When Mike and Chelle Zoltanksi outgrew their at-home bar, they bought the old Trotter’s locale at the corner of Heatherdowns and Reynolds Road and turned it into a salute to the Fighting Irish. Installing an impressive selection of beer taps and whiskies, glowing plasma screen TVs, and a modest kitchen they brought Dzia’s Irish Pub to Toledo’s south end.
“The idea started in our backyard in 1998,” says Chelle. “We invited a few friends over, put a big screen TV on the picnic table and watched Notre Dame football. It went from a few couples to almost 50 people in no time!”
The pints, the pints are calling
While the band was setting up on the corner stage, I was welcomed by a beer and food menu at a comfortable seat at the bar. With over a dozen beer taps at Dzia’s and a cooler stocked with a large selection of regional microbrews, assorted ciders and domestic favorites, it is also important to note that the friendly bartenders know how to pour a proper pint of Guinness. Expect to wait a few minutes while it settles before enjoying your pint.
The dinner menu offers traditional Irish pub fare like Shepherd’s Pie (lamb and vegetables in a brown gravy beneath whipped potatoes), boxty (fried potato patties served with sour cream), and of course, corned beef sandwiches. They also serve tasty pizzas, salads, wings, and burgers, all with a wee bit of Irish flavor. Dzia’s has a gluten-free kitchen, ordering all of their baked goods from local bakeries. The pub also has special food and drink events, most recently a Steak and Whiskey Night where guests enjoy a meal and a selection of whiskies, with cigars offered on the back patio.
Sights and sounds
Local musician Johnny Rodriguez manages the stage for open mic nights where musicians, comedians, poets and unique solo acts perform. Besides the open mic nights, they host a range of performers from blues and rock to big band jazz and traditional Irish sounds.
And for St. Patrick’s Day?
“We’re hoping to get the Hibernian’s (Toledo’s Irish/American foundation) on board for a parking lot party and Irish festival here at the pub,” Chelle said.
In the meantime, Dzia’s Irish Pub will be the headquarters for traditional Irish pub food and drink and for following Notre Dame Fighting Irish football.
4pm-midnight Sunday-Thursday, 4pm-2am Friday & Saturday
Dzia’s Irish Pub, 5131 Heatherdowns Blvd.
567-698-3942
