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.