Twisted Spoke

​I recently swung by Twisted Spoke, that biker bar on Ogden Ave, and let me tell you, it's a vibe. The Fatboy burger, stacked with a half-pound of juicy beef and all the fixings, hit the spot. Their buffalo wings, tossed in their signature sauce, were on point, and those cheese curds? Addictive, with a spicy-sweet mustard dip that kept me coming back for more. The Road Rash Mary, a spicy Bloody Mary garnished with salami and a beer chaser, was a game-changer. All in, I spent around $30, and every penny was worth it!

Finally had the chance to stop in to Twisted Spoke for a quick drink with my partner and her coworkers. When I walked in I instantly loved all the cool decor that hung on the walls and from the ceiling. The drink prices are very reasonably priced and strong lol. Our server was super kind and personable. One thing to note is that in the back area where we were seated it was very chilly so just a heads up if you’re swinging by during the winter like we did.

Very cool spot at the corner of Ogden & Grand. If you like motorcycles & liquor…this place is for you! I enjoyed this place 20 years ago, and it’s still as cool as ever. The food was beyond my expectations l- super delicious. The waitress was so sweet telling us about the gumbo, which we will definitely try next time! I also see a Bloody Mary in the review photos that I absolutely need to try!! I am looking forward to coming back soon!

Chill bar with impressive selection of whiskey and liquors. Delicious spicy bloody Mary’s with beer chaser Wisconsin style- love that. Breakfast burritos are fat, filling and tasty. The Scrapeheap Gumbo was one of the best tasting gumbos I’ve had- flavorful and spicy. Colleen was awesome behind the bar- efficient, attentive, cheerful. Great spot for breakfast and drinking. Highly recommend.

Always something new for your eyes to see no matter how many times you visit. The service and food are always great! I heard it's closing so go visit while you can

Hey I had a great time! Good food, fresh! Great blue cheese dressing, good job Cisco! RIP to the bartenders parents, hope you find a new job because you definitely don't want to live with them! RIP Twisted Spoke. You were one of the restaurants I ate in twice. Boo hoo! Ps good vibe, cool people inside, I guess.

Had ana amazing service outstanding and the Fatboy burger was 10 out of 10 also the cheese curds

Stopped by Twisted Spoke for brunch and had a blast. The patio was buzzing, and the Bloody Mary was a spicy, savory delight. I went with the Fatboy burger, juicy, cheesy, and messy in the best way. The fries were crispy perfection. Service was chill and friendly. Great spot for a laid-back meal with a side of people-watching.

My first time I tried an old fashioned was at this bar and I was litty! ‍ The first time I came I had the gumbo. It was so good I had to order it again when I came The second time. I was a little disappointed because it had 2 pieces of sausage in the bowl. We were on the way to the Bulls game so I didn't return it, but hope this improves. The waiters/hosts were great both times. There's a cool skeleton riding a spinning motorcycle on the sign outside. Very cool. I heard they have a rooftop but have yet to try it out. Good drinks and food. Will def be back

This place was awesome. I've always wanted to go and my friend and I after a night of dancing stopped off for a beer and fried pickles which were phenomenal. The service staff were great, friendly and efficient. The ambiance is pretty laid back and casual. I will definitely be back

Love the motorcycle riding skeleton on the roof. It always catches my eye when I drive last. Biker bar vibes with friendly service and good bar food. Their cheeseburgers are delish and they have some good cheese curds and nachos. Also, if you like wings, order the lemon pepper, they bring them out in a flaming skillet, it's a whole thing!

4 stars based on what it is. It isn't a fine culinary adventure. Not a super-creative menu. It's essentially a burger place and bar. The burgers are wonderful and huge. The bar seems fine but I'm pretty much a beer guy so can't say anything about the cocktails. It's a nice vibe. Not crazy loud so a good place to get really filled up on the FatBoy and chat with a friend or a date or significant other. the staff is friendly and responsive. I go for lunch and I understand it can get really crowded for supper.

Fun bar with great food top seating during the nice weather. It's a pretty casual vibe. Our group tried a selection of drinks-- beers, mules, signature cocktails, and margaritas to name a few. Everything was good. They have a nice selection and variety, especially with craft beers on draft. The menu here is pretty standard bar food, but everything we tried was SO good. The jalapeño poppers were amazing and we should have gotten another order of them.

