The Friendly Tap

The Friendly Tap

Reviews Summary

This bar is consistently praised for its delicious food, particularly burgers and fish fries, with many calling it the best in the area. The friendly atmosphere and staff are highlighted, though a few note occasional service issues. Affordable prices, great drink specials, and a cozy, dive-bar vibe make it a local favorite. Most reviews are highly positive (4-5 stars), emphasizing its value and welcoming environment. A few minor critiques mention slow service or rude staff, but overall, it’s regarded as a must-visit spot in Plano.

About This Listing

Who Can Play?

Most arcades welcome all ages (some may have age restrictions for certain games)
Minors may need parent/guardian supervision (policies vary by location)
No gaming experience required - games range from beginner to expert level
Comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes recommended for safety
Valid ID may be required for certain attractions or age verification
Groups and parties welcome (advance booking may be required)

*Note: Age restrictions and policies may vary by arcade. Check with your local facility for specifics.*

First-Time Visitors

First-time visitors may need to sign a waiver or register for a game card. Staff are typically available to help explain games and provide tutorials. Some arcades offer newcomer specials or free play sessions to help you get started.

Common Restrictions:

Age-Based Some games may have height or age requirements for safety reasons
Capacity Popular games may have wait times during peak hours

*Note: Policies vary by arcade. Confirm with your local facility.*

What to Bring

Cash or card for tokens/credits (some arcades are cashless)
Valid ID for age verification or membership signup
Phone to capture high scores and memories (check photo policies)

*Note: Payment methods and requirements may differ by arcade.*

Preparing for Your Visit

Check arcade hours and peak times online before visiting
Eat beforehand or check if the arcade has food options
Bring friends for multiplayer games and competitions
Wear comfortable clothes you can move freely in
Avoid bringing valuable items that could be lost or damaged
Check for special events, tournaments, or discount days
Set a budget for games and stick to it
Stay hydrated, especially during long gaming sessions

*Note: Tips may vary by arcade type and location.*

How to Get Started

Most arcades accept walk-ins, but call ahead during busy periods or for large groups. Check for membership deals!

Other Helpful Info

Most visits last 1-3 hours depending on games and group size
Popular games may have longer wait times during weekends and evenings
Many arcades offer unlimited play packages or time-based pricing
Some locations host tournaments and special events regularly
Prize redemption available at many arcades - save your tickets!

*Note: Policies, pricing, and features differ by arcade. Contact your local facility for details.*

Contact Information

Address

14 N Center St

Plano, Illinois 60545

Hours

Monday 8AM-1AM
Tuesday 8AM-1AM
Wednesday 8AM-1AM
Thursday 8AM-1AM
Friday 8AM-1AM
Saturday 8AM-1AM
Sunday 10AM-10PM

Customer Reviews

Just stopped in for a quick lunch. I had been here once before, a couple of years ago, but remembered the food being good, so we stopped in. If you like "bar food", which I love, you can't go wrong here!

Food is great, drinks are great, beer is amazing. Just had a bad experience with a waitress that let customers go behind the bar and serve themselves beer and didn't let me play music on the jukebox

A hidden gem that has the best burgers the best prices and the best hospitality around. Tuesdays are the go to day for us .Cheeseburger fries and a few frosted cold tap beer for around 10 bucks. Best kept secret around. The burgers are the real deal Not those froze patty?s you might find at your local grocery store. The fry?s are hot and crispy and the beer is super cold. What also sets this gem apart is the extremely friendly service we get from the waitress Dafina. She's the bomb! Always greets you with a

Stopped in for a burger foods is excellent, we each had a burger one with mushrooms the other with onion rings, cooked to perfection. The girl tending the bar also did the cooking, she was very efficient and friendly. Highly recommend

Just a neighborhood joint with fabulous burgers. Huge and delicious. Very nice folks that have been running this place for decades

We were unfamiliar with the area, and needed something to eat. Stopped in here for a quick burger and we were really surprised. Although it looks more like just a normal bar, all of the food was great.

