Wilton Manors seems to be rife with locations that are cursed for businesses.
Think of how many places occupied the space that is now home to The Eagle before it successfully perched there. What was it, like a dozen places in between Bill’s and the Eagle? And how many between Chardee’s and Bill’s? The current home of The Well is another one of those spots. It was home to a half-dozen or so bars before the ill-conceived and ill-fated Hamburger Mary’s. Then just as 2024 rolled in, John Ribson, a partner in a string of successful Ontario, Canada bars called The Well, announced that he was opening an outpost of his chain in that spot. Will he be able to break the curse, as The Eagle has? One thing he has going for him is that he has hired an experienced Wilton Manors bar person, Jason Basilico, as manager.
One improvement is the menu. The Well’s menu is nothing, if not, expansive. There are a variety of appetizers. I, of course, had to try the signature Canadian dish, poutine. The Well Poutine is $12 and is enough for a meal or for a table of four hungry bears to share. Although the fries could have been crispier there were plenty of squeaky cheese curds and savory gravy. Of interest and something we’re sure to order on our next visit are the sweet yellow corn “ribs.” Corn on the cob is quartered and deep-fried, then topped with cilantro crema, a dusting of Tajín, cotija cheese, and a squeeze of fresh lime.
Other appetizer options include the usual bar fare, and some unexpected treats such as fried pickle chips, guacamole bites, BBQ meatballs, and macaroni and cheese balls. The Well also offers three versions of flatbread: The Works comes topped with marinara, mozzarella, crispy bacon, grilled chicken, sautéed mushrooms, sweet peppers, onions, and black olives. Buffalo Chicken Ranch has ranch sauce, melted mozzarella, grilled Buffalo chicken, and crumbled bleu cheese, and the Classic Margherita teams up vibrant marinara sauce, sweet tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, fragrant basil, and a tangy balsamic glaze.
When we first sat down and looked at the menu, we were about to leave as there wasn’t an entrée option for my vegetarian hubby. Then the waiter informed us that they did have a vegetarian burger, it just wasn’t listed on the menu. Duh! My husband ordered it and said that it was quite satisfactory. I opted for The Wellburger and upgraded to bacon (which I didn’t get). My juicy Angus beef patty was grilled just a bit shy of my medium order. Other handheld menu options include a fried chicken breast sandwich, Buffalo chicken wrap, Philly cheese steak, chicken strips, and a grilled foot-long all-beef hot dog.
Dinner options include mussels sautéed in your choice of a white wine or marinara sauce, beer-battered cod, or Cajun jambalaya pasta. For those seeking something lighter, there is a trio of salads. The signature Yum-Yum Salad features ahi tuna or grilled chicken atop mixed greens with an Asian dressing. There are also classic Caesar and Caprese salads, to which you may add grilled chicken or shrimp.
The one thing that could be improved is the service. It was 6:30 on a weeknight, the staff was milling about, and nobody acknowledged us for at least five minutes as we stood in the doorway. Finally, I asked, “Are you open?” and someone apologized and came over and seated us on the patio, as we requested. We waited another 15 minutes until a server came by. He practically yawned as he handed us the menu. Service was lacking, as you might expect from the greeting we received. I did, however, get a great Negroni from the bar, and was only charged $6 for it!
The Well
2426 Wilton Dr.
954-999-0647
drinkatthewell.com/wilton-manors