Everett Washington’s Shawn O’Donnell’s Irish Pub

November 19, 2022 / Roadtirementvintage / 18 Comments

This morning Sher and I and our daughter were off to a nearby Walmart for our (gulp) annual flu shots and another COVID booster, per doctor’s recommendations. Got the “needle sticks” done and then we went and picked up our son-in-law and our grandson. Our daughter suggested we head for an Irish Pub and American Grill named Shawn O’Donnell’s.

The storefront of the Everett O’Donnell’s, the first of the chain

Interesting interior design

The center bar

We got to the pub right at 11:15 and were seated immediately. We were probably a bit ahead of the lunch crowd. The decor of this restaurant has a definite Irish flavor, expected from a family owned business started by the grandson of Irish immigrants.

The Full Irish Breakfast

Corned Beef Benedict with smashed potatoes

The fare at Shawn O’Donnell’s Irish Pub is very tasty, and does have some interesting items not commonly found on most menus. The smashed potatoes are just that: yellow gold Yukon potatoes cooked and then literally smashed near flat. The biscuits are very unique, named Soda Farls and served with raspberry jam. Yummy!

Bacon Lover’s Scramble

Smashed potatoes with 2 Soda Farls w/ jam

The service, coffee and of course the food was excellent at this fun Irish Pub. Shawn O’Donnell built this facility in 2006 after several years in the restaurant business. Currently there are five locations in and around Everett, including one in far eastern Spokane. Our server told us that plans are in the works for expansion into other states. Any community would benefit if a Shawn O’Donnell’s located there.

Return to the Oxford Saloon in Snohomish

November 16, 2022November 18, 2022 / Roadtirementvintage / 9 Comments

Sher and I first patronized the Oxford Saloon in Snohomish, Washington in the fall of 2014. We had driven from Indiana in our new RV to the Seattle area as our daughter and son-n-law were expecting their first child. Being the dotting grandparents we are, we had to be there for that blessed family event!

Stunning scenery on the way to Snohomish

The classic 1900’s exterior of the Oxford

We had been antique shopping along Main Street in Snohomish, a lovely little town north of Seattle. Needing a break we stopped at this interesting looking old bar named the Oxford Saloon. We split a basket of hand cut fries and enjoyed a couple of sodas. Thus began our love affair with the Oxford.

Enjoying our custom made drinks

Every bar needs a moose…

Sher and I went with our daughter, son-in-law and grandson Tuesday afternoon late. We got there in time for Happy Hour, and our server Jenny made special “Christmas Season” drinks just for us. Not only were drinks a special price but all of the appetizers were also $2 off. We had been seated when we noticed several folks with guitar cases coming into the bar. We had picked Open Mic Tuesday.

Delicious fare: Burger & fries, Fish & Chips, Mac & Cheese, Potato skins, Loaded Jalapenos and Pretzel bites with beer cheese

All of our food was most delicious. Sher and our daughter enjoyed the appetizers, our grandson loved his burger and fries, and I absolutely relished my 3 piece Fish n Chips. I’ve been looking forward for this! (Every time we have visited over the past 8 years, we always make it a priority to enjoy visits to the Oxford.)

The place was full!

Good music!

At six the first pair of musicians took the stage. By that time the place was packed with people. The crowd was lively and very nice and friendly. This bar has such a wonderful atmosphere, no judgement, be yourself, be accepted and have fun.

B&W sometimes works best

There is that creepy doll, a fascinating story

Back in January, 2020 Sher and I were fortunate to have a private tour given to us by Rebecca Caden, General Manager of the Oxford Saloon. We both have interests in the paranormal, and the Oxford is one of the most haunted places in the state of Washington. Rebecca was kind enough to provide us a tour of all three stories of the Oxford including the history of the hauntings in each building area where sightings were observed. This link will take you to our post detailing that tour. Check it out, you will find it very interesting.

All in all, we cannot say enough about what a wonderful facility you will find in The Oxford Saloon and Eatery. Becoming “regulars” at the Oxford is a goal that we would love to obtain. Yes we really love this place and truly enjoy the food, staff, and of course the live music. Special hats off to Jenny who served us well.

