Fadó Irish Pub is a group of pubs with locations along the East Coast of the United States. The name itself means “long ago.” The pubs began in 1996 and have become staples in their communities since. I recently visited the Philadelphia location, and it was delightful.
When I went to walk in, I thought I was in the wrong place
because there was a hallway that, in the moment, felt so much longer than it
actually was. This made me nervous. However, I kept walking, and it turns out I
was on the right track.
I hit the end of the hallway and opened the door to go
inside the pub. It felt like I had been transported to Ireland itself and that
the hallway was merely a portal across the pond. There were pieces of Irish
memorabilia throughout the pub.
I was seated in a room that was empty at the time. This
added to the feeling of being in Ireland. I looked out my window and saw
Philadelphia, but it did not feel like I was in Philadelphia. I enjoyed looking
around and seeing the different items that were on display.
One of my favorite things about the pub is its use of the
Irish language throughout the pub. Their own name is an Irish word, as
mentioned before. The cover of their drinks menu says “Ól, ceol, and craic,”
which translates to “Drinks, music, and fun.” Irish is a language that was
suppressed for a while in Ireland, and to see it thriving, especially in the United
States, brings hope that the language can be kept alive for generations to
come.
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Their shepherd's pie is one of the best I've ever tasted. It
was the perfect balance of potatoes and other elements, which can be a
difficult balance to strike. This specific shepherd's pie was made with beef. It was absolutely delicious. I highly recommend it
to anyone looking for an authentic taste!
Overall, Fadó Irish Pub was a great experience. It felt like
an escape to Ireland through the atmosphere and the food alike. I dined alone,
so I was able to embrace the experience and take it all in. The service was excellent
as well. If you are located near any of their locations, I highly recommend
checking them out.
Related Articles:
-Irish Pub Review: McGillin's: https://kiltedowl.blogspot.com/2025/08/irish-pub-review-mcgillins.html