The Wooden Nickel

Located at 105 North Churton Street in Hillsborough, The Wooden Nickel offers craft beers and pub fare. There is a full bar, limited outdoor seating, and bulk orders of wings are available for catering. Food and drink specials change regularly.

This is a bar. It’s not a sports bar, it’s not a gastropub, it’s not a “bar and…” It’s a bar. It’s small, the décor is predictable (beer signs and televisions), and it can be loud. Accept that about it and expect no more or no less from it, and The Wooden Nickel can be pretty satisfying.

The menu here is limited (wings, apps, sandwiches, and burgers), but there is no shortage of appealing options. Appetizer aficionados can take in everything from homemade pork skins to fried banana peppers while burgers come in more than just beef. For our first visit, I went with a kobe burger (with horseradish cheddar, onions, and ale mustard) and fries while my fiancée opted for the burger-of-the-week (blue cheese and onion relish). Both were tasty with creamy cheeses and sauces that were sharply flavored without being overwhelming. Moreover, the natural-cut fries were crisp and so well-seasoned that they didn’t even need ketchup.

At $12.50 and $12 respectively, pricing may seem high for “bar” food, but it’s on par for a good-quality half-pound burger. The fast and efficient service means you won’t wait long to enjoy it.

The lack of space may make coming here at a popular time a bit of a gamble, but if you’re able to find a table and don’t mind paying a bit more for better-than-usual pub grub, The Wooden Nickel is a good place to enjoy a drink or a casual meal.

8/10