Quick service and awesome brunch menu, we got the gumbo and the "swamp grits", diabocially good. Place had a cool aesthetic of motorcycle posters, parts, and memorabilia around the resteraunt. Will come back again.

What a fun place! When the weather is nice, the rooftop is the place to be. I've sat up there and at the bar. The bar is fun since the bartenders are very friendly and a lot of fun to converse with if you're alone. Came for drinks on the rooftop with a few friends. We stuck to beers and mixed drinks so unsure of cocktail quality but service was swift and drinks were cold and fairly priced. Would be open to coming back for dinner since the food at surrounding tables looked tasty.

I love this place. It's been a few years since I've been here, but today (November 26th 2023) I happened to be in the area and hungry so I stopped in. Let me tell you - it is as good as ever! I had a Road Rash Mary and the Scrap Heap Gumbo with two poached eggs. Everything was perfect! The bartender (Colleen) was provided swift, flawless, service with a smile. Definitely one of my all-time favorite places for food and drink in Chicago. I highly recommend The Twisted Spoke.

I love their Bloody Mary and burgers. The atmosphere looks like a bikers bar but it's so much more than that. Staff is friendly like talking to a friend. They have a huge list of bourbons from every level.

Love coming here on Wednesday for their whiskey specials. They now have belly pork popcorn which is very yummy, their burger is the same from way back when and the ambience is always fun.

Wanted to stop by for a while bc of the cool skeleton guy on the roof. Super small intimate vibes. I really enjoyed my time. Drinks are reasonably priced, and the burger was tasty asf.

It sounds silly, but if you're going to use Cliff & Twisted Spoke for an event, make sure that everything is clearly stated in writing and assign a guest to be in charge of "quality assurance" to include photos of anything that is subpar or not as promised. Long Story Short: My wife and I booked a welcome party for our wedding, and Twisted Spoke greatly missed the mark. When we tried to address the matter after the event, Cliff took no accountability. Given that he was not present for the event and his manager was dishonest, our grievances were not resolved. I would avoid Cliff and Twisted Spoke if you want a smooth and fair process. I put more details below. 1) Most egregiously, Cliff charged us for 70 people (we had 52), despite agreeing to do a headcount and charge $20 per person. He later tried to use a conversation about physical space and capacity to claim that I agreed to pay for 70 people. Mind you, Cliff insisted on not having a contract during the planning phase. I didn't want to be pushy, but in retrospect, I wish I had been - I see now why he did not want to spell things out.  2) Agreed-upon menu items were missing (only steak tacos instead of chicken and veggie, and only pulled chicken sliders instead of beef). Vegetarian guests were only able to eat hummus, veggies, and chips. Many of our guests left hungry.  3) Cliff was smug, pompous, and entitled when we brought these shortcomings to his attention a few days after the event. He repeatedly told us we should "be grateful" for getting a "bargain." As two non-union school teachers, we felt we were paying a fair, market price, for which we had saved money to pay. It is frustrating to have had this sour note on what was otherwise the greatest weekend of our lives    We didn't let it ruin things, of course, but very unfortunate to have this be the outcome when it was so easy to fix. We asked Cliff for a $425 refund, which was the difference of 18 people's food plus tax. On a $4,000 bill, and given that Cliff did not provide even proper food for 52 people, let alone 70, this was extremely reasonable. Not for Cliff, sadly. After Cliff was clearly not going to be professional, I was advised to pursue legal action. But again, as two teachers, we're not sitting on enough time or cash to go about such matters, unlike Cliff, who has been involved in litigation frequently with his businesses. Also, we didn't have the foresight to put our guests to work by having them take photos of missing items - cuz that's very normal    Without those photos, it would be our word against Cliff's, which would default to us losing. Suing for the $425 "miscount" issue was the only option left, and while I was told we had a decent chance of winning, without a signed, written contract, it was nowhere near certain. We chose to leave it be. Twisted Spoke used to be one of my favorite places in Chicago. After seeing the true character of the owner, Clifford Einhorn, I will never set foot in this place again.  MY ADVICE: If you must use Cliff's space, I recommend you do two things: 1) Be sure every detail is spelled out clearly in a written and signed contract - no verbal or emails only - this is a must! And 2) Assign a couple friends to know the details of what's expected and to take photos of everything, so that if things fall short, Cliff has ZERO room to wiggle out of his obligation. I still don't think it's worth the headache, but if you do these two things, you'll at least be less likely to have issues.

