Yes :-) Jennifer's review (May 29th 2006)

People tell me I should wear more green. In theory it should work. Blue eyes, dark hair, pale skin. But in reality all the color does is remind me of how many freckles I have. I don’t need more reminders. So all green clothing is relegated to the back of the closet until the 17th of March when I dutifully pull something out to avoid being pinched by overzealous seven year-olds. That being said, I’m keen on the Irish. Love the beer. Love the cabbage. Love the corned beef. Especially love the potatoes. So it’d be downright blasphemy not to love O’Doherty’s across from Riverfront Park.

On a recent stormy afternoon, Remi and I stumbled into the Irish pub to take cover from the rain. Even on a Sunday, the bar was full, games played on the televisions, and I spotted the names of way too many people I know sprawled on the dollar bills plastered to the walls. How I’d like to have seen the bar shows that justified the wallpaper.

I ordered a big bowl of Irish stew with a piece of Shepard’s bread. And while not the most authentic meat, carrots, and potato stew I ever had, it was warm and dignified. Something I’d picture simmering on the stove for days until the last drop was gone. Remi, against convention, ordered fish and chips. Had it been served wrapped in newspaper I’d have moved right in. The steak fries and hot cod reminded him of trips to England. To avoid confession, I tried not to steal too many of his potatoes.

Service was spectacular. A playful waiter not afraid to join the table to make suggestions. The beer flowed around us and naturally robust laughter followed. No wonder on sunnier days the patio facing the carousel is packed! Even for those not partial to green, O’Doherty’s screams good times. Rain or shine.

Yes :-) Stefan's review (Aug 2nd 2006)

I’ve talked about my trouble with bar food before. I just had a bit of a break through. Bad bar food is much easier to identify then good bar food. I think Jimmy’z has probably the best overall bar food in town. Park Inn also has good bar food.

O Doherty’s is as much a real Irish pub as Olive Garden is a real Italian restaurant. More of an imitation of a real Irish pub then anything else. The food is what you would expect. I had a brat that was good but the sauerkraut wasn’t nearly sour enough and lacked that bit I had expected. I suspect that it was some sort of insta-kraut (patent pending).

Overall, O Doherty’s is probably not the most authentic Irish pub but it is a very authentic American-Irish pub.

I would just stay away after 9pm on the weekends as the crowd can get a bit rowdy.

So what’s the dish?: Best bratwurst in town and I hear the fish and chips aren’t bad either.

Yes :-) Collin ratboycom's review (Jun 1st 2006)

I have had the Burnt end sandwich and the fish and chips here (as well as trying some of the Cornbeef and cabage, good as my grandma on the Irish side of the family makes) the Fish was huge seriously I went there on my 21st birthday for lunch for a Harp and some Fish and chips, I was hungry from a night of drinking. So I ordered the 2 piece and the fish pieces were like the size of my forearm they were HUGE! and tasted quite good

Yes :-) barman's review (Jan 22nd 2007)

Though related, but not even close to the same place, O’Doherty’s Irish Grille and O’Doherty’s East have several similarities and at least one important constant: Spokane’s Best Winter Lunch: Irish Stew and a Guiness.

Downtown it comes with some kind of wheat bread, in the Valley it comes with cornbread. The cornbread holds the edge, but either way it can’t be beat.

Otherwise, the menu is, well, interesting. The pastie is passable; the barbecue outstanding. If you want a remarkable burger, there are better within walking distance. Though walking in the Valley? Bad juju.

Lots of good taps downtown, fewer taps in the Valley.

Service is always friendly and the outside dining in the spring at both places is outstanding.

Yes :-) Kristine's review (Mar 4th 2007)

Ha, ha! O’Doherty’s Irish Pub! There are few places in Spokane like it. As soon as you walk in, you are overcome with a warm sense of community much like you’ve just walked into a pub in Ireland! The food is great. The drinks are great. The service is friendly, but slow. There is wonderful eye candy all over the walls and if it’s some one’s birthday they have to stand on the bar and sing a song! On Tuesday nights, around 9:00 pm, there is an open jam session for musicians. The whole pub listens and can sing along to old Irish drinking tunes! Kids are welcome until 10:00 and this place has always been smoke free inside. The owner is a hoot and I highly recommend this place!

Yes :-) Eric's review (May 21st 2007)

One of the best places in town to sit on the patio and drink beer. Sit across from Riverfront park and do some good people watching. The beer selection is always great with the standard Irish selections always fresh. The Rueben sandwich is the best in town and we tried the steak salad and it was amazing with not too much dressing and the steak was nice and tender. The waitress was great and catered wonderfully to our four year old. I would say one of the top five places in Spokane to eat a great meal, drink good beer and light on the pocket book.

No :-( liz's review (Jul 17th 2008)

having been to the emerald isle more times than i care to remember, i was intrigued by the real Irish atmosphere that i had heard of here. If you have never been to Ireland, this will do, if not ya might be a little disappointed. have not eaten here too often, i had the pie with the Guinness gravy, and i think that the only Guinness in there was the bottle that passed over it on it’s way to my table. I tried again with a hamburger and fries, they did it right with that one, so my advice is go for the burger.

Yes :-) Shar's review (Sep 9th 2008)

Now we’re talkin!! Here is a true Irish place. Lots of Irish high-octane beverages to choose from. May different Guinness blends (half&half, black & tan, etc.) and Guinness poured “just right” according to my husband. They seem to know what they’re doing. Scottish Eggs are terrific. The atmosphere is great! Definitely we will return here!