On March 17, everyone is a little bit Irish. So if you’ve got a craving for corned beef, cabbage, mash and fine Guinness Stout, you live in the right place.
Chicago and its environs are St. Patrick’s Day central, and there are many classic Irish pubs in which to celebrate the wearing of the green. Here are our favorite places to raise a glass to the patron saint of Ireland:
Arlington Heights:
Peggy Kinnane’s Irish Restaurant and Pub
Irish Comfort Food: The Bangers and Mash (traditional pork sausages and seasoned mashed potatoes) will get your green blood flowing while you enjoy the 3-day live music fest March 17-19.
Edison Park (Chicago):
Emerald Isle, 6686 N. Northwest Hwy.
Irish Comfort Food: There’s a pitcher of green beer with your name on it!
Evanston:
Celtic Knot, 626 Church St.
Irish Comfort Food: Try the Celtic Collection, which features a little bit of everything (Fish ‘n’ Chips, Corned Beef and Cabbage, and Irish Stew). Irish Folk music and dancing during St. Pat’s week, March 12-19.
Tommy Nevin’s Irish Pub, 1450-58 Sherman Ave.
Irish Comfort Food: Go for the Guinness Beef Tips with Colcannon Potatoes, or perhaps the Irish Lamb Stew (the veggies are to avoid scurvy). If only they had a Vitamin C beer.
Glenview:
Grandpa’s Place, 1868 Prairie St.
Irish Comfort Food: Opt for the Fish and Chips, the Pub Burger (with bacon and Irish Cheddar on dark rye), or the Hot Corned Beef Sandwich.
Hackney’s on Lake, 1514 E. Lake Ave.
Irish Comfort Food: The Kid’s Leprechaun Burger and the unequaled Reuben are the way to go here; adults will also love the Bleu Cheese Burger or Fish & Chips.
Highwood:
Bridie McKenna’s, 254 Green Bay Rd.
Irish Comfort Food: The Cottage Pie with chicken and veggies, topped with golden brown puff pastry, can’t be beat. The Chicken Curry over Kelly Green Rice is a pub favorite, as is the All-Day Irish Breakfast (Irish bacon and sausages, Black and White Pudding, eggs, baked beans, and sautéed mushrooms, not to mention the ubiquitous potatoes).
Skokie:
Curragh Irish Pub, 8266 Lincoln Ave.
Irish Comfort Food: Boxty, the tasty and traditional stuffed Irish potato pancake, can be had with your choice of fillings. Or enjoy the Dungarvan Salmon with mash.
Vernon Hills:
McCarthy’s, 506 Hawthorn Ctr.
Irish Comfort Food: Your kids will dig the Junior Leprechaun Menu; you will appreciate the Guinness Pot Roast and the Loaded Irish Potato Soup topped with cheese, bacon and green onions.
Barrington:
McGonigal’s Pub, 105 S. Cook St., 847-277-7400
Irish Comfort Food: Pub Fries with Irish Bacon and Curry Dipping Sauce, Trinity Sliders, Dubliner Chicken, Irish Boxty and Irish Bread Pudding will stick to your ribs. The Inaugural Barrington Celtic Fest, with live music and Irish dancers, runs March 17-18, from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. each day.
