Platform 18 Tavern and Grill

Food and service mediocre. Both of us had burgers so you can’t really go wrong. My husband had cream of broccoli soup which was very bland. This is the second time we’ve been. First was when they just opened so we understand they were working their kinks out but this time was after they were closed for a month fixing their HVAC and according to their statement «working on customers comments & complaints». We had the exact same experience both times. We had to get our own high chair, no big deal, but then they just left the chair it replaced in the middle of the tables, creating a very awkward situation for other customers. We ordered drinks and hen it came time for refills we had to wave down the other server because our server never came back except to bring our food then ultimately our check. It got busy as we were sitting there but you still have to pay attention to all your guests. The slot machines take up too much room. If you’re trying to create a bar/​restaurant you want people to come back to you at least have to be able to accommodate them. I can honestly say we will probably not be back. We really had high hopes for this place as Bartlett needs a good bar/​restaurant downtown. This, unfortunately, is not it.

I HATE having to do this. Hate it but I HAVE to. My bf and I went there three times over the course of the last 6 weeks. Saturday nights. First time was great. They were fairly busy. Good food, great service, amazing old fashioned (s). Second time. My food was not good (ordered the pulled pork, same as the first) Overdone and presented differently. It tasted so different as well. BF loved his flat bread. Drinks were a-​ok again. The issue was our server. Brought us our drinks and our food but never saw her again. Never even asked how it was. Had to flag down a server who told us she wasn’t going to BE our server at the beginning of the night because she «had kids to get home to.» (after she cleaned the table because it was filthy) Uh ok. Got our tab she said «make sure it’s right because I’m just going off of what I saw in front of you.» Had cash out with the bartender because, again, no one was coming to grab our money. Mind you, there was a server at the beginning that had her tab walked out on because she came and asked us if we were «her two beers». Then proceeded to tell us she was walked out on. Sorry? Third time we were there. Why a third time? Because that’s our rule and it’s literally right down the street from his house. And I swear there is potential. Promising, as this was the same server from the first time. Nope. Both ordered burgers (asked for med got super well done. Like CHARRED) and old fashioned (s). Got Whisky Sours? Ordered a second drink, came out in a glass half the size of the first glass. Not cool. And it was a Whisky Sour AGAIN. Had to flag down the server. I don’t understand because there are so many girls working and they aren’t that busy. They were busy the first time. I promise you, I am being fair in my review and I hate to do this because I have a business myself but three times and 2 of those times were terrible? This place has the potential to be good. I really think so. There is def a disconnect between management and staff. I have some opinions on that but I’m not sure if the guy we saw there twice drinking and schmoozing was management/​owner or not. I hope they figure it out because it can be good!

For was actually very very good. The service was very rough. When my husband and I first sat down it was crazy busy. The bar was packed for happy hour. The waitress had trouble getting to the table. Which ok ill excuse that. Not even ten minutes after we were seated the place cleared out. There were three servers and a bar tender which was enough. Our waitress was standing by the bar looking at the restaurant not doing anything but when you would make eye contact when you needed her she would walk away. The otheer two young waitress were great busted it they were serving, taking orders, backing the bar and budding their own tables. The food was great though my husband and I had a burger and fries. I ordered the truffle fries which were amazing and my husband had the bacon fat fries which are sooooo good there naughty. The restaurant does need a really good deep cleaning. Their decorations were very … umm a good try. They were trying to go for a repeal prohibition feel. Which is a great idea but they wanted wood crate liquor boxes so they wrote gin on a paper box… for the decorations they could have taken another $ 40 and finish the look… looked cluttered not cute. All in all great local burger, cute atmosphere love the idea need to execute The vision a little better and ok service (potential to be great)

This place is really dirty and so is the owner. There’s mold all over the place. I recommend looking elsewhere for food.

Closed AGAIN! When is the owner going to learn that the only type of establishment that is going to be profitable in that location is a neighborhood bar & grill similar to Lucky Jacks!!!

