Kelly’s

By far my favorite Irish pub specialized in Mexican food! All kidding aside, I love this place. I have never had a taco better than their shrimp tacos… ever. I would give those tacos six stars if I could. Same with their Uncle Lou’s dip and guaconachos! My dad loves the shredded beef burrito, and my mom rotates among the buffalo chicken sandwich, shredded beef tacos, quesadillas and potato soup. Yes, I know their orders, because we come here so frequently! (It’s my food-​of-​choice whenever I’m in town.)
Being a Sterling native, I often thought I was just biased, but everyone I have ever brought here from out of town has loved it too and asked to come back. However, remember to bring cash or a check, as they do not take cards.
Overall, it’s the perfect small town, quirky bar/​restaurant!

I was in Sterling on business and found Kelly’s on Unilocal.I decided to give it a try. One thing I found to be odd was that there was salsa on the table when I was seated, but if you wanted chips, you had to order them at $ 2.25 per basket. I will say, however, that the chips were very good. I ordered a burrito which was big enough to feed two hungry adults. It was also served on a plastic solo-​type disposable plate, which was a turn off. Best yet, when I received the bill, I was told they don’t take credit cards, only cash or personal checks. I was very surprised that in 2015, a restaurant would accept personal checks! Especially an out-​of-​state personal check, as mine was. Overall, the food was mediocre. The service was good, but I won’t be in a hurry to go back.

You think its an Irish pub but its predominantly Mexican food. Don’t let it discourage you tho. Everything was awesome. I got a nice big burger with fries. My friend got a chicken taco salad that was enormous. Fats friendly service, no credit cards though, so bring cash. Overall nice atmosphere with good food. Try it if you have a chance.

Love the food, the crook waitress charged me and my buddy $ 2.25 for one basket of chips, and put the charge on both tickets. Crooked crooked crooked. Good thing we checked after we left. Don’t care how good burritos are when you pull that B.S.

Always good food. Booths are tight. I wish they use real dinnerware instead of disposable. My service was not the best the day we went but we have had better service in the past.

This wants to be an Irish Pub. The devote is Irish, but the food is Mexican. We ordered the Guacanachos. Really good!!! They provided us with salsa, so don’t buy the extra chips and salsa. We also each ordered a taco: grilled chicken for me and steak for my husband. This food is Americanized, but tasty. I’d eat here again if passing through.

I don’t find myself in Sterling often, so I probably don’t have to worry about coming back to Kelly’s. And that’s OK by me.
I mean this in the most non-​sarcastic way: I really enjoy the small town, divey restaurant ambiance of Kelly’s. I mean, they serve Mexican food at a bar called Kelly’s. They also don’t take credit cards, but they do take checks. Love it!
Prices are ok, but they could have sprung for some drink specials during the week. Chips and salsa are also not included with your meal, they’ll cost you an extra $ 2 and change but they are homemade and really fresh. I ordered a steak and veggie quesadilla. Everything comes out on Styrofoam plates and the quesadilla filled up the plate. It was delicious and I really enjoyed it, until I started feeling the oiliness of the veggies. After half the quesadilla I knew I was going to have some stomach problems. Although it was delicious, my stomach hurt all night.
Kelly’s– you were the perfect one nighter. Enjoyable at the time, but full of remorse and regret after.

If you’re not from here, you wouldn’t miss much by skipping this place. Locals do love it for some reason and there is always a wait. The food is definitely not authentic although it may have been in the past. It is so overpriced, we ordered nachos and they gave us exactly 10 nacho chips laid out individually with a dollop of toppings for $ 9! And food is served on foam/​plastic plates like at a picnic! There so many other authentic Mexican places around like La Familia if you want good food.

Probably the best rueben sandwich i have ever had. Thick cut like they should be. But they only accept cash and can get very crowed from time to time. Their fajitas have left me disappointed as well as their burritos but then I guess that’s what I get for ordering Mexican food at an Irish pub. But my girlfriend absolutely loves the flauta.

The salsa was spicy & good. The guacamole was absolutely fresh. The chips were still warm and tasty. My boyfriend has the carne guaisada (sp??), I had a reuben. He said it was some of the best Mexican he has had since we left Texas. My reuben was delicious. It was thick cut, which I generally don’t like because it is tough to chew. Not this time, fell apart and was tender and juicy and tasty. It’s a bit far from Beloit but if we are out that way again, we will certainly stop there again. I would suggest this place.
One thing… they don’t take credit cards. There is an ATM machine at the door but to save yourself the ATM charges, come with cash!

Amazing fries, tacos, burgers and rice. Service is always great. Gets really busy and the decorating is really tacky.