PVCC Puma Press: March 2006

No college education would be complete without becoming familiar with a good Irish pub. I’m not talking about a pizza joint that offers Guinness on tap. No, I’m talking about a place where you might hear someone call you “lass” or “laddie,” a place that has three different brands of Irish whiskey, a place that can make a proper “Black and Tan,” where the Shepherd’s Pie is always great, and where the entire room sings along with the band. I’m talking about the Dubliner.

Saint Patrick himself has blessed us, here in Phoenix, with the best Irish Pub east of Boston. The Dubliner, located on the corner of Thunderbird and 40th Street in north Phoenix is a perfect little slice of the emerald isle right here in Arizona.

The menu at the Dubliner is a straightforward, working-class offering of authentic Irish Pub food, with a few local favorites tossed in.

• Irish Beef Stew is a hearty blending of lean beef with vegetables and potatoes in a slow-cooked, savory gravy.

• Shepherd's Pie is a delicious combination of lean ground beef, celery, carrots and onions in a rich gravy topped with fresh mashed potatoes and cheese. It is baked golden brown and served with Irish Soda Bread.

• Fish & Chips are fillets of fresh cod, golden fried in the Dubliner’s own beer batter, served with Irish fries and tartar sauce.

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	Photo Courtesy of the Dubliner
	Patrons enjoy traditional Irish food, drink, and song year round but especially on St. Patrick's Day.
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Other favorites include Bangers & Mash with Guinness gravy, Molly Malone’s Seafood Platter, Guinness Braised Beef, Big Juicy Steak, Shrimp, Sandwiches, Burgers and a heavenly Bailey’s Cream Pie.

For the rugby player in your life or the hungry daring diner, the Irish breakfast should not be missed. It’s a “mighty meal,” served morning, noon or night. It includes two fried eggs, sausages, rashers, black & white pudding (traditional blood pudding that consists of pigs’ blood, oatmeal, barley, beef suet, milk and mint), tomatoes, beans and brown bread.

All menu items are under $10 with the exception of the steaks, which top out at $15.

Imported beers include Guinness Stout, Harp Lager and Smithwicks from Ireland, Bass Ale and Newcastle Brown Ale from England, and Amstel Light and Heineken from Holland. The Dubliner is the only place in town for a proper “Black and Tan,” which is in a heavy frosted beer glass. The bottom half is filled with ice-cold Harp lager, and the top half is filled with dark-brown Guinness Stout. The beers float in two fantastic layers.

The Dubliner is also known for great music on the weekends. It features local favorites such as the Keltic Cowboys and the Wild Angels. On Sunday night there is an open mike hosted by the very talented Krystal. The open mike night offers some of the best local folk musicians in the Valley.

The Dubliner opened in 1985 and has won several awards for its atmosphere and culinary excellence. Its St. Patrick Day celebration is legendary. For more info, see www.dublinerpub.com. Or better yet, stop by. Toss a few darts and have a pint.