The burgers here are incredible! They get their meat from the local butcher and you can taste the difference. I would go during the day as it is a friendly bar so it does get pretty busy. My first experience was a Saturday afternoon and it was very calm and quiet. Went on a Friday night (craving that burger and wanted my wife to enjoy with me) and we found the last table but it was "bar" loud. Nothing extreme, just normal full bar noise. Highly recommend their food!!! I'm craving that bacon burger and we sp

Good food, good prices! Always awesome and friendly service!:)))

Great local bar with good food!

Decent food at great prices...

The burgers on Tuesday are great! They have a good Chix wing special on Monday. We grab takeout a lot but you should eat a burger there at least once!

Great local bar. Food is delicious, they get all their ground beef fresh 3 times a week from Arts food market another local small business. Love the cheap burgers on Tuesday and the cheap bottle beers on Thursday is always fun.

Great Drinks and Food the Bartender was very nice. We had a Great Lunch Thank You ??

I really like the friendly tap....BUT this time in the waitress was not FRIENDLY at all .I was looking at the menu...told her I wanted a Miller light on tap . and fried green beans..and she walked I way.....and I was not done ordering my food..it was kind of loud so I could not say hey wait ...she did come back to table intill the green beans came I still had to quickly say I was done ordering yet to get me a grilled ham and cheese ..and qiuck say to my daughter.what did you want before she walked away aga

Cozy little bar clearly frequented by locals. Attentive and nice staff, good prices. I will be living in the area soon, so I'm glad to find a place that people enjoy. Looking forward to trying their food.

Burgers are great. The fries are superb and the beer is reasonably priced and very cold. The service is pretty good. The Italian beef was mediocre at best. The bread was stale, no au jus was served and the side of giardiniera consisted of mostly oil and three of the tiniest squares of peppers I have ever seen. It was so sad. Probably will go back because my barber is around the corner. Will not get the Italian beef again.

It's a 5 star rating for a 3 star bar. It's the friendly tap, it's in the name. $1.50 beers everyday and really good food specials. The food is good and the specials are too. It's a small, simple, good bar.

Exactly what is expected. Friendly people. Good taps. Frosty mugs and a Friendly staff. Definitely a very small dive bar. Food is delicious, made by the bartenders who are multitasking, so be kind and be patient.

Great burgers, crinkle fries, chicken wings, all the food groups! and $1 draft pints on Mondays. Try the soup of the day. I had been barley, it was very beefy!

They have some of the best food around. Their prices are great and they have daily specials. We are always so full and so happy after we eat there! Definitely give it a try!

Best fish fry, the cod is amazing! Awesome burgers too! The drinks are great and reasonable too.,. and the service is fast & friendly!

Perch fish fry was excellent. Ordered the full order and it was amazing. Great portions and excellent service. My go to for Friday night fish fry!

Stopped in on Saturday night Carrie was the bartender. She was absolutely amazing. All our drinks are made quickly and on point. Will definitely repeat

Food was great but our server was really rude! She litterally made a HUGE deal about us not wanting fries with our meals. I think the owners need to rebook at their staff.

Great burgers and drinks! Staff is friendly. I would love some better beer choices though.

Great place, great people. I love going on Friday for their fish.

That's why it's called The Friendly Tap. Always meet somebody I know there. Beer is cold and the food is great!!

What a wonderful place to stop for good food and conversations! Each day has a new special and they are so yummy! One of our favorite places to visit!

This place is a cool local small bar in the heart of plano the food is good services awesome very friendly atmosphere

Love this place food is delicious and the people that work there are very friendly highly recommend if your in Plano must stop and try there burgers and fish Friday

Love my bars in the west! Always great food.

Great value and great food! Dana is a great waitress! There's always people there that we know!

Mexican night, had the chicken fajita salad. It's my go to, so good! Staff is friendly even when they are crazy busy!

Great service, great food, and great atmosphere! Couldn't recommend it enough!

Best burgers in town cooked to order for lunch or dinner. Menu is small but great. Nothing to add nothing to remove.

Come here every Tuesday for some of the best burgers in the area! Good burger good beer always a good time!

It's all in the name... The staff here sure is friendly and the food is good and filling. If you're looking for a friendly face stop on by the Friendly Tap!

The servers are nice. The food is good. It is not too loud in there. It does have a friendly atmosphere.

