Mystified at Lakeview’s Mystic Celt

From the ancient castles surrounded by folkloric tales to winding cobblestone roads giving way to the tall, majestic Cliffs of Moher, Ireland is a country whose tradition is steeped rich in mystic tales. But it is not all myth and fantasy. An important segment of Irish history includes the fierce and mighty Celts. We often forget that this is a people which shaped and colored the landscape of all of Western Europe during the Iron Age (750 BCE to 43 CE), spanning almost literally, the whole continent. The Celts we think of today mainly live in the area of present-day Ireland, Wales, Scotland, the Isle of Man, Cornwall and Brittany, France.

Leave it to the Vaughan family to operate a pub in Lakeview in honor of our lively ancestors.

If you’re lucky enough to catch manager Les Fitzgerald at work, you’ll not only get a traditional Irish welcome, but also some great stories about late nights working in Dublin’s Temple Bar district when U2 would randomly stop in.

This pub has some of the best fare around, for traditional grub with a classier flare. The bacon-wrapped meatloaf in sweet chili sauce with mash is the best in any pub, anywhere. The Guinness steak pot pie is another fine choice to keep the cold away this winter. Comfort choices abound in shepherd’s pie, bangers and mash and a great version of mac and cheese, the first I’ve ever seen to include chicken, if you wish. There are also a few chicken creations, a New York strip or salmon to pick from.
The salad choices are also rather expansive. The Mystic Cobb, the house version of an everything salad, features eggs, bacon, avocado, olives, apple and turkey. The goat cheese and chicken offer a break from the usual salad menu, as does the southwest salad, topped with cheddar, black beans, avocado, corn and tortilla.

Vegetarians are often left out of any choice on the Irish pub scene, but the Celt offers the best choice of meatless options I have seen in awhile. From the margarita pizza to the hummus and veggie appetizers, to French onion soup or chili, also offered in a meatless option, to the grilled vegetable wrap to the mac and cheese, those who don’t care for meat won’t leave hungry.

There is also a lighter, but not less filling menu offering wraps and sandwiches. Traditional favorites from burgers to barbecued chicken to salmon to a tasty club make another great alternative to accompany the excellent draught Guinness.
Stop by on the weekend and grab a plate in the buffet brunch line between 9 and 3. At $9.95, it’s one of the neighborhood’s best values. Wash it down with $4 Bloody Mary’s to help chase away those hangovers. If you’re hungry late, this is also a great option, offering a full menu until close every night, while you watch all soccer, rugby and football games on the flatscreens. $4 burger and fry Tuesdays, or half-price appetizers and bottle-of-wine Mondays are just a few of the reasons to come by.

While you’re here, give the staff your email to be included on the monthly email list for an invitation to a free party sponsored by various liquor distributors. Or throw your own for up to 80 people in the spacious back room of the bar.

For a great Irish pub with a real neighborhoody feel, stop by The Mystic Celt at 3443 N. Southport in Chicago’s Lakeview district. 773.529.8550 www.vaughanhospitality.com

Maureen Callahan is a Chicago freelance writer and columnist; missmaureencallahan@yahoo.com.