Live, from Peoria, Illinois, it’s Saturday Night Cheeseburger, starring this week’s host, Kelleher’s Irish Pub and Eatery and featuring the Ready for Prime Beef Player, Marty Wombacher. And now, from Water Street in beautiful downtown Peoria, please welcome, Kelleher’s Irish Pub and Eatery!
Kelleher’s is about two minutes away from where I work...
See, we’re here already!
It’s still chilly outside, so the front patio is empty and void of all human life, let’s go in and see if there’s anyone inside...
Wow, it’s packed in here! But, as MBIP luck would have it, check out the choice corner seat at the bar there. Let’s grab it and get settled in.
Check it out, it’s Matthew who was on bartender duty last year! Great to see him again!
Here’s the view of the back of the bar from where I’m seated.
Nick and Nicole came in and Nick told me he enjoys the MBIP blog. Very cool! Always love to meet people who are liking the blog!
A fan hangs stationary overhead under the rustic wooden ceiling in here. It’ll probably start spinning when it warms up outside.
Here’s the crowd behind my seat at the bar, I told you it was packed in here. I’ll try and squeeze my way into the crowd and take a look around.
Here’s TJ who we last saw at Kenny’s Westside Pub (14th picture down in the post). He immediately went into his patent-pending, TJ pose when I pointed the MBIP camera at him.
TJ was at the bar with his pals, Harrison and Bryce. Harrison lives in an apartment up above Kelleher’s, how handy is that?
Singer/guitarist, Josh was on the Kelleher's stage. Josh sang songs by Neil Diamond, Prince and everyone in between. Very entertaining!
Check out the beers on tap here...but hold on, this is just the beginning...
Here's five more over here...
And another quintet over here...
And here's the final five. Are you seeing this shit, Spike? Can't wait to see what kind of score the Spike-O-Meter gives to this buffet of beer taps! And thanks to Matthew for letting me go behind the bar to get the photos!
Right after I took the last taps shot I took a photo of this couple who were seated right next to the taps. I didn't write their names down but I'm thinking they said they were Brian and Jenny, but I'm probably wrong. Feel free to correct me if you're reading this!
Amber, Will and Sarah were seated at the end of the bar and they live in Princeton, Illinois. It turns out that Will and I have something in common...
We're the last two people on earth still using flip phones. Hooray for us!
Check it out, the condiment ring and silverware have been placed at the bar...that can only mean one thing...
Dinner is served! I got a sandwich called the Hangover, which is Irish sausage, bacon, cheese and a fried egg. Of course I added some mustard and pepper to the mix. And as you can see, I got a side order of onion rings. It looks and smells fantastic!
Wow, it's delicious! You can read more about it in the review below.
A melted cheese sauce comes with the onion rings to dip them in.
I think there's cayenne pepper in the sauce, it's really zippy and tangy and a perfect compliment for the crispy onion rings. This was a great meal!
Well, it didn't take long to clean that plate. Now what shall we have for dessert?
I think this coaster on the bar answers that question...
One more!
Then we go. We'll see you all tomorrow!
My Meal
Last year I was a little disappointed with my cheeseburger at Kelleher’s. As I wrote back then, it wasn’t horrible, but it wasn’t the greatest cheeseburger I’ve ever had. I also noted that their specialty is Irish dishes and I was all prepared to try their Shepherd’s Pie when a sandwich on the menu caught my eye. It’s called the Hangover and it’s made with Irish bacon, Bangers (Irish sausage), American cheese and a fried egg. Even though it was Saturday night and I was on the other side of a hangover, I had to try this intriguing sounding sandwich and I was glad I did. The Bangers are the standout taste when you bite into this succulent sandwich, with the savory taste that has equal parts heat and sweet coming out to play on your tastebuds. Then you get hit with the cheese, egg and Irish bacon flavors that are all housed in a bakery-fresh hamburger bun. It’s a unique and delicious sandwich for sure. I got a side of the onion rings and they were crispy and served with a tangy melted cheese sauce. This was quite an improvement over last year’s dinner. And since I didn’t get the Shepherd’s Pie, I’ve got a good excuse to return!
SNC Rating
Three Galloping Gourmets—The Hangover is only available at Kelleher’s, do yourself a favor and stop in and try one...even if you don’t have a hangover!
Kelleher’s Irish Pub & Eatery
619 SW Water St.
Peoria
309-673-6000
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