Wooden Paddle — Restaurant in Lyons Township

First, at least this review is not AI. :)

So I wanted to give this place a chance, as a resident of La Grange - we want to be proud of the restaurant scene the village has to offer, but unfortunately I fear we got what seems to be standard service and was a disappointment from start to finish.

Upon arriving, with a reservation we were informed our table was not ready and told to wait, that is absolutely fine as I have been in the industry long enough to know sometimes table turnover isn’t predictable. Looking around there were countless unbussed table (don’t worry, this is a theme), and no place to wait that wasn’t next to a table or in front of two sets of doors. The music is incredibly loud with unbalanced bass, and sounds like royalty-free AI music that your aunt’s friend probably would think is Dua Lipa.

We get seated, the table is noticeably small for four people, so the parties legs touch when seated since everyone there was, in fact, an adult sized human. On top of that, the chairs are cheap bentwood chairs typically used as rentals for weddings/events and would not be considered standard practice for restaurants. They feel loose and wobbly and do not allow for you to lean back at all without falling out.

Our server arrives pretty immediately and acknowledges that she’ll be back for drink orders since she knows we just got there. We have time to peruse the menus, and let me tell you I was beaten over the head with all of the “we do things a little differently here” kind of wink-wink nudge-nudge jokes that occupy every inch. Drink menu, weirdly has a New York Times style cartoon of flies in drinks. I don’t think that’s the mental association with drinks you want, but this is not my restaurant (thank god). The food menu has a similar cartoon that is making fun of the current aesthetic food culture - which let me tell you this, owners - you’re the product of that. Theres some virtue signaling/dog whistle-ey anti-tree nuts label on the back for some reason too. They also have a weird cash-free bill on the table with a story of why they’re cash free and manage to sneak in an anti-mask Covid remark, cool.

Drinks: My parter and I each order a cocktail, and our third guest is pregnant so just has a soft drink. He gets the incredibly cringe inducing named fig old fashioned. Fig jam doesn’t add anything except for sugar and some texture in your mouth and makes the drink cloudy, next. But hey, that’s at least dropped off - mine takes another 10-15 min until I was told that it was out. Cool, I get the Fire and Ice, which is just a mezcal margarita essentially, with some invisible passionfruit element.

Food: we start with buffalo pork belly because to quote my parter “you can’t mess that up”. Well, I’m impressed, they did. It was chewy, almost no fat whatsoever and dry. Taste wise, it was nothing but heat and virtually no flavor, we all ate a piece and left one over after dissecting what it was. It was more of a piece of pork chop than pork belly.

Next, we got the grandma’s pizza which is a favorite as denoted on their menu! I guess people really love lunchables because the sauce was sweet, the cheese was flavorless and the crust was doughy. On top of that, the ovens are not wood fired only meant to look like that they’re gas burning, so for pizza lovers, go out and get yourself some real Neapolitan style pizza and treat yourself! On to the duck pasta and oh wow, this is a dead ringer for the flavor profile of Cincinnati chili. Not a good thing, mixed with the dry Sysco pasta noodles that didn’t allow for sauce to stick to it - I’d say get yourself some skyline (or four star), and stay at home. The Caesar salad was mid and overdressed, and our pregnant friend was afraid of it due to potential raw eggs not disclosed.

All while, three tables around us were not fully bussed and was not a great addition to the already bizarre atmosphere, including the prints of people with their nose pinned in the unmaintained restroom referring to it being unpleasant smelling in there, again cool. At...

Wooden Paddle in La Grange is an absolute hidden gem that totally blew my mind! From the moment I stepped inside, I was struck by the unique ambience--a perfect blend of modern style and rustic charm. The cozy decor and friendly vibe immediately made me feel at home. The atmosphere is simply amazng and inviting, setting the stage for a truly memorable dining experience. I was really impressed with the welcoming service and the overall cool energy of the place.

I had the pleasure of meeting the owner, Johnathan, and his kind wife who personally gave me a tour of the restaraunt. They showed me the private dining rooms and the huge event space on the top floor. Not only that, but I also got a tour of the kitchen, which was super clean and spotless--it really spoke volumes about their commitment to hygiene and quality. Their genuine hospitality and personal touch made the visit feel special and unique, setting this place apart from all the others. It truly exceeded all my expectations during my dining experience.

