Green beer. Shamrock shakes. A slightly alarming—yet strangely mesmerizing—emerald-colored Chicago River. Yes, it’s that magically delicious time of year again: St. Patrick’s Day is right around the corner. Get into the Celtic spirit with one of these deals on Irish grub at some of the city’s fine Irish pubs.
All-you-can-eat fish fry
Through March 21, head to the 5th Province Pub, in the Irish American Heritage Center in North Park for an all-you-can-eat Friday fish fry. For $10, scarf down all of the fried cod, French fries, cole slaw and vegetables you can muster—then dance it all off to live traditional Irish music that starts at 9:15 p.m.
When: 6:30-9 p.m. Fridays through March 21
Shepherd’s pie
In theory, spring is approaching. But as far as we can tell, winter’s not going anywhere anytime soon. Warm your belly every Wednesday with a hearty helping of shepherd’s pie at Celtic Crown Public House in Lincoln Square. Just $5.99, this stick-to-your-ribs baked classic is made with ground beef, red and green peppers, and onions in brown gravy, all topped with cheddar mashed potatoes. Wash it down with a pint of Guinness or Harp, or a Black and Tan, all $3.50 (regularly $4.25) on Wednesdays.
When: Every Wednesday
Guinness stew
Don’t stew if you can’t find a good food deal on a weekend. Just head to Wrigleyville’s Irish Oak, where the Galway Beef and Guinness Stew is a weekly Saturday special. For $7 (regularly $10.75), indulge in tender hunks of beef slow-simmered in Guinness then stewed with chopped onions, carrots, celery and potatoes in Bisto, a British brown gravy substitute that’s common across the pond.
When: Every Saturday
Corned beef and cabbage
St. Patrick’s Day isn’t just a one-day celebration anymore. At Lincoln Park’s Hidden Shamrock, the party begins early with the arrival of the bar’s homemade corned beef and cabbage. Every day this week (except Saturday) through St. Patty’s Day, Hidden Shamrock offers the traditional Irish dish with mashed potatoes and creamed horseradish sauce on the side for just $9.50. Throughout March, you’ll also find shepherd’s pie specials at least once a week ($7.50, regularly $8.95); fish and chips are just $8.95 on Fridays year-round. All entrees come with a cup of homemade soup; options change daily.
When: Daily through March 17; not available Saturday
[ Emily Hiser Lobdell is a Metromix special contributor. ]
metromix@tribune.com
Get to the pint
Prefer to drink your dinner? Check out some of our favorite Irish drink deals.
(Deals are subject to change without notice)
Chief O'Neill's Pub
Mondays: $4 Half and Halfs (Harp and Guinness)
Tuesdays: $4 Snake Bites (Magners and Harp)
Wednesdays: $4 All Irish Black and Tans (Guinness and Smithwick’s)
Thursdays: $4 Black Velvets (Guinness and Magners)
Cork & Kerry
Wednesdays: $3 Guinness and Harp
Dugan's Drinking Emporium
Mondays: $3 Harp and Guinness
Fridays: $3 Smithwick’s
Sundays: $3 Half and Halfs, and Black and Tans
Glascott's
Wednesdays: $3 Guinness, Harp and Smithwick’s
Emmit's
Wednesdays through St. Patrick’s Day: $4 Guinness in a special Guinness glass you can take home
Thursdays: $3.50 Jameson shots
Mrs. Murphy & Sons Irish Bistro
Sundays: Half-price Irish beers (Guinness, Smithwick’s, Kinsale;regularly $5-$5.50)