Bennigan's! Everyone's favorite Irish pub from the 1980s! The Irish food at my friend's house (Craig)
is so much better - but for a mass-produced, chain Irish pub, Bennigan's wasn't too bad. Like most of these restaurants we talk about, it went bankrupt in the 2000s, but it's trying to make a comeback with a good strategy that might actually work.
Bennigan's was founded in 1976 by Pillsbury - and then went through a various change of corporate ownership over the next 30 years. At its peak, there were over 300 Bennigan's in the US. In 2008, the corporate headquarters decided to pull the plug and go into bankruptcy - closing almost all the stores. Just over 10 remained.
The star of the menu isn't really any irish fare - but the Monte Cristo sandwich. That's French, right? For those that don't know, a Monte Cristo is a ham and turkey sandwich that is then dipped in batter and fried - so the bread is more like a French toast. And it's served with some sort of fruity jam. Of course, we have to put powdered sugar all over it, too - nothing says Ireland than powdered sugar all over your entrée.
The Bennigan's we always went to was the one in Iowa. We lived about 2 miles from the largest mall in Iowa City - and frankly, the largest mall between Des Moines and Moline, a span of about 200 miles. They had a Target in the mall - and next to the Target was a Bennigan's. So - with 2 kids under 3 or 4, you could imagine how many Target runs were made per week.
And - if you already made the trek out during an Iowa winter - by bundling up the kids in their babyseat and getting them to go to the bathroom - might as well stay out and get dinner. So there were many, many outings in 2 years where a Wednesday night in January consisted of:
- leaving the plant in complete darkness at 5 pm; temperature: 2 degrees F
- picking up the kids from day care
- get home, let the dogs out. pack up baby food for a 11 month old Warren - keep the kids bundled up
- get back in the car, head to Target
- get to Bennigan's around 6:30 for dinner
- get home by 7:30, 8 to put the kids to bed
Getting there by 6:30 meant you could catch most of some random Big Ten basketball game that was on TV - Minnesota at Northwestern, let's say. It was always winter when we went there, it seemed. I don't ever remember going there in shorts.
I have memories of Freddie - who was 3 or 4 at the time - just being a mess at the restaurant. As all toddlers were! Our dinner always consisted of noodles or French fries thrown all around our table on the floor.....we just sheepishly gave our server a look when he came by. and then when Warren started on solid food ----- double the mess....
Oh! Bennigan's was also know for its Death by Chocolate dessert....no, I didn't always order this for myself, but it was split a lot!
The Bennigan's in the Coral Ridge Mall closed in 2014......a Mellow Mushroom is in its place now. Sad.
Bennigan's is trying to make a comeback now by expanding into small towns/small cities. Three Bennigan's were opened this year, in these locations:
- Steubenville, OH ( 30 miles north of Wheeling)
- Mandan, North Dakota (just outside Bismark)
- Monahans, Texas (um....50 miles from Odessa?)
They are trying to dominate small markets instead of moving into suburbia. As the CEO says, "if we go into Manhattan, no one cares. If we go into these markets, it's the biggest event in a decade". You know - he's got a point. I hope it works for their sake! I want another Monte Cristo sandwich!
On to the games:
TB 31, Det 27. Still can't trust Winston to win a game by double digits or so. Detroit has no running game - and Tampa has a great run D - so both teams will pass pass pass.
KC 24, Den 21. OK, I'll jump on the Lock bandwagon. The Chiefs just look a little off the last few weeks, and I think Denver's run game and D will keep it close.
Ten 31, Hou 27. Have to figure out who to root for in order to boost the faint Browns' WC chances. I do believe Tannehill can keep this good run going.
Mia 30, NYG 27. Miami still has no D - so Eli will move the ball. But it's so tempting to take Miami and the points....feel like this is a trap.
GB 20, Chi 13. I rarely think that a second division game will be like the first (remember week 1, 10-3) but I can't see either team breaking 20 here.
Sea 27, Car 13. Yes, the Panthers look like a team that is giving up - and the worst matchup for a team like that is a physical, running team - like the Seahawks. Seattle will run and get out.
NE 24, Cin 13. I am now 0-3 this year betting on the Patriots. I give up.
Phi 23, Was 13. The only semi-good thing about the Eagles is the run D - and that's the only thing the Skins can do. What, Haskins will beat this team? I don't think so.
Oak 30, Jax 20. Last game in Oakland. All sorts of emotions here - with a dejected Jacksonville on the other side. Could be a blowout, but Oakland has no D.
LAC 27, Min 24. Complete look ahead for the Vikes - Green Bay is next week. I expect them to come out flat and not be able to make it all the way back.
SF 26, Atl 17. How can the Niners repeat what they did last week? A letdown has to happen. And the Niners D will limit the Falcons' offense.
Dal 24, LAR 20. Just a hunch. I just can't trust Goff on the road - and I have to in my fantasy semi-final. Ugh.
Pit 20, Buf 16. All the numbers say Buffalo, but this is in Pittsburgh and I've seen too many weird things happen in favor of the toothless inbreeds in Pittsburgh.
NO 27, Ind 17. Again, another semi-letdown game for the Saints after the game of the year last week. The Saints have enough D to stop Brissett.
Best bets: 15 of them. Last week: 8-5-2; overall: 92-96-5
ATS: last week: 2-4-2; overall: 48-62-4
Over/under: last week: 6-1; overall: 44-34
TB/Det over 46
Den +10
Hou/Ten over 51.5
Mia +3
Mia/NYG over 46.5
GB -4
Chi/GB under 40.5
Sea -6
Sea/Car under 49.5
Phi -6
Oak -6.5
LAC +1
LAC/Min over 45.5
Atl/SF under 48.5
Dal +1.5
Supercontest picks: Last week: 1-2-2; overall: 29-39-2
Den +9
GB -4
Sea -6.5
Phi -4.5
LAC +2.5
Bennigan's was founded in 1976 by Pillsbury - and then went through a various change of corporate ownership over the next 30 years. At its peak, there were over 300 Bennigan's in the US. In 2008, the corporate headquarters decided to pull the plug and go into bankruptcy - closing almost all the stores. Just over 10 remained.