Now, let's talk about the food, which was nothing short of spectacular. I sampled several dishes, and each one impressed me with its distinct flavors. The Fried Brie was delightfully crispy on the outside while wonderfully melty on the inside. The Smoke & 'Shroom pizza was the star of the show, bursting with smoky goodness and fresh, earthy mushrooms that perfectly complemented each other. I also enjoyed Grandma's Pie, a dessert that brought back warm memories of home with its comforting sweetness and traditional taste. Every bite was like a celebration of culnary creativity and care. Seriously, the Shroom pizza stole the 1st place for me!

Another major highlight was the cocktail. The Pomegranate Grenadine vodka cocktail was stunning--OMG, it was Whao! It had a tangy yet sweet flavor that made me want another sip instantly. This drink was the perfect complement to the amazing food and the overall vibe of the place. It totally lifted my mood and made the whole experience even more enjoyable.

What truly sets Wooden Paddle apart is its warm, welcoming atmosphere that makes every guest feel like part of the famly. Whether you're out with friends or having a chill dinner with the fam, the restaurant provides the perfect setting for every occasion. The private dining rooms and expansive event space are ideal for parties and celebrations. Every detail is carefully crafted to ensure an unforgettable experience that keeps you coming back for more. I absolutely loved every single moment I spent there.

In summary, Wooden Paddle is a must-visit spot in La Grange that offers an exceptional blend of delectable food, inviting ambience, and outstanding service. I highly recommend this place to anyone who appreciates great food and genuine hospitality. It's a 5-star experience that leaves you wanting more. I'll definately be returning soon for another unforgettable meal and a chance to soak in the amazing vibe again. Btw, if you're in the area, don't miss out on this incredible dining adventure. Totally a perfect spot for those who love to explore unique dining experiences and chill with good company. Highly...

We’ve been to the Lemont location and we had a positive experience. The Lagrange location is much closer to us and bigger. It’s located in downtown Lagrange. There is a big, public parking lot nearby as well as street parking. We walked in without a reservation on a Wednesday night and we got seated immediately. The ambience is intimate and darker than the other location. They have a bar as well as places to hang out at to the left. The restrooms are located on the bottom floor. The restrooms are gender neutral and in individual rooms. They also have more places to sit down.

We ordered buffalo pork belly, Mr Beef pizza, pretty fly for a white pie, k-bbq, black angel hair, balsamic skirt steak, and blackberry merlot short rib. For desserts we ordered creme de la creme brulee, ooey gooey butter cake, and caramelized banana split. Pizza is their bread and butter so it’s imperative that you at least try one. If you don’t want pizza, you should order a meat dish with something else like pasta or vegetables. Maybe an appetizer because the portions for the meat are not enough to fill you up by itself.

You might think the prices are expensive, they have coupons that you can acquire. You should enroll in their pie society that you can find on their website. They have offers for free pizza, pasta, snack, dessert, or brunch snack. Only one per table and per visit. Service was great. Our server did check up on us often and made sure our drinks were filled. Prices are reasonable for the pizza and kind of expensive for the other items.

-Buffalo pork belly 5 - Buffalo sauce was just right and pork belly was tender. -Mr Beef pizza 5 - it’s a really tasty pizza. Basically eating Italian beef on pizza. -Pretty fly for a white pie pizza 5 - you can’t really go wrong with different kinds of cheese on one pizza, especially mixed with garlic and black pepper. -K-bbq pizza 5 - I really loved the smoky kbbq sauce. It has a tiny bit of a kick but still very enjoyable. -Black angel hair pasta 4 - they give you a pretty good portion. It’s not small. I felt like it was too salty. When we went home, we added more noodles to lessen the saltiness. -Balsamic skirt steak 4 - it was cooked medium rare but just a tad bit chewy. I do love the marinade they used on the meat. -Creme de la creme brulee 5 - very creamy and isn’t too sweet. Not much to say because everyone knows what this is. -Caramelized banana split 5 - different version of the classic but...