At Paddy’s Pub and Boxty House, (now houses), owners Kirk and Jacki Mueller take pride in their well-researched menu — Ireland is really not that far. But they have discovered neither is River Falls.
Or Amery, as described above, if you wish to go south instead because Your Irish Eyes Are Smilin’ for your Valentine’s Day celebration.
So after a run of many years at their venue in the town of Hudson, just a wee bit north of the freeway, the couple (the Muellers) have doubleteamed it by adding a restaurant in downtown River Falls, in the former Mainstreeters location.
Paddy Ryan’s offers traditional Irish fare, sometimes with a twist, and that can come as well from their many accompanying American entrees and more. They include a blend of these two favorite styles, from two favorite continents, even on the plate at the same time.
Also, for an example of why you should take note of this tale of two cities, a featured Boxty and/or more gives helpings of both cod AND salmon, again all at once, prepared in a way that gives two distinct tastes, while at the same time complimenting each other.
— I think it should be called Shelby’s Slam, after its creator. Introduced at Mallard’s in New Richmond just the other day, so get one while they last as it falls into the proverbial category of “for a limited time only.” It is a margarita on steroids, since it has a little extra kick. Think the combo of pineapple flavors and a bit of hot peppers added in. And I swear, they could be some mango in there, fitting because a friend just chimed in that its her fave fruit. —
Along those lines, back to the Paddy. Their weekend and maybe weekday specials, both buildings, impress as they are introduced and consistently win rave reviews from their loyal customers, both owners note, kicking the pants off run-of-the-mill pub food by pints. Around for years has been their strong, as in stout and also otherwise for the weak of heart and liver, selection of beer and whiskey to wash the meal down, as any Irish gent would do. Paddy’s Ryan’s offers a selection of more than 35 Irish whiskey AND single malt Scotch, to bring in another end of The Island and fit the palate of any customer. Go on a search, north and south, to see if one Paddy’s has a slight twist on beverage take to the other Paddy’s?
And as such specials, Irish meatballs are often brought back, with both ground beef and ground pork, celery and carrot, onion and smoked Gouda, A1 and Worcestershire sauce, garlic and Guinness! Served over their Champ potatoes, named that ‘cuz they’re only partially kidding when they say, if you could take mashed potatoes to heaven, you’d take these. Here there is corny, in a wee few of the jokes and pub puns — being those told by “mouldy” patrons and picked up on their intro sign board that you can’t miss in River Falls upon entry — and as a vegetable topping. One thing that makes it a Champ is that its covered with their own, here we go again, Guinness bacon brown gravy! And that flavoring, that’s simply up to the Irish, is only an introduction to their ways to spice things up.
What’s new, besides where to find the twin venues, maybe even to this century? And out-aging in a good way both Irish-oriented locations? It’s Paddy’s own old Irish whiskey. And Irish coffee. And with it, the sausages are made Irish style, as well as in other manners, and are fluffed and aled with mustard, and are also known for the fact they’re all local in their sourcing.
Topping it off, there a multitude of ways Paddy Ryan’s frames most of their many Boxtys. And since many have asked, let’s clear this up in the same breath that we’re talking about locations — just what is a Boxty?
At just first look, leeks and more leeks to like. But Kirk would lambast me if I don’t tell the rest of the story, going two paragraphs down.
Leeks are a perfect choice because of the number of choices they avail. So have essentially a combo. This versatility allows leeks to be a fit with many main ingredients. Just tweak the spicings by the Boxty, to allow even more variety?
Leeks start big and bold, if only because the vegetable right out of the garden is larger in size then onions and the even more tart scallions. But leeks have a milder taste, in what seems to be a theme with some Irish delicacy ingredients, and can also have a hint of sour. They compliment the Boxty, but don’t overpower. To further think Boxty? “A potato pancake, but with epic flavor. We take Yukon gold mashed potatoes made with leeks, heavy cream, butter, and salt and pepper and add hash browns; then we form this into two pancake-shaped potato cakes and crisp up both sides. Your meat choice then goes in between the two Boxty cakes! Amazing flavor, and so unique!”
Beyond leeks, that leaves a situation where you won’t see the original Paddy Ryan’s from the freeway unless the fall leaves are down, even though its less than a quarter-mile away. But worth the jog over to there and the woodland view while on the way. And on the other side where they — yikes — used to hold old rodeos. Take Exit 4 a block or so to the north, then veer left at the traffic signal and follow a slightly winding road, two quick turns, just like a leprechaun would follow a rainbow to a pot of gold.
That longtime address in the town of Hudson is 709 Rodeo Drive, right at the end of the building, and you don’t even have to travel to California! And for the record, and a comparison, stop in at River Falls at 212 S. Main St. on the east side, opposite a big parking lot. We are only talking about ten miles apart.
If you live a wee bit between, and don’t want to run that route as much as Kirk and Jacki, delivery is now offered during most hours.
Sláinte! to that driver too!