Restaurant Details

The neighborhood surrounding Twin Anchors was once rough around the edges, but these days the former speakeasy’s customers are more likely to pack smart phones than gats. The proprietors run a tight ship, with friendly, efficient service and a staff that handles the swelling tide of weekend customers with aplomb. Despite the nautical theme, ties to local celebrities, and a proud association with Frank Sinatra, Twin Anchors is a peanuts-on-the-bar neighborhood place with a loyal clientele. Entering late on a Friday evening, we overheard an exiting customer exclaim, “It never disappoints. You always feel good when you leave.” I’d tend to agree, with two caveats: don’t order ribs unless you like them sweet and sloppy, and don’t take any chances with the permit-only parking spaces. To the tavern's credit, nowhere on the Twin Anchors menu are the Chicago-style baby back ribs referred to as barbecue, which requires interaction with smoke and fire. Ribs here are slow baked in a “special” oven until the meat droops lifelessly in the classic Chicago fall-off-the-bone fashion. It must be said that Twin Anchors sells the hell out of these, and people seem to love the zesty sauce. My suggestion: stick to the burgers, steaks, succulent grilled shrimp, the fish fry, or the crisp, greaseless onion rings. The undecided or health obsessed can always order the zesty “Soy” Natra burger, if for no reason other than to enjoy the incongruity of Ol’ Blues Eyes having a veggie burger named after him.

— Gary Wiviott

Features: Full Liquor Service, Valet Parking, Carryout, Lunch, Dinner, Open Sunday, Open Monday, Reservations Not Accepted

Price: $$

Payment Type: American Express, Diners Club, Discover, MasterCard, Visa