Eric S.
Yelp
THE SHOW MUST GO ON
Slow, uncaring service meant I had to host trivia sans beer (dear god, the horrors!!)
Palatine is typically way off my radar, but I made an exception on 10/23/19 when asked to be part of a private event in the back room of this Tap House Grill. I was pretty familiar with the area, having been to Durty Nellie's in the past. The lots can be full, so parking may become a challenge.
Once I got all my equipment set up in the back room, I was ready for a server to ask me if I wanted something to drink -- I was quite obviously working a gig. That offer never came, and the staff was too busy with other tables to give me so much as a passing glance. Throat dry, I soldiered on and started without anything to quench my thirst.
After the show, I sat down at the bar and got two pints of Lost Coast Tangerine wheat ($6.50), followed by a pint of Half Day Meridian wit ($6.50). Both were great choices. I hadn't eaten anything all day, so I put in two food orders while watching the Nationals dismantle the Astros in Game 2 of the World Series.
I started with the "everything" pretzel sticks ($10) that came with nacho cheese and honey mustard. Five large rods (teehee) were covered in sesame seeds, poppyseed, salt & pepper, and honestly it was just way too much going on. Maybe some people are into those kinds of bagels, but for me, meh.
Remembering how much I loved their boneless wings ($11 for a 1/2lb), I got an order of them tossed in spicy ketchup w/cup of blue cheese. They tasted great, a perfect balance of heat & flavor, definitely would get these again. The veggie stix that came with were a pretty weak offering of wet celery and some sad baby carrots.
Bread = 3.5
Circuses = 2
After being totally ignored by servers in the back room, I continued to get the cold shoulder at the bar. I was there for nearly 90 minutes and in that time, the bartender maybe said a maximum of three words. Even after she brought out my 2 apps, I never got checked on again until I asked for the bill (which took a while on its own).
Halloween decorations were nice, though, I'll give them that. Lots of cobwebs, fake spiders, caution tape in the hallways, fun without being tacky. Men's restroom was clean, I think they had space-age hand dryers.
* TL;DR *
The good news is that Tap House locations are still averaging 4 stars in my book (Tap House Westmont [RIP] = 5*, Tap House Palatine = 3*).
It took more than 20 minutes for appetizers to come out, which if they were time-consuming items I could understand....but c'mon guys, they were freakin' pretzels & wings. Other locations have both on their menu, so I knew exactly how long they should've taken. Hint: it's way faster than 20 minutes.
If it were a busy night (it wasn't), maybe getting shunned by servers would make more sense. It was a Wednesday, and more than one server acted like I didn't exist. Doesn't matter that I was hosting trivia, I'm a customer too, and I deserve the same level of attention.
Recommendation? Leaning towards 'no'.