I've been going here for over 10 years and after going to so many other bars, this one is still my favorite. Over 30 taps and often times have rare gems (check it out around Christmas time especially). There are things for bourbon fans as well, I had my first sip of Blanton's, Eagle Rare, EH Taylor, etc from the Oak. Food wise, like many, my go to is the Cajun burger. But when I crave something else the Buffalo chicken wrap, smoked turkey sandwich, and Reuben are delicious options. Make sure to get the waffle fries while at it! read more

Great bar and restaurant. Traditional old school cozy bar and restaurant with enough variety to satisfy almost every taste. Major props and a five star from me for having an excellent non-alcoholic beer selection with a dozen or more non alcoholic brew choices. read more

Loving this neighborhood location. All are friendly; customers, employees, owners, ALL. Loved the environment and settings it's a must. Not to mention food and drinks YUM! read more

Oak Café - Yum!!! - Pubs Near Me - Wyandotte, Michigan

Visited last night with friends, craving for a burger, and the Oak Cafe didn't fail. Not too crowded on cold Friday night in January, the standard cheese burger for me, the Cajun burger for my bride, my buddy got the fried salami sandwich and his wife got sliders. Tried Bells No, Yeah, a relatively new ale by Bells, very good. Hayley was among four different servers that waited on us. Yes the grill is slow, but the beer and other beverage selections are plentiful,the Oak Cafe atmosphere is like a neighborhood bar, lots of friendly faces, one of our go to local favorites. read more

Came here for some burgers- and was not impressed. Overall the food wasn't good at all. Burgers weren't made right, didn't put in the order right. Asked dor medium rare burger and it was 90% all red. Also asked for no cheese and burger had cheese on it. On top of that they used liquid cheese instead of slices which made it worse. Had to ask multiple times for different items from plates for the appetizers, silver ware, condiments like ketchup, ranch etc and napkins. Making different trips which all took 5-10 mins for the waiter to come back. read more

I hate when places don't accept credit cards, especially places that see enough business to eat the costs associated. So, that means the Oak Cafe is cash only. I went here last night (Friday) to see a friend in from Chicago. The place was PACKED. The next thing I noticed was the cigarette smoke. As a non-smoker, I can tolerate cigarette smoke but this place was just over-the-top. None of the waitresses at The Oak ever smiled. Our server's attitude was short when we asked questions and she wasn't very accommodating. The burger I had was great, though. Their Cajun fries were also pretty good. The service still sucked, because we sat with empty cups for 10 minutes before the server came back to the table. And then when we ordered our drinks, she forgot about us for another ten. The decor was old-school. Some cool things to look at on the walls while waiting for drinks (forever.) Would I come back? Probably not. read more

I agree with Jessica... on first blush, this place seems like a typical sports bar. However, they have a great selection of beers - it's impressive, really. 40+ on tap. Jessica mentions the sampler, which is a great deal, indeed -- I just wish I'd known about it when I first ordered. The food? Bar food with a dash of extra care. The place was comfortable -- a few things about it made me think of it as a downriver version of the Berkley Front (if that makes sense?). The server was very nice, but (a word of warning on when to go, perhaps), they seemed to get slammed/busy with a dinner crowd at around 6ish. I was glad they were so busy, but felt bad for the staff who seemed slightly over-stretched. Nonetheless, if I was in the area and feeling beer-curious, I think I would stop by again. read more

See all

Perfection has now been ruined. Just another small business suffering from terrible management. After years of patronage by multiple generations, my family will no longer be visiting Oak Cafe. The owner is rude and rules the bar like a dictator to suit his personal whims. Inconveniencing his customers is business as usual for this guy. I was beyond offended during my last visit, so much that I canceled my food order, finished my one beer, and left. My family stayed behind, as they are more forgiving than I. However, by the end of the night they as well vowed never to return. You're taking your chances on ruining your night if you come here. I wouldn't recommend it. read more

