As Raleigh grows in population, we have started to see a bit more in the way of neighborhoods. Clusters of people working and living in different sections of the city that have a bit of an identity. Glenwood South, Oakwood-Mordecai, and the Warehouse District are some of the bigger and more popular ones. The new Gussie’s Bar, Bottles, and Bites on the west side of Morgan Street sits in an interesting transitional spot (currently known as West End). In between a lot of more prominent neighborhoods without having quite an identity of its own. But Gussie’s is all about being a neighborhood bar and pub, and I like what they’re doing here. Read on to find out why you should visit!
Gussie’s in Raleigh – Location, Interior
Located at 927 W. Morgan Street, Gussie’s storefront has been many things over the years (PG Werths, Soul Taco, etc). It’s a long and wide space with plate glass windows along the face, L-shaped room to the left, a long corridor type area which I believe sits in front of the kitchen and then a small alcove to the right and a small covered patio area. The main bar and dining area at Gussie’s is to your left while the bottle shop area is to the far right when entering. It’s definitely a quirky space with some nooks and crannies!
The interior has been renovated quite a bit from the previous tenant and it feels a bit like a mod living room, warm and cozy but in a refreshed fashion. There are historical paintings and lithographs hung throughout the space along with patches of wallpaper. There are 4-tops across the front of the dining room and even a cozy stuffed leather couch and lounge (counge?) area in the corner. Leather-backed stools (similar to car bench seats) and chairs are used throughout the space giving off a 70s-type feel and the polished black floor completes the picture. And depending on where you are seated, I imagine you might have a different dining and drinking experience. But as you can tell from the pictures, greens are used throughout the space, I believe in homage to your neighborhood Irish bar and pub. All in all I find the ambiance here to be personable and comfortable!
Gussie’s in Raleigh – Menu, Food
Grab a seat and a look at Gussie’s menu gives you a short list of shareables ($10 to $12), plates and sandwiches ($11 to $18), about 8 to 10 choices for each category! You’ll see favorites like meatballs, chicken wings, buffalo wings, smash burgers, and more. Gussie’s also has a couple of desserts, along with house-made ginger beer, root beer, and, orange cream soda. For adult beverages you’ll find 10 or so beers ($7 to $9) on taps along with a handful of cocktails and wine ($11 to $14) by the glass.
For starters, I’ve tried Gussie’s fried deviled eggs (decent) but the big winner was their Nashville hot fried oysters which featured plump and fresh oysters drizzled with comeback and hot sauce, delish! I was surprised at the quality and flavor of this appetizer, really nicely done!
And for mains, the classic double-double smash burger with American cheese, lettuce, tomato, onions and animal sauce on a potato bun my take the edge off your In-n-Out cravings! I haven’t tried Gussie’s animal fries but I imagine it would pair very well with this burger. I also got to try their bangers and mash that was on the menu as a St. Patrick’s Day special. Fantastic house-made pork sausage with mashies and buttered peas, a lovely plate that I wolfed down quickly. Overall I have been super pleasantly surprised at the food offerings at Gussie’s, they’ve all been simple but very well prepared.
Gussie’s in Raleigh – Service, Conclusion
Service at Gussies has been quite good, the staff seems to be seasoned professionals and do their job well. Food is coursed out and plates are cleared quickly. And like most good bars, your glass will always be kept full. Your check will come in a classic 1960s mystery book from what I’ve experienced so far. So after several visits, I think I have a pretty good feel for Gussies and even the neighborhood. Gussie’s is your classic neighborhood Irish bar that’s been refreshed for the 2020’s (in my opinion).
While the Hibernian still stands in Glenwood South, other Irish bar favorites like Tir Na Nog (now Brewery Bhavana) and Napper Tandy’s (now Clouds Brewing) have closed down as Raleigh has grown by leaps and bounds. And it just feels like Gussie’s might be a good successor to those classic Irish pubs that I loved. A place to grab a beer and a bite, engage in some conversation at the bar and head back home without breaking the bank. A comfortable spot for the neighborhood or visitors who appreciate this type of stand-alone bar that’s not part of a sterile, newly built work-live development. So congrats to Gussie’s on bringing some old school back with some new school vibes! Looking forward to see what you do next.
Gussie’s
927 W Morgan St, Raleigh, NC 27603
919.307.4459
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