Dorchester, one of the most canonically Irish-American neighborhoods in the country, is not lacking in Irish pubs. So it takes a really special one to rise above the frothy head of an area drowning in Guinness and make us take notice. McGonagle’s, a new place from the team behind The Dubliner, has done just that. The sprawling spot’s menu will make you reconsider Irish pub grub, and the pints, pulled from the light-up tap handles seen throughout the UK, are the perfect fuel for an afternoon hang at the bar. Come for lunch, brunch, dinner, or just a pint. McGonagle’s feels welcoming all the time, but we especially love it for whiling away an afternoon over salty bar bites or starting a Saturday with a hearty breakfast.
photo credit: McGonagle's
Food Rundown
photo credit: McGonagle's
Irish Seafood Chowder
Throw out all your preconceived notions about clam chowder before picking up your spoon. This chowder is more akin to a silken butter soup studded with all the tasty fishies. Mussels, shrimp, salmon, whitefish, and clams team up to add protein and texture, and a mighty hunk of soda bread—hearty, and on the sweeter side—is on hand to sop up what’s left at the bottom of the bowl.
photo credit: McGonagle’s
Prawn Crackers
These light, airy crisps, typically made from prawn meat and a starch, might be our new favorite snack to pair with a hearty stout or ale. McGonagle’s serves them with a gravy boat of thick, rich curry sauce that has a nice fruity sweetness to it. The curved shape of the crisps makes for an ideal sauce-to-mouth delivery method.
photo credit: McGonagle’s
Full Irish Breakfast
The soft, rich, and earthy black pudding in McGonagle’s full Irish is some of the best we’ve ever had. The meal also includes two eggs, thick cut bacon, white pudding (more oniony than the black), a wee dish of beans to pour on your toast, mushrooms, and hash browns fried into crunchy triangles perfect for dipping into runny eggs.
photo credit: McGonagle’s
Spice Bag
We ordered this to share and fought over the last few bits. A takeaway dish popular in Ireland, McGonagle’s serves their version with salty, crunchy chunks of fried chicken, fries, onions, and peppers, all dusted with Chinese five spice, paprika, cumin, and more. It’s served in a brown paper bag with a side of the aforementioned curry sauce. Spill it onto your plate and dip all the crispy goodness into the sauce.
