We arrived just after 7 p.m., too late for happy hour. Pedro’s, which is located next to Gritty’s on Lower Main Street in Freeport, has ample parking. Inside, the restaurant resembles a national franchise — casual hostess to great and seat, several dining sections, slightly festive decor, pop music playing and a warm, chatty crowd of hungry people.
We were seated in a family-type area near a window and our hostess was quick to deliver chips and salsa. The salsa, a cilantro-lovers dream come true, tasted like the ingredients were just picked from the garden. I helped myself to every last bit of it and would’ve drank the juice from the ramekin had we not been in public.
While sampling a raspberry margarita, I skimmed over the menu to find Mexican appetizers (nachos, wings, chili-fries), Pedro’s Mexi-Fare (burritos, enchiladas, tacos, chimichangas), O’Hara’s Grille (burgers, sandwiches, wraps) and Hearty Pub Fare (seafood, chicken, steak, lamb). Because boyfriend Johnnie ordered the Murphy’s Lamb Tip Sandwich from the Irish side, I ordered an enchilada with refried beans and green rice to get a taste of both worlds. My daughter ordered Nacho Chips and Cheese with chicken from the kid’s menu, which came with a free pop, ice-cream sandwich and hand wipie.
Our dinners arrived in less than 15 minutes. After a taste of Johnnie’s lamb sandwich, I wished I’d ordered from the Irish menu. The enchilada was good, but I should have ordered it with chicken instead of the vegetarian version — the chicken I tasted from the nachos was exactly what my entree was missing. Although I loved the lamb sandwich, Johnnie was unhappy because he ordered his lamb medium/rare and the meat was too well-done. The nacho chips were a grand slam with the little one. She claimed they were the best she’d ever had and insisted we eat there every night.
Next time we return, I’ll order the Blarney Sandwich (fresh lean corned beef and Swiss cheese on O’Hara’s famous egg-dipped rye bread) and make sure we’re not too late for happy hour!