Going fishing at the Irish Pub

I’m ordinarily not much of a bar person, but when my mother and I heard about the Irish Pub reopening in Lansing, we thought it might be fun to check it out.

The westside staple had been closed since 2013 but resumed operations in July under new ownership. I never visited prior to the new owners taking over, so I can’t compare the old version to the new one. However, from everything I’ve heard, the renovations are a vast improvement. The new atmosphere feels more like a standard sports bar, with an industrial ceiling, TV screens, Irish-themed decorations and a variety of games that patrons can play while waiting for their food. It also has a souvenir shop that sells sweatshirts, beer mugs and other merchandise.

The menu includes plenty of Irish food, but it also features an array of sandwiches, burgers and even pizza. I got the fish and chips, while my mother decided to try the fish tacos. Technically, fish and chips is more of a British dish than an Irish one. (Fun fact: It was actually introduced to England by Spanish and Portuguese immigrants). Regardless, my fried haddock was served fresh and hot, though it was a bit heavy on the breading. The provided tartar sauce and lemon added moisture and a zesty kick, and the crinkle-cut fries were nice and crispy. I don’t know if people prefer to dip their “chips” in tartar sauce instead of ketchup, but either works.

My mother’s fish tacos were a blend of haddock, red cabbage, radishes, scallions, avocado and sriracha sauce, all wrapped in soft-shell tortillas. She ordered them at the recommendation of her friends, who claimed they were the best fish tacos they’d ever had. Although my mother enjoyed them enough to order them again, this was the first time she’d ever eaten fish tacos, so she couldn’t truly attest to how good they were. If nothing else, the pub has the best fish tacos for those looking to try them for the first time.

Overall, my dining experience was pleasant. The food was good, and the staff was friendly and provided excellent service. While I’m still not much of a bar person, it’s easy to see why other people are happy that the pub has reopened. It’s a nice place to unwind after a long day or hang out with friends while playing a game or two of darts.