J. Gilligan’s Bar & Grill

J. Gilligan’s Bar & Grill

400 E. Abram
(817) 274-8561
www.jgilligans.com

Located on Abram, between Collins and Center.

J. Gilligan’s World Famous Irish Nachos

The ‘Best Dressed Chest’ is a grilled chicken sandwich w/guacamole on a kaiser roll.

J Gilligan’s is a restaurant, a draft house, and basically the party place for Arlington. Famous for their Irish Nachos, the restaurant has also won “Best in Arlington” for its cheeseburger. This place ain’t fancy, that’s for sure. It looks like a road house. But the atmosphere is relaxed, the staff is friendly, and the food is good and reasonably priced.

You can choose to eat in the restaurant (non-smoking) or the bar (smoking) which is decorated with neon beer signs, plus a pool table, a video games. There’s also a stage in the bar area for live music (check their Web site for upcoming performances).

So what exactly are Irish Nachos? Served in a skillet (full order $6.29, 1/2 order $5.29), the cottage fries are naturally cut and toped with cheddar cheese, bacon bits, chives, onions, tomatoes and jalapenos. Go ahead and splurge by adding grilled chicken for $2.99.

The burger menu ranges in price from $3.69 to $5.99 depending on whether you order 1/3 pound or ½ pound. I suggest the Gilligan’s House Special (the vote-winning cheeseburger) because the price ($4.99 for 1/3 lb) includes fries or onion rings or chips.

There’s a pretty good variety on the menu, not just typical bar food. Sandwiches include: Philly steak, hog heaven, chicken fried steak, hot turkey, hot ham, buffalo chicken and club. Entrees (with Texas toast and two sides) include chicken fried steak or chicken, hamburger steak, rib eye, grilled chicken or chicken strips.

Reasonably priced overall, the most expensive item on the menu is the 10oz Ribeye Steak for $10.99. I suggest any of the menu items with chicken, whether it’s the grilled chicken dinner, “Chad’s Chicken Choice” salad, or my favorite—the “Best Chest in the West” chicken sandwich. Go ahead and upgrade to the “Best Dressed Chest in the West” ($6.29) for only 30-cents more because you get a generous dollop of guacamole. The “Best Chest” chicken sandwiches are served on a Kaiser roll.

Lunch specials are Monday thru Friday, 11am to 3pm. The Kid’s Menu includes a Blue Bell ice cream cup.

J Gilligan’s is also a great place for groups/families visiting Arlington to hold their special events, whether it’s a birthday party, youth sports teams, reunions, wedding receptions, banquets, or holiday parties. A private room can accommodate groups of up to 200 people and you can also ask about hiring a dee-jay, live music, or a juke box.

Groups of 40-or-more can choose a Buffet menu to cut down on costs. Choices for the buffet are: beef/chicken fajitas; cheeseburger/chicken strips/grilled chicken (served with Irish nachos); or chicken fried steak/chicken fried chicken/grilled chicken & steak.

Party trays (whether your party is at J Gilligans or elsewhere) are available and cost only $25 to $45 depending on the menu item (e.g., wings, fajitas, cheese sticks, Irish nachos, quesadillas, meatballs, chicken strips, etc.).

They can also set you up for an off-site party because they rent tents and sell ice. Call Randy Ford at (817) 980-4255 to ask about planning an event.

By the way, Thursday nights at J Gilligan’s is Bike Nite from 6pm-9pm with drink specials.

Read Full Post »