Two Fools Tavern

Kilts, Celtic bands, good Irish food and lots of Scotch Whiskey can be found at the Two Fools Tavern on Central Avenue. 
 
Tom White, a classically trained chef, and Jeff Watson -- i.e. the "Two Fools" -- who brought Scalo's Italian Grill to Albuquerque, dreamed of bringing an authentic replication of the pubs they had visited in Ireland to the Land of Enchantment and, in January of 2006, their dream became a reality.

One of their goals was to use the best ingredients and still keep the prices low. Even with our current economy, sales keep going up, so it would seem they have succeeded, said Russell Reid, general manager.

"We are busy all the time," Russell said as he looked around the cozy restaurant and pondered aloud where he would fit more customers if the rate of growth continued.

The restaurant features Irish dishes such as cottage pie, Angus beef simmered with onions, carrots, peas and spices with whipped potatoes and cheddar cheese on top ($6.25 for lunch portion and $9.50 for dinner); bangers and mash, English sausages served over mashed potatoes with a Guinness and onion gravy ($9.95); and the well-known corned beef and cabbage topped with a whiskey mustard sauce ($9.95).

The hands-down house favorite, Russell said, is the Two Fools' fish and chips made with Icelandic haddock ($11.95 for two pieces or $8.50 for one piece). The haddock is battered in the tavern’s own ale and, unlike many versions of fish and chips found at restaurants, the Two Fools’ version does not taste at all greasy. Russell said when they were testing the recipe they tried a dozen varieties of fish, but when the Icelandic haddock was served everyone in the room knew they had a hit.

In addition to the food, the pub offers one of the largest selections of Scotch whiskey in the country.

"People are really shocked at how cheap our Scotch prices are," he said, "but if we didn't keep it cheap it wouldn't sell."

And sell it does. Russell said his goal is to reach 100 varieties of Scotch, but he hovers in the mid-1990s because the stock sells so quickly. The tavern also has 19 beers on tap.

HelloAlbuquerque Tip: Ambience is important at the club. The owners painstakingly chose the colors, furniture, knick knacks and pictures on the walls to enhance the feel of a traditional Irish pub. On Sundays, a local Celtic band adds to the feel and customers will often dine wearing their own kilts.

- by Julie Medina, Albuquerque Reporter for HelloMetro  (Click to leave a message)

Julie Medina

Julie Medina has experience as a reporter at the Albuquerque Journal and has written freelance articles for the Albuquerque Tribune, Albuquerque the Magazine, New Mexico Magazine and New Mexico Kids Magazine. She graduated Summa Cum Laude with a degree in print journalism from the University of New Mexico in 2008. She has lived in Albuquerque since 1984 and believes it is best to remember to play like a tourist in your own hometown so you don't forget the vast culture around you.