What's on the menu?

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by cashflyer

...Scott... if we were in Boston, we may survive being a pure and true Irish pub, but in South Carolina we will have to offer American beers....

McSorleys (of NYC) would probably go broke in Greenville...

[notfarnow]

Shepherd's pie for sure. An Irish stew would be nice, but how many people order stew when they go out?

I would have 4-5 Irish dishes on the list, then general pub food staples.

There's an Irish Bar in Montreal that I used to go to. Owned by a jewish family, blues music every weekend, a chinese takeaout in the back.

[cashflyer]

Originally Posted by notfarnow

There's an Irish Bar in Montreal that I used to go to. Owned by a Jewish family, blues music every weekend, a Chinese takeout in the back.

Please tell me you're kidding....

Well, the wife has reviewed the thread and enjoyed it!
Her decisions on the important topics are:
Lamb in the shepherds pie.
I will make the beef and Guiness on a daily basis.


One thing I failed to mention, but she reminded me will be of help for ideas... Her mother and father have each run pubs in Ireland for many years. I think her da is out of it now, but I know mum is still working away.

Here's one of my favorite places:
http://www.mournelive.com/news/news/viewdetails.asp?newsID=246

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by cashflyer

The local "Irish gone English" pub has a "jam night" that draws a good crowd. Several locals bring their Irish instruments and play.

Scott... if we were in Boston, we may survive being a pure and true Irish pub, but in South Carolina we will have to offer American beers. That being said, the pubs I frequent in Ireland all have Bud and MGD.

you can't swing a dead cat without hitting an Irish Pub in Boston. Would you like me to check some out? get menus, etc.?

the ones I've been to have very simple fare and lots of beer. they are about bar stools (and some patrons) that were there since the early 1900's. if you are going to go authentic, consider finding some ancient wooden beams, bar, tables and chairs in Ireland and filling a container. with all the pseudo-experience chain restaurants out there, I think it would be worth looking into a truly authentic experience. music is a must, and brings in new customers.

that's an important point: to some degree, it's easy to get people into the door once.

what are you going to do to keep them coming back? what will make your place "the place" to have a beer and relax?

sounds very exciting!

[gassy]

Cash,
This gives you a good feel for a mix of Irish and American mix on the menu--lower right is a downloadable menu. No affiliation, just a fun place with a cool interior--I have a brew here every now and then waiting for soccer practice to end...

http://www.mcnallysirishpubs.com/

[Drago]

Originally Posted by Superman

...Lots of folks here know how much I admire the Reuben at the 74 Street Ale House here in Seattle. That is one FINE sandwich. The corned beef is awesome. The bread is a fairly light rye. But I think it's the kraut. It's a non-pickly red cabbage kraut that is a tad spicy. Served with a wonderful pasta salad that's got those different colored olive slices in it. And a good selection of hearty beers to accompany. That place also has a terrific chicken breast sandwich and some cajun dishes that are legendary as well. Jambalaya and gumbo. All in a dark-wood, wide-mirror, low-keyed place with reading material handy. A little vacation right in the middle of your day.

Sup...you're killin' me man. Drool. Only a half hour away...and I can stop by JW's shop for a little bull session.

Life is good.

[tcar]

Boxty.

Check out Gallagher's in Dublin. I ALWAYS go there when I'm in Dublin.
They also do live music, and it's difficult to get in.

http://www.boxtyhouse.ie/

[cashflyer]

Thanks guys... I'll check again tomorrow.
Calling it a day and going home to convince the wife we need an evening of "research".

[sammyg2]

Deep fried everything, including twinkies and snickers bars

[Joeaksa]

You might get ahold of Dueller. Believe that his wife runs a pub sort of place and they might be able to give you input on it a lot better than some of us.

We can tell you what we like to eat, and she can tell you what sells and what not to do!

Joe

[azasadny]

Bubbles and Squeak (cabbage abd mashed potatos)
Guinness stew

... many Irish beers on tap and Red Breast whiskey!

[scottmandue]

Don't forget the rat tart...

[cashflyer]

Thanks for the menu suggestions and the links.

My wife appreciated it so much that she has another request. She says, "ask them for name suggestions." To which I said something about her being insane, and about the nature of asking a bunch of internet hooligans to name her pub.

Anyway, she asked for it.....




(My suggestion was Patty O'Chairs.)

[targa911S]

Just came in from lunch at the Irish pub in town. Don't forget "Mom's Meat Loaf"

[targa911S]

Oh and I LIKE the name "Hooligan's"

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by cashflyer

...My suggestion was Patty O'Chairs.)

I like it...but I'm not Irish!

ps: Will folks in SC get the pun? ...just kidding

[cashflyer]

Originally Posted by targa911S

Don't forget "Mom's Meat Loaf"

If her mom's meatloaf is anything like hers... we better find some other mother for the recipe!!


She originally thought of using her family name. Something along the lines of McEvoy's.... Today she asked me how I felt about the Gaelic spelling of her hometown's name, but I told her that the locals would spend too much time scratching their head & trying to figure out the name.

I'm not really interested in joke names. And of course we wouldn't want a name that would alienate or offend.

[Dueller]

Here's a link to wife's restaurant.

http://www.scrooges.ms/index.php

There you will find the menu. Its been in business for 35 years thru a succession of owners. We've had it for the past seven. Serve somewhere in the range of 200-250 lunch orders per day. Business in the evening is primarily bar crowd esting pub food or blue plate specials/steaks. Know for the wide assortment of veggie sides (20-25 selections fresh cooked each day).

Our demographics are city population of 200,000; tri county area population of 600,000. There is one other "non-corporate" true Irish Pub in the area that only serves lunch but open as a bar in the evenings. They serve a good irish stew and shephards pie but, like us have gravitated towards plate lunches and americanized pub grub.

As far as music, the other pub has celktic music/dancers about twice per month. They tried it weekly than that but the audience began to dwindle. Now they have open mike twice a week and a variety of acts on Friday and saturday that draws a college crowd. Wife's place has live music on Friday and saturdays and some Sunday afternoons in the pub...thats out since everybody comes in on Sundays for football. They do have some soccer channels since we a big group of english/irish soccer coaches in the area (go figure).

Tried a number of authentic english dishes (bangers and mash, etc) but the southern palate does not appreciate it as we expected. Ditto with the wide assortment of imported beers. Keep a small supply of bottled imports but domestic beer rules in this market.

You are prepared to not make a dime in the fist18-24 months, right?

[Dueller]

Oh yeah...since it sounds like you have a relatively small population and you are leaning towards more of a pub rather than restaurant, find the most popular bartender in town. Hire her. She will do more to bring in regular customers than anything. That is unless you/your wifealready have a following.

Keep in mind we've found a number of people want to eat in a dining room area apart from the bar.


My favorite Irish joke:

An Irishmann walks out of a bar...



Bunch of utility workers during afterrmath of Katrina...it was the only place within 10 miles that had power for over 8 days.

[cashflyer]

Thanks for the input and the link.
I pretty much figured that "too authentic" might be pushing our luck here in the South. Just watch a persons face when you mention "blood pudding"!

My wife has been away from the pubs for about 3 years now, but she still has close friends in the business - one of which is a hot young lady who certainly does have a following. When her brother-in-law fired her from his pub, he had to put up a sign at either end of the bar that reads, "do not ask for her - she is not here".

I hear patrons still ask.