Went to a sushi belt, not a sushi bar

November 10, 2022 / Roadtirementvintage / 12 Comments

The entrance signage

Tonight Sher and I had an experience new to both of us. Our daughter, son-in-law and grandson took us to a sushi restaurant set up like we had never seen before. Named the bitty fish sushi, it is not a sushi bar, but a sushi belt.

The sushi items offered were like most sushi places, with a variety of protein and vegetarian and vegan ingredients. What was different for us was the conveyor belt that was constantly moving. On the belt were circular metal pieces that held plates with the different menu items, each covered with a clear domed cover.

You simply picked what items you wanted, took them off the conveyor and enjoyed them. It was easy to share, and each plate had four individual pieces of sushi.

Local Cantina in Dublin, Ohio

November 1, 2022November 1, 2022 / Roadtirementvintage / 2 Comments

The title might be a tad bit misleading. The title refers not to a generic neighborhood Tex-Mex bar and grill but a specific restaurant named “Local Cantina”. It is a part of a chain of thirteen wonderful Mexican restaurant/bar establishments in and around the Columbus, Ohio area. We were out with family and went to the Dublin location.

Excellent chips and dips to start

We had a large group of 12 (or was it 13?) and we were seated at a long table. Worked for us as we all just wandered around visiting who ever we wanted whenever we wanted. Unplanned family get togethers and meals are the best. The atmosphere was exciting, and the music was not too loud, and of course there were TV’s for those that have to have TV 24/7.

Full bar

Interesting decor

Of course we were also there for some of those great tacos! None of us were disappointed.

Sher’s veggie tacos, left, and Maj’s seasoned beef,, right.

This was a wonderful experience! The ambience is comfortable, the service was very good even though the place was packed. But most important of all, the tacos were very very good, and filling as well. Check out all the locations at the Local Cantina website.

Texas Hill Country’s Jester King Brewery

October 2, 2022October 2, 2022 / Sher / 4 Comments

This is a post that Sher wrote back in February, 2020 just before we cut short our time as Winter Texans and headed back to Indiana before COVID struck. We just found this and somehow it never got published. So…Here it is.

It was a special treat for us to visit Jester King Brewery while we were in Austin, TX because our last name is Jester. So, of course we had to buy some beer with our name in it!

Enjoying our beer under one of the heaters

It is located at a beautiful 165 acre ranch in the Texas Hill Country. It is so welcoming and a fun place for all ages. Since we are retired we were able to visit when it opened at 4pm, so they weren’t super busy. We had had a late lunch, so we weren’t hungry but their pizza looked delicious and by the looks of people ordering it I think it was a favorite. We were there on Maj’s birthday and we already had reservations in town with our family in Austin, or I would have suggested we have dinner there.

The kitchen/food bar

The spacious and comfortable seating area

They had many choices of beer, but it was easy for us to choose one we wanted try, the Jester-King one! We, also, bought a bottle to bring home. How we could we turn down a beer with our name on it?

Had to have it!

We had fun and it is on our recommended places to visit. The bartenders were exceptionally nice and so friendly and helpful in answering our questions. They have an outdoor covered area for seating with heaters, and a bonfire outside when we were there.

This is a favorite place and we’ll definitely be going back the next time we are in Austin. And, getting pizza!

Ohio’s historic Clifton Mill

September 18, 2022September 18, 2022 / Roadtirementvintage / 12 Comments

East of Dayton and south of Springfield, Ohio in the tiny town of Clifton you will find the Clifton Mill. This is one of, if not the oldest continuously operating grist mills left in the country. First built in 1802 by Revolutionary War veteran Owen Davis, the mill is still operating, as well as offering a restaurant and store.

The mill in the background

Another feature of this Ohio attraction is the famed Christmas lights display. The day we visited staff were installing what will be a total of four million Christmas lights to the grounds, buildings and walkways.

Workers hanging lights on the rock cliff

Nice log cabin on the grounds

They built their own covered bridge

Honoring the designer of the light show

Historic plaque by the entrance door

We got there just after the mill, restaurant and store closed, but the grounds were still open, so we could see what was going on with the lights installation. Two men were installing lights on the side of the Clifton Gorge rock cliffs. Some lights had already been installed on the roof and sides of the mill itself and other outbuildings.