Updated Review was in my "un-finished reviews" the carry out was back in September 2020: Been here several more times since the last review in person. Had mixed feelings every time. Sometimes great. Sometimes just okay. Thought we would try them as carry out tonight, won't ever do that again. Service was great as always and friendly. Got a couple of burgers that were okay. Got one plain so I could add my own toppings when I got home and it had a funny taste to it. The other burger was loaded with toppings so it was hard to tell the quality of that one. I guess tomorrow morning will be the real judge. The worst part was the $3 fries and the $6 onion rings. The containers they were in melted from the excessive heat. The fries and rings themselves were so burnt none were edible. I cannot imagine they would serve this to someone seated in the bar. No amount of booze would cloud your judgement that badly that these would be eaten. Just very disappointed. Next time we'll go fast food burgers. Would have been the same and much cheaper. read more

The Oak Café is a nice neighborhood place. It's not really what I would call a 'café'; I'd describe it as a neighborhood tavern or bar and grill. Regardless, it's a quaint place in the sense that it is truly an old fashioned, neighborhood tavern - think "Cheers" with food. The walls are decorated with Detroit sports memorabilia - Wings, Tigers, Lions and Pistons. Unlike the old taverns, The Oak Café has a nice selection of craft-brewed beers - many on tap, more in bottles. The food is good, too. Our party of 4 stopped in for lunch. One had the hamburger of the day, another had the Russian (on black rye with thousand island dressing), another had a paddy melt and I had a Reuben. All sandwiches are served with a bag of chips, a small cup of coleslaw and a slice of pickle; French fries are available at additional cost. We all enjoyed our meals and thought the food was well prepared. Our waitress was a long-time employee. She was very attentive; anytime anyone's (non-alcoholic) drink was close to being empty, she was there to refill it. For those of us with alcoholic drinks, she inquired as to whether we would like another. She stopped by several times to ensure we were enjoying our meals. The prices are very reasonable. I'd recommend The Oak Café with one note of caution: be aware, they do NOT take credit cards. So, make sure you have cash with you or be prepared to use the ATM in the corner. read more

I used to come here all the time to try out new beers. This place has a vast selections from around the world making every visit a different adventure. They also serve the usual bar fare but the biggest reason to visit is...... BEER! If you're into beers beyond Bud and Miller, you'll really dig Oak Cafe. read more

You'll never run out of beer options! I really love everything about this place - the atmosphere, the beer, the food, the people, even the décor. The staff is really knows a lot about the beers they offer which is impressive. The mixed drinks aren't bad either. Its a cool little place to catch a game at too...they always have sports available to watch. BIG hockey crowd here too if you're into hockey. GO WINGS! Only two downfalls - CASH ONLY (they do have an ATM though) and not the best parking. read more

Absolutely love everything about the oak. I come here every so often and love the beer selection along with the food choices. The employees and owner are also all so great! My go to's food wise are the patty melt, the potato skins and I love their steak bites. They know what they are doing and do it well! read more

I have been coming to the Oak Cafe for years with my husband. I have never had a problem with the food. They have a good variety and it taste good. I'm not a big drinker but they definitely have a large selection of beers. I love the salsa that comes with the mini tacos. It has a kick to it but not overwhelmingly hot. The staff has always been friendly and our order has never been messed up. The reason for the 4 stars instead of 5 is because no matter when we go it takes forever to get our food. It took 30 mins to get some fried apps and there were only 3 other tables 2 of which had their food already. I know when we go there to plan on a wait for food read more

Oak Café - Pubs Near Me - Wyandotte, Michigan

I've been going to the Oak Café for over 10 years. It's a gem of Wyandotte, with a decent menu. They have something for nearly everyone. It's a nice & clean local spot, out of the downtown traffic, for a casual night out. Or, even lunch, as they have some good lunch deals. Don't expect vegan or organic, it's just good old food, some deep fried and some more labor intensive. They're one of the first local pubs to have craft beers, having them long before much of their competition picked up on the trend. You know, the ones that only had the 3 standard beers on tap (yuck) for.... Decades (ugh) the craft beer list is regularly rotating as well, so you will almost always have a new beer on tap, with enough variety to suit anyone. They tend to get some of the fancier craft beer options as well. They're Ruben tots are my favorite item on menu. They're so unique and fun. The potato skins are my gf's go to eats. It's small and quaint, a bit tight when the seats start filling up, though it's still an enjoyable environment. The video game options do great for passing the time while waiting on food, or if ya just wanna have some fun. The jukebox has good choices as well. The Oak has had a knack for hiring bartender's that are hard workers. They have their regulars, like anywhere else, and they do not neglect their job, as some other local places are notorious for. One cool thing the Oak does that others do not, they have bar trays. The bar sticks out a bit far, making it difficult to eat for people like me. They came up with an ingenious idea to fix it: bar trays. Don't forget to ask for them, they make a dining in experience, if seated at the bar, much more pleasing for small folks like me. Big downsides to The Oak, and they're huge negatives, they do NOT have any indications of their beer list prices and they do not accept anything but cash. You can use their ATM, or you can go across the street to Jerry's market, and use their cash back option. Both of these are disdainful, especially when SOME of the beers you're ordering, could be tipping the scales at over $8 a beer! Very bad form on you Oak Café. The servers are also not the most knowledgeable of the prices. I hold the owners responsible for lazy ownership, in this regard. You lose two stars from me for these negatives. All in all, I suggest the Oak, just remember to ask for beer prices before ordering & bring cash. read more

