The Bidwell Tavern is a classic Coventry landmark. Famous for their wings, the Bidwell makes a significant impression on the majority of people who visit this beacon of wings and beer.
I've been to the Bidwell several times since I was an undergrad at ECSU. I visited last week for drinks and apps on their patio. Their appetizer selection is decent. Since I'm a pescetarian, we didn't order wings. Â We ordered nachos and calamari which came out relatively quickly and paired well with out black and tans. Although, typical bar fare the calamari was fried perfectly with a medium amount of batter and decent marinara for dipping. The nachos were pretty much run of the mill, but one can't complain too much about tortilla chips and melted cheese.
The Bidwell acclimates to many seasons. It was great to be on the patio under the shade of an umbrella in the summer. In the winter, the bar area is warm and cozy and heats up with a wood burning stove.
A great place to go for a meal and drinks with friends.
Although they have lots of tasty dishes, the Bidwell is known primarily for their award-winning wings. Now, the Storrs area has no shortage of good wings (it is a college town, after all). Bidwell's wings are right at the top of my list. They have such a great array of flavors: staples like Honey BBQ and Buffalo, but also Hickory Horseradish, Sante Fe, or Sesame Garlic Pepper. My personal favorite is the Honey Mustard. Although they're not boneless wings like Wings Over Storrs, they are perfectly spiced and have plenty of meat. If you're not in the mood for wings (hey, it could happen) you can order one of their yummy burgers, sandwiches, or quesadillas. In addition to all the local and international beers you'd expect, there's also a wine list.
The ambiance is great since it's a historic tavern. There's a dining room area, with lots of light from the large windows, and a darker pub area. Although it can get crowded in the pub, there are some nooks and crannies where you can find more private seating.
Bidwells is hit or miss for me. Â On busy nights, it isn't worth the trip with the wait. Â Service can be - by necessity - shotty on those nights. Â Also, if you aren't getting wings, some food is iffy. Â That said, I had a pretty decent salmon there the other night and great music, too. Â So I definitely recommend it to others, especially wing lovers.
Review Source:We had a tremendous experience at the Bidwell Tavern. Â We did go on "Rocks and Wings" night, but were not going for Rocks and Wings. Â It's always good to see how a place chooses to treat their customers who want an everyday experience despite the specials.
We chose to sit in the Tavern as it is a bit more casual of a setting. Â Wait staff quickly attended to us, and got our drink orders in. Â My wife knew what she was having (white zinfindel is the usual for her), but I tend to look for local microbrew and experience different flavors. Â My favorite taste tends to fall in the middle ground of brown ales (think Newcastle, Long Trail, etc.). Â The house Bidwell Old Abernathy was perfect. Â Smooth yet flavorful, served at a perfect temperature. Â I rarely drink more than a pint in any establishment but this ale was worth a second pint to enjoy the experience.
Because they were so raved about, we had to at least try the wings. Â They have a huge list of sauces - be prepared to both ask your server what some of them mean as well as take time to decide what you'd like. Â We chose to go with the honey BBQ and it was a good call. Â Great honey flavor came through unlike most where the BBQ tang drowns out the honey. Â A small plate of wings was plenty for two of us to split as our appetizer.
My wife ordered the Sea Scallops and I chose to go with the Fish and Chips. Â My wife's salad arrived shortly after the wings. Â Fresh, crisp and well dressed, it provided a solid opener.
My dinner was very tasty. Â The beer batter was light and flaky with no trace of grease. Â Well seasoned, the fish was moist and perfectly cooked through. Â The fries were crisp and plentiful. Â My only disappointment was the cole slaw. Â I'm more of a mayonnaise fan than the vinegar slaw variety. Â Theirs was the latter, and was a bit too tart for my taste. Â It was fresh enough and not overly soggy. Â Just not the style I prefer.
So much food was served that we had no room for dessert. Â Service throughout the meal was attentive but not overbearing. Â Atmosphere was what we were hoping for. Â It was a bit loud in the Tavern section, and our waitress used a few "colorful words" while being playful with regulars and other staff. Â Those that look for a fine dining experience I am sure would be turned off by the informality and find it offensive. Â For us, it was actually entertaining and we left with smiles on our faces. Â
Note that we went in early July, well outside of college season. Â We tend to avoid the busy time when school is in and the place is mobbed with college kids. Â But we will happily return during these times of year when we just want a relaxed time to unwind, let the world go by and just enjoy life as best we can.
