Wooden Paddle Reviews
Reviews
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Awards
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![Garrett]()
Garrett Sent on 06/24/2025Very easy to work with and even more delicious
Wooden paddle just catered our wedding in Chicago for 125 people. It was amazing. The food was so delicious and people raved afterwards. The 2 key reasons we went with them were that they cook on site so everything is fresh and warm. They also did family style which meant everyone got a ton of food. More than that, the staff was so top notch for all the details be it linens, setup, tear down. Can’t recommend them enough! Miriam was also so calm, responsive, and accommodating. Also, the tasting was really delicious and made choosing appetizers pretty tough. After our wedding, our biggest regret was not taking more food home but a lot of guests did which is so unheard of from all the weddings we’ve been to -
![Sydney]()
Sydney Sent on 05/27/2025Amazing pizza!
We catered our 60-person wedding with Wooden Paddle and have nothing but amazing things to say! We have been to the Lemont location on multiple occasions because we were so happy with the food. Our guests were all extremely complimentary. They did an excellent job accommodating the needs of our guests with dietary restrictions or specific preferences. Overall, it was an exceptional catering experience ( and we got to take the leftover pizza to our after-party!) -
Jaime Sent on 05/10/2025
Wooden Paddle is the Best!
We hired Wooden Paddle to cater our wedding and it was THE BEST! Our guests could not stop raving about the food. From the appetizers to the pasta to the pizza, it was incredible. Their staff was amazing and we really cannot say enough good things. We definitely recommend them! Miriam was amazing to work with as well! -
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![Martin]()
Martin Sent on 05/07/2025Amazing, Legendary, Delicious! Wooden Paddle knocked our wedding out of the park!!!
When choosing our food, we were going for something different yet legendary. We were looking for a solid and cool departure from the traditional “Chicken, Salmon, Vegetable” options. Wooden Paddle exceeding all of our goals and then some!
In addition to being unique and different as a concept for a wedding, the food was delicious. Our guests walked away feeling extremely satisfied and filled with a deep appreciation for our vision as a couple on our special night!
The tasting experience was heads and tails above all others – which made the decision to go with WP all the easier. Wooden Paddle’s commitment to customer service and customer experience was on display from our first engagement all the way through our wedding day and it shows in the end product.
Working with Miriam and the entire team was seamless and took a big burden off us in making sure our guests had an amazing time on our big day! I could not recommend them more as your wedding caterer. Absolutely fantastic!!! -
Molly Sent on 04/28/2025
It’s a 10/10!
Words can’t describe how proud we are to say Wooden Paddle catered our wedding—but people are STILL telling us how amazing it was after the fact! From service, to speed, to quality, to cleanup, Wooden Paddle made our day move so seamlessly. We’re always happy to support local, and this restaurant makes us so proud to do so. Thanks for being a part of our big day! -
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![Jamie]()
Jamie Sent on 03/31/2025Perfect Wedding!!
Wooden Paddle was my dream come true! I wanted food that was delicious, unique, and fun at my wedding. After doing tastings elsewhere it just seemed like I would never find what I wanted. Then, I found Wooden Paddle. The tasting blew me away. Every pizza we tasted was incredible, the pasta dishes were delicious, and the salads were fantastic. I knew immediately that this was my dream wedding food! The day of our wedding was just as amazing as the tasting. From the moment we arrived at the venue and I smelled the oven and watched the pizza prep being done, it was magic. It was exactly as I had envisioned! Everyone raved about everything and I was over the moon. Shout out to my favorite pizza, Gettin' Figgy Wit it! Thank you, Wooden Paddle, for your amazing food and for just existing! And thank you to everyone on your team for making the process so easy and seamless.Wooden Paddle's reply:
Oh stop, we’re blushing! 🥹 We’re so dang honored to have been your dream wedding food. Big love to Gettin’ Figgy Wit It for stealing the spotlight—she’s a crowd-pleaser with a flair for drama. 💁♀️ Thank you for trusting us with your big day! -
![William]()
William Sent on 03/07/2025Wooden Paddle - Wedding Catering
Wooden Paddle catered our wedding and it was everything we could have hoped for and more. We wanted something that was fun, easy, but also felt special and Wooden Paddle crushed it.
We had a few appetizers that went well with our cocktail hour and then for dinner had salad, pasta, and then 4 different uniquely delicious pizzas(delivered one at a time family style to tables), followed by a couple small desserts to hold people over until we got the cake as our late night snack. Everyone went home full and happy and gave rave reviews.
On top of the food the chefs and servers were excellent all night. We had a few people with allergies that Wooden Paddle were very attentive towards and the site of their pizza oven outside the venue was another fun element to add to the wedding day experience! It should also be noted that our tasting day with Wooden Paddle was probably or favorite part of our wedding planning! Couldn't recommend Wooden Paddle enough!Wooden Paddle's reply:
We’re so happy that your guests left raving and your tasting day was a core memory (honestly, same). Huge high-fives to our crew for bringing the vibes, the pizza, and the allergy-friendly magic—we loved being part of your day from first bite to last dance! -
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Devyn Sent on 10/17/2024
Approachable & Exciting Dinner & Drinks
Wooden Paddle did an amazing job with our wedding at Firehouse Chicago! We wanted something a bit off the typical beaten path that was approachable to our less adventurous guests, while offering something still exciting for our more adventurous eaters. In addition, we had many guests with dietary restrictions like gluten free, vegan, vegetarian, and a variety of other assorted allergies. They handled this wide variety perfectly, from the appetizers, pizza, and drinks. Their staff was all extremely nice & personable, from the initial tasting, the planning process, and all of the staff the night of. The food and drinks were all delicious, and we had quite a few leftover pizzas at the end of the night that went home with us & our guests too.Wooden Paddle's reply:
Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re so glad we could bring something delicious and unique to your big day at Firehouse Chicago! 🎉 It’s great to hear that we hit the mark for both your adventurous eaters and those with dietary needs—that’s always the goal. From planning to the big night, we loved being part of your celebration, and we’re thrilled your guests enjoyed everything (and that the leftover pizza didn’t go to waste). Cheers to an unforgettable day! -
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Aryn Sent on 10/17/2024
Perfection!
