By Molly Snyder Senior Writer Published Dec 13, 2009 at 9:03 AM

Shepherd’s pie -- sometimes referred to as "cottage pie" -- is one of the staples in the world of English / Irish comfort food. The dish was invented in the 1700s as a way to maximize leftover meat and potatoes, and still serves that purpose today.

Traditionally, cottage pie was made with beef and shepherd's pie was made with lamb, but in recent years, most shepherd's pies on menus are made with beef as well.

Shepherd’s pie is similar to a pot pie. It usually has a meat and vegetable filling inside a pie crust and is topped with mashed potatoes. It is a relatively easy dish to prepare at home, but many Milwaukee eateries offer it as well.

Here are a few places that serve shepherd’s pie in Brew City, and feel free to add your own via the Talkback feature.

Brocach Irish Pub & Restaurant
1850 N. Water St., (414) 431-9009
brocach.com

Shepherd’s pie is available for lunch and dinner at Brocach for $12. The filling is a combination of angus ground beef, peas, carrots and gravy, and the pie is topped with mashed potatoes mixed with finely chopped cabbage. It's served with homemade brown bread and can be ordered vegetarian.

County Clare Restaurant and Inn
1234 N. Astor St., (414) 272-5273
countyclare-inn.com

This version of shepherd’s pie features seasoned, slow-cooked shredded beef mixed with peas, carrots and onions. It’s topped with mashed potatoes and baked. The cost is $12.95 and includes homemade brown bread upon request.

Mo's Irish Pub
142 W. Wisconsin Ave., (414) 272-0721
mosirishpub.com

Mo’s shepherd’s pie features a filling made from beef, potatoes, carrots, peas and leaks. It’s topped with garlic mashed potatoes and comes with bread and butter. The cost is $11.99.

The Pub
114 N. Main St., Oconomowoc, (262) 567-8850
aelredspub.com

The Pub offers a shepherd’s pie for $14.95. It features ground beef, onions, carrot and peas that's simmered in stout beer. The pie is topped with homemade mashed potatoes.


Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.

Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.