It's the Bidwell- a classic. Not just a classic but an antique. Â This is a tavern in every sense of the word.
If you've heard of the Bidwell, you know they have the best wings in the state. Period. blah blah J Timothy's and whatever- it's Bidwell. Hands down. Hickory Horseradish and BBQ Mustard are my personal favorites, but there's dozens to choose from. I'd just stay away from the boring buffalo sauce. Go to Chili's or TGIF or somewhere else lame if you want buffalo wings and free up the space for the rest of us.
That said, the last thing you want to do is go on wings night. Â First, it's always crowded. Second, they pair it with rolling rock- one of the worst beers conceived by mankind. Â Speaking of beers, they have around 22 or so taps but only 4 of them are decent. It seems like they never get anything new, either. Â If you're looking for good craft beer, Pub 32 is around the corner and just slightly better. Or you can try Willimantic Brewery despite their disgusting food.
So if not wings night and you want a deal- when do you go? Â Beef n Brew night on Tuesday! Salad, pint of beer, sides and choice of prime rib, pot roast, or sirloin tips. All for $13 or so bucks? Â Considering a beer will cost you five bucks- this is a steal! You won't leave hungry.
This place is best in the summer or during winter break when all the college brats are back home. But it's somewhere you have to visit at least once even if you live in another state- the experience is worth it.
I've made it a tradition to visit Bidwell's at least once a year, and this past weekend was visit #4 for me. My girlfriend, myself, and another friend headed out to Coventry for some wings, beers, and good times.
Per usual, we weren't disappointed in any way, shape or form. Their tap list wasn't up to date, but they had replaced some options with very similar brews. I ordered the Founders Porter and was told that they had Back East Porter instead. No complaints there!
Upon returning to the table with our drinks, the waiter took our food order and was on his way. In order to keep with tradition, my friend and I ordered some wings. We weren't feeling daring enough to get the usual platter of 30 each this time, so we settled for 20 each. My girlfriend ordered a veggie/pasta dish. Her salad arrived pretty quickly after that, and everything seemed pretty fresh. The onions were strong, so you could tell they were good!
Shortly after, the entrees came out, and I was on my way to wing bliss!
All in all, this was a great visit and it carried the same quality of food I've received at The Bidwell Tavern in the past.
My only complaint about the visit was that my girlfriend was only half way through her salad when the meals arrived, but the waitress let us know that the kitchen was running right on point and apologized for any inconvenience. That was very much appreciated!
Bidwell Tavern is by far one of my favorite spots to kick back with some good company and enjoy the amazing wings and beer selections. I have been a frequent customer for years and will be for many more.
The ambiance in the tavern area is just what you would expect in Historic Coventry, CT. Â
I loves these wings so much that when I get a craving my fiancée and I make a 30min ride out sometimes just to pick up a Tavern (3 flavors).
Huge fan of the Santa Fe which is a mildly spicy dry rub. Though sometimes they can be rather spicy depending on the daily mix. My fiancée is quite fond of the Cajun honey BBQ, a wet rub. Â
Highly recommended!!!
While the wings are some of the best around the service is very disappointing. We placed a phone order last night and when we arrived the order was no where to be found. In fact it was not even in their system. There was no apology and nothing offered while we waited for our order to be made. I have visited on many occasions and the restaurant is always under staffed. While I love the wings I do not think I will make the 30 min drive anymore do to the lack of customer service.
Review Source:Sweet baby jesus! The garlic loaf alone was enough to almost make me send my panties back to the kitchen. Â The wings were just as they should be--perfectly cooked (crisp skin and tender meat), messy, flavorful and plentiful. Â My only qualms are that it was too cold in the dining room and that this place isn't closer to my home.
Review Source:Two friends recommended the wings at Bidwell Tavern following a UConn hockey game so we went to check it out. Â We were seated promptly and a waitress quickly brought us beers and took our orders. Â There is a great selection of draft beer. Â The waitress was helpful in deciding on our wing order, though it took over 30 minutes for the wings to come out. Â The wings were good. Â The Buffalo wings came in mile, hot, or it's complicated (the hottest). Â We got it's complicated on the recommendation of the waitress and they were VERY hot, too hot for my wife and daughter. Â Still, I enjoyed them and the other flavors, sesame oriental and hickory horseradish.
