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| - This is one of those places that I have driven by more times than I can count and always go "I want to try that place" but never do because it's not near where I'm going. And maybe that's the only thing that I could consider a bit of a negative, their location is just not the best for us locals. But that seems to be changing as the surrounding neighborhood is beginning to draw more and more reasons to go there.
For me, it was the opening of the new Hilton Garden hotel across the street. Frankly I wish it wasn't called a Hilton so I wouldn't have to explain in the next breath that we chose to stay there because it's NOT like any other Garden Inn ... it's a restored Art Deco building turned INTO a Hilton. And staying there I can't imagine a better place to wander off to than Seamus McCaffrey's Irish Pub!
This was New Year's eve, and the pub was one of the few places anywhere that wasn't packed to overflowing with revelers. They had a modest $5 cover charge in place because there was live entertainment (compare that to $50-$100 covers some bars try to sock to you on New Years). We didn't plan to stay (and didn't) but just to have dinner. So we got there about an hour before the band started to play.
I have never had Irish Boxty and as soon as I saw it on the menu it sounded great on a cold winter's night. Mine was the Steak & Guinness and my dining companion had the Corned Beef & Cabbage. Both were humungous portions for only about ten bucks (see photos). Beer, at $5 each was cheap as well, especially considering what they could have gotten away with on this party night.
Okay, I admit, even before having a beer I was in love with this place. The first and foremost thing it has going for it is that it's not a chain!!!!! Woohoo. I pretty much detest chain (or theme) restaurants, and at first glance I could tell this was not one. It reminded me of my favorite drinking hole (also an Irish bar) when I was just starting out in Chicago, and also reminded me of a favorite (Irish pub) in San Diego. Notice a theme here? Irish bars don't have to be pretentious, so why make them?
Which brings me to the food. I'm not going to rave about it or use a lot of fancy words or call Guy Fieri and tell him to get his butt over here to try this dive. This is not Cordon Bleu, folks, this is pub grub so don't get snooty about it. No it wasn't the best meal I've ever had, but it was hot, filling and tasted awesome. And there was a LOT of it on the plate for the price!
The band started, the partiers started partying and, guess what, it started sounding like an Irish pub. Lots of great craic. Lots of people bumping in to each other. Lots of people singing to the music. It is very hard to find places like this in Phoenix, Arizona and I'm glad I finally did. I love this place.
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