The motto at Michael’s Roscommon House in Belleville has always been “Where you’re a stranger only once”. The longstanding Irish sports bar is now past the 40 years in business milestone, with no signs of slowing down. Just like the famous show, Cheers, they pride themselves on learning their customer’s names.
“We want to get to know you, and like our customers new and old to feel that they’re home when they’re at Michael’s Roscommon House,” says Owner Frank Dauksis.
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Drinks, Dinner, & Sports
Open since 1982, the family-owned Michael’s Roscommon House combines an Irish sports bar and full-service restaurant. In particular, they are best known for burgers, beer, and airing live baseball games. They have 40 HDTVs and can seat a combined 200 guests inside and on the front sidewalk patio. Beyond Major League Baseball, they are the place to be on football Sundays, or for Saturday night UFC fight night. They also air sporting events like hockey, basketball, and soccer.
The Michael’s Roscommon House menu features options such as their signature Jersey wings. This number-one seller is something patrons can’t get enough of, thanks to their secret garlic and cheese sauce. Likewise, other menu highlights include ribeye cheesesteaks, pizzas, pasta, shepherd’s pie, fish and chips, Italian dishes, steaks, ribs, and seafood.
“But our star of the show is our ‘daily specials board’ which we change daily,” Frank says. “We’re constantly introducing new items to the menu on it.” For instance, Frank’s favorite item on the specials menu is their local selection of oysters and homemade lump crab cakes. As for the regular menu, he loves the Philly roast pork sandwich.
Meanwhile, the cocktail menu boasts unique choices like mason jar lemonades and Malibu rum buckets. “Our homemade sangria, served in a plastic quart container, is like the one from the Portuguese feast in downtown Newark; reminiscent of my early 20s going there each year,” Frank explains. They have both standard and seasonal cocktail menus originally introduced by long-time manager and mixologist, Marielle Davey.
About The Business
Future plans for Michael’s Roscommon House include adding an upstairs event and catering space with indoor and outdoor areas. They expect this to be ready by spring 2023.
A second-generation owner, 37-year-old Frank Dauksis has been in the restaurant business since he was five. In fact, he took over the spot from his parents. “I’ve learned all the aspects of the business from the bottom up since day one,” Frank says. He grew up in Belleville, right around the corner from the restaurant. But he now lives in the neighboring town, Nutley, with his wife and three children.
Visit Michael’s Roscommon House at 531 Joralemon St in Belleville. (Click here to see them on Google Maps.) To learn more: Click here to visit their website | Follow them on Facebook | Click to give them a call.
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All Photos: © Michael’s Roscommon House