Oops! Looks like they’ve been closed for a couple of week’s. Too bad, so sad. Inconsistent food, service and management unfriendly to customers will do that to a place like this. Lasted about as long as I thought it would.

We were visiting the area, and stopped in for dinner here last night. We didn’t try any of the drinks, but seemed to have a great drink menu. The atmosphere was super cute. The food was delicious! And the staff were super pleasant. Overall, great experience and we would visit again.

I’ve heard such great things about the restaurant I decided to try it for my birthday with some friends last Tuesday. When we arrived at 530 there were not many people there; however, it took a long time to order drinks. We then had to get our server to order dinner at about 610. That’s a long time to wait to order food. We all ordered soup and an appetizer which then took 20 mins to get. Our food came out just a few minutes into the soup. The soup was great but most of our entrees were mediocre at best. It did get crowded and with only two servers the service was slow, but if the food was fabulous that might have been ok. Maybe it was an off night for them but don’t think I would try it again. There are other Bartlett restaurants that are so good. Also overheard servers saying by 630 they ran out of several items on their menu which isn’t that big to begin with.

We’ve been waiting for an owner to come in and do something with this place. We have been pleasantly surprised by the changes that have been made. Great service, great food, and a very large assortment of craft beers (cans, bottles and draft). TVs for Blackhawks games, good atmosphere. What more can you ask for? Thanks for coming in and saving this place.

Really nice people who were working. We only got appetizers and they were good. It’s nice to go out for a drink and snack in Bartlett and have a different option. Plus, the bar (original from the old Bartlett tap) is totally awesome.

The food was very good, I had the fillet medallions with roasted peppers and potatoes. I also tried the American burger that my wife ordered. The fries were also very good. My meal was a little pricey but the burger was very reasonable. I will definitely go back.

The worst. We usually give a place a couple of times but not here. The bacon on our sandwiches was 2 day old. The type you put on a salad. We paid tip but never will go back. Hamburger and Pork tenderloin way over cook

What a pleasant surprise in downtown Bartlett. Went there for dinner tonight with my wife and two children. It is like nothing that we have had in Bartlett before. We found the service to be friendly and accommodating. The food was incredible. Kids each ordered a Flatbread pizza. My wife and i decided to share a series of small plates. We had the braised short rib sliders, artichoke and spinach wontons, drunken pigs, duck fat fries and the bacon mac and cheese. Once the food came out the kids wanted to try everything instead of just eating their pizzas. The cost for all of this was $ 78.00. [B4 tip]. For the quality of food we received we found this to be very fair. This location has gone through several incarnations over the last decade and may not be the type of place that some locals are used to. But Bartlett has been yearning for a place like this and we will surely be going back again in the very near furure.

First things first… they have an awesome beer selection (Mississippi pecan beer!) and they KNOW HOW TO MAKE A DRINK!!! This is HUGE for me! My Old Fashioned was so tasty and not all ice! Good job!
The menu was a bit limited but I understand because this place just opened. It is heavy on the meat and I am not a big meat eater. Luckily we made it just before 7PM on a Friday when the happy hour specials ended. On that menu I found something I liked– I chose the fish tacos and the trio of fries appetizer. (truffle, duck fat, and bacon). The tacos had crispy fish and were very flavorful. Every flavor of fry was so unique and delicious! I found myself shoveling them in. This was bar food, nothing fancy but if you are in the mood for casual and not gourmet this place is a stomach pleaser!
I found something I like here so I will definitely return.

Surprisingly good. Didn’t read the reviews before heading there. Prefer to be my own judge. It’s early days and the restaurant deserves a chance. Menu has a fair range, prices are reasonable and the food was flavorful and superior to most other restaurants in Bartlett. I typically don’t post restaurant reviews, but am eager to see this location finally land on a winning proposition.