Wooden Paddle was the perfect choice for our wedding at Firehouse Chicago. They arrived on time, were knowledgable about the venue, and knew exactly what all needed to happen to make our day go on flawlessly. They were perfect at handling dietary restrictions as well, we were able to offer our vegan and gluten-allergic guests multiple options that were all handled without any issue. Everyone was exceptionally kind, from the servers to the bartender to the coordinators, 10/10Wooden Paddle's reply:
Thank you for the glowing review! We’re so happy to hear everything went seamlessly at Firehouse Chicago. From dietary restrictions to flawless timing, it’s always our mission to make the day stress-free and delicious for everyone. Huge shoutout to our team for making it happen! Cheers to a perfect celebration! -
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![Elise]()
Elise Sent on 09/26/2024Best wedding food ever!
We had the pleasure of working with Wooden Paddle for our summer wedding, and I can’t speak highly enough about their service. From the moment we started planning, their team was incredibly attentive and accommodating. On the big day, the food was nothing short of spectacular—every dish was beautifully presented and absolutely delicious! Our guests couldn’t stop raving about the pizza's and pasta!
The service was equally impressive. The staff was professional, friendly, and went above and beyond to ensure everything ran smoothly. They truly helped make our wedding day unforgettable. If you’re looking for a caterer who delivers both outstanding food and exceptional service, Wooden Paddle is the way to go!Wooden Paddle's reply:
Thank you so much for the kind words! We’re thrilled to hear how much you and your guests loved the food (pizza and pasta rave reviews = music to our ears!). Our team takes pride in making everything run smoothly, so it’s amazing to know we hit the mark. Thanks for letting us be part of your unforgettable day—cheers to a lifetime of happiness! -
Rachel Sent on 06/30/2024
Absolutely incredible catering and day of coordination!!
Wooden Paddle provided both catering and day of coordination for our May 2024 wedding, and we could literally not be happier with how everything went!!
Joelle and Miriam were truly the most incredible coordinators. They were so on top of the planning as we approached the wedding and helped us keep all the details straight, make timelines, communicate with vendors, and make sure nothing important was forgotten. On the day of, they were prepared for everything, made sure the day ran smoothly, and took all of the stress away so we could just be present and enjoy the day.
The catering was AMAZING - the food was incredible and all of our guests were absolutely thrilled. The charcuterie table was absolutely everything, and they even set aside a personal tray for us to make sure we got the chance to eat at cocktail hour! The pizza was truly wonderful, and they did an amazing job of coordinating personal pizzas for our guests with allergies. Our friends and family are still raving about our pizza wedding!
We are so incredibly happy with our experience with Wooden Paddle, thank you so much for the most wonderful wedding!!Wooden Paddle's reply:
What a beautiful wedding! It was our pleasure to be a part of one of the most special days of your life. Thank you! -
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![Danielle]()
Danielle Sent on 06/04/2024Say yes to the pizza
Wooden paddle is AMAZING!! They catered our wedding on 4/27 and were an absolute hit with everyone in attendance. The staff was very helpful with overall setup and professional throughout the evening. Just as in their restaurant, the food was fantastic!! It’s a great alternative if you want delicious food that breaks away from the traditional. Also a good option to consider if your venue doesn’t come equipped with a full kitchen but you still want your food prepared on site.Wooden Paddle's reply:
Danielle! Thanks so much for the kind words. I was GUSHING when I saw your amazing dress and those awesome pictures you guys took with the paddles by the oven! Congratulations, again, and it was awesome working with you! -
![Patrick]()
Patrick Sent on 03/28/2024Could not recommend more!
Wooden Paddle was there for us from start to finish, through planning the wedding until we were packing up leftovers to take home! I can not recommend them enough. The food was delicious and unique. I have never heard compliments on the food from wedding guests like we received thanks to Wooden Paddle. Everyone loved the appetizers, their pizzas, and extra compliments came from those guests with dietary restrictions. We had dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegetarian guests who all said our wedding had the best pizza they have ever had! On top of making our wedding more memorable and delicious, they also took time to discuss with us in depth what we needed and expected from our wedding. They worked with us every step of the way to make the whole process run as smoothly as possible. They made sure the stress and the mess of catering a wedding was taken care of, so we could just relax and enjoy our slices & signature cocktails (both of which, we had a few).Wooden Paddle's reply:
Thanks so much! We're fr *blushing* - it was such a pleasure keeping your guests happy and well-fed! Cheers to love, laughter, and lots of good eats! -
![Katie]()
Katie Sent on 03/28/2024Could not recommend more!
Our wedding was made even more memorable thanks to the incredible catering provided by Wooden Paddle. From the first bite to the last, their pizzas were a culinary delight, leaving our guests raving about the flavors and quality. Not only were the pizzas delicious, but the service was exceptional—prompt, professional, and attentive to every detail. The staff was friendly and accommodating, and they effortlessly catered to our diverse dietary needs and preferences. With their rustic wood-fired oven and fresh, high-quality ingredients, charcuterie grazing table, and artsy drinks they brought the flavor to our special day. If you're looking to add a unique and delicious touch to your wedding, look no further than Wooden Paddle. They truly deserve every one of these five stars!Wooden Paddle's reply:
Hi Katie! Thank you soooo much for the kind words - and the five stars! We're thrilled to have been a part of your big day. Congrats on tying the knot, and we cannot wait to see you back in the restaurant! -
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![Sean]()
Sean Sent on 02/29/202410/10 absolutely recommend!
