Think you know Kildare’s? It’s time to rediscover this West Chester gem boasting a new menu with new owners. If you haven’t been in lately, it’s time for a visit. Trust us.
Kildare’s is under the new ownership of longtime manager Dane Gray, with skilled chef Stephanie Gray reworking the menu. The married couple is experienced in managing an Irish pub, and the established location on Gay Street has been reinvigorated with menu additions and attitude. With St. Patrick’s Day still in the air, now is the perfect time to experience this beautiful bar and its delicious offerings.
Stephanie notes that her takeover of the menu is geared toward satisfying the senses with pleasant combinations and pleasing crowds with appetizers that come in huge portions. Her knack for pairing flavors results in comforting dishes, and after years of working in the modern-day restaurant biz, the duo have also decided to stress shareability with big starter plates. Apricot glazed pork belly and rotating selections of homemade hummus stand out as delights, while Irish Craic nachos remain a great option to enjoy alongside a friendly chat and a brew.
Further into the large menu are hearty options for soups and salads, which will change with the seasons, and Kildare’s famous wings. The restaurant’s list of pubwiches is crowd-pleasing, including an ale-battered buffalo chicken sandwich with Jameson buffalo sauce, a slow roasted whiskey BBQ pulled pork sandwich and a classic Reuben as standouts.
Fish, chicken and pork tacos also liven up the menu with some unexpected options, but the entrees and a few burger options truly attract attention. The Dubliner makes use of Guinness caramelized onions, and the pork belly burger squeezes meat, gooey tomato jam, creamy goat cheese and two soft buns together to create a wholesome, hugely fulfilling meal. Meanwhile, a huge draft list includes craft beer and old school options like the smooth Blacksmith, half Guinness and half Smithwick’s.
The new menu additions make it worth a trip back to this West Chester hangout. The cultural atmosphere in the bar is truly different than what lies outside on Gay Street, and while it is informed by an Irish heritage, it feels much more like an environment that is built on encouraging a broader cultural camaraderie.
The staff makes friends with regulars and bar-goers, and the entire aesthetic of the bar encourages you to keep your phone in your pocket and take in the signs, art and woodwork.
Some patrons enjoy a meal with the family at a big wooden table, some holler at the projector during rugby games and others take to the beer garden for a few pints. Whether your attitude is quaint or sporty, Kildare’s feels extraordinary and memorable. In our conversation, Stephanie noted the power of a simple memory such as eating corned beef and cabbage with a grandparent and said that she hopes her recipes can inspire similarly mighty memories.
As for Dane and Stephanie’s own memories, they seem to be focusing on making them. This couple is dedicated to their work and attributes a happy marriage that coincides with that work to their ability to stay focused on the important, personal aspects of life.
With the revamped menu and reinvigorated atmosphere, Kildare’s is ready to please the varied crowds of West Chester. The new food options are classically inspired yet relevant, and the bar remains an homage to the pubs that first created a friendly, slightly unpredictable atmosphere across the pond.
Follow Kildare’s Irish Pub on Facebook and Instagram for updates on specials and events.
Find Kildare’s at 18 W. Gay St. in West Chester; phone: (610) 431-0770.
- Photography: Kildare's