Definitely one of the better spots in Wyandotte, whether you're looking for cheap domestics or craft brews. Divey but not dirty. Relaxed and unpretentious. Good staff, fair prices, excellent tap list. Not much more to say. read more

There isn't much else to say except that The Oak is pretty much the only place I go out to Downriver. Always a diverse selection of beer, and the bar food is pretty darn good! Two of us split the sampler basket and had a ton of leftovers. If there's a game, it's on at The Oak. The music is never too loud, and the vibe is always just enough chill and bustle mixed. read more

Does the Oak have nuts? Well, I forgot to ask, but they have really good burgers. Half pound of all American Ground Sirloin. It arrived just as I had ordered. A tray of condiments were served, relish,K,M, pickles,onions, peppers. Nothing but some of the best beers to chase it down. My sis and I went there after the Wyandotte Art Fair. Nice and cool after being out in the steamy show. The beer was great, I have a couple 22oz brews from the tap. The service was pretty good. Could have had some food at the show, but there are too many different places to go when in Wyandotte. This was a good choice. My sis actually said it "may" have been better than Millers....This is definately worth coming back to again. read more

They don't take credit cards, but if you owned a small retail establishment, you'd understand why: the banks charge businesses through the nose to accept plastic. It's no reason to not enjoy the Oak Cafe. There really are some activities than can be done without a smart phone. Just bring cash. Save up your paper route money if you are a little short, or ask for an advance on your allowance. If the Oak had rugby and soccer on the big screens instead of NASCAR and football, you'd swear you were in an old pub in the UK. The quintessential dive bar/bordering on sports bar, this dark, old, neighborhood watering hole boasts between 40 and 50 ever-evolving beers on tap, and several hundred bottled choices. I prefer to visit the Oak in the afternoon, and enjoy a lunch and a few English ales. The vibe gets a bit different as the afternoon turns into evening, and the juke box gets typically too loud and the place fills up with youngsters. Not the kind of place to order a metrosexual salad or a part skim triple foam latte, but, they have the very best bar burger you'll find in the metro area. something like a half dozen different french fry choices as well. I hear all the food is excellent, but I've never gotten past the burger. If I had to find fault, I don't appreciate them serving a "pint" of draft in a 12 ounce glass and a "22 ounce draft" in a 16 ounce glass. Maybe it's the new common core math? I forgive them though, because they had Fuller's ESB ON TAP for a while. Outstanding! The most incredible collection of tapper handles I've ever seen in one place. Don't take yer gal if she's not cool with slumming it, because the restrooms are a bit spartan, if not Bohemian... OK gross, but I rather enjoy peeing into a bathtub full of ice. Actually, I'm kidding... it's not that bad, and you can expect to see entire families, kids and all in there on weekend afternoons. A must try, especially for the beer connaisseur. Get a driver and try them all. read more

