Wicker Park’s Newest Neighborhood Spot, The Tankard, Opens Its Doors

Wicker Park’s transformation will continue with the addition of The Tankard, a neighborhood restaurant and bar. The spot opened its doors on Thursday, Aug. 4 for a soft opening and will be officially open to the public on Thursday,  Aug. 11. The new concept has taken over the former Lucky’s Sandwich Co. space and will serve appetizers, variations on tater tots, salads, burgers, sandwiches, entrees and more. Located in the heart of Wicker Park, the restaurant is taking a new approach to casual dining by offering a curated wine list, a rotating craft beer selection and gourmet bar menu items including:

TOTS:

• Cheeseburger: Ground beef, cheese, pickle, ketchup

• Bacon Wrapped: Pepper jack, ranch

• Buffalo: Buffalo sauce, blue cheese, celery

• Truffle: White truffle oil, parmesan 

• Totchos: nacho cheese, tomato, onion, jalapeño, sour cream, add chicken or beef

APPETIZERS:

• Cheese and Charcuterie: Olives, crostini

• Ceviche: Whitefish, mango, tomato, cilantro, plantain chips

• Warm Garlic Dip: Plantain chips

• Mussels: Coconut milk, white wine, green curry, lemon, crostini

• Southwest Chicken Egg Rolls: Chipotle aioli

ENTREES:

• Chicken Kabob: Pepper, onion, tomato, cilantro-lime rice

• Vegetarian Kabob: Yellow squash, zucchini, mushroom, onion, pepper, tomato, cilantro-lime rice

• Baked Cod: Mango relish, grilled vegetables

• Bratwurst: Sauerkraut, roasted red potato, dijon

• Steak & Tots: Sirloin steak, red wine shallot reduction, tots

A Co-Owner of Compass Bar, Patrick Wrona, has joined forces with partners Philicia Mizell and Rob Colon to create a neighborhood spot that everyone can enjoy- from after-work drinks to casual date nights as well as for watching sports. The three industry veterans met while working together for the critically acclaimed Boka restaurant group. With over 30 years of experience amongst the three of them, along with Colon's sommelier experience with Celeste and Cinghiale in Baltimore, the ownership makes for a strong team behind this new venture.

Colon curated The Tankard’s wine list ranging from Sparkling and White to Rose and Red with selections from around the world including Spain, France, Italy, Portugal, California and Washington. The sample of the Tankard’s cocktails includes ($9):

• Hemingway Daiquiri: Don Q Rum, Luxardo Maraschino, Lime, Grapefruit

• Sangre y Arena: Peleton Mezcal, Noilly Pratt Rouge, Cherry Herring, Orange Juice

• Boulevardier: Very Old Barton Bourbon, Campari, Sweet Vermouth

• Mango Bellini: Housemade Mango Pureé, Sparkling Wine

• Tankard Highball: CH Vodka, Aperol, St. Germain, Lemon, Soda

The Tankard will be opening with craft beers including Coronado Easy Up, Goose Island Bourbon County, Lagunitas IPA, Left Hand Milk Stout, Surly Hell, Twisted Hippo Bee’s Sleaze, Old Tankard Ale, Allagash White, Anchor Meyer Lemon, Ballast Point Calm Before the Store, Brooklyn Sorachi Ace, and Citizen Wit’s Up. In true neighborhood bar fashion, The Tankard will be offering daily food and beverage specials including:

• Daily happy hour deals Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. featuring $3 Tankards of "Old Tankard Ale", $5 Well Drinks, and 1/2 Price Tots.

• $5 Drafts on Mondays.

• $7 Specialty Cocktails on Tuesdays.

• Half price bottles of wine on Wednesday.

• $15 Domestic Buckets and $20 Select Craft Buckets on Saturdays and Sundays.

Expect a brunch menu to be released soon.

Hours:

Monday -Thursday: 4:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.

Friday: 4:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.

Saturday: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.

Sunday: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m.