Wooden paddle was amazing to work with! From the professionalism, helpfulness, and especially the food - they were the perfect vendor. I highly recommend!Wooden Paddle's reply:
Hey there! We love it when we can say " Nailed it"! Thank you so much for allowing us to take part in such a special day for you! -
![Genevieve]()
Genevieve Sent on 02/29/2024Amazing! Must book for your next event!
Had the absolute best experience with wooden paddle catering! From start to finish they were helpful, professional, and extremely efficient! They helped assist the set up and take down of our reception. But most importantly, the food was INCREDIBLE. Our guests could not stop talking about how much they loved it. We wanted to do something different than typical wedding food, and they were perfect. Delicious pizza and appetizers with an elevated presentation.Wooden Paddle's reply:
We love it when we can say " Nailed it"! Thank you so much for allowing us to take part in such a special day for you! -
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![Josh]()
Josh Sent on 12/27/2023Look no further! Wooden Paddle should be your ONLY choice!
Wooden Paddle is the perfect caterer for a wedding, plain and simple! We knew it was an excellent choice, but after our tasting, we knew 100% it was the right fit for our big day. All the point of contacts we worked with were wonderful. They were able to accommodate all our guests, including those with food allergies. Throughout the night, we received so many compliments on the tastiness of the food. We are still getting messages about how fun and unique a wedding food experience it was. The staff was friendly, accommodating, and very attentive. We even got the chance to make our own pizza before the ceremony! We cannot thank Wooden Paddle and the entire team enough for their exceptional work. We highly recommend and would use them again without hesitation. Thank you so much Wooden Paddle!Wooden Paddle's reply:
Hey Josh! So happy you were pleased with our service and we are honored you chose us! Hope to see you in the restaurant soon. -
Mary Sent on 12/27/2023
Wooden Paddle Wedding
Wooden Paddle catered our wedding on 12/15 and we could not have been happier! From the initial tasting to the night of the wedding, the crew at Wooden Paddle (specifically Miriam*) made the process simple and stress free! After going to a million weddings with the boring options of ‘meat, fish, or veggie’… we knew that was not the route we wanted to take for our own celebration. As a couple who eats pizza multiple times a week, who come from pizza loving families, we knew we had to give our guests the best wedding zas we could find… and we hit the jackpot with Wooden Paddle! The quality of pizzas, salads, pastas, and apps were aligned with the quality of their staff: outstanding! The food was fresh and hot on every table. Our guests are still raving about the wedding meal, and how often does that happen after a wedding of 220?? (Never!!) We’ve even had guests ask us for the address to Wooden Paddle so they can go there for dinner! Thank you to everyone at Wooden Paddle who made our night so memorable. We can’t wait to spend our future birthdays, anniversaries, and special events with you at the restaurant!Wooden Paddle's reply:
Hey Mary K thanks so much for trusting us to deliver on your special day. Hope to see you in the restaurant soon. -
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![Morgan]()
Morgan Sent on 11/24/2023Best pizza on the best day
My husband and I used Wooden Paddle for our wedding in October 2023 and everything was phenomenal! The team was consultative and helpful from the time of our tasting through the event itself. Our guests were raving about the pizza, some stating that it was the best pizza they've ever had. Coming from an Italian family, that is high praise! One other standout feature was that WP was able to offer gluten-free and dairy-free options for our guests with food allergies. The guests with allergies were so grateful to have a special pizza all their own and shared that it was delicious and tasted like regular pizza. I could go on and on about our experience, but the long and short of it is, whether you're looking for a place to grab a great pizza with even better cocktails or want a unique experience for your wedding, Wooden Paddle has you covered. Thank you, Joelle and Miriam for making our day so special!Wooden Paddle's reply:
Morgan, Woo Hoo what a wonderful day! Thank you for trusting us to complete your vision. Hope to see you soon in the restaurant! -
![Rachel]()
Rachel Sent on 10/30/202310/10 would recommend
10/10 WOULD RECOMMEND!! We instantly fell in love with Wooden Paddle after our tasting. We were able to try every single dish on their catering menu, while having each dish individually explained to us. From the start, our Event Coordinator-Miriam, could not have been better. She answered every single question, idea and worry we had along the way. Miriam would always respond extremely fast and always made herself available. Come wedding day our experience was no different. WP came with a team that was ready to go. Our guests could not say enough good things about not only the food but the service provided by the catering staff. No one was ever left without food and the team was always making sure my husband and I were taken care of. We had quite a few guests with dietary restrictions and they handled it seamlessly. We even had a late night snack of White Castle and the team received the order from the delivery driver and quickly went into decorator mode and set out the White Castle boxes in an amazing display. PIZZA IS THE NEW CHICKEN & BEEF!! Our guests loved the pizza and the quality was not lost even when the team had to perform in the rain. We truly cannot thank the Wooden Paddle team enough, they made our wedding day a huge success!!!
Wooden Paddle's reply:
Thank you so very much for your kind words! Your wedding was just amazing to be a part of! Hope to see you soon in the restaurant! -
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![Kian]()
Kian Sent on 10/26/2023The BEST wedding food EVER!!
I absolutely loved working with Wooden Paddle for our wedding! I wanted to serve something other than dry chicken or cold steak since wedding food is ALWAYS complained about no matter how much the Bride and Groom spends. The few weddings that I've been to before mine were always a disappointment in the food category. We always left feeling hungry and stopping at a McDonalds on our way home- INSANE to think about when catering is so expensive.
