So, I saw this pathetic Reuben sandwich in another thread and thought Pelicanheads would be the ideal source of some information. (Many of you are well travelled, and some of you don't know your way out of the pub.
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My wife and I are considering opening a small pub. I have some previous experience managing a bar and also working in the restaurant supply industry. She has several years experience managing front of house in some local pubs. Obviously it's not an industry we are completely ignorant of, but it never hurts to have extra input and ideas.
Since she is Irish (as in really from Ireland - not just Irish ancestry) she insists that the pub be Irish as well. (I was leaning toward low-budget biker bar.
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The Reuben, although likely invented by a Russian American, seems to be on every Irish menu. What other foods do you expect to see in an Irish pub?
Keep in mind, I said pub, not 5-star restaurant. They need to be items that are relatively quick and easy. I thought maybe we could also have a weekly house special on the Saturday dinner menu - that would be the night that we could cook dishes that require more prep time, such as a big batch of Beef and Guiness stew.
Should there be non-Irish foods on the menu? I notice that both of the other Irish bars in town have hot wings on the menu. My stomach and instinct tell me to put them on the menu because they are easy and customers like them. But they're not Irish.
Competition: One true Irish pub in town, and one pub that use to be Irish (still has an Irish name but seems a lot more English under the new owners). Population: City = 56k, county = 302k
Note: I do NOT consider Bennigan's or O'Charlie's to be Irish pubs.
And another note: I have been to Ireland several times. A "true" Irish pub serves alcohol, not meals. (unless you consider peanuts a meal) But in South Carolina you can not get a liquor license unless you serve meals or make your pub a "private social club". Since we want to be open to the public, we must serve meals.