I wasn’t even planning to eat here. I was driving home from Pittsburgh, passed a sign for Walker’s Tap & Table in Glenwood, and figured a quick solo dinner was my sign to pull over. Nomsters, the hype is VERY real! The place was SLAMMED in the middle of an off hour, and one bite in, I understood exactly why.
Walker’s is a scratch-made American gastropub out in Howard County, the kind of spot where a BLT shows up with fried green tomato and habanero honey and quietly becomes one of the best you’ve had. Chef Chad Wells runs the kitchen, and everything I tried, from the Nashville hot deviled eggs to a genuinely unreal chocolate tart, was a banger. If you’re anywhere near Glenwood, this one’s worth the detour.
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What Makes Walker’s Tap & Table A Must Try?
Chef Chad Wells cooks scratch-made, seasonal American food with local sourcing (his burger uses local J.W. Treuth beef), and there’s a brick oven turning out pizzas too. His whole thing is taking familiar comfort food and giving it a twist you don’t see coming, and it shows up in dishes like those Nashville hot deviled eggs and the root beer wings. He’s been named Best Chef in Howard County, and honestly, after one meal, I get it. This is a place that rewards ordering a little adventurously.
What to Order at Walker’s Tap & Table
Here’s everything I got on my solo run, and it was a stacked little lineup.
Nashville Hot Deviled Eggs ($9)
Start here. These were so yum, fried egg whites with a deviled yolk, topped with pickled jalapeños and a Nashville hot drizzle. There’s SO much flavor packed into each one, and I’d tell you to order them whether or not you even think you like deviled eggs. Easy favorite!
The Route 97 BLT ($15)
This might’ve been the star of the night. It’s easily one of the best BLTs I’ve had in a minute, built on sourdough toast with fried green tomato, house-made pimento, applewood smoked bacon, arugula, and habanero honey. It’s the kind of BLT that makes you rethink what a BLT can be. Absolutely delish, and I have no notes.
Triple Chocolate Fudge Tart ($9)
I’m a sucker for dark chocolate so this was an easy call for dessert, and WOW! Think chocolate fudge, chocolate ganache, and a chocolate cookie crust, finished with luxardo cherry sauce and whipped cream. It’s pure decadence and so worth the calories. Get it even if you’re full, lol.
I only had the three things on my solo stop, but the menu runs deep. Walker’s is also known for its Walker Burger (made with that local J.W. Treuth beef), root beer wings, Wisconsin cheese curds, and brick oven pizzas, so there’s plenty waiting for me next time.
Do You Need a Reservation at Walker’s Tap & Table?
Walker’s is walk-in only, they don’t take reservations, so expect a wait at peak times (it was packed when I rolled through on an off hour). My advice? Go a little early or a little late, and grab a drink while you wait. There’s a free parking lot, though it fills up fast, so you might circle once before you land a spot. It’s worth the minor hassle, I promise.
The Vibe and Experience
Walker’s has that easy neighborhood-gastropub energy, and it was packed when I got there. There’s both indoor and outdoor seating, and the patio’s dog-friendly, so bring the pup. They’ve got 20 beers on tap plus bottles, wine, and cocktails, a weekday happy hour from 3 to 6, and live music on Wednesday and Thursday evenings if you want dinner with a little soundtrack.
It’s family-friendly too, with highchairs for the little ones. And it clearly works great solo, since I had a whole meal by myself and loved every second.
Good to Know
- Location: 📍 2465 MD-97, Glenwood, MD, with a free parking lot that fills up fast
- Hours: Sunday to Thursday 11am to 9pm, Friday and Saturday 11am to 10pm
- Reservations: none, it’s walk-in only, so expect a wait at peak times
- Happy hour: weekdays from 3 to 6pm
- Live music: Wednesday and Thursday evenings
- Good for: solo diners, date night, families (highchairs available), and dogs on the patio
- Drinks: 20 beers on tap plus bottled beer, wine, and cocktails
- Also good to know: they do takeout and catering, and there are vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options on the menu
Is Walker’s Tap & Table Worth The Trip?
This gets a big YES from me! For a spot I stumbled into on a total whim, Walker’s massively overdelivered, and it’s easily earned a real sit-down visit (not just a drive-by) next time I’m out that way. The Route 97 BLT alone would bring me back, and I haven’t even touched the burger or the brick oven pizzas yet. If you’re building a Howard County food list, Old Line Kitchen over in Columbia is another favorite of mine, and you’ll find more of my go-tos in my Howard County restaurants roundup.
Have you guys eaten at Walker’s yet?! If you go, get the Route 97 BLT and report back to me in the comments, Nomsters. And if you’ve got more Howard County gems I should know about, I’m all ears.