I went to Wooden Paddle with my fiancé and my two sisters for our tasting and the food easily made my decision! Working with the Wooden Paddle team was super easy- they were very responsive and accommodating. Every one of my guests RAVED about the food at our wedding- they couldn't get enough of it! Thankfully they all live in the area around where their restaurant is so we've already sent our guests there for date nights. We live out of state but we'll definitely be eating there every time we come back into town.
If you're looking for an alternative and don't want to do the same, bland catering food that people have done for YEARS, go with Wooden Paddle!! You want your guests to walk away with the experience that mine had.Wooden Paddle's reply:
Kian, thank you so very much for your kind words. It is always our goal to make your day just that much easier on you. Glad we were able to make a favorable impression. It was an honor to work with you on your special day. -
![Bre]()
Bre B. Sent on 09/19/2023The BEST Wedding Catering There Is
We had Wooden Paddle cater our wedding and it may have very well been the best decision of the whole wedding planning process!!!
From start to finish, the Wooden Paddle team was an absolute pleasure to work with. Chloe and Miriam were the dynamic duo that worked with us to figure out what was best for our special day.
We enjoyed the tasting in their restaurant and were completely blown away with that process as a whole. If we weren't already sold at the thought of having their pizza at our wedding, trying every delicious additional item was the "nail in the coffin" as they say. Every darn bite was more amazing than the last. We both were in AWE of everything. The hardest part of the whole process was narrowing down what we wanted. SO MANY DELICIOUS CHOICES.
As we got closer to the event, Chloe was absolutely wonderful with helping us make any changes to our menu, pick out the perfect linens and prepping us for what's to come on the day of.
On the day of our wedding, let's just say we blew everyone out of the water with having Wooden Paddle as our food choice. They brought a massive pizza oven on site and cooked every pizza live in front of our venue/guests. Talk about leaving a lasting impression huh?
Not only was the setup wonderful, but the service was a 12 out of 10! The servers were prompt, extremely friendly, super genuine and looked to be having an amazing time just being there. I remember many people commenting on how wonderful the service was. Just IMPRESSIVE!!
Now....to the most important part...the FOOD! All I can say is WOW. Just absolutely blown away with how wonderful everything came out. From the apps (the charcuterie table was a game hanger) to the fantastic pizzas coming out flaming hot and just melting in our mouths, it was THE BEST food I've ever had at a wedding...and even more so since it was our wedding. We had an insane amount of compliments on the food that night and still have people reminiscing about the delicious pizzas. It truly was the best decision we made during our wedding planning process.
I would recommend Wooden Paddle to any and everyone looking to make a lasting impression with a catered food...or even just a fun night out for dinner. This team is sharp, incredible and super fun to work with. I always appreciate working with people that feel like friends and I can easily say that Chloe and Miriam are now like friends. THEY ROCKED!!!
Thank you Wooden Paddle for everything. We absolutely cannot wait to come back and enjoy your delicious food on date nights and are already planning on celebrating our 1-year at your restaurant. You are wonderful and we appreciate all that you helped us do on our special day.Wooden Paddle's reply:
Hi Bre! This is the sweetest review and we thank you! It was an honor to be a part of such a special time in your life. Thank you! -
![Kelsey]()
Kelsey Sent on 12/27/2022Best decision, ever!
We hired Wooden Paddle for our wedding and our guests are still raving about it!! Not only is pizza fun but the food was phenomenal. We have a number of foodies in our friend group and the pizza got their stamp of approval. It made dinner and the night so much more fun and we're recommending Wooden Paddle to any couple that'll listen. We also had some severe allergies to be mindful of and they went above and beyond to make sure our guests were healthy.Wooden Paddle's reply:
Hi Kelsey! I'm so glad you + your guests enjoyed everything. We'll always take a stamp of approval! Thank you for the kind words, but can we talk about the lion dancers though?!? Hands down coolest thing I've seen this summer at a wedding. We wish you + Casey all the best, and be sure to visit us sometime soon! -
![Catherine]()
Catherine Sent on 12/21/2022Best wedding food EVER!
Hiring Wooden Paddle was the best decision we made! We both love pizza and having for the biggest dinner of our lives just made sense! Wooden Paddle not only has the best food, but the staff was equally amazing. Our guests hare still taking about our wedding dinner 7 months later. They wrapped up a couple of extra pizzas & our leftovers for after our reception, which was greatly appreciated and needed. We also had a grazing table for cocktail hour, and it was so pretty and perfect! I would hire them again and again! THANK YOU, Wooden Paddle, for being a part of our special day!Wooden Paddle's reply:
Hi Catherine! Thank you so much, we truly appreciate it! I'll pass along the kind words to our team. We always love going to our Lemont neighbors, the Bridge, and we had such a great time as well! Leftovers are definitely a must for those late-night dance munchies, and I'm glad everything enjoyed the food + service! We hope to see you + Matt sometime soon! -
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![Jenae]()
Jenae Sent on 11/28/2022Pizza for a wedding? Heck yes!
