Gatehouse Tavern

Came back here because of the positive experience in Sept 2014. Honestly, it just wasn’t as good. There was some grease on the table that I had to ask to be cleaned off. The service was excellent (Stephanie) but the food, while very tasty, was poorly timed. Our apps, the spinach artichoke dip and fried avocado, were pretty good and so-​so, respectively. Re the entrees, One of our party of 6 got his meal about 5 minutes before anyone else. Then 3 meals were served, then about 5 minutes later, the last 2. Everyone said their meals were good. I personally will rave about the seafood risotto. I dunno, just a bad vibe tonight.

First time here and will never return! My boyfriend wanted to take me somewhere for my birthday so we chose the Gatehouse Tavern for karaōke and dancing. Not even 10 mins after arriving and just getting our first drink, we were asked to leave and pay our tab! Apparently someone wanted to fight my boyfriend, for what reason we still do not know, but suspect because we were not locals. We asked why were we being the ones to leave when we were only there to have a good time not to mention we didn’t even know anyone there. This was extremely poor management! To tell a paying customer to leave and let the trouble maker stay just because they are locals! That’s discrimination in my book!

Great selection of beers, and the home made chick fingers are amazing! Bartenders know their drinks, and I love the family friendly atmosphere.

The first night here we had a good time. Lots of decent Dj music. The second night (a Saturday) was terrible. The owner clearly gave the band a favor by letting them play. The lead singer of the band admitted to being the mother of the bartender. The band (Skin Tight) was awful. We tried to enjoy ourselves but they were brutal. Too loud and untalented. It’s unfortunate that they were allowed to play. Could be a good time like it was on Friday but not even close. The first night we thought it was the best place in Wake Forest. The second night not so much. Sad really.

Great pub food & burgers. Had an opportunity to perform (banjo) for a charity, while having eaten.

My sister in law and I did lunch here today. This is a pretty nice little spot. It’s definitely got a tavern atmosphere. Very clean inside and the place feels cozy. Service was very friendly and helpful. Drinks were kept full and our server checked in with us peridically to make sure we had everything we needed.
For an appetizer we shared the fried pickles. Very healthy serving size, could easily be split between 3 – 4 people as an appetizer. The pickles had a good flavor and the ranch dipping sauce was pretty good.
It was a burger kind of day, so we both got burgers. She got the peacemaker (bacon, mushrooms, grilled onions, swiss, lettuce, tomato) with house chips and it looked good. I had the classic cheeseburger (american cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion) with a house salad. The burgers were delish! Not one little bite left over for either of us. I tried one of her house chips and I liked them a lot. Very crunchy and not overly salted. My house salad was very good. Mixed greens, cukes, cherry tomatoes, with a very tasty balsamic vinaigrette. Everything in the salad was bright and fresh. Yummy indeed.
Prices were right for the amount of food you get. I would return here any time, I felt well fed and well taken care of at the end of the meal.

We like to go here when we are in the mood for a casual burger and beer. Lots of TV’s on the tavern side with a variety of sports channels to watch. Atmosphere and food is definitely typical pub style. We usually stay on the ‘safe’ side and stick with a burger, although my 12 year old son likes the chicken strips.

This is my 2^nd time here, what brought me back to this place is the selection of beers and definitely the dessert I had the Pecan Pie which is simply delicious, also the Risotto had a good flavor too, and their fresh salads; I could definitely return :)

This used to be one of our favs!!! BUT… it has really failed to please at our last two visits. :(
What happened?

