JK O’Donnell’s
121 West Wayne St (downtown across from Tuscani)
WWW.JKODONNELLS.COM
Environment
JK O’Donnell’s comes across as a very nice version of an American
Irish Pub and eatery. They are located in the heart of downtown Fort Wayne,
but it is not by any means a place you would not feel comfortable showing up
in blue jeans and a rugby shirt for a pint with your mates. The atmosphere
there is very much one of a place where everyone is welcome. You have people
eating dinner along side of guys drinking their beers and shouting and cheering
for their favorite rugby or soccer team broadcast on the Sentanta Sports Channel
on any number of flat screen TVs throughout the bar and restaurant.
Food
Their beer and wine list is very impressive, listing many traditional Irish
and European beers, lagers, and pilsners. (see link above for their complete
menu and beer/wine list.) The food menu as well contains many traditional Irish
dishes such as Irish Stew, Shepard’s Pie, Corned Beef and Cabbage, and
Fish and Chips.
I chose to try a half order of the traditional Fish and Chips. It is a generous
Cod Fillet coated with a homemade batter and deep fried. It is served with
their pub chips (otherwise known as steak fries) and their JK slaw. The Cod
Fillet was rather good, I must say that I am sometimes leery of fish, but this
was not fishy at all and I really enjoyed it. The chips however were just simple
steak fries, nothing special but they were good as well. I did however, appreciate
the side of JK slaw which is a red cabbage chunky slaw with a creamy
dressing that was very delicious. The Fish and Chips runs $16 for a full order
or $10 for a half order.
JK O’Donnell’s does have a limited desert and coffee menu if you
would prefer to just check them out for desert and coffee with a friend. They
offer a traditional bread pudding, peanut butter pie, fruit crumble and a few
others. I was really looking forward to trying the bread pudding, however they
seemed to have run out of it the night that I was there, so I will have to
try it another time and let you know how it is.
If you are looking for a new place to try, or looking to try some traditional
Irish dishes, or are just looking for a place that serves your favorite import
beer, check out JK O’Donnell’s downtown Fort Wayne.