A Wilmington ale house has been serving craft beer and pub food since 1997, but its menu goes well beyond ordinary bar favorites. Cheesesteak spring rolls come with sriracha ketchup, while crab bisque, buffalo wings, and burgers give diners plenty of other reasons to stop in.
Washington Street Ale House, at 1206 Washington Street, also has more than 24 beers on tap. A fireplace and outdoor deck add two different ways to enjoy the restaurant throughout the year.
The menu includes everything from quick appetizers to full dinners, and happy hour brings additional food and drink specials. It’s the kind of downtown tavern where a simple stop for wings can turn into a longer meal.
A Tavern on a Leafy Downtown Corner
Washington Street Ale House sits at 1206 Washington St, Wilmington, DE 19801, right in the downtown part of the city. The name tells you exactly where to look, which is always a nice bonus when you are trying to find dinner.
Google describes the spot as a warm tavern serving upscale pub food with a twist. That phrase sums up the whole idea pretty well.
You get familiar comfort dishes, but many of them come with an extra idea or flavor attached.
The location makes it handy for a lot of different people. Office workers, hospital staff, and folks living downtown all sit within easy reach.
One reviewer even mentioned working nearby at a hospital and ordering by phone during a shift.
With more than a thousand reviews and a solid 4.3 star rating, the ale house has clearly built a following over time. That kind of steady attention usually takes years, not months.
I find it interesting that a place on a city street can feel so neighborly. The menu is where that personality really starts to show, beginning with the wings.
Wings Worth Bragging About
Count up the online chatter and wings win by a mile. They came up more than fifty times in reviews, far ahead of any other dish.
Flavor variety is a big reason why. Diners have mentioned Thai chili, chimichurri, hot and honey, fiery, barbecue, and classic buffalo.
Boneless wings are also an option for anyone who prefers to skip the bones.
Several reviews describe the wings as crispy and well seasoned. Another diner noted that the wings at the next seat looked huge.
That makes a basket a smart pick for sharing with a group.
Here is a practical tip. If you are trying a new flavor, ask your server which sauces bring heat and which lean sweet.
Staff members have been praised for giving helpful suggestions, so it pays to ask.
I would start with two different sauces side by side. That way, you can compare a bold one with a milder one before settling on a favorite.
Still, wings are only half the story at a Delaware pub. The region loves its seafood, and the kitchen leans right into that tradition next.
Crab Cakes With a Mid-Atlantic Accent
Crab is a big deal around the Chesapeake and Delaware Bay region. So it makes sense that crab cakes rank among the most talked-about items here.
Diners have ordered them as a dinner plate and as a crab cake sandwich. Both versions show up in reviews, giving you a choice between a fuller meal or something easier to handle at lunch.
Now for a quick reality check. Seafood like this often costs more than burgers or wraps.
One diner felt the crab cake portion was small for the price, so it helps to know that before you order.
If you want to try crab without committing to a full entree, the sandwich could be a good middle ground. You still get the main attraction, just in a more casual form.
Many people enjoy pairing crab cakes with a soup or salad. A wedge salad has earned praise from at least one happy guest, and it adds a cool, crunchy side to the plate.
Speaking of soup, the kitchen has another crab dish that deserves its own spotlight, especially on a cold afternoon.
A Bowl of Bisque for Cold Afternoons
Soup might not be the first thing you picture at a pub. Yet crab bisque has earned a steady stream of mentions from people who stop in at this Wilmington tavern.
Bisque is a thick, creamy soup, usually made with seafood. It fits nicely into the Mid-Atlantic menu, and it makes a filling starter before a sandwich or entree.
Opinions on the texture vary a little. One diner said it hit the right note and was not too salty.
Another wished it were a bit creamier but still called it pretty good.
French onion soup also appears in conversations about the menu. That gives soup fans a second option, especially if seafood is not their thing.
My advice would be to order a cup if it is available, then save room for the main course. A smaller serving lets you sample without filling up too soon.
Soup season also pairs well with one particular feature of the dining room. When the temperature drops, a certain spot near the back of the pub becomes very popular with chilly guests.
The Fireplace in the Back Room
Winter in Delaware can get raw and windy. That is when the fireplace at Washington Street Ale House earns its keep.
Google lists the fireplace as one of the tavern’s key features. A reviewer who visited on a cold day said the fire in the rear kept them warm through the meal.
That same guest described the room as relaxed and not overly crowded. They could actually talk without raising their voices, which is a nice change from louder sports bars.
TVs are also part of the setup, so you can still catch a game while you eat. The mix of screens and a warm fire gives the room a laid-back, homey balance.
If you want a seat close to the fire, consider arriving before the dinner rush. Earlier visits often feel calmer, and one guest noted the room was quiet around four in the afternoon.
