Ballydoyle, Aurora IL - March 6

Rating - 8.99

Located at 28 W New York Street, right across from the Casino. Just opened two weeks ago, it a really great Irish bar. Authentic, good beers, Irish Dancers and a band....will be even better this summer when the deck opens (it will hold 150). We arrived around 7, a party of 8, and were immediately seated in a back room. That worked out well, because the main room is open, has the bar, and the stage in it.

I walked around, and there is a second bar behind the main one (smaller, but quieter) and several really quaint other rooms. There are windows internally that can be opened, so everything does open to the main area/stage.

They do not take reservations, and there was a wait for tables later. I would assume once the word spreads about this place it will be much more popular. The crowd was mixed between families (early), couples, and some scum (it will be intereseting to see if they can keep that out). About the only downside is the parking situation, you can park in casino lot, or walk a few blocks.

Beer was great (guniess, or Franzinkaner for me), apps were really good, and entree was above average. I think everyone at the table ordered fish and chips (it was a Friday during lent) and it was good but there were only 3 small pieces, chips/fries were great. We had the Irish chips as an app, and these are homemade chips that were awesome.

Lots of beers, lots of apps, and dinner for all 8 = $350 for the table. Not bad at all.

I ordered 1 more round after dinner and it was:

1 franz $5.50
1 Guiness $5.50
1 Baileys Coffee 7.00

Total - $19.80

I will be back