Wilko

Cool vibe, craft cocktails with a nostalgic view of Old Main. The food is good and the prices are reasonable. Service can be a bit slow at times, especially before a sporting event. Overall this is a solid choice for lunch or dinner when you’re close by to the university of Arizona

I was greeted with a smile by Rich. He welcomed me in and we spoke for a bit. He was very friendly and made me feel welcomed. The dining area is gorgeous. They have great solid wood tables. The space is clean. I met Ryan who was equally amazing. He runs this place from the heart and really cares about our community. I will update more once we eat our meal.

Delicious sandwiches and great ambiance, with a close location to U of A. Service was also excellent. A little pricey however for what you get.

I visited Wilko today for lunch with my lab group. I ordered the fried chicken Sammy and my partner ordered the BLT. We split the sandwiches so I got to try both. First off, their fries are really good! I judge restaurants a lot based on their fry quality. These were fried perfectly and were the right size with minimal seasoning. Out of the two sandwiches I ordered, the BLT was better. The chicken Sammy was a bit dry. If some type of sauce was added to it, it would have been better. The BLT was lacking on what was between the bread… Only one piece of lettuce, a tomato and maybe 2 pieces of bacon. Meh. It was tasty for being so skimpy, however.
The price of these sandwiches took Wilko down a bit. Maybe next time I will enjoy something more. Nevertheless, the ambiance is great! Their bar is beautiful with a bunch of mirrors and liquor displays. I’ll give them another shot another time.

I’ve been here a handful of times and the food is great quality, tastes good, but every server I get when I come here is very awkward and makes me feel very awkward. The service has been a mixture of slow and fast depending on the server. The times I get a slow server, I often think they’ve forgotten I’ve asked for something I need. There is a romantic and relaxed atmosphere in the evening which is enjoyable, and everything else here has made me enjoy my meal.

I’ve been here a number of times now and I believe the food is great quality. I do find that the food is simple yet delicious. Everything is plated nicely and overall the service is beautiful. My issue with Wilko’s is the consistency and the price. It’s way too expensive for what it is and there have been a few times where I had some overtoasted buns or bread for either their sandwiches or burgers.
Sandwiches and burgers are worth it for lunch despite the $ 12-​$ 16 because they come with fries. I would switch out the herb fries for truffle or cotija fries. They often change up the menu every few months to keep things interesting. I love the texture of the fries and the flavors work well together. The lemon aioli is sometimes a great dip depending on the day. Grilled cheese is one of my favorites, but if you aren’t too hungry splitting a pizza with someone is great. The sauce is warm and flavorful and the dough is fluffy and not greasy.
The dinners can go from $ 15-​$ 40 but are delicious. I had the house fish once and the curry seasoning was divine. Overall I find dinner to be a treat.
Brunch is my least favorite meal at Wilko’s because they don’t offer more than other places but charge just as much if not more. Eggs and potatoes shouldn’t cost as much as they do. In addition it’s not satisfying, with a restaurant that offers so much I think that they are pretty good but pricey.

This is a nice little place. I have been here a couple of times in the past, but it has been a while so we thought we could give a try with some friends. They some some good food, some you would typically expect and some interesting choices for a restaurant across the street from a University. Overall the food we had was very good. Interesting that the soda comes in a can. I guess that is to be expected from a Winebar.
My big complaint is my wife and showed up a couple minutes later than the rest of the group and our waiter seemed a little put out that we were there. After the food arrived I had to ask if I could get a napkin since everyone at the table had them and I did not. He brought me over a couple of small paper napkins. Why is it everyone at the table gets these nice big cloth napkins and I get a couple of small flimsy napkins? It’s not like there was a shortage of napkins. I guess I should have just taken one from one of the empty tables.

