Just a short drive away from Wake Forest campus is a newly opened, privately owned restaurant: Big Shotz Tavern. Located at 109 South Stratford Road, beside Nitza’s boutique, this new restaurant is definitely worth a trip out if you are looking for a nice lunch or dinner.

This location of the restaurant opened a few short months ago. There is also a Big Shotz Tavern located in nearby Clemmons. There is no other phrase to describe Big Shotz besides ‘classic American cuisine.’ They serve favorite dishes such as French onion dips as well as various types of burgers, pizzas, and steaks. They also have an extensive sandwich menu and lunch menu.

On my visit to Big Shotz, I had the ‘traditional pizza.’ With this pizza you start with a base of cheese and can add any other toppings you want. I also sampled their buffalo chicken sandwich, which was served with a choice of fries, homemade chips, fruit, or other side dishes. This pizza was $7 and the sandwich was $8 and I would recommend both for a satisfying lunch.

The inner décor of Big Shotz is one of their most appealing features. Even at lunch, they had the lights slightly dimmed and music playing. Big Shotz features a large indoor dining room and bar and an outdoor patio used during the warm seasons. I appreciated the large comfy booths. Unlike other restaurants, I did not feel crammed into a space that was filled to capacity. Instead, I was comfortable and had room to stretch out my arms. The large outdoor patio was also a big plus.

The bar is sports themed with jerseys and photos on the walls. There are three big, flat screen televisions that play various sports games or sports news shows all day long. No matter where you sit in the bar there is a large TV visible to you.

Big Shotz’s bartender, Jason Skipper, was voted best bartender in the Triad in 2007 by Triad Reader’s Choice Awards. If their acclaim and sports appeal isn’t enough to entice you to the restaurant’s bar, then surely their drink specials will, which run daily and are visible on their website, Big Shotz Tavern.

Big Shotz also won three other Triad Reader’s Choice Awards in 2007: Best Sunday Brunch (which they serve from 10-2), Best after Five Spot, and Friendliest Wait Staff.

They have recently added new items to their menu including Guacamole Dip, Ahi Tuna, Southwestern Black Bean Cakes and a Dessert Sampler.
Also, a highlight of Big Shotz Tavern is that they host local and national celebrities for charity events. For example, in the past few weeks, they had a local news anchor, Cameron Kent, Pittsburgh Steeler Champion, Ed Bradley, and Wake Forest basketball legend, Skip Brown, on scene to support a fundraiser to help terminally ill patients. They also have live music on a regular basis.

The only complaint I have about Big Shotz is that on a college student’s budget it is perhaps a bit pricey. The quality of the atmosphere, wait staff, and food, however, make up for this.

I would recommend Big Shotz Tavern to anyone looking for a pleasant lunch or a more upscale dinner out with friends.