Mulligan's Bar & Restaurant

Up since 6:30 on a Saturday, in the 90+ degree heat from about 9am- 6:30pm, three softball games, a pb&j for lunch...we needed some real food and we needed it fast.  No way I was driving all the way. Back home from Howell, NJ before we ate so we took a chance at Mulligan's.  

We got there and were seated immediately (thank God there was no wait!).  Our waitress descended upon us quickly with her charming smile and was back in about 90 seconds with an ice cold Summer Shandy, a Sprite, and two giant waters.  The menu looked pretty good so we put Ina big order...I ordered a cp of crab bisque and a Reuben and my daughter ordered a Caesar salad with chicken and a chicken parm with linguini and marinara.

The crab bisque was surprisingly good for a pub...it was a little more savory than I usually would like, but maybe after a long day of watching softball it was what I needed.  My daughter's salad was very good and included lots of chicken (yeah, I ate some-I was paying for it...don't bust my chops) and some roasted red peppers (odd, but I enjoyed them since she hates them).  So far, so good!  Got some cold water and beer in me, decent appetizer, I'm getting back to normal...

Then the entrees arrived and the wheels came off the bus a bit.  The chicken parm was ok, not great, but pretty good.  Not too much breading, not too much cheese and a good sized portion.  The linguini and marinara were not good, however.  The linguini was WAY overcooked and mushy and the marinara was just, well it wasn't good.  And the garlic bread...yuck-more like garlic cardboard.

My Reuben was disappointing for an Irish pub...in fact it was just disappointing.  The corned beef was very dry and it's flavor was overpowered by too much sauerkraut and Russian dressing.  Truly a shame as I really had higher expectations for the meal. The fries were just your normal previously frozen krinkle cut offering-not bad, but not awesome.  

The linguini and the reuben are the reason for only three stars...really 2.5, but because we had a really nice waitress who provided excellent service and pretty good starters I'll bump it to three.  By the way-pretty good beer selection here and the bartenders seemed to be really engaging and knew the regulars.  I bet if I lived down here and stuck to the bar and normal pub fare this would be a 4 star review...unfortunately I can only review my actual experience.

Mulligans is an all-around staple. Food is good, not great, but for the most part very consistent. I have eaten many of the menu items and generally you get what you'd expect to get. When we visit Mulligans we always make sure to ask for Colleen or Cici, they offer top-notch service and are always friendly. Both are masters of their trade and make you want to come back. If you are willing to spend a couple of bucks check out the NY strip garlic steak, traditionally quite good.

Great service and the bartenders (Jimmy and Lisa are the best)
The food is great and very reasonable prices.
Love the fast , friendly service.