Irish Corner Cantina Opens On Black Road: 'Everybody Is Welcome Here'

JOLIET — Eight months after Fireman Ted's closed at 2771 Black Road, Kevin Kelley and his wife Gilda have brought the property back to life in a mighty big way. Friday marked the grand opening for Joliet's newest restaurant and bar, The Irish Corner Cantina.

The Kelleys know what they're doing when it comes to operating a bar. They previously lived in Mexico where they ran "a lazy beach bar in southern Mexico" for nearly 10 years. In Mexico, their bar featured hammocks and a book exchange.

"We know we can't bring that back," Kevin Kelley said of 2771 Black Road. "We're very kid friendly with board games. Everybody is welcome. We are a very diverse family and everybody is welcome here."

Kelley said that his father, Michael Kelley, is the bar-restaurant owner, and he also wanted people to know his father is not the same Michael Kelley who is the three-term Will County Sheriff.

A Joliet Catholic High School graduate, Kevin Kelley wants The Irish Corner Cantina to become known as a family-oriented restaurant and bar. It will not be staying open into the wee hours of the morning, like many of Joliet's bars.

"We want to close by 11 p.m.," he said. "We are not looking for a late night crowd."

Irish Corner Cantina is open seven days a week, opening at 11 a.m. Last call for kitchen food will be around 9:30 p.m. and last call for drinks at the bar will be 10:30 p.m.

"The name is actually interesting," Kelley explained. "It's going to be typical bar food with some twists."

Irish Corner Catina features an area where children and parents can mingle together. There are plenty of books and lots of board games.

The new Joliet bar features classic arcade games such as Golden Tee and Pac-Man.

There are also dart boards.

Kelley said his goal is to compliment Joliet's established businesses and nearby bars, rather than treat them as competition.

"Double J Sports Bar, On The Rocks, Jameson's Pub, we're not competing," Kelley pointed out. "We're friendly with all of these people. Our goal is to help each other out."

Kelley wants Irish Corner Cantina to be known for its food and as a quality restaurant that draws people from Joliet and the surrounding communities.

"We will be starting slow with $11 lunches," he said. "And that will be for the meal, with a side and pop. We'll also come up with chef specials, and we will do some daily specials."

Friday's grand opening menu unveiled "The Tornados."

"That's going to be our first hit, I hope," Kelley remarked.

"Delicious cone-shaped bread, Milano's creation, filled with your favorite option," his menu reads.

On Friday, customers could order Tornados with pulled pork, turkey or chicken tenders.

The Tornado is priced at $12, and that includes the tax. "And it even comes with a side. All prices include tax," he emphasized.

As for sides, you can order waffle fries, onion rings, mac and cheese, steamed broccoli, garlic mashed potatoes, sweet potato fries or coleslaw.

Irish Corner has seven burgers: a classic burger, BBQ chipotle and bacon, blue cheese and bacon, Catrina's burger, gringo burger, peanut butter burger and the portabello burger. All burgers come with optional lettuce, tomato and pickle.

Sandwiches include Philly cheesesteak, Reuben, chipotle chicken, brisket, pulled pork and jalapeño popper chicken.

There's a salmon dinner, fish tacos, fish basket and shrimp basket, along with four salads and nine appetizers including cheese bread, fried pickles, buffalo shrimp as well as pretzels and cheese.

Kelley wants to continuously tinker and update his menu, rather than keep it the same.

He will introduce corned beef tacos, Irish nachos, and "we have an Irish tinga and some specials such as fish and chips. We are going to play with the Irish-Mexican combination," Kelley said.

"We will do some live music," Kelley pointed out. "We will be looking toward the end of summer, one or two-person" musicians.

Wednesday nights will be bingo with plenty of wacky off-the-wall prizes, he promised.

The bar carries a dozen varieties of Mexican beers, plus there's craft beer on tap from Jamie Albert and his Will County Brewing Company in Shorewood.

Besides its beer and family-atmosphere, Irish Corner Cantina hopes to be known for its mules, martinis and specialty cocktails.

"I envision a pretty good variety of tequilas," Kelley added.