Where To Find Chicago's Best Authentic Irish Food On St. Patrick's Day
By Chicagoist_Guest in Food on Mar 11, 2016 5:15PM
It’s that time of the year again—the river will be dyed a Green River hue, shamrocks appear where they normally would not and Chicagoans tip back tinted beers at light speed. Whether or not you plan on attending the parade, there’s plenty of Irish authenticity to be had at bars, restaurants and storefronts around town. Here are some of our favorite spots that transport you to the Emerald Isle.
By Jennifer Olvera
Mrs. Murphy & Sons Irish Bistro
For a classy, contemporary take on Irish fare, look no further than Mrs. Murphy & Sons Irish Bistro, a low-lit haunt within a 1920s-era, multi-room funeral home. Situated in the North Center neighborhood, it serves up hearty staples like shepherd’s pie and bangers and mash, made with sausage from Winston’s. You’ll also find an impressive Reuben sandwich, Reuben burger and straight-up corned beef dinner with boxty potato cakes and horseradish-braised cabbage.
Mrs. Murphy & Sons Irish Bistro is at 3905 N. Lincoln Ave.
Irish American Heritage Center
Get your fix right from the source, The Irish American Heritage Center, a cultural gathering place with an auditorium, library, art gallery, museum and — of note — a pub, serving hangover-abating classics like fish and chips and beef stew, all with a side of quality entertainment. It will also host its annual post-parade St. Patrick’s fest, March 12, 1 p.m. to midnight, with music, dance, grub and activities for the kiddos. Then, on the 17th, there will be yet another proper celebration that runs all day long.
Irish American Heritage Center is at 4626 N. Knox Ave.
Belly up for some Jameson at Irish Oak, a welcoming, happy hour-friendly watering hole, which goes beyond the basics to offer double-layered Irish nachos — cross-cut fries piled with cheddar, beer cheese, bacon, scallions and sour cream — optionally (we say essentially) topped with Harp chili. The beer-battered fish and chips come with house malted vinegar, and the Irish BLT gets slathered with spicy mayo, stuffed with white cheddar and rashers and tucked into griddled Texas toast for a welcome twist.
Irish Oak is at 3511 N. Clark St.
via the Grafton
Come for the live music, stay for the excellent curry chips, beer battered onion rings with house-made garlic mayo dipping sauce and platter of meats and cheeses, which expands waistlines by way of sliced Dubliner, bangers, other seasonally offered cheeses and sausages, orange marmalade, whole grain mustard, green apples and artisanal flatbread. Follow with at The Grafton’s tender, mint-tinged lamb stew, all-day Irish breakfast or mighty burgers sure to do a leprechaun proud.
The Grafton Irish Pub & Grill is at 4530 N. Lincoln Ave.
Wilde Bar & Restaurant
If you groove on library-like settings and leather banquettes, this one’s for you. Situated in the Lakeview neighborhood, cozy, dimly-lit Wilde Bar & Restaurant exudes an upscale-casual feel while dispensing family-style feasts for parties of three or more as well as a large menu of the standards and then some — done right. Score hand-cut curry chips or crushed red pepper-specked curry mussels to start. From there, it’s on to chicken pot pie and shepherd’s pie with garlic crostini. Not feeling the luck of the Irish? There are plenty of other options to choose from, including a heart attack-worthy grilled cheese that’s gooey with Gruyère, aged cheddar, Brie, mozzarella, fried shallots, tomato concasse and candied bacon on Parmesan-crusted sourdough. Finish, if you can manage, with sticky toffee pudding.
Wilde Bar & Restaurant is at 3130 N. Broadway St.
The Kerryman
Ever-packed and centrally located, The Kerryman is a happy hour fave on your average day. Come St. Paddy’s Day, it’s a madhouse; either way, it’s a solid place to dive into Irish breakfast with sausage, bacon, black and white pudding, potato, eggs, beans and toast in preparation of what comes next: whiskey-swigging debauchery.
The Kerryman is at 661 N. Clark St.
Hosting its 16th annual St. Pat’s celebration, this popular tap goes all-out for the holiday. Throughout the holiday weekend, Chief O’Neill’s will feature a heated tent wafting with the scent of hickory-smoked pig, a roasty tradition that goes way back. There’s a Sunday brunch to contend with, too, one complete with Irish curry, corned beef and cabbage and, naturally, shepherd’s pie. Live music is a mainstay at this wood-paneled Celtic hub, as are regular menu offerings like Guinness and cheddar soup; a banger burger topped with sausages, caramelized onions, mashed potatoes and demi-glace; and Harp-battered cod.
Chief O'Neill’s is at 3471 N. Elston Ave.
Galway Arms Irish Bar & Restaurant
From its fully stocked bar turning out perfect pints to its warm setting and live music on Tuesdays and Sundays after 8 p.m., there’s lots to love about Galway Arms. Its standout feature, however, is its eats, which include everything from Irish sausage rolls with curry dipping sauce to a killer corned beef sandwich with Irish cheddar and creamy horseradish sauce. End your meal on a sweet note with Celtic bread and butter pudding, dolloped with a scoop of ice cream and drizzled with dreamy caramel sauce.
Galway Arms Irish Bar & Restaurant is at 2442 N. Clark St.
Make a Dublin-esque escape, sans plane ticket, thanks to Fado Irish Pub, a perennial favorite with a raucous vibe. Expect chips with a range of sauces (think Guinness mayo and Harp cheese); smoked salmon bites on boxty blini; and a braised lamb dip sandwich with dunk-worthy jus. Sweetening the pot, on St. Patrick’s Day, it’ll host a full day of events, including live acts, brunch from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and a menu of staples well after that.
Fado Irish Pub is at 100 W. Grand Ave.
While it’s technically Jewish, Schmaltz Deli dishes up all the makings of a great March 17 meal, including top-notch, overstuffed sandwiches, the best ones of which get a bit creative. No visit is complete without the #14 Sloppy Paul, a Rueben-inspired marvel on marbled rye, stuffed with warm corned beef or peppery pastrami, Swiss cheese, kraut and Russian dressing. Coming in a close second: the #20 Old New Yorker, featuring your choice of the aforementioned meats (or a 50/50 split), along with Russian dressing and creamy house slaw on seeded rye. For the holiday, its serving a slew of other Emerald Isle specials, too.
Schmaltz Deli is at 1512 N. Naperville Rd., #152, Naperville