I find myself slightly perplexed with my star rating. I am quite the fan of this place, but one major issue weakens my rating slightly-- not taking credit cards. Oak Cafe really is a neighborhood gem. And with hundred of beers to select from (and tons of them local) how can you go wrong? The constantly rotating tap lineup, and bottle selection have something to offer nearly anyone. Their food menu is pretty impressive too. While it is very much a bar-food menu, it is pretty extensive. Alongside the deep-fried favorites, great sandwiches stand strong with their food brothers. Everything is reasonably priced, and the selection of beer really makes Oak Cafe stand out in the area. It is one of the only bars in Downriver that has even a remotely large beer spread. The Oak really covers the bases on that note. The service is always great, a very relaxed atmosphere for all, and a guaranteed good time for any occasion. As I have noted in many other reviews, I take issue with any place (especially a bar) that does not take credit cards. Welcome the the 21st century folks! I can understand a corner bar that only pours up $1 miller and bud products, but when you are offering beers that cost upwards of $20, it makes good business sense to purchase that second phone line. I get that they don't want to pay the CC fees that are on the rise, but many customers would stick around longer (and spend more!) if they could use their plastic. Each time I go, when I am out of cash I tend to call it a night instead of using their over-priced ATM. Oak, I love you, I will be back, but PLEASE start taking credit cards. read more

I'm updating my review because I'm annoyed they do not accept credit. I was told by my tax person that only places that accept cash are hiding their actual income from the government. I now, will not go to cash only establishments. Who in these times do not accept credit? Any restaurant show who is helping a restaurant from going out of business thinks is a disgrace to not provide your customers with the ease of paying with credit. You lose more customers by not providing them the ease of paying with credit. This isn't 1965. Let me pay with credit I will come back, until than, there will be another Wyandotte craft beer bar coming in on Biddle. read more

I love the Oak, it is my favorite bar anywhere. That being said, it isn't for everyone. The Oak is great if you love: 1. Beer, and lots of it (the selection is fantastic). 2. Bar Food. 3. Watching the Red Wings, Pistons, Tigers, Lions, Spartans, and Wolverines. 4. All types and ages of people. The Oak will NOT be your kind of place if you desire: 1. Annoyingly loud music or bands attempting to destroy your ear drums or your ability to speak with those on the other side of your table. 2. Pretentious people who have to be dressed in the latest overpriced fashions. 3. Budweiser or other tasteless crappy beer. Although they have it for those who haven't discovered craft or micro-brewed beer. 4. To overpay for your food and drinks. The Oak is the definition of Wyandotte. An eclectic mix of youngsters, college kids, 30 somethings, middle-aged, and retirees looking to quaff great beer in a low key, neighborhood bar. The Oak is busy on Friday and Saturday, but the locals know that. We love the atmosphere and we love the food. The bartenders always recommend good beers if you don't know what to get, and will steer you away from stuff that might not be all that good. Their burgers are delicious, the southwest egg rolls kick ass, and the Waffle cut fries are great to share. Stop in and enjoy! read more

The sandwiches are huge and variety of beers to choose from is what made me happy to go there. The service isn't the best and sometimes the place is so packed you may not have a place to park your car or seat to eat. Also they don't accept Debit/Credit but have an ATM inside. I didn't really like that. Personally not my favorite choice of places but I will have a beer with friends if invited. read more

I'm sure this place deserves 3 stars but man was I disappointed. I tried it multiple times because a place like this does deserve a second chance. I like the environment and the beer selection is outstanding! The customers seemed like a good crowd. But this is downriver! $8 dollars for a pint of founders? I had a chicken Caesar salad that was extremely small. There was no flavor to it. The chicken could at least be brined or marinated. Previously I had a pretzel blt that was only ok. Im not hard to impress with food but it's not worth the hype. It seems happy hour is best way to fly money wise. 4-6 I believe. I really want to like this place. I don't care about the cash only deal, but the prices are way too expensive and the food needs some work. I usually spend my times in breweries so I'm used to paying for craft beers. Maybe things used to be better... read more

This is a precious little gem in a very unassuming location: x3 street signs! Staff is friendly and knowledgeable, and the patrons are pretty courteous and mature, but this place is far from stuck-up. It's simply the perfect neighborhood spot: x2 monocles! There is a huge variety of beers and sone exceptionally well priced sandwiches and burgers. Don't get the chicken wings, though. Undersized and under-flavored: x5 fat guys! With a score of 3 street signs, 2 monocles, and 5 fat guys, this place gets a conversion score of 5 stars. Well done. read more

Our favorite neighborhood bar ever. "Where everybody knows your name" is the vibe here. Retro dive bar with a fun, chill atmosphere. Awesome staff, killer menu and a banging beer list! We've been coming here since we've moved to Wyandotte and we hope it never ever closes. It definitely sets itself apart from any other bar around here. We love the OAK! Mike is the man! read more

