March is a month of transition. 

Out with the rigid blustery cold and in with the warm showers of Spring. A time where we gather with friends to cheer for our Zags in the NCAA Tournament, beware the Ides (whatever that means) and most importantly… celebrate a beloved Irish patron Saint named Patrick. I’ve never found a four-leaf clover, but my family is Irish, and there are ruins of a Kilduff Castle in Ireland right outside a little town called Limerick. I might not be able to visit Limerick any time soon but I love food and happen to be a decent writer, so:

There once was foodie who wrote reviews

Who would choose the dishes he chewed

He made it abundantly clear

March should feature green beer

But the boss demanded that he do beef stew

Shawn O’Donnell’s American Grill & Irish Pub

719 N. Monroe St.

The popular Seattle Irish-American eatery has bounced onto the Spokane scene just in time for St. Paddy’s Day. They brought boxty cakes and Bushmill’s, but, more importantly, they’ve cemented a savory Guinness beef stew worth selling your bagpipes for. Luckily, this Kobe Beef concoction of carrots, parsnips, celery and onion is only $10 on their lunch menu. It even boasts an adorable puff pastry shamrock for good luck. 

Republic Pi 

611 E 30th Ave.

A pizzeria isn’t the first place that comes to mind for a decadent beef stew, but Republic Pi has made a name for itself by breaking the rules. They already put toppings like Brussels sprouts and garbanzo beans on pizza, why not serve up an iconic Irish stew on an all-Italian menu? Chunks of potato, carrot and steak swimming in a thickened beef broth makes for the perfect warm up on a Tuesday when they offer any pizza on their menu for only $12.

O’Doherty’s Irish Grille

525 W. Spokane Falls Blvd

My dad did the original mural inside of the Downtown O’Doherty’s, so I spent my share of Sundays seeing shamrocks and watching patrons sing on the bartop. Looking back as an adult, I wish I would have known how great their Irish Beef Stew was. A unique blend of spices and the addition of sausage makes this really stand out. Throw in some of O’Doherty’s famous honey cornbread and you have the perfect rainy day meal. 

Spencer’s Steak 

and Chops

322 N. Spokane Falls Ct.

When you’re serving aged, hand-cut prime grade steaks, I guess it’s a no-brainer that the beef stew should be out-of-this-world. Chef Cody Geurin, who previously was the executive chef at Clover, has brought new life to one of Spokane’s most iconic steakhouses. Nestled inside the downtown DoubleTree Hotel, Spencer’s offers this hearty stew that has more business being a meal than an addition to your entree. The difference maker in this bowl is the soul healing gravy, an intense umami flavor you only get from slow-cooked marrow. 

Conley’s Place
12622 E. Sprague Ave.

John Conley was 19 years old when he opened White Elephant in 1951. More than 70 years later, his family still owns and operates the iconic department store. In 1992, Jennifer and Ed Conley decided to add some of their own personal Irish heritage into a restaurant next door. A trademark menu item has always been the Irish recipe straight from County Clare: a thick Guinness stew served in a sourdough bread boule.