FOODIE
Finnegan's Brings Out The Irish In All
By Leah & Ken/ foodie@longislandernews.com

If these walls could talk, Finnegan’s Restaurant and Tap Room could tell a story unlike any other here in Huntington.

A fixture of the village since 1910, the false front of a cigar store stood during Prohibition, while in the back the tap kept flowing Irish beer to those in the know.

Ernest Hemingway and Harry Chapin have passed through the bar, where photos, news stories and a Blue Devils jersey hang on the wall, although the jersey probably wasn’t there years ago.

Generations have passed through Finnegan’s Pub, and they continue to do so.
On a Sunday night the small tables are mostly filled, with high school students, families and even the grandson of Andrew Finnegan, the original owner, sits down for dinner.

Tim Finnegan, a resident of Huntington, grew up inside this pub on Wall Street. His father took over the business from his father, Andrew, after World War II and he tells story after story, looking to the photos on the wall for memory.

He bartended there throughout college and speaks of his aunt’s cooking and the photo behind the bar of his father and three uncles. Now his 22-year-old son, Timmy, the great-grandson of the original owner, stands behind the bar and serves customers, just
like those before him.

Andrew Finnegan purchased the building in 1910 after immigrating to Hell’s Kitchen in New York from Ireland. Before Finnegan’s it was the Huntington House, stretching all the way to Main Street and serving as a rooming house, restaurant and bar.

Lessings Inc. purchased the restaurant from Tim’s father in 1975.

Tom Forte, who has been the manager for the past six years, seems to know every customer who walks through the door.

It’s no wonder they describe it as the “Cheers of Huntington.” Forte believes it is one of the only restaurants around to bear the same name since its inception.

“It’s a place for reunions,” said Forte. “Everyone comes back here.”

They might come back for the hospitality, or the menu that includes traditional tasty pub fare or the taps of great Irish beer like Guinness, Harp and Smithwicks.

Appetizers or great game day snacks include Spinach and artichoke dip ($8.95),
Finnegan’s P.E.I. Mussels ($8.95), Potato Skins ($8.25) and Buffalo Wings ($8.95).

The French Onion Soup ($5.95) was warm and flavorful, perfect for the last few weeks
of winter or as an appetizer.

The salads are large and fresh here. The Finnegans’ Chopped Salad ($11.95) includes chopped iceberg and romaine lettuce, gruyere, bacon, eggs, bermuda onion, tomato, chicken and croutons with ranch dressing

The Iceberg wedge ($8.95) includes sliced tomato, red onion, hand cut bacon, gorgonzola and olive oil dressing. You can add chicken for $3, or grilled shrimp or steak for $5.

The classic pub food is a definite hit. The Finnegan’s Hamburger ($8.25) is a juicy half-pound Black Angus burger served with French fries and was a better burger than the chain restaurants serve up.

The Corned Beef Reuben ($9.25) is one of their most popular meals.

Each entrée is served with a big garden or Caesar salad. The Finnegan’s Stew, a traditional Irish lamb Stew with buttered bread ($14.95) was a great meal for a taste of true Irish fare and for the final cold nights of winter.

The restaurant also strays from the usual with their daily specials and entrees like Rigatoni with Sweet Italian Sausage ($12.95) with spinach in a plum tomato sauce topped with parmesan. It heads back to Ireland though with Fish and Chips ($12.95), a traditional beer battered cod served with French fries, tartar sauce and malted vinegar, then brings both cuisines together with a Grilled New York Strip Steak with Guinness Roasted Mashed Potatoes ($16.95).

On St. Patrick’s Day they will serve up hundreds of orders of Shepherds Pie, Corn Beef and Cabbage, and the traditional Irish Stew throughout the day. It’s the perfect place to spend the holiday, or any meal for that matter.

Finnegan's Restaurant & Tap Room
5 Wall Street, Huntington NY 11743
www.finnegansny.com
631 423 9696

Atmosphere: Casual

Price: Inexpensive

Hours:
Sun-Thurs
Noon-9 p.m.
Fri and Sat
12 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Main Menu