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Bidwell Tavern Cafe
Rating Details »
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good for:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
11 reviews for Bidwell Tavern Cafe
I copied much of this from a review I did on a different site, (which was in response to someone who put up a review based upon one experience).
Food:
The wings are GREAT. Better than just about anywhere I've been, just keep in mind that there are a ton of flavors, and some of them are pretty unique, so there are bound to be some you won't like (I think any of the horseradish based ones and the hot garlic ones are gross). I can't recommend going to the Bidwell for other food, although a lot of it is good, the Bidwell is known for its WINGS. I particularly don't like their nachos, but the sandwiches are good.
Service:
The Bidwell is great if you know what to expect. The complainers about service probably sat on the bar side on a busy night - this place gets CROWDED, and with good reason. It's a UConn and local hot-spot, if you go the same night each week you'll start seeing the same people a lot. As far as having to wait sometimes, if you're in a rush, go to Applebees and stare at the crap they put on the walls to make it seem like it has a fun atmosphere. You shouldn't go to a TAVERN expecting a perfectly choreographed & calm sitdown meal, just like you shouldn't go to Olive Garden and expect the same jovial, "hang-out and have a good time" that the Bidwell offers to those who have come to love it. Once you know the wait staff it gets even better - I go all the time, and every once and a while they get bogged down, so I'll sass 'em a bit.
Insider Info:
The bar side is almost always first come first serve for seating, but talking to a waitress helps too. The later you show up on popular nights the more likely you'll be waiting all night - as the night rolls on the crowd tends to turn to people that eat and then just hang out all night listening to music, watching the game, and grabbing a pint. - The restaurant side has a waiting list when it's busy, and they're usually good about noticing a new group/couple, but they might not notice you by the door on a busy night because people tend to stand all over the place. If you want a table you may have to ask. - Monday nights are the cheapest if you plan on having a couple beers. All drafts are $1. Wednesday nights the 30-wing platter comes with 6 ponies (7 oz beers) for the same price, and there's a band (but you better like it LOUD). Those are my two favorite nights.
Well done friends. As we have not seen each other in some time, I had wondered if you had slipped. Maybe you had hired a new chef and he had not quite learned the ways of the wise one. But........nah. Still good.
Every time I'm there they are perfect. It was good to be back again. I will be back again this week before my trip back West. We don't have wings like this out west. They don't have wings like this anywhere.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
6/15/2009
I have sampled wings from across the land, but none come close to Bidwell's cajun honey bbq. The… Read more »
Great place for a brew! Monday night $2 drafts can't be beat! Also love the wings... the Green Mountain flavor is unlike anything I've had before, and while they're not for everybody, I love 'em.
The atmosphere is also great... very historic, check out the old pictures on the walls and the old jail in the back behind the bar!
This is a great place for some drinks and appetizers. The wings and beers are great! But-I would not order the entrees. I had a swordfish special one evening and it was disgusting. The burgers are pretty good too.
From what I can recall from my UConn days this place is a legit tavern. It's almost like a something you'd find in a early 90s RPG game that served mead, comely lass waitresses? Another question all together.
The wings here own it. The garlic parmesan are especially excellent. In fact all the varieties are most excellent and very meaty.
If I could find the trail of breadcrumbs I left to get here all those years ago, I'd return. Sadly, it'll likely remain like the island on 'Lost' in my memory.
The oriental sesame wings are too yummy to be missed. I like the wings here because they are cooked to crispy perfection. Just don't like that wobbly rubbery fatty skin that most places call cooked---ick. I generally don't order wings, but these just slide right down. Ooops drooled on the keyboard. The wings are amazing, but even better is the calamari! I have never had such fresh calamari--not even at the shore. Bidwell's squid is sooo tender. Be sure to ask for extra marinara sauce -- maybe its the Italian in me, but no restaurant gives you enough of the sauce.
On seating, they have indoor, indoor outdoor, and outdoor. The outdoor seems nice, but you can't get there from here. Translation: you cannot reach the outside dinning area by going into the restaurant (doh). You must walk around--kinda strange and makes bathroom trips a chore. Wait staff is okay, not very observant the day I was there, however the food makes up for that. Go, the drive there is lovely and the food is worth the trip.
The food was good. The beer was good. The service, not that great. They have great specials throughout the week. Tues: beef & beer. Wed: Wings and rocks. According to their menu, they are known for their wings. When given the opportunity, I'm going back to try out their wings.
The Bidwell's been a favorite of mine for decades. A good place to meet friends and share a meal. Worth a visit if you're in the area.
We all know nothing goes together like beer and wings. Well, maybe beer and burgers. Or beer and a hot dog. Then there's beer and barbecue. Of course, you can't forget beer and pizza, too.
Anyway, wings are good. Beer is very good. Bidwell Tavern happens to sell both. They do this very, very well. In fact, their wings are the front-runner for the best of any I've had. Yes, I've been to Archie Moore's, and they're good too. But Bidwell is the king. They're way out of the way in Coventry, so if you're not heading up to the UConn area, it's not easy to get to. But we still hop in the car and drive...and drive...all the out to Coventry because we know what's waiting for us when we walk through the door. Ordering a Tavern size is a given, AND you can mix up the flavors, depending on the # of wings you order.
The service is always really friendly, and the prices aren't bad either. They did some renovations a few years back, so the parking lot is paved now, and they've got some good outdoor seating.
The mustard horseradish wings are incredible. If you really want to branch out and order something else off the menu, they've got some great cheese-garlic bread, and their burgers are good too... But really, why come here if not for the poultry?
Ok The Bidwell, its got charm...nice bar with real wood burning stove and plenty of seating, and about 37 different good beers on tap, plus a full bar. The food is pretty darn good too. Usually I get the wings, did I mention, there are about 35 choices there, and they are all great! The garlic peppercorn and the Hot and spicy terriaki are among my favorite. MMMM tasty!! You can go there and have a nice intamite dinner (they have a full menu) or just hang out in the tavern, either way, you'll have a good time. Also in he tavern on select evenings in live music, nothing too ruckus just good ol listening, and on St. Patricks day, great Irish folk singers enertain you while you drink your Guinnese or green beer.... The wait staff us helpful and quick to bring you what ever you need. In the summer spring and fall there is outdoor seating on the wooden deck.
Let me tell you, they don't skimp on the food, if you order a burger and fries, be prepared because its gonna be delicious juicy and HUGE...If you can eat the whole thing and still drink your beverage, well good for you, I know I can't do it.... so the next time your in coventry ct and need a good beer and some wings thats where I'd go.
If I were to base the number of stars on the quality of the wings and selection of beer this would be a no contest 5 star review. I have to take one star away because of the number of times I have been cheated on early closing of the kitchen even when I call ahead to make sure they will still be open in anticipation of a big plate of mouthwatering wings. Those minor disappointments aside, you can't beat the mustard horseradish or sesame teriyaki wings. It hasn't lost its old New England tavern feel since the days when you needed to take a horse to get there. They will often have some simple 1 or 2 man band live music that, at times, can be slightly embarrassing when you are the table in front and the dude is covering Tequila Sunrise (man, I hate the f*#%ing Eagles!), but for the most part it is all entertaining and adds to the unique experience. A+ for effort and the wings. I love this place!
