It’s the season to bundle up and find delicious ways to stay warm inside. This time of year we also often crave comfort food — creamy, rich hot cocoa, hearty beef stews and, of course, plenty of shepherd’s pies. Where can you find tasty shepherd’s pies this winter? Here’s your guide to a few locations.
McGonigal’s Pub
105 S. Cook St., Barrington; www.McGonigalsPub.com
The shepherd’s pie at McGonigal’s Pub in Barrington is made with both ground lamb and beef, chunks of carrots, peas, pearl onions and herb gravy. The sauce is made in-house from real beef stock and has a hint of mint in it to bring out the flavor of the lamb. The pie is served in a cast-iron dish, covered with mashed potatoes and sharp, white cheddar cheese. “A light broil gives the potatoes a nice crust,” said Executive Chef Richard Meierdirks. “Most Irish pubs are just using straight beef rather than (including) the traditional lamb, which gives it a bolder flavor.”
Five Roses Pub
5509 Park Place, Rosemont; www.FiveRosesPub.com
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The shepherd’s pie at Five Roses Pub in Rosemont is made with a mix of ground beef and ground Australian lamb simmered with carrots and onion and topped with mashed potatoes. And there are other wintery pies on the menu, too. The Guinness pie is made with simmered beef tips, onions, potatoes, parsnips, garlic, peas, and, of course, a touch of Guinness, all topped by a light, fluffy baked puff pastry. Another comforting winter pie is the chicken pot pie made with chicken thigh meat, onions, potatoes, carrots, garlic and peas and topped with a baked puff pastry. Five Roses Pub also features another classic comfort food, bangers anbd mash, a mix of Irish sausage, mashed potatoes, onions and beef gravy.
Peggy Kinnane’s Irish Restaurant & Pub
8 N. Vail Ave., Arlington Heights, www.PeggyKinnanes.com
Growing up in Ireland, Derek Hanley’s mom, Peggy Kinnane, regularly made shepherd’s pie on cold days. In 2001, Hanley opened Peggy Kinnane’s Irish Restaurant & Pub in Arlington Heights in her honor. The shepherd’s pie at Hanley’s restaurant is made just like his mother’s, with tender ground sirloin, diced carrots, sweet tender peas, leeks and vegetables topped with seasoned mashed potatoes. “Our Shepherd’s Pie is a hearty, comforting meal,” Hanley said. “The sauce blends beautifully with the ground sirloin and vegetables. The crispy potato topping is the perfect complement. I like its unique flavor and the fact that is a complete meal in one dish.”