Restaurant Name: O’Bryans Nine Irish Brothers
Location: 119 Howard Avenue, West Lafayette, IN (map it)
Phone: 765-746-4782
Hours: Sat-Fri 11am-1am, Sun 11am-12am
Cuisine: Irish
Review: Jerry and Jan O’Bryan have truly outdone themselves! This place evokes the feeling of being in a traditional Irish pub, without having to make the trek overseas. Family photos and Irish memorabilia can be found throughout the pub, and the furniture was actually brought over from Ireland. They don’t miss a beat on the food either. Daily specials are always a hit, but the Fish & Chips and Guinness Stew are my favorite. We usually get a couple meals and share them, and we love everything we’ve tried. A pint of Irish beer is the perfect complement to the meal, but they do offer a wide variety of beer, wine, whiskey, and mixed drinks. Oh, I guess they have non-alcoholic drinks, too, but come on – this is an Irish pub! The Guinness Stout is great, but you’ve got to try the Smithwicks Irish Ale (pronounced Smiddicks).
Guests are, without fail, welcomed by a warm smile and greeting from the attentive kilt-wearing staff. Everyone is treated like family, and Jan and Jerry are almost always there to show you around.They will lead you to a cozy table, where you can peruse the menu and check out the O’Bryan family story. If you’re by yourself, or in the mood to meet some new people, the bar is an ideal location. The bartenders are very friendly, and happy to serve your meal right there. Look above the bar, and you’ll see the words “Five Irish Sisters,” paying homage to the ladies of the family – yes, Jerry actually has five sisters, not to mention the nine boys in the family!
If you’re looking for a unique place to have lunch or dinner, or a fun night out, this is the place to be. Live bands on the weekends provide some great music and entertainment. They also offer whiskey and spirit tasting events, and St. Patrick’s Day festivities that shouldn’t be missed. The patio is a great place to enjoy your visit to Nine Irish Brothers, too.
One final note; While I have listed this as not a kid-friendly establishment, they do allow children during lunch and all day on Sunday. They are quite friendly to kids, but they do not offer a children’s menu, crayons, or other items that families would expect at a kid-friendly restaurant.
Kid friendly: No.
Methods of Payment: Cash or Credit.
Related Sites: Hungry Hoosier Review, My Space Page
(7 votes, average: 3.43 out of 5)
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{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
We got some crap for asking about green beer the day after St. Patrick’s Day. The waitress sneered that green beer was an American invention. In retrospect, the attitude was probably deserved.
Fortunately, I ordered a black & tan with Guinness and Smithwick’s instead of the more common (in my experience anyway) Guinness and Bass — mixing an English beer in an Irish Pub just didn’t seem right some how.
It’s helpful to read that you liked Nine Irish Brothers so much. I’ve only been once, but had the completely opposite experience.
I was with a group of friends, on a quiet afternoon. We had dismal service. The Guinness was served ice cold. The portions were so small that I left hungry – and I often get two meals out of restaurant leftovers. The desserts were barely distinguishable and nauseatingly sweet (creme brulee bread pudding?) I got the wrong dessert, and the server wasn’t apologetic at all. Plus, she couldn’t even describe the specials – someone else ordered a mint pie that looked good when I saw it, but from her description it sounded like a syrupy chocolate concoction, not light mint.
Maybe we were just incredibly unlucky. From your review, it looks like they deserve another try.
Went here for dinner tonight, and thoroughly enjoyed the Dublin salad. Mixed greens (no iceberg!) with dried cranberries, pine nuts, feta, and red onion with a raspberry vinaigrette. Delicious, I ate every bite and considered licking the plate afterward. (I didn’t.)
I have been there a few times and was sadly dissapointed! I also know a few of the employees personally and have heard horror stories about how they are treated. I think in order to get good service an employee has to have positive reinforcement. I ordered the sheperds pie and was disgusted. It looked like vomit in a bowl with instant mashed potatoes on top! I have also had the fish n’ chips. The chips were good but the fish was bland and the best part about it was the breading. I think this place is nothing more than a glorified Applebees and it is way over priced! I also have to say that I have had the “pleasure” of meeting Jerry in person and I was treated with total disrespect and almost felt looked down on. Knowing that my money is going in his pocket will prevent me from ever going there again!
It might or might not have good food (my opinion was “average”), but it is hard to get past the overpriced draft beers. For a beer lover, there are many better places in Lafayette with lower prices on the beer this place serves, and much wider selections. If you only care about Guiness and don’t mind being charged too much for it and want food that is somewhere between adequate and good, this is otherwise a good place.
First, let’s talk food & drink: They have been designated as serving the best pint of Guinness in the US BY GUINNESS. The shepherd’s pie is authentic–just like my aunt makes in Waterford (Ireland), and the fish & chips are spot on. I was born and raised in Ireland, and have never found anywhere in the states like home until I took a position at the local univerity, and stumbled across Nine Irish Brothers. Very well done.
That being said, I was disappointed to read Lilly’s post. Lilly, it does sound a bit like sour grapes. Perhaps you are a disgruntled ex-employee? Have to say I know not only Jerry and Jan, but also Matt & Maggie, Alex, Sasha, Jason, Josh, Shana, Brooke, Richard, and many of the other staff members who have been there for many years, and they love their employers and their jobs.
I love the post about “ice cold Guinness.” It’s supposed to be served cold. I can’t believe how many of you Americans think we serve it warm. That was before we had proper refrigeration!
As far as “Irish” pubs outside of Ireland go, this one is spot-on. Feels like home. Good people there, and good food too. The stew reminded me of my mum’s. Also tried the goat cheese fritters as a starter. Very nice. I’ll be coming back next time I’m in town.
What is everyone in Laf/West Laf suckers? This place sucks…If you like this place then you will love Shoney’s.
Pretty shocked by the comments here. We’ve been big fans of the place since they first opened. We’ve been there easily a hundred times and had nearly everything on the menu, and loved every dish (including those desserts)! Really, can’t go wrong on the food here, though I’m partial to corned beef.
The whiskey is good, and a wide selection, and I’m told the beer is as well. The whiskey flights were also an interesting twist. Definitely should be on your go-to list for visiting guests, IMO.
Terrible food. Way below average wait staff. Very surprised that the two “Irishmen” said this place made them feel like home. Well, if they use instant mash potatoes in traditonal Irish dishes, then count me out. Portions are terrible. Fish and chips are not “spot on”. Boxed breading? come on. On top of that, go anywhere else in town to get the beer that 9 has on tap for a way better price. Also, Jerry had to pay a lot of money to get that Guiness “award” or whatever you call it.
Have never had anything bad here. Their Lobster Bisque is to die-for. And I think alcohol anywhere it is served is expensive. It seems everytime we go there we get the Ploughman’s Platter as an appetizer for the three of us…I would go there just to order the Irish soda bread to bring home
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