The Oak has a vast beer selection, but that's all it has going for it. When people say "dive bar" to describe it, they don't mean it in the sense that it's a cozy little hole in the wall with an interesting array of characters and some cool older tunes playing on the jukebox. They don't mean it in the trendy way. It really is just an old bar, the sort of place that your 50-something uncle goes to after getting off work at BASF. Is that bad? No, not really. Don't ever go there and expect it to be packed. I've been there at different times (most recently on a Saturday night during a Tigers game) and there couldn't have been 20 people there. That could be a great thing if you just wanna have a beer and a BLT or catch up with a buddy after work. Definitely not a place to see and be seen, though. Gentlemen, if you put on cologne before you head to the Oak, you'll feel like you wasted the effort. Ladies, same goes for you if you wear anything other than JC Penny jeans and a hoodie. The staff there is friendly and attentive, and seem like nice people. The food is decent. But they don't take credit cards (although signs are clearly posted on all entrances) so be aware of that before you come in. All in all, it's not a bad place, just kind of dull, and it sucks that all those tasty beers are locked away in there and not at a more happening location. read more

This place is one of the few things I miss about living downriver. There are always interesting things on tap, reasonably priced. If I had to deduct points for anything, it'd be the restrooms with the trough. The trough is the most inhuman thing us males could be subjected to. Having to inhale our own pee steam whilst relieving ourselves? This isn't enough of an inconvenience to deduct a star though. read more

Solid place for beer nerds. Excellent on-tap selection that changes slightly with the seasons. The food is good bar-style food and without fail they always serve my pint(s) perfectly. The major downfall of this place is the bathrooms. (Which is why only four stars not five.) I know it might not seem like much to some, but it's a big deal to me. The men's room makes the Joe Louis men's room look classy. Overall it's a nice local spot that has a great selection of drinks on-tap. Just try not to use the restroom. read more

I also love The Oak. Why you ask? First off, any bar who has a beer club must be great. The beer selection here is amazing, even for the person who says they don't like beer would find one they would enjoy. Pricing on drinks is moderate, the bar is CASH only so bring extra with you because the food isn't to bad either. Music on the jukebox is eclectic and seems to be updated regularly. This should be one of your first stops when planning on drinking in Wyandotte. read more

I've been coming to the Oak for years now. It's really one of the very few bars in the downriver area that make a point to tap a decent variety of craft beer and that is something I enjoy very, very much. In some ways the Oak is just another dive/sports bar but in other ways it's so much more than that. The regulars here are a close knit bunch but anyone can walk in and have a good time, provided you aren't a weasel in general. The burgers are outstanding and a great bargain. They have 30+ taps at the Oak and a high percentage of them are craft beer. The service can be hit or miss, but mostly hit and the owner, Mike, is a class act (just look for the tall dude with the bald head). Overall I love coming here to catch a game and have a few pints and it's even better now that there is no more smoking. The only real complaint here is they don't take cards. There is an ATM but c'mon, really? Maybe it's a good thing though, it keeps me from going in there quite as often. read more

This is one of the many "Cafe's" in Wyandotte - we like going early in the afternoon since this will get very smokey FAST. Their grilled chicken salads are good, we ask for the grilled pita added which is also good. For those that are adventuresome....it will take you a long time to taste and try all the varieties of beer....the wheat beers are our favorites.... read more

Good food, good TVs, GREAT beer and GREAT owner. I've honestly never had a bad time in this bar. Will keep coming back for the variety of beers you can't get anywhere else. If you haven't been, you're missing out. read more

The best bar downriver and gives a lot of bars across the country a run for the money.. even my beloved home bar in Dallas, TX. Cheap shots, amazing beer selection, and super friendly wait staff. Everytime I come home to visit I will always make time for the Oak. read more

