The man, the legend.

I know, I know, you’re wondering the same thing I was: who is Hercules Mulligan, anyway? According to the website Who Was Hercules Mulligan, Anyway?, he was the son of an Irish immigrant and basically a badass patriot during the American Revolution who coaxed juicy tyrannical deets from British soldiers, then tattled on them to President Washington himself. Today, he remains a kind of cult figure who inspires websites like Who Was Hercules Mulligan, Anyway?

Another such homage is Thayer Street’s newest addition, which sits atop Soban in the space that formerly housed Marley’s. Like the original Mr. Mulligan, it packs a big dose of patriotism, reflected in both its hodgepodge of a menu and its avid fandom of the New England football team. Also like the original Mr. M, it’s true to its Irish heritage: giant barrels of Guinness stand in as bar tables, and Flogging Molly blasts through the speakers at all hours and unspeakable decibel levels.

But the restaurant itself is a mutt, evidenced by the abundance of Irish favorites like shepherd’s pie and bangers and mash amidst Caprese salad and pistachio-crusted salmon. Asian food finds a strange home in there, too: spring rolls come stuffed with corned beef, Swiss, and sauerkraut. Likewise, nachos are “Irish-ized” with the addition of potato chips and Irish bacon, as is BBQ sauce with Jameson whiskey. Drinks-wise, there’s a great rotation of beers on tap, plus $3 ‘Gansetts (cool) and the requisite pint of Guinness. Vegetarians: there’s a veggie burger and requisite pasta dish, but you’re probably better off elsewhere. [Read more →]

http://youtu.be/TqmtnRuURRQ

A new semester means new friends, new classes, and, sadly, a reminder of the harsh reality of capitalism. Some businesses, no matter how close they may be to our hearts, must fail. Our winter break has given us three changes to the Thayer street food scene, all of which will have to prove their worth to Brown students in the near future:

To almost no one’s many students’ complete lack of surprise, Toledo (or its brief successor Thayer Pita Pockets) has closed its doors. Though I only once got to enjoy one of their infamous “pizza cones” – albeit in their brief second life as “pita pockets” – Thayer street will surely miss this unique delicacy and I will miss the classic challenge of preventing cheese from oozing out the bottom of the cone. Indeed, it’s tough being the 3rd pizza restaurant in a 2-pizzeria market. Expect (only slightly) longer lines at Antonio’s and Nice Slice. [Read more →]