1916 Irish Pub Opens In Former Beef Oโ€™Bradyโ€™s Location On WC Blvd.

Although it doesnโ€™t look that different inside (above photo) from the Beef Oโ€™Bradyโ€™s that it has now replaced, the new 1916 Irish Pub we first told you about last issue is now open at 27315 Wesley Chapel Blvd. (at Old Pasco Rd.), in the Towne Centre at Wesley Chapel plaza that had long been home to Winn-Dixie.ย 

And yes, 1916 is an upgrade over Beefโ€™s menu-wise, at least in one editorโ€™s opinion. 

Owner Chuck Jamieson, who also owns 1916 Irish Pub locations in Brandon, Plant City and Lakeland, says that his goal was always to create an Irish pub with an upgraded menu โ€” he also owns Second Plate Catering โ€” and Jannah, photographer Charmaine George and I agree that he is already achieving that goal. 

To date, weโ€™ve sampled three of 1916โ€™s Irish favorites and we all gave them thumbs-up โ€” the haddock fish & chips (right), the Rebelโ€™s Reuben (tasty corned beef, sauerkraut, melted Swiss cheese and house-made Thousand Island dressing; below left) and my favorite of the three, the Irish stew in a garlicky sourdough bread bowl (bottom right). The stew has marinated braised beef, slow-cooked in red wine, Guinness and house brand demi-glace, with celery, carrots and onions and topped with creamy mashed potatoes. And, the regular and parmesan fries and tater tots were all extra-crispy and were definitely addictive.ย 

But, perhaps our favorite dishes so far have been the bruschetta appetizer (below left, the melted mozzarella was a unique touch), the Irish Lamb Jam (a tasty take on a traditional gyro sandwich, bottom left) and the crisp-crusted meat loverโ€™s flatbread (below right).ย 

1916 has a full-liquor bar and lots of beers on tap, plus different specials every day โ€” from $6.99 burgers on Monday to Trivia and $6.99 wings on Wed. and $3 mimosas for Sat. & Sun. brunch โ€” and Chuck says that, in addition to a Grand Opening celebration on Friday, June 24, 6 p.m., there will soon be live music and more. โ€œWe want to be your neighborhood hangout,โ€ he says. โ€œCome give us a try!โ€ย 

For more information, call (813) 991- 4747 or visit 1916IrishPub.com. 

A Bad Day For Two Irish Pubs In Wesley Chapel

We received word earlier today that two Irish pubs with Wesley Chapel addresses โ€” Irish 31 in The Shops at Wiregrass and the Beef O’Brady’s on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. in the Shoppes at New Tampa at Wesley Chapel, just south of the mall โ€” had closed.

Irish 31 posted the following notice on its Facebook page on April 29:

“Thank you, Wesley Chapel, for 7 wonderful years! Sadly, our Wiregrass location has officially closed its doors, but we hope to raise a pint with you some day soon at one of our other Tampa Bay pubs.”

Meanwhile, although we saw no such announcement for the Beef O’Brady’s on BBD, the location was no longer included on the store locator on the Beef’s website and the manager who answered the phone at the Beef’s location on Wesley Chapel Blvd. (next to Winn-Dixie) โ€” which is still open and under new ownership โ€” confirmed that the BBD location had indeed closed.

In case you were wondering, the O’Brien’s Irish Pub in the Wesley Chapel Village Market on BBD is definitely still open, as is the new 40 Thieves Irish Pub on County Line Rd. at Livingston Rd. in Lutz.ย