Nestled inside of Elmwood Park’s de facto downtown district monikered “the circle,” Union Tap has built a solid local reputation as a friendly neighborhood bar serving up savory pub grub and fanciful libations over the past seven years.
Ever since opening the doors in November 2019, owner John Tate has been incredibly proud of the legacy his bar and grill has built in town.
Alongside owning and operating City Tap and Grill in Norridge since 2011, Tate says he decided to open a second restaurant in Elmwood Park for one simple reason: he wanted to build on the upbeat and approachable energy the village’s local dining scene is known for.
“We loved the vibe Elmwood Park had,” he said “The community is very supportive and welcomes businesses with open arms, as does the village. The village has been amazing in its support of us, as I feel like they are with all small businesses.”
Tate strives to have a place known for its good food and abundance of drink options, but he especially prides himself on the neighborly camaraderie, jovial atmosphere and strong leadership Union Tap has built its local reputation on.
“Union Tap really is a place where everyone knows your name, and that starts with our team,” he said. “We have been very lucky to find a staff that understands what a neighborhood bar is and means to the community. Gaby Castillo, our manager, has been at Union Tap from the beginning and treats it as part of her family. She is the force that drives Union Tap.”
Featuring a cozy patio directly in front of the main entrance, Union Tap is perhaps best known in town for its smashburger — the menu item Tate says is hands down the top-selling food item.
“All of our burgers are ground fresh — 30% brisket and 70% steakburger,” he said.
A generously sized entree, the smashburger features two 4-ounce smashburger patties layered with slices of American cheese and grilled onions topped with Union Tap’s secret smash sauce and accompanied by a side of kettle chips.
Union Tap’s number one menu item is its smashburger — two 4-ounce smashburger patties layered with slices of American cheese and grilled onions topped with Union Tap’s secret smash sauce. Credit: Jackie Pisano 
Union Tap’s number one menu item is its smashburger — two 4-ounce smashburger patties layered with slices of American cheese and grilled onions topped with Union Tap’s secret smash sauce. Credit: Jackie Pisano
All of Union Tap’s sauces and dressings, including their secret sauce, are made in-house — as Tate says, “of course, made with love.”
Other menu top-sellers include the chicken avocado club sandwich (grilled chicken breast, tomato, ranch dressing, avocado, pepper jack cheese and lettuce on fresh-pressed focaccia bread) and hefty 10-piece jumbo wings (bone-in chicken drumsticks smothered with your choice of barbecue, pineapple teriyaki or parmesan garlic sauce and served alongside celery and carrot sticks).
Outside of the standard bar drink options, Union Tap boasts a diverse selection of mixed drinks, such as a customizable mojito (choice of raspberry, pineapple or coconut flavor featuring Malibu rum, fresh mint, lime juice, simple syrup and Sprite), white gummy bear martini (Sobieski raspberry vodka, peach schnapps, lime juice, simple syrup, sour and Sprite) and mango martini (orange vodka, mango puree, sour and lime juice with Tajin-lined rim).
The coconut mojito boasts Malibu rum, fresh mint, lime juice, simple syrup and Sprite. Credit: Jackie Pisano 
A playful drink, the white gummy bear martini includes Sobieski raspberry vodka, peach schnapps, lime juice, simple syrup, sour and Sprite. Credit: Jackie Pisano 
The mango martini at Union Tap is concocted with orange vodka, mango puree, sour and lime juice and finished with a Tajin-lined rim. Credit: Jackie Pisano
While Tate has enjoyed making a career in the restaurant business, his soft spot for Union Tap and Elmwood Park is evident through the care he gives for his small establishment and strong rapport it has built over the years.
As to what he loves the most, though?
The guests.
“They really are a part of the Union Tap family and make it what it is,” he said. “Elmwood Park is a special place — it’s a town that really looks out for each other and cares about everyone in it. It really has been a blast being a part of the bar and restaurant scene in Elmwood Park.”
Union Tap, 7707 Westwood Drive, is open Mondays through Wednesdays 4 p.m. to midnight, Thursdays and Fridays 4 p.m. to 2 a.m., Saturdays 4 p.m. to 3 a.m. and closed on Sundays. For more information and to see the full menu, visit uniontap-ep.com or call (708) 453-1111.