Looks like a hole in the wall bar. The food was DELICIOUS! I still dream about the Fatboy Burger. I got it medium well. I don't like pink meat, sorry. But at medium well, it was JUICY, Flavorful and BIG! I was expecting a dried out patty and it was the complete opposite. Buffalo chicken sandwich is also huge with the chicken being bigger than the bun. There is an upstairs outdoor patio, but I ate a booth by the bar. Bartenders seemed friendly and lower level is more catered to locals.

This is a quirky whiskey bar 300 plus brands. Was able to taste test several before choosing. Food is good as bar food gets. Sat at the bar Jasmine was our bartender she's cool and outgoing all in one. Fernando was also behind the bar super knowledgeable and cool as well. PS- the music selection was outstanding!!

Walked in and walked right back out. First we were put off by the bathrooms that were in the Yelp page showing the restaurant. We decided to give it a try anyway, we walked in and were instantly put off. The host did not attempt to greet us when we walked in, and then when we asked to just go sit at the bar he looked at us and proceeded to roll his eyes.

Had dinner on the rooftop patio, which was very comfortable. Service was good. We enjoyed the draft beer and cider selections. The food was delicious! Great burgers and fries (loved the dipping sauce). Also really enjoyed the veggie burrito.

One of my absolute favorite spots in the city! The decor and vibe is on point, it's like you stepped into a hip biker dad's garage. The music is varied night to night but always adds to the ambience. The upstairs roof is really well done with a great view of Grand Ave. Now to the food. The cheese curds! Oh lord almighty, the best I've had in the city. Also the honey horseradish mustard that comes with? It'll make you want to slap your momma. I usually get the Reuben for my main course. But the burgers are also divine. For drinks I strongly recommend the house old fashioned. If being a biker is wrong, I don't want to be right.

If I could rate it a 0 I would...bar tenders didn't know how to make an Old Fashioned or a Manhattan. They also didn't have 4 of the whiskeys that were asked for. At a WHISKEY BAR! Come on! really

Great place to go to start your morning on a beautiful day. Friendly faces at their outside register who will give you recommendations if needed. They take credit cards but appreciate the cash tips. Super cute outside patio that surprisingly seats a lot of people. If you're local or not, definitely check this spot out Ordered and highly recommend: - Banana Bread Iced Late - Chai Tea w/ Oat Milk - Everything Bagel w/ Homemade Chive Cream Cheese *** If you're feeling ambitious you can try their Spicy Chive Cream Cheese

Been to twisted more times then I can count. Each visit is always satisfactory, we got the Cobb salad, beast burger, onion rings, and muscles. Everything tasted great, per usual. Had trouble deciding what to get, lots of options and all are interesting. But never have been disappointed. Staff are welcoming and friendly. The vibe of the establishment itself is part of the reason we come. All around great service and food. She got the margarita, I got the raspberry ale. The margarita was fresh and the ale was something I personally enjoyed a lot, not too sweet or overpowering. Would highly recommend!

We came here for brunch on a breezy Sunday morning. So unfortunately, we weren't able to sit outside on their rooftop. We were fortunate enough to get a table right away since it wasn't packed at all. Our server was awesome. She carried a positive attitude, and was very welcoming. I know they're known for their bloody Mary's here, and the plan was to order one, but the truth is I've never been a crazy fan of them, and since it was chilly, I played it safe and ordered some coffee instead. I know, a little bowering, but the Two Brothers coffee that they served was damn good. The wife and I both ordered their "Chilla-Killas" with chorizo. The chilaquiles were tasty and mild in slickness and served with black beans and rice. My only complaint is that they used basmati rice which gave it a Mediterranean/Indian feel to the rice that didn't go with the rest of the dish. The plate didn't look very filling at first, but it definitely filled me up. I will definitely be returning, just not in the winter. I will unfortunately wait until the summer to return, so I can finally order my Bloody Mary on a Sunday Chicago summer morning.

