Sweet Molly Malone’s. Located in the Highlands of Louisville, Kentucky (with satellite restaurants in St. Matthews and Covington), this pub was one of the first local Irish pubs that I went to upon moving here. Since then, I’ve made friends with the men who go there to watch rugby, sat in during the World Cup, and taken friends there for trip planning, catching up, and…birthdays. Oh yes…this is one of those places that you just want to brag about.
It can’t get much more authentically Irish than this. Molly Malone’s is owned by a gentleman who hails from County Cork, Ireland. The chef…is also from Ireland. They serve, *gasp* Irish food. Shepherd’s Pie, Fish & Chips, Irish Lamb Stew, Bangers & Mash, Corned Beef & Cabbage…it’s all on that menu. Along with some pasta dishes (one is vegetarian), burgers (one is vegetarian), and sandwiches (one is a vegetarian Portobello mushroom sandwich!).
Irish food that not only is authentic but delicious. And no one can beat the selection this pub has on tap, including Magners…my favorite cider, which I was introduced to in Ireland back in 2007. Molly Malone’s has it all. And that is why I continue to go back there. It’s my go-to pub. My hometown bit of Ireland. Granted, Louisville has a plethora of Irish pubs to choose from. Yet, in a pinch, Molly Malone’s is where I would go. The food is good, the atmosphere rocks, the staff is awesome, and the price is right. Two pubs in downtown Louisville on Fourth Street are twice as much in cost as entreés at Molly Malone’s.
On a recent stop at Molly’s for lunch, I placed an order for the Black Bean Burger, their homemade veggie burger patty consisting of beans, nuts and grains. It comes with lettuce, tomato and red onion with a Cajun ranch sauce, and served on a Kaiser roll. Being one who can’t have bread, I ordered it without the bread. I didn’t even miss it. Piling it high with the veggies, I sliced it up, poured a bit of the dressing over it and ate it like that. It was delightfully spicy. The right amount of kick – not too much. It was soft, warm, and matched perfectly with the spicy dressing. For one who normally would have gotten the Portobello sandwich, this was going off the reservation for me…and now it might be what I always get there. I’m in love with the combination of flavors and the way each hint of spice plays off the other. SO delicious.
Louisville has a lot to offer when it comes to Irish food. There are so many Irish-themed pubs in the vicinity of the city that it could make anyone’s head spin. But, trust me…Molly Malone’s is far superior to all of them. Not just in the quality of the food, but the cost too. And you will find this pub’s regulars very engaging and very inviting. That speaks highly of this establishment.
Good Irish pub grub…amazing suroundings…alive, alive, o!
The Celiathlete 