SW Craft Bar

I walked in on a weeknight for dinner. I was a little surprised to see that SW was nearly empty, since it has a trendy-​casual ambiance.
I love Asian fusion/​modern Asian cuisine, so I really wanted to like this place. Sadly, this place was only mediocre. I was not impressed by the service or the food.
Although I was quickly seated in the nearly empty dining area (there’s also a bar area), the restaurant had one person acting as a hostess and a waiter. I waited over 30 minutes for my food. I normally don’t mind waiting that long for the entrée, as long as I can munch on my appetizer while I’m waiting, but this place made me wait 30 minutes before I got any food… that’s a long time.
I ordered the bulgogi fried rice and the wonton poppers.
When the bulgogi fried rice arrived, I was disappointed. Bean sprouts aren’t what I would consider a norm in fried rice, so I asked the waiter to leave the sprouts out… but my fried rice showed up with bean sprouts. I really wanted to send it back, but I didn’t want to wait another 30 minutes for my food to come. The bulgogi fried rice was spicier and saltier than expected. All I could taste was the spiciness, and I don’t recall the menu mentioning anything about it being spicy! Also, the beef wasn’t very bulgogi-​like. (When I think bulgogi, I think marinated savory beef.) I didn’t think this was worth $ 15.
The wonton poppers costed $ 7.50. They were pretty good, but nothing special. This tasted a lot like crab rangoons from Chinese Restaurants, but instead this was filled with jalapenos, instead of crab meat. I was expecting a kick from this dish, but this wasn’t even that spicy. The bulgogi fried rice was ten times spicier.

SW Craft Bar. Or Senior Wong’s. This is the same place as far as I can tell? Anyway, I have been to this place a few times over the years, most recently during a stout «tap takeover» which was super great. The food is good, though the wait time for the food was SO LONG. I visited with my wife, kids and brother in law and all enjoyed their beers and the food. Or server was friendly and helpful. But again, the food took forever to show up. I mentioned this to a person who I know lives in the building and she says they love going there, but that their #1 complaint is how long they have to wait for the food, so it isn’t just me. But I’ll probably go back simply for the great beer selection.

I adored this place and would love to go again.
We went for my boyfriend’s birthday and were not let down.
This place is a cozy little dining and cocktail area on the other side of the floor as Señor Wongs.
I unfortunately can’t recall the cocktails we had but they were fresh and decent. They took a while to come to us.
We had the eggplant fries which were super tasty and my partner got the eggplant tacos. He adored them but they were much too spicy for me.
I had the sweet miso soba burger and it was amazing. I usually can’t finish a burger but my boyfriend had to tell me to save him some (I barely did). I will definitely order that again and it’s for sure one of my top veggie burgers.
Trivia was going on next to us and whoever was hosting it was great.

Far exceeded our expectations! Great beer selection — nachos were the BEST we’ve ever had, and the service from Trevor was great. We will be back and will try the dining room next time.

Quick service, instantly sat, perfect waiter named Jason. Drinks were awesome. This would have been a perfect five stars but when we asked if Tang Tang Noodles can come with beef or chicken instead of shrimp or mock duck, we were told no. All the dishes came out tasting great, the appetizers were incredible. We will definitely be back again.

My beer was pretty much room temperature and it went downhill from there. Ordered the enchiladas and they had way too much pepper in them. Was there at about six on a Saturday evening and outside of the bar it was pretty dead inside. Not an enjoyable time and our company wasn’t particularly impressed. Most likely won’t be going back.

We went on a weeknight and it was pretty empty, yet the service was slow.
I had the rice noodle salad with tofu, which was pretty good but nothing special. The eggplant torta was a little overly fried.
Nothing was terrible, but we probably won’t go back.

Creative, delicious food, laid back atmosphere, and great drink options from multiple beers on tap to craft cocktails. There are vegan options here equally as scrumptious as the others. I had edamame, homemade Kim chi with a local brew. Also, chips with guacamole and salsa that were perfect. Mocks duck taco to finish off and so yummy with a speciality margarita from the very knowledge and friendly bartender.

