White Rabbit Bar and BBQ located in the city of Cork, Ireland is known for its wide selection of American-style BBQ and cuisine. Their extensive food menu includes brisket, ribs, pulled pork, and plenty of cocktails to enjoy in a casual and cozy atmosphere.
I’ll be honest and say that I wasn’t sure what to expect prior to walking in but I can say that I was pleasantly surprised. The warm ambiance and cozy bar layout were very welcoming. I chose a two-seat high top near the back of the bar so that I could sit and take my time observing all of the details incorporated into the restaurant. These back tables are also a great spot to people-watch from!
American-style BBQ has gained popularity in recent years in Ireland even though it’s not traditionally a part of Irish cuisine. Granted, American-style BBQ varies so much in the United States with different preparation methods and finishing styles all depending on what part of the country you’re in. Being a Texas native myself, I wanted to stop in and see how this Irish establishment put its spin on a traditional brisket meal.
The main menu features a wide range of smoked meats including brisket, baby back ribs, pulled pork, chicken, and hot links. In addition, they also include a couple of vegetarian options, one of which is their Oak-smoked Halloumi. Their sides include mac and cheese, cornbread, potato salad, and cole slaw much like you would find in BBQ joints back in the States.
The city of Cork has a thriving culinary scene and a variety of pubs, bars, and restaurants to explore throughout the city. White Rabbit’s bar is one of the best, low-key bars in town offering a wide range of craft beers, cocktails, and spirits.
White Rabbit is a great place whether you’re wanting to meet friends after work for a pint, grab a bite by yourself, or if you’re looking for a nice classy spot to bring a date to. This timeless atmosphere can cater to any occasion!
After mulling over the menu for a while I finally decided on a brisket sandwich, a side of potato salad, and an order of baby back ribs for dinner. I spent the previous week eating traditional Irish dishes throughout Ireland and I was really looking forward to trying something that was a little closer to home for me.
The brisket sandwich is comprised of beef brisket served on a Brioche bun, on top of a layer of red slaw, and topped off with a couple of sliced pickles and a layer of bbq mayo. Served cold. I must admit this is the first time I’ve had a brisket sandwich made in this fashion, coming from Texas we do things a little differently but I was definitely excited to try this new spin on things. Another first for me was the BBQ Mayo, it’s mainly comprised of BBQ sauce and mayonnaise mixed together along with a few other key ingredients in order to complete their signature flavor. I was a bit skeptical at first but decided to keep an open mind and just run with it.
First bite into the sandwich, WOW. I had a wide variety of textures and flavors all at once, which was not a bad thing. The sheer size of the sandwich and the overflowing abundance of red slaw did make it a little difficult to eat “cleanly” but being a bit messy while eating BBQ is allowed.
After a few bites of the sandwich, I decided to try each of the components separately by fork and they each stood up very well all on their own which was impressive. Some restaurants introduce various components in order to not only try to improve the overall taste but sometimes to mask one item that might not otherwise be as good on its own. That was NOT the case here, each component was a hit, and combining them all together made the overall end product top-notch! Well done.
I saved the order of baby back ribs for last. These were amazing, to say the least. They were the closest thing to what I was used to back home in Texas so maybe I’m a bit biased. The rib meat came off the bone with ease and the overall seasoning and flavor were superb!
These baby back ribs were on the JUST THE MEAT portion of the menu which means they do not come with any side items. These options are great to share with your party as an appetizer and/or as a second meat to accompany your main meal.
White Rabbit prides itself on their vast assortment of whiskeys from all over the world. If you’re a whiskey lover, you’d be pleased with the selection they have to offer.
The bar is staffed with talented bartenders of which I had the pleasure of watching make mixed cocktail after mixed cocktail for other patrons. They were a lot of fun to watch and were very good at what they do.
I had no intention of getting a dessert but as soon as the server placed the menu down on my table I zoned in on the Pecan Pie option. I gotta try that as it’s my favorite dessert to have back home. I also noticed another American staple dessert, Key Lime Pie!
As I was waiting for my Pecan Pie I thought, wait, do they even have pecan trees in the Ireland region? I searched online and they do not have pecan trees native to the area but they do import them for dishes such as this.
The slice of Pecan Pie was served with a mound of whipped cream and both were drizzled with a bourbon-based syrup which really added to the flavoring of the pie. Yum. I was in heaven!
I really had no inclination that I would be having BBQ brisket, ribs, and Pecan Pie on my trip to Ireland but I am glad I made the decision to stop in and give White Rabbit a try. If you’re visiting Cork, stop in and give the guys at White Rabbit a visit and try out a few dishes for yourself. You won’t be disappointed. Oh, be sure to save room for dessert!