Okay, we’re into our second week of our next dozen weeks of wings and one place I wanted to go to in the first MBIP chicken wing tour was Donnelly’s Irish Pub. A lot of people have suggested Donnelly’s and while I’ve sampled a lot of food through the years at Donnelly’s, I’ve never had their chicken wings. So all that is going to change this week as we head out to Donnelly’s Irish Pub for the second week of this second winged journey. Normally I’d say: “To the MBIP Mobile,” but I’m not saying that today because...
MBIP friend and Contributing Writer, Bob Gordon is driving us and going to be the special guest star on this weekly winged post! It was Bob’s birthday over the weekend, so let’s all give him a super fun big MBIP birthday greeting: “Happy Birthday, Bob!”
It’s an overcast day and no sign of that rotten sunshine! I love it! The only bad thing about this today's adventure is that I have to go to work in a few hours, so no beer on this journey. A chicken wing outing with no beer...so sad!
Drive-by shot of Donnelly’s Irish Pub!
The outside of Donnelly’s is looking quietly festive with red bows and wreaths adorning the windows and door.
Bob is leading the way inside to begin our second week of our second chicken wings tour!
The inner foyer has a sign with drink and food specials on it...
And here’s some press that owners Terry and Molly Donnelly have gathered through the years.
Anna’s at the hostess station looking very pretty and before she sat us down we talked about the MBIP blog and she said she doesn’t like beans in chili either! Looks like we’ve got another person for next year’s holiday beanless chili tour!
We bypassed the main dining room and decided to sit in a booth over here near the far wall.
And Anna is not only the hostess today, she’s also our waitress! Talk about a multi-tasker! She took our order and I thought I’d take a little stroll around since I haven’t been in here for a while.
Here’s the wooden and marble-topped bar up in the front of the restaurant.
Thanksgiving is over and yes, it’s that time of year and Donnelly’s has their festive decorations in place.
Well, actually they were still putting them up, yesterday! Here’s second generation owner, Ryan Donnelly putting up some greens and lights near the ceiling. As you can see, he’s really moving up in the world!
Wreaths hang from the front windows up here opposite the bar.
As you can see, lights and greens are hung all over the pub and it’s certainly got a festive feel inside!
While I was walking around taking photos I ran into owner, Molly Donnelly having a cup of coffee. Great to see Molly and we talked about the first bar that she and her husband, Terry owned before moving into this location a few years ago, The Shamrock. I told her that I started drinking at The Shamrock when I was 16-years-old with a fake I.D. and she just laughed and said she really didn’t need to hear that! She said things are going great here and seeing the crowd today at lunch confirmed that! Great to see a local business like Donnelly’s thriving!
Meanwhile, back at our booth, Anna has arrived with this week’s chicken wings!
Here they are, at Donnelly’s you have two choices of wings to choose from, the original Blarney Wings which are at the top and below are the battered and deep fried wings. Both of them are covered in Ryan’s homemade spicy sauce. They look delicious.
And now we begin the all-important cooling process which normally is a good excuse to have another beer, but sadly I have to work today so...
Anna took a picture of Bob and I with our iced tea and Pepsi instead. Okay, onto the wings!
Both styles of the wings are plump and really juicy and saucy. We got the mild wings and they have a nice hint of spicy flavor, but not overwhelming. Bob and I really enjoyed both styles, but we both agreed that we like the original Blarney Wings the best.
Weekly bones and napkins shot! Thanks to Bob for driving and hanging out and to everyone at Donnelly’s for some great wings and friendly hospitality!
Chicken Wing Rating
Three and a Half Wings Guitar Picks—Bob and I liked the original Blarney Wings the best, but the deep-fried battered wings were tasty too, I suggest you try both styles when you stop in to Donnelly’s! I bet they taste great with beer, but I couldn’t have any beer because I had to work. I really need to stop obsessing over that fact!
Donnelly’s Irish Pub
4501 N Rockwood Drive
Peoria
309-681-0800
Related Post: Twelve More Weeks Of Chicken Wings @ Schooners.