Hello dear
Dukes ‘n Boots is a burgeoning gem nestled in Willoughby, Ohio, where the spirit of comfort food meets a vibrant atmosphere. Specializing in burgers, chicken wings, and sandwiches, this casual dining spot invites guests to indulge in a menu brimming with flavor. Their renowned fried chicken and hearty wings have garnered rave reviews for excellence, while the inviting outdoor seating enhances the dining experience. With attentive service and happy hour specials, Dukes ‘n Boots seamlessly blends a laid-back setting with a trendy vibe, making it the perfect destination for food lovers seeking great flavors and a lively ambiance.
About
Welcome to Dukes ‘n Boots, a hidden gem nestled in Willoughby, Ohio, where flavor and hospitality come together in a cozy setting. Located at 4027 Erie St, this vibrant bar and grill has quickly gained a reputation for its hearty burgers, mouthwatering chicken wings, and delicious sandwiches, making it a go-to spot for both casual diners and food enthusiasts alike.
As you step inside, you’re greeted by a warm, inviting atmosphere, characterized by a beautifully decorated interior and an old-fashioned brass-railed bar that beckons you to unwind with your favorite drink. The attentive staff, renowned for their excellent service, ensures you feel right at home — it’s truly a place where everyone knows your name.
One standout dish that patrons rave about is the fried chicken. With pieces that remind you of home-cooked meals, it's expertly seasoned and cooked to perfection, creating a crispy outer layer that doesn't overwhelm the natural flavors of the chicken. Guests have noted the portions are ample, with many highlighting the three-piece serving as a nostalgic nod to classic Southern cooking. Additionally, for those seeking a casual delight, the chicken tenders are said to be a must-try — massive servings with just the right amount of crunch, served alongside perfectly seasoned hand-cut fries.
Those who appreciate a good beverage will find Dukes ‘n Boots equally enticing, boasting an impressive selection of craft beers. Whether you prefer an IPA, pale ale, or a refreshing pilsner, there’s something to please every palate. Among the selections are popular brews like 3 Floyds Zombie Dust, Sierras Nevada, and locally crafted options — the perfect accompaniment to your meal.
Not only is the food extraordinary, but the ambiance enhances the experience further, especially with the addition of live music on weekends. The patio, although currently closed for the winter, promises delightful evenings in warmer months and is an ideal spot to sip cocktails while soaking in the vibrant atmosphere.
In brief, Dukes ‘n Boots represents the best of dining in Willoughby. With a menu that balances comfort food and unique offerings, welcoming service, and a lively environment, it’s not just about the food; it’s about the experience that keeps diners coming back. Whether you're here for a game day with friends or a casual night out, you’ll leave with a full belly and a happy heart.
“ A good menu for what it is. Bar and Grill? Love the fried chicken. Nice place for food and drinks with a patio out back. ”
“ This was the second time my wife and I have had dinner at Dukes N Boots. It's a fairly new restaurant in Willoughby Ohio. The wait staff is very attentive and on the ball. The interior is well decorated, and the bar is one of those long old-fashioned ones with the brass rail at the bottom They have a good selection of bourbon and depending on the bartender you may or may not get a good drink. The menu was basic with some really good things. Their wings are big and medium and very tasty. If you'd like, you could get chicken legs or chicken thighs dipped in your sauce of choice. One item I was really impressed with. Is there a chicken tenders and french fry entrée. For eight dollars you get five big ass chicken tenders that are well seasoned with a really delicious crispy coating. Their french fries are hand, cut, and have great seasoning on them. That's a little bit spicy. Another item on their menu that I've not tried is their foot-long corndog. Patio in the back that was closed but looks to be a fun place to come and drink on a summer evening. ”
“ Great service, great food! We were there early enough to beat the hectic rush of the weekend crowd and loved the food and service. We will be back! ”
“ Their fried chicken is the best! This is our spot for Browns games, they have great food and drink specials. We went there tonight for a bourbon dinner collaboration they did with Western Reserve Distillery. Food was amazing, drinks were delicious. Left there full and happy. Great job to Chef Dante, Kevin from western Reserve and the staff at Dukes n boots. What a gem of a place we have in DTW. ”
“ Did you know that ambrosia is a dessert with marshmallows in it. It's also the name of a rock band. Most importantly it was the name of our awesome server at Duke's and Boots. I was really kind of disappointed with all of the reviews because the general rule of thumb is you don't review a restaurant right after they open you give them time to get their feet wet and figure things out. So that's what I did I gave it 6 months and then wanted to try it. Parking in downtown Willoughby can be challenging sometimes but you can park at the bank right adjacent to the restaurant as long as it is after banking hours. I confirm this with the restaurant they said it was cool. It was not that busy for a Saturday night and there was live music setting up we were there about 6:30ish. I was afraid that the reputation of the reviews had gotten to the place already. But again our awesome server said that a lot of people come there a little later to drink and that was totally true My wife and I started out with just a couple of beers and the menu is simple and not convoluted. Being as some of the reviews were for fried chicken I wanted to try the fried chicken. There really aren't very many good fried chicken places around so I figured I would give it a shot. I got the three piece fried Chicken breast thigh and drumstick. Ambrosia the server said my wife should get the chicken tenders which she did. We had been to this place when it was a burger place a couple of years ago and the restaurant was now in the process of enclosing the back bar and wrapping it for the winter which is a fabulous idea. It's really not that big inside but if you have the back bar as well it's more than comfortable. My wife got two different types of barbecue sauce a coffee barbecue sauce and then the house barbecue sauce. While we are waiting for our food which only took about 9 minutes we got another beer and again ambrosia was on top of it! I did order a salad as well even though they really don't have house salads on the menu they made me one for five bucks. My chicken came out in a little tin bucket and it was hotter than the surface of the Sun so I did have to give it a minute to cool. If you go there expecting to get fried chicken like KFC or Popeyes that is not what they have. It's not overly breaded. What it reminded me of was when I was a kid my mom would do the shake and bake style fried chicken and pan fried in a cast iron pan. This chicken reminded me of that. It was not overly cooked the breading was actually a seasoned very well. The chicken was not overly huge it was a good portion. My wife's tenders she got six of them and could only eat three and a half to maybe give you an idea of how big they were! They also came with shoestring fries. After I finished my chicken I could not believe what all of the reviews said because what I had was absolutely contradictory to most of the reviews. It was chicken that reminded me of home and of my childhood. At that time I happened to see the head chef come out of the kitchen and get himself something to drink. I did flag him down and we talked about it. Apparently they have made a personnel change in the kitchen and now he is the boss of it which I'm 100% fine with because he makes kick ass chicken. The band started up about 8:00 and after a couple of beers that's when we finished and ambrosia brought us a to-go box and our evening was complete. I don't mean to my expert in fried chicken but I know what I like and I like this chicken big time. Our food combined with our incredible server really made our night. That plus the awesome country music was the icing on the cake! ”
“ Stopped by after walking around downtown Willoughby. Had the cowboy quencher and it was delicious! Our server was really nice. We arrived at 5:45 and were able to get a few happy hour drinks. I live fried green tomatoes and have some of the best on the south. These were definitely contenders! They were the right consistency and not greasy ! The dipping sauce was perfect ! My daughter and I split the smash burger and it was great for two. Plenty of burger and toppings. Her boyfriend had wings. The rub was excellent. You didn't even need the dipping sauce. But the sauce was good too. (Smoking hot sauce) Definitely would come back and recommend! PS. The manager I think his name was Alexander. He had the perfect mustache and outfit for this country themed bar. Well done !!! ”