Queens Tribune

64-21 53rd Dr., Maspeth
(718) 672- 9696
www.oneillsfinefood.com
Cuisine: Alehouse/Steakhouse
Hours: 7 a.m. to 3 a.m. 7 days
Parking: Street/Valet
Credit Cards: All major

When in Western Queens, there are a few places that stand out as the “go-to” places for parties, for meeting friends and for a good night out with the guys or the gals.
O’Neill’s has been one of the top destinations that fit that bill for some time now. From the expansive party room, their live horse racing and their countless beers on tap, there is clearly a party atmosphere at the place.
But what is often overlooked is the quality of the food. O’Neill’s goes well beyond the bar basics – but even does the classics with an extra pinch of flavor and a slice of panache.
The brick oven pizza, with such toppings as pancetta, kalamata olives, and O’Neill’s homemade meatballs are crisp and delicious, and also a good price at just $12.75 for a large pie.
When settling in for lunch and pint, or dinner and a pint (it’s hard to be there without the pint) you can start you meal off with what may appear to be standard appetizer fare, but is actually somehow made more flavorful – like chicken wings, mozzarella sticks and their own bloomin’ onion. Maybe it’s the pint, but O’Neill’s just knows how to do it right.
Another specialty is the fresh shellfish appetizers at dinner, like the bucket of mussels, the Little Neck clams, the Blue Point oysters and the clams casino. At any time you can see piles of shells stacked high on tables as the hungry guests work their way through to the delicate treasures inside.
You can choose from soups and salads – all of which are delicious – but you may get hung up trying to figure out your entrée. To put it simply, the steaks are delicious. They are prime cuts, dry aged and tender. The chops are hearty and the ribs are succulent, almost falling off the bone.
You may wish to save a few bucks and go for a burger – probably the best outside of that other Irish pub in Woodside, and some would even say it gives Mr. Donovan a run for his money. They are well seared, cooked to order and ripping with juicy flavor in every bite.
If red meat is not your thing, there are great chicken and seafood dishes to choose from, as well as a good choice of salads that can be made as entrees.
O’Neill’s offers a special from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday that’s just $12 for seniors and $14 for everyone else, and includes your choice of soup, salad, entrée, dessert and coffee or tea.
Of course when you are done with your meal you can hang out and check out your favorite sports team on one of the nine big screen TVs or enjoy some gambling at the onsite OTB. Oh, and don’t forget about that pint. Enjoy!