I ignored the overall low ratings for this place and had pretty high hopes. It looked cute from the outside. I figured how bad could an Irish pub be. One day I will learn.
There were a few positives. It's cute. It's pretty clean. They play Irish music. They had a pretty extensive menu from what I saw. I didn't order food though.
My real problem is the beer selection. The most exciting options they have are Guinness, Harp and Shock Top. Yep, it's downhill from there. I settled on a Harp. No craft beer selections in sight. Not even an Irish cider.
The bartender was pretty much just that. She dropped our beer off and then the check when we asked for it. I don't think she said two words the entire time we were there.
The crowd seemed to consist of mostly drunk men (on a Sunday afternoon). I got the feeling it gets loud and obnoxious in here. I gave it a shot. I live nearby but I'll probably never head there again.
I ate there today at lunch and was very surprised that on Friday at 12:30 I was the only customer. Â There was even a guy working on refinishing the other end of the bar from where I sat. The food was passable, far from home made. Cream of Broccoli soup was actually Milk of Brocolli. Crab cakes billed as sauteed where obviously deep fried frozen hockey pucks.
Review Source:I'm being a hypocrite by saying this, because I actually have met a lot of people at Desmond's. But, that was a few years ago..... Super douchey crowd here.
When I was underage, this was the place to go. I felt cool because nobody checked my ID. Now that I'm older, I've become 'that person.' Â I just don't want to be around under-ager's getting wasted, and get a headache from a local dj's annoying house music.
About two years ago, there were awesome cover bands, and loud irish music. You could actually have a conversation, sit down, and hang out here. Now it's kind of... clubby?
This is Chicago Ridge, not downtown Chicago. Put away the miniskirts and nylon dresses. What I look for in a place like this is a relaxed environment, where you can show up in casual clothes and get a few beers. Now there's just a strange scene of people lurking around..
PS - location is perfectly placed next to the police station. Don't drink and drive!
I rarely venture to the Southside of this fair city (read: never), but a rugby game pulled me down in this vicinity, and Jack Desmond's served as our post-game adult beverage stop. It's about as standard of an Irish pub as you can get, with a great old wood bar and plenty of beer on tap. Beers are quite cheap (well, I guess anything is compared to what I'm used to on the Near North side), and the food ain't half bad either. I could definitely see it as a neighborhood spot if you live in the vicinity.
Small parking lot out front.
Came here for a few drinks with friends. It seemed pretty crowded, but that might have been because an Irish duo was performing that night. We opted to go to the outdoor patio instead and sat at the bar for our drinks.
The drinks are not badly priced, especially for a Saturday night: $12 bucket of 5 domestics, $6 pitcher of domestic, $4 bombs. That's only like a dollar more than TC's (see review) and a way better atmosphere and bar.
There are about 5 or 6 booths outside so you have to watch them like a hawk if you want one. Otherwise, there are a couple of tables, or you can just stand.
Here's the downside: it is very hard to find parking around here. They have a pretty small lot behind the building. You can park on the street, but some of it is strictly for the condos/townhouses and for metra or for the library, so watch where you park. I don't mind a long walk in the summer, but in the winter it's brutal. Also, Chi RIdge can be kinda iffy, so I don't necessarily trust my car being so far away from the bar on a random side street. Oh and the metra will scare the crap out of you as it flies on by. The bar is right next to the train tracks so you definitely will hear it.
Overall, it's not a bad bar. I could see myself coming back.
My mom and I went in here on friday night for dinner and drinks. The food was good and the drinks were fine. However, we noticed there was just 1 waitress running around the entire place. Oh and not only was she the only waitress, she was also the only bartender. The place was slowly getting more and more crowded so we assumed another waitress would be showing up at any minute. A bartender eventually showed up, so this waitress could stop playing dual roles as both waitress and bartender. As this poor girl pretty much ran by our table to drop off the check and deliver food to other tables, my mom said, "excuse me... but are you getting any help tonight??" She said, "nope!" and ran off to take care of about 50 more people. Tons of people around us were complaining about the slow service, which was unavoidable seeing as 1 person was taking orders and delivering food and drinks to over 50 people. Seriously, we'd watch her and she was literally running from table to table and back to the kitchen. The owner (or owners) of this place should be ashamed of themselves for taking advantage of this waitress. Hire some more people and if you don't feel like doing that, come in and help yourself. It's not fair to your customers and it's certainly not fair to the waitress.
Review Source:The unfortunate episode of my happening in on Jack Desmond's began in earnest with the meltdown of the internal carrier bearing and side gears of  my  trusty pickup.
Dropping the truck off at 115 Th and Central Ave. I was faced with a series of conundrums. Â The first being,"How would I get back home?"
After a little cartography session with google maps I was elated to see that the Chicago Ridge Metra train station was not far, about 2.5 miles.
Running my hand longly over the hood and grill I bidded "adieu" to my great stead, and turned my collar up  and faced north, to begin my journey.
I was soon to find that cold, grey day was a much bitter foe. Â Walking along four lane highways It was to my displeasure to find the total absence of sidewalks and walk ways. Â Cursing urban sprawl's lack of the most simple infrastructure, I soldiered on nonetheless. Â
Soon I began to feel the effects of my still relatively short but, nonetheless arduous journey. Â My feet were now wet from having to traverse high snow banks, and my face was now set a fire by the wind that rushed at it with seemingly increasing strength.
