L. Woods Pine Tap & Lodge

09/06/2008 Posted by JimPer

As very frequent diners, we have always been made to feel welcome & at home at L' Woods & are always catered to at lunch and dinner, sometimes eating both meals there in one day! Their BBQ Planked Salmon & Pounded Chicken al a Sima are just out of this world. Their burgers, ribs & steaks are superb - right up there with the best. I also like most of their fish dishes, but not the cheddar crusted whitefish which I thought was tasteless and left a bad after taste. Far too many whitefish dishes are on the regular menu. They have great specials that return periodically & we look forward to them. One of them is hot & crunchy tilapia that is mouth watering & should be on the menu everyday to replace 1 of the whitefish dishes. L' Woods offers a large selection of flatbreads that are really tasty! I recommend the BBQ chicken flatbread, but ask them to add goat cheese. It's a real knock out! Their signature tomato bisque soup is fabulous - order the bowl! Their chopped salad is absolutely the best anywhere! Their deserts are to die for! 2 require advance ordering when you sit down - the struddle & a chocolate cake - but they are worth it & are made fresh just for you & serve more than 2 people! Their regular chocolate layer cake & key lime pie are always available & are delicious! Unless you like noise & bustle while eating, I would avoid sitting in the front sports bar area. If you have trouble parking when it's busy, park on Lincoln Avenue! Most people don't know you can do that & often you can get a space right in front! Most of the wait staff is accurate & attentive, though we have had a few who seem to always make mistakes & we try to avoid them. I don't like that someone other than your server brings out the food & has to ask who had what & sometimes forgets ordered odds & ends. Then it usually takes a while for your server to return & check on you, which means you will have to wait for any forgotten items. Make reservations for both lunch and dinner when you can.

Pros: Ambience, Food, Hospitality

Cons: The wait when busy, infrequently the servers can be slow

06/25/2008 Posted by CR25

This was a totally disapointing experience. Usually in the past, "Lettuce Entertain You" places have been an awesome, totally wonderful experience. Very much on-the-ball dining. We could not even believe that this establishment was even a part of this usually great company, or maybe just an off night for the place?? Our server was great, but management, host's, bathrooms, and overall sense of appeal was lacking severely. The manager kept talking really really loud to the hosts about very personal things. So loud that out table could hear the entire conversation thoughout the evening. Completely distracting, do not want to hear the nitty gritty details of the hosts and mangers lives while eating out. Along with constant text messaging at the front desk and ignoring customers as they walked by to leave. There was a certain point when all three (including the manager) were just sitting at a table near us and kept playing with their phones and talking really loud. The bathrooms were disgusting as well. With tp all over the floors. With all that said, the food was really good. It was just sad to see such poor restaurant management quality. Seems like it could be a really nice and fun place. If they just kept their customers in mind. And try to keep things in perspective when being in management, or hosting.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful

01/31/2008 Posted by pilsen18

I've eaten here 4 times and figured i'd have to write a review. The food and service are great adn will def be back. I would recommend having reservations bc it does get crowed and with them have had no issues. This place is def somewhere not to pass on!

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

01/14/2008 Posted by laroldlarry

Made reservations on two separate occasions, both times they were "lost" somehow... While waiting for a table on our first attempt, the hostess was clearly giving away tables to her friends while we sat waiting patiently. After this most recent snub, we won't be back for a third...

0 out of 4 people found this review helpful

11/01/2006 Posted by sbrady

This is one of our favorite restaurants. The ribs are likely the best around. However the main reason for making the trek to this place is the chopped salad.. cant be beat. Have not had a bad meal at this restaurant, the service is always great and friendly. Make a reservation if you can, as evenings and weekends are busy.

Pros: Great Food Consistently, variety, easy access

Cons: Busy on weekends, little cramped

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful

06/22/2006 Posted by andierwin

Without a doubt, L. Woods is our favorite restaurant. It is always the place we turn on holidays, anytime we have something to celebrate, and whenever we need some good food to cheer us up. The food is unbeatable and the service is warm and personal. Last night, we were served by a waiter we had once before, and he recognized us and even remembered part of our order! The wait can be long, but if you make reservations you wont have any wait at all. The Barbecue Plank Salmon, Filet Mignon, Parmesan Crusted Whitefish, and Fried Chicken are all outstanding. But whatever you choose for dinner, make sure to save room for one of their order-before-your-meal desserts. The Apple Strudel is perfect!

Pros: Great food and drinks, ample parking, personal service

Cons: Long wait if you don't make a reservation, not cheap (but worth it!)

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful

10/01/2002 Posted by MatthewWard

It's no wonder someone as knowledgeable about food as Steve Dahl of WCKG and Disco Demolition fame talks incessantly about the succulent ribs found at L.Woods(and without compensation I might add). My personal favorite is the parmesan crusted skirt steak with a side of creamed spinach and some delectable garlic mashed taters. If you ever have a problem simply ask for James Cicero, L.Woods esteemed General Manager and ambassador of good will, who posseses a Martin Luther King-esque peace keeping ability. L.Woods is a rare jewel is a zirconian restaurant mine known as Chicago.

Pros: Killer service, Ample parking, Sumptuous Entrees

Cons: Only having 1 stomach, Only 7 days in a week, No Lipton Tea

3 out of 4 people found this review helpful