I was down in Times Square a few weeks ago. And I went to Rosie O’Grady’s, a very famous Irish restaurant in mid-town. I had a great time, and all the people there are tremendously respectful. Everybody was very nice.
And I couldn't get over the fact that there was no difference between Rosie O’Grady’s and any other restaurant in New York City. I mean, it was exactly the same, even though it's run by Irishmen, and primarily has Irish patronship...
I had the corned beef. I had cabbage. I had boiled potatoes. It was great. That's right, it was like going into, say, Sylvia's in Harlem in the sense of people were sitting there, and they were ordering and having fun. And there wasn't any kind of craziness at all. There wasn't one person in Rosie O’Grady's who was screaming, "Sure an' you'll be servin' me another iced tea, an' right quick me buckoo, or I'll be strikin' ye down with my shillelagh!"
I think Irish Americans are starting to think more and more for themselves. They're getting away from the O’Reillys and the Hannitys and the people trying to lead them into a race-based culture. They're just trying to figure it out: "Look, I can make it. If I work hard and get educated, I can make it."
Next week, I plan on working up the courage to go to a Jewish Deli. Wish me luck!