Donovan's Pub

A fixture of the Woodside neighborhood of Queens is local favorite eatery and watering hole, Donovan’s Pub. Opened in 1966 by NYC firefighter Joe Donovan, the spot is known for its dark wood booths, stained glass windows, multiple fireplaces, and no-fuss ambiance. After a 47-year run, Donovan retired and the pub switched over hands to longtime employee (busser turned bartender) Jimmy Jacobsen and his brother-in-law, Dan Connor. The bar still sports the heralded charbroiled half-pound 58 Special Burger and steak fries, just now with a handful of modern updates like a card machine and new sound system.

Classic Cheeseburger
Donovan’s is the quintessential Queens Irish pub—it’s been in Woodside since 1966 and boasts random antiques, stained glass, and plenty of neighborhood regulars. While you can always grab a cheap on-tap beer and enjoy the laid-back local company, the main draw here is the enormous burger, made with a half-pound chuck and a New York strip-blend patty broiled to medium rare and served alongside thick-cut steak fries.