If you couldn’t tell by my last name, I’m not Irish. I guess you could say that I’m a little Irish by association — my boyfriend’s name is Michael Patrick Murphy and he likes to mention that to anyone that lends their ear. Yet, by spending half of my life in South Buffalo, I am all to familiar with the local Irish pride.
Now, I’ve only had Corned Beef and Cabbage once. I prefer a Yuengling Black and Tan to a Guinness. And Jameson is a little too much for me. But when I go to The Blackthorn, I feel like one of their own.
The Blackthorn Restaurant and Pub, located on 2134 Seneca Street, has been serving Buffalo for over 30 years. Opening their doors in 1977, the restaurant originally went by the name Early Times. Only in 1994 did the restaurant become The Blackthorn, taken from the name of a thorned walking stick carved from a blackthorn tree.
Despite the change in ownership, The Blackthorn has upheld that same warm, casual atmosphere which continues to grow over the years. Anyone is invited, from businessmen to blue collar workers, from full blooded Irish men, to this little polish writer. To the owners, the patrons are not only customers, but friends and family. That’s one of the great things about The Blackthorn.
The Blackthorn holds a barroom, dining area, banquet hall, and private patio, for those that want to take advantage of the warm, Buffalo summers. The service is fast and the prices are reasonable and easy for your pocketbook.
When it comes to the food, The Blackthorn offers traditional Irish meals but carries other items that everyone and anyone can enjoy. Though there are some new items, recipes such as the French Onion soup have been handed down since the restaurant’s opening in 1977.
The varied menu includes items such as the Irish Filet, Tuscarora Chicken, and the “house specialty,” the Maryland Crab Cakes made from real Blue Fin crab. Hungry on lent? The Blackthorn’s Friday Fish Fries are supposedly mouthwatering and the best in town.
One thing I have to get every single time I visit this restaurant is the Irish Beer Cheddar Soup. It is a cheddar cheese soup, filled with potatoes with a hint of Irish beer flavor. Add some crackers – and this soup is to die for.
The Blackthorn Restaurant and Pub isn’t just a place that you go for a pint of Guinness. This is a restaurant that you go to for a good time. All ages are welcome; the owners invite you to bring your whole family. If you have a large party, don’t forget that the restaurant has a banquet room and even caters to parties. The bar has televisions so you can watch all of your favorite sports games and the kitchen is open until 10PM on weekdays and 11PM on weekends.
No matter what your heritage is, make it a point to get to South Buffalo and stop into this casual and friendly restaurant. At The Blackthorn, everyone is family. This Irish pubs is a favorite and one of the best in South Buffalo.
More Irish Pub articles to come.