Wheaton Council To Vote On Liquor License For Dough And The Backyard

WHEATON, IL — The Wheaton City Council will vote on whether to issue a Class A liquor license to Dough and the Backyard, a sports bar and restaurant that hopes to open at 111 E. Front St. The item is on the council agenda for Jan. 21, on the heels of a unanimous positive recommendation from the city's liquor commission.

Dough and the Backyard is helmed by Eric Schlickman, who also owns 302 Wheaton and is part of the teams behind Maypole Restaurant and Subourbon. The 8,674 square foot building will combine a front-facing pizzeria with a "backyard" sports bar space that features pool tables, arcade games, darts and other activities, according to city documents.

Diners will be able to choose between Detroit- and New Haven-style pizza in specialty flavors that include Peppahoney, BBQ and Hawaiian. Vegetarian pizza options, salads and appetizers are also available. A sample menu suggests the bar will serve up draft beer, wine and cocktails. The cocktails range from Moscow mules and Cosmo Italianos to grilled lemon sweet tea and the eatery's signature spicy Dough-rita, which mixes jalapeño tequila with lime juice, blood orange juice and simple syrup.

Future plans for Dough and the Backyard include adding a patio, so diners can enjoy their food and drink al fresco. Per city documents, this expansion is expected sometime in 2026.

The city council meeting will be held Jan. 21 at 7 p.m. at Wheaton City Hall, 303 W. Wesley St.