My foot steps became slower. And soon it seemed to my weary eye that I was not even moving forward at all. Â Soon despair began to set in.
"Was this how I would meet my fate"?  "Alone and cold amongst the identical houses and un-shoveled sidewalks of  Chicago Ridge?"
"Would the gods be so cruel, as to let a man of my standings and deeds perish without such honour or valour"?
I was to not be mistaken from one of Napoleon's Calvary or infantry retreating through the cold and snow of a Russian winter after the failed invasion of 1812. Â Much like them I believed myself to be found cold, dead, and lifeless in some foreign land. Â Beaten and forgotten.
Â
Cold and numb, certain thoughts raced through my head on ways of warmth and comfort.
The capital of which being WHISKEY!
Surely there would a place to sit for awhile near the end of my journey to warm my bones and spirit, with the "water of life". Â Soon I came closer to the end destination of the metra train stop and found myself nearly an hour and half a away from the next train. Turning the corner I was chance to see the edifice of jack Desmond's standing on the opposite corner. Â Knowing there would surely be some form of whiskey in it's walls I crossed the street and entered it's domain.
The building and it's paraphernalia are heavy with Irish symbols and accoutrement's. But the bar itself is impressive sturdy and sprawling  it sets out in front of one as they enter the tavern.  That day at 2 PM. it was empty except for one other patron and the bar keep.  After warming my hands at their gas- fireplace I sauntered up to the bar.
"What'll you have?" said the bar keep. Upon her question I could detect the Irish brogue in her tongue. I could have made small talk about her lineage, but there was no time for this.
"Scotch, whiskey" I answered. Â She pointed to three bottles. Â The best of which was the Chivas Regal. A fine brew, I myself am accustomed to on my own. Â Asking for a dram, she grabbed a small glass and proceeded to pour a very generous amount of the tasty spirit. Â I sipped at the glass until empty, lapping the remnants on my beard and motioning for another.
"Thirsty, are ya?" she queried. Â She hung the bottle over the glass rushing the amber fluid into it with nay haste. Â This time even more, almost four fingers of the stuff. Â She slipped another five out of the pile. Â
I spent the next hour sipping and relishing in the creature comforts of a warm fire and warm belly.  Awash in the warmth of the liquid perfection that is whiskey ,I sprang to back to my original self  quickly. There was small talk  with the barkeep but, nothing to keep my lips away from either the whiskey or side car of tap water. I watched as mid day sports channels droned on in the background on the large television screens.  It bothered me not, the lack of entertainment.
Soon though, the time for my train was near. Â Again I began the ritual of wrapping ones self against the elements and pushed the tip closer to edge. The keep, walked over asking for anything else. I informed her of my train, and was welcomed with one last pour of the liquid which had brought there in the beginning.
Pulling my collar up, I walked out it's doors and into the cold late afternoon.
I may never see Jack Desmond's again but, for a short while it was brief moment of respite from the harsh elements.
I ate here once and will never do it again -- the food was gross, like someone with absolutely no culinary skill was preparing the food. Â I ordered a chicken caesar wrap and got breaded chicken tenders (!), lettuce and something that was not caesar dressing. Â I literally ate two bites and felt sick for the rest of the night. Â
Beer is beer, but do not eat here.
I went to Jack Desmonds three times since I moved into the area last year. All three times it was before 5pm for a lunch/early dinner with a group of friends or family. Obviously it wasn't packed due to the time but it did have patrons there which was nice. I never like going to eat somewhere and being the only person there.
It has a great Irish pub feel and the people who work there are great. I can't wait to go again.
Ive only been here once, Im not really sure why (espeically seeing its literally 5 minutes from my house).
Its got your typical Irish Pub type atmosphere and decor. Â Its a decent looking bar inside.
My only complaint is that it seemed a bit small. I went on a Friday night probably about a year and a half ago, and it seemed like even though we got there around 7 that there wasnt enough room.
They have all your Irish favorites on Tap and in bottle (well typical ones at least, Harp, Guinness, Magners etc). Â Karreoke on the weekends, friendly waitstaff who do thier best to combat the crowds.
Over all , a pretty decent place to try.
Desmonds is your typical Irish Pub. The only difference is that it hasn't been taken over by the South Side's death grip yet. The Irish pubs there tend to turn into the trendy place to go and lose their true identity. Â The owner Timmy is there every weekend and most weekdays. The food is great (try the Shepard's Pie), and prepared by local "Chef Barb." Barb was also head chef at Ken's Guest House down the road and when she left for Desmond's, Ken's closed and no one has been able to keep a restaurant going since. Try and go on a night when Brendan Loughrey is playing, you won't regret it.
Pub Opening Hours
Sat - Mon @ 11am, Tues - Fri @ 12noon
Full Menu served in Bar everyday
Restaurant Opening Hours
Mon - Wed Closed, Thur - Fri @ 5pm
Saturday @ 11am, Sunday @ 9am
Full Irish Breakfast Buffet
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