not disappoint. The Duck Grinder was actually an impressive concept: pulled duck meat as well as crispy skin, so there was a nice mixture of textures going on in each bite. The grinder bun was stuffed with plenty of meat and flavor. The B.L.A.A.T. was a winner as well and I would definitely get this again. Nice amount of bacon and when they said slab, the meant it. The flatbread was good, but in my opinion doesn't travel well for take out. The only reason I say this is because the sandwiches and fries were still warm when they arrive, the flatbread not so much. I would like to try this item again but at the restaurant as I imagine the flavors will come alive more if properly served at the correct temperature. The Doctor got the Backyard Burger (Grilled 1/2 lb CAB Patty, Romaine, Pickles, Tomato, Onion, Brioche Bun), cooked just the right temperature that he requested. He said it was a very good burger and could see getting it again. The Queen got the Nashville Hot (Crispy fried chicken tossed in Nashville-style hot sauce, served with pepper jack cheese, coleslaw, and sweet gherkin pickles on a brioche bun) and gave it two thumbs up. I want to give a shout out to the fries that come with the sandwiches. Not sure how they cut these and what they are seasoned with, but they were so good and along with the sandwiches, heated up very well the next day for brunch. That is a selling point for me when food the night before still tastes fine the next day. I was surprised by the fries as I normally throw those out instead of saving them; so glad I didn't. Definitely a solid place to order take out from, but just thinking some of the items most likely fare better when served straight from the kitchen. But I can see myself ordering from here. I would like to try the short rib sandwich as I love that meat. Another nice thing about ordering take out is that they give you a lot of choices for cheeses, condiments, etc. to prepare your meal your way. read more

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Love this place to pieces. Food and staff are awesome. Not their fault but it's freaking hot in here!

This place is as solid as a bar/restaurant comes. The inside is fairly narrow but goes pretty deep, so there is usually abundant seating. The outside also has seating when the weather is nice. The bar has an abundant number of beers on tap, so it's usually pretty easy to find a beer you want. They also do fun cocktails, like the hot toddy I got last time I was there. The food is probably the best part. I usually get the Duck Grinder because it is my absolute favorite thing on the menu. I don't even usually like duck, but the way they cook it is so crispy but also moist at the same time. The bun is soft and buttery in contrast. The last time I came in, I managed to order some wings, which have many sauce flavors to choose from. They we delicious and I have no complaints about those. I will keep coming back here whenever I get a duck craving. I hope to try out some of the other food items over time as well. Definitely a solid spot! read more

Neighborhood go to for years. Tiny kitchen cranks out delicious food. Love the Carolina wings, avocado toast brunch, grilled chicken sandwich, burgers, watermelon salad. And incredible cocktails at the bat. Best of all, they brought back weekly specials. Big fan! Love this place and its staff are like family. read more

Sweet potato tots are divergent I ordered murphys times and the ranch it comes with it so god I would order two

This place is solid. Good food, good service and a patio. A low key great neighborhood bar.

Standard Ravenswood bar. The buildings are kinda all shaped the same. The service was good and ambience was what you would expect from a staple bar: loud and somewhat hard to hear. I would come hear w/ casual friends for after dinner/pre-event drinks... but not really a date night place IMO read more

I ordered the Backyard Burger and Onion Rings via Grubhub. Both were well executed and crafted. I would like to physically eat at the restaurant as the onion rings arrived soggy and cold due to delivery. FYI-it is all in the name-The Backyard Burger is a simple yet uncomplicated burger-romaine lettuce, tomato, onion and pickles on a brioche bun! read more

Fun friday night dinner and sat at the bar right away. Loved the music and the bartender was able to take care of us well! Tables are all first come first serve for the most part and it was pretty busy! Had chicken wings - Carolina gold and Habanero Honey bbq was so good! It became really busy later after 8pm on a Friday night which was to be expected, so it took a while to pay out with our bartender. I will definitely come back! read more

Wolcott Tap - a bar with a variety of drinks - Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Food and service is always good and consistent. Today I had an issue with the ATM inside where it had a hiccup and didn't give me my money but said it gave me some of my request...which it didn't. Rather than pass the buck to the ATM company, management made me whole and took ownership of the issue. Thank you Wolcott management and staff for your stellar customer service. read more

Loved everything about Wolcott Tap! Great outdoor seating in a lovely neighborhood. We tried the flat top burger, the Korean bbq chicken sandwich with sidewinder fries and sweet potato tots, we also had the spinach and artichoke dip. All of it tasted fantastic. Good beer selection and friendly service. read more

Stopped in before a show at KOVAL and didn't really have much time but needed dinner. Bartender was quick to suggest nachos as they would come out the fastest and they sure did! Solid nachos, could do a little better at toppings on the bottom layer of chips but overall good. It was pouring rain and the staff was doing a good job of managing the influx of people coming in to avoid getting wet. Great beer selection too, would go back! read more

Went here for brunch. It was delicious and service was fantastic. Tried the avocado toast with scrambled eggs and it was excellent and portions were good sized. Left full and will be back read more

