Publican Tavern - Chicago O'Hare International Airport ORD

Terminal 3, Concourse K, Gate K1

Visited October 30. 2017

I came specifically for this star attraction featured on a pork goodies episode of Iron Chef. As I watched  how it is made, I couldn't help but think it really isn't different from pork rinds picked up in a grocery store.  Is it that good it impresses an Iron Chef?

It didn't impress me for the $6.  For my taste buds, some pork rinds I buy prepackaged are better. These lacked glass crispiness. They had softened to have a mild chewy stretch. The texture left something to be desired but the Poof seasoning compensated for the texture. The seasoning is reminiscent of cheddar powder with the salty, cheesy goodness. 

The Pub Burger was an afterthought order but it outshines the pork rinds. It could be possibly the best burger I've had at an airport to date. The huge looking bun compressed easily and offered a good bun to meat ratio. The Slagel Farms beef patty cooked medium arrived medium with juiciness intact. The Bongard American Cheese, Gem lettuce, balsamic onion, and special sauce worked together so well as to be another example of the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.

Food: ★★★

Service: ★★
Probability of making an out of the way return: 0%
Probability of returning if in the area: 30%

Revisit July 26, 2018, 12:18 pm

Turkey Sandwich. I vacillated between the Turkey and the PQM Sausage and healthy won out. I thought it would be deli style processed turkey but to my unexpected pleasure, this is the real stuff. Tender, almost too tender to be turkey as I know it. A nice tang with a mild spicy kick. The bread is buttered and grilled adding to the dreaminess. It is a pricey $16 but its taste is way off the charts.

I'm seated at the chef's counter and have the opportunity to watch the behind the scenes action. Publican Tavern gives off a chicness but it feels dirty behind the counter. The cooking line appears to be first generation immigrants but not so humble. The talk and demeanor are unbecoming of a high image restaurant. 

Revisit April 4, 2025

Smoked Turkey Salad.  It's really nice but it's still just a salad.

 

Revisit May 19, 2025

I was planning on a salad but at noon time, they said they didn't have any salads. It felt more processed than unadulterated turkey unlike the first time I tried this. It's still tasty and tangy.