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Irving Park (Blue)
Mon-Fri. 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 a.m.
Sat. 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 a.m.
Sun. 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 a.m.
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Tater tots.
Cheap pint sized drinks.
Free dart board.
Daily specials.
Did I mention TATER TOTS?!
I WILL be back.
Some friends of ours live in the area and threw an engagement get together there. I'm always excited about a get together at a dive bar. I went through one-of-those phases back in the day where I thought corner bars were gross. Now that I'm in my 30's... I just want a seat.
The bartender was super nice. Attentive, made good drinks. That's pretty much all you can ask for as far as I'm concerned.
They have a little beer garden. It's not much to speak of but at least it's there.
It didn't appear they had much of a selection of beers on tap... but then again, I don't drink beer so I don't care.
Oh yes... I'll be back...
We went here all summer with promises from the manager to sponsor our softball team~~~broken promises!!!!!!!! We almost always had 10+ people eating & drinking after each game and we would spend a pretty decent amount of $$$ every week.
They've raised the prices (again) and changed the specials (stupid move!!!)
I used to like the bar until Chris dicked us over.
Decent spot. They made a spicy, strong bloody Mary for four bones. It made my ears burn. Darts and ping pong and vaguely music snob soundtrack, oh my.
The menu looks pretty dern good for bar food, but the kitchen was closed when we arrived. Any joint that serves stuffed jalapenos is a-ok with me.
I've had enough drinks and food at this place and truly have never left unhappy. Everything on their menu is good and Pat's ribs, when available, are incredible. The beer list is always changing a couple of taps at a time and you don't have to strain your neck to catch any game cuz of approx 10 flat screens.
To top it off, Chris and the crew filled a pretty good size order for our Halloween party and the food was inhaled and perfect. We, and our guests, were shocked at the quantity and dove right in. Great service again. Keep it up.
One word....tots.
The tater tots at Paddy Macs give this guy a bone!
Seriously, they're good. Crunchy, moist, steamy. Just the right amount of spice. Portion control is uncontrolled. Yum.
Monday night was the first (but not last) time I have been to Paddy Macs. Our good friends got engaged that night so we all partied at Paddy's since it's their favorite bar and the location of their first date.
My wife Yelped the place so we knew before hand it was cash only and they had a dart board. Two good things to know for us bar vets. Our friends have raved about the food every time they mention the place so we were looking forward to chowing down.
That was until we started drinking. Food just kills your buzz, right? We did order some tater tots to munch and help us keep balance. I thought I died and went to heaven! Everything stopped and went quiet. The sounds of MNF faded into the glorious crunch of tater tots in my mouth.
But I digress.
I will definitely try the $3 burger and fries special on Monday night or the 0.35 wings on Tuesdays or both. The burgers looked large and juicy with a generous slice of cheese. Didn't see the wings but what goes better with beer?
Plenty or bar space, ample flat screen TVs, pool table and darts, and even a beer garden round out this incredible neighborhood hideout.
Mmmmm... beer.
Did you know that "Chicago Style Irish Sports Bar" is an international marketing term? We take places like this for granted. You know exactly what I'm talking about. About the only thing Irish about these places is Guiness on tap. Maybe you'll find a shamrock above the bar. They're everywhere in Chicago. It's only when you leave Chicago and go somewhere like China that you really start to appreciate the "Chicago Style Irish Sports Bar".
Paddy Mac's is like all the other bars in the genre except one thing, the food. The menu isn't anything special. It's how it's cooked. I have seen the same person in the open-air kitchen each of the dozen or so times I've been here. The key to great fried food is to fry it at a very high tempurature. That way the food is crisp and crunchy w/o being greasy. This guy knows how to fry! Also the portions are huge for the lowish prices. You gotta love any place you can get a good meal and get your drink on for less the $20 esp. w/ the weekly specials. Good cheap food and beer is what makes this a great "Chicago Style Irish Sports Bar"! Just make sure you leave a couple of pesos in the cooks tip jar on the way out!
My fav neighborhood spot. Not only are the drinks very inexpensive but the bartenders are friendly and always treat their patrons with attention.
But lets get to the food.
