Gideon Welles Craft Beer Bar & Kitchen — Restaurant in Lake View Township

This underrated Irish gastropub located on the corner of Lincoln and Sunnyside across from Wells Park in the Lincoln Square neighborhood. At first I was reluctant to go based on some old past reviews but decided that I needed to give it a try for myself. I was pleasantly greeted and immediately served a glass of water with a lemon wedge. I arrived during Happy Hour and ordered a Dirty Martini with Kettle One vodka. It was the BEST cleanest and clearest "Dirty Martini" I've ever received anywhere vs other places that were too cloudy with an overpowering amount of olive juice. As a regular favorite go-to drink of mine, it became CLEAR to me that for the first time I was finally served the perfect well balanced Dirty Martini. For starters, I was recommended by the bartender Ralph, the Crispy Goat Cheese that came with a tomato based sauce spread and lightly toasted Peasant bread. The goat cheese (my favorite) was perfectly fried warm and soft on the inside and a crispy light breading on the outside. It was amazingly delicious, hardy and dainty at the same time. The presentation was on point! Next was the Beet and Goat Cheese Salad without any meat added. By far, this is a true rock star of all salads. Not only is it very tasty but also heart healthy and provides great energy and libido. The baby spinach was fresh, crisp and CLEAN. All the other ingredients just made it all the more better which I paired with a glass of Pinot Grigio wine from Italy. On to the dessert, which was also recommended, Butterscotch Pecan Bread Pudding with Vanilla Bean Gelato. It blew me away. It was beautifully presented, warm, moist and just the right amount of sweetness. It was suggested that I have a small pour of dessert liqueur, Shanky's Whip, to pair together. It's a whiskey "blend" with vanilla and caramel tones and a Butterscotch aroma. I was truly taken back how delightful it tasted. Just when I thought my exceptional experience was over, I happen to get into a discussion about Ron Zacapa Rum made with virgin sugar cane. I learned about the process of how it's made and operated by a woman. It was very interesting topic. Ralph the bartender whipped up, on the spot, a new twist on the classic Old Fashioned cocktail using this premium Guatemalan rum. It was outstanding! I do hope they consider adding this to their regular cocktail menu. I would definitely order it again! Before I left, I did order a Reuben Sandwich to go for tomorrow's lunch. It had a good hefty amount of corned beef and still good the next day. To quickly point out a few things...they have 3 entrances. The main entrance is a revolving glass door. The other 2 doors are handicap accessible, a well lit side door on Sunnyside Ave. and a dining room entrance on Lincoln Ave. The bathroom was clean with a standard size stall and a spacious handicap stall. They have a separate dining room/party room for gatherings or to just come & eat if you don't want to dine in a bar setting with family. A kid's menu is available. It's holiday decorated and cheerful. The owner, Owen, politely answered my question about outdoor seating in the summer. It seats up to 70 people on both streets, Sunnyside Ave facing Wells Park providing a more peaceful view and Lincoln Ave facing the main busy street. I noticed alot of women here...more than some other places I've been to and instantly felt at ease. I did strike up a conversation with a small group of women who were seated along the additional tables across from the bar. To my surprise, it was also their 1st time. They were walking and looking for something to eat and the well lit lighting outside and decorations made them feel safe & inviting. The bar-back was hustling, cleaning and restocking. They have a big selection of beer and ciders on tap, bottles and cans. I noticed they serve a perfect beer on draft with a glass rinse as it cools simultaneously. This place is a true diamond in the ruff with elevated food options, cocktails & bar staples. A must go kinda place to experience...

1st timers. Celebrating my birthday. Walked in and greeted with a smile. Sat at table and immediately given Chicago's best tap water. Lol This place doesn't look big at first but there is another room for larger parties connected in back. We felt comfortable. Not rushed. Given time to review the menu and drinks. Our waitress appeared shortly after, perfect timing. She was a delight and had a great smile. I tried the Evanston beer, ok. My wife had a Moscow Mule which she enjoyed so much she ordered another later. Ordered the homemade chips with a white sauce and blue cheese crumble. Different but good. We liked it a lot. Wife had Gastonburger with onion on top and pulled pork, whoa it was a lot. She loved it! I had the chicken sandwich with Chipotle spread and various cheesy with bacon. I liked it! My wife informed our waitress that it was my birthday. I didnt think anything of it. Next thing I know, we're presented with two shots and a an owner (I think) that personally said happy birthday. He didnt have to do that but it made my night. Cubs game was on as well as NBA playoffs. This place is good for a lot of different crowds. It's a neighborhood bar but it's doesn't pigeon hole itself. Plenty to choose from for beer, wine, and liquor. Good food menu. Fries were great. We'll be...

DO NOT COME HERE. I went to have dinner here and waited at the front for a few minutes before someone came up to us and told us to sit anywhere. Whatever. At the end of the meal however, a very young boy (no older than ten) came around with a box of candy trying to sell. he was harming no one, didn’t even stop when I said no thank you and kept going. All of the sudden, this very large man came from behind the bar and grabbed the kid by his collar and very aggressively dragged him out of the door. He then stood out there and ripped the box of candy from the kids hand and stood there screaming at him. I was disgusted that this large man would be so violent and aggressive with a child in front of all of his patrons. I would strongly advise everyone to not come here as they are so okay with such acts of violence and humiliation against children. he still was screaming at the boy outside of the restaurant when we walked out. I am curious if this little boy being mexican also had something to do with it, would he have been so violent with a white boy? I doubt it. This restaurant isn’t even nice enough to be bothered by a young child offering candy. truly...