I've only been to Twisted Spoke once before this time, but I heard about it because they are rated as one of the best whiskey selections in Chicago and they apparently have a good rooftop (never been). And I will definitely concur that they have a great whiskey selection! You can find some good deals on some unicorns (rare whiskies) and their selection is huge at reasonable prices since the whiskey market has pretty much exploded with price gougers over recent years. Pre-pandemic they used to have Whiskey Wednesdays where all or at least majority of whiskies were half off. So Twisted Spoke definitely has better value than say Longman & Eagle and Delilah's. Today, I came here for breakfast for the first time as my friend recommended it. Oddly enough, I have heard good things about their breakfast. I say oddly enough because you would never expect it as Twisted Spoke is a motorcycle bar and pretty much a straight dive bar. But we arrived at 10:50am with a party of 4, and they were able to seat us immediately in the backroom. It was extremely loud on the bar side because there were a lot of people for the Bulls game today at noon, but it was quieter in the backroom. Also, they had the Mercyside Derby playing on the TVs in the bar room. They also played some AMAZING music ie metal, smut (think Papa Roach), and they even played a Dre song so I was digging it! My friend said he always orders the Fried Egg Sandwich and he gave me a pro tip that I will share with the community. He said that they switched the bread from Texas Toast to marbled rye, but he always used to get it with Texas Toast so you have to request that if you like that. Like bacon, Texas Toast makes everything better! Though, I tried the Wisconsin Omelette. This was an extremely hearty meal and it totally hit the spot! They give you a slice of Texas Toast, the potatoes were very flavorful with their custom blend of spices (a lot of garlic), and the omelette literally pretty much had an entire bratwurst in it. This meal was incredible! I also had a Bloody Mary and it was very good! Not very spicy, but the Bloody Mary mix was great with a nice garnish of meat/cheese/green olive plus the beer back of High Life. Overall, I am a big fan of Twisted Spoke. I was pleasantly surprised with how good the breakfast was as I never expected it to be good. Service was adequate, prices are cheap/fair for Chicago, and I definitely dig the ambience. Definitely worth checking out especially if you are a whiskey fan!

I've loved the Spoke for years but as of Sept '21 they are having a bit of a rough patch probably due to covid. Smaller menu, higher prices, uninspired visit overall. Definitely a bummer considering what they used to be. Their once beautiful and epic full page of burgers on the menu is gone, replaced by one uninspired burger that doesn't come with fries or much real flavor. The "side" of fries isn't a whole lot of food and you get charged 5 bucks for the convenience. You can't really tell from the menu what you're walking into as the place is even struggling to get the QR code menu routine, it routes you to Google docs PDFs that aren't really sized for mobile phones. The service wasn't that great either but not many places have tons of staff now so I get it. They're probably still good for drinks and some of the apps are probably good but it's no longer a place for burgers, which were always the best part of the menu. Here's hoping this is just a temporary blip before a return to greatness after the pandemic is behind us.

Great hidden gem of a hangout, especially before a game at the United Center. Great bar grub, a large selection of bourbons at really good prices, and a very friendly staff. What more could you ask for.

Very good Gumbo. Very hearty, full of favor. Spicy as hell. I don't like spicy foods but I decided to suffer and eat anyway. I was craving the Gumbo! Also it comes with three large buttered slices of what I believe it to be French bread. The place is motorcycles theme... The service is good!

Really like the atmosphere and beers are reasonable but the relatively low priced burger($11) was actually well overpriced as very small and did not include anything else and the onion rings were $9 and the stringy type and very small portion for $20 at a very casual place....ridiculous! Then the 3% credit card fee.....also still have to scan the QR code for menu.....Covid is over but looking for any margin gain at consumers expense! The restaurant industry better get better or the current overzealous will wear thin as I really feel they are milking it now!

Hit them up at lunch on a Tuesday. Almost no crowd at the rooftop but had an awesome server and solid food.

