Gus O'Connor's, Rochester

- 100% 

There was a slight wait, but it was worth it - the whitefish sandwich and their freshly made chips were out of this world! more»

The homemade chips are good. more»

Service is good and prices are very reasonable. more»

Great atmosphere , amazing beer selection. more»

Inspired by a real Irish pub of the same name in the village of Doolin, this local version is awash in Irish artifacts, with Preserved 133-year-old wood flooring from a Guinness warehouse in Dublin and stone from Liscannor. The 'snug,' in true Irish pub design, is an enclosed room at the end of the bar (General Manager Jason Lazo explains that in the old country days of old, it was a room reserved for clergy and wives), replete with stunning woodwork, stained glass and its own window into the bar.

Executive chef Michael P. Keys thrills your palate with an expansive menu including everything from Scotch eggs to Traverse City cherry salad to Guinness stew and boxties (gently seasoned potato pancakes stuffed with 'special ingredients' and prepared via griddle). The menu includes fresh fish either chargrilled and basted with olive oil, herbs and lemon, baked and presented on creamed leeks and cabbage mashed potatoes, or poached in white wine and dabbed with spinach mayonnaise and whole grain mustard. Potatoes are, of course, prominent on the menu, from potato leek soup and housemade potato chips to bangers and mash, grilled Irish sausages and mashed potatoes to boxties (potato pancakes. Shepherd's pie, a very good chicken pot pie and sirloin steak with whiskey sauce are other staples.

The pub's famed sunday brunch offers create-your-own-omelettes, a waffle bar, fresh scones, Scotch eggs, bangers 'n bacon and Irish hash. There's also a chocolate fountain and, for those who believe a stiff drink is the best hangover cure, mimosas and a Bloody Mary bar.