"Yes, Shawn O’Donnell’s is a casual chain (with five other locations in the state); a much maligned category, and usually rightfully so. But walk into either the Fremont or Pioneer Square location and tell us Shawn O’Donnell’s isn’t hitting all the notes of a true Irish pub. The space feels warm and lived-in, the Irish beer selection is abundant, and the menu (while almost overwhelmingly extensive) includes nice touches: shepherd’s pie made with ground lamb and colcannon, a rich mushroom pan sauce accompanying the bangers and mash, and Irish boxties (potato pancakes with either corned beef or shepherd’s pie filling) are exceedingly hard to find in Seattle." - Mark DeJoy