This place was down the street from our airbnb, wanted to find a spot to get some draaanks cause it was ONLY 6pm, it took about 10-15mins to get us seated, our waitress was nice & attentive, it's a ku spot to drop by & chingching

Twisted Spoke is a great place to come with friends if you want to get some drinks and bites to eat. Their whiskey selections are nearly endless along with a wide offering of beers and standard cocktails. We split wings and bbq chicken nachos to start. Both were really good. I got the burger which was a solid hamburger. I thought the patty could've been cooked a bit less and seasoned more but was still a good burger. I will say their fries were really really good maybe some of the best fries I've ever had.

This is the father of all bars, and a drinkers paradise. With 20 tap craft beers to choose from, if this is your choice of drink, it's easy to find one you like; but it is the whiskey drinkers who get a pick of Heaven: With hundreds to choose from, I defy a person to tell me  that they didn't find a bourbon they liked here.  Twisted Spoke also ages some bourbon. Those wood barrels on the bar are not just for show. They contain the good stuff getting better. The decor is simple and unapologetic; with a semi circular bar that seats 24, and a few tables by the windows. But is the back wall of the bar that's captivating; with waist to ceiling rows of bottles neatly displayed. The food deserves it's own review. Good comfort food featuring about a dozen sandwiches, gumbo, chicken, pulled pork, burgers and tacos, served in portions to satisfy the best appetites. The food is so good that anyone who goes for lunch the first time, may be pressed to think this is a good restaurant with a great bar. Or is it a great bar with good food? Twisted Spoke has a room in the back of the bar for those who prefer a quiet setting, and a roof deck for the al fresco crowd, but to get the full experience of the place, everyone should sit at the bar, at least once. And attempt to count the bottles of bourbon on the wall. Go for the bourbon, stay for the food. And the drinks.

We have been wanting to go here for a while, but, after reading some of the reviews on here we were a little leery about coming here. We were pleasantly surprised. The food was good, and the bar has one of the best selections of liquor in the city. We went on a Tuesday not realizing that they have $3 Tuesdays where they have a nice selection of beers for only $3. We had the shrimp po boy sandwich and it was just as good as others that I have had in the City of New Orleans. We also had the gumbo which was actually very good, very tasty and filling. We will be back here on a cold day to have more gumbo. They have a very long bar with tables close to the window. But, if you go through the host stand, there is a room in the back with tables for people who want to sit in a quiet place and enjoy.

After a full day at RiotFest, we needed to wind down and relax before we hit the sack to prep for yet another full day of RiotFest the following Day. I am so glad we found this place! Initially, it felt like it was going to be a little snooty, but were we wrong! The staff and the patrons all seem to have come out of the fest themselves! So, that was great. They boast of an impressive selection of liquor and beer (probably wine too, didn't check though). We had some amazing whiskey and local beers. The atmosphere was very laid back and the staff very friendly. I definitely want to go back!

Good spot for lunch. Great service. Great shrimp po boy and perfect fries! Parking pretty easy.

I've been to Twisted Spoke 4-5 times now and it's always been great! Before COVID, we went a few times for brunch and would get their breakfast burrito and chilaquiles. Most recently, we had dinner and sat on the roof with our dog! It's pretty nice up there. You can hear street noise, but the ambiance is still good. Their current menu is limited, but what we had was delicious. We had the Walleye Tallboy and wings. The brioche bun and remoulade on the tall it was great. I think I'll ask for extra remoulade next time. We definitely plan on going back and would probably order the same dishes. It was easy, delicious, and we got to be outside with our dog. What can be better?!

Great Burger. Great Shrimp Po-Boy. Great Fish Sandwich. And super nice people. Highly recommend.

I wanted to eat at least one burger while in Chicago, so I went to Twisted Spoke. They let me sample beers until I found one I liked. The burger was like a higher-quality Big Mac, with a bun in between the patties. Fries with skin. Good food, and interesting conversation with fellow patrons.

Heavy metal and delicious bar food. Extensive beer and liquor selection and a chill staff.

Fans of Whiskey rejoice Whiskey Wednesday! A whole book dedicated to whiskey can be explored here for half price (and that's why you really end up here unless it's a different day, different special). Anyway, if you come here for the food, I felt that was pretty mediocre for the price they charge. Standard burgers and sandwiches, I would probably just come here to drink instead.

