Last Updated: ~1 month ago
Phone: (212) 254-2570
Address: 15 EAST 7 STREET 10003
Historic East Village ale house serving legendary house ales & a simple, classic pub menu. A must-visit for NYC history buffs & beer lovers.
Step back in time at McSorley's Old Ale House, a legendary institution in the East Village since 1854. This historic Irish pub is a quintessential New York experience, renowned for its authentic ale house atmosphere, complete with sawdust on the floor and a no-frills approach to dining. While the main draw for many is the excellent house ales, the food menu offers a selection of pub classics. Patrons often rave about the cheese and cracker plate, a simple yet iconic offering that sparks lively debate about its merits. Other frequently discussed items include the roast pork sandwich, chili, and fish and chips. Though some dishes, like the burger, have garnered significant criticism, the overall experience—rooted in its rich history and lively pub culture—makes it a must-visit for those seeking a genuine taste of old New York.
The food menu is quite limited, with a strong emphasis on pub fare and classic bar snacks. The cheese plate with crackers and spicy mustard is frequently mentioned, eliciting varied reactions from 'horrible and delicious' to 'fantastic.' The roast pork sandwich is also a point of discussion, with some finding it hearty and good, while others describe it as dry. The burger receives particularly harsh criticism, with descriptions like 'standard,' 'terrible,' and using 'disgraceful' buns. The chili and fish and chips also have their fans. Overall, the food seems to be secondary to the beer and the historic ambiance for many patrons.
"The cheese plate with crackers and spicy mustard is a popular and iconic choice, despite mixed reviews. The chili, fish and chips, and the house ales are also frequently recommended."
Customers generally have a positive view of this establishment, often highlighting its historic atmosphere and its authentic Irish pub feel. It's frequently recommended as a must-visit for experiencing a classic New York City vibe. While the beer selection, particularly the house ales, receives praise, the food offerings receive mixed reviews, with some dishes being highly recommended and others considered average or even poor.
Important Note
The food menu is very limited and receives mixed reviews, with some items like the burger being heavily criticized. It's also noted that visiting on a weekend night might not be ideal.
"This commenter suggests McSorley's might be worth it for the history alone."
Neutral"This comment humorously suggests saving McSorley's for the end of the trip to avoid potential stomach issues ruining other plans."
Neutral"McSorley's is mentioned with disdain among other places deemed 'gross' by this commenter."
Negative"McSorley's is advised against visiting on a weekend night."
Negative"McSorley's is mentioned in the context of serving only cheese and crackers, fitting the limited menu theme."
Neutral"McSorley's Old Ale House is mentioned as a traditionally New York spot to visit."
Neutral"McSorley's is recommended as a classic establishment, implying its long-standing appeal and reputation."
Positive"Mcsorley's is simply listed as a suggested place."
Neutral"The commenter simply suggests McSorley's Old Ale House."
Neutral"In response to a critique, the commenter defends the roast pork, stating it's 'fantastic and with dip'."
Positive"The commenter critiques the roast pork shown in the post, stating it appears 'miserably dry' due to overcooking."
Negative"The author suggests Porsena, mentioning its former location near McSorley's, as a possible match for the restaurant the original poster is looking for."
Neutral"The commenter highlights their preference for the traditional cheese, liverwurst, and onion plate at McSorley's, noting its historical significance on the menu."
Positive"The commenter expresses strong affection for McSorley's."
Positive"The commenter states that the sandwich at McSorley's is 'so good'."
Positive"The commenter suggests ordering a Feltman's hot dog, implying it's a good option available at McSorley's."
Positive"The commenter states that the chili at McSorley's is 'pretty damn good', especially enjoyable on a night out."
Positive"The commenter states they have enjoyed McSorley's chili for 39 years and it remains 'still great'."
Positive"The commenter asks about the soup and chili at McSorley's and states they were impressed with the fish and chips, especially given its $14 price."
Positive"The commenter has a mixed but ultimately positive feeling about McSorley's cheese and mustard cracker combo, finding it both horrible and delicious."