I love their jalapeño won tons! They are on happy hour special and they keep me coming back!

I came here for the second time now, I’ve yet to have a bad experience. My server was great, i loved the spicy salad dressing that came with my side salad. I had the meatloaf sandwich. It was good. I think i will keep trying what else they have to offer. The spicy cream cheese wontons are definitely on my list to get again next time. My puppy was also given a nice cold bowl of water. We will be coming back again.

I’m a little biased because this was my first date spot. The food is awesome, the service is awesome. The food can appeal to even the pickiest of eaters. If you’re daring try some of the their craft drinks. My favorite is the Chicken Stir-​fry and the Wonton Poppers. Cozy yet dramatic atmospere. Thursday night is karaōke– it feels like one big family.

I’ve only ever been to SW’s for late night happy hour and it’s definitely one of my favorite HH spots in St. Paul. Their mock duck tacos are really great, and they always have some interesting local beers on tap. We park in the ramp next to SW’s whenever we go to Wild games (it’s a good 6ish block walk to get to the X) because the parking is pretty cheap and it’s a fun place to wait out traffic after a game or event in downtown St. Paul.

I seriously feel like I’ve lucked out with service too often in the last couple months, more than average considering how often we dine out.
Met a friend at the newly branded SW Craft Bar for drinks and food. We were sat and immediately noticed the table at our booth was sticky. We mentioned it to the server and she said, «Yeah, it’s actually clean, we think it’s the varnish. This table and the one next to it are always sticky.» Hmm, that might be something management would be keen to address sooner rather than later.
Our server was on her own, very slow timetable. The restaurant was not at all busy but she’d just… disappear. My friend ordered a specialty drink. Ten minutes went by and I received my wine but nothing arrived for my friend. Server: «Ummmm, we are actually out of the drink you ordered. I just found out.» So my friend ordered an Arnie Palmer.
Five minutes later, server says, «Ummmmmm, we are out of tea so we’re brewing some now. Sorrrry.»
Ten minutes after THAT she brings the drink and says, «Ummmm, we use oolong tea so I’m not sure if you’ll like this, and I don’t think it’s sweet, sooooo…»
Yeah, my friend didn’t like it. She sent it back and drank lemonade. Took, no exaggeration, 30 minutes for my friend to get something to drink from the time we sat down to the time the lemonade landed.
I got a side salad that was fine and my friend had the meatloaf sandwich, which she enjoyed. I had a taste and admit it was decent, but I can’t imagine going back to this restaurant again when there are so many places to choose from where you can actually have a beverage ordered and delivered within five minutes, and non-​sticky tables.

Don’t believe the hype. They do well with their ad campaign. Appetizers are bland and buffet quality. Price is high, small portions. Fusion food, but incomparable to your local mexican joint. You can get better food elsewhere.

Great place. It’s a little sad and empty at time, but they host great events like trivia, painting, and more. And the food is good too. I like to mix it up every now and then. The happy hour tacos a la carte are outstanding and the wonton poppers are the best I’ve had around. Definitely will keep coming.

I have no idea how this place stays open. Not because its bad, but because it keeps changing, no one is ever there, and the location is difficult.
Nonetheless, whenever I am in St. Paul and need a happy hour, I end up here. Decent tap beer list (with just okay happy hour prices) and a pretty solid food happy hour. I had the pork belly and it was delicious.

Will definitely recommend and go back, especially late night menu and Saturday night live music. We had craft beers, tacos, nachos and pork belly, which we’d reorder all of those. Service was friendly but a bit slow but no rush with friends. Ambience was surprisingly fine in the bar, which had a local vibe versus business park feel.

