The Desert Sun, Palm Springs — Just past Palm Springs' designated Uptown Design District, Dickie O'Neal's Irish Pub brings out a bit of the leprechaun in everyone.
Dickie O'Neal is the fictitious red-bearded leprechaun whose face appears on the sign, menus, wall and website. Owners Michael Farber and Joey Leffel bring their Irish heritages to this public house — not bar — that is family-oriented, fun and kelly green.
Farber grew up working in his grandmother's truck stop restaurant in Wilmington, CA., he said. “Everyone in the family worked for grandma. She'd give me five bucks for washing dishes.”
Dickie O'Neal is the fictitious red-bearded leprechaun whose face appears on the sign, menus, wall and website. Owners Michael Farber and Joey Leffel bring their Irish heritages to this public house — not bar — that is family-oriented, fun and kelly green.
Farber grew up working in his grandmother's truck stop restaurant in Wilmington, CA., he said. “Everyone in the family worked for grandma. She'd give me five bucks for washing dishes.”
The restaurateur, who in the past has worked at the Red Onion in Palm Desert and Del Rios chain, has also been a disc jockey, talents he brings to Friday night karaoke at O'Neal's.
Leffel brings her Master's in Business Management, Irish recipes, marketing, and graphic design expertise to this entrepreneurial adventure.
Leffel brings her Master's in Business Management, Irish recipes, marketing, and graphic design expertise to this entrepreneurial adventure.
The vibe
O'Neal's is the site of the former Riccio's Italian Ristorante.
When Farber took over the restaurant in 2010, he did some major repairs.
“The first thing I wanted to do was take down the wall dividing the dining room from the bar,” he said. “It opens up the whole room, like a real Irish pub, where families dine while folks have their pint at the bar.”
Farber converted the former Italian dining room with its “stuffy floral upholstery” into a pub atmosphere with wood floors, green wainscoting, brass wall sconces, café and pub tables, the expected beer signs and a dozen flat-screen TVs.
The food
“Joey's the real Irish gal,” Farber said. “Many of the recipes are from her family, like Grandma Rose's Irish mac and cheese. We have Irish and English fare — and a little Mexican for good luck.”
Classic corned beef and cabbage, Garnish Island fish and chips, Barrycourt Castle shepherd's pie, authentic English bangers and mash — sausages over a bed of mashed potatoes — and Cuco O'Mally's three-cheese quesadilla prove his point.
A best-seller at the eatery is the Rinbrack rack o' ribs with Cattleman's barbecue sauce.
From the garden and kettle section are fresh-made soups and salads. Family-style meals with corned beef and cabbage or turkey with all the trimmings is served Sunday for dinner at a special $8.95.
Breakfast is available all day with egg dishes, ham, bacon, sausage, corned beef hash and potatoes among menu items. Specials include two for one burgers on Tuesday $5 pizza and $1 beer (Pabst or Rolling Rock) on Wednesday.
O'Neal's is the site of the former Riccio's Italian Ristorante.
When Farber took over the restaurant in 2010, he did some major repairs.
“The first thing I wanted to do was take down the wall dividing the dining room from the bar,” he said. “It opens up the whole room, like a real Irish pub, where families dine while folks have their pint at the bar.”
Farber converted the former Italian dining room with its “stuffy floral upholstery” into a pub atmosphere with wood floors, green wainscoting, brass wall sconces, café and pub tables, the expected beer signs and a dozen flat-screen TVs.
The food
“Joey's the real Irish gal,” Farber said. “Many of the recipes are from her family, like Grandma Rose's Irish mac and cheese. We have Irish and English fare — and a little Mexican for good luck.”
Classic corned beef and cabbage, Garnish Island fish and chips, Barrycourt Castle shepherd's pie, authentic English bangers and mash — sausages over a bed of mashed potatoes — and Cuco O'Mally's three-cheese quesadilla prove his point.
A best-seller at the eatery is the Rinbrack rack o' ribs with Cattleman's barbecue sauce.
From the garden and kettle section are fresh-made soups and salads. Family-style meals with corned beef and cabbage or turkey with all the trimmings is served Sunday for dinner at a special $8.95.
Breakfast is available all day with egg dishes, ham, bacon, sausage, corned beef hash and potatoes among menu items. Specials include two for one burgers on Tuesday $5 pizza and $1 beer (Pabst or Rolling Rock) on Wednesday.
2155 North Palm Canyon Drive
Palm Springs, CA 92262
760-325-2600
dickieoneal@gmail.com