C’mon Wilko, get it together! I have been coming here for years and my experience has always been extremely inconsistent, but now it’s even worse. They have the potential to be one of the best restaurants in the area, but the management continues to make poor decisions regarding the menu, the prices and how they generally run things.
It pains me to write a negative review because there are so many great aspects about Wilko. The venue is absolutely gorgeous, with the perfect mix of modern designs and rustic accents. It feels upscale and casual at once, and I love the quirky clock feature above the bar. It is located across the street of U of A, which makes it very convenient for students and families alike. Whenever I visit my brother, we always stop here for lunch. However, if things continue the way they do, we might need to go elsewhere.
This past Friday, we actually had one of the best experiences yet. The hostess was so sweet and seated us immediately, the busboy promptly came out with the waters and our waiter, Samuel, couldn’t have been nicer. He knew the menu very well and made great suggestions, plus, he checked on us regularly to see how we were doing. In the past, we have received either terrible or non-​existent service, so this was a pleasant surprise. To eat, we ordered the soup of the day (lentil with kale), the caesar salad and the pantry cheese board. The soup and salad were very tasty, but the cheese board was a huge disappointment and insanely overpriced. $ 18 for a tiny amount of cheese and bread, accompanied by a few measly pickled veggies. Really?
The following Monday, we decided to try their breakfast for the first time. Big mistake! Once again, the service was lacking and the food left something to be desired. We arrived an hour and a half after they had opened, only to find out that the oatmeal (which apparently takes 30 minutes to cook) had not been started. Don’t put something on the menu if you don’t want to take the time to make it! I ended up getting the breakfast sandwich and added both red peppers and caramelized onions. The only thing I noticed was the $ 2 charge because the veggies were non-​existent. If the chef hadn’t skimped on the ingredients, the sandwich would have been delicious and packed with flavor. I also had a coffee and a cappuccino, both of which were quite bitter.
I hope that the owner/​manager of Wilko reads this review and makes the following adjustments. 1) Make sure that your entire wait and kitchen staff are consistently hardworking and friendly, not just a handful of them. Being served by someone like Samuel shouldn’t be a surprise, it should be a guarantee! 2) Bring back classic menu items like the tomato soup and truffle fries. Stop constantly updating the menu by eliminating popular items and reducing portion sizes. 3) Lower your food and drink prices because they are absurdly high in many cases. 4) Make sure you carry everything listed on the menu and that the chef is both willing and able to prepare it.

Not good. My fiancé and I came here a few weeks ago and were extremely disappointed. This place used to be pretty good and was a little on the pricey side but still reasonable… not anymore! We felt thoroughly ripped off from poor service and horribly small portions for astronomical prices. There are so many other delicious local places in Tucson, don’t waste your time on this one.

OK… so I enjoy eating here a lot. I usually like to come Sunday’s for their Salmon Hash… mmm…So nicely done! A refreshing twist for a breakfast or brunch item. This visit was dinner. Many choices. I have a huge weakness… that is duck. They had 2 duck offerings. I went with CASSOULET $ 23 confit duck breast and thigh, lardon, pancetta, prosciutto! OOOO… tasty! The duck had a slight crust and was cooked medium rare to perfection! The blend of flavors that sat beneath the duck were tremendous. Could have used less corn, but never the less, this dish was thoroughly enjoyed! So much so, that I had to slow down to take in all the flavor. This establishment is clean, service friendly.

This used to be my go to place on university before a show or game. The last few times I’ve been here it’s just been lousy. I haven’t posted a review of the past couple times thinking it was just an off night. Sadly, it has gotten worse. The new drink menu is interesting but expensive. I spent $ 13 on a drink which, when delivered was mostly ice and weird tasting. We waited 20 more minutes before we got to order. Then it took them another 30 minutes to bring out a simple board of three cheeses and two meats and a side of fried potatoes. The potatoes were tasty, but the board left something to be desired. For $ 20 it was small portioned, the cheeses were not described by the wait staff until asked (which was another 10 min after delivery since he didn’t delver our food) and when he explained them he was wrong (he said one was a buffalo cheese when it still had the casing on it that said sheep). Three measly radishes and four, small, hard pieces of bread came with it. We then asked for the check because we had to leave for a game (which we made clear at the start) and the waiter never came back. We had to ask the hostess to run out card. $ 60 & 2 hours for a simple lunch. Not. Going. Back.
The only reason I don’t give this place 1 star instead of the 2 I did is because this was once a great place when it first opened and I have memories from pleasant experiences of past.

