Rave revues; customers laud good food, service and prices
By Elna Seabrooks
Staff Writer 
HOULTON — When the ShamRock Café finally opened on Bangor Road near Alice Avenue two weeks ago, with no promotion or advertising, it started right off with a big splash. The parking lot regularly fills at mid-morning and non-stop phone orders pour in for sandwiches, salads and other menu offerings. 
By Friday of the first week, they started running out of food. So, instead of running back and forth to the supermarket, they decided not to open on their first Saturday. After that, they adjusted food orders, hired more staff and vowed to be ready from now on for their hungry customers. How did they get so popular so fast? “The luck of the Irish,” as newly-minted restaurateur Gary McGuire called it.
But, a successful business is not the only reason the McGuires say they are lucky. His wife, Lisa, immediately jumped in and said: “We feel extremely lucky to live in Maine in a beautiful area such as Houlton where all the people are so friendly and the town couldn’t be any nicer.” 
Pioneer Times photo/Elna Seabrooks
BEFORE THE RUSH — The staff and owners of the ShamRock Café assembled in the parking lot as they prepared to start their work day. In front are: Gabby and Lillie McGuire, daughters of the owners, next to Pam Sanders the “deli master.” In back are: owner Gary McGuire; Jamison Rocheleau the sandwich tech; Kevin Hatch the main chef; Molly McGuire next to her mother Lisa McGuire, the co-owner; Bonnie Foster the prep cook and Heidi Sawyer front desk staffer. Not seen in the photo were Raelynn Sargent from the kitchen staff and Linda McGuire (not related to the owners) who works on the front desk.
An instant hit
Myron Cohen, already a regular, stopped in to pick up “the awesome” Portland Italian sub (Genoa salami, ham, pepperoni, provolone) for himself and the Rep. Cleary sub (roast beef, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion with Allouette garlic cream cheese) for his wife. He characterized the cafe as “pleasing to the eye and the food as pleasing to the soul – good healthy stuff.” Connie Manuel said co-workers at CLA have been talking up the great menu and she decided to “check it out” but hadn’t decided what to order since “there’s so much.” On the other hand, Gordon Tidd drove over from York’s of Houlton for an Italian sub and two Camden subs (turkey, bacon, ham, American cheese and ranch dressing) which he says are excellent and will be split up between co-workers. He also commented that the fresh-baked bread is delicious.
Popularity must be contagious. Al Paradis decided to try the food because he says “nothing attracts a crowd like a crowd.” He and others kept streaming in after 10:30 in the morning. Some were first-timers, others were repeat customers. One woman said she waited in her car as others had done, thinking the café was closed because the “open” sign hadn’t been turned around. The owners were tied up with an interview for the Pioneer Times and didn’t realize why it was so quiet at the start of their day. 
LIGHTHEARTED MOMENT — Surrounded by whimsical Irish touches throughout the cafe, Lisa McGuire takes a phone order as daughter Gabby hands her a dessert from the Pastry Corner.
The McGuires, formerly of Tucson, and their four daughters (one, now an adult, lives in Ohio) warmed up quickly to Houlton when they arrived here nine years ago. And, local residents warmed up quickly to their sandwich shop which has a varied and intriguing menu of hot and cold sandwiches, salads, subs, wraps, panini, burgers, hot dogs, soups, smoothies, beverages, and desserts. All of the food items can be customized with any number of sauces, dressings, condiments or combination of ingredients. In other words, anything on the menu can be customized to your heart’s and taste’s delight.
Customize and create your favorites
For example, a Philly cheese and steak sub can become a wrap or panini — with or without the grilled mushrooms and onions or choice of cheeses. Panini bread can be regular or spinach and, then, “ShamRocked” — with a clover-shaped piece of panini bread inserted into the larger panini.
If you’re feeling more adventurous than a Blarney burger or Camden club sandwich, you can customize it or any of the other nearly 50 specialties on the menu with one of ten different sauces from Caribbean mango or lemon pepper to Vidalia vinaigrette or honey bourbon. From the Mars Hill meatball sub to the Clover salad (chicken