Wooden Paddle was simply the BEST for our wedding catering! One of my husband's biggest wants for our wedding was food that wasn't some dry chicken that people would begrudgingly eat, and boy did we luck out finding Wooden Paddle. Not only did they deliver a dinner with pizza/salad that people are still raving to us about (buzzkill and getting figgy with it were a smash!), but they also created what was possibly the best charcuterie board of my life for our cocktail hour (which is saying something because we make a board to celebrate every anniversary so it meant a lot to us). Absolutely epic! We also loved having their oven in our venue's courtyard so guests could watch and fill with anticipation for dinner! I will also say Wooden Paddle was the most helpful before the day as well with answering all of my questions (I'm very type A and needed every single detail figured out). Also, don't sleep on doing their wedding tasting ahead of time! We randomly went in one rainy Saturday to check them out and lucked into doing a tasting, falling in love, and happily booking soon after! Not a single regret and would definitely encourage anyone to consider them. We'll definitely be stopping by their Lemont location!Wooden Paddle's reply:
Hi Jenae, I'm so glad the pizzas were a hit! Also, Warehouse 109 is the bomb, woot woot! Tastings are definitely the best way to envision what you want at your big day, they're super fun and holy leftovers! We can't wait to see you + Kevin sometime soon! -
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![Erin]()
Erin Sent on 11/23/2022Great Wedding Food!!
If you love good food that your guests will rave about, book Wooden Paddle for your wedding or event. Everyone was so friendly and amazing to work with, from beginning to end. I highly recommend doing a tasting, you’ll be blown away by all the amazing food and the restaurant is adorable! At the wedding, everyone from Wooden Paddle was incredible. All of our guests with dietary restrictions received the correct food and everyone was treated with such kindness. I was even able to eat and I’m so glad I made that a priority. Also our guests were able to take home boxes of pizza at the end of the night which was a highlight. I can’t say enough amazing things about Wooden Paddle, and I can’t wait to visit the restaurant again soon!Wooden Paddle's reply:
Hi Erin! It's so good to hear from you, and I'm so glad everyone had a good time! All of your guests were awesome and so incredibly nice as well. Thank you for the kind words, and we are so excited to have you + Blaine back in our restaurant sometime soon! -
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![Slendy]()
Slendy Sent on 11/13/2022Wooden Paddle was the best!!
Wooden paddle is the best!!! hands down one of the best things from our wedding. Our guests loved the appetizers, the pizza's were delicious.. and they even set up some coffee for our guests, and it was a huge hit in a chilly September night. The serving process was fast, the servers were also super kind! The tasting and booking process was amazing, Miriam Gorecki was extremely informative and beyond patient with us when we were unsure on how many or which appetizers to have. I would absolutely recommend anyone looking for a food vendor for their wedding to go with Wooden Paddle! 10/10!Wooden Paddle's reply:
Hi Slendy! Thank you! Honestly, huge shoutout to our day-of team because from what I heard it was like there was a small hurricane, but everyone had fun too! The most important thing for us is to stay positive and upbeat through any dubious weather conditions! We wish you both all the best! -
![Katharine]()
Katharine Sent on 11/09/2022A Smash Hit!
Wooden Paddle was a smash hit with us and our guests! My wife and I are both vegetarians and have had terrible experiences with wedding food in the past. Wooden Paddle was so accommodating to us, and even made vegetarian versions of the meat-based pizzas we provided for our guests! Pizza might not sound elegant, but Wooden Paddle elevates this less traditional meal to fit a more sophisticated setting. 10/10 would recommend!Wooden Paddle's reply:
Hi Katie! Thank you so much for the kind review. The vegetarian pizzas seriously slap - pretty fly for a white pie is my personal favorite! We wish you both all the best, and we can't wait to see you sometime soon! -
Alexa Sent on 11/06/2022
Wooden Paddle is Incredible!
Wooden Paddle catered our August 2022 wedding, and they literally could not have made the experience any more incredible. The pizzas were all spectacular, the gelato was uniquely delicious, and the service was top notch! Their were so many specialty cocktails for us to choose from, and they even made a custom bar sign for us, which was one thing we were able to cross off our to-do list. The reps we worked with leading up to the big day were so helpful throughout the process, making us feel completely comfortable choosing them as a vendor. We had high expectations of them for our wedding, and they delivered in every way possible!Wooden Paddle's reply:
Hi Alexa! I can't believe we catered your reception all the way back in August, it honestly feels like just last week! I'm so glad everyone enjoyed the food and service, and that olive oil gelato hits so good! Shout out to Firehouse Chicago too, they are one of our faves this summer! We wish you + Mike all the best! -
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![Michael]()
Michael Sent on 11/06/2022Wooden Paddle ROCKS!!!
Wooden Paddle was everything we wanted the catering at our wedding to be and more! 11/10!!! I could not recommend them enough. The team was easy and flexible to work with leading up to the big day, and that level of service continued on the day of the event. But of course, what really separates them from a typical caterer is the food…. HOLY CRAP the pizza was SO GOOD!!! Looking back, something about seeing an army of servers march out with a variety of pizzas, fresh out of the brick oven, brings a tear to my eye. We went with the gelato for desert, and people are still talking to us about the olive oil one… it was superb! They delivered in every sense, and made the night completely unforgettable. Thanks Wooden Paddle!Wooden Paddle's reply:
Thank you, Mike! You picked out an awesome menu for your reception, you had all of the classics from smoke n 'shroom to gettin' figgy to buzzkill, all are *chef's kiss* in our eyes (and hopefully your guests' too)! Thank you again for allowing us to be part of your big day, and we hope to see you + Alexa in our restaurant sometime soon! -
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![Liette]()
Liette Sent on 11/03/2022Masterpiece pizzas!
