They say “There are no strangers here…..

...only friends who have not met”. I honestly don’t think I’ve ever seen a slogan so aptly selected.

When my dear friend Nancy suggested we visit MacCool’s Public House over in Riverton I wasn’t sure what to expect. I had seen some ads on TV describing it as an Irish Pub and unfamiliar as I am with Irish food I was the tiniest bit hesitant.

Turns out that on that evening my husband happened to wear a Philadelphia Eagles T Shirt. It also turns out that the co-owners of Mac Cool’s happen to be transplants from, you guessed it, the Philadelphia area and fellow Eagles fans.

What a great night we had. From our waiter Shane, who is studying for his Bachelor’s Degree at the Draper Culinary Institute, to Mic Warner one of the co-owners of this terrific establishment, we were treated to a kind of hospitality that seemed to know no bounds.

Let me begin by telling you about their specials. On Mondays you can get a three course dinner for just 11.95, 6 mussels for 1.99, and a special salad or sandwich at lunch for just 4.99. Tuesday is half priced appetizer day, all day, and Wednesdays you’ll get a $2 pint of any of their bohemian brews when served with an appetizer.

Thursdays will get you a Squatters or Wasatch Micro for $2 when served with an appetizer and Friday features a fantastic prime rib special.

Saturdays you can sample a 2.99 Bloody Mary and their fantastic brunch served from 11-3. What a way to really enjoy a weekend. Sundays you will enjoy live music along with their brunch followed by a Gaelic steak at 4 PM. This is a wonderfully seasoned and marinated steak that was my husband’s choice for dinner and he loved every bit of it.

MacCool’s specially marinates and/or smokes all their fish and meat on site. Their Gravlox which most would know as Nova Scotia smoked salmon is prepared right there and cold smoked in the most interesting way. They serve this in multiple ways but the best is on a crunchy potato pancake with fresh sour cream. They also serve Pierogies which I know as Polish Ravioli filled with potatoes made by all my ancestors and loved by every one of us. Mic brought them to Utah as part of his own Pennsylvania Dutch heritage.

Of course, they have a full service bar and a nice selection of domestic and European beers and wines. In the bar they have five big screen  TV’s which along with the weekend brunch make for a grand sporting combo.

The atmosphere is perfectly Irish, down to the bright red door. They get the majority of their furnishings right from Ireland and every stick of it contributes to the friendly pub feeling throughout the restaurant. McCool’s is directly across from the movie theatre in the Bangerter Rd. shopping center known as the The District at about 11600 South. This makes MacCool’s a perfect pre or post movie stop.

Their exact location is 11610 South District Main Drive. Their phone is 801 727-3111 and their hours of operation are Monday to Sunday from 11 AM to 1 AM.  So come on by just about any time at all for a fun, friendly, and tasty experience.