Irish Eatery Offers Hearty Meals

Though the building itself is over roughly 100 years old, Poor Henry's Pub and Restaurant was established in 1975 after a move from East Hanover.

From its elaborate shamrock decorations and Irish flag to the building's green exterior, this petite restaurant emits the flare of the Emerald Isle. Featured  next to the pub's piano rests a digital clock that count downs until the next Saint Patrick's Day.

Though some may describe Poor Henry's as your everyday Irish pub, manager and bartender Bob Garrity, who is owner Ken Garrity's nephew and has been with the establishment for 25 years, takes pride in the character of this pub.

"Poor Henry's is a nice alternative to today's mostly chain restaurants that have an Irish pub atmosphere," he said.

Garrity coined the description, "Irish pub with an American flair," referencing Poor Henry's versality, which includes several Italian dishes. He said that pasta and fish meals are included in the menu to accommodate every customer's food tastes. And rightfully so. The $12.95 garlic-flavored rigatoni with chicken, fresh basil, and tomato from the night's specials that my father ordered proved that an Irish restaurant can indeed succeed at preparing an Italian dish.

But for the Irish in you, the restaurant serves corned beef and cabbage with a red potato on its specials list every Wednesday and Thursday for $14.50. I had this dish this past Saint Patrick's Day to get more in-tuned with my Irish heritage, and I was eager to try it again. The tenderness and flavor of the meal is exquisite, and I knew that I made the right choice. My mother's meal, the slice steak at $15.25, was served with a side of crispy fries. The meat was just as moist and tender as mine.

 In addition, we also ordered a corned beef sandwich on rye for $9.25 because you can never have enough corned beef. This sandwich and the slice steak were featured specials

Everything is prepared fresh, including a different soup everyday.

Poor Henry's is open Monday through Saturday for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and at 5 p.m. for dinner seven days a week.

The owners at Poor Henry's even offer recession specials, such as its famously prime rib, typically $20.95, discounted for $16.50 with fresh bread, potatoes and the salad bar from Sunday through Tuesday.

The restaurant also holds live guitar acts that perform on Thursdays through Sundays.

 "Poor Henry's has good food in a comfortable family friendly atmosphere with friendly service," Garrity said.

 I have to agree, especially when the knowledgeable and reliable staff greeted me and my family with their smiles and pleasant personalities.

Other accommodations include available gift certificates, a banquet room that fits a capacity of up to 80 people, and a bar that operates from 11:30 a.m. to 2 a.m.