Relax, enjoy good food, company at MacCool's

Intermountain Catholic

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A favorite MacCool's meal is traditional fish and chips with Guinness Stout. photo by Wayne Gillman and Stephen Pace

SALT LAKE CITY — If it’s a place to host a party, or somewhere to have a quiet lunch or dinner alone, MacCool’s Public House, with locations in Foothill Village in Salt Lake City and in the Heritage Park Plaza in Layton, might be the place for you. The Craic (a confluence of fun time, great food, and good conversation) has arrived, and everyone is welcome.

The brainchild of Mic Warner and Scott Schlisman, MacCool’s offers house-created, good food in a friendly, Irish atmosphere. MacCool’s is named for a legendary Irish warrior, Finn MacCool, who acquired the gift of infinite wisdom from a salmon.

The restaurants’ red entry doors lead right into sections of the restaurants in which 70 percent of the furniture came from Ireland. The cottage section is reminiscent of an Irish country cottage with a warm fireplace. The Victorian section features massive, comfortable furniture and wide tables. The Gaelic section is rustic and decorated in the Celtic tradition with crosses and heavy wood. The pub shop features a host of draught beers, bottled beers, liquor, and wine, and non-alcoholic beverages with food served around a common table.

The MacCool’s kitchens offer traditional Irish fare made to appeal to American tastes, said Warner. The phrase "comfort food" frequently creeps into any conversation with Warner and Schlisman, neither of whom are Irish, but both of whom are passionate about the food they serve, the ambiance they have created, and the clientele they treat like family.

"Fish and chips and shepherd’s Pie are two of our most popular dishes," Warner said. "But we also have people who come in just for dessert. We have a lot of people who come in after Mass for brunch, and others who come in for a warm meal after skiing."

Their eclectic menu includes appetizers, salads (the Dubliner’s steak salad is to die for), hot and cold sandwiches, and entrees of Salmon, chicken, steak, meat loaf, trout, pork chops, seafood cakes, lasagna, and even a shepherd’s pie made of buffalo meat. There is a menu for children, and some evenings feature live Irish music.

"We like to call our food American pub style cuisine with an Irish flair," said Schlisman. "Everything is home-made. We roast our own meats, and our corned beef is steamed for hours."

Their classic desserts include fruit cobblers in season and chocolate bread pudding.

For gift-giving, MacCools clientele are offered gift cards of any denomination.

"It’s all about the guests," Warner and Schlisman agree, and whether you’re entering or leaving, you’ll be greeted with a hearty Irish, "Cheers!"