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Weekend Eats

Looking for a pint or two? This pub's for you

The weekend's here. Where are you going to eat? We take an entirely subjective look each Friday at a restaurant in our area.

By HELEN ANNE TRAVIS
Published April 28, 2006

The beer was cold, the potatoes salty and the male patrons friendly, very friendly, at O'Brien's Irish Pub & Bistro in Brandon on Tuesday night.

We sat by the dimly lit bar and enjoyed $3.75 import pints. The Samuel Adams and Blue Moon started working their magic, and we decided it was time for an appetizer.

Around us, young couples shared conversations under the eyes of jealous singles. The group of men playing poker in the next room kept one eye on their cards and the other on me and my girlfriend.

"We have boyfriends," we told them as we waited for our tzatziki and pita bread to arrive.

From the menu, we ordered Bangers and Mash and Schnitzel "Weiner." The waitress told us the Shepherd's Pie was a house specialty. So we ordered it.

And another round of beers.

The Bangers and Mash consisted of Irish sausage, caramel-colored sauteed onions and tan mashed potatoes smothered in dark Guinness gravy. The many shades of brown prompted me to order a side of vegetables for $1.95.

We found the schnitzel to be bland, the potatoes salty and the cucumber salad an extravaganza of dill and vinegar.

But it was good and cheap. Less than $55 for two rounds of beer, three entrees, an appetizer and a side of vegetables.

Our stomachs were full, and our purses were only a tad lighter than when we came in.

We made our way out of the restaurant. The men playing poker didn't seem as bad through our import-induced buzz.

Helen Anne Travis can be reached at 661-2439 or at htravis@sptimes.com.

[Last modified April 27, 2006, 13:57:03]