Terrific Takeout: Old Town Bar & Restaurant Est. 1892 Our Coverage Sponsored by Fresh Origins
Owner of Old Town Bar, our pal Gerard Meagher and Peachy Deegan
Peachy is wearing Ellen Christine Couture Millinery
Say yes please to the smashing Teriyaki Steak Salad!
Do you think Peachy's mouth is this big? Maybe her Twitter mouth:
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It's not who you know, it's WHOM YOU KNOW and we love knowing Gerard Meagher, esteemed Fordham grad. We're not sure what their motto is at Fordham, but an A ensures they are following #evertoexcel: (you know who was a 4-year tour guide at another Jesuit school)
Gerard is the owner, and along with his family, owns of one of Manhattan's oldest, historic, most popular, charming venues: Old Town Bar and Restaurant, just north of Union Square. Go upstairs to eat. The friendly Meagher family has owned Old Town Bar and Restaurant since the 1970's and you know it from David Letterman. Also we understand that GOTHAM the tv show is filming there and has before as well. Ooooh la la we told you they are popular.
Old Town Bar and Restaurant was first featured in its initial review in 2014:
and it graduated to Peachy's Picks in 2015:
Political news is especially hot right now (listen to our friend Rita!); you might consider that when this establishment started, Benjamin Harrison was the US President.
Their upscale pub fare tastes even better after a trade show! It is not far at all from The Altman building.
Their cheeseburger is a "hit the spot" kind of delicious.
We like their cheese choices and opted for Muenster (you know, like Cork) which was generously applied to gooey perfection. The bun is terrifically fresh and the beef is grass fed. Lettuce, tomato and onion automatically come to the party.
The classic, crisp fries are high caliber also, which we don't see everywhere. Fry quality should mirror hamburger quality.
If you prefer something a bit lighter and healthier, you cannot ignore their convincing broiled chicken breast, which arrives in style in a brilliant Kaiser roll. We love how they offer a green salad on the side also in case you don't want fries or cole slaw. The red onion adds nice bite and the chicken is perfect. Our favorite part is the garlic mayonnaise!
Clearly this is not at all mere bar food. But since when have we bragged about people being ordinary? There are specials every day (we have to go back on Monday to try the Fresh Catfish sandwich or the picnic special on Thursday of Roast Chicken) and the day we visited, this was a special: Teriyaki Steak Salad, which is a carnivore's dream. Gerard has worked with this steak supplier for three decades and you can taste the quality of not only the beef but also the relationship in every bite. Marinated and grilled medium rare and sliced thin, this steak is simply divine resting upon mixed greens. Grated cheese, red onion, tomatoes and pita bread round out the team on this plate.
Drumroll please.
This is the absolute best chili in the city.
Peachy Deegan did not even eat or like chili before she went to Old Town but she dreams of this dish now.
The Old Town Chili is our favorite with its cool cheddar, diced onions and sour cream all in perfect proportion to each other. Every bite of the meaty goodness is a dream and we nearly cry when it's gone. Happiness is Gerard's chili. We can't believe we missed their fish and chips during Lent but we will have to remember for next year.
Old Town Bar and Restaurant continues to be Recommended by Whom You Know.
Looks like the late Frank McCourt also loved this place:
