BY NORBERT RUG
The three amigos, my wife Donna, my buddy Ed, and I ventured out looking for somewhere to go for dinner. We ended up at “Somewhere” a quaint looking place at 681 Blairville Road in Youngstown.
When we first pulled up, I wasn’t sure I wanted to go inside. I thought someone was pranking me when the said I should try it out but don’t let the outside appearance scare you off. The facade reminded me of an old west saloon. When we pulled up in their small, gravel parking lot, I could see four full-size sand volleyball courts.
We walked under a surfboard and through a homemade screen door to enter the place, still not knowing what to expect. Wow! This tiny bar was way better than I had expected, nothing very fancy just a warm friendly, Irish, country bar.
When you first walk in, it’s kind of just a regular neighborhood bar. We sat down at a table with a Kraft paper tablecloth and started taking in the sights. The floor was painted concrete, none of that fancy hardwood or laminate here, and the walls, oh the walls. There wasn’t much room to put anything else on the walls. I can’t begin to explain the amount of Irish paraphernalia on the walls. I understand the owner is Pat Stack, a retired Niagara Falls detective.
Kenney, our server/bartender came over to take our order. He emphasized that all the food is fresh. He said even the rolls are homemade and the meats & vegetables are locally sourced.
Donna had water with lemon, Ed ordered a glass of wine and I had a Pepsi. When he came back, he brought a salt and pepper shaker which I thought was a bit odd. Maybe they don’t have enough to go around.
They have a small menu (7 items) plus specials. Ed had the Cha-Cha-Chicken, which is fresh chicken breast marinated and grilled in their herb-infused marinade served over a classic salad ($10). Gluten-free
In a surprise to both her and me, Donna ordered the “Meatball Puff”. Donna would be a vegetarian if I let her. She said it just intrigued her. This is a meatball wrapped in pastry with homemade sauce on it. She said it was cheesy inside and out. She was wondering why she didn’t get the choice of a side but when it arrived she understood. This was a one-pound meatball, you didn’t need a side. In fact, she brought half of it home.
I tried to order the Ruben that was on the specials board and Kenney told me they were out of that. He suggested the “Lola” to me. A Buffalo chicken sandwich with a side of homemade blue cheese dressing ($10). I selected potato wedges as my side. The potato wedges are seasoned with black pepper, paprika, garlic, and salt. The chicken was falling apart tender. The roll was perfect, not too crusty and the potato wedges were excellent.
This small place had a neat log-cabin atmosphere, 60’s music, 4 tables, an 11-seat bar and featured a number of items from another era. Outside, there are four well-maintained volleyball courts on the west side of the building. The east side and behind the building include a patio and a stage for bands. They put on inflatable pool parties, tortoise races and a St Patrick’s party that had 532 guests according to their Facebook page.
I was completely blown away that I found this food of this caliper in a place I’ve never even heard of before. It was friendly, very low key and drama free. I will make it a point to return here again in the future. It was Delish. Thanks, Michele for suggesting it.
I give it 9 spoons.
Hours are:
Saturday 11:30AM–11PM
Sunday Closed
Monday Closed
Tuesday 11:30AM–5PM
Wednesday 11:30AM–11PM
Thursday 11:30AM–11PM
Friday 11:30AM–11PM
Phone: (716) 262-2337
This has been written for Delish Magazine’s July 29 issue which is delivered to subscribers of the Niagara Gazette and the Lockport Union Sun & Journal.
This has been written for Delish Magazine’s July 29 issue which is delivered to subscribers of the Niagara Gazette and the Lockport Union Sun & Journal.