This Overlooked Illinois Restaurant Is Quietly Serving Some Of The Best Midwest Wings You’ll Ever Try
In a city where food is a point of pride, Chicago’s wing scene is no exception. With so many options to choose from, it can be tough to find a spot that truly stands out.
Yet, nestled in the heart of the city, there’s a place that’s been quietly making a name for itself with wings that pack a punch. This spot brings together a warm, inviting atmosphere, an impressive menu, and some of the most flavorful wings in Illinois.
Known for their award-winning quality, each bite delivers on the perfect balance of crunch and flavor. For wing enthusiasts or anyone craving a great meal, this place consistently delivers an exceptional experience.
It’s the kind of spot that keeps people coming back, offering great food and an inviting vibe every time.
Chicago’s Best-Kept Secret for Wing Lovers
Not every great restaurant announces itself loudly. Jake Melnick’s Corner Tap sits at 41 E Superior St in Chicago’s Near North Side neighborhood, and it has the kind of understated presence that makes discovering it feel like a genuine find.
The building fits right into the fabric of Chicago’s busy streets, but once you step through the door, the energy inside is immediately welcoming. The space is roomy, the lighting is warm, and the hum of sports broadcasts fills the air in the best possible way.
This is a place built for comfort. There are plenty of seats, a well-stocked bar setup, and a menu that goes far deeper than the typical sports bar fare.
Jake Melnick’s operates seven days a week. Weekday hours run from 11:30 AM to 10:30 PM, while Friday and Saturday hours extend from 11 AM to 11 PM.
Sunday hours mirror the weekday schedule. Calling ahead at 312-266-0400 for updates is always a smart move before you visit.
Quick Snapshot
Before getting into the full breakdown, here is a fast overview of what Jake Melnick’s Corner Tap is all about so you know exactly what to expect before you arrive.
Name: Jake Melnick’s Corner Tap.
Type: American sports bar and restaurant with a strong focus on wings and comfort food.
Setting: A spacious, laid-back pub atmosphere with multiple TV screens, booth seating, and a lively but relaxed crowd.
Location: 41 E Superior St, Chicago, IL 60611, right in the heart of the Near North Side, easily accessible from many major Chicago attractions.
Arrival: Walk-ins are generally welcomed, though arriving early on game days and weekends is a smart move to secure a good seat without a long wait.
Portions: Generous across the board, with wing orders and combo plates that give solid value for the price point, making it easy to share or go solo without leaving hungry.
Award-Winning Wings And A Sports Bar Vibe
The wings at Jake Melnick’s are not just a menu item, they are the centerpiece of the entire experience. These wings were voted Chicago’s best at the Chicago Wingout Festival in 2025, and that recognition is not hard to understand once you see and taste them.
Each wing comes out with a crispy exterior that gives way to genuinely juicy meat inside. The kitchen clearly pays attention to technique, because the texture hits that sweet spot between crunch and tenderness that so many places miss.
The sports bar setting amplifies the whole experience. Multiple screens throughout the restaurant keep every game in view no matter where you are seated.
The energy picks up noticeably on game days, with a crowd that is enthusiastic but never overwhelming.
Why It Matters: Winning a city-wide wing competition in Chicago, a place with no shortage of strong contenders, is a meaningful distinction. It signals that the kitchen is consistent, intentional, and genuinely committed to getting the details right every single time a plate goes out.
The Wing Variety At Jake Melnick’s Will Blow Your Mind
One of the most impressive things about Jake Melnick’s is the sheer range of wing flavors available. This is not a place that offers three sauce options and calls it a day.
The menu covers a wide spectrum from classic preparations to more creative, globally inspired flavors.
The spicy buffalo is a standout, delivering real heat that builds without crossing into uncomfortable territory. The Korean BBQ option takes a different approach entirely, using a dry seasoning and grilling method that produces a sweet and savory result with genuine depth.
The poncho wings have also developed a strong following for their bold, distinctive flavor profile.
Bone-in and boneless options are both available, giving diners flexibility depending on preference. The boneless wings are made from chicken thigh meat, which is worth knowing in advance if you have a strong preference for breast meat.
Best Strategy: Order a mix of two or three flavors rather than committing to just one. Sharing a variety lets you compare the range and figure out which flavor earns a repeat order on your next visit without any regret.
The Menu Goes Well Beyond Wings
Wings may be the headline act, but the supporting cast on this menu is genuinely impressive. Jake Melnick’s carries a full lineup of American comfort food that holds its own even when measured against the wing reputation.
