Summer lovin’ at Union Tap and Circle Tavern

Circle Tavern and Union Tap in Elmwood Park anchor evening time in the village square – that just so happens to be a circle. Their food draws customers year-round, but summer is special, full of events and concerts.

“Our concert series in the Village Circle is really a great time,” said Skip Saviano, Elmwood Park’s village president. “It’s like a little street festival. We close Conti Parkway to car traffic and throw a concert every couple of weeks during the summer. Everyone is out enjoying the weather and their friends,” he said.

The Circle Tavern opened three years ago, yet owner Michael Jardine has deep roots in the area. He bought the place from his uncle. 

“I feel like there’s no better location with what they’re doing across the street with the bocci, what they’re doing with the summer concerts and events all throughout the year. They’re very welcoming of me as a local business,” said Jardine.

This restaurant has a patio right on the Circle, all the better to enjoy summer specialty drinks. One is the summer splash, which is watermelon puree dashed with Malibu Rum and melon liqueur. 

There are summer savories as well: fried pickles (if you haven’t tried them, trust me), a Southwest salad, and a “chicken bacon kicker” sandwich – loaded with chicken, bacon bits, diced tomatoes, cheddar cheese, layered over spicy chipotle aioli.

Mainstays on the menu are smash burgers – built to order and flatbread pizzas. 

Owner Jardine is particularly proud of an addition to the menu. “We have the very, very thin crust, they call it tavern-style pizza. Super like cracker crust.”

Eventually the weather will turn cozy. In months that end in “ber,” a specialty burger each month keeps the winter interesting too. 

Just a few steps away at Union Tap, the vibe is a little different, but just as family friendly as the rest of the Circle area. Owner John Tate opened the bar in 2019. It is in addition to his City Tap and Grill in Norridge.  

“Elmwood Park has really embraced us. It’s been beautiful, like a home away from home,” said manager Gabriella Castillo.

Union Tap has an outdoor patio and a parking lot next door. Both give easy access for the crowds coming into the Circle in the summer. 

“To look out and see all the crowds having fun at the events in the Circle. Everyone is so friendly. Big, but small community,” Castillo said. “We are open later than others nearby, which keeps the good times going.”

The bar is open until 1 a.m. Wednesday – Thursday. And until 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. 

Their cocktail menu includes martinis, mules, mojitos and more. One of the most popular drinks is the white gummy bear martini. A wide selection of beer, wine and liquor is on offer as well. The food menu focuses on bites that go hand-in-hand with their excellent beverages.

Three sliders come out with crisp kettle-style chips. Wings can be tossed in any of four different sauces: BBQ, buffalo, pineapple teriyaki or garlic parmesan. And if you can’t decide, they split an order of wings between two sauces.

Burgers, salads, soups, nachos, pretzels … How can you go wrong?

There is plenty more summer to soak up at the Elmwood Park Circle. Upcoming events include concerts on July 11, July 25 and August 23. The August date also includes the D.A.R.E. car show, featuring vintage and exotic cars from near and far.

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