Jack Quinn's Irish Ale House

After seeing a flick at Kimball’s with some Mensa buds, some of them, Mike and I popped around the corner to Jack Quinn’s after the show. Jack Quinn’s is a cozy Irish pub right downtown. We’ve never had a bad meal there (and this was no exception); they feature Irish music several days a week and sponsor a running club that has grown to huge proportions!

We happened to hit the last day of their annual OysterFest.  Jack Quinn’s holds their OysterFest so it coincides with the Galway, Ireland International Oyster Fest, which started in 1953 when a hotel owner in Galway was trying to figure out how to fill the rooms. His chef suggested including oysters on the menu, as they were just coming into season.  Voila – Oyster Fest is born!

If I remember correctly, this is Jack Quinn’s 13^th OysterFest. They supplement their normal menus with a variety of oyster dishes – from cooked, to fried, to raw!

So anyway, after ordering drinks (mostly beers), we shared the OysterFest menu.  Al, who doesn’t indulge in the treasures from the sea, ordered a sandwich while the rest of us each ordered a different oyster appetizer.

While all the appetizers were all good – oysters Rockefeller, oysters with spinach and cheese, and raw oysters, the angels on horseback took the prize.  Bacon and oysters just seem to go together. Now, these weren’t just oysters wrapped in bacon – they were oysters on a piece of crostini covered with a slice of bacon.  Our only complaint was that the bacon was not done quite enough – but even so, they were very good.  Good enough that we ordered some more!

Al enjoyed his sandwich – and Art had a squash soup that he said was excellent (nicely spiced).  Between the good company, excellent beer and fine food – we once again had an enjoyable meal at Jack Quinn’s.

So – Jack Quinn’s stays on the Do Again list … especially since I just added an Outlook calendar reminder to visit them next year during OysterFest!