Avondale Tap - excellent jerk wings

Avondale Tap opened right around the corner from me a couple years ago, and for those past couple years I have enjoyed dozens if not hundreds of orders of wings from here, and without exaggeration every single order has been great. It might just look like your typical sports bar, but the kitchen is turning out juicy, crackly-skinned wings which are not to be missed.

The buffalo wings have a unique semi-dry preparation - they seem like a thin layer of sauce is first fried onto the surface of the wing to form a spicy crust, then they are tossed in just a little bit of sauce before serving. The result packs a ton of buffalo flavor into a wing that's not too gloppy with sauce.


But the jerk wings are the star of the show. They come encrusted in a jerk paste that's heavy on the allspice, ginger and fresh thyme. This stuff hits the sweet spot for spiciness and it'll make you sweat a little bit but overall the heat just enhances the flavor. Some might quibble that because these are fried, not grilled over pimento, they are not true jerk wings, and while that's true, the final product is so good it's hard to argue with results.


Avondale Tap has a bunch of sports bar staples on the food menu but with the high level of skill in the kitchen, everything I've tried from there has been at least good and sometimes excellent. But if it's your first visit, I definitely recommend the jerk wings as a must try.

See ya there

Avondale Tap
3634 W Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL 60618

Thanks for the tip. I've been there a couple times, but just for beers while watching a game. Will definitely try out the wings now.

jerk wings look on point, you can smell that paste from the pic

All right, this is embarrassing.
I ride past this venue {on the #77 Belmont bus} probably over 100 times since it opened.
I have yet to go in.
On the other hand, I am not a fan of bone-in-wings, but deducing from what eating while walking scribed, the other foodstuffs here are probably worth having.
I will report.

Was there this weekend - their pulled duck sandwich was great.

A friend organized an informal evening of bowling last week at the excellent Avondale Bowl. It's a brand new bowling alley that has been completely renovated, great space. Based on the intel offered by this thread and proximity, I suggested the nearby Avondale Tap as somewhere to meet beforehand.

We started with pork nachos and some jerk wings. The nachos are better than average, the pulled pork shines. There's also generous slices of avocado which a lot of places might skip. It's a large portion, probably enough for a meal for two, possibly three people.

The jerk wings are just as described upthread. Very interesting sauce, well balanced with allspice and thyme, a nice heat but I think not too hot for most folks. They're very, very expertly fried. As said in the OP, these are the star of the show. Others at the table got some of the other wings (Buffalo and BBQ) which looked great but I didn't get a chance to try. There is every reason to return soon for more of these wings.

But what has me still thinking about the place is the sandwich I ordered. The Cuban sandwich doesn't appear on the website's menu and I don't recall the particular language describing it in the menu of the day. What I got was an oversized yeast roll the size of a giant russet baking potato with a plug neatly cut from the top. The sandwich filling was placed inside. There is no way to eat this thing like a sandwich, it's more like cheesy smoked pork with pickles in a soft bread bowl. It was really good and I'd order it again, just an odd interpretation. Like with the nachos, the pork is super. I took a few photos thought the light is kind of poor:


As served.


A few bites in.

Sandwiches are offered with fries or mixed greens. Avondale Tap sort of identifies as a BBQ place and I was expecting something like a collard greens but, as you can see, it's actually salad greens in a light vinaigrette. Still, very nice and I'd probably order it again next time.

Service was awesome. Our table of eight was well attended to with food and drink orders and I think everyone had a great time. The food arrived very quickly which isn't always a good sign but no problems here. The carafes of water on the table are a nice touch and appreciated.

They're doing really good things at Avondale Tap. I'd say chicken wing fans (like me) would be justified in a special trip. As luck would have it, we were there on a Thursday when the wings are half price but check the other specials.

Anybody know if the sister properties to AT--Aberdeen Tap, G&O--serve their wings in the same style? I'm intrigued, but would hit the much-closer location(s) if the same.

