For all the fancy restaurants I critique, it may be a little shocking for some folks to hear that I have a soft spot for affordable bars where everyone knows your name. When I was a teenager, I was all about the goth club life. As I got older, I started wanting to actually get to talk to people I drank with. (Novel idea, right?)
Enter the Irish pub—perhaps one of God’s greatest inventions for people who want to bond with others over dinner without appearing too hoity-toity. In Ireland, the pub is the go-to meeting place among all locals. It’s literally where everyone meets up—a major community center.
I first got introduced to Teaneck’s Cottage Bar by a coworker friend of mine. His name is Anthony, and he’s got amazing taste in both food and sci-fi books. As is tradition, I got introduced to this cute little pub by hanging out with a bunch of fellow authors. Let’s talk about why you’ll love this place.
Cozy, Homey, Down-to-Earth, And Irish
Irish pubs have a certain je ne sais quoi that makes them inviting and homey, even if your actual home looks nothing like them. Maybe it’s the darker woods they use? The warming reds? The greens and copper accents? It’s hard to say, but at the Cottage, you almost always feel more relaxed just by walking in through the door.
Finding a true Irish pub is rare, even in a foodie hotspot like North Jersey. Make no mistake about it, though. This isn’t some manufactured “faux-Ireland” vibe like what you might find at the Tilted Kilt. Nope. It’s owned and run by people straight from the Emerald Isle—complete with that wicked sense of humor that people adore.
Affordable (And Delicious) Drinks
So, I used to go here before I went sober. I still go there after my sobriety, too. Let me tell you something: they know how to serve up a good beer. If you’re going for a full Irish vibe, I’d suggest having then pour you a Guinness or a Smithwick’s. It’s good stuff.
Drinks here are cheap, and for the most part, you aren’t going to have to pay an arm and a leg. Buying a round for your gang is actually pretty easy to do here. That’s part of the charm and part of it being a real Irish pub.
OMG Irish Food!
Irish food is amazing, but only if it’s actually legit. Here, you’re going to find the hearty meals that make Ireland so famous for their bar bites. Delicious shepherd’s pie, curry fries, and bangers n’ mash are just some of the go-to’s that I have.
Seriously, their curry fries are addictive. You have been warned, you will end up coming back over and over again for their decadent curry sauce. (Actually, you can’t go wrong with anything involving potatoes here. It’s so good.)
Check Them Out!
If you’re in the Bergen County area, you’re in luck. You can get your dose of Irish deliciousness at The Cottage in Teaneck. My review? 10/10 stars!
