Take a Gamble with Dan Rooney’s

While on my quest for the greatest cocktail in Yonkers during the GenY Cocktail contest, I found myself at Empire City Casino for my final destination. A newbie to the Raceway, I  was excited to try Dan Rooney’s Sports Pub—just one of the four food options on site.

Fully aware that I was there, the restaurant generously sent out a table full of dishes—I felt I was more in a Double Dare physical challenge, placing my bets on how far I could test the bottomless pit of a stomach I claim to have. While I put a solid dent in the food, it turned out to be less about the challenge {or showcase of gluttony} and more about the variety of food this Irish turned sports pub has to offer.

While I make the chase below that there’s more to Dan Rooney’s than catching the game, I don’t want to detract that it’s a great place to catch Monday night football. While the pub may show a little love towards the Steelers, there’s plenty of food and beer to wallow in if you’re a Giants fan like myself.

{IntoxiKate Tip!}

Dan Rooney’s isn’t coined a sports pub for no reason–pairing plenty of TVs with food and beer deals, it’s a great place to catch a football game.
This fall, the bar is offering a 3-2-1 Football Menu available during any professional game:
$3 ~ Sloppy Joe or Pork Sliders (Two per plate)
$2 ~ Candied Bacon Strips or Pretzel
$1 ~ Wings or Honey Cayenne Popcorn
+ $5 Bud and $ Budlight Drafts;
$1 Budlight Drafts during any Pittsburgh game

While we’re working with full-on pub décor here {yes, it definitely leans more to the masculine} Dan Rooney’s  is everything I love about my favorite dive bar—there’s personality, a certain familiarity, and a great selection of beer—but cleaned up, offering a much more versatile menu.

When you think of casinos, the last thing on your mind is probably juicy, rotisserie chicken and a generous helping of baby back ribs. You may not expect that from your favorite pub either. But Dan Rooney’s Sports Pub at Empire City Casino at the Yonker’s Raceway breaks the mold on both—allowing you to score big on more than just the slots.

While Rooney’s definitely caters to the sports crowd—there’s a pretty comprehensive menu priced right that blows away expectations. If you’re in the neighborhood to place a bet or two, or just passing through, the pub caters to both, allowing you to catch a game on one of their over-sized screens or order dinner on the go.

{IntoxiKate Tip!}

Get VIP treatment at the casino! The IntoxiKate Holiday Kick Off Party at the Empire City Casino is November 14th from 6 – 10 p.m. The $50 ticket includes food, beer, wine and signature drink (plus dancing AND bowling). Plus, the first 50 guests who RSVP get an exclusive IntoxiKate goodie bag packed full of great holiday gift ideas from around the county!
Buy tickets now!

Looking for lighter fare between playing the slots? Try the BBQ pulled pork sliders ($10) or {if you’re watching that waistline) a little hummus and pita bread ($6).

For dinner with the family (or maybe a date?!?), try the fish and chips, served with malt vinegar and tartar sauce ($15) or the rotisserie chicken for two paired with mashed potatoes and gravy ($24). It doesn’t have to be March to enjoy a full plate of corned beef and cabbage. This pub’s got it right, and serves up a dish that rivals IntoxiKate’s version, which isn’t easy to do.

Grab some chicken to go and order the rotisserie ($24) served with mashed potatoes and gravy (serves 2). Pictured with sautéed spinach ($5) and 
mac & cheese ($5) sides.

If you’re going the Irish route, continue the theme in your final course. The dessert menu includes a brownie sundae with Guinness ice cream ($9) {ah-mazing!}. If you prefer to go the nonalcoholic route, there’s chocolate and peanut butter cake, berry crumble and homemade apple pie ($8 for each).

{Dan Rooney’s: 810 Yonkers Ave, Yonkers, 914-457-2531 ext. 531, www.danrooneyscafeandbar.com}