Steel Wheel Tavern in Ridgewood, NJ

Summer might have wound down, but the local restaurant scene continues to keep on trucking with a spate of new must-visit dining destinations. One worth braking for? Steel Wheel Tavern, in Ridgewood, NJ.

Recently opened in the former Smith Brothers space, this fun, family friendly tavern is a welcome addition to the neighborhood. We stopped on a recent Tuesday night—kids in tow—and the place was jumping. With one of only six venues to hold a liquor license in Ridgewood, we expected the bar to be good (and it is—tons of fun cocktails and an extensive list of well-priced wines), but the super-extensive menu of great bar eats—think calamari, burgers, and wings along with more sophisticated fare like tuna tartare and gourmet sandwiches—is equally impressive. Add to that a special late-night menu, live music on Saturday nights, and a well-priced kids’ menu (every meal just $7!) and, well, how can you go wrong?

Our meal started with an order of PEI mussels ($9), which was prepared in a local beer broth with Vidalia onions and whole grain mustard; the Blackened Ahi Tuna ($14), which was served rare and came with a sesame noodle slaw and ponzu sauce, and the Goffle Farms Whole Wings Your Way ($9). While they were all very good, the standout, by far, was the tuna. Its yummy pepper crust put it in the GREAT category, and the noodle slaw had a nutty flavor that was a nice compliment to the fish.

For our main courses, we selected the Roasted Beets Salad with Shrimp ($15), which came served with crumbled blue cheese, chopped pecans, and a raspberry vinaigrette; the Sliced Flat Iron Steak Sandwich ($14), which was accompanied by truffle fries; the Sliced Flat Iron Steak ($21), which came with sweet potato fries and baby vegetables, and the shaved New York Strip Sandwich ($16). The steak was excellent, but the sandwiches were out-of-control amazing! The Flat Iron Steak sandwich had a succulent BBQ glaze, and we loved that it was topped with crispy onions and melted cheddar cheese. Even better was the New York Strip sandwich. How can anyone resist caramelized onions, blue cheese and horseradish mayo? And I am not even going to get started on the truffle fries—they were worth every calorie, for sure.

So, whether you’re just in the mood for a casual drinks meetup with friends, a “treat yoself” snack, or a full-on family meal, Steel Wheel Tavern is definitely worth rolling in to. 

Carla Sullivan is the dining editor for Bergen Mama and the founder of MiniMunchers.com, a foodie website for families in nyc, she resides in Ridgewood with her three kids and husband.