By Carter Meagher

On a Thursday evening in April, my family and I step through the warmly lit entryway into O’Toole’s, the neighborhood restaurant that we’ve been attending since we moved to Westover Hills in 2010. 

The chocolate chip cookies at O’Toole’s are wrapped in plastic wrap. Photo credit: Carter Meagher.

I have fond memories of dancing to live music every Friday night with my neighborhood friends, hiding in the wood-paneled bathroom while we waited for our food, and begging my parents to ask the servers for the delicious chocolate chip cookies that remain my favorite part of the O’Toole’s experience. O’Toole’s is decorated with crests from many different Irish families. My dad and I have spent much of our time waiting for food or a table searching the walls for a Meagher family crest. Although we have yet to find it, I have hope that one day it will magically appear on a forgotten wall. 

Most of the clientele and servers are residents of Forest and Westover Hills. Sophie Hill, a resident of Westover Hills and a member of the “O’Toole’s squad,” as her mother calls it, recently decided to take a job as a hostess. “It’s a place for family, but I also am always having a good time,” she said. As a result, many of the servers know our large group, consisting of anywhere from four to twenty people, by name. As regulars, we also routinely find other friends at our neighborhood restaurant. During full group meals, it is common to have multiple people come up to start a conversation with a member or two of the group.

Therefore, it was slightly strange to go to O’Toole’s with only my mom and dad on a recent visit, as we sat at a smaller table, instead of our regular large booth in the back of the restaurant. However, this did not diminish the familiar, energetic atmosphere of the restaurant.

My kids’ mac and cheese was delicious. Photo credit: Carter Meagher.

Our server, Tommy, was exceptionally friendly, another usual occurrence at O’Toole’s. He asked us about how our day was and came by to check on us. He shared a story from his time at O’Toole’s and told us that he was a relatively new server. His story was a short tale, with rule-bending and possibly even illegal behavior, but it was charming. His demeanor served to make us feel more welcome in the restaurant. 

As usual, I ordered a kids’ mac and cheese. Even though I am legally an adult and clearly at least five years over the limit to order off the kids’ menu, none of the friendly servers have ever said anything.

On this particular evening, the mac and cheese was better than on previous visits. The noodles were cooked well and the cheese sauce was creamy, and there was exactly the right amount on the plate. I also ordered their french fries, which, along with the tater tots, I find to be some of the best offerings on the menu. The fries have a delicious Cajun spice on them and are perfectly crispy. 

My dad ordered a sausage pizza but received a meat lovers’ pizza. It was still delicious! Photo credit: Carter Meagher.

Along with his regular pilsner, my father Rich Meagher ordered a sausage pizza. Although the pizza that came to our table was meat-lovers instead of sausage, he happily ate it. He later said, “the pizza had a good, chewy crust, but was a little dense and oily. They did not skimp on the toppings, however. Plenty of meats – even ones I hadn’t ordered!” 

My mom Cass Meagher ordered a salad and a steak. Although her steak was slightly overcooked for her liking, and her salad dressing was too salty, she generally enjoyed her experience at O’Toole’s. 

Although technically only on the kids’ menu, if we ask, the servers always bring our table some cookies. “They are the best part of the meal,” said my mom. “Especially when they are warmed up.” Brought in a plastic bag to keep them fresh, the chocolate chip cookies are perfectly chewy and chocolaty. Sometimes, the servers will heat up the cookies for us on a small plate, which makes them taste even better. I’m confident that, if we had asked, Tommy would have heated ours up for us. Regrettably, we needed to leave soon and did not have time to ask.

The inside of O’Toole’s. Photo credit: Yelp user Tammy E.

The environment at O’Toole’s becomes even more boisterous and friendly around Saint Patrick’s Day. As an Irish restaurant, O’Toole’s always decorates their restaurant for the holiday, and they support nearly a week of festivities around the holiday. The restaurant is always packed, and there is live music and sports on every TV. 

Although my family never goes to O’Toole’s around Saint Patrick’s Day, because there is never space in the restaurant, every time we drive by during that week, the energy and excitement of everyone inside is palpable. 

It’s not just my family that loves O’Toole’s. Richard Hayes, one of my neighbors and another regular at O’Toole’s, wrote about the restaurant’s Saint Patrick’s Day celebration for RVAHUB. “As the day turns to night you’ll see more neighbors than you can count and hear tales both absurd and tragic. …if [you] want to see a true St. Patrick’s Day celebration and not a horde of youngsters drinking on the street, this is the place to go.”

O’Toole’s food, although never terrible, is nowhere near the best part of the experience. Instead, although your order may be slightly wrong and the food might be a little off, the waiter is always fun and brings cookies if you want. The environment at O’Toole’s is very welcoming, and dining there has been an important part of my childhood.

Featured image credit: Yelp user Ashley M.