The food here is awesome. That is what is driving this 5 star rating. When was the last time you ate tater tots? Prior to this gem of a discovery, my last time was the grade school cafeteria. But Paddy's does it right. Extra crisp and light to accompany what I believe are the most excellent burgers in all of pubdom! Go with the Paddy Burger and all your problems in the world disappear. Their buff wings are also quite phenomenal. But bottom line, you really can't go wrong here. Many times people just drink here while they wait for the food.
Great place to grab a night cap before heading home or starting the afternoon before heading to a ballgame.
CASH ONLY bar. I cannot remember the last time I went to a pub that was cash only. I didn't enjoy that too much.
Customer Service - 0 Stars
We walked in and no one seemed to want to make eye contact with us non-regulars. It took several minutes for someone to come by even though there were only 5 other customers there at the time. I'm not sure if he was the manager, but he told this other guy to take our order. Guy number 2 said ok... but we weren't sure what to get. Guy number 1 told Guy 2 to give us a sample of Shiner beer. That was pretty nice of him! It wasn't bad. Once we tried it, we decided we'd order that.
No one had given us a menu, so I went to the bar to ask for one and Guy 2 handed it to me. The burgers looked good, so once I knew what I wanted, I set the menu down on my table. We sat there for about 15 min and Guy 2 wouldn't wait on us. I finally went up to the bar and ordered. After we finished eating, he asked if we needed anything else. We said we were done. He went back to the bar and did not bring us the check. Another 5 minutes passed and Girl 1 came by and asked if we needed our bill and we said yes. No one said goodbye or thanks when we left.
Food - 2 stars
The best part was the side of coleslaw. I had the 1/2 lb burger. I was happy to see that it was real beef (none of that processed crap) but I did not like the way they seasoned it. It tasted like they only used black pepper and no salt. The bun fell apart. The fries were fresh, but nothing special. The tots were also not all that special. Celtic Crown kicks the pants off these fries and burgers.
Drink - 2 stars
The selection of bottled beer is not too wide. Mostly domestics. I love Stella, Newcastle, Dos Equis, Red Stripe... etc. They had none of those. I tried the Shiner on draft on suggestion of Guy 1. It was pretty good but nothing I'd have again.
Ambiance - 1 star
I know this is a pub and it's not really fancy or anything. I like rustic, old/comfy places just fine. But this place was not too inviting. The seats were uncomfortable and the table was not really a table. It looked like a very narrow countertop. It was definitely less than 2 feet wide, so it felt a bit cramped.
I'm glad I tried something new, but I will not be coming here again. I will have to put up with the slowness of Celtic Crown if I want a good pub burger in the future. At least the rest makes up for it.
This is an awesome neighborhood bar! its aonvenintly by the Blue line and a total neighborhood joint.
They have daily food specials.....
and a beer of the month which in July is Leinenkugel Summer Shandy!! a pint for $3.00
go enjoy watch a game with some bar food and the beer of the month SUmmer Shandy!!
Paddy Mac's is maybe the greatest neighborhood bar in the city. Certainly my favorite.
I lived in Irving Park for two years, and this was my hangout. You could roll in here by yourself on a random night and have a great time. Staff is easy going and doesn't gouge the customers. Best greasy bar food in the city, although I agree the BBQ chicken sandwich isn't the best.
Try the burgers. Quesadillas are good too.
And yes, it's CASH ONLY. So what? One less way to gouge the customer with "mimimum $20 charges" or the like.
I miss this place and need to make a pilgrimage back.
I can't believe all the 5 star reviews for this place. Maybe we just went on an off day or something, but our food was absolutely terrible. My husband got the buffalo chicken sandwich, which was completely drenched with a "hot" sauce. It was ridiculous, the thing was dripping all over and tasted like pure vinegar. He couldn't even finish the thing because it kept falling apart due to the massive amount of sauce- yuck. My hamburger was so bland that I didn't even want to eat it all. It just tasted like pepper. My husband finished it for me after a much needed break from all that vinegar.
I know I shouldn't review a bar just based on the food it serves, but we went here because of all the reviews saying how great everything tasted. Big disappointment. Their beer selection is lacking, and out of the bottled beer they do carry, they were out of 2 of them. The bartender, however, was extremely friendly and accommodating and the only reason this review is 3 stars and not 2.
A true neighborhood bar. When I first moved to the city when I was 18, I moved a block away from Paddy Macs. After 7 years I still come here a couple times a week. Everybody is very friendly and nice. The patio in the summer is the place to be.
