Shamrock Bar and Pizza, located in south Superior, has built a strong following through the years, earning positive reviews on platforms like Yelp, Google and Restaurant Guru. Customers often praise the variety of pizza options, including unique choices such as mac and cheese pizza, Hawaiian, Mexican, and even a Thanksgiving pizza. The pizzeria also offers gluten-free crusts and vegan toppings to cater to different dietary needs.
Each month, the staff comes up with a new specialty pizza topping and a specialty drink or cocktail.” At the time of this report, they hadn’t decided on the next monthly flavor, but dill was the featured flavor for January.
There are no industrial pre-made crusts or sauces – all their crusts and sauces are made in the Shamrock kitchen.
Generations of Shamrock Customers
For decades, Shamrock Bar and Pizza has been a staple in the south Tower Avenue neighborhood.
On a recent January afternoon, customer Rick Hurin and his son Jameson, age 12, were in the Shamrock.
“I’ve been coming here since the 1970s, when I was younger than him,” Hurin said as he gestured to Jameson. Hurin, who graduated from high school in 1984, spent some time in the Air Force but says that while in the Air Force, he fondly remembered Shamrock as a place he longed to be.
“I always tell everyone, ‘If you’re looking for a good pizza, just go to Shamrock.'”
Hurin also appreciates the Shamrock’s wide selection of of beer. For example, to go with January’s theme, they offered Kind of a Big Dill American Lager from Duluth’s Blacklist Brewery.
A Longstanding Neighborhood Business
While it’s now renowned for its pizza, the building that houses Shamrock dates back to the mid-1890s and has hosted a variety of businesses through the years. After the repeal of Prohibition in 1933, the building became a bar.
A special New Year’s Eve
In 1953, the mother-in-law of bar owner Mike Kennelly baked pizzas at home, and Kennelly brought them to the bar to serve as a New Year’s Eve snack.
At the time, pizza wasn’t as common across the United States as it is today. Though pizza had begun to appear in some East Coast cities with large Italian American populations, it wasn’t until after World War II that it became mainstream nationwide.
“They made the pizzas at their house and brought them to the Shamrock for a snack on New Year’s Eve,” Shamrock owner Sandy Thomson said. “People absolutely fell in love with the pizza. So, the rest is history. They put in a kitchen and started making pizza regularly.”
The Transition to Current Ownership
Flashback to Mike Kennelly, who introduced the pizzas on New Year’s Eve in 1953: His family continued to run the Shamrock until his retirement in 1978, at which point three teachers – Jack Milroy, Paul Branstetter, and Ken Thomson – took over ownership. The trio split a couple of years later, and Thomson became the only owner.
Then, in 2015, following Ken’s unexpected passing, Sandy, his widow, became the pizzeria’s owner. Initially, she didn’t expect to be deeply involved, as the business had been Ken’s domain. But she quickly found herself enjoying the work, especially checking in on the office and kitchen and spending time with both the staff and customers.
“She’s 83 going-on 53,” kitchen manager Jerry Koos said. “She can run circles around me. I’m going to be 62. Nobody could believe that she’s the age that she is because she’s so energetic.”
“We’re very lucky to have such a dedicated team,” Sandy says. “The same staff has been here for years, with only the high school kids coming and going. Our general manager, kitchen manager and second-in-command have all been with us for a long time, and they’ve built a strong network. Everything is stable and running smoothly.”
Bar manager John McKone graduated from high school in 1978 and has worked at Shamrock for 25 years. Kitchen manager Jerry Koos said he’s stayed at Shamrock for more than 40 years because his supervisors have always been good people.
From office parties to celebrations of life
Shamrock features a party room with tables accommodating up to 50 guests. Thomson also noted a shift in the types of events being hosted. “Christmas office parties have become somewhat of a thing of the past,” she said.
However, that special room is still being used frequently. Families are opting to hold celebrations of life in the party room. “Churches don’t have the manpower anymore,” Thomson said, referencing the decline in church attendance. Nowadays, a lot of people prefer being in a restaurant setting. They like having a bar; our pizza is a big draw.”
In addition to the pizzas, the restaurant also offers a salad bar for guests.
Birthday parties and wedding rehearsal dinners are also common events held in the party room.
Inside, Shamrock offers a cozy, welcoming atmosphere with booths, tables and a full bar. Whether for a casual night out or a special gathering, there’s plenty of space. “We don’t charge for the party room,” Thomson said. “We only charge for the food and drinks ordered, which helps keep costs down for our customers.”
Shamrock’s Continued Popularity
Shamrock’s reputation for good food and its welcoming atmosphere has helped it maintain its popularity for decades. The bar has evolved into a family pizzeria, and its connection to the community remains strong. It’s a place where locals come together, whether for a casual meal, a celebration or a family gathering.
Shamrock Bar and Pizza is located at 5825 Tower Avenue and is open daily from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Naomi Yager is a Duluth-based freelance writer.
