.jpg "McGillin's Pub Philadelphia")
McGillin’s has been open since 1860, making it Philadelphia’s
oldest continuously operating tavern. It was originally opened by Catherine and
William McGillin, who were Irish immigrants, under the name Bell In Hand Tavern. The customers
who came to the bar simply called it “McGillin’s,” which is its current name. It
is located at 1310 Drury Street in Philadelphia, PA.
I went there on Saturday, August 9th, 2025, around
11:30 am. It is nestled off a side street in Center City, just a few minutes’
walk from City Hall. As soon as I walked in, I was amazed at all of the cool décor
lining every inch of wall space throughout the building.
The menu has a wide variety of food options, from the
classic Philly cheesesteak to traditional Irish options such as fish and chips
and shepherd’s pie. I opted to try their shepherd’s pie (shocker, I know). I do
not eat lamb, so every time I come across shepherd’s pie made with beef, I have
to try it.
Most shepherd’s pies I have tried in the past have been heavier
on the mashed potatoes. This was not the case here. If anything, I wish there
were more mashed potatoes on top, but overall, it was a nice balance. The
mashed potatoes did not have too much of a taste, allowing for the beef and vegetables
to shine. The recipe on McGillin’s website says it has mushrooms, so keep that
in mind if you or someone you are going with has a mushroom allergy.
The service was a bit on the slower side in my opinion, but I
got there a bit after they opened, and there was a family a few tables away who
got there first. I am chalking it up to the fact that maybe there is only one
chef when they first open, since it did not seem like a busy time of day.
Overall, McGillin’s is a neat little spot with an amazing history.
It is a perfect spot for anyone who loves history and pub food. The prices were
affordable compared to other restaurants offering similar food options. If you
go, be careful as there is a step going in and out of the restaurant.
.jpg "McGillin's Philadelphia Shepherd's Pie")
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