Great Britain isn't known for producing great culinary creations, but one of the nation's lasting contributions to guilty-pleasure cuisine is the Scotch egg: a hard-boiled egg wrapped in sausage, breaded and deep-fried.
Great Britain isn't known for producing great culinary creations, but one of the nation's lasting contributions to guilty-pleasure cuisine is the Scotch egg: a hard-boiled egg wrapped in sausage, breaded and deep-fried.
Mac's Cafe serves the best one in town, complete with a thick, creamy sauce (in case the normal ingredients weren't rich enough). The charming Short North hangout also serves up meat pies, fish and chips, and pints of Guinness at traditional cellar temperature.
If fried meat, grease and lukewarm beer isn't how you cool off after a sunny day at ComFest, the bar has plenty of other things to offer the throngs about to converge at Goodale Park.
Inside, Mac's combines the wood-paneled, homespun feel of a British pub with the amenities and liveliness of a Midwestern sports bar. The combination works extremely well, and the bar is one of the best spots to linger in a neighborhood with plenty of options.
A spacious, high-ceilinged room is full of tables, booths and a bar with the best draft beer selection in the Short North. Pints start at $3.50, and they're a great accompaniment to a full menu featuring daily lunch and dinner specials at truly discounted prices.
There's a separate room in the back with a pool table, but the main pastime at Mac's is sitting, eating and drinking. And playing Xbox 360.
The bar has one console connected to a hi-def television near the bar, and wireless controllers can be brought to your table upon request. (I'd suggest playing newbie-friendly Lego Indiana Jones, which you can pick up in about five seconds. For some reason, you can't die.)
It's fun details like this - and a long tradition of excellent food and drink - that have led to Mac's 20th anniversary this year. Here's to many more.
In short: Great things from both sides of the pond
Major-League Drafts
True to its British character, draft beer is a specialty at Mac's, with 18 choices on tap. Here's a selection:
Bell's Kalamazoo Stout
Bell's Oberon
Bell's Two Hearted Ale
Blue Moon
Brooklyn Lager
Flying Dog Classic Pale Ale
Great Lakes Dortmunder Gold
Great Lakes Burning River
Guinness (cold and cellar temperature)
Leinenkugel's Classic Amber
Magic Hat Summer Wacko
Magic Hat #9
Rogue Dead Guy Ale
Woodchuck 802 Dark & Dry Cider