The atmosphere is superb. Beautiful. This restaurant has so much potential. The service was terrible to non-​existent. We waited a long time for service upon sitting down and throughout lunch had to flag down different servers for refills etc. There was one attentive server, didn’t catch his name but he had a beard and a v-​neck sweater.
The food was mediocre. The grilled cheese barely had any cheese. The salad it came with was pretty good and well dressed. Not very many choices for vegetarians at all.

Wilco boasts an excellent looking breakfast and brunch menu, but unfortunately service is not up to par.
I was one of just three tables this morning. It took 10 minutes just to have someone approach and ask if I wanted coffee. I mentioned I’d been waiting in a humorous tone (lovely morning so did I really care — no). However, no apologies, just an excuse that people were confused inside.
Keep in mind that this is an establishment that charges $ 8 for a portion of Greek yogurt that is clearly not exceptional and only laced with a minimum of rather sickly looking strawberries. So, I don’t think it is out of line to expect better service or food.
[Tip to the chef: the very top of a strawberry is a pour garnish to stick in the center of the bowl — it gives the impression of a larger portion but it’s a little offensive when the surprise is uncovered.]
The bill was delivered without much care. No enquires about the quality of the meal (such as it was).
With such an experience, one might ask why I left a tip of 20%. I am hoping that servers split tips with the bussing staff. If there is any redeeming quality to Wilco, it is the care and concern the bussers appear to place in their work. Kind, courteous and conscientious; the only saving grace.
At least it was a sunny morning…

This place has a nice atmosphere and is decorated very modern. The food was decent, I got the pulled Pork sandwich. However the bun was extremely greasy that I could hardly even pick it up. I probably wouldn’t choose to come here unless someone else was picking up the tab!

Food and drink: 4.5÷5
The food has been pretty consistent the times I’ve been in. I *believe* the menu rotates seasonally, but I wouldn’t testify to it in court. I’ve ordered wine, appetizers and dinner. Never had lunch, cocktails or dessert… but that’s been due to time and appetite restrictions, not because they didn’t look yummy.
I highly recommend every single side dish I’ve ever had and the cheese boards we’ve shared have been impeccable.
The main dishes have been good enough not to make me complain, but not as memorable as the cheese boards or the super creamy risotto I had the last time and the perfectly dressed light kale salad the time before that.
The wine and beer lists are good. I’ve never had a complaint, but neither have I had a life-​changing glass of something super new and exciting.
Atmosphere: either ²⁄₅ or ⁵⁄₅
I’ve sat at a table once and the kitchen bar in the back of the main dining room 2 – 3 times. I’ve never sat at the bar bar.
The kitchen staff is fun to watch at that counter, which is why I keep going back there. I once watched a guy grate a block of Parmesan that must have been 25 pounds. It took him most of the time that we were there and he kept waving his arm towards the end to keep his muscles from cramping. It was impressive. Another chef cleans bell pepper in a single cut… it’s awesome to watch! Much better than television!
When you’re at a table in the dining room, you’re really close to the next table over and it’s the kind of place where you feel like this menu deserves a more intimate atmosphere.
I’ve never dined on the patio. I feel like this cuisine deserves more attention than I can give it while distracted by frat rats and sorostitutes spewing obscenities and various bodily fluids as they traipse by on their way to and from Gentle Ben’s.
The worst time I’ve ever had here was when we were going to McKale and the pep band dropped in on their way to McKale. Full sticks in a closed room, snare? NOT COOL. That one was on the band, not on the management, but did management have to invite them in for a full ten-​minute set? We were happy when they moved on…
Service: either ²⁄₅ or ⁵⁄₅
I’ve had 2 amazing servers and a lousy one. (Those are the ones I can remember… I feel like I’ve been here about 5 – 6 times, not only 3…)
The lousy server disengaged as soon as he learned my brother and I were sharing an entrée and having one drink each. I guess we weren’t worth his attention since we weren’t spending very much money. He made himself scarce and dropped the check off while we were still eating our dinner. It was a super IHOP move…
The other two servers were knowledgeable, helpful and polite. They didn’t try to sit down with us or get too personable… it was much more of a fine dining experience.
I don’t believe my table has ever been addressed as «you guys.» HALLELUJAH!!!
Overall value: 4.5÷5
Really, the food is prepared very well. Presentation is clearly important to them and I appreciate that I don’t have to listen to servers yelling, «CORNER!» or an expo screaming, «HANDS!» I feel like they do what they can to step it up in a place that deals with huge volume fluctuations and such varied clientele. The wine list is clearly designed by a wine lover and I have appreciated the experience and professionalism demonstrated by 90% of the staff I’ve encountered. While it is pricey, I think that they come through on their end with quality to back up the spendiness.
All in all, I do enjoy Wilko. I will be back again this week before Phantom and it’s definitely on the list of places I suggest to people who are looking for grown-​up restaurants. It’s become my go-​to on University when I’m not in the mood for pizza.

