by Trisha Finley

This article is compliments of Make Mine Wine magazine and was written by Barbara Rasko

When William Fennelly left Ireland and stepped off the boat in America in 1890, his name was Americanized to Finley. He couldn’t have imagined that 121 years later, his great-grandson and wife would be serving his favorites like corned beef and cabbage, Irish stew, shepherd’s pie and boxty to residents and visitors at Fennellys’ Irish Pub in Elkader, Iowa.

Nestled in the hills of Northeast Iowa, Fennellys’ Irish Pub offers Americanized Irish fare along with some great American favorites, served in a friendly, relaxed pub-style atmosphere, where lively conversations drift easily from table to table. A framed photo of a stoic, and probably proud, William Fennelly hangs on the wall.

On any given day you can see Trisha Finley behind the long oak bar, pouring a Guinness for a regular customer, or welcoming a new customer walking in the door, while Chef Tim Finley prepares flavor-filled meals and appetizers in the well-lit open kitchen.

Tim Finley is a Certified Chef with degrees in Culinary Arts and Restaurant Management from the Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) and Iowa State University. He trained with DMACC’s Chef Robert Anderson, who was pleased to see his young student in action when he attended the Pub’s grand opening in September of 2008.

In three short years, Tim and Trisha have built a successful business by consistently serving excellent food at a reasonable price and providing a comfortable, friendly place to enjoy a meal or hang out and watch a game with friends.

He encourages small town success by partnering with other local businesses. Pedretti’s Bakery creates all of the bread, buns, and rolls served at Fennellys’. In the same spirit of cooperation, he carries a selection of fine wines, but encourages customers to walk across the street and bring back Iowa wines from The Wine Cellar at Willow Creek Wine and Garden, to pair with their meals.

The menu includes big flavorful burgers, excellent steaks, soups, sandwiches, traditional Irish favorites, and home-made desserts. Fennellys’ has thirteen beers on tap including selections from Iowa breweries, over 30 domestic and specialty bottled beers, mixed drinks, and wine.