Our event took place at the Firehouse in Chicago in September 2023. From the moment we enjoyed the impressive tasting at the locale in Lemont, to the very last pizza served at the reception we could not have hoped for a better experience. The whole crew which provided for us on Friday September 30 was attentive, on task and eager to please. The chef with whom we had a delightful discussion around the remarkable wood burning oven was knowledgeable, passionate and friendly. I learned a lot about pizza making and I’m grateful for this new knowledge. Fascinating ! The bartenders were welcoming and fun to chat with. All evening, we knew we were in good hands. Because of the Wooden Paddle’s commitment to excellence, we truly enjoyed our time along with our guests. It was a perfect evening of food, drinks and service and much more: it was an unforgettable event. Wooden Paddle shared their expertise and their dedication to their craft. It’s an art to feed people at a wedding. Wooden paddles’s was a masterpiece! LietteWooden Paddle's reply:
Hi Liette, we're so glad to hear from you! Thank you so much for being so kind and thoughtful. I'm pretty sure the chef you talked to was Tim, and he is, as you mentioned, truly passionate and knowledgable. Our entire team treats every wedding like it is one of their first with enthusiasm and devotion. I am so, so glad that the hard work paid off for you, Colette, Nick, and all of your guests. We cannot wait to see you back in our restaurant, and we're so excited you joined the pizza-loving fam! -
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![John]()
John Sent on 11/03/2022Guests keep asking where we found our caterer
Catered our wedding last Saturday! Food was amazing, only to be topped by the great service. Easy to book, made sure we were taken care of even on our busy day. They are also we very accommodating for allergies and vegan guests. Cannot recommend this place enough. We already want to go back for dinner.Wooden Paddle's reply:
Hi John! Heck yeah, what we love to hear! I'm so glad everything went well for you and your guests, and props to Warehouse 109, always great to work with! We can't wait to see you + Michelle sometime soon! -
![Michelle]()
Michelle Sent on 11/02/2022Guests were blown away by the food!
Our guest won’t stop raving about the food at our reception! Wooden Paddle catered our wedding last weekend and went above and beyond what we expected. The food was extremely fresh and so delicious; our guests mentioned that it was the best food they’ve ever had at a wedding and we totally agree. The service was also fantastic. The entire process of hiring Wooden Paddle was stress free and the entire team was very professional and quick to respond to any emails I had. The service at our wedding was warm, friendly and so attentive. They made sure my guests with allergies received the proper orders and went out of their way to make sure we (bride and groom) were fed (which I totally appreciate because we were so busy talking to guests). Thank you for making our day stress free and our guests happy!Wooden Paddle's reply:
Hi Michelle! Thank you so much for the kind words! We know that there are probably 80 million other things worry about on the big day-of, so the food should be one thing that you don't have to stress about at all! I'm also so glad you went with green, eggs, + ham, it's slept on but so delicious (one of my faves)! Thank you for trusting us to feed your nearest + dearest! -
![Libby]()
Libby Sent on 10/14/2022Best Catering for Wedding!
We used wooden paddle for our wedding and it was the best decision! They were fantastic! Food was awesome and they even went the extra mile to make standard cheese pizzas for all the kiddos. We have gotten so many compliments on the food from our wedding! It was fun, great for family style, they accommodated vegetarian, gluten free, and have an amazing Nutella dessert pie. Can’t say enough good things about this place. Can’t wait to go to their restaurant to celebrate our anniversary.Wooden Paddle's reply:
Hi Libby! Thank you so much, our team had so much fun at Firehouse with you and your guests! Nutella Me About It is my favorite dessert pizza, it is *chef's kiss*, and our bartenders definitely know what's up. We are looking forward to seeing you + Kat again in our restaurant!! -
![Colette]()
Colette Sent on 10/11/2022incredible, out of the (pizza) box wedding food!
My husband and I used the wooden paddle to cater our wedding event just a few short weeks ago. To say they did a phenomenal job would be an understatement. There are not enough positive words to speak to their professionalism, preparedness, timeliness, friendliness, flexibility, and most importantly food/drink quality. From the moment we had our tasting with them, we knew we would be in good hands on the day of our wedding.
If the wooden paddle were located closer to us it would be difficult not to go every Friday for our weekly pizza night. For now, we look forward to dining in the restaurant as often as we can, but it will be a must on our anniversary.Wooden Paddle's reply:
Hi Colette! Thank you so much! You, Nick, and your mom are the sweetest people ever! Our team had only good things to say about your guests and Firehouse Chicago (shoutout to Firehouse, woot woot)! We are so happy to have been able to celebrate with you, and we are looking forward to seeing and serving you soon! -
![Shawna]()
Shawna Sent on 10/09/2022Our Wedding 9/30/2022
Seriously, the Wooden Paddle did the most amazing job at our wedding, on 9/30/2022. All of the staff was extremely professional. The food was amazing. We are so happy that we chose them to cater our wedding and couldn’t have asked for it to go any better! All of our guest were so very impressed!! We highly recommend them.Wooden Paddle's reply:
Hi Shawna! Thank you so much! It was such a pleasure serving you and your nearest and dearest! Thank you for allowing us to be part of your big day! -
![Skye]()
Skye Sent on 09/10/2022Best Wedding Ever!
We were so lucky to be introduced to Wooden Paddle by our wedding venue back a few years ago. When we went in for our initial tasting it was love at first bite. We didn’t bother looking for other options because we knew Wooden Paddle was the one.
Throughout our time working with them, the staff we’re incredibly friendly and willing to answer questions. Our cocktail hour and dinner was phenomenal thanks to them! Someone even brought my grandfather a drink when he arrived early to the venue and wanted to sit out front.
We can’t wait to go back, bringing friends and family (including our dog)! Wooden Paddle is always going to hold a special place in our hearts.Wooden Paddle's reply:
Hi Skye! Thanks for the kind words, and I think Don't Take It For Pomegranate is the perfect drink for any type of occasion, season, or crowd (but I may be biased). We can't wait to see you + Alyssa again in our restaurant sometime soon, and yes, bring all of the puppies! -
![Madelyne]()
Madelyne Sent on 08/28/2022Best experience ever!
