Shamrock's

995 West 7th St.
St. Paul, MN 55102
651-228-9925
www.crshamrocks.com


After being diligent about my calorie intake the past few weeks, I couldn’t take it anymore. I had to indulge my craving for a rare, greasy cheeseburger loaded with raw onions, pickles, and jalapenos – the ultimate PMS conqueror. Initially, I planned to head to one of my ol’ stand-bys (Fuddruckers, Smash Burger, or The Bull Dog), but I soon recalled my friend razzing me for never trying Shamrock’s, a St. Paul burger staple. Known for their Juicy Lucy’s, Shamrock’s has never been on my radar. Some may find it blasphemous for a Minnesotan to dislike Juicy Lucy’s, but let me state my case before I’m unjustly persecuted. In order to melt the cheese nestled between the two beef patties, the burger must be cooked to a minimum of medium. And if my burger isn’t kicking and screaming, what’s the point? All the flavor, juices, and tenderness originate from the blood and fat, and if those elements no longer exist, frankly, I’m not interested. My taste is far too impeccable to settle for a dried out hockey puck.

That being said, Shamrock’s has several other non-Juicy Lucy options to choose from, so I opted to finally give this West 7th fixture a college try. As I was ravenous when I arrived, I ordered off the starter menu: four hot wings and four Minnesota Wild wings. The hot wings are your everyday, garden variety bar fare that aren’t particularly noteworthy, whereas the Minnesota Wild wings are a unique sauceless sensation. Each piece is herbed, breaded, and deep fried, a delicious snack-size version of crunchy Southern fried chicken.


As for the burgers, the waitress recommended her two favorite menu options, so my boyfriend and I took her advice and ordered the Triple B-Bourbon Bacon Burger and the Lodge Burger. After all, their descriptions sounded enticing. The Triple B-Bourbon Bacon Burger is a 1/3 pound patty topped with cinnamon brown sugar bacon, smoky cheddar cheese, and bourbon sauce. Simpler in nature, the Lodge Burger is concocted of bacon, lettuce, tomato, smoked cheddar, and chipotle mayo. As our order reached the table, the burgers looked…well, the way a burger should look – sturdy, plentiful, and mouth-watering. I cut my burger in half and dove in. To my dismay, I was instantly disappointed. The patty was small and overcooked and the bread was reminiscent of a day old McDonald’s bun, minus the sesame seeds. Shamrock’s burgers are, as I initially expected, below average and a complete waste of calories.

In all honestly, Shamrock’s food and ambiance are what they should be, a mediocre, local place to grab a pint and a burger with your buddies at happy hour. It’s not a restaurant to cross town for to indulge a deep-seeded craving for sensational food. It is what it is, and I can accept that. So, the next time I’m in the market for a run-of-the-mill experience, I’ll keep Shamrock’s in mind.

Mindy’s rating: 3/10 Sporks