Among the many food choices in or around Chapel Hill mall is a restaurant with everything one could want. Located at 581 Howe Avenue, Bennigan’s Grill and Tavern is the ultimate Irish retreat.

Whether one is Irish or not does not make a difference when walking inside. One is automatically at ease as the spacious, lofty interior and carefree mood of Bennigan’s settles in. The decor is a mix of old world Ireland meets new world America.

“This is one of my favorite restaurants,” junior Colonel staff member Christopher Battles said.

However, when eight Colonel staff members went there for dinner recently, the service was overly friendly, making it look as if they were trying too hard to please us.

“Our waiter was a jerk but really funny,” junior Colonel photographer Kari Lillibridge said.

Bennigan’s offers a wide variety of food from salads to hamburgers to steak and desserts. The most appealing aspect of the menu items is that one may get something light and simple like the soup or salad, which is offered with many dressings, or traditional foods, such as the various burgers with fries, or go all out and get the steak.

“The potato soup is awesome,” junior Colonel photographer Michael Dietz said. “I’m awaiting this ‘Monte Cristo’ sandwich.”

The ‘Monte Cristo,’ a thick sandwich layered with at least a dozen slices of ham, was the most popular menu item ordered. It is served with raspberry perserves to either spread on or dip the sandwich in.

“This would be an amazing place for an eating contest. After I ate the Monte Cristo, I wasn’t hungry until lunchtime the next day,” senior staff member Austin Kotting said. “That’s probably the longest I’ve ever gone without eating something.”

Due to the popularity of the restaurant, it is often very busy. Therefore, the food arrived about 15 to 20 minutes after ordering it. The food was incredibly delicious and The Colonel staff was quite satisfied.

“My Turkey O’ Toole was so good, and the fries were nice and salty,” senior Colonel co-editor Lauren Antognoli said.

After eating the main meal, some of the staff members (the ones who still were not stuffed) indulged themselves in very decadent desserts.

The delicious food, sociable service, and laid-back atmosphere all come at a price, ranging from $3 to $20.

“The atmosphere is relaxed and the food was worth the money,” sophomore Colonel staff member Anna Springer said.

Most of the people walking in were middle aged but many young people were there too. Since Bennigan’s is also a tavern, plenty of the older crowd was there, but the restaurant still remains more of a “family” place. So next time you are hungry, grab the folks and go Irish!