I want to like Wilko, the food is good, the wine selection is nice… It’s just very slow.
Now we typically go when we have tickets for shows at centennial hall so I understand there is an increase in volume but you can see the kitchen staff move very slowly and nobody seems to be expediting. What was also strange is that tonight we were sat at a table for 6, then without asking if it was ok or giving us a heads up they sat another couple at our table as well.
No reservations or call ahead seating has also been a disappointment

I really like Wilko. The food and drinks are quite tasty. The atmosphere is pretty cool, not the most comfortable seating but I love how open the place is. My favorite thing I’ve had here was a mushroom burger with truffle fries. They have some great draft choices as well as wines. Everything I’ve had here is always beautifully plated and tastes fantastic. It can get loud although I’ve come a few times at lunch and it hasn’t been so crazy. It’s always been a great experience.

This place is pretty good! They have a nice selection of craft brews on tap, which is pretty awesome. They also have a pretty extensive wine list. However, the main star for me here is the food! I had the corn tortelloni and my girlfriend had the pork shoulder. The portion was smaller than I’m used to at a restaurant, but it turned out to be a perfect size. We came hungry and left happy without feeling stuffed and/​or bloated. Our food was incredibly flavorful! Each bite of the tortelloni was a burst of wonderful with a spicy kick and the pork shoulder was just savory and delicious!
I want to try more menu items, but I’d come back for the tortelloni or pork shoulder!

I went to Wilco for brunch. They do a lot of things right when it comes to the food. I ordered the breakfast burger, cooked medium. It came out well done, but it was still very tasty. However, for 13 dollars it should be somewhat near what I ordered.
Another problem was that the bloody marys lacked flavor. They tasted like half of the mixture was watered down lemon juice. They weren’t awful, but I have had them here before and they were much better.
The service was very good and prompt. Plus it is hard to beat the location (right next to the university) and the wonderful décor inside (there were orchids at each table).
This place is great for a date, but not if you are picky about food.

Wilko is a pretty nice bistro-​type restaurant located steps from the U of A campus. I wouldn’t really consider it a gastropub. I’ve been for breakfast, dinner and drinks. The atmosphere is bright and relaxed, with wood details. There is a large bar and an open kitchen. Service has always been attentive, and you can sit outside as well.
Breakfast Bowl: 2 poached eggs with roasted potatoes, bacon and white cheddar. This is a classic breakfast done spectacularly. The flavors all complimented each other and I loved it so much that I make it at home now.
Burger with Gruyère and Sauteed Mushrooms: This is grass-​fed beef served on an English muffin. I enjoyed the fact that there wasn’t a heavy bun, and the mushrooms were nice and meaty and great quality.
Housemade Tagliatelle and Meatballs: This pasta was to die for. It was in a simple marinara sauce, but the quality of the noodles were so fresh and perfectly toothsome.
This is the nicest place on University, if that is the atmosphere you’re looking for, and I have yet to be disappointed by the food. The menu changes once in a while, so you may not find these exact items. But you will find Happy Hour everyday 3−6pm.