What a joke. Same place different name. I asked what the name meant and its the number of platforms along the railroad route. I guess they didn’t check with the railroad because you count Union station as platform #1. Then there is the same tired old interior with new paint. Food was better that it was just before they closed Papa’s but it still doesn’t feel right. They opened this place like Teddy B’s that they own, not fully prepared and ill managed which caused poor service. I was hoping they would open a great place as the downtown area can use the kick but it’s a long way from being a great local place. I’ll watch to see if the reviews get better of they close and change the name again before I come back. Good luck management you need it. I’ll try the next new name you open.

We were very excited for this place to open and have a new option for dining in Bartlett. We came on a week night and it was not too busy. We were told we could sit wherever. We had read reviews before going and most said the service was not that great. Our waitress was very friendly! We did feel like the service was a bit slow and lacked some organization but we realize this place just recently opened so cannot really blame them!
The food was excellent! We shared the Drunken Pigs and Artichoke Spinach Wontons and were satisfied with both! We then split the Thai Flatbread and Southern Burger – and loved each as well! The drinks were also great and our waitress didn’t even hesitate to make us something that wasn’t on the menu that we had requested!
The atmosphere like an old Pub, although I might choose some different lights to fit the old-​time feel of the restaurant more. They also had some kind of stereo and empty boxes near the kitchen entrance that they should try to cover somehow. Again, we weren’t really that bothered by it as we know they are still perfecting everything.
Overall, a hit! We’ll definitely go back! We’d recommend this place and are hopeful it stays around! Cut them some slack – they’re new… they’re working on making things JUST right!

Now I am a long time Bartlett resident and eagerly went to dinner there on Tuesday night at 6:30, looking forward to the «Tap» reopening with a new menu.
Interior.
As soon as my husband and I walked in, we were surprised how little had been done to the dark interior that never impressed us as the business went through several changes in the last years. Why is this place still so dark? Now that they have new menu, it does not do the chef any service that you can’t see his food.
Still same noisy bar atmosphere with video gambling machines.
Menu
Now focusing on small plates is a nice touch. Menu had various flatbreads, burgers, sandwiches and «large plates» (which are full entre meals).
The menu is small so when we were told there was no flatbreads, that was basically ¹⁄₅ of the menu that was gone.
My husband order the chicken large plate and orders the spinach w/​o garlic and was prepared accordingly. I wanted a flatbread, but instead ordered the BBQ chicken salad w/​o olives… it came w olives. No big deal, it was tasty but more like a lunch size portion. So dark, it was hard to really see all the ingredients.
No dessert offering.
And sadly, no Friday fish fry.
Summary
All in all, its still a bar that just offers nicer appetizers than before. I was hoping if would be a restaurant that had a good liquor menu, too bad. I wish them luck, as I hope they heed the comments of all the reviewers. Perhaps I will return once they improve, but as of now, I couldn’t recommend it to any of my friends.

Headed out to Platform 18 for date night with my hubby. So excited for a new restaurant in Bartlett. Based on articles in DH and Trib, walked in and we were kind of disappointed that the interior of the restaurant hadn’t changed at all, other than a fresh coat of paint and new signage. Kind of busy, but was able to get two seats at the bar, felt very comfortable. Two large, flat screen TV’s, Cubs game on. Approached by bartender Katie (no smile) for first drink, but had to ask for menus (was given one, had to ask for another). Menus on paper (enough said) from then on, had to ask for everything. No explanation of happy hour specials, for food or drinks. In fact, after the first drink, Katie never returned to ask if we wanted another drink or to see how we were doing. Poor service. 2^nd round initiated by us. Was shocked as to how the Katie treated the other waitresses. Very degrading. We ordered the sliders, fish tacos and trio of fries. The food was served on small trays, which is fine, as long as you are given a plate to eat off of. No plates were offered. Went to use the bathroom and was completely disgusted by the rusty grate and dirty floor. Nothing has been done to upgrade the bathrooms much less clean them (see pictures). The shame of it all is that the food is phenomenal! The sliders were like eating filet. Tried to save some to take home… didn’t happen. The fish tacos were to die for. Perfectly fried fish, lightly seasoned… just the right amount of heat with the sauce. Trio of fries was amazing! Would have been great to have a few dipping sauces for them, but would definitely order them again, if we could bring ourselves to step into Platform 18 another time. It’s a disgrace that such scrumptious food is bring served by unhappy staff in an uncleanly place.