WHY THE OAK'S BARK IS AS GOOD AS ITS BITE: 5) "Sports bar" is not an apt moniker. When I've been there, the volume's not up, nor am I smelling stale InBev Products and/or urine. (Same thing..?) This is a neighborhood bar: old school on the outside, homey on the in. A great place to kick back and talk. In fact, you'll even be able to hear one another. 4) There's a window on the men's room. Yes, you heard me right. 3) In my experience, their service is on top of things. There's nothing pretentious about The Oak, nor is it a dive. And if you're a snob who never goes Downriver, I'll be glad not to see you there. 2) Their hamburger is in my Top Three, evah! You will not need, nor want condiments. It is as juicy as it is genuine. 1) A democratic rainbow of kegged beer: from the same-ol' domestics to great Michigan stuff you won't find elsewhere (Kuhnhenn's! Short's!). My girl knows waaaay more beer than me, and she reflected that she'd never before seen Dogfish Head's Aprihop on tap. And it seems like there's a bonus find like this every time we go. WHY THIS TREE NEEDS A SURGEON: 5) - 1) The Oak needs to be able to process cards! We had to use the ATM there, which I hereby deem THE SQUIRREL. Now, THE SQUIRREL dispenses nuts, yet he charges a ludicrous usurer's fee. This did affect our latest venture there. Because even with the $20 draw, we realized we were short and only able to tip 15%--where normally we would offer 20% for such attentive service. Cut away this dead wood, and drop the rodent, too, and I'll up my rating to 5-star. read more

Oak Café - Look for the Green Sign! - Pubs Near Me - Wyandotte, Michigan

We live in the area, but this is not what makes me rate this place so highly. This place is a must for those who are beer connoisseurs as they have an extensive collection of on-tap beers as well as bottled beers and are huge supporters of good Michigan beers. The staff are extremely knowledgeable about beer which is very impressive for a local bar. Food-wise, you have your typical bar food menu. I must say, the burgers are really thick, juicy and fresh tasting. Mini tacos are very good, but it's the salsa (freshly made...tastes very similar to gazpacho) that comes with those that make it a step above typical bar food. They serve also various sandwiches, wings, and even smoke their own pork for pulled pork sandwiches (haven't tried these yet though). The crowd here is usually very diverse from older folks to college kids to the occasional drunken local, however, this place gets packed at night with 20/30-somethings on Thursdays, Fridays, and weekends as well as game days. If you are in the area and are looking for some top-notch beer, decent food, and a lively atmosphere, I highly recommend this place. read more

Based on fairly frequent visits... Beer selection: A Beer prices: C Food: B+ to C- (staff rotates grill duty) Atmosphere: B+ (typical neighborhood bar) Service: a fairly consistent D read more

Updating my review because, as I said in my previous review if we went back they would win me over. And they did. And in addition to the beer, they make the best cherry bombs in the world. But I have to leave off a star because they don't take credit cards. If they took plastic, I'd drink more (because I hate paying their ATM and my bank to take out cash when I hit the limit of what's in my wallet) and I'd give them 5 stars. So bring your cash and enjoy the Oak Cafe. read more

Let me start by saying, I'm not much of a drinker, so I can't review based on booze alone. They have a bunch of beers on tap, and the microbrews change all the time. They are affordable, but I've never tried any. Been in here a few times, while it's a bit small, the atmosphere is nice, and the food is fantastic. It's not just "bar food" it's good food at a bar. This is a great place to stop in for dinner, or to host a party. I've done both here to great success. Service is good, prices are reasonable. I like that they have the large buffet style tables for large groups, or small tables for smaller groups or couples. read more

I grew up associating everything downriver with awful things. After I started dating someone who lives downriver, I've slowly been exposed to many bars and restaurants in the numerous clustered cities. I have to say by far Wyandotte takes the cake. With that said, I went to the Oak on my very first trip to Wyandotte. After coming here a couple times, I have realized more and more that this place is really a diamond in the rough. Aside from the local Berkley Front, I think the Oak Cafe has hands down the best beer situation outside of microbreweries in the area. I feel like I'm in there every couple weeks and they have a handful of new taps from a variety of local/international breweries to check out. Outside of having them listed, the staff seems to be fairly knowledgeable and friendly. One of the big plasma screens has a constantly rotating chart giving details about the variety of beers as well. It's really a beer drinker's paradise in bar form. My major knock on the bar is the cash only policy. I understand small businesses suffering from high credit card rates but I think if you're going to charge premium prices for premium beers you HAVE to start taking cards. I want to drink more and more there but I find the lack of card thing to be a little discouraging. It's 2010. Let's get on board already. Secondly, the food was just OK. Come here for the awesome atmosphere and beer. Get the food if you're really hungry and are ok with average bar food. read more