Local Eats

There is nowhere better to eat in my town, Dundonald in Northern Ireland, than Blue Chicago Grill.

It is the perfect restaurant for families, romantic dates, last minute dinner ideas or large gatherings. The food is great British food with some American twists. You have your massive burgers that you can’t get your mouth around, your classic fish and chips, lasagne, buffalo wings, steak cooked to your liking, chicken goujons… everything you could possibly want; and more!

There is literally something for everyone. Meat eaters, vegetarians, vegans and picky eaters who just want chips (fries).

You can go in for a light lunch or a big three course meal, the menu suits all occasions and hunger levels. Special menus are changed weekly and there is soups of the day and spicy nachos regularly. And no British restaurant would be complete without beer on tap. They even do cocktails for your special nights out with the girls.

I have had four birthday meals at Blue Chicago Grill and as soon as all the restaurants are open again, after our third lockdown, we will definitely be having a great family meal there!

Each booth makes you feel like you are in your own world. The seats are comfy, the tables are the perfect height. The staff are amazing! There is nothing that is too much trouble. Always professional and well mannered with spotless uniforms. The style of the restaurant is all booths but has the ability to move around for larger parties. There are large mirrors on the walls to make the place look bigger and the huge blind covered windows let the perfect amount of light in and it’s no trouble if you want the blinds adjusted.

The ambient music is at the right level that you can have a conversation without shouting across the table. They even have a “Happy Birthday” tune they play and sing while they bring you a free slice of cake and ice cream and is usually accompanied by a cheer and applause from the people in the restaurant too!

My favourite meal has to be - a Starter of Spicy Nachos with salsa, followed by a Main of “Mama’s Southern Fried Chicken Goujons” with garlic diced potatoes and to finish, a dessert of chocolate lava cake with ice cream Never disappoints! My mouth is salivating and stomach is rumbling just thinking about it!

The food is always perfectly cooked and prepared. Even when you just have a toasted sandwich. And if you do have an issue (which we only had once… they added mushroom to a meal I asked not to) it was resolved and my meal was then free. There was no fuss, just very apologetic staff and the manager even tried to give me a coupon for another visit but the free meal was more than enough.

I have had several friends who have worked as waiters there, some still do and all agree that they were treated with the highest respect by the managers and owners. The owners are often there, too, helping clear tables and chatting with staff and customers.

The restaurant has also run several special events over the years for small and larger charities and local causes.

It’s a restaurant that most just call Chicago Grill and they all know the place and have found memories of the food or agree that they need to get their family or friends together and go for a meal there.

For an independent restaurant, I really hope that it survives the multiple lockdowns that the United Kingdom has faced this past year. It would be a very sad day if they had to close. But all being well, in another month or so, we will all be able to enjoy the wonderful food and ambiance of Blue Chicago Grill again!