I like the idea of a soup, a basket of fries, and a fireside table on a gray January day. Of course, colder months are only part of the year, and warmer weather opens up a different kind of seating altogether.
Fresh Air on the Deck
Sunshine changes everything about a pub visit. At this downtown tavern, a deck gives guests the chance to eat outside when the weather cooperates.
Google highlights the deck alongside the fireplace, which tells you the place was built for more than one season. You can follow the weather and choose your setting.
Outdoor seating works especially well for a slow lunch or a relaxed evening with friends. Wings, sandwiches, and shared plates are all easy foods to enjoy in the open air.
Weather in Delaware can shift quickly, though. Spring and fall bring some lovely days, but a sudden shower can push everyone back inside.
A quick check of the forecast before you go is a smart move.
It also helps to ask about deck seating when you arrive. Outdoor tables can depend on staffing and conditions, so a friendly question saves guesswork.
I would aim for a mild evening in late spring if I wanted the best outdoor experience. Once you have picked your seat, inside or out, the next big decision is usually a hearty one: which burger or sandwich to order.
Burgers, Cheesesteaks, and a Pile of Fries
Burgers came up in more than two dozen reviews, and that number makes sense. A good burger is the backbone of almost any pub menu.
Diners have named options like the American burger and a south of the border burger. One guest was pleased that the burger arrived cooked exactly as requested, which is always a good sign.
Cheesesteaks are another favorite, and Wilmington sits close enough to Philadelphia to take them seriously. Reviews mention the meat, cheese, and fried onions, plus a switch to seeded rolls.
Now let’s talk fries. Several people say the portion is big.
One regular warned that a side of fries could easily feed several people at the table.
That makes fries a great add-on for groups. Order one side for sharing, and you might save some money and stomach space for dessert.
Other handhelds include a grilled chicken sandwich, chicken tenders, and a buffalo chicken wrap. If you want something more creative, though, the kitchen has a few playful starters that blend two comfort foods into one bite.
Starters With a Clever Twist
Cheesesteak spring rolls are exactly what they sound like. The fillings of a classic cheesesteak get wrapped up and fried into a crunchy roll.
This dish captures the pub fare with a twist idea perfectly. It takes a regional favorite and serves it in a form that is easy to share and fun to dip.
Some guests call them cheesesteak egg rolls, and one diner listed them as part of a regular order. They seem to be a go-to pick for people who return again and again.
A shrimp quesadilla is another starter that pops up in reviews. Grilled tortillas filled with shrimp and melted cheese make a lighter option than a full plate of wings.
When I am dining with a group, I like ordering two starters and passing them around. Spring rolls and a quesadilla would cover both comfort and seafood in one round.
Appetizers like these also fit nicely into a certain time of day. Many people drop by after work for discounted bites, and that window has become one of the busiest reasons to visit.
Happy Hour and Friendly Faces at the Bar
Ask around about this place, and staff names keep coming up. Bartenders and servers like Wayne, Tim, Cate, and Julie have all been singled out in reviews.
Guests describe them as attentive, helpful, and good at suggesting dishes. One diner came in for a quick stop, got a wing recommendation, and ended up staying for dinner.
Happy hour is another draw. Several reviewers mention it, and one called the ale house a regular happy hour spot.
Lunch, dinner, and date nights also appear in that same list of reasons to visit.
Special touches help too. One group celebrating a birthday received a dessert with a candle, a small gesture that clearly meant a lot to them.
Some guests even bring a laptop and work from a table. That says a lot about how comfortable the space feels during quieter hours.
If service matters to you, sit at the bar and chat with whoever is working. Good conversation and smart menu tips often come from that seat.
Of course, a friendly bartender can only point you toward great food, so let’s look at the heartier dinner side.
Dinner Plates and a Sweet Finish
Pub food does not have to mean only finger foods. The dinner side of the menu reaches into heartier territory than many people expect.
Reviews mention a braised short rib dinner, a salmon entree with mashed potatoes and broccoli, and a steak cooked to order. A chopped salad topped with grilled chicken and calamari also earned praise.
These plates make the ale house work for more than a quick bite. You could bring a group for a work dinner, a family meal, or a slow evening out.
Families should know that kids meals are on offer, and one parent said the portions were generous. That helps when you are feeding young ones with big appetites.
Save room at the end if you can. A key lime dessert drew a glowing review, and a slice of pie appeared at that birthday celebration mentioned earlier.
Timing also matters. Mondays start later in the afternoon, while Friday and Saturday nights run late.
I would plan a weekend dinner, linger over dessert, and enjoy a downtown tavern that clearly knows how to keep its neighbors coming back.
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