Yay for a new independently owned business in Bartlett! I try to stay in tune with what is going on in our hometown, so when I heard that the old Papa Pacino’s formerly Bartlett Tavern & Grill was reopening with a slightly twisted concept, I knew we would be in there pretty quickly to give it a try. Earlier today, I heard from one of my best sources for local news (BAM’s!!) that Platform 18 Tavern & Grill was planning a Grand Opening Party for 09÷12÷15. I don’t like to wait, so I called and learned their doors were open and they were ready to show us what they’ve got!
Parking. There is no street parking immediately in front of the building. But there is a lot right behind the building and street parking around the corner as well. It’s just a few short steps around the corner and we don’t pay to park in Bartlett, so that’s a plus right there.
When we walked in, we were greeted by a man and a woman sitting at a table right inside the door. They were definitely talking business and before long, I realized the gentleman was likely one of the managers. We scoped out the TV situation since we had our choice of tables. Every TV had something different on, so we quickly chose a spot in the middle where we could pretty much see them all.
Our server arrived with menus and took our drink order right away. I can’t imagine they have been open for more than a few days, so the menus seem to be temporary. Copied sheets of paper with tiny font that was pretty light. I didn’t mind too much, but my husband was tilting the menu toward the light from the front window to be able to read the details. I think it’s likely that the menu is still in flux which is why it didn’t seem very permanent yet. They also run a Happy Hour Menu on Tuesday through Friday from 5−7pm with sips & bites. I could have easily made my meal off those bites, but instead I opted for the pair of chicken tacos and he ordered a bowl of chili to start things off.
His chili arrived along with my tacos. His chili was perfect. Exactly what he expected but better! It included ribeye and pork shoulder both of which added to the nice texture. It was definitely a quality starter dish. I had ordered the tacos without the queso fresco. Our server had showed us the printed happy hour menu which outlined the toppings since all of those details weren’t posted on the wall. Needless to say, the tacos arrived with the queso, but after our server talked with the manager, he stopped by, apologized and explained she had put it in the system, but their system didn’t print it out for the kitchen. He fixed their system and minutes later, I had fresh, hot chicken tacos sans queso in front of me. They were worth the wait. They use two warm corn tortillas, chicken breast, onion, cilantro and a tomatillo salsa. For $ 5, the portion was very fair with plenty of chicken. The onion and cilantro were a little heavy handed, but the salsa complimented the chicken quite nicely.
We both chose a burger and fries for our entrée. They offer multiple varieties of fries — duck fat, bacon fat, truffle oil or plain. We wanted to see what their plain fries tasted like before getting too creative. Plus, both of our burgers already had bacon on them, so no need to overdo it during the first visit. The coleslaw is super pretty. A bright purple cabbage. I am not a big coleslaw girl, but it was good. We liked the plain fries and dipped them in some BBQ sauce to jazz them up. The burgers were served on nice buns. Definitely not wimpy burger buns. The bacon was perfectly cooked. My onion straws were more like seasoned onion petals/​large pieces, and they were really good! Every portion that hit the table was just right. Maybe too many fries, but better to have too many rather than not enough.
The price was right. The food certainly had some unique twists on the menu that I can hardly wait to try over time. The server was sweet and kept our glasses full without having to ask her to do so. And the manager owned the error whether it was the server, the chef or actually the manager’s fault. I appreciated how he handled that hiccup. Go give them a try. I’m looking forward to hearing what you all think too!