Gina Bentley is bracing for an Irish storm.
When doors opened to The Cottage Irish Pub & Eatery on Broadway on St. Patrick’s Day last year, the people waiting outside could not all fit inside.
“We opened at 10 a.m. and we had a line that had been there since 9 a.m.,” said Bentley, whose pub holds 200 patrons.
The crowd outside did not disappear after doors opened. “We had a line down our parking lot for five hours,” she said.
To accommodate a crush of revelers Monday, a tent has been erected in the pub parking lot that will more than double the eatery’s capacity.
“They told us about 300 can fit under the tent,” Bentley said. “We’re going to be packed.”
From 10 a.m. on, she expects the pub to be hopping with all things Irish — music, food, drinks and dance. Bagpipers and drummers will entertain. Irish singers and dancers will perform. Fish and chips, cottage pie and bangers and mash will be served. Lots of beer will be poured.
“People love their Guinness here,” Bentley said.
From Broadway to the River Walk and all across the city, Irish pubs and restaurants were preparing for a big day.
Krazy Katsu, home of the crazy popular pandan smash burger, is doubling up. Owner Phillip Gonyea has ordered twice the number of green buns for hungry St. Patrick’s Day customers: 200.
“We typically go through about 100 a day,” Gonyea said.
On a menu known for chicken sandwiches, the pandan stands out: two grilled patties, melted cheddar, onion and kewpie mayo on delectable green buns. “The buns are a little sweet, like a concha,” Gonyea said. “Or an unglazed donut.”
For today only, pandan burgers are 15 percent off, selling for $11.75. Green margaritas are $4.
Over at Waxy O’Connor’s Irish Pub on the River Walk, co-owner Tim Rooney is expecting a capacity crowd. “We’ll have a full house, 190 people between our outdoor patio and inside,” Rooney said. “Come early and get your eats.”
Corned beef and cabbage, shepherd’s pie and Guinness beef stew are menu favorites.
“We’ll have Irish whiskey samples,” Rooney said. “Bagpipers will be coming through. And there will be live music with Adam Cruz, Ben Griffin and Ed Cooney.”
Mondays are typically slow in the restaurant business. Some San Antonio restaurants are closed on Mondays. Others see little foot traffic.
But St. Patrick’s Day offers a jolt of expectation.
“We had to turn people away last year,” Bentley said. “And this year, we’ll probably stay open until 2 a.m.”