A few co-workers and I went to Twisted Spoke for lunch, this was the first time I came back after many years. I am glad to find that the menu and food is still very good. We ordered cheese curds and pulled pork nachos, both were really tasty and huge portions. A few of us ordered their chicken strips and others had the patty melt. It seemed like everyone enjoyed their food. I enjoyed the chicken strips, the chicken was tender and the breading was seasoned slightly. Fries were also pretty good. We will definitely be going back for lunch.

Solid bar food spot with a great roof! I came here for brunch and had a great time - good food, drinks and service. They have a lot of beer and Bloody Mary options and made a good mojito upon request. Most of the menu seems hearty and fried but they have a decent breakfast selection and a few healthier options. I chose the grilled chicken sandwich that great and served with delicious fries. Others in my party were very happy with the steak and eggs. Prices are very reasonable. Great summer spot, especially on the roof!

Still one star because I've tried to contact the restaurant several times about this awful meal. Apparently a manager is never on duty. I also emailed the owner and got absolutely no response fora week. The lack of responsibility over something as gross as egg shells in your food.

tried to go for a late night drink and some good food, this place was recommended by another nearby bar. when we arrived, they were playing porn on all of the tvs inside. every single one. not at all the vibe i was expecting or wanting to spend my night at. the windows were massive, and you could see everything, including patrons watching the porn, from the sidewalk outside. will not be visiting again.

Covid . ugh . Twisted has been a burger family favorite for many years. We went last night and only have one burger & it was not so great . I will say that the chips, guacamole & Salsa was awesome! We are not big drinkers so was so disappointed with the burgers . The staff was amazing ! nice , attentive ! We will not stop supporting Twisted just please bring your burgers back !!!

Had a couple of friends that came in from out of town and its the middle of the day so I thought I'd take them to this place. We were seated promptly and our server brought our waters very quickly. The rest of our party arrived and our server, Angel was on point. We ordered drinks which were fantastic. Our service was fantastic as well. Definitely recommend. Next time we will aim for a warmer day to try the rooftop.

I wanted to come to this place for a long time. I almost moved not too far from there and my friends go in there for their Bloody's all the time. I'm glad I did. The place is unassuming and has a fun menu. The bartenders do not take themselves too seriously and that attitude comes through for the whole experience. I had a few "safe" beers until Jeremia (sp) made it his mission to have me try something different and provided plenty of samplers before I settled on something I have not tried before. He really made the experience excellent for me and my girlfriend. While I stepped in to grab "one", we ended up having such a good time we stayed for 3 or 4, and may have snuck in a few shots. Was told that Wednesday is a great day to stop by for their Whiskey special and when I come back I'd like to try some of their food. Both of us will definitely be back. Cheers

So what happened to ur food focus SPOKE?? Ur menu used to have various vegetarian options not so much anymore. AND THE CURDZ...how could U change the CURDZ? Once my favorite curdz ever have now been changed to mehhh. So combine that with the attitude driven bartenders who feel like it's a bother to do their job you have me fading from a 4 Star fav to a dwindling 3 Stars. Still has the rockin music and fun vibe and a rooftop. Sometimes change is good but not this time SPOKE. Get ur act together and put some focus back on the food, bulk back up that menu and make me happy again.

Great restaurant for hangovers and brunch. They make their own corned beef hash and give you a generous portion. My group wanted to come here for the bloody Mary's and they came with pepperoncini and salami. I don't like BM but the group loved them. They didn't have too many non-pork options, which sucked but I am glad i found something and it tasted great. I want to come back for dinner!

Fun place. Great bloody Mary's and beer selection. Just missed brunch. Came in before a Blackhawks game. My husband got the classic road rash mary and loved it. I tried hopewell fun punch apricot/mango sour. Yum. I ordered an egg sandwich which was good. My husband got the burger. He didn't love the onion rings. Waiter , santos, was really nice. Got the Firestone Bretta Weiss on tap which turned out to be 13 dollars- pricey and draft prices r not on menu. Cool place. Will be back.

#dilfs the food is amazing and the service is even better... not to mention the good drinks!