Wolcott Tap - another sister bar on Montrose (and Wolcott), has an overlapping menu including the wings and the highly unorthodox but tasty Cuban. I’ve inadvertentjy been to all of these spots over the years and they have remarkably consistent, solid kitchens across the mini empire of corner bars.

mod edited for spelling

Too dark for pictures but after my maiden voyage, I'm sure to return. Comfortable spot, easy street parking, friendly service, solid taps, promising & restrained cocktail menu, nicely curated back bar and well-prepared food, including excellent Caribbean Jerk Wings.

The Jerk Wings were as good as any I've had in Chicago. Intensely herbaceous and flavorful with a generous hint of heat that was pleasant but not dominant. As was posted above, redolent of thyme and allspice. They were grilled expertly, with a beautiful crusty exterior and juicy meat that fell off the bone with just the right amount of tug. These are destination wings.

The rest of the food we ordered was respectable and enjoyable, even if it didn't quite hit the level of the wings. The B.L.A.A.T Sandwich (Sourdough, Slab Bacon, Romaine, Roma Tomato, Avocado, House Aioli) was well constructed and tasty. The Cubano Grinder (Carnitas, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, Dijonaise, mojo, stuffed buttery onion sandwich bun) was a curious and distinctive variant. I can't say I loved it, mainly because it didn't really tick the boxes -- especially in the texture department, with that very soft bun -- that a typical Cubano does. But it was tasty in its own right, and my enjoyment may have been hampered by 1) the fact that I was sober and 2) my expectations. I can foresee a moment in my future when this will be the exact cure for what ails me.

It was impressive -- but given the obvious, across-the-board quality here -- not surprising that by 7:30 on a Tuesday, the main room was nearly full with all sorts of groups. This is a quintessential neighborhood bar and it's easy to see why it has such a following. Being just about 1.5 miles from home, it's a damned easy stop and I look forward to returning soon.

Thanks, eating while walking, for the heads up on this place. I've driven by it dozens of times and never knew what a gem it was.

=R=

eating while walking wrote:But the jerk wings are the star of the show.

Went with Jazzfood to Wolcott Tap, sister restaurant of Avondale Tap, Jerk Wings were as good as advertised. In other words, terrific. Ronnie described them perfectly below, though I also noted a subtle hint of sweet as the heat built.

ronnie_suburban wrote:The Jerk Wings were as good as any I've had in Chicago. Intensely herbaceous and flavorful with a generous hint of heat that was pleasant but not dominant. As was posted above, redolent of thyme and allspice. They were grilled expertly, with a beautiful crusty exterior and juicy meat that fell off the bone with just the right amount of tug. These are destination wings.

Fish and chips were fine, I liked them better than Jazzfood, the fries that came with the fish terrific. Service friendly and informed, this is a place that clearly cares about the food, its a cut or three above most bar food in Chicagoland, at least from my small sample.

Thanks eating while walking for bringing these gems to our attention.




Wolcott Tap Jerk Wings, count me a Fan!

Wolcott Tap
1834 W Montrose Ave
Chicago, IL 60613

Glad you guys are enjoying Avondale Tap! I didn’t know they were part of a restaurant family so I learned something new as well – thanks JeffB.

As stated up thread the Thursday special is half price wings, which means you can get an order of delicious jerk wings for the very low, possibly bordering on criminal price of $5. Weekly half price wings are a semi serious threat to my continued good health but what can ya do.

As far as the non-wing foods, I strongly recommend the cheesesteak hoagie and anything that comes with their excellent fries. Their salads are always fresh and nicely composed. The only dud I have ever gotten was the fried chicken sandwich which was overcooked and tasted of stale oil; maybe it was an off night for the kitchen.

See you guys there,

eating while walking wrote:As stated up thread the Thursday special is half price wings, which means you can get an order of delicious jerk wings for the very low, possibly bordering on criminal price of $5. Twice-Weekly half price wings are a semi serious threat to my continued good health but what can ya do.

The wings are also included in the Monday 1/2 price apps special...