07/03/2026
Table 14
As you walk into the North Side Tavern, many of you will know the large round table just off to the right. It always starts out empty at 11 a.m. - quiet yet waiting. But it never stays that way for long. Table 14, as we call it, represents more than just a few chairs and a ketchup caddy. It represents a reason to come together, a place for memories, celebrations, a good meal, and a few laughs. Every day, whether at home, a friend’s house, or here at the Tavern, families and friends gather around a table. In so many homes and cultures, that simple act is one of life’s great foundations: sharing a meal, enjoying a moment, and coming together.
As we prepare to celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday, I want to take a moment to share a special day each week when Table 14 means a little more to all of us. Just about every Wednesday, a small group of Veterans comes in and honors us with their handshakes, smiling faces, kind words, and amazing stories. And oh...the stories they can tell! I am always filled with awe and respect when they share their experiences with us. They come in with kindness and good intentions, enjoy a beverage or a Coke, and remind us how fortunate we are to welcome them through our doors.
This single email – or even a million emails – could never thank service members enough for honoring our Country and helping protect the freedoms we so often take for granted. When I asked if I could write about them, they smiled at the gesture but insisted on staying behind the scenes. Their humility is further reason we should all feel humbled by the opportunity to honor their sacrifice and thank them for their service.
On Wednesday afternoons, Table 14 holds a great deal of our gratitude, along with the appreciation we feel for all Veterans and current military members. Thank you for helping provide the safety and freedom that allows our families to sit around a table, enjoy great food, and fill our hearts with the memories we hold dear. And because we do value Military Service Members and Veterans, we will now be offering a 10% discount on their individual meals moving forward. Please let your bartender or server know if you are a Veteran or Member of the Military.
On a local note, the North Side Tavern family is always so thankful for this community and for the support you continue to show our small business. From our amazing kitchen staff to our support team, bartenders, and servers, every member of the North Side Tavern family, we thank you. And if you haven’t noticed, we have made a few improvements to the patio, created a little more shade to beat the heat, and hope to welcome you soon for the perfect afternoon drink.
We will be closed on the 4th of July to celebrate and take a breather with our families. We’ll be back in action on Sunday with brunch, of course, and we have so many fun things to look forward to. Chef Chris’s amazing Oktoberfest specials, new wines and beers, and an exciting new happy hour menu are all on the way. Chef is working on the happy hour menu now to include some delicious food items. We plan to roll it out before the end of the summer, so stay tuned for more information.
And as we pass the halfway point around the sun, it has already been a great year at the Tavern. A new hot water heater, amazing specials, cold beverages, and wonderful guests have made it one to remember, and we are looking forward to an even better finish to 2026. So come sit at a table and, just for a moment, consider the memories that each table represents. Think of the people who gathered with friends and family before you and know that you are too creating memories of your own, or… you could just be hungry. Either way, if you are in on a Wednesday afternoon and see a group gathered at Table 14 – or anyone wearing a Veteran’s hat – offer a nod of gratitude. They have certainly earned it.
Happy Fourth of July, everyone.
