Grocery Store Shelf in a Restaurant Costume
Evansville · Evansville · Modern American Comfort Food · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed July 6, 2026
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at COMFORT reads like someone grabbed whatever was on sale at the Walmart wine aisle and called it a day. Barefoot, Cupcake, Dark Horse, Apothic — this is the murderers' row of mass-market plonk, and not in a charming, unpretentious way. The food concept has real personality; the wine list borrows none of it.
The list leans entirely on California shelf-fillers with no discernible curatorial effort — no Oregon Pinot to speak of despite the stated region focus, no small producers, nothing that suggests anyone thought hard about what wine drinkers might actually want. Apothic Red and Dark Horse Cab are fine if you're stocking a college party, less fine when a restaurant is marking them up 136–189% over their $9–$11 retail price. There are no standout producers here, no regional identity, and no wines that would make you pause before ordering a beer instead. The list isn't offensive so much as it's completely invisible.
Eight to twelve pours by the glass sounds generous until you realize they're all pulling from the same shallow pool of supermarket brands. At $6–$7 a glass for wines that retail under $10 a bottle, you're paying restaurant prices for grocery store wine — which is the worst of both worlds. There's no rotation, no seasonal picks, nothing that suggests the glass program gets any attention beyond 'we have wine.'
Apothic Red Winemaker's Blend California NV — $7/glass
If you're having wine here, this is your least-bad option by the glass — it's the lowest markup of the bunch at 64% over retail, and the blended sweetness actually works against the saltier comfort food items on the menu.
Dark Horse Cabernet Sauvignon California NV
Not a hidden gem in any traditional sense, but Dark Horse punches above its price point for what it is — a grocery-store Cab that's genuinely drinkable. Most people will reach for Apothic out of habit; this one has more structure.
Barefoot Moscato California NV
A $6 retail wine being poured for $6 a glass and bottled at $22 is a hard no. You are paying 267% over retail for one of the most mass-produced wines in America. Order a sweet tea instead — it'll be better and more honest.
Apothic Red Winemaker's Blend California NV + Chicken and Waffles
Apothic's residual sweetness and soft tannins are about the only thing on this list that won't fight the sweet-savory dynamic of chicken and waffles. It's not a pairing you'd brag about, but it won't ruin dinner either.
❌ The Bottom Line
COMFORT has the bones of a genuinely fun neighborhood spot, but the wine program is an afterthought dressed up as a list. Save the wine for somewhere that cares — order a cocktail here and eat the chicken and waffles without guilt.
West Side · Evansville · Italian-American / Pizza
Turoni's is a great neighborhood pizza spot that happens to have wine on the menu, not a wine destination that also serves pizza. Come for the food and the house-brewed beer; treat the $4.99 Lambrusco as a pleasant bonus, not the reason you're here.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Newburgh Road · Evansville · Italian-American / Pizza
Turoni's is a great pizza spot and a solid craft beer destination — the wine list is neither of those things. Order the Lambrusco if you're committed to the bit, then let the beer menu do the real work.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown · Evansville · Italian-American, Pizza, Brewpub
Turoni's is a great neighborhood pizza spot with a legitimate craft beer program — come for the pies and the pints, not the wine. If you need a glass of something, the $4.99 price tag makes it painless, but don't expect anything beyond the basics.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Evansville · Evansville · American / Brewpub
BJ's Evansville is a brewpub, full stop — the wine list is a courtesy offering for the table members who don't drink beer, not a destination in itself. If you're going, go on a Thursday, order the Meiomi or the Kim Crawford at half price, and let everyone else worry about the craft tap list.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Seasonal Rotation
Acceptable
Eagle Crest · Evansville · American gastrobar
Bar Louie Evansville is a fine place to grab a beer or a cocktail — the wine list is an afterthought dressed up in a laminated menu. Come on a Thursday, order the rosé, and call it a win.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Occasional
Acceptable
East Side · Evansville · Casual steakhouse; American steak, ribs, chicken, and seafood
LongHorn's wine list is the dining equivalent of a screensaver — it's technically there, it moves occasionally, but nobody's really watching it. Come for the steak, order the La Crema if you want wine, and keep your expectations where the decor suggests they should be.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.