Tom Fischer’s Tavern

The tavern has been a neighborhood staple for decades. Back in 2014, a fire heavily damaged the building and forced a complete gutting down to the studs. However, the thirst of the regulars could not be quenched for long. It reopened about six months later with fresh booths and modern windows, but the classic, unpretentious charm immediately returned. The crowd is a welcoming mix of diehard locals, everyday neighborhood residents, and even after hours casino workers looking to unwind.

When you walk in, you will find an environment that is unapologetically old school. There is wood paneling behind the beer coolers, a pool table in the back room where patrons casually hang out, and an actual, functioning cigarette vending machine. The jukebox is always ready to play classic tunes. It is extremely important to know before you arrive that Tom Fischer’s is strictly cash only. There is an ATM in the pool room, but it comes with a fee, so you might want to stop at the bank first.

Since DrinkSJ is all about the beverages, let us dive into the drink situation. You are not coming here for molecular mixology or a massive craft cocktail menu. You are coming here for incredibly cheap, cold beer and stiff, no nonsense shots. The drink prices are some of the most reasonable in the area. The draft list is surprisingly solid for a dive, often featuring local favorites like Tonewood Brewing’s Fuego IPA alongside mainstays like Miller Lite and Modelo Especial. They also keep a steady rotation of beer specials written up on the chalkboard. For liquor, they employ a unique sticker color coding system on the bottles to indicate pricing, which adds a fun bit of mystery to ordering a round. If you need a cheap staple, you can always rely on an ice cold PBR or a simple mixed drink. Plus, if you need drinks to go, they sell package goods including six packs and 40 ounce bottles.

On the food side, Tom Fischer’s utilizes the classic local setup of having a separate kitchen operating within the bar, known as Johnny’s Grill. A major word of warning: Johnny’s Grill operates on somewhat random hours. They are typically closed on Mondays and the kitchen can close at unpredictable times on the weekends. When the kitchen is open, however, the bar food hits the spot perfectly. The menu features unapologetic comfort food. Their signature items include “dive nachos” absolutely swimming in Cheez Whiz, crispy buffalo wings, roast pork sandwiches, and excellent cheesesteaks. A standout favorite is the buffalo fries, which are standard fries drenched in your choice of wing sauce. They also serve “fried pizza,” a small pizza built on fried dough, and they host a very popular Thursday steak night.

Ultimately, Tom Fischer’s Tavern is exactly what it promises to be. It is a laid back watering hole with cheap drinks, hearty bar bites, and a loyal local following. You will walk out with a full stomach, a great story, and plenty of cash left in your wallet.