Duffy's Tavern
Recent ratings and reviews.
Reviewed by emerge077 from Illinois
4.1/5 rDev +4.3%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5
4.1/5 rDev +4.3%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5
December 2018:
So long Duffy's. The owner decided to retire, and sold the business to Lodi Tap House. The silver lining is that there will still be a locally focused craft selection and the classic Duffy's reuben will stay on the menu too. Sadly the large collection of antiques and firefighter memorabilia were thought to remain, but were auctioned off in March 2019.
March 2017:
Stopped at Duffy's last weekend, they had a special St. Patrick's Day menu and a few nice beers on.
An oaked Irish stout from Bent River, Plead the 5th, DH One Oatmeal Stout, Hopslam, Radium City, and a few others.
Menu included a beef & lamb Irish stew, shepherd's pie, and a corned beef dinner that was served on an 18" platter.
Corned beef sandwich was as good as ever, tender and thick cut, juicy and well seasoned. Fried pickles were good too.
Still the best spot in town for craft beer and a corned beef/rueben.
Dec 28, 2009
Duffy's is a diamond in the rough in the small town of Utica near Starved Rock state park.
It seems to attract locals, families, and tourists alike, and for good reason. It has an authentic worn-in charm, as if it's been here for decades, and will be for years to come. It's a wedge shaped building that dates back to 1892, and has survived a deadly tornado in 2004. The corner entrance was draped in pine boughs and holiday decor. Once inside, the long antique bar extends to the left, with table and booth seating along the wall on the right. Tin ceilings above. Next to our table there was a framed old beer label for "Shabbona Brew" from Ottawa Brewing Co., "2 3/4% abv." Above the bar there were all sorts of dusty antique instruments, and vintage decor in general.
The 16 taps rotate frequently I was told, with Dark Horse, Southern Tier, Capital, Founders, Rogue, and a few other crafts. The house beers were actually Warsteiner Dunkel, and Leinies Special Amber. They also had O'Haras and the obligatory Irish taps. Bottle selection was "extensive" I was told, but there was no list, so that was hard to verify. The bartender mentioned about 5 different Oktoberfests, one on special for only $2. Pints of Crooked Tree IPA and Capital Winter Skål were $4.
The service was timely, and the food was excellent. I had the corned beef sandwich, which was a thick lean cut with a tender texture. The complimentary bread basket was a nice touch also. I'll be back here as often as I can for an authentic small town tavern experience.
Dec 29, 2009So long Duffy's. The owner decided to retire, and sold the business to Lodi Tap House. The silver lining is that there will still be a locally focused craft selection and the classic Duffy's reuben will stay on the menu too. Sadly the large collection of antiques and firefighter memorabilia were thought to remain, but were auctioned off in March 2019.
March 2017:
Stopped at Duffy's last weekend, they had a special St. Patrick's Day menu and a few nice beers on.
An oaked Irish stout from Bent River, Plead the 5th, DH One Oatmeal Stout, Hopslam, Radium City, and a few others.
Menu included a beef & lamb Irish stew, shepherd's pie, and a corned beef dinner that was served on an 18" platter.
Corned beef sandwich was as good as ever, tender and thick cut, juicy and well seasoned. Fried pickles were good too.
Still the best spot in town for craft beer and a corned beef/rueben.
Dec 28, 2009
Duffy's is a diamond in the rough in the small town of Utica near Starved Rock state park.
It seems to attract locals, families, and tourists alike, and for good reason. It has an authentic worn-in charm, as if it's been here for decades, and will be for years to come. It's a wedge shaped building that dates back to 1892, and has survived a deadly tornado in 2004. The corner entrance was draped in pine boughs and holiday decor. Once inside, the long antique bar extends to the left, with table and booth seating along the wall on the right. Tin ceilings above. Next to our table there was a framed old beer label for "Shabbona Brew" from Ottawa Brewing Co., "2 3/4% abv." Above the bar there were all sorts of dusty antique instruments, and vintage decor in general.
The 16 taps rotate frequently I was told, with Dark Horse, Southern Tier, Capital, Founders, Rogue, and a few other crafts. The house beers were actually Warsteiner Dunkel, and Leinies Special Amber. They also had O'Haras and the obligatory Irish taps. Bottle selection was "extensive" I was told, but there was no list, so that was hard to verify. The bartender mentioned about 5 different Oktoberfests, one on special for only $2. Pints of Crooked Tree IPA and Capital Winter Skål were $4.
The service was timely, and the food was excellent. I had the corned beef sandwich, which was a thick lean cut with a tender texture. The complimentary bread basket was a nice touch also. I'll be back here as often as I can for an authentic small town tavern experience.
Reviewed by IceHog from Illinois
3.75/5 rDev -4.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3 | food: 4
3.75/5 rDev -4.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3 | food: 4
Duffy's Tavern is a good place to visit if your in the Starved Rock area (staying at the Starved Rock Hotel, Grand Bear Lodge or any of the smaller hotels and B&B's in the area. Duffy's has 16 beers on tap. Usually at least a couple of Macro brews, a few stouts, and an assortment of craft brews (that rotate quickly) on tap, plus a good variety of bottled beers. The food is always good. Service is friendly and unless they are packed, relatively quick. Sandwiches & Burgers are good and the dinner specials are usually very good. Try the Corned Beef Dinner (It is an Irish pub) or the Prime Rib.
Also, Duffy's has a beer pairing dinner about every other month.
Sep 30, 2009Also, Duffy's has a beer pairing dinner about every other month.
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