What's Good at the Bad Dog Tavern

By Hanna Aronovich in Food on May 25, 2006 2:19PM

The amber hues inside the Bad Dog Tavern offset its cool décor, as does the friendly staff – enabling this Lincoln Square tavern to be both welcoming and trendy. At 4535 N Lincoln, the Bad Dog Tavern is outfitted with dark woods, granite floors, metallic frames, copper-colored tiles and low lighting. When Chicagoist stopped by for lunch on Sunday – although sunny outside – the tavern was dimly lit. The bar is spacious, with the long bar and tables up front, leading into a backroom, with more booths, tables, burnt-red walls and a cozy fireplace.

Relatively empty during the weekend brunch hour – Chicagoist saw a few couples and a young family or two – Bad Dog Tavern draws a younger crowd on weekends. Live music and entertainment on select nights also fills the place.

The menu is straightforward, but more upscale than standard pub fare. Salads, pizza, calamari and the seasonally changing, fusion-style selections help bar food grow up. Chicagoist kept it light and went for the BDT salad, a colorful bowl of greens, avocado, black olives, tomatoes, onion and a tangy dressing. We were hoping for some cheese, and our waitress happily added it in for us. It was a bit early (even by Chicagoist’s standards) for a drink, but the Bad Dog Tavern’s wine (by the glass or bottle) and on-tap beer list was extensive enough to please about anyone.

Of course, we can’t go without mentioning the specials. Bad Dog Tavern offers daily deals, such as half-price pizzas, $3 shots and half-price bottles of wine.

For a better-than-bar-food meal in a cozy-but-stylish setting, Bad Dog Tavern is a good choice.