Mid Rivers Newsmagazine Morrissey's Pub and Grill Review

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Mid Rivers Newsmagazine Restaurant Spotlight Archive

Morrissey's Offers Family Meals and Prices

By Mary Ann O'Toole Holley

If destiny counts for anything, being under the coveted umbrella of a drinking and dining top 10 poll will continue to feel like home for Bill Morrissey, owner of Morrissey's Pub and Grill in O'Fallon.

The pollsters haven't taken a count on Morrissey's yet, but when they do, Bill Morrissey and his wife Tami are more than likely to accept the honor.

Morrissey, owner of the hot Clayton hangout, Carondelet Grill, knows how to make things comfortable for his patrons. A four-year resident of O'Fallon, Morrissey felt the city was ripe for a good, neighborhood bar and grill - one like Mike Duffy's Pub and Grill in Kirkwood and Carondelet Grill in Clayton - two establishments that remain at the top with those who enjoy restaurants.

Morrissey worked for 19 years cutting his teeth in the restaurant business, cooking, and bartending and doing everything under the sun under Duffy's owners Bruce Frailey and Mike Duffy. If you know Kirkwood, you know Duffy's.

Now, Morrissey co-owns Carondelet Grill with his former boss, Bruce Frailey.

"Duffy's is always in the Top 10 rankings," Morrissey said. "I came to O'Fallon in 2002, but lived out here 10 years and saw the need for the same kind of restaurant. Growing up, the first time I went to Duffy's was with my dad. You could sit and look around and see all types of people. There would be kids in baseball uniforms, moms together on a night out, men off the golf course. I wanted to create that same environment - a place that entices everyone and makes everyone feel comfortable."

Morrissey's is well on its way to making the grade.

With warm red wood tones and walls, sports memorabilia and TVs in every direction, frosty beer offerings to satisfy anyone and multiple menu items that include the word "hot," what more could you ask for?

Every time the Cardinals score a homerun, the price of a pitcher of beer goes down a dollar. There are drink specials, happy hours, and plenty of appetizers to get you going.

"You give the customers the atmosphere and they create the restaurant," Morrissey said. "I am a consumer as well as a restaurant owner, and I know what I like. I have four kids and this is the kind of place we could come to after a movie."

The biggest struggle for Morrissey's is that not enough people know he's here.

Situated in a sunken strip mall, invisible from Hwy. K, Morrissey's is tucked away in just about one mile north of Hwy. N on the west side of the street (near Dairy Queen).

Morrissey's is a comfortable place, without a doubt, but what should really bring you to Morrissey's is the eats.

"Our pizza is taking off really well," Morrissey said. "We use a thin crust and have specialty pizzas like the hot wing pizza."

Hot wing pizza?

Hot wing pizza features wing sauce, chicken and cheese, and is served with bleu cheese dressing or ranch to enhance the flavor. Other specialty pizzas like BBQ Chicken Pizza, Chicken Alfredo Pizza and Veggie Deluxe Pizza, come in 10-inch and 14-inch sizes and sell at $10 and $12.

Wraps are big sellers at Morrissey's. Try an All-American turkey wrap ($7.99), a Classic Chicken Club Wrap ($7.99) or any of the other wraps and you'll have a healthy lunch or dinner that won't weigh down your budget.

Burgers are moderately priced at about $5.99 to $7.95 for any number of choices all charbroiled with mesquite, served on a Kaiser roll with lettuce and pickle. All burgers are fresh, never frozen and served with fries or a substitution of Cole slaw, cottage cheese, mixed vegetables or broccoli. Twister fries, a half order of onion rings or onion straws may also be substituted for 50 cents.

There's a "kids menu" for the youngin's with selections like chicken strips, grilled cheese, hot dogs and even peanut butter and jelly sandwiches all priced at $4.25 and served with fries. There is a game room in the back - a safe place for the kids to play while mom and dad enjoy the evening.

"A lot of the items on the menu were introduced when I worked at Duffy's," Morrissey said. "Our beer battered cod sandwich is huge, and we have daily specials"

Duffy says he enjoys the environment of his O'Fallon pub and grill, and welcomes everyone as though they have known him all of his life.

"I wanted a nice, comfortable place, and I think I've achieved that," Morrissey said. "We've got a great crew here."

Morrissey's, located at 2693 Hwy. K in O'Fallon is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to midnight. Delivery is available. Call 636-978-6808 to place an order or for more information.