Dublin Village Tavern   

Throughout its storied, 115-year history, the Dublin Village Tavern has seen and done it all: post office, stage-coach stop, hardware store, cistern and, best of all, a gathering place where locals meet and eat. The ivy-covered exterior and spit-and-polish interior are a cozy diversion from the stress of work or screaming kids. The place is also a great spot for anything from a power lunch to girls' night out. Chefs ladel up generous portions of tavern-style fare with a side of blarney. Try the "village chowder," thick with potatoes, ham and cheese, or the grilled bologna sandwich: a slab of authentic fried German bologna topped with onions, lettuce, banana peppers and pepper jack, served on a kaiser roll. The burger is by far the most popular item on the menu, usually enjoyed on the patio and washed down with a pint of ale. Ask the staff what they put in it that makes it so good, and they'll tell you straight away: "A lot of love." Check out the daily specials, too, which usually include 25-cent wings.