Where To Eat in Louisville: The Irish Rover

By Michelle on January 23, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Food , Frankfort Avenue , Louisville Dining , Restaurant Review , Where to Eat in Louisville

I shan't even pretend that there was even a possibility of me writing anything other than a full on lover letter to The Irish Rover. I make no false claims about being detached when writing about this place. I am so comfortable tucked into one of the Rover's booths in the bar that it's like a second home. When people ask me where to eat in Louisville and say they want something "comfortable" or "casual" or "not too fancy" or "has really good pub food" or any of about a dozen other code words The Irish Rover is where I tell them to go. Eight Friday nights out of ten will find me eating there, so in this case, perhaps more than any other, my money is most certainly where my mouth is. For me The Irish Rover is exactly what a pub should be: a warm, welcoming environment with outstanding food.

The first food you'll get at The Irish Rover will be a lovely basket filled with a mixture of Irish Soda bread and Sourdough bread. If you don't eat multiple pieces of both don't tell me because then I'll just have to consider you an odd sort who doesn't appreciate some of the finest carbohydrates known to humanity. If you're ordering an appetizer, and really you should, allow me to suggest the Cordon Bleu Fritters described on the menu as a "tasty mix of ham, chicken, and swiss, deep-fried in our famous batter". If you're not in the mood for deep fried goodness (there you go being odd again) then the Leek and Potato soup is an outstanding choice to start your meal.

When it comes to entrees the choices are really wide open. It goes without saying that a good Irish pub will have an excellent fish and chips offering and The Irish Rover is no exception. It's what I eat most often there. Golden brown deep fried cod with thick cut potatoes is a simple, comforting meal that always tastes good. I douse both my fish and chips with a hearty does of malt vinegar and dig in happily. Other menu favorites of mine include the cottage pie. I only eat this mammoth dish of "Home-made beef stew served in a bread bowl and topped with mashed potatoes and cheese" about once a year because it's so very large and so very good I can't stop eating it even when I should. I'd also recommend the Welsh Rabbit which despite it's name is really just a massive, delicious grilled cheese sandwich consisting of thick slices of sourdough bread, cheddar cheese and mustard. So, freaking good. Despite all my favorite menu items being traditional "pub grub" The Irish Rover has a pretty diverse menu and includes things like a veggie gratin, bangers and mash, a really lovely cheese plate, Irish whiskey steak, sausage roll, and a good variety of sandwiches (including a nice veggie sandwich).

I'm not a beer drinker so I can't speak first hand on the beer offerings at the Rover. My partner however loves Rover Red on tap, and my friend Chad says of course they pour a very fine pint of Guinness. They also have a good selection of Irish whiskeys and bourbons on hand. In short they've got all the food and beverages you need for a really good meal out in a terribly comfortable environment.

I mentioned that I usually sit in the bar at The Irish Rover. Tucked into a dark green booth, surrounded by Irish proverbs, family crests over the bar and occasionally glancing at footy on the telly I could care less about the noise level in the place. However it does get a wee bit loud. In the non-bar section there are two main dining areas, both of which have a fair amount of tables so when it's really busy (which it is just about every weekend at lunch and dinner time) you're close to your neighbors and again, it does get a wee bit loud. There, I said something that wasn't totally gushing love for The Irish Rover. I feel accomplished.

The Irish Rover
2319 Frankfort Avenue
Louisville, KY 40206

Let me clarify, all of that I've written here is about the original Irish Rover on Frankfort Avenue. I like to pretend the one in La Grange doesn't exist.