Donnelly’s Irish Pub started out as The Shamrock here in Peoria back in 1970.

In 2013 they moved from their Renwood location off of Glen Avenue to their current location on Rockwood off of Sterling Avenue across from Northwoods Mall. The pub was originally owned and founded by Terry and Molly Donnelly and their son Ryan has taken over and now runs the operation there.

I’ve always loved their fried chicken and was going to go there and feature it on the MBIP 13 month chicken tour back in September of 2018. I had told Ryan I’d be stopping in and he suggested I try their Waterford Chicken Sandwich, which is one of the few things on the menu I had never eaten. So I went with my friends Amber and Joe and tried it out and it turned out to be one of the best sandwiches I’ve ever had the pleasure to sink my choppers in to!

And so that is why it gets the spotlight on today’s Sandwiches of Peoria!

There’s Donnelly’s Irish Pub, all lit up in its splendid Irish glory!

My friends Amber and Joe joined me on this fowl expedition and here they are hoisting up their pints of beer!

In addition to the sandwich we also sampled their fried chicken, but it was the sandwich that got featured on the post.

The Waterford Chicken Sandwich is Ryan Donnelly’s personal recipe and creation.

The sandwich consists of a marinated chicken breast, and it’s topped with crisp smoky bacon, sautéed mushrooms, pepper jack cheese and a homemade chipotle mayo.

This is an incredible chicken sandwich and you can’t find it anywhere else in town!

The chicken was tender and juicy and the bacon, cheese and fresh mushrooms added tasty layers to the flavor. The bun was toasted and bakery fresh and the somewhat spicy homemade chipotle mayo took it over the top into a land of deliciousness that few tastebuds have ever entered!

Truly a unique and tasty sandwich that can only be found at Donnelly’s Irish Pub, right here in Peoria!