Come out and celebrate the eighth Tap House Grill location that recently opened in Wheeling. Tap House Grill began in the fall of 2005 with the idea to bring fresh, made-from-scratch, “addictive” food alongside a large selection of local “creative” handcrafted, exclusive and rare beers on tap. Hence their tagline, “Addictive Food. Creative Brews.” That is certainly the case for this place.
Wheeling’s Tap House Grill is next to the Chicago Executive Airport on Milwaukee Avenue, north of Palatine Road, and is also attached to the Ramada Plaza Wheeling Hotel. You pull into their parking lot with the beautiful view of the airport hangars, runways, private jets and control tower. Truly an incredible sight. The Ramada lobby is adorned with aviation photos and to your right is the grandiose entrance of Tap House Grill.
Upon entering this establishment, your eyes are drawn towards the extensive, long, rectangular bar that has a bunch of beers on tap, followed by the great amount of seating options from traditional restaurant tables, to lavish U-shaped, plush booths with elegant lighting overhead. If you’re into sports, their 20+ flat screen televisions also capture your eyes where there is not a bad seat in the house to set your sights on your favorite games.
I was invited by the Tap House Grill to sample their menu and accompanying me was my friend Sally, also known as my “meat eater friend,” as I am a vegetarian.
After being seated, my server greeted us with a warm welcome and asked us for our beverage order. I decided to indulge in a blackberry mojito, while Sally tried the All Day IPA on tap by Founders Brewing Company. My mojito was beautifully presented and contained Bacardi Rum, mint, fresh lime wedges, simple syrup and muddled blackberries. It was the perfect thirst quencher.
Shortly after our drink order, we decided to try their crispy calamari and buffalo shrimp appetizers. My friend thought the calamari was cooked just right, and I ventured to try shrimp for the first time, in a while, and it was scrumptious with the buffalo sauce with ranch dressing.
A few minutes after our empty appetizer plates were removed, our second round of drinks arrived. I decided to try their signature mule that contained Tito’s Handmade Vodka, lime juice, agave nectar, ginger beer and a sprig of mint. My friend went for her second beer, another IPA.
I opted for the black bean burger with tater tots and Sally chose the ahi tuna wrap with sweet potato fries. The ahi tuna meal was grill-seared rare ahi tuna with wasabi mayo, spicy ginger soy, fried onion strings, avocado, lettuce and tomato wrapped up to pure perfection. My black bean burger was the best and served with avocado, lettuce, corn salsa and chipotle ranch on a toasted brioche bun. It was very filling and a great protein source.
Even though we felt there was no room left in our bellies for dessert, we sampled their awesome Snicker parfait, a vanilla parfait with crumbled Snickers bar, topped with Guinness caramel sauce, whipped cream and crumbled Oreo cookies. It was such a fun, innovative dessert. I highly recommend it when you visit the Tap House Grill.
In between our drinks, appetizers, entrees and desserts, we browsed the restaurant’s table tent promotional materials. Below are their upcoming specials and event promotions.
Hoops, Hops & Wings Madness: until April 2, they have an online bracket contest to win a trip for 2 to Boston, including a Sam Adams Brewery Tour. Plus, drink and wings specials.
Easter Brunch Buffet: Sunday, April 1 from 11 am – 2 pm – Featuring spring drinks, a carving station, omelette station, freshly prepared breakfast favorites and chocolate fondue station all for only $26.99 per person and $9.99 for kids 12 & under.
“Chalkboard Daily Specials”
Monday: Wings-Suds-Spuds – $10 wings & fries for $5.99*, $3.75 Angry Orchards, Blue Moon, Pilsner Urquell & Fat Tire
Tuesday: Burger Night – $5.99 any signature Angus burger after 5 pm*
Wednesday: Margarita Madness & Tap House Tacos – $5 signature margaritas & ½ price specialty tacos (no substitutions please)
Thursday: Girls’ Night Out – $6 featured martinis*, $5 glasses of wine, $4 desserts
Friday & Saturday: $3.75 beer of the month, $4 Fireball, $5.50 Tito’s cocktails, $5.99 appetizers from 9 pm – close*
Sunday: Kids Eat Free 4 pm – 9 pm, $3 Miller Lite & Coors Light drafts, $6 Tap House signature Bloody Marys, $5.99 boneless wings & fries*
*All specials dine-in only. Other restrictions may apply.
In the summertime, Tap House Grill Wheeling plans on having their large outdoor patio open to enjoy time with your friends, sip some drinks and watch the planes fly in and out of the airport.
Tap House Grill has eight locations in Des Plaines, Hanover Park, Lemont, Oswego, Palatine, Plainfield, St. Charles and Wheeling. For more information, please visit www.TapHouseGrills.com.
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