HYPERLOCAL NEWS HUB BY THE UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS DEPARTMENT OF JOURNALISM
Restaurant Spotlight: Celtic Crossing
By Peter Dupont/MicroMemphis Reporter
September 30, 2011
I recently visited the restaurant/bar Celtic Crossing, located on 903 S. Cooper St. It looks like what we’ve come to expect from Irish pubs - low lighting, wood interior, and posters that say things like “Guinness is Good for You.” It has an outdoor patio area, which is a perfect place to enjoy your lunch in the afternoon or socialize with a group of friends at night.
The lunch menu has several delicious sounding items. One is a paddy melt, described on the menu as “ sirloin beef, caramelized onions, smothered in Munster cheese on Texas toast.”
Another is a fish sandwich “beer battered North Atlantic Cod, topped with cheddar, lettuce, tomato.” There is, of course, the Irish standard - shepherd’s pie and also burgers, meatloaf, and fish & chips. Everything on the lunch menu is less than eight dollars.
The bar at Celtic is stocked with everything you would expect from an Irish pub: American beers, imported Irish brews, and an extensive selection of, you guessed it, scotch and Irish whisky. There are two small TVs by the bar and during special events, like soccer matches, a large screen and projector make an appearance on the patio Celtic sponsors local soccer and rugby leagues and shows all the games broadcast on FSC (Fox Soccer Channel.)
The place has several drink specials. There is a happy hour, from 2-7, Monday through Friday. That gets you $2 bottles, like Bud Light, Coors Light, Miller Light Michelob Ultra, and Heineken. Drafts like McSorley’s, Blue Moon and Sam Adams are $3. Also some appetizers are half-off at this time. Monday is Pint Night - 16 oz. beers for $2.50.
On Sunday afternoons there is a brunch menu, with $4 Bloody Mary’s and Mimosas for $5.75. Plus a live Celtic band.
Natalie, a server I spoke with, said Friday nights are the busiest. She said to expect a crowd of mostly people ages 25 to 30. Other nights she said the crowd is a little older.
Opened in 2005, one of Celtic’s original owners, was Jo Delahunty. Delahunty lives in Cooper-Young and is originally from Ireland. Read this story about Delahunty and the bar when it first opened. Irish native, D.J. Naylor is still one of the restaurant owners. It's Irish roots are probably one of the reason Celtic has become one of the most popular spots in Memphis on St. Patrick's Day.
Check out Celtic Crossing's website for updates on special events. You can also follow Celtic on Twitter and Facebook.
Celtic Crossing is open from 9 a.m. until 3 a.m., seven days a week. Read what people think about Celtic Crossing on Urbanspoon and TripAvisor.
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Peter Dupont / MicroMemphis Reporter
Peter Dupont is a senior print journalism major at the University of Memphis. Born and raised in Montclair, New Jersey, Peter is an aspiring sports journalist. Consider him an expert on college and NBA basketball. Look for his work on Micromemphis and follow him on Twitter.