The Smash Burger has earned serious attention, with a happy hour special pairing it with fries at a price point that feels like a genuine deal in a city where dining out can get expensive quickly.
The BBQ offerings include pulled pork, ribs, and brisket, all prepared with the kind of care that results in tender, pull-apart meat with real smoky flavor.
Side dishes round things out nicely. The Parmesan fries are consistently well-seasoned and crispy.
Tater tots come out hot with a satisfying crunch. The street corn dip is a creamy, flavorful starter worth ordering for the table.
Best Choices: Smash Burger with Parmesan fries during happy hour, BBQ brisket or pulled pork for a full meal, street corn dip as a starter, and mac and cheese as a reliable comfort side that pairs well with almost everything else on the table.
The XXXX Spicy Wing Challenge
For those who like to push their heat tolerance, Jake Melnick’s offers the XXXX Spicy Wing Challenge, and it has become one of the more talked-about features of the restaurant’s identity. This is not a casual order for the faint of stomach.
The challenge involves finishing a set number of extremely spicy wings within a specific time limit. Compared to similar challenges at other spots around the city, the rules here are considered relatively straightforward, making it accessible for determined first-timers while still providing a genuine test of heat endurance.
The sauce used for the XXXX wings is a serious step up from the regular spicy buffalo. The heat is intense and lingers, so going in without preparation is not recommended.
Dairy-based sides nearby are a smart buffer.
Insider Tip: Do not attempt the XXXX challenge on an empty stomach, and avoid eating anything acidic beforehand. The challenge is designed to be winnable for those who prepare properly, but treating it casually will make the experience far more punishing than it needs to be. Know your limits and go in with a plan.
Service Style And Staff Attentiveness
The service at Jake Melnick’s fits the setting well. This is a casual sports pub, and the staff operates with the kind of energy that matches that environment.
Attentiveness is generally solid, with food moving out of the kitchen at a reasonable pace even during busier periods.
The bar staff in particular tends to be knowledgeable and personable. Whether you are sitting at the bar or at a table, the interaction feels genuine rather than scripted.
On slower weekday visits, the pace is relaxed and unhurried, which makes it a comfortable option for a midday meal or an early dinner.
On game days and weekend evenings, the restaurant fills up and the energy becomes noticeably louder. Service keeps pace, but the atmosphere shifts into something more festive and crowd-forward.
Who This Is For: Sports fans, casual diners, groups looking for a lively atmosphere, and anyone who enjoys unpretentious American comfort food in a welcoming setting.
Who This Is Not For: Anyone seeking a quiet, formal dining experience or a restaurant with a slow, multi-course pacing style will find the vibe here a mismatch for those expectations.
Pricing And Value
Jake Melnick’s carries a mid-range price point, marked as $$ on most platforms, which places it firmly in the comfortable middle ground for Chicago dining. For a restaurant in the Near North Side, the pricing reflects the location without going overboard.
Wing orders are priced in line with what you would expect from a well-regarded Chicago sports bar. The happy hour Smash Burger with fries at $14.95 stands out as exceptional value, particularly given the quality and the central location.
BBQ plates and full entrees sit at a slightly higher price point, but the portion sizes generally justify the cost.
Sides are reasonably priced and filling. Sharing a few dishes across a small group keeps the overall bill manageable and allows for a broader tasting experience without the tab climbing uncomfortably high.
Common Mistakes To Avoid: Skipping the happy hour window is an easy oversight that costs real money. Happy hour runs on weekdays and offers notable deals, so timing your visit around that window is a straightforward way to get more out of your meal without compromising on quality or quantity.
Is It Worth It?
After working through everything this restaurant brings to the table, the answer is a clear and confident yes. Jake Melnick’s Corner Tap earns its reputation not through marketing but through consistent execution of a focused, well-developed menu anchored by genuinely award-winning wings.
The atmosphere is warm and lively without feeling chaotic. The menu has enough range to satisfy different tastes within the same group.
The pricing is fair for the quality and location, especially when happy hour is factored in.
This is the kind of place that rewards repeat visits. Each trip gives you the chance to work through more of the menu, try a new wing flavor, or finally take on the XXXX challenge with proper preparation.
Key Takeaways: Award-winning wings with real variety in flavor and heat level. A full menu that goes beyond wings into solid BBQ and comfort food. Fair pricing with strong happy hour value. A sports bar atmosphere that is welcoming and energetic.
Planning Advice: Arrive before the game day rush, explore the wing flavors in combination, and take full advantage of the happy hour window for the best overall value on your visit.