We used Wooden Paddle to cater our wedding and it was wonderful, we highly recommend them! Weeks later our guests are still raving about it! The food itself was delicious and the service was awesome as well. We also used them for our bar which was a huge hit as well. All the recommendations they have us (number of staff, timing, napkin colors .etc) were all spot on -- working with them was super easy! If you are on the fence, DO IT! Thank you Wooden Paddle for helping make our day so special!Wooden Paddle's reply:
Thank you, Madelyne! We're glad we had the opportunity to cater your special day! We appreciate the kind words and recommendation. -
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![Vanessa]()
Vanessa Sent on 07/30/2022Delicious Pizza & Drinks w/ Amazing Team!!!
As a Brooklyn native, I couldn’t have asked for better pizza for our wedding!!!! My husband and I decided on pizza for our wedding because pizza is what brought us together (Chicago Deep Dish vs. New York Slice). While we both live in NYC, we got married in Illinois in his childhood home and searched the pizza offerings of Illinois until we found Wooden Paddle. Not only is the pizza absolutely divine, but so are each and every one of the people that helped us on our wedding day. The Event Coordinator, Event Captain, Chefs, Servers, & Bartender were all a dream to work with and so kind. Our guests were blown away (many of them being New Yorkers themselves with high pizza expectations) and Wooden Paddle has now become a staple amongst the Illinois friends and family that experienced how delicious it was! We will definitely be frequenting the restaurant whenever we visit Illinois and are forever thankful for the memorable cuisine and drinks that they provided for our special day!Wooden Paddle's reply:
Thank you, Vanessa! We're thrilled we met your pizza expectations. We appreciate the kind words and we enjoyed the opportunity to cater your big day! -
![Kelly]()
Kelly Sent on 06/09/2022Absolutely delicious!
Wooden Paddle catered our wedding and it was absolutely fantastic. Our appetizers were the steak and Gorgonzola bites and burrata toasts and everyone was raving about the steak! When it came time for dinner, the staff was very attentive and kept checking in on us. All of of guests loved the food! Everything is cooked fresh on site- it doesn’t get any better than that. We had 4 pizzas at dinner and I kept hearing different favorites! This will definitely be our anniversary spot! -
![Mal]()
Mal G. Sent on 05/11/2022Best Decision Ever
As we started to plan our wedding in 2020 for spring of 2022, we had a list of 3 things that were most important to us: a venue we could really make our own, a fantastic photographer, and the best wedding food anyone has ever had. We quickly found Wooden Paddle and it was one of the quickest deposits we slapped down. From the very beginning, Wooden Paddle and Celina Meiss was incredibly easy and kind to work with.
Wooden Paddle opened their doors for us to enjoy an incredible spread for our tasting. We got to try all of their pizzas, appetizers, and desserts, as well as a few drinks. The staff was SO kind and patient as we tried literally everything. They tell you to come hungry and they mean it!
From there, we were able to pick exactly what we wanted for our menu We ended up selecting Buzzkill, Sausage Fest, Green, Eggs, & Ham, and Sausage Fest as well as a tasty Caesar salad and an out of this world meat & cheese table for cocktail hour. We also rented out dish and silverware from them, but they offer disposable for free. The payment process was easy and Celina was very kind about my little changes here and there. All of it ended up being about $62 per person (including travel, staff, tip, etc), which was a steal considering how much food each person ended up getting and how good it was. We never felt alone in the process.
We got married at The Brix On Fox in Carpentersville on May 6, 2022. Wooden Paddle was there early and I didn't have to worry about a thing. They lit candles for me, made sure my guests with allergies were safe and taken care of, set out our Nothing Bundt Cake, they worked seamlessly with our other vendors, and I had multiple staff members made sure everything was to my partner and I's liking.
I am not exaggerating when I tell you that every single one of my guests (some married!) came up to me and absolutely raved about how incredible the food was and how it was the best food they had at a wedding ever and some of the best pizza they had in general. Being able to enjoy one of my favorite foods at an "upscale" level for my wedding was the best thing we could have asked for.
If you are even THINKING about serving pizza for your wedding, do not hesitate to reach out to Wooden Paddle ASAP. It will be one of the best and easiest decisions you can make for your wedding. -
Amelia Sent on 02/19/2022
Yes to Wooden Paddle!
Wooden Paddle was AMAZING. Ben and I were looking for a non-traditional food option that would please all sorts of guests and dietary restrictions and Wooden Paddle was just that. Celina was SO great to work with - she was responsive and willing to work with our budget and needs. The entire planning process was a breeze with their online system and Celina worked through the entire contract with us - listening to and answering our many, many questions. One thing we had to consider were a few of our guests had gluten issues - Wooden Paddle has a solution for that! They served our gluten-intolerant guests their own pizzas and salads - it made our guests feel so special that this company did something for them specifically. (They even noted a few of our guests had celiacs and ensured there was no cross-contamination.) The day of the food and drinks were PHENOMENAL. We have wedding guests still reaching out about how fantastic the pizza was and the meatballs were. And the bar service - you all were SO fantastic. Again, our wedding guests are still telling us about the amazing apple-sauced old fashion. Wooden Paddle went above and beyond and we could not have been happier with a wedding caterer. -
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![Cory]()
Cory Sent on 12/27/2021Best pizza and service!
