There have been many changes in the Galway food scene over the last 30 years but one constant that has remained is the first-class quality food and outstanding customer service provided by Scotty’s located on the Headford Road in Terryland. Since opening their doors in early 1991, husband and wife team, Scotty and Jennifer Ishmael, have been pleasing the palates of locals, students, and tourists alike with their mouth-watering burgers and sumptuous wings.
From the original half-pound 'Works' burger with mushrooms, onions and cheddar and the flavour delight of the 'Smoky Mountain' burger with homemade sauce, red onion, bacon, and cheese to the grilled chicken baps and crispy wings sold by the dozen available in eight different styles from original barbecue to the popular buffalo hot. For the brave souls there is the new Ghost Pepper sauce or the inferno of the Nuclear glaze all accompanied by cool garlic mayo, Cashel Blue cheese dressing or creamy ranch dip, there is a taste for everyone at Scotty’s with plenty of free parking and easy access in Cuirt na Coiribe just opposite Dunnes in Terryland.
The recipe for the restaurants longevity is simple; use the best and freshest local produce, never sacrifice quality, have excellent customer service, and most importantly, have passion for the craft. It is a family-run Galway small business operated by Scotty and Jennifer with their children and a small staff who use local beef from Michael Walsh in Athenry, freshly baked bread at Bridie Murphy’s in Shantalla with Tom Noone from Menlo dropping off the daily fresh produce. Scotty's says; "If your core ingredients are excellent, the finished product will be outstanding."
The popular diner's story began almost three decades ago in Munster Avenue when Scotty and Jennifer, who had met at college in the USA in the mid-eighties, opened a small deli in the back of Silke’s Fruit Market which was run by her parents, Brian and Miriam. Scotty says; "As the business matured, we noticed there was no other place offering a real, genuine American hamburger so we decided to add a few grill items that could be presented at lunchtime. These proved so popular that in 1995 we moved the whole grill operation to Middle Street and we suddenly found ourselves in the restaurant business, a goal we had not planned but grew to love."
“No one gave the humble hamburger such a height as the ones found at Scotty’s. Not only are the burgers several feet high but they are served with delicious potato wedges, chips, or garden salads and lashings of taste. People got lockjaw trying to get a bite of these monsters. The wunderkind of the great burgers was Scotty himself along with the beautiful Jennifer Silke whose passion for these flavours showed in every bite.
"Overnight it became the 'in' place, winning every available award as the queues grew to accommodate Galway’s burger lovers. We still say today, be patient, our food takes a little bit longer to prepare, it is not fast food but will quickly become your favourite comfort."
No contact collection and delivery
Like so many businesses Scotty's has had to adjust to recent HSE guidelines and although the premises is closed for full-service, Scotty’s continues to offer food for collection or delivery on the weekends. It is a simple process, check out the menu on Facebook or Instagram, call Jenny on 091-751006 to place an order and the payment will be processed.
Scotty will then prepare the customer's food-to-order, upon their arrival, the order will be placed in the boot of the car to maintain strict social-distancing. Alternatively, if customers wish to have their orders delivered, just log on to whatsfordinner.ie or call 091-770410 and the meals will be brought to the front door. As previously mentioned, Scotty’s ordering and preparation takes a bit longer, but once customers take their first bite, they will understand that quality takes time and this is why the business has been around so long.
Scotty and Jenny and the whole Scotty’s family thank their customers for their support during these unprecedented times and look forward to seeing them in person in the near future once restrictions have been lifted. The current limited menu and information is available on Facebook and Instagram and all information on the website at scottys.ie .
