Butte Beat: Experiencing Uptown’s New Irish-Ran Restaurant

BUTTE, MT - It's no secret that Butte, Montana is known for its love, appreciation, and embracement of everything that has to do with Irish heritage. Dating back to the late 1800s and early 1900s, Butte witnessed a large emigration of Irish people coming to work, live, and drink here on the Richest Hill on Earth, even making up for one of the three "Copper Kings." Though many have come and gone from our beloved town next to the pit, Butte's Irish heritage has stuck like gravy to mashed potatoes. Not even to mention St. Patrick's Day, or the many pubs and restaurants serving Irish fares, Butte definitely loves its green.

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But there's a new kid on the block that is unique from the rest. No, I'm not talking about the smart but naive kid who everyone yells, "You're killing me, Smalls!" at and likes to play baseball. No, I'm talking about a restaurant that features classic historic Butte interiors, meals that your Irish granny used to serve on a silver platter, and a man so Irish that he can only be witnessed running around the joint with a calm expression (showcasing the Irish's craziness by being able to handle anything crazy) and sporting a green tie (as if to remind you that he is, indeed, Irish). If you've been to this place within the past month or so it's been open, then you know what I'm talking about.

Shawn O'Donnell's American Grill and Irish Pub opened in Butte just over a month ago, back in March of 2024, and I've already gone two times. That may not sound like a lot, but given my girlfriend's obsession with their true Irish dishes—a feat that is difficult to achieve, as she is an extremely talented chef—it's a restaurant that we like to flock to. The menu features food that seemed to come straight off the boat with the lads who sailed here all those years ago, with the menu made complete with Irish Gaelic along side of some of the American names for the meals.

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I've mentioned in past Butte Beat's (here and here) that I enjoy the occasional and not-at-all-daily-I-swear-please-don't-tell-my-mom adult beverage when out and about at these restaurants, as I believe it to be a great tool of measurement for observing how the establishment handles the little details. Plus, I'm very Irish myself, and just, like, booze, you know? One drink in particular I am a complete sucker for is an Irish Coffee, which contains—you guessed it—coffee and Irish whiskey. Shawn O'Donnell's features an Irish Coffee with imported Irish whiskey, and it was seriously the best I had ever had. The usual anxiety of impending heartburn from coffee and booze was pushed aside after the first taste, while a wave of deliciousness poured over.

Whiskey isn't the only thing Shawn O'Donnell's, an American chain based out of Seattle, imports from the motherland of Ireland. Hillary, the genuinely awesome and charming waitress who serves there, informed me that "Irish Johnny"—leader of the Butte Shawn O'Donnell's clan—will literally go to Ireland to collect and bring back genuine Irish inspirations and trinkets, down to the salt and pepper shakers on every table, the sauces, and the books behind the bar.

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The Irish blood doesn't just run through the food (sounds yummy). Thrown all over the walls are photos, newspaper clippings, articles, and information all in regards to Butte or general Irish culture. Though I have no idea what the significance is for half of the stuff up there, it's still really cool to look at and appreciate, knowing that someone, somewhere, has a connection to, say, the boxing photos on the walls of the bathroom.

Long story short, if you're looking to enjoy a very hearty serving of a traditional Banger's & Mash, while sipping Guinness on a Thursday afternoon in Uptown Butte, Shawn O'Donnell's has you covered. Honestly, even if you're just looking for some food on any day (including Sundays, which earns extra points in my book), Shawn O'Donnell's will wrap its Irish heritage blanket over you and kiss your stomach goodnight.

See you next week.