Mystery Diner: Upper Deck is a hit
I’m a wings person.
So any excuse I can get to chow down, get my hands and face a little messy and watch sports at the same time is pretty much a dream.
Earlier this week, in the middle of the afternoon, I got that chance. And I wasn’t disappointed.
I’ve had wings at plenty of places around DeKalb County, from Buffalo Wild Wings to P.J.’s Courthouse in Sycamore.
So when I went to the Upper Deck Sports Bar and Grill in downtown DeKalb, there were already a few comparisons in my mind.
When the waitress mentioned the 70-cent wing special, I bit. There were more than a few options on the one-page menu. There were even a few salads in there if that’s your thing.
For me, however, it was all about the wings. When they came out, the first thing I noticed was the size. They were called jumbo wings on the menu, and the menu didn’t lie.
They were the largest, meatiest, best quality wings I’ve had in a while. And while the sauce wasn’t as good as my favorites at places like Buffalo Wild Wings or Miller’s Alehouse (in Lombard), the overall wing experience was better.
Twelve wings were more than a meal and I usually can’t say that.
My dining partner ordered the Southwest Queso Wrap and was equally pleased. The chicken was tender, the wrap definitely had pep and it all came together so well that we fought over who would get the doggie bag.
The bar also was a welcome surprise as a whole. The dining area is lined with seven flat screen TVs. And while they aren’t as large as my other favorite wing stops, for a smaller bar with better food it seemed like a fair trade-off. There’s also two dartboards and a punching bag machine near the bar.
The staff was unbelievably friendly and the entire experience was something I’m ready to make a regular occurrence.
And it was all unexpected.
Because before I went to lunch there, I didn’t know the Upper Deck – which opened Oct. 1 in the old Filo Spinato’s spot – even existed.
It’s a smaller, less packed environment than the chain sports bars, but they still have DirecTV’s Sunday NFL Package (they get all the games) and plenty of NIU and Bears gear hanging around.
The coasters are even NIU football and volleyball schedules.
If you’re looking for an alternative to your regular sports bar, make sure to check out the bar with the red- and white-striped awning on Lincoln Highway.
• The Mystery Diner is an employee in the newsroom at the Daily Chronicle. The diner’s identity is not revealed to the restaurant before or during the meal. The diner visits a different restaurant in DeKalb County each week.
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Upper Deck Sports Bar and Grill
Where: 241 E. Lincoln Highway, DeKalb
Hours: 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Sunday-Wednesday, 11 a.m.-1 a.m. Thursday, 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Friday-Saturday
Phone: 815-217-3325
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