There's usually music playing when I walk in the front door of McGonigel's Mucky Duck, so it was sort of strange to see the place in the quiet of the afternoon. But I'm glad I stopped by—the pub lunch is amazing. There's fish and chips, salads, and an assortment of sandwiches, including a burger and a roast beef with au jus for dipping.

McGonigel's Mucky Duck
2425 Norfolk St
713-528-5999

But it was the trio of mini pies called the "wee three" that got my attention. The steak and kidney pie was a beef and gravy stew with a tiny bit of finely minced kidney for authenticity. The flaky crust was excellent. Shepherd's pie is a hearty ground meat and tomato casserole topped with lots of mashed potatoes, browned in the oven and served piping hot. And of course, all-American chicken pot pie is a chicken and vegetable stew topped with flaky Southern-style pie crust. 

The three pies go for $18, but there's a special option—for $24, you get the pies with a flight of Ireland's three favorite beers, Harp lager, Smithwick's ale and Guinness stout. That's a deal that's too good to pass up.