First, let me say I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the restaurant Parizade in Durham and when I saw the owners opened a place in Wake Forest, I was anticipating great food and atmosphere. Sadly, that was not to be.
1. It was really loud to the point where we almost left when we entered the restaurant. I get it had a sports bar feel and there is gonna be tv noise, but that was too much. We decided to sit in the dining room area to avoid the noise the best we could. The decorations had a really cool vibe, but it was a wash given the noise.
2. When we had questions about the beer menu, the young waiter said — oh, I don’t know about that because I’m only 18 and I can’t drink. Wow, it made me think, yet you work here and can’t tell us about the menu. So, he asked the bartender, ok.
3. When he brought the beer, it was very, very good. The 1 star is for the beer. I am not a beer drinker, but the Hells Belles (local brewery) was excellent.
4. Fried pickles as app. The first 5 or 6 were good. But, given they served them in a big pile and they were sliced long and thin, the remaining 10? (It was a large serving) were gross. Greasy and all the coating was falling off.
5. The ketchup bottle on the table was dirty to the point where I wanted to ask for a clean, unopened bottle from the back.
6. The hamburger was just ok. Bun a little tough and after the first 4 or 5, the fries suffered the same greasy fate as the pickles.
But, I have to say, the surrounding tables seemed happy/​glad with everything. Maybe we simply got an off meal and service. Given the problems we experienced, I would not give it another try.

Awesome little bar/​tavern! We had our wedding rehearsal dinner at the adjoining restaurant on a Thursday. We came to the tavern for a few drinks after the dinner. We liked it so much, we brought the wedding after party back to Gatehouse the next night. They have karaōke on Friday nights, which is a blast!

Great burgers, good beer selection. Their lamb burger is especially good.

A long time local favorite, Gatehouse Tavern seemed to have slipped in 2014. We had a couple of not great meals there and it fell off the list of regular spots. We decided to give it a try in the new year and I’m pleased to report that food and service are back to previous form. Our server took drink orders within seconds of being seated. Our orders were taken by memory (always worrisome to me, but executed flawlessly here).
We had 2 burgers and a buffalo chicken sandwich. All were prepared exactly as ordered, served in a reasonable time. Everything was piping hot and presentation was neat and pleasing. Our server stopped back to check on us several times, including drink refills before we asked.
Overall, a pleasant experience. Gatehouse Tavern is back, and is once again in the regular rotation. I again recommend this local spot for a good casual meal.

I ate at this restaurant yesterday for the first time and will definitely go back. It has everything. ambience, great food, and friendly atmosphere… the menu is great… sorry i did not go sooner, but will be back soon…

Came in for lunch cold food, not sure, I have come before and it was ok. Very disappointed beer was good.

Amazing place In wake forest to go out late. If you are into the bar scene! Jamie the bartender is absolutely amazing! Request her service, you wont regret it!

Way better than Carolina Ale House!!! I am beginning to despise chain restaurants, and this place is not that!
This place is delicious, intimate, and has live music. The fried pickles were the best I’ve ever had! The burgers were amazing! They even had a burger for the first time we went on St. Patrick’s Day :)

This place has gotten soooo much better…
We used to go a lot but it definitely didn’t really impress. Lately though they have really stepped up their game. Perhaps the new restaurant next door brought in some new cooks, as they are attached kitchens. The sandwiches are really well made and very large. Burgers cooked properly, and the fryolator arts are superb… I know its only pub-​grub but it is really tasty. Also two separate places to dine a raucous sports bar area and a quieter dinning room, which is great for us…

I like the place for what it is. The atmosphere for watching Sports is what we settled on for this area. Carolina Ale House is flat out annoying and the food and attitude is terrible. Wakefield Tavern has well above average food, but is expensive and not comfortable to watch games. I have been here when families are eating, so they offer no sound on the many screens and that is annoying, but I understand.
The Food is decent, certainly not gourmet. I think they have great Wings as they offer grilled and deep-​fired, so that is different. I have tried just about everything and must agree with another Unilocaler that the Pulled Pork Nachos were nasty, but everything else is average to just above.
The Waitstaff (although very young to be serving beer?) is attentive and the Manager does roam and seems genuine in asking how it is going. Bottom line, is it beats other so called Pubs and Taverns in the area for Sports viewing. The food is not on par with nearby Wakefield Tavern, but this place is better for games.

Great décor love the remodel
It really opens up the space but couldn’t watch any of the games. Bummer, maybe it’s not their kind of crowd. Was told the owner was cheap!?! So they would not get those channels too bad with so many TVs the other customers did not mind. They place was pretty full, we only stayed for a bit.