The waitress brought our check and this is where the problem started. Â The waitress gave us the correct tab, but when she brought back the charge slip she had swiped our credit card for the wrong bill. Â We pointed out the error and the waitress said she would fix it. Â She swiped our card again and came back with the correct charge slip. Â She explained that she couldn't void or credit the erroneous charge until she closed out at the end of the evening.
My wife worked as a waitress for many years and we have never heard of this. Â Any business has always been able to reverse a charge, credit your card, or cancel a transaction. Â We asked to see the manager only to be told that there was no manager on duty (on a busy Saturday night). Â Another waitress came over to try to help but ended up telling us the same thing, that this could only be resolved at the end of the night. Â They said this is how their system works.
No one was especially apologetic. Â In fact, they acted almost offended that we "didn't trust them." Â I made it clear that it wasn't that we didn't trust them, it was just bad business to send a customer away without the appropriate paperwork for their transaction. Â Finally, a third waitress wrote us a handwritten note that we would only be charged the correct amount.
Can this really be how their computer system works? Â Can you imagine buying a watch at Macy's and being incorrectly charged for a more expensive model only to be told that you couldn't have the correct receipts because that is how their system worked. Â Never!
This ruined what would have otherwise been an enjoyable meal.
Ordered the coutnry seasoned wings, and those were pretty good, but not amazing like I expected it to be (from other Yelp reviews). Had the beef au jus sandwich. I thought it was super bland, and the roll was crazy dry (maybe stale, even?) I'm obsessed with french fries, and thought the ones here were just ok. We were seated in teh side room, and I did enjoy the dining space itself--relaxed atmosphere with very nice woodwork.
Review Source:3 wet naps later, I can finally do my review. What makes the wings here so spectacular is the size. Â These are monster chickens to produce such massive wings and legs. The sauces are perfect and very distinct. I am full and my phone is covered in BBQ finger prints. Â What else needs to be said.
Review Source:In Coventry, this really is as good as it gets for lunch, dinner and beers! Large portions, friendly staff, lots of beers and of course, THE WINGS!! Â My boyfriend and I frequent Bidwell's and have yet to be disappointed. Our favorite is of course, the Rocks n Wings on Wednesdays. You get a bucket of Rolling Rocks and the Tavern size wing plate (20 wing in 3 flavors) all for $19.95. Â There is live music playing constantly and audience participation seems to be encouraged!
It's just a neat place too. Â Established in 1822, there is so much history in this tavern. Walking around, you will see the reminiscent of old City Hall, classic photos of when the place first opened, and newspaper clippings of times passed.
I am a vegetarian so my options are limited but I am sure if I ate meat, this place would have to house me!
The Wings here are simply the best I've ever had. Â I have tried wings all over the country and always return to Bidwell to have simply the best. Â I've yet to have a flavor that wasn't tasty.
The renovation and large patio was well needed and is a great addition.
Keep up the good work on the wings-- you will love them trust me.
Only negative to Bidwell is it's not a good place to watch a game.
I am NOT a beer and wings girl, but I break all my own rules when I'm at Bidwell's. Rocks n' Wings night -- and their wings in general -- just can't be beat.
Bidwell's is a quaint old place with a decent sized parking lot, and cozy -- if not slightly haphazard -- interior. They frequently have live music playing in the bar area, and the place can get very packed and "standing room only" quickly.
This is the only place where I actually ENJOY eating Buffalo Wings. I know, I know, shun the non believer, but they're just not my favorite...probably because there are so many awful wings out there! Bidwell's wings are juicy and meaty on the inside, impossibly crispy on the outside, and coated with the best, most finger-lickn' good sauces on earth. Horseradish Mustard is one of my favorites; it has a nice balance of creaminess and spiciness. The Honey Mustard is also to die for. There are tons of flavors for the heat seekers and play-it-safers alike.
I've never had a legitimate full meal here; I've just been to the bar and for Rocks n' Wings night. From that experience however, I can say that if you're not a college age student looking for drinks, music, and trays of buffalo wings, you might find the service a little jumbled and the atmosphere a little lively. Then again, it depends what night of the week you dine/drink there. Wednesdays through Saturdays are generally buzzing with college kids, but if you're looking for a quieter night, head there early in the week.
