Mardi Gras has its king cakes and St. Patrick’s Day has … well, all sorts of inspired food and drinks. Going beyond basic green beer, local spots get into the spirit with flavors, shades and flourishes that flirt with this most festive of themes. We prowled the menus of Perkins Road Overpass District eateries for on-theme sips and bites.
Pear Basil Jalapeno Lemonade
at BLDG 5
2805 Kalurah St.
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BLDG 5’s popular green-tinged Pear Basil Jalapeno Lemonade, one of four house-made flavors, is a fabulous buy for Wearin’ of the Green parade parties. Sold in both bags and bottles, the not-too-sweet beverage is an easy springtime sipper or cocktail mixer. bldg5.com
Charm City Sensation Ice Cream
at Gail’s Fine Ice Cream
3025 Perkins Road
Only an artisan ice cream shop would dream up infusing ice cream with Lucky Charms cereal milk. The sweet, creamy base is studded with the cereal’s signature pink hearts, yellow moons, orange stars and green clovers. Magically delicious. gailsfineicecream.com
Cabbage Rolls
at Zeeland Street
2031 Perkins Road
Zeeland Street’s daily specials get a little more Irish heading into St. Patrick’s Day. Homey cabbage rolls feature ground beef and rice stuffed in parboiled cabbage leaves and draped in tomato sauce. Find it on Facebook
Chicago Dawg
at Frankie’s Dawg House
2318 Cedardale Ave.
Try your luck with a frank from a city with one of the largest Irish populations in the country, second only to Boston. The seven-element dish features chopped onion, a dill pickle spear, celery salt, tomato, sport peppers, a poppy seed bun and neon relish that ensures you get your green on. frankiesdawghouse.com
Shrimp Pesto Pasta
at Overpass Merchant
2904 Perkins Road
Plump shrimp are coated in basil pesto and served over artisan gemelli pasta made by Il Supremo, a pasta company owned by Overpass Merchant’s restaurant group. Wash it down with a can of Irish Channel Stout by NOLA Brewing Co. or perhaps a shot of Jameson. theoverpassmerchant.com
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Matcha Frappe
at Coffee Joy
3617 Perkins Road
Served in a Mason jar mug, Coffee Joy’s matcha frappe is a cool blend of matcha, finely ground green tea powder, milk, ice and other ingredients. The seafoam hue is one of the prettiest shades of green around and just right for the occasion. coffeejoy.com
This article was originally published in the March 2024 issue of 225 magazine.