Waddell's Pub

Reviewed by STEVEN R. NEUMAN, Inlander.com

"Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name — or at least the owner does — and WADDELL'S fits the bill.

Michael Noble, Josh Unser and Jim Sells have poured their hearts into this new neighborhood pub with an Irish/Scottish theme and a name from the annals of baseball lore, tucked just off Regal near Twigs on the South Hill. The three owners met while working at the venerable Longhorn Barbecue and decided to make a run at building their own institution two years ago.

"I drove by this place last January and just fell in love with this location," Noble says. The small shopping area is backed by a large patio and pond, perfect for warm-weather dining, he notes. Open since Jan. 21, Waddell's has already begun attracting regular repeat customers to its warmly painted walls and large windows. That's by design, Noble says.

"That's what we've been hearing since we've been open. 'Welcome to the neighborhood, we've been waiting for this,'" he says. "We built something that makes people feel like they're at home away from home."

As for the pub's namesake — an alligator-wrestling, bartending American League pitcher named "Rube" Waddell, who was a distant cousin to Unser — his historical presence provides some humor. Born on Friday the 13th, Waddell was known for coming to games late and changing on-field without underwear until the day he died — April Fools Day, 1914.

Waddell's specializes in pub fare, including a Guinness stew made with lamb for $14 (perfect for a cold snowy night) and the Rube Waddell Burger ($9), with toppings from the Reuben sandwich, that has proven popular.

For all its populist charm, the pub has its gourmet touches. Noble — who is culinary school-trained — raves about the pub's sweet-potato fries and the fresh, certified Angus beef burger meat that is hand-formed for patties. The fish and chips ($12) features a hand-dipped batter, and the salmon fillet ($16) is served with huckleberry sauce.

Waddell's keeps 20 beers on tap, three with nitrogen for a smoother pour and richer head, and more than 70 different beers are available in bottles. Growlers, large refillable bottles about the size of a pitcher, are also available for customers to take home."

—STEVEN R. NEUMAN, Inlander.com

Waddell's Neighborhood Pub and Grill, 4318 S. Regal St., is open daily from 11 am-close (about 10 pm on weekdays). Visit waddellspub.com or call 443-6500.