Some of the best meals in South Carolina hide behind doors you might walk right past. I went in expecting a quick bite and came out planning my next visit before I even reached the car.
Picture a warm plate of shepherd’s pie, a bowl of slow-cooked stew, and a fiddle tune drifting across a cozy room. If that sounds like your kind of evening, keep reading, because this little pub deserves a spot on your list.
A Scot-Irish Tavern on West Orr Street
Tucked into downtown Anderson at 116 W Orr St, McGee’s Scot-Irish Pub looks modest from the sidewalk. Step inside, though, and you find a full restaurant built around comfort food, Irish classics, and weekly live music.
The pub describes itself as a tavern with comfort fare and live tunes. That covers it nicely, but the real charm is in the details: creative takes on pub plates, a patio for nice days, and a cozy dining room that feels lived in.
Many guests call it the best hidden gem in town, and it is easy to see why.
Anderson sits in the Upstate region of South Carolina, which makes the pub a handy stop for road trippers as well as locals. Some fans even report driving two hours just for dinner.
That kind of loyalty usually means a kitchen is doing something right, and the menu backs it up.
Three Decades of Local Roots
Thirty years is a long time for any restaurant to stay standing. McGee’s has reached that mark, and the owner says a support local spirit has guided it from day one.
That spirit shows up in surprising places. The painted ceiling, the wall murals, and even some of the furniture came from local artisans.
On the plate, the kitchen often uses local products in its daily specials, and the coffee is locally roasted.
Guests also notice that the staff knows the story behind the place. Servers are happy to share bits of the restaurant’s history, and some even chat about Anderson’s music and arts scene.
Regulars mention owners by name, which tells you the connection here runs deeper than a quick transaction. It feels less like a chain and more like a neighborhood institution that grew up alongside its town.
Old-World Wood and Low Light
Walk through the door and time seems to slow down. Visitors often say the room feels like stepping back into an old Irish pub, with design touches that match the theme without feeling like a costume.
The long wooden bar is a favorite feature. One guest said it simply feels like home, and the low lighting adds to that relaxed glow.
Others describe the space as cozy, eclectic, and full of character, while also pointing out how clean it is.
A patio offers another option when the South Carolina weather cooperates. Inside or out, the dress code stays relaxed, so there is no need to fuss over what to wear.
Jeans fit right in here. The overall mood lands somewhere between a family living room and a storybook tavern, which is exactly the kind of setting that makes a hearty meal taste even better.
The Shepherd’s Pie Regulars Keep Ordering
Ask around and you will hear the same answer again and again. Shepherd’s pie ranks among the most talked about dishes at McGee’s, and loyal guests treat it like a reliable old friend.
One regular says it is her usual order, and it tastes just as good every single visit. Another diner described his wife eating hers so fast that he only managed to sneak two bites.
That is high praise, and maybe a warning to order your own.
Shepherd’s pie traditionally layers seasoned meat and vegetables under a blanket of mashed potatoes, then bakes it until the top turns golden. Fun fact: the dish grew from thrifty home kitchens in Britain and Ireland, where cooks used leftover meat to feed a crowd.
At McGee’s, the result is filling, full of flavor, and a natural first pick for newcomers.
Irish Stew Built on Herbed Lamb
Some dishes earn quiet nods. The Irish stew here earns gasps.
One visitor called the herbed lamb shank stew among the single tastiest things they had eaten all year.
Warm, well seasoned, and never fussy, the stew comes with mash and hits that sweet spot between home cooking and restaurant skill. Another guest recently ordered it and said they enjoyed every spoonful, then finished with fudge cake for good measure.
Lamb has long been the heart of traditional Irish stew, since sheep were common on Irish farms. Slow cooking breaks the meat down until it falls apart with a fork.
If you visit on a chilly evening, this bowl might be the coziest thing in Anderson. Pair it with a seat near the music, and you have a meal that feels like a little trip across the ocean without leaving South Carolina.
Fish and Chips, the Crowd Favorite
Here is a number worth knowing: fish and chips gets mentioned more than any other dish when people talk about McGee’s. It is clearly the plate many guests come back for.
Diners describe big fillets wrapped in a light, flaky batter that does not weigh the fish down. One guest called it divine.
Another happily added malt vinegar, which is the classic British and Irish way to enjoy it.
Not everyone loves the exact type of fish used, as one diner admitted, so tastes can vary. Still, the overall opinion leans strongly positive.
If you are torn between this and the shepherd’s pie, bring a friend and split both. That is a strategy plenty of couples here already use, and it lets you sample two of the pub’s most famous dishes in a single visit without any regrets.
Soups Worth a Second Bowl
Soup might seem like an opening act, yet at McGee’s it often steals the show. Beer cheese soup and French onion soup both show up often when guests share their favorites.
One longtime visitor called the French onion among the best anywhere, praising the rich broth, generous onions, and a thick layer of browned, melted cheese. Order the bowl and you will understand.
Rotating soups add extra fun. One couple tried a Hungarian soup and shared a single bowl, then wished they had each ordered their own.
Their advice? Do not share.
A soup course here works well on cooler days, or as a light lunch paired with an appetizer. Because the kitchen likes to rotate dishes, there is often something new to try, which gives regulars one more reason to keep coming back and checking the specials board.
Creative Plates Beyond the Classics
Expecting only Irish standards? Prepare for a few surprises.
The menu stretches well past tradition, and one guest noted the dishes take creative liberties that taste great.
Corned beef and cabbage and bangers and mash cover the classics. Then you get Southern touches like shrimp and grits and uniquely flavored hush puppies, plus pimento cheese fondue and port wine mushrooms that one diner urged everyone to order.
Fried mushrooms also win fans as a crispy starter.
Burgers deserve a mention too. The GOAT Burger and the tavern burger both get praise, and one guest said even her most boring order, a plain burger, turned out anything but boring.
Juicy pork chops, perfectly cooked steaks, pizza, and specials like French roasted chicken round things out. With so much variety, couples often order different plates and share, turning dinner into a small tasting adventure.
Desserts That Steal the Spotlight
Save room. Seriously.
Several guests say the dessert menu is where McGee’s truly shows off.
Crème brûlée leads the pack, often in coffee or espresso versions. One visitor called the coffee brûlée the star of the whole meal.
Another described an espresso version topped with fresh fruit and chocolate covered espresso beans. A Bailey’s and coffee flavor also gets an excited shout for being almost too good.
The lineup does not stop there. Lemon pavlova, bread pudding, malted cheesecake, and fudge cake all earn happy reviews.
One group shared three desserts at once and loved every bite. Since desserts rotate, the choices may change from visit to visit.
That is part of the fun. Ask your server what is on hand, grab a few spoons, and end your evening on a sweet note that you will be thinking about on the drive home.
Weekly Celtic and Folk Music
Fiddles, folk songs, and full plates make a pretty perfect combination. McGee’s hosts live Celtic and folk music every week, and it adds a whole new layer to the experience.
Guests who catch a show say it caps off the meal beautifully. One couple found seats at the bar during a busy night and ended up enjoying live tunes after their fish and chips.
Others who missed the music say they plan to return specifically for a music night.
Traditional Irish music has a long history of being played in pubs, where neighbors gathered to share songs and stories. Hearing it in a cozy Upstate dining room keeps that tradition alive.
If music is your main goal, call ahead or check the pub’s website to confirm the schedule. Then plan to linger, because the evening tends to stretch on once the first tune starts.
Service With a Personal Touch
Great food gets people in the door. Friendly faces bring them back.
At McGee’s, guests regularly praise servers and bartenders by name for going above and beyond.
Visitors describe staff who keep drinks like root beer topped off without being asked, answer menu questions honestly, and happily chat about food. One family brought their own birthday cake, and the team kindly provided plates.
Moments like that make people say it feels like family.
No restaurant is flawless. One couple once waited too long to be greeted, and the owner responded publicly, apologizing and promising to look into it.
That kind of accountability is reassuring. Overall, the message from guests is clear: service here is warm, attentive, and personal.
One visitor gave it a playful eleven out of ten. Another simply said places that truly care about their food and guests are few and far between.
Hours, Prices, and Planning Your Visit
Good news for flexible schedules: McGee’s keeps the same hours every day of the week. Doors open at 11:30 am and close at 10 pm, Monday through Sunday.
That makes it easy to swing by for a late lunch with coworkers, a date night, or a family dinner. Busy evenings may come with a wait, though some guests snag bar seats to skip it.
Prices are often described as fair, and the owner says getting that balance right matters to the team.
You will find the pub at 116 W Orr St in Anderson, SC 29625. For questions or music schedules, call 864-261-6401 or visit mcgeesirishpub.com.
One small note from guests: the soft drink choices are limited, so do not expect a huge soda lineup. Sunday visitors also mention special deals, so it can pay to ask about the day’s offers.
Why It Earns a Spot on Your List
Picture your perfect cozy night out. For many people across the Upstate, McGee’s already fits that picture.
The pub blends hearty Irish comfort food with clever Southern twists, desserts worth the drive, and live Celtic music that turns dinner into an event. Add a thirty year history, local artwork on the ceiling, and staff who treat guests like old friends, and you get something rare.
It suits couples looking for a relaxed date, families celebrating birthdays, travelers wanting a real taste of local flavor, and anyone who loves a good bowl of stew. Guests who try it once often become regulars, and some say they miss it after moving away.
Your best plan? Come hungry, order the shepherd’s pie or Irish stew, save room for crème brûlée, and stay for the music.
You may leave calling it your own hidden gem too.
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