You're going to love the Bidwell if you can find a seat! Â Great beer selection, tremendous wings, overall the food here is very good and the service is excellent. Â i don't know how they manage to work their way through the crowds to deliver everything but somehow they do. Â The place is loud, crowded and full of great energy. Â They often have live music in the bar. Â Lots of TVs and quick service make it a great spot to watch a game. Â In addition to the wings, they have a full menu with seafood, steaks, chicken, pasta and vegetarian items. Â This place is all about the atmosphere though. Â Make it a point to stop by and you'll return many times over for many years to come! Â Parking can be tough, but be persistent and you'll be rewarded!
Review Source:A long needed and overdue update for my review on this place...though I freely admit, it steals rather liberally from the previous one...
- OVERALL -
I can't even ballpark how many times I've been here...60? Â 100? I love this place. Great atmosphere, friendly staff, great beer selection, amazing wings, and some good specials too.
- FOOD -
The wings are GREAT. Better than just about anywhere I've been, just keep in mind that there are a ton of flavors, and some of them are pretty unique, so there are bound to be some you won't like. Â Truth be told, I'm torn up about picking favorites flavors, as there are so many good ones, but I particularly like Hot Honey BBQ, Hot Teryaki Sesame, Sweet BBQ Dijon, Hot & Sour, and Sesame Garlic Pepper (It's better than it sounds and is one of their saltiest wings, but very good...can't believe how many years passed before I tried it!).
I don't a basis on which to recommend or not recommend going to the Bidwell for non-wings food. Â Although some of it is good, the Bidwell is known for its WINGS. I particularly don't like their nachos, but the sandwiches are good.
- DRINKS -
They have a full bar, and a great beer selection that includes 25 or so draft beers from which to choose. Â
- SERVICE -
The Bidwell is great if you know what to expect. This place gets CROWDED*, and with good reason. It's a UConn and local hot-spot, if you go the same night each week you'll start seeing the same people a lot. You shouldn't go to a TAVERN expecting a perfectly choreographed & calm sitdown meal, just like you shouldn't go to Olive Garden and expect the same jovial, "hang-out and have a good time" that the Bidwell offers to those who have come to love it. The waitresses are often all over the place as they have lots of tables, and the wings fly out of the kitchen. Â They might need to bus three tables in 3 minutes, so they may walk right by you once, twice, thrice without saying anything. Don't expect long conversation when it's busy, and you may need to flag them down from time to time, but don't be shy, they're used to it! :)
*Bidwell has significantly expanded it's footprint to add a lot more indoor seating. Â It was definitely needed, and should help with the long waits they get periodically. Â Oh, and they added more bathrooms, which were needed as well.
- INSIDER INFO -
The bar side is almost always first come first serve for seating, but talking to a waitress helps too. The later you show up on popular nights the more likely you'll be waiting - as the night rolls on the crowd tends to turn to people that eat and then just hang out all night listening to music, watching the game, and grabbing a pint.
The restaurant side has a waiting list when it's busy, and they're usually good about noticing a new group/couple, but they might not notice you by the door on a busy night because people tend to stand all over the place. If you want a table you may have to ask.
There's extra parking across the street that can be used during night hours when it's busy. Â It's an unrelated business, but they aren't there that late, and don't tow.
There are recurring specials most / all nights. Monday nights are the cheapest if you plan on having a couple beers. ALL drafts are $2.50 (I think). Wednesday night's special is "Rocks & Wings," where the 30-wing platter comes with 6 free Rolling Rock ponies (7 oz beers), and there's also band on the bar side (but you better like it LOUD). Those are my two favorite nights.
Best.Wings.Evah!!!!! This joint has the best wings I've ever had. It's totally amazing. They do take out but its also and great place to eat in and have a beer. The place is rustic to say the least. It's in the middle of nowhere and it shows, but that the charm. I love this place and I you disagree you are just wrong!!!!
