Beer, burgers score at Bulldog Ale House
Since opening in 2009, Schaumburg's Wild Bull Bar & Grill has proved so successful that the owners decided to open a new venture in Carol Stream. Taking over Jade's former spot, Bulldog Ale House offers a place for sports fans to watch the game with the whole family.
Motif: Walls are lined with flat-screen TVs tuned to sports, giving you a view from wherever you're sitting. The bar screens all major sporting events, including March Madness games and UFC fights. And if a game you want isn't on, just ask and the management will find it for you.
The bar area features a large wooden bar, plus small high-top tables and a long counter. The dining area is divided by brick pillars and offers a mix of booths and small tables. The two pool tables are almost always occupied. Bulldog also sports electronic dart boards and a Golden Tee game with its own flat-screen TV. There are small tables set up near the games to rest your drink on during plays.
Crowd: Since opening in February, the bar has been bringing in packed crowds every weekend, already attracting repeat patrons. By 6:15 p.m., the place was filled with a wide age range of customers sporting jeans and T-shirts or nicer tops. As the night gets later, the after-work and dinner crowd gives way to a younger demographic.
Service: I visited the weekend before St. Patrick's Day and the staff of cute female bartenders and servers were all dressed in green tops and tall socks with short pleated skirts. Despite the crowd, a bartender came over and offered service as soon as I grabbed a seat. She quickly rattled off the day's specials and invited me to walk around the bar to check out the drafts selection.
When I got back, the first bartender I'd talked to was busy, but one of her colleagues quickly stepped in to take my order and pour me a brew. She was also very well-versed in the food menu, offering up suggestions based on her favorites. When a table opened up, I had no problem getting my order filled there instead of at the bar. I was quickly brought the check and a to-go box for my leftovers.
Liquid consumption: Beer is the drink of choice. Bulldog serves 32 drafts including 312, Guinness and Harp in 16- and 24-ounce glasses and massive 32-ounce tankards. A small cocktail menu includes several types of alcoholic lemonade along with strawberry and mango daiquiris and margaritas. The bar offers drink deals every day including $2 drafts Thursdays, $3 Jameson shots Fridays and $10 mixed buckets Mondays.
Food: Burgers have been the most popular items on the menu. Wings are also a hit, with a selection of boneless or traditional wings served with a choice of eight sauces including roasted garlic and Cajun. You can also try the buffalo tenders in a wrap for $6.99.
I was looking for something lighter, so my server recommended the $7.49 chipotle chicken Caesar wrap. The dish is essentially a particularly good chicken Caesar wrap with very crisp lettuce and an extra kick provided from the jalapeño salsa. All the wraps are served with a large pile of solid fries.
Bulldog also offers a lunch special from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays, where $8.99 will get you an entree like chicken quesadillas or a one-topping personal pizza, along with a side and a fountain drink.
Parking: There are plenty of free spots in the strip mall parking lot.
Overall: Bulldog Ale House is a great spot to watch sports. But even if you're not much of a fan, the good food and service make it worth a visit.
<b>Bulldog Ale House</b>
1021 Fountain View Drive, Carol Stream, (630) 690-0333, <a href="http://www.bulldogalehouse.com" target="_blank">bulldogalehouse.com</a>
<b>Hours: </b>11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Sunday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday