This weekend’s Wisch List newspaper column from The Daily Journal (Kankakee, Ill.) and The Times (Ottawa, Ill.) …
The WISCH LIST
By Dave Wischnowsky
From coast to coast, many American cities take St. Patrick’s Day seriously. But perhaps nowhere does the festive holiday make a splash in quite the same way as it does in Chicago.
And that’s not just because the river is dyed green.
Chicago is Irish to its core. Of the 55 mayors throughout history, 12 of them – more than 20 percent – have been Irish. Back in 1850, one-fifth of the city’s residents were Irish immigrants. And today, with more than 200,000 people of Irish descent, it’s still the city’s largest demographic.
Chicago also seems to boast more “Irish” bars than Starbucks. But not every pub that bills itself as Irish truly is, and if you’re considering celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago next weekend, here are four authentic establishments, where you and eat and drink as if you’re on the Emerald Isle.
North Side: Cullen’s Bar & Grill
Located at 3741 N. Southport Ave., Cullen’s drips with Irish heritage. The interior walls are bedecked with photos of Irish poets, live Celtic music is often in the air and most of the wait staff are from Ireland, which is why they know how to execute a proper “Two-Minute Pour” of a pint of Guinness – that is, poured half way, allowed to settle and then topped off.
The menu also boasts a bevy of hearty Irish staples, including shepherd’s pie, Cornish pasties (seasoned ground beef wrapped pastry-style), Mother’s Meatloaf (served with mashed potatoes and gravy) and Bass Ale-battered onion rings.
Downtown: The Kerryman
Located in the heart of River North at 661 N. Clark St., the Kerryman may appear too trendy from the outside to be an authentic Irish pub, but don’t let its exterior fool you. The bar’s co-founders, Mick and Trevor O’Donoghue, are as Irish as it gets, originally hailing from Castleisland in southwest Ireland’s County Kerry.
The pair voyaged to Chicago with the hope of bringing modern Irish nightlife to the city. By all accounts, they’ve succeeded with the pub’s Irish chef serving up higher-end takes on Irish dishes such as fish & chips and curry chicken, as well as a Galway seafood chowder.
Northwest Side: Chief O’Neill’s Pub
In 1848, Daniel Francis O’Neill was born in Tralibane, County Cork, Ireland, and eventually became a cabin boy on an English ship that took him around the world. In 1871, he finally settled in Chicago and ultimately rose to become the city’s Chief of Police in 1901.
Today, the Chief has a bar named after him at 3471 N. Elston Ave. in Chicago’s Avondale neighborhood. And true to O’Neill’s love for music – he published a book of Irish songs in 1903 – the pub is owned by two Irish musicians and known as a premier destination for bands playing traditional tunes direct from the Emerald Isle.
The food isn’t too shabby either, offering fish & chips, Irish stew and corned beef, as well as a popular Sunday brunch buffet.
South Side: Cork & Kerry
The South Side of Chicago has no shortage of Irish pubs, and the Cork & Kerry is among the best of them. Featuring ornate woodwork and a green trim interior, along with low-slung chandeliers, walking inside the bar at 10614 S. Western Ave., you can imagine you’ve just strolled off a street in downtown Dublin.
Cork & Kerry offers an array of imported Irish beers that would make a Leprechaun proud as well as unique fare such Irish egg rolls filled with corned beef and cabbage. All Irish pubs in Chicago are sure to be packed next weekend, so if you visit, get there early.
Or else, you may not get in at all.