Arrogant Owner
If you go for the $2.00 pints on Monday be sure to sit at the bar. Being accompanied by a person requiring a wheelchair, we were ushered to the downstairs seating area where pints cost $3.75 but no one bothers to tell you until you see the bill. The owner defends it by pointing to an obscure line on the menu insert that says "$2.00 pints at the tavern". We raised a stink about the bill which ended with him saying "I don't want customers like you here". Apparently he wants the kind who like being ripped off. His arrogance was hard to believe. It's no way to treat your customers and I won't be back. It's a shame, 'cause the wings really are awesome.    []

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Recommended Dishes: chicken wing platters

     ­Kenny G.   

Never again
Took my parents out to dinner here...ages 65 and 70. They ordered a martini and a manhattan. Both were served warm and in dirty brandy snifters. After my parents sent the drinks back, the waitress returned with them stating that the owner would not remove the charges from the bill so we may has well keep them. I was completely mortified. I will never return or recommend this place. Our bill totaled over $120. The owner should have apologized and taken the $9 off the bill.

Horrifying experience! Food was average...carrots served with dinner were soggy and mealy and had obviously been soaking all day in the pot.    [01 Sep 2003 13:15:39]

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     ­SWC, Cromwell, CT   

Shameful service, good beer
I really wanted to like this place...a historic old pub with lots of good beers and wings. What's not to like? The service, for starters. They have 342 kinds of wings but amazingly you can't get "medium hot" wings. "Sorry, only mild or hot" Ok, not knowing how hot the hot would be, I ordered mild and asked for a side of hot sauce. When the bill came, I was charged 35 cents for the hot sauce. I asked for the wings to be "extra crispy". They arrived very soggy and not the least bit crispy. I said to the waitress, "I was hoping these would be crispy" Her response was to sniff, "I can only do my part" and walk away. For entertainment, I also got to listen to the waitresses arguing with each other about how to properly close a ticket. A table of guys next to me ordered a plate of buffalo wings and Miss Friendly said, "Why don't you try something different." They wanted a pitcher of beer. Sorry, no pitchers at the Bidwell. But you can have a pitcher of water. Hmm. Other than the soggy wings and the completely disinterested service, I actually liked the atmosphere and I'll probably give it another try.    [21 Nov 2003 09:18:52]

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Recommended Dishes: beer

     ­Anonymous   

Bad Service
I do like the wings but the service on this particular night was terrible. We ordered wings and waited and waited to be served while others who came in after us received their orders before us. We finally cancelled our order.

I've been here on other occasions when the service was better.    [30 Dec 2003 20:58:24]

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     ­Anonymous   

Service has been great
Okay I have to admit I have only been here twice but both times the service was fantastic and the wings were awesome. Obviously from the crowds of people there, I am not alone in my opinion. We even brought the grandkids who had a ball with their bottles of rootbeer.    [09 Mar 2005 16:51:39]

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Recommended Dishes: wings

     ­Iz   

Wings
The beer and wings were great and my waitress was hot.    [12 May 2005 17:29:22]

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Recommended Dishes: wings

     ­chief, manchester ct   

Owner
I've been to Bidwell numerous times. Usually it is average food and service, although I have heard of others who've had problems similar to those posted here. I blame the owner for setting a poor tone and for employing some folks who are sketchy.    [21 Aug 2005 22:06:21]

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Recommended Dishes: garlic bread, wings

     ­Anonymous   

Wings
Been there maybe a dozen times. It's not the Ritz so I don't expect the same service. Wings. What can I say? The best wings in New England. And the choice of beer is awesome.    [13 Sep 2005 16:32:26]

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Recommended Dishes: wings

     ­Icebob   

You don't go here for the service...you go for the wings!
The greatest wings in the world...crispy & tasty with a huge variety of seasonings. Service is always average. The atmosphere on the deck or in the tavern is lovely.    [11 Jul 2006 12:26:11]

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Recommended Dishes: Garlic Pepper Wings

     ­Tad1969   

Grumpy bartendress
Great wings, but worst jalapeno poppers I've ever had. Almost black from over-cookedness, and wouldn't take them off the bill. The female bartender was very grumpy and arrogant. But we'll be back for wings.    [26 Aug 2006 18:11:47]

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Recommended Dishes: Wings

     ­Julie