O'Callaghan's Mitchelstown. Local and Seasonal. Since 1988!

O'Callaghan's Mitchelstown

Local and Seasonal. Since 1988!

On the road again. Thinking about a light lunch. Mitchelstown comes up on the signs and immediately I think of O’Callaghan’s, a restaurant cum deli right in the middle of the town. 

On the way, we pass the sculpture of Fanahan, the local saint, who looks well fed himself. The O’Callaghan’s building is also looking very well in the weak December sunshine. And, inside, it’s very busy too.

One look at the menu tells me why. I know l’ve come for a light lunch - there is a big dinner ahead in Kilkenny that evening - but if I had come for a “proper” lunch I’d also have had hit the jackpot. And if I had wanted a salad bowl to take back to the nearby office, then I’d have been well catered for as well. And, by the way, there is also a children’s menu with lots of choice.

The menu changes daily (local and seasonal) and, on this Wednesday, lunch was being served from 12 noon until 4.30pm. There were no less than three soups on the specials and also a tempting starter based on Crowe’s crispy pancetta. Crowe’s are just one of their many local suppliers - see the full list here. 

Fanahan

Lots of main course specials, all priced around the 12 to 14 euro mark. There was a Red wine braised boeuf bourguignon, a pan-fried fillet of cod, Vegetarian baked flat mushrooms, and a vegetarian quiche,  just to give you an idea. All substantial dishes indeed.

There were salads and sandwiches of course. And here I found just what I wanted: a Caesar salad, with baby gem leaves, so fresh and crisp, Caesar dressing, Parmesan, a scattering of anchovies and croutons, for about seven euro if I remember rightly.

Meanwhile CL was tucking in, enthusiastically, to a Cajun Chicken Wrap with  tomato and onion (7 euro approx). I sampled that too and it was also excellent. Everything here is done to order. And service is top notch, friendly of course.

We enjoyed those and just regretted the fact that we couldn’t have tried the big plates! As we made our way out (checking the goodies on the shelves), punters were still piling in, some to eat, some to get a takeaway, others to order cakes and pastries (they also bake here, five different types of bread daily, four different types of scones). 

And they know what they are doing - their customers have been supporting them since they opened in 1988. And don’t worry if you see a queue as they can seat 130 people!

O’Callaghan’s Café serves food all day with extensive Breakfast and Lunch menus. As they say themselves, O’Callaghan’s is the perfect place to break a journey, whether you have time to eat in or prefer to eat on the go, O’Callaghan’s can offer everything you need!

O’Callaghan’s Deli,

19 Lower Cork St,

Mitchelstown

Co. Cork

Tel: 025-24657