The star of the menu isn't really any irish fare - but the Monte Cristo sandwich. That's French, right? For those that don't know, a Monte Cristo is a ham and turkey sandwich that is then dipped in batter and fried - so the bread is more like a French toast. And it's served with some sort of fruity jam. Of course, we have to put powdered sugar all over it, too - nothing says Ireland than powdered sugar all over your entrée.
The Bennigan's we always went to was the one in Iowa. We lived about 2 miles from the largest mall in Iowa City - and frankly, the largest mall between Des Moines and Moline, a span of about 200 miles. They had a Target in the mall - and next to the Target was a Bennigan's. So - with 2 kids under 3 or 4, you could imagine how many Target runs were made per week.
And - if you already made the trek out during an Iowa winter - by bundling up the kids in their babyseat and getting them to go to the bathroom - might as well stay out and get dinner. So there were many, many outings in 2 years where a Wednesday night in January consisted of:
- leaving the plant in complete darkness at 5 pm; temperature: 2 degrees F
- picking up the kids from day care
- get home, let the dogs out. pack up baby food for a 11 month old Warren - keep the kids bundled up
- get back in the car, head to Target
- get to Bennigan's around 6:30 for dinner
- get home by 7:30, 8 to put the kids to bed
Getting there by 6:30 meant you could catch most of some random Big Ten basketball game that was on TV - Minnesota at Northwestern, let's say. It was always winter when we went there, it seemed. I don't ever remember going there in shorts.
I have memories of Freddie - who was 3 or 4 at the time - just being a mess at the restaurant. As all toddlers were! Our dinner always consisted of noodles or French fries thrown all around our table on the floor.....we just sheepishly gave our server a look when he came by. and then when Warren started on solid food ----- double the mess....
Oh! Bennigan's was also know for its Death by Chocolate dessert....no, I didn't always order this for myself, but it was split a lot!
The Bennigan's in the Coral Ridge Mall closed in 2014......a Mellow Mushroom is in its place now. Sad.
Bennigan's is trying to make a comeback now by expanding into small towns/small cities. Three Bennigan's were opened this year, in these locations:
- Steubenville, OH ( 30 miles north of Wheeling)
- Mandan, North Dakota (just outside Bismark)
- Monahans, Texas (um....50 miles from Odessa?)
They are trying to dominate small markets instead of moving into suburbia. As the CEO says, "if we go into Manhattan, no one cares. If we go into these markets, it's the biggest event in a decade". You know - he's got a point. I hope it works for their sake! I want another Monte Cristo sandwich!
On to the games:
TB 31, Det 27. Still can't trust Winston to win a game by double digits or so. Detroit has no running game - and Tampa has a great run D - so both teams will pass pass pass.
KC 24, Den 21. OK, I'll jump on the Lock bandwagon. The Chiefs just look a little off the last few weeks, and I think Denver's run game and D will keep it close.
Ten 31, Hou 27. Have to figure out who to root for in order to boost the faint Browns' WC chances. I do believe Tannehill can keep this good run going.
Mia 30, NYG 27. Miami still has no D - so Eli will move the ball. But it's so tempting to take Miami and the points....feel like this is a trap.
GB 20, Chi 13. I rarely think that a second division game will be like the first (remember week 1, 10-3) but I can't see either team breaking 20 here.
Sea 27, Car 13. Yes, the Panthers look like a team that is giving up - and the worst matchup for a team like that is a physical, running team - like the Seahawks. Seattle will run and get out.
NE 24, Cin 13. I am now 0-3 this year betting on the Patriots. I give up.
Phi 23, Was 13. The only semi-good thing about the Eagles is the run D - and that's the only thing the Skins can do. What, Haskins will beat this team? I don't think so.
Oak 30, Jax 20. Last game in Oakland. All sorts of emotions here - with a dejected Jacksonville on the other side. Could be a blowout, but Oakland has no D.
LAC 27, Min 24. Complete look ahead for the Vikes - Green Bay is next week. I expect them to come out flat and not be able to make it all the way back.
SF 26, Atl 17. How can the Niners repeat what they did last week? A letdown has to happen. And the Niners D will limit the Falcons' offense.
Dal 24, LAR 20. Just a hunch. I just can't trust Goff on the road - and I have to in my fantasy semi-final. Ugh.
Pit 20, Buf 16. All the numbers say Buffalo, but this is in Pittsburgh and I've seen too many weird things happen in favor of the toothless inbreeds in Pittsburgh.
NO 27, Ind 17. Again, another semi-letdown game for the Saints after the game of the year last week. The Saints have enough D to stop Brissett.
Best bets: 15 of them. Last week: 8-5-2; overall: 92-96-5
ATS: last week: 2-4-2; overall: 48-62-4
Over/under: last week: 6-1; overall: 44-34
TB/Det over 46
Den +10
Hou/Ten over 51.5
Mia +3
Mia/NYG over 46.5
GB -4
Chi/GB under 40.5
Sea -6
Sea/Car under 49.5
Phi -6
Oak -6.5
LAC +1
LAC/Min over 45.5
Atl/SF under 48.5
Dal +1.5
Supercontest picks: Last week: 1-2-2; overall: 29-39-2
Den +9
GB -4
Sea -6.5
Phi -4.5
LAC +2.5
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