Here's the inside scoop: Wolcott Tap has the sweetest, most personable service EVER. My fiancé has been dying to try this place as it's just down the block from home, and I was in the mood for a margarita, so off we went. We were lucky enough to sit at the bar and be served by Al, and he was just phenomenal. He shook our hands, remembered our names, took an interest in us... all without being overbearing. The drinks are STRONG, my friends, and all for under $10. In fact, many are just $5 or $7 a piece. Mimosas and Bloodys all day Saturday and Sunday for just $5. Basketball and the Derby were both on, so we just sat and enjoyed the evening with open windows and fresh air. We'll be regulars here for sure :) read more

Wolcott Tap - Margarita $8 & Mezcal Last Word $11 - Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I love this place, it's a relatively small bar as far as Chicago goes but it's nice and pretty quiet most week days. I go here for the Mac n cheese squares and the singleton sours but I've had their real food too and it's worth the money. The bar keeps are fast and efficient read more

Came here the other day per my sister's request, and it was great! It took me forever to decide if I wanted to do their special of a $5 mimosa or bloody which they have all day on Saturdays and Sundays, but instead I got a Gumball head on draft and it was great. AND as a plus, they actually poured the beer correctly because too many bartenders don't pour beer correctly and it gets that foamy head and it's disgusting, so amen to the bartender to actually know what's up. We had a good waiter, who was also the bartender, and he gave great service. I ordered the habanero-bbq wings and the sauce was amazing. It had a spicy zing to it, but it wasn't ridiculously spicy. My fiancé ordered the burger, and he really enjoyed it. I stole like all of his fries because they were amazing and so uniquely their own, as well. They have a very interestingly shape (a thick, flat, wide curly fry) and were crispy on the outside, but super soft on the inside, which made for a cool texture. The decor of Wolcott Tap looks woody, dim, and a little industrial. It's not too loud of an environment, it's pretty small but spread out. Wish I took pics of my food or the decor, but it was too good to think about it, apparently. I will definitely be back here,and I want to try the truffle grilled cheese really badly because it sounded amazing, so I will be coming back for that sometime soon! My sister ordered the B.L.A.A.T which also sounded and looked great, which has thick slabs of bacon to create a B.L.T. on sourdough bread (my favorite kind!). Overall, there are many different choices for any different tastes you are crazing. read more

If you're looking for a good sports bar or a nice outdoor patio with a great beer selection, Wolcott Tap is a great choice. The vibe in here is super casual. Where it did fall a little flat for me was the food. I'll start with the positives. The appetizers we ordered were pretty decent. The wings were meaty and the Buffalo sauce was tasty. I would definitely recommend this as an option. The fried Mac and cheese was good too, with the Mac remaining creamy in the center. The outside crust was a little darker than it probably should have been, and that should have been telling for the next things we ordered. Some of the entrées, particularly the fried ones, fell flat. I ordered the fried chicken sandwich and was a bit disappointed because the outside crust had no flavor whatsoever. A little salt and pepper in the outer coating would have gone a long way. My friend ordered the fish and chips. The beer batter was extremely dense instead of light and crispy. The outside was dark but the inside was still doughy. All of this leads me to believe their fry oil may have been too hot. The Buffalo chicken wrap that my husband ordered was quite good, and if I came next time, that would definitely be an option I would consider. My friend also enjoyed his French onion soup. Overall, it was decent enough to come back but there are some things I would be skeptical ordering. read more

I stop in to get a drink frozzen coffee cocktail friendly staff next time I will try the food menu read more

Wolcott Tap - Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Ducking Amazing! I went out on a limb getting this. Seemed a bit odd but best decision I made. The duck grinder was phenomenal. Would order it again in a heartbeat! To anyone that doesn't like this sandwich I would say to them "get the duck outta here! You must be duckin crazy! What the duck is wrong with you?! You need some duckin help! That's what you need! So good! read more

Big disappointment. The burger was without flavor-tasted like one of the frozen patties you get out a giant box. I was excited because they had Merk, but unfortunately I think the cheese was added while cooking the burger resulting in a runny mess, soggy bun and I had to eat it with a knife and fork. Made me wish I had gone across the street to Culver's. read more

Believe it or not, the Wolcott Tap was one of my standout experiences while in Chicago recently. The Wolcott Tap looks like mediocre dive bar, but it's the real deal. The drinks here are fantastic! They are potent, but not overpowering - flavorful! Beyond that, I believe their cocktails are reasonably priced & I'm always a fan of any eatery that has a cocktail program. Drinks aside, their food seems pretty special too. We were meeting family down the street at another restaurant so we only got an appetizer with our drinks, but I'm kind of sad that we didn't eat at Wolcott. Our Mac n' Cheese bites were phenomenal, but they had all kinds of delicious & exotic items on the menu. I could definitely see myself returning to the Wolcott Tap next time I'm in town. read more

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here to yelp about the onion rings... bc holy cow if you want/need/are craving onion rings, this is THE best spot to hit up. we had just stopped by for a drink/snack before a dinner reservation down the street but the rings were phenom and the the rest of the food looked really good (better than average bar food). will keep this spot in mind for my bar food needs! read more