Review Source:Went to The Bidwell Tavern tonight and it would be wrong for me not to update my older review, which affectionately described The Bid as "Dark. Noisy. Kind of cramped." That may have been the case before (and the bar/pub side still retains that rustic charm), but they've since completed a beautiful new dining room expansion with big windows and bright woodwork. Even better now that summer is here, they've tripled the size of the deck, with all new decking, railings, tables, and big market umbrellas for those days when the sun is beating down. It is an amazing, beautiful update which really opens up the place, without changing the overall character of the old historic building. And the wings are still the best around!
Review Source:This review will be like my meal there, short and sweet.
After a lovely few hours at the Mansfield Drive-In Flea Market on Mother's Day, my mom and I were just about to pass the Bidwell Tavern and head back to West Hartford when my mom says, "STOP!" (she's a total chowhound like myself). Â It was around 1pm and we walked right in and had a choice of tables. What a cool and cozy joint. Â There's a wood stove (I think) right by the front door which is kind of funky. Â I wonder if they light it in the winter? Â There were quite a few other folks there too and our waitress popped right over to get us drinks. Mom got a classic margarita (the glass looked tiny to me) and I a Sam Summer (pint glass, yay!). Â Now I know I should have ordered wings here but I simply wasn't in the mood. Â Instead we both ordered the pulled pork sammy. Â It comes with onions and I ordered mine without. Â It was delicious. Â I opted for a side of slaw with it, as I'm trying to not eat french fries every time they're available, and the slaw was perfect atop my sammy. Â In a word it was delicious. Â Saucy, a teensy bit of fat, the perfect amount of crispy nubs in there, just good pork. Â I tried some of mom's fries (so tempting) and they were my kind of fries: dark, mostly crisp and flavorful.
We were in and outta there in under a half hour. Â It was perfect.
Nice beer selection. Magic hat #9 and dogfish 60 minutes are some of my favorite beers, and they have them both.
I read a lot of reviews raving about their wings. I tried their "complicated" and "Mexican hot". While they were good, they could have been better. I feel they were over cooked. It's not a very saucy wing. They are dry rubbed wings. I think they would be a lot better if they were not burned to a crisp. If you like crispy wings, they will be perfect for you.
I really like the atmosphere. It's an old building. It does not look like they have AC. I would be concerned about the possible heat when it's very hot out.
I visited this place on a Sunday afternoon. There were a lot of bikers there. Not your typical trash bikers. I said hi and talked to a few, very friendly.
Overall a decent place. Good beer, big wing selection. I will visit again to try some of their other pub food.
I'm always excited to visit Coventry because, although it's a bit off the beaten path, I know a platter of luscious, succulent wings await at Bidwell! This cozy 1850's tavern is truly one of CT's finest hidden hotspots, with a great beer selection and award-winning wings that I crave on a weekly basis.
I recently stopped into the tavern for a pint of Ten Penny Ale (yea local brewz!) and a plate of Oriental sesame wings, and once again, Bidwell didn't disappoint. Service was fine, the live music was rockin' and the wood burning stove was setting the scene for a cozy hour of conversation & good company.
In previous visits (I used to come all the time in college), I've enjoyed many different wing flavors, although honey bbq & ranch stand out as classic favorites. The pub sandwiches are pretty good and nachos are just delightful. I can't wait for warm weather because I LOVE the outdoor seating at Bidwell! Although, gotta say, the woodburning stove is certainly a close second.
This is one of the best pubs in Connecticut, no exaggeration. The only weakness here is its painfully remote location, but hey, you gotta go to a small town to get that small-town pub feelin', right?
Everything is perfect. The 1851 decor that really hasnt changed much since... the wood burning stove... a zillion and a half beers on tap and in the bottle... solid waitstaff and bartending... It's all here!
All the food is great, but you at least gotta try the wings with one of the rubs... Whereas most pubs only offer a slathering of sauce, Bidwells has wing options that are a little more "Shake and Bake" style, and the result is equally awesome... I particularly like the ranch seasoning... salty and flavorful.
Prime rib night was great too. Tuesday nights... under $15 for a prime rib dinner and a beer? How can you say no?
Come for the blue-collar environment, stay for the food and beer. It's worth a trip of 45 minutes or more...
I haven't lived in Coventry for long, but everyone I know in CT seems to have been to Bidwell Tavern (including all my "Hartford friends") and given it rave reviews. My boyfriend and I have now been there twice and I feel like I can give my opinion. Â Definitely four stars, but I need to weigh in on some issues that seem to populate this comment board...
