Chief O'Neill's

One on my favorite spots, but the kitchen has seen its share of ups and downs in the past. I recently moved back to Chicago after a 3 year absence and have not stopped in yet. Has anyone been recently?

Thanks,

Mark

I have two distinctly different opinions about Chief O'Neill's:

1) I enjoy drinking there, especially during the warmer months in the beer garden, which is one of the finest in the city.

2) I find their food pretty mediocre. The fish and chips, which I once enjoyed, has been tough and rubbery on my last couple visits. The best thing on their menu is usually whatever stew is being offered or their shepherd's pie. Many people do enjoy their food, as it is clearly a couple steps above normal bar food, but I only eat there when I need to.

Chief O'Neill's Pub
3471 N. Elston Ave.
Chicago, IL
773-473-5263

I recently had a very good skirt steak sandwich spread with some of that cheddar port cheese that your folks used to get in a clay crock for the holidays back in the 70s. It was a surprisingly good combo.

I just recommended their brunch in another thread. I suppose I haven't eaten anything there in a bit over a year now, but when we did go there the food was always quite good.

Aaron, I think you recommended it to me. We had a brunch there so we didn't order off the menu. It was pretty good for a brunch buffet, although a bit eclectic. I do like the atmosphere there alot. That back room is very nice for a medium sized party.

tiapam wrote:It was pretty good for a brunch buffet, although a bit eclectic.

That's pretty much what I thought. I'm really not much of a brunch buffet person--in fact I try mightily to avoid them. I suppose the eclecticism you mention is one of the things I imagine people who fancy buffets enjoy. It is a very nice and comfortable space for sure, and I enjoy the Sunday afternoon sessions, washed down with a pint of Guinness.

I always did like their menu selections better than their brunch, but I can't think of a place where that's not true.

Cheers,

Aaron

Hi,

We went to Chief O'Neill's for lunch yesterday. We sat in the booths by the bar to soak up the beautiful atmosphere.

We did not receive their full menu, rather a truncated one absent of fish and chips, though they had Shepherd's Pie, Irish stew, corned beef sandwiches and hamburgers. In my prior lunch visits, we always received the full menu, which is now reserved for dinner only.

Prior to ordering my 8 ounce Angus hamburger cooked rare. I asked the waitress, "If I request my hamburger rare, will I get rare or will you make it to your standard instead?" "I assure you the hamburger will be cooked to your specificaton." I don't mind if they are going to cook it to their standard, just advise and I will order something else. I just feel ticked when I am assured it will be my way, then they cook it their way. Sure enough yesterday was no exception, my rare was really more medium. My friend's medium was well done. When I pointed it out to the waitress, "Well, I don't cook the hamburgers myself."

The cheddar cheese and Guinness soup was great. I'll pass on the hamburger.

Regards,

I also really like "the Chief's." I started going there a few years ago because I like the cozy atmosphere and traditional music. I must say that when the restaurant opened the food was good (and I believe had several good reviews). Over the last year to year and one-half the food has really gone down. The menu has changed quite drastically to basic pub grub which is quite different than the somewhat upscale menu with which the restaurant opened.

Perhaps that is just a reflection of the average customer's tastes; however, I feel the quality of just about everything on the menu has also likewise dropped. I had chalked this up to a change of chefs but I noted that the last time I was in, the chef that had left 7-8 months earlier was back-and the food was till mediocre.

I still enjoy the brunch and the St. Patrick's day festivities remind me of parties in my grandparents basement . The food at last year's St. Patrick's day buffet was actually pretty good.

I wonder what the issue is with the ownership? Are they banking on the sheer Irish-appeal and just not keeping up with the food? Does the neighborhood dictate uninspired pub grub?

I took my parents here for Thanksgiving dunch and was really pleased. I thought it was a little pricey until I got my massive portion of Irish Stew; okay, $20 is high for lunch, but I wasn't hungry until evening, and it was awesome, loaded with Guinness-infused barley and tender chunks of lamb.
They decorate so beautifully there for Christmas, and we were near the fireplace...I am so glad we're within walking distance!