Live, from Peoria, Illinois, it’s Saturday Night Cheeseburger starring this week’s host, Donnelly’s Irish Pub and featuring the Ready For Prime Beef Player, Marty Wombacher. And now, please welcome this week’s host, Donnelly’s Irish Pub!
We’re off and rolling, rolling, rolling towards the familiar surrounding of Donnelly’s Pub. They’re more famous for other items on their menu, like their Irish Stew and Italian Sausage, but as I’ve stated before, I’m running out of places to go for CSN, and Donnelly’s kitchen is still open, but not for long, so it’s time to put the pedal to the metal and get there and make the final call for food before the kitchen closes...
And here we are and I didn’t even get a speeding ticket. I’ll take that as a good sign for this cheeseburgerly night out on the town.
Let’s go in and see what’s going on at Donnelly’s on this fine Saturday night.
Here’s some press clippings from the past...
And one from the present. This is a favorable review from back when they moved into this location last year.
Okay, enough of hanging out in the foyer, let’s go inside and get this party started!
There’s a seat right there in the middle of the bar, just underneath...
The taps and this is one decent selection. I’ve got a feeling there’s a good rating on the way from the Spike-O-Rama Rating System (patent pending.)
I’ve decided to forego my usual Budweiser and I’m getting a Speckled Hen in honor of Gene because I know it’s one of his favorites. Here’s bartender John pouring a glass...
And here it is. John told me he’s also a teacher at Notre Dame High School and that he enjoyed my post about me going back there for a tour of the school I knew as Bergan High School.
Texting alert at the end of the bar! Put your phones away people and enjoy your night out on the town by soaking up the atmosphere instead of staring at your phones.
Here's the view from my perch at the bar.
As you can see, in addition to a wide selection of draft beer, Donnelly's also has a large selction of cans and bottled beer to sample.
A view of the bar from the back of the room.
Put up your dukes, it's the fightin' Irish!
There's wooden tables lined up directly behind the bar.
Booths line the wall that separate the bar from...
The massive dining room in the back. Since the kitchen has now closed, the room is empty, but they pack them in here for lunch and dinner for their spectacular food they serve.
Suddenly...Lincoln!
There's the table where we sampled tenderloins at a few weeks ago. Memories! Hey, I think I see a photo opportunity here...
It's the perfect "money shot!" This is Hayley who was counting up the daily coffers and she told me she also works the dayshift at Proctor's Addiction Recovery Unit. Kind of a transitional job for her, wouldn't you say?
Sean, Maureen, Scott and Sarah were enjoying drinks at this table by the window and both Maureen and Sarah told me that they've read the blog. In fact, Maureen told me that she's the niece of Terry Doyle who we met a couple of months ago here. Which means we have to cue up, "It's A Small World After All." Sorry about that!
When I got back to the bar, John was serving up my cheeseburger, perfect timing!
I got the Shamrock Burger with a side of the homemade potato chips. You can read about it in the review below.
Open sesame...seed bun. It looks great!
It was a delicious pub burger and I had another Speckled Hen for dessert! Cheers and we'll see you all tomorrow!
My Cheeseburger
I ordered the Shamrock Burger, which is a burger topped with cheese, grilled onions and grilled mushrooms. I got mine with pepperjack cheese and it was housed in a fresh, slightly toasted sesame seed bun. It was a stout and tasty burger and it came with an order of homemade potato chips. It’s a good burger, but there’s other entrees on the extensive Donnelly’s menu that outshine this pub staple.
Cheeseburger Rating
It was a good burger, very tasty and I give it the MBIP recommendation, but it just can’t beat the tenderloin or Italian Sausage and it doesn’t hold a candle to the Irish Stew, which is my favorite thing at Donnelly’s.
Donnelly’s Irish Pub
4501 N Rockwood Dr
Peoria, IL 61615
(309) 681-0800
Related Posts: SNC @: New Amsterdam, Agatucci’s and Kenny’s Westside Pub.
Washington, Illinois Tornado Recovery Page
As most of you heard, Central Illinois got whacked by bad weather and tornadoes yesterday. The hardest hit was the nearby town of Washington, Illinois and you can find out how that town is doing and how you can help by following this page: Washington Illinois Tornado Recovery Page.
If you’d like to donate money to help out those affected by the tornado please call: 1-800-RED CROSS and specify that your donation should go directly to Central Illinois Tornado Relief.
Bonus Art From Jaws the Cabbie!
Jaws the Cabbie sent in this piece of art after reading the Mel Gibson, "This Just In," thingy. Great work Jaws, thanks!