HOLLAND, MI - It doesn’t matter how you pronounce it, the owners at The Curragh Traditional Irish Pub just want you to come out to the Lakeshore and have a good time.
“It’s pronounced ‘Cur-ruh’, but we don’t correct anybody,” said Sophia Leongas, who has owned the downtown eatery since 2004.
“We’re just happy they’re here,” said her husband, Dave Jurgensen.
The Curragh finished in second place of our poll for Michigan’s Best Outdoor Dining for Muskegon and the Lakeshore, but it was the only place in Holland nominated by MLive readers.
Even though they didn’t win, they were just happy to be nominated, especially after such a challenging year.
“Last year was tough,” said Leongas, who originally owned J.J. Finnegan’s in Holland. “We were holding our breath. But the summer came through for us. It was a good summer, considering.”
A little excitement is good as Michigan restaurants across the state deal with the Covid-19 pandemic and the dining restrictions. On Feb. 1, restaurants were allowed to reopen with 25% indoor dining for the first time since Nov. 18.
Known for its traditional Irish food such as Reubens, fish and chips, bangers and mash, Irish Stew, Shepherd’s Pie and more, the pub is located in the heart of downtown at the corner of Eighth Street and College Avenue.
It’s a popular spot for locals and tourists during the busy summer months.
It’s especially busy during Tulip Time when more than 500,000 visitors (in non-pandemic years) come in early May.
The outdoor patio has always been popular, the couple said. This summer it was extended into the street to accommodate more customers. That’s when friends rallied to help them build a wooden fence. Supplies were donated by friends and customers.
“Then when it got to be fall, and we had to remove the seats on the street, we moved that fence to our regular patio to block the wind for the wintertime,” Jurgensen said.
They added several propane heaters, including some that had to be leased from Chicago because of backorders. They even won one in a contest by a food supplier.
During the second indoor dining shutdown in early November, friends and customers came to the rescue again, adding a wood stove to pipe in heat under an awning. When customers said the metal chairs were too cold, a friend who does upholstery made 150 cushions.
“We’re just trying everything we can to make it nice and comfortable for people,” Jurgensen said.
The patio now has more than 10 tables and fits more than 50 people. It’s first come, first served. No reservations.
The patio has remained popular, even on cold winter days, the couple said.
“Frankly, we’ve really been surprised at how many people will come out,” Jurgensen said.
“I thought, ‘Well, when temperatures get down into the 50s, people will stop coming.’ They didn’t. And then I said, ‘When it’s down in the 40s it will be too cold.’ No, it wasn’t.”
Even when it’s been 25 to 30 degrees, people are coming out.
“They’re bringing blankets, sitting on the patio under a heater and enjoying drinks and a meal,” Jurgensen said. “It’s been really amazing the kind of support we’ve gotten.”
A spread of food from The Curragh Irish Pub is pictured on Tuesday, Feb. 2 in Holland. The restaurant is a finalist for Michigan's Best Outdoor Dining. (Hope Davison | MLive.com)Hope Davison
Traditional Irish Fare and Tacos
The menu has changed a bit over the last year, they said. It has been trimmed by half to make it easier on the kitchen staff. The biggest addition has been a Mexican menu, which they call “Lopez Brothers,” with tacos, burritos, quesadillas, cheese stuffed poblanos, rice and beans, and more. You also can get Family Style Meals that serve four people for $40. Take out is still a busy business for them. Everything is homemade.
Popular items:
The Mozzarella cheese sticks -- hand-cut, hand-battered and fried to a dark golden brown crisp, served with marinara or ranch -- are a top seller, and surprisingly light. (You’ll love the cheese pull!)
The fish and chips are flaky cod fillets dipped in a Guinness batter, fried golden brown and served with steak fries, a big serving of coleslaw and house-made tartar sauce. Yum.
Toss in a fantastic Reuben sandwich and authentic Shepherd’s Pie served with seasonal vegetables and DeBoer Bakkerij soda bread, great service from a crew that is excited to serve customers, and you have a great excuse to endure the elements.
Customers are a hardy bunch, said the owner, who is still in awe of the community’s commitment to support local businesses.
Will this weekend’s cold weather forecast keep people away?
“I’m not making any comments. You will be surprised,” Leongas said. “People have sat out there every single day.”
From left to right: Hannah Devries, Tessa Deyoung and Lily Parker, employees of The Curragh Irish Pub pose for a picture on Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021 in Holland. The restaurant is a finalist for Michigan's Best Outdoor Dining. (Hope Davison | MLive.com)Hope Davison
IF YOU GO
The Curragh
73 E 8th St., Holland, MI 49423
616-393-6340
Current Hours: Noon-8 p.m. Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, and Noon-5 p.m. Sunday
More info: curraghholland.com/ or on Facebook at facebook.com/CurraghHolland/
If you missed our complete nominations list, click on the link below.
RELATED: See all of the nominations for Michigan’s Best Outdoor Dining
The search for Michigan’s Best Outdoor Dining is sponsored in part by Warm Fitness.
If you have questions about this search or suggestions for future searches, feel free to email us.
Amy Sherman: asherma2@mlive.com
John Gonzalez: gonzo@mlive.com
What a great day on the patio at Curragh Holland as part of our search for Michigan’s Best Outdoor Dining! Owner Sophia...
Posted by MIBest on Tuesday, February 2, 2021
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