The Irish are Here

It’s not often that I review a chain restaurant in this blog. That’s mainly because this is the second restaurant I’ve covered and the first was not a chain. However, being the newest kid in town, Kildare’s, a chain based out of the Philadelphia area, features an ‘authentically Irish’ atmosphere and food – plus some extras.

When you first enter Kildare’s in State College, the first thing you notice is, “Hey! This isn’t Hooters!” But after that wears off, you realize it’s a very nice atmosphere. You’re met with the bar and some tables made out of Guinness barrels (or, at the very least, barrels made to look like Guinness barrels). There are a few different rooms at Kildare’s, ranging from the Public House to the Victorian to the Celtic rooms. I’d describe them in detail but this is a food blog not a home décor blog. Go. Explore. Suffice it to say that each section provides a unique seating that is sure to please nearly every taste. The only downside of the atmosphere at Kildare’s is that usually in the later evening the music is turned to an “I-can’t-hear-myself-think-about-what-I-want-to-eat” volume. But if you go enough, you’ll know before you get there what you want. And, if you go early enough this is not a problem.

They have an array of specials. Mondays generally feature $9.99 entrees (which can usually run from about $11-$18) and $.35 wings. Tuesdays usually are $5.00 Deluxe burgers (unless otherwise noted this is ONLY the Kildare’s Deluxe Burger!); Wednesdays you’ll get some Loaded Fries for $3; Thursdays are half-off Nachos; and Fridays usually involve some sort of entrée and beer pairing by the chef. Each day also features different drink specials. These seem to vary a little bit more so check the website (http://www.kildaresirishpub.com/). So … food time. I’ll give you a day-by-day what to eat. Sort of.

Monday: A few different options here. Laura has said the Fish and Chips are good. I haven’t ordered it myself but I’ve tasted it and since my only other experience with “Irish” Fish and Chips is from the bay city of Galway in Ireland, I can honestly say it’s the best Fish and Chips I’ve had since Galway. But really, if you like fried fish and chips get it. It’s good. Especially if Laura says it is. I, on the other hand, have opted before for the Drunken Steak, which is very good in the Brandy Peppercorn sauce and the mashed potatoes that come with it are phenomenal. Besides, for $9.99, who can beat it? Dave’s recommended the Shepherd’s Pie before but I haven’t had it yet. He says it’s good.

Tuesday: The Kildare’s Deluxe Burger is an excellent option. You can get your burger as beef, turkey, a chicken breast, or a veggie burger. They cover the bases and it costs you the same. This burger is usually moderately priced at $8 anyway but $5 is a good deal. It comes with fries and a pickle – standard burger accoutrements. Laura says the veggie burger combined with the Pepper jack and Guac is worth your time if you’re a vegetarian. Me? I stick with the beef patty. The Mushroom and Swiss burger is awesome. Only once did it not meet my expectations – the Swiss wasn’t properly melted. I forgave that.

Wednesday: Look, just get the fries with or without bacon. They are fantastic and the ranch dressing they give you with it is amazing! It almost makes the fries worth it just to get the dressing.

Thursday: A different take on nachos and a delicious one at that. They use home-made potato chips as the base for the nachos and top them with cheese, sour cream, chives, and some guacamole. At first I wasn’t sure if I’d like the potato chip part. It was a little foreign but it works. The nice part about Kildare’s nachos if you’re a vegetarian (or married to one) is that they automatically are served meat-less. You can add chicken, beef, or pork for a hefty price ($5!). I haven’t tried it with meat because, well, they’re too damn good without it.

Friday: I haven’t been there for the beer/entrée pairing. I’m assuming anything goes well with the Guinness, Smithwick’s, Magners, Harp’s, and various other beers they have on tap. After all, a few of their dishes either have Guinness in the base or a Jameson sauce.

Saturday/Sunday: Get the Irish breakfast. I don’t care if you’re a vegetarian. Get it. Give your best friend the sausage and blood puddings (AND DO NOT LOOK UP WHAT BLOOD PUDDING IS IF YOU HAVE NOT HAD IT BEFORE!!). If you’ve never been to Ireland nor had an Irish breakfast, get it. I’ve been there, I’ve eaten it there, I’ve eaten it in the states and this one is definitely one of the closest to a legitimate Irish breakfast that I’ve had. The only one that compares (and perhaps surpasses) is Granny McCarthy’s Tea Room in Bethlehem, PA. But this is about State College. The eggs are perfect, the sausage reminds me of Ireland, and they include the tomato, which crops up just about everywhere you get an Irish breakfast. Some places give you half cherry tomatoes. Kildare’s springs for half of a large tomato and I appreciate that. If you haven’t guessed yet, this is so far my favorite dish from Kildare’s.

And that’s Kildare’s. Remember three important things:
1. Go early to avoid the noise pollution.
2. Use the specials. It’s semi-expensive otherwise.
3. GET THE IRISH BREAKFAST.