Review: Casual neighborhood, comfort food restaurants like this one have loyal regulars

Lucie Regensdorf
·3 min read

Have you ever walked into a neighborhood restaurant and had the impression that the other patrons dine there regularly? These are the comfortable, casual restaurants with comfort food that beckons you to visit again and again.

That’s how I felt at Carsons Tavern. There was a large table of men seated in the breezeway conveying the notion that this was their regularly scheduled luncheon date. Tables of business-attired people sat at different tables but seemed to all know each other. Another couple walked in, were recognized by the staff, took their regular table, and were brought their usual drink without even asking.

You will find the hostess standing guard at the end of the breezeway. We were seated inside where the decor is Irish pub-like with wood paneling, tin ceilings, wooden tables and chairs, numerous televisions, and windows covered with closed wooden blinds so the bright South Florida sun doesn’t distract you from imagining you are actually in Dublin, Ireland.

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At Carsons Tavern in Stuart, the bar invites you to grab some wings, mac & cheese, and beer and call it a day.
At Carsons Tavern in Stuart, the bar invites you to grab some wings, mac & cheese, and beer and call it a day.

Lunch offerings include a variety of salads; croissant sandwiches; The Reilly, a cheesesteak sandwich on a hoagie; and the “Jersey Shore Favorite,” which is a classic pork roll and cheese. Being a tavern, Carsons has burgers prominent on the menu. There’s a black and blue, a BBQ bourbon, and a veggie burger wrap made of black beans, rice, portobello mushroom and asiago cheese. Dinner entrees are beef, fish, chicken and jambalaya.

My lunch date ordered the portobello wrap ($15). It was a grilled portobello cap stuffed with spinach, feta and cream cheese, roasted red peppers, avocado, and something that really got her attention. An onion nest was all wrapped up like a perfect little delicious package.

My lunch was the appetizer portion of mussels ($16). I was served an abundance of large, meaty mussels swimming in a hearty broth of white wine, minced garlic, tomato, chunks of andouille sausage, and herbs. Crusty dipping bread served on the side was instrumental in allowing me to soak up all of the flavors.

At Carsons Tavern in Stuart, the mac & cheese is a spicy mix of cheddar, pepper jack, cream cheese, marinated tomatoes, roasted peppers, onions and garlic over rotini pasta.
At Carsons Tavern in Stuart, the mac & cheese is a spicy mix of cheddar, pepper jack, cream cheese, marinated tomatoes, roasted peppers, onions and garlic over rotini pasta.

A little devil sitting on my shoulder told me to also order the pub style mac & cheese ($12). My justification for this fall from grace was the mussels were light, and a little mac and cheese never hurt anyone. At least no one I know.

Basically, the chef took the tavern dip, which is served with garlic toast, and put it over rotini pasta. Brilliant! A spicy cheese mix of cheddar, pepper jack, cream cheese, marinated tomatoes, roasted peppers, onion and garlic produced a creamy, tasty dish.

I imagine an order of wings, mac and cheese, and a beer would be a perfect evening.

Carsons Tavern is a cross between "Cheers" and an Irish pub, where everyone can get together to have fun. There’s plenty of room at the bar, at tables, and in the breezeway. Tuesday evenings is Irish night with Irish food and traditional music. Carsons Tavern also has a full calendar of live music on weekend nights.

At Carsons Tavern in Stuart, the portobello wrap was a grilled mushroom cap stuffed with spinach, feta, cream cheese, roasted red peppers, avocado, and crispy onions.
At Carsons Tavern in Stuart, the portobello wrap was a grilled mushroom cap stuffed with spinach, feta, cream cheese, roasted red peppers, avocado, and crispy onions.

Carsons Tavern

  • Cuisine: American and pub food

  • Address: 2883 S.E. Ocean Blvd., Stuart

  • Phone: 772-286-7611

  • Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday; 11:30 a.m. to midnight Thursday-Saturday; 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday; closed Monday

  • Alcohol: Full bar

  • Online: carsonstav.com

Lucie Regensdorf dines anonymously at the expense of TCPalm for #WhatToDoIn772. Contact her at Lucie@theloveofcooking.com

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Restaurant review: Carsons Tavern, Stuart is neighborhood favorite