Hail to Haggis @ The Globe

By Karl Klockars in Food on Jan 26, 2009 6:20PM

If you happened to notice a number of kilted men and tartan-clad women wandering around the area of Irving and Lincoln this weekend, that would Chicago's Scottish community celebrating the 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns at the Globe Pub. Poet, songwriter, bard, womanizer and drinker, Burns' birthday is always cause to celebrate. At the Globe there was reading of his poems, singing "Auld Lang Syne," drinking whisky, enjoying bagpipe tunes, and dining on what was most likely the only haggis in the city. Each year, the Globe (which also has a very impressive beer list) toasts Scotland's national poet with poetry, booze, music and a feast on the intimidating dish.

Haggis, of course, is the often-feared Scottish dish consisting of oats, ground heart, liver and lung meat with spices and boiled in a sheep's stomach. A few years back we might have been shied off by all the offal, but it was awesome. Rich, hearty, and completely non-repulsive. Served with neaps and tatties (aka turnips & mashed potatoes) on the side, with a wee dram o' Macallan 12 year or some Famous Grouse, it was a meal fit for a common highlander. And it was probably the only meal we'll have all year that was ushered in by bagpipes.

Photo via Torontoist.