We had wooden paddle to cater our wedding and it was perfect. The staff was wonderful, pizza was excellent. Highly recommend for a stress free event and delicious pizza. -
![Halligan]()
Halligan Sent on 12/27/2021Amazing. 20/10. Would hire a million times
I’m not sure where to begin with WP… this place and it’s people are amazing. We hired them to cater our wedding, and from the first tasting to the last call at our open bar these folks took care of us like family. One of the owners, Jonathan, treated us like we were long-time friends. I am clumsy and spilled red wine on my wedding dress… Jonathan jumped into action and helped my frantic mother remove the stain. Like, seriously, who can say their caterer treated them this well? The staff offered us recommendations for bars post-wedding… they checked in with us constantly. And the FOOD! We STILL get compliments for our choice in caterer. The cocktails were kick-ass, and the pizza (as always) was divine. We loved it so much that we drove from the North Side of Chicago to Lemont two days after our ceremony because we were craving the Smoke ‘n Shrooms. Seriously, y’all. Hire them. Give them all the money. They are the shit. -
Madisen Sent on 12/11/2021
Just book them already!
Wooden Paddle was amazing for our big day! The food is the one thing our guests still talk about to this day! Wood fired pizza was such a unique choice that everyone loved! Celina and Jonathan are such great people who make sure everything goes perfectly for your big day. Being able to go and try all their delicious food beforehand was great, they even let us come back for a second tasting since they added more to their menu since the first time we had a tasting! I couldn’t say enough great things about the food or their team! If you’re debating on booking Wooden Paddle, don’t! There’s no debate, book them and you’ll be so happy you did! -
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![Kim]()
Kim G. Sent on 10/22/2021Best Wedding Caterer! So unique
My fiance and I have always been obsessed with wood oven pizzas. We make them all the time at home, and knew we wanted it for our main meal at our wedding. Wooden Paddle's food is not only amazing and delicious, but their customer service the whole night was top notch. Everyone raved about the pizza, and thought it was the most unique wedding food they've ever had. We can't say enough great things about Wooden Paddle. Celina was so easy to work with when booking, the tasting was phenomenal and Jonathan is the owner (I think) and he was at our wedding and treated us like royalty. Checked in on us throughout the whole meal. You NEED to book Wooden Paddle for your next event. Not to mention the ovens that they bring are very cool =) -
Cassandra Sent on 07/23/2021
Best wedding food EVER.
Stop looking and book Wooden Paddle - SERIOUSLY. This was such a unique way to serve food at our wedding and they did it flawlessly. We got married in May and people continue to mention to us how much they loved the food. My mom overheard guests that she didn't know talk about how delicious the food was! I am some what glad I don't live that close to Lemont or else I would be there every weekend. Their food was everything that we wanted in our wedding, unique, delicious, and fresh. How many weddings do you go to where you see people actually making pizza from scratch?! Not to mention that the staff was incredible, and really were very attentive to us. You will NOT be disappointed. The only regret I have at my wedding is that I didn't eat more, but I didn't realize how hard it would be to eat with a lot of stress in a day plus a skin tight dress, but man, was their pizza amazing. We did not need bar service from them but we had some drinks at their tasting and dang were they good!! Seriously - of all the things people remember at a wedding, the food is one of them. Have it be memorable (in a good way) and hire Wooden Paddle!!! -
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![Erin]()
Erin Sent on 07/01/2021Amazing Pizza and Cocktails - Perfect for our backyard wedding
Wooden Paddle catered our backyard wedding and it was amazing. We had an excellent time during our tasting. The staff were very attentive. At our wedding our guests raved about the food and the bartender. I think everyone stuck to our signature cocktails, Don't Take It For Pomegranate and Fire & Ice, instead of the beer options. We had 4 types of pizza and the staff was great at bringing them out quickly! We are looking forward to going back to the restaurant to try out more of their dishes. -
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![Mallory]()
Mallory Sent on 05/25/2021Wooden Paddle Was The Best!
We went with Wooden Paddle as our caterer for our wedding and they were the best! The food is exceptional, as was their service. They were extremely professional, and their staff was very nice. All of our guests have been raving to us about the food at our wedding. -
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![Brian]()
Brian Sent on 12/18/2020Wooden Paddle catered our wedding and it was great.
Wooden Paddle catered our wedding and it was great. I loved that the owner was so personable and actually on site for our wedding! The food and drinks were awesome (especially the appetizers)! I absolutely would recommend Wooden Paddle if you’re looking for great food, drinks and staff! -
Krista Sent on 12/18/2020
Best caterer!
Wooden Paddle catered our wedding and we absolutely loved them and so did our guests! Getting married during a pandemic was very stressful but they were easy to work with and the staff was so friendly! All of our guests loved the food and drinks! Absolutely would recommend them to everyone! -
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![Hannah]()
Hannah Sent on 11/22/2020Incredible. Best decision we made for our wedding!
Choosing Wooden Paddle to cater our wedding was the best decision we made. We were drawn to WP from the very start. When I inquired about a tasting, I received a quick response and easily set up our appointment. When we walked into the beautiful restaurant, we were warmly greeted by Jonathon (the owner) who hosted the most amazing tasting. We walked out and knew that we had to book them after our awesome experience. Fast forward to planning, Celina was an absolute saint. She helped us navigate the obstacles we faced with the pandemic and was always there to help. Super quick to respond and always offering to help anyway she could. Because of covid, we had to majorly change our wedding plans and Celina was there for us every step of the way. She offered advice, asked what she could do to support me, and adapted seamlessly to all of the changes we had to make. We are so thankful for her. Of course, everything was executed perfectly on our wedding day. We received so many compliments on the food: how delicious it was, how cool it was, and how great the staff was. We loved everything about the food at our wedding. We HIGHLY recommend booking WP for your wedding day. They are without a doubt, the best!
Also, my husband and I have probably been the actual restaurant 50+ times after booking. One of our favorite spots for date nights or to take family/friends or ordering takeout! Thank you for everything you did for us WP, we love you!
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