First off - the wings. Â I am a "wing person" and I can honestly say the wings are good, but I wouldn't say they're the best I've ever had. Â The variety of flavors is the strongest point, but in contrast to what others have said, there isn't really a flavor that is challengingly hot. Â The "complicated" wings (which is apparently their hottest flavor) is totally manageable for a seasoned buffalo wing fan, and most of the other flavors I've tried would rate on the mild scale.
Nevertheless, Barry and I are tirelessly working our way through their menu of flavors and all of them have been delicious. Â Except the Green Mountain wings (supposed to be maple and cayenne pepper). Â We make our own maple syrup and I use it in cooking a lot, and I barely taste any maple - mostly a clove flavor, yuck!
Anyway, that's a matter of opinion, so I'll get back to facts. Â Bidwell is very comfortable, has a good beer selection, had awesome live music last night (not sure how regular that is), and has a great classic tavern feel. Â I haven't been there when it's packed yet, so service has been quick and I've enjoyed both visits.
The only true con I have is that the friendliness of the staff is hit-or-miss. Â The cocktail waitresses and bartenders are mostly business and tend to talk with each other over engaging in friendly conversation with the customers. Â At the same time, though, no one's been downright rude, and the service has been quick.
Overall, I'll definitely go there regularly and I recommend it to any tavern fans who visit Coventry.
Well we have lived in town now for almost 20 years and it "Was" a regular place for us. It seems over the last year or two it's been headed down hill fast.
My wife asked for a water and the waitress told her "I don't do water. Here's the spigot right over her. You can get it."
The food is not what it used to be either. I have also heard from neighbors in town say they have had terrible service from them too.
You can get great service and better food  just a few miles up the road in Willimantic. The Willimantic Brewing Co. Their Beer is great too.
Wow. Pretty darn close to a 5 star, 4.5. I bet if I chose the right flavors, stars would be flying off the radar.
Ok, I LOVE chicken wings. I love anything chicken, and anything fried. In my NY/Asian snobbery, I thought nothing would beat Bon Chon but damn this was close. I also love a historic pub that can deliver the American classic comfort food- and Bidwell Tavern, located in historic Coventry, CT, is an old joint that's known for its creative wings!!!! (That's all I had here , so if you don't like wings, you can stop reading. Â But, who in the HELL doesn't like wings? Yeah, I didn't think so!)
It's won various awards for its wings- not entirely sure which flavor, but my bf and I got the: 1) Sesame pepper garlic, 2) hickory horseradish. The first kind was spot on; crispy, sweetly glazed and had all of the flavors described in its namesake- with perhaps an emphasis on the sesame, then the pepper, the the garlic. Oh so crispy on the outside, oh so juicy on the inside.
Besides we got the large order (some $15 I think- too lazy to look this up right now, running on my sleep deprived self), you can choose two flavors, as you get 20 wings total. A small (under $10), gives you 10 pieces. They do an equal job with getting wings and drumsticks (though, if it were up to me, I'd be all about the wings- tastier despite being harder to eat).
The second flavor; the hickory horseradish...was ok. And here's why I docked a star. Not sure what it was in the sauce, but the wings were a bit soggy - not as crispy at the first kind. Secondly, the sauce did not have much flavor. There was arguably a tiny hint of horseradish but nothing tasted smoked whatsoever. I would not recommend this flavor.
Your wings basket comes with traditional blue cheese dressing and some raw celery/carrot sticks. One large order for 10 is enough, portions wise- trust! (and I'm a pig). Â I kind of have an ambition to try all the flavor someday, but thinking about the fat content just makes me a little queasy. Â If you do do it though, props!
Last word about service/decor. Â Decor is pretty cool; it's in an older tavern type of building, which suits the town. The table is old wood; and tilted a little backwards if you catch me- so sitting could possibly be uncomfortable for some. The whole ambiance makes it seem like nothing's aged here. The service is nice, and friendly. The waitress knew we were here for wings, so she didn't push us to try anything else (and quite frankly, the rest of the menu is limited and not too appealing, I thought). Â She did ok with our waters.
I recommend coming here for some finger lickin' wings!
Was there for a late lunch on Sunday, and despite that it was still well populated. Lots of regulars at the bar, and plenty of families in the dining area. Not so crowded that you couldn't move around, but with only one bathroom, there was a long line of kids doing the 'peepee dance.'