The food is good, but it becomes great after the master cook Louie is done with it, and don't forget to tip him. The master chef of neighborhood bars. The half slab of ribs for $8.50 is the way to go. You won't be dissapointed. Paddy Macs has about 10 beers on tap and they change about 2 of them every couple months. There is also a beer of the month that is $3.00 all day every day. Also if you do order food, tip the cook before it comes out (hint).
Never too crowded and has a great weekend crowd. A great place to pre-game or stay all night. Bags will be going in the summer and beer pong happens on Mondays.
My business is located a half a block from this place! I order from this place quite a bit and I stop in here for the odd Cubs game too. It's a clean, local kind of place, serving great food, great service and very good prices too.
They actually have some pretty large flat screen TV's for all your viewing pleasures, and the atmosphere is for the most part friendly. Pat (the head bartender) is a cool guy, who is very s service oriented guy and always remembers your face!
The cook is always working his A$$ off, but he does a great job. You have to try his BLT, it's probably the best in the city! Also, ask Pat to whip you up an 'Arnold Palmer' drink (spiked or virgin) for a refreshing sip to wash it all down.
I'm very thankful for Paddy Mac's cuz of it's great food, close location, and easy service!
Meet me here for a Cub's playoff game and I'll buy you a drink!
Brian M.
When I walked in I was stared at like I was an alien. I'm figuring because I was new and not a regular here. I think that is why also, no one waited on me. I sat at a table and had to approach the bar for everything. No one wanted to even make eye contact with me. The bun of the burger fell apart. The meat tasted good, but you can't very well eat it, if the bun won't hold it. Very disappointing. I couldn't believe how rude the people were here. Why would you treat a new customer this way? Every regular was obviously a new customer at some point. I heard this is the same owner of McNamara's. Now I see a sad similarity in the two.
I'm always happy to come to Paddy's - they have good food (tator tots!), a full bar with a good beer selection, and it's drunk and stumbling distance home.
The only thing I'd like added would be for them to take credit cards, because they're cash only. But this won't stop me from going.
Six bucks will get you a giant burger with all the trimmings and a heap of the best tator tots in town. There is nothing bad to say about this place, I love it here! The burgers are good and even their chicken sandwiches are marinated with fresh rosemary. This is a pub with a little grill in the corner but they take their food seriously. Yum!
I was not expecting to like this place- I am so over the whole "Irish Bar" genre, but this place has a very rock n' roll vibe & young, friendly clientele & bartender. Loved the "whose your paddy" shirt. Bartender PJ knew his beers and was great to shoot the shit with. I withhold my final star until I try the food- I hear it's awesome. Will definitely be back.
This is your basic bar. They have daily food specials, a sidewalk patio, good selection of beers and spirits. It's so stereotypical you can almost imagine it having never been there. Good place to watch the game. It is the neighborhood bar. What more can I say?
The burger here is excellent, I enjoyed a good amount of the food here actually. Food and bars usually don't go hand in hand but this place has it down, nice and salty food that makes you thirsty for beer. The beer selection is decent, but not great, but most can find a good beer to fit their palette.
But yeah, burgers and beer. Very Chicago.
We go to Paddy Mac's exclusively in the summer. It used to be due to the smoking laws (with 3 small children, we don't want to expose their wee little lungs to cigarette smoke), but now it's just because it's nicer outside. The burgers are great, and my kids love the tater tots. But the service is S-L-O-W. I often go in and order at the bar directly to speed the process along. On Monday nights, they have food specials. My only other complaint about this place is that when you are sitting on the patio, you have to deal with the noise pollution from cars pumping the bass as they are waiting for the light to turn.
Nice neighborhood bar, within stumbling distance of my condo. Good food, the burger specials on Mondays and the Friday fish fry are worth the trip, and they have good deals on their beer of the month. A good place to have a couple beers, grab a bite, and watch the game. Outdoor seating in good weather.
Calling this place irish is a bit of a stretch, though. Green paint , brass hardware, and an irish-sounding name doesn't make it an Irish pub.
The best (or only option) in my neighborhood.
I live in Albany Park, just off of Montrose between Pulaski and Central Park, and there is not much in the way of nightlife around. I discovered Paddy Mac's while out and about two years ago and it is the perfect neighborhood bar.
The beer prices are great and the food is very good (although I've had some not so good things there too). I love that tater tots come with the sandwiches!
