Reilly's Daughter Hosts Annual Irish Soda Bread Contest

OAK LAWN, IL -- Tell grandma to start baking. Reilly’s Daughter’s famous Irish Soda Bread Contest commences on March 10. Contestants need to bring their bread in at 10 a.m.; the contest starts at 1 p.m. Judging the entries will be a host of South Side VIPs.

A wholesome afternoon of family fun is planned, including pipers and Irish music. The Terry McEldowney Trio takes the stage at noon. We're sure there'll be a chorus or two of "South Side Irish" as O'Reilly's kicks off the Mardi Gras of St. Patrick's Day events.

Celebrity judges include Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart, the Chicago St. Patrick’s Day queen and her court, former Reilly’s Daughter bartender Ald. Matt O’Shea (19th), as well as many other local politicians. First place is airfare for two to Ireland; second and third place will get cash prizes. Those in the top 10 will get a gift certificate of some sort.

For more than 20 years, Boz O'Brien's Irish Soda Bread Contest reigned supreme on the South Side during the month of March. Families would gather at Reilly's Daughter and root on their mothers and grandmothers as they sliced up their yeastless wonders to be judged by a South Side pol of Irish descent. This is the third year of the contest since it was revived by Boz’s sons, and the 30th contest since Boz first introduced it in 1976.

According to second-generation owner Brendan O’Brien, no loaf will be turned away.

"We've had up to 150 (contestants)," O’Brien said. "We aren't going to turn anybody down. We will make room if need be. As long as they come and have the bread, we will accommodate them accordingly."

So get out the salt, baking soda, flour and buttermilk and start baking because anything else added makes it a tea cake. You may want to throw a ten spot in there too in memory of An Gorta Mor.

Reilly’s Daughter is located in the shopping center on the northwest corner of 111th Street and Pulaski at 4010 W 111th St, Oak Lawn. For more info, visit Reilly’s Daughter’s Facebook page or call 708-423-1188.