The Christmas Lights display, photo credit daytonlocal.com

This attraction receives thousands of guests each winter for the music and light show, Santa’s workshop and holiday fun. The mill is open year round for tours and other events. This is the Clifton Mill website. This award winning attraction would make a nice stop on your Christmas events calendar.

Blues at the Indianapolis Jazz Kitchen

April 21, 2022July 2, 2022 / Roadtirementvintage / 19 Comments

Sher and I had a most enjoyable time last night at a small music and dining venue in Indianapolis. The Jazz Kitchen is noted for providing an intimate and cozy space for drinks, dining and being up close to the evening’s entertainers. We shared the evening with Sher’s best friend from High School and her husband. Fun conversation sharing travel experiences and activities were had by all during dinner.

The live music was played by a duo of Blues performers supported by drums and bass guitar. The artists were Gordan Bonham and Paul Holdman. Bonham is well known in the Blues community, and Holdman brings an eclectic flair to his guitar work.

The first video gives you a flavor of the quality and energy of these artists and Bonham’s vocals. The second video highlights the marvelous guitar work of Holdman. Enjoy!

We had a marvelous time at the Jazz Kitchen! You can’t beat this kind of evening: good food, marvelous entertainment and of course a close and warm time shared with old friends. Doesn’t ever get much better than that…

Wooden Bear Brewing

March 14, 2022July 2, 2022 / Roadtirementvintage / 15 Comments

Sunday afternoon seemed like a good time to have an adventure. So it was off to Greenfield, Indiana for a stop at the Wooden Bear Brewing company. Wooden Bear is in an old auto repair garage, and it is quite spacious.

Seating with bar on back wall

Company namesakes

The Wooden Bear has quite a nice selection of brews on tap. We decided to start with a four sample flight each. You can have as many as you like, with six being a full set, or as our waiter said, six is the most he can carry in one hand.

Sher’s flight

Maj’s flight

A local pizza restaurant happens to be in the back of the building. Very handy, and we certainly enjoyed the thin crust pizzas. They got to our table quickly after we ordered them.

Black olives!

Pepperoni!

We liked the NEIPA (hazy) so much we got a growler to go

Lazy Sunday afternoons are perfect for relaxing, enjoying a pizza and a flight of different brews. It is also a perfect time when you can spend it with the love of your life and the most important person in your life. Sundays don’t get any better than that.

Colonial is good Bread

March 10, 2022July 2, 2022 / Roadtirementvintage / 5 Comments

Old advertisements have always been popular, it seems. Keep your eyes open and you never know when you’ll spot a piece of pure Americana.

The back of the oval sign says “Thank You”

We found a nice example of a vintage (pre 1958) functional advertisement in the form of a working wooden/screen door on the Whistle Stop Cafe in Osgood, Indiana. The well worn metal cross piece proudly announces that “Colonial is good Bread”. Colonial Bread began in 1928 in Oklahoma City. The name was changed to Rainbo Bread in 1958 when the recipe was changed.

Complete Colonial Bread screen doors are bringing quite a lot on the online sites like ebay, Pinterest and Etsy. Just the signs without doors also command high prices.

The old hardware store is now a pub

February 26, 2022July 2, 2022 / Roadtirementvintage / 32 Comments

The building is a 3 story brick with a full basement, built in 1890 and home to the J.G. DePrez Co. a family owned hardware store for years. Like many small town stores, it fell prey to shopping malls and interstate highways allowing easy access to those big city malls. The hardware store closed decades ago.

Pudders is in the white building on the left. Note the DePrez name on the brick in the upper right

Now a portion of the first floor houses a delightful restaurant and, in the back a separate bar room. Named Pudders, this business is located on the Public Square of Shelbyville, a small town in central Indiana. It has been in business since 2019, and has enjoyed a strong local following.

Full bar serving restaurant

Fresh made chips smothered with good stuff

Vegetable Wrap and fries. Wrap is loaded!

Fresh cod “Fish and Chips” with cole slaw

Now that the pandemic is slowing down, Pudders has live music each weekend and periodic trivia nights. Their menu offers an assortment of burgers, wraps, salads, wings and tons of appetizers. We had a small group of family members together for a late afternoon meal. Every meal was delicious and portion sizes were very generous. It is always nice to see older buildings in small towns occupied with locally owned businesses.