Review: O'Connor's Public House

There was not much curb appeal to lure me in to this establishment. Located at the end of a strip mall north of Costco, I wondered what O'Connor's Public House actually was; a pub? Or a sports' bar? And more importantly, what kind of food was on the menu?

But the moment I peered around the small entry wall, I was wowed. The design alone was enough to make me want to pull up a stool and stay awhile.

Soaring ceilings and dark wood detailing give this pub a rustic yet welcoming feel. The kitchen at the rear of the space is made to look like a small house. Bottles and decorations fill the walls far above the long comfortable bar, with wooden booths lining the opposite wall. There are televisions mounted above the bar, and several more seats toward the back of the restaurant.

After we were shown to our booth, I noticed the table was actually an old Singer sewing table, complete with the pedal on the floor. Charming, but the booths were a little stiff.

The menu was small, but had a good selection of salads and burgers, with a few sandwiches and hot entrees. But the stars here are clearly the appetizers and drinks.

In addition to a variety of beer, the bar serves more than 10 special martinis. For munching, there are more than 15 different types of wings, including Mango Habenero and Spicy Citrus Teryaki. Also available is a traditional Irish Stew.

We tried Billy's Buffalo Cheese Fries ($7.95). The heaping plate of crispy shoestring fries was slathered in hot sauce, topped with melted cheese and served with blue cheese dip. The platter would be enough for a party of four, but we managed to put a decent size dent in it before the fries started to get soggy.

Trying to counteract the splurge of my appetizer, I ordered the Bobby Cobb Salad ($8.95; with chicken, $11.50). Again, the portion was huge. A bowl full of mixed greens was covered with slices of hard-boiled egg, purple onions, tomatoes and cucumbers, as well as chunks of grilled chicken. The vinaigrette was fine, but I would pair this hearty salad with a tastier dressing next time.

My friend ordered the real winner of the day: Shepherd's Pie ($9.95). Gravy-soaked ground beef was hidden with a layer of creamy mashed potatoes and melted cheddar. The gravy alone is worth ordering this dish of comfort food. Some bread would have been great to soak up that delectable dark, rich goodness.

I was pleasantly surprised by this hidden haven for good eats in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. O'Connor's serves more than just bar food and does so with reasonable prices and cheerful service. Check out the daily drink specials and the weekly entertainment, which can range from open-mic nights to local trios.