B.D. Rileys Irish Pub Mueller - Review - Mueller - Austin - The Infatuation

"Just like a visit to Barton Springs on a warm Saturday afternoon or a stop at Hot Topic in the mall, you know exactly what to expect when you walk into an Irish pub. There’s a formula that generally involves some combination of a long wooden bar, a laid back atmosphere, and pints of Guinness. B.D. Riley’s is a mostly typical Irish pub, but it’s one with much better food and a nicer patio than you might expect. There’s a pretty large menu of classic Irish staples—including some very good fish and chips, shepherd’s pie, and bangers and mash—that pair just as well with a pint of Smithwicks or with something local on draft. But there are also dishes like a Guinness and steak poutine that’ll have you knuckles-deep in a mountain of thick-cut crispy potatoes, gravy, and melted cheese curds before you can piece together how this Canadian-Irish fusion even came about. The inside is modeled after classic Irish pubs—like many others around the world, it was built in Ireland, and assembled locally—and it’s a dark, cozy escape from a sunny afternoon at Mueller Lake Park. The large patio sprawls out onto the sidewalks and walkways on either side of the pub, while the largest fan we’ve ever seen spins overhead and provides a light breeze for all 365 days of the year that they’re open. It’s a relaxed place on most evenings, but both the inside and the patio become pretty lively during soccer matches and football games (they’re a Patriots bar). Grab a pint of Guinness, order some snacks for the table or a full Irish breakfast at any time of day, and enjoy one of our favorite patios in Mueller. There might not be a giant spring-fed pool to cool off in, but we’ve found a cold pint to be a decent alternative. Food Rundown Fish & Chips One of our favorite versions in town. Every piece of fish somehow manages to be the thickest cut, with a shockingly thin and crispy fried batter on the outside. No surprises here, just a really well done (and massive) plate of a classic pub staple. photo credit: Nicolai McCrary Guinness & Steak Poutine This vaguely Irish take on a classic Canadian staple is a strong contender for best in Austin (there’s not a ton of competition). Thick cut, crispy potatoes act as a bed for stretchy curds of melted cheese and a rich Guinness gravy. And some thick slices of steak on top of it all are just the savory icing on the proverbial poutine cake. photo credit: Nicolai McCrary Bangers & Mash The mashed potatoes are made in house, the sausages are seasoned well, and the Guinness and onion gravy adds a savory, almost sweet element to it all. It’s a massive portion–order this when you need some energy to build a deck later in the day or want something to soak up all the pints you just took down. photo credit: Nicolai McCrary Riley's Reuben This is a pretty standard Reuben, with all of the components you would expect out of one. It’s a solid sandwich all around—it’s not our favorite Reuben in Austin, but fans of corned beef will still be left satisfied. photo credit: Nicolai McCrary" - Nicolai McCrary