The wings were alright, in my most humble opinion, but I'm not a huge wing guy anyway. These wings were deep fried, and coated sparingly with one of the 20 flavors offered. Some of these flavors are not sauces, but dry rubs, so make sure to double check with your server. I thought the meat was a bit dry, even the sauced ones. All the wings are classic bone-in, but you can order the chicken tenders and have them with any of the wing flavors to make "boneless wings."
The beer selection isn't terrible, there are a few craft options available, but their strength is in macro Budmillercoors.
Do you like wings? Yeah? Okay this place whether you're a wing man/woman meat eater or even a vegan. Go for it. The wings are delicious and writing these few sentences has me jonzin' for some. They have a couple dozen different flavors to pick an choose from to match anyone's palate, even a twigs and berries flavor for vegans. Amazing right? Wednesday night is "rocks and wings" night where for a measley 20 dollars you get your choice of 3 wing flavors at least 2 dozen wings and a bucket full of Rolling Rock pony bottles. You're even in for another sensory treat if they have your favorite Wednesday night band playing, you just might party till the cows come home.....is that what people do in the country? i'm not used to living with livestock...
Service is good, however if you take too long to order on a busy night, the wait staff will disappear without warning and return when they physically can. the place only has 1 bathroom for each gender, so plan your exit strategy accordingly and bring your own tissue products just in case....it's a busy place and more times than not there is no toilet paper or paper towels or both...
It's not the cleanest place, but what would you expect from an ancient building that serves hundreds of plates of sticky wings per week.....add some alcoholic beverages in the mix.......it won't spoil your otherwise good night
I was kidding about the twigs and berries, vegans can choose from a couple leafy things on the full menu. Oh yeah- there's a full menu but mustard horseradish wings always steal my heart.
From what I can recall from my UConn days this place is a legit tavern. It's almost like a something you'd find in a early 90s RPG game that served mead, comely lass waitresses? Another question all together.
The wings here own it. The garlic parmesan are especially excellent. In fact all the varieties are most excellent and very meaty.
If I could find the trail of breadcrumbs I left to get here all those years ago, I'd return. Sadly, it'll likely remain like the island on 'Lost' in my memory.
The oriental sesame wings are too yummy to be missed. I like the wings here because they are cooked to crispy perfection. Just don't like that wobbly rubbery fatty skin that most places call cooked---ick. Â I generally don't order wings, but these just slide right down. Â Ooops drooled on the keyboard. Â The wings are amazing, but even better is the calamari! Â I have never had such fresh calamari--not even at the shore. Bidwell's squid is sooo tender. Be sure to ask for extra marinara sauce -- maybe its the Italian in me, but no restaurant gives you enough of the sauce.
On seating, they have indoor, indoor outdoor, and outdoor. Â The outdoor seems nice, but you can't get there from here. Translation: you cannot reach the outside dinning area by going into the restaurant (doh). You must walk around--kinda strange and makes bathroom trips a chore. Wait staff is okay, not very observant the day I was there, however the food makes up for that. Â Go, the drive there is lovely and the food is worth the trip.
We all know nothing goes together like beer and wings. Â Well, maybe beer and burgers. Â Or beer and a hot dog. Â Then there's beer and barbecue. Â Of course, you can't forget beer and pizza, too.
Anyway, wings are good. Â Beer is very good. Â Bidwell Tavern happens to sell both. Â They do this very, very well. Â In fact, their wings are the front-runner for the best of any I've had. Â Yes, I've been to Archie Moore's, and they're good too. Â But Bidwell is the king. Â They're way out of the way in Coventry, so if you're not heading up to the UConn area, it's not easy to get to. Â But we still hop in the car and drive...and drive...all the out to Coventry because we know what's waiting for us when we walk through the door. Â Ordering a Tavern size is a given, AND you can mix up the flavors, depending on the # of wings you order.
The service is always really friendly, and the prices aren't bad either. Â They did some renovations a few years back, so the parking lot is paved now, and they've got some good outdoor seating.
The mustard horseradish wings are incredible. Â If you really want to branch out and order something else off the menu, they've got some great cheese-garlic bread, and their burgers are good too... But really, why come here if not for the poultry?
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