In this heartfelt narrative, let’s embark on a delightful culinary experience as we stumble upon O’Connell’s Irish Pub, an unassuming gem nestled just a half mile from the scenic St. Louis Botanical Garden. With its nondescript location and old-world charm, O’Connell’s offers a refreshing break from the typical bustling day restaurants.
It all began after spending three hours exploring the enchanting beauty of the St. Louis Botanical Garden. Our hunger pangs led us to search for nearby dining options, and Google led us to O’Connell’s, an Irish Pub that promised a delectable meal to satisfy our appetites.
Reminiscent of the classic storefronts
As we approached the pub, the storefront took us back in time, reminiscent of the classic storefronts I fondly remember from my childhood in the Chicago area during the 1950s. Stepping inside, we were greeted with a dimly lit ambiance that exuded an old-world charm, transporting us to a bygone era.
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Unlike the hurried atmosphere of typical day restaurants, O’Connell’s offered a cozy and leisurely setting that invited us to relish every moment of our dining experience. To navigate the menu, we even had to rely on the flashlight feature of our phones, adding to the sense of adventure and discovery.
As a fan of chicken wings, I couldn’t resist ordering a plate of their meaty and succulent chicken wings. Accompanying it with a pint of Smithwick’s, I savored the ale’s delightful flavor, similar to Guinness but with a slightly lighter and less bitter taste.
Sweet Buffalo favor
One standout feature was the sauce accompanying the chicken wings. Aptly described as a “St. Louis favor,” it resembled Buffalo sauce with a delightful twist of sweetness. The combination of flavors left our taste buds craving for more, adding to the overall enjoyment of our lunch.
While I enjoyed my wings, others in our group opted for classic choices like burgers, cheeseburgers, and roast beef sandwiches. Each dish was prepared with care and attention to detail, promising a wholesome and satisfying meal for everyone.
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As we relished our meals and soaked in the cozy atmosphere, we couldn’t help but appreciate the timeless charm of O’Connell’s. With over 50 years of history, this Irish Pub has perfected the art of offering its patrons an authentic and delightful dining experience.
We’ll be back
With our hearts and appetites fulfilled, we left O’Connell’s with a promise to return whenever we find ourselves in the area. Its warm ambiance, delectable offerings, and rich history have etched a special place in our hearts, making it a top choice for future meals.
In conclusion, O’Connell’s Irish Pub was a delightful surprise, hidden just a stone’s throw away from the enchanting St. Louis Botanical Garden. With its old-world charm, hearty cuisine, and inviting atmosphere, it’s a culinary haven that we wholeheartedly recommend to fellow travelers and locals alike.
A great day
We hope you are enjoying these articles and are willing to continue to follow along as we move through the process of selling our house, buying a new house (to become our home), and the adventures of learning about life in southern Illinois, Bruce & Karen.
We’re Bruce and Karen Carlson. We recently moved to the Metro East area of Illinois. This area is east of St. Louis from the Mississippi River north to Alton, east to Carlyle, back south to Waterloo and the Mississippi River, finally north to Columbia. The center is Fairview Heights, Swansea, Belleville, Shiloh, and O'Fallon. Not to be forgotten is Southern Illinois University (SIU) in Edwardsville. It’s a whole new world out there. Our goal with this website is to share our exploration of the Metro East area. As we find businesses and services we use in our daily lives, we’ll share how these businesses and services have helped make our lives better and easier to live.
We’re calling our move to the Metro East area retirement, but we’re not quite sure what that means. By sharing our story with you, we hope you too will gain a better sense of what the Metro East area has to offer and how their businesses and services can improve your lives and build a better community.
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