Friendly service, good food

You literally can't go wrong here. Good drinks, good food, and an awesome hole in the wall atmosphere. Really, give it a try

Small midwest style bar. Great prices and good service. It can busy on Friday due to the fish fry!

The name is very fitting because this place is very friendly! Its the perfect place to go for a cheep drink & cheep food, but the quality of food & drink is not cheep at all!

Called and all she said was ? hello what can i get you ? and we asked if they served wings and she replied with yes we do & proceeded to hang up on us

The food was great I recommend the burger it's delicious. Great prices and great value

Great food and drinks, quick survive but didn't have outdoor seating that we saw.

Really good food , not the best service! But still had a good time.

A friendly dive bar with good food & good crowd.

Old school bar with outstanding for and staff.

Our favorite neighborhood place. Good people good comfort food and very laid back.

Nice little bar. Great staff and cheap prices.

Because ,after all,it is the friendliest tap. .Food is great. Keeping the old time morals and values real

Good food, friendly (as the name implies) staff, $1.50 16 oz frosty mugs.

First time there. Burger was delicious but more than I could finish

Great wings and huge Burger's! Great drink prices!

Best $4.50 hamburger on Tuesday and taco salad on Wednesday anywhere.

Never seen a bartender work so hard before a holiday weekend!

Great fish fry and ice cold beer!

One of my burger go to spots.

Great burgers, cheap drinks, good people.

Great place friendly people. Chip drinks I love this place.

Drinks aren't always on point, fried smelts are always a must when visiting.

Love the small-town feel of a small town bar??

Did not eat but I'm sure its great

Great food good drinks friendly place

Fun and friendly environment. Great bar food

The food was good, the service was good, all around a good experience

A nice small town bar with good food and great fun.

Love the week ly and weekend food special s.

Good food , great staff go see Michelle

Step back in time with reasonable prices and good bar food

amazing food & amazing staff... great patrons

Great place to meet friends and strangers for a time of visiting and libations.

Excellent burgers, excellent staff WOW!

Friendly people great prices good food

Mom and pop place where the staff knows the customers with good food.

Prices were good, food was fine.

Best burger in the County... Possibly the state!

Great service nice townie bar.

Best BURGERS & FRIES !!!!!! Love small businesses with amazing deals! Thank you!

Just like the name of the place very friendly bartending

Great beef sandwich, great steak sandwich!????

Love steak night and Fridays Fish Fry

Good food, great price.

Great place and nice menu.

The catfish on Friday nights is so good!

Best burger by far in plano

Enjoy the Ambiance enjoyed the place I liked it a lot

Friendly staff always prompt . Good people

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s it like visiting an arcade today?

It’s a mix of nostalgia and high-energy fun! Many arcades blend retro classics like Pac-Man and pinball with modern VR games, racing simulators, and rhythm challenges — often with music, lights, and a social vibe.

Is it better to go alone or with friends?

Both can be great! Solo visits let you focus on your favorite games, while going with friends adds competition, teamwork, and laughs. Many people plan arcade meetups as a casual hangout or even date spot.

What should I bring to an arcade?

Usually just yourself and a way to pay (some arcades still use coins, others use cards or apps). If you're competitive, bring your A-game. If you're social, bring friends or meet new ones over multiplayer games.

What’s the best time to visit an arcade?

Weekdays or early afternoons are usually less crowded — perfect for focused play. Evenings and weekends bring the buzz, especially at barcades or venues with DJs, tournaments, or themed nights.

Can I meet new people at arcades?

Absolutely! Arcades attract a mix of casual players and serious gamers. Whether you're jumping into a four-player co-op or chatting between rounds, it's a fun, low-pressure way to connect over shared interests.

Are arcades still just for kids?

Not at all. While many arcades are family-friendly, there are also adult-oriented ones with full bars, 18+ nights, or vintage nostalgia themes. Arcades today cater to everyone — from first-timers to lifelong gamers.

Are there events or tournaments I can join?

Yes! Many arcades host regular competitions, retro nights, cosplay parties, and more. Whether you're into high scores or just want to watch and vibe, events add an extra layer to the experience.

What if I’m not great at arcade games?

No worries — arcades are about having fun, not being perfect. Try a variety of games, ask others for tips, and remember: the vibe is more “let’s play” than “let’s win.”