Positive"The commenter shares a personal anecdote of drinking a large number of beers at a specific table in McSorley's, suggesting a memorable and enjoyable experience."
Positive"Recommends McSorley's, implying it's a well-known choice."
Positive"The commenter describes the roast pork as hearty and good but notes it was a bit dry, requiring a lot of mustard, though they still ate it quickly."
Neutral"The commenter highly recommends McSorley's corn beef hash and dark ale, stating they are excellent."
Positive"The commenter recounts a humorous experience where their dates were disappointed by the simplistic presentation of McSorley's cheese and cracker plate, describing it as literal cheese, crackers, and raw onions, leading to their own amusement."
Neutral"The commenter humorously suggests that flossers should be provided with the meal, implying the food might be prone to getting stuck in teeth."
Neutral"The commenter suggests that having lunch at McSorley's on a bad day sounds appealing and wonders if people are drinking beers there at noon, implying a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere."
Positive"The commenter expresses a strong opinion that the only food worth getting at McSorley's is the cheese and crackers with onions, implying other options are not recommended."
Neutral"In response to a negative query about McSorley's lunch, the commenter briefly states 'Beer,' implying that the beer is the primary reason people go there, which is a positive aspect for the establishment."
Positive"The commenter praises the roast pork with dip, noting it's 'so good' especially when enjoyed with onions and dipping sauce."
Positive"The commenter asks if McSorley's lunch is bad ('ass') and questions why people continue to visit, implying a negative perception of the food/experience."
Negative"The commenter notes that McSorley's offers some of the most reasonable prices in New York City, suggesting good value."
Positive"The author finds the burger at McSorley's to be "terrible." They mention that they can only manage to eat a couple after consuming about eight of the house ales, implying the food is only palatable with copious alcohol."
Negative"The author states that McSorley's food is generally unremarkable and specifically criticizes the burger buns as a "disgrace." They suggest the liverwurst sandwich or fish and chips as preferable alternatives if eating there."
Negative"The author comments that McSorley's definitely offers great beer and has sawdust on the floor, highlighting key aspects of its offerings and historic atmosphere."
Positive"The author suggests ordering the liverwurst sandwich at McSorley's, likely as an alternative to the burger which was the subject of the original post."
Neutral"When asked about McSorley's burger in the original post, the author states that the burger is "standard," implying it is average and not noteworthy."
Neutral"Commenting on a suggestion for cheese and crackers with spicy mustard at McSorley's, this author adds that it should be ordered "w onions" (with onions)."
Neutral"Instead of the burger at McSorley's, the author recommends getting their cheese and crackers with spicy mustard. They describe this option as characteristic of McSorley's, though not exceptionally special."
Neutral"The author recommends getting the hot dog at McSorley's, possibly as an alternative to the burger mentioned in the original post."
Neutral"The author includes McSorley's to fulfill the need for a more divey, historic bar experience in contrast to fancier options."
Positive"The author deeply misses the outdoor dining experience at McSorelys, fondly recalling enjoying ice-cold pints and piping hot fries there on cold winter nights under a heater."
Positive"The original poster listed McSorleys as a classic spot ('duh') on their radar for their bar crawl, noting their girlfriend had never been."
Neutral"Recommends McSorleys and suggests asking for the cheese plate."
Positive"Declares McSorleys' cheese plate the only right answer."
Positive"Recommends the cheese plate at McSorleys."
Positive"Recommends McSorley's for beer. It is a historic Irish pub."
Positive"A commenter recommends adding McSorley's in the East Village to the proposed bar crawl list."
Neutral"A commenter suggests visiting bars that offer a sense of NYC history, listing McSorley's as an example."
Neutral"A commenter suggests adding McSorley's to the list if the original poster doesn't mind beer bars."
Neutral"A commenter emphatically states that visiting McSorley's is essential for a New York experience, advising to go early to avoid crowds."
Positive"one of the oldest"
Neutral