I’m really surprised at all the bad reviews. This place is wonderful! I keep coming back time and time again because all the servers are extremely kind and the food is superb. The pricing is reasonable and worth every penny once you get it. Some of my favorite dishes are the wonton poppers, firecracker shrimp, and pork belly for appetizers. If you’re looking for something light definitely go for the carnitas tacos! Very delicious.
The lighting is in fact dark but it adds to the atmosphere and is really nice to go out with friends. Also a nice place to go with coworkers or on a date. They also have specialty nights that I would highly recommend going to, they’re fun!
The drinks are crazy good. If you’re looking for craft beers and other specialty drinks definitely check it out.
Overall, a great place. They never fail to impress me.
Food ⁵⁄₅
Service ⁵⁄₅
Drinks ⁵⁄₅
Atmosphere ⁵⁄₅
I forgot to mention that in all the years I’ve been in, changes have been made from when it just opened and it changed for the better! Would definitely recommend going in for a second try to all the people who were disappointed the first time.

Ever been to a place that you’re amazed to find is still in business? Señor Wong is just that sort of place. It’s buried in a decaying high-​rise apartment building with no real presence or signage at street level. You sort of feel like you’re trespassing when you enter because you’re not quite sure it’s actually an entrance – there’s no sign or anything, there’s no hostess to greet you and it’s just a dark hallway until you get to the shabby interior. Once you get inside, you definitely feel like you’re trespassing because there’s NO ONE around. Señor Wong presents itself as Saint Paul’s answer to Chino Latino, but it basically takes everything that makes Chino work – the lack of a real sign, the long hallway, the eclectic cuisine, and dark interior – and filters it through sadness and despair. Someone apparently forgot to tell the owner that Saint Paul isn’t a dead zone any more.
Once you’re inside, there’s a bartender hiding around the corner, maybe pouring a watered-​down cocktail for a disheveled apartment resident or a sad businessman who wants to nurse his beer in silence, and that’s it. I went with a group of co-​workers for happy hour the other day and I think the reason it took 20 minutes for our server to take our order is that they had to call someone in because they were shocked anyone was actually patronizing the establishment. Once she came around, it took another 20 minutes to get our drinks. Apparently 8 beers, 4 wines and a mixed drink must have taxed the bartender beyond his limits and he needed a rest before completing the order. I tried to speed things up by reviewing the beer list online before I arrived, only to realize when I ordered that the online menu was last updated six months ago – many things have been removed or replaced. Once we got our drinks, we were able to focus on enjoying each other’s company. The nice thing about Señor Wong being regularly foresaken by all other St. Paul denizens is that it makes for a nice place to bring a group; you don’t have to worry about not hearing your friends across the table because there’s nothing to interrupt you but silence.
We also ordered food because it seemed like a good idea at the time. The chips and guacamole comes with so little guacamole, you wonder if it was a mistake. Then the second plate comes out and you realize that a tablespoon of guac, a tablespoon of red salsa and a tablespoon of tomatillo salsa are what they consider reasonable portions. Needless to say, it’s a bad choice for a group to share because you get three bites before it’s gone. They do manage to make some decent cream cheese wontons, but they are clearly fresh off the Sysco truck. Other menu items are overpriced and underwhelming. There’s a vague attempt at Asian-​Latin fusion, but it basically boils down to tacos and wontons.
Saint Paul is slowing returning back to its former glory but you’d never know it if you went to Señor Wong’s. Avoid it. You’ll thank me.

Needed a last-​minute place to eat that would satisfy herbivores and omnivores alike. Señor Wong’s was nearby and seemed to fit the bill. Ordered drinks. Two of our table’s three drinks arrived, and I was told that mine would take an hour to infuse. What? So I stuck with water. Ordered our entrees, and for some reason one showed up well before the other two. So one dinner-​mate sat with his plate untouched for a good 5 more minutes until the rest of us were served. Seemed like a mistake, but no apologies were had. Hmm.
I had the bahn mi sandwich with mock duck, and I thought it was fantastic. In fact, everyone seemed to like their entrees. So, food quality was solid. The idiosyncrasies of the service were a bit off-​putting though, so I’m going to keep with the status quo and go with 3 stars.