As I write this, I’m sampling the fare of newish-to-town Lucky’s 13 Pub from one of their open-facing half-booths, which line all the walls in the bar. A faux clay-tile ceiling and brick façade on walls, as well as a wood-paneled bar, brings home the feel of the Irish this time of year.
If you’re like me, contemplating the best place to spend St. Patty’s Day when it falls on a weekend, consider the upcoming Leprechaun Rock Fest at Lucky’s, which promises to be something of a battle of the bands, with different artists performing about every two hours from 4 p.m. to close March 16. The pub will be serving corn beef and cabbage, as well as the requisite green beer, all weekend long.
Lucky’s is a happy mix of American sports bar meets Ireland: Two-paddled fans sway gently above, all powered by the same pulley system. Yet there are no fewer than seven large flat-screens at all angles, juxtaposed by dark-framed black-and-white family photos throughout.
My “light” lunch consisted of an entire bowl of the fresh, crisp popcorn placed at every table upon arrival. The secret here is the coconut oil it’s popped in. This was followed by what I thought was a fair order: a cup (read: crock) of the famous chili, a three-meat, two-bean, medium-heat blend that’s smothered in Fritos and at least two cheeses. My dessert was a sampling of the loaded tater tots, which being homemade are not just topped but stuffed with delicious oozing cream cheese, bacon bits and seasonings. An accompaniment of only the dill sour cream will do (sorry Heinz).
Other highlights:
- Lunch prices range from $6.30 (salads) to $18 (walleye sandwich).
- EAT: The afore-mentioned homemade tater tots are a best-seller; deep-fried pickles; hand-carved sandwiches cooked fresh daily on the churrasco grill; smothered pub sandwiches in all selections of meat imaginable come topped with mushrooms, onions and Velveeta cheese sauce; turkey and wild rice soup is surprisngly prepared with almonds; bacon-wrapped blue-ribbon meatloaf; a long burger list (some juicy lucy-style); a grilled cheese made with four cheeses, tomato and guacamole; and pulled pork served on apple-fritter bread.
- DRINK: A decent beer list including Rush River, Lucid, Bells Two Hearted and Deschutes on tap; an infamous collection of bloody marys (the weekends-only BLT bloody is a must-try); hand-crafted cocktails; and the intentionally ambiguous Lucky’s Punch (Wapatui-style, serving four).
- BE MERRY: Daily specials, my favorite of which accompanies bingo at 7 p.m. Wednesdays
- KIDS: Each gets to pick a toy from the treasure chest (no slouch, either, as full coloring books, pen sets, toys await) upon arrival or as leaving