It's the kind of place where everyone will know your name if you go there enough. Unfortunately I don't go there enough, but still love it :)
Yummy, Yummy, Yummy Nacho platter and Guiness Beer. And the Nacho platter is only $2.50 on Wednesday nights. That is all. Nothing more to report.
Yes, I love this bar. I love this bar so much I threw my dad's 60th surprise birthday here. Why? Because it is a simple, low key place, no frills, the staff is EXTREMELY friendly, the drinks are cheap and the food is my favorite kind of food...PUB GRUB..burgers, wings, fries...um Taco night and the item that filled a hole in my heart TATER TOTS. Now to each is own but I love this place. Chris is the new manager...what a blessing, things haven't changed but you can feel a difference plus its nice when people get to know your face and treat you like family. Chris helped place the party for my dad and he was cool enough to have the cook make mini cheeseburgers for my dad. It was a great party! It was the first time my Dad in his 60 years did a jager bomb and I am glad it was at Paddy Mac's. Check it out in the summer time..they have an outdoor patio. Nothing says summer like "The Drink of Summer" and the nacho platter....no jokes aside there is a "Drink of Summer." I personally call it OIP Punch....if you live in OIP you know what I mean.
PS the regulars will not treat you like you don't belong.....
Has cheap food that is also delicious and will fill you up. Some good drink specials as well, but it's all pretty reasonably priced. A few TV's for watching sports and a jukebox. What more do you want from a local bar?
Eh. I frequent another bar in the neighborhood, and after hearing several people RAVE about Paddy Mac's food, I gave it a try. I was with a group of three or four friends who live in the hood, none of whom are regulars, and I kinda feel like we were being scrutinized or given some shade on the way in, but that could be my imagination. Service was so-so (they're a little lax on the intro.....wait for menu, kinda long wait for drinks considering the crowd-to-staff ratio). Grub was thoroughly average bar food (though the nachos were quite generous with toppings), the mixed-appetizer thing was served coldish, with hollow no-cheese sticks. I guess I should try the burgers, though apparently they've switched to pretzel rolls (a la Kuma's), which are not going so well. I WILL try them again, hopefully with better results. Service just seemed kind of indifferent, food was so-so and I felt, I dunno, a bit ostracized for a normal-looking guy.
Cheap, Cheap, Cheap and decent. You cannot beat the price here. Typical smokey sports bar with decent food and incredible prices. If you live in this area, this is a great spot.
A neighborhood bar with surprisingly great food. While I haven't been in here on a Friday or Saturday night, any time I have been here the food has been very good, and very cheap. They have fresh shrimp and oysters, and the burgers and wings are both homemade and fresh. The beer selection is normal for a smokey, neighborhood joint.
Exactly what I expected out of this long-standing neighborhood pup. Decent food, good beer selection and specials. Pool, darts, HDTV's all around. Great for watchin the game or stopping for a beer on the way home! :D
This local watering hole was formerly named Keysters, and not much has changed except for the name and perhaps a few extra promotions. Get a beer (pretty good selection here), order some bar food like burgers and chicken wings, and play some darts. A few patio seats are set up on the side street during the warmer months.
I love this local hotspot.. In the summer I cam bring my dog to the beer garden. Everyone mistakes her for the Bartenders dog... so she gets a lot of attention. I have spend alot of long nights there and can stumble home and return for my car the next day. I haven't been there much lately since my ex lives across the street and spends most night there. It has a great mix of people of all ages and you are likely to get into a spirited conversation with some of the regulars. the service is good, the food is fantastic and its very reasonable. There are always drinks specials as well. They used to always have some pools going during Da Bears games but I haven't bee there this season to see if they are still going on.
Best burgers and tator tots in town.
Great burger! I can't figure out what they put in here but it is good. Prices and service are good and beer is aplenty - good for a Sunday afternoon of hanging out. If I lived in the area this would be a definite go-to.
Food Specials
Neighborhood: Lincoln Park
$4 x $4 Every Day
Neighborhood: Logan Square
Neighborhood: Irving Park
Category: Pubs
Neighborhood: Portage Park
Category: Restaurants
Neighborhood: Portage Park
Category: Pubs
Neighborhood: Irving Park
Category: Pubs
Neighborhood: Jefferson Park
Category: Irish
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