O'Niell's Irish Pub

Community is key at the new O'Niell's Irish Pub on Juan Tabo -- from the building that was either built by the O'Niell family or used local craftsmen, to the 60-foot covered patio with water cascading down a brick wall and soon to be surrounded by comfortable couches, or the dog friendly patio where neighbors and their pets and dine together.

"We are really excited about the patio," said Robert Munro, managing member of the pub.  "We really think it is going to be something else."

O'Niell's opened the new location on Juan Tabo between Menaul and Candelaria on May 5, 2010 and, almost immediately, it was packed with locals excited about the new addition to the neighborhood.

Ok, not quite everything is about the community. There is also the amazing food that is an infusion of Irish into other ethnic dishes, a wide assortment of spirits, more than 30 beers on tap and a more than 100 additional assortments of bottled beer.

Dishes like the creamy Spicy Macaroni and Cheese with sautéed mushrooms, broccoli and tomatoes ($9.95), the Corned Beef and Cabbage Egg Rolls ($7.95), or the award-winning O'Niell's Burger in Paradise with lettuce, onion, tomato, American cheese, bacon and green chili on a Kaiser roll ($7.95) prove that a hint of Celtic food mixed with American, Mexican or other cultures can create a dining experience worth trying.

"We capitalize on our food being reasonably priced staple food," Munro said. "There are no $14 sandwiches here, but we have $8 or $9 sandwiches that will knock your socks off.

"Once the burger has your palate screaming for more, then ask one of the knowledgeable staff members to suggest the perfect beer to pair it with and "Wowzers!" Munro said.

After dinner, Munro suggests sipping the Delirium Tremens Belgian Ale ($9 a bottle) with The Celebration ($6.95 for a half order or $9.95 for a full order large enough to feed four people), a huge mountain of chocolate cake, ice cream and fruit. The Delirium Tremens is considered by many to be the best beer in the world due to the many flavors and layers of flavors, Munro said.

"It's an experience in a bottle," Munro said. "The fruit and herb tones are typical of Belgian style beer. It is delicate enough for a desert beer and brings you more flavors in the desert than before. It will awaken those taste buds."

- by Julie Medina, Albuquerque Reporter for HelloMetro  (Click to leave a message)

Julie Medina

Julie Medina has experience as a reporter at the Albuquerque Journal and has written freelance articles for the Albuquerque Tribune, Albuquerque the Magazine, New Mexico Magazine and New Mexico Kids Magazine. She graduated Summa Cum Laude with a degree in print journalism from the University of New Mexico in 2008. She has lived in Albuquerque since 1984 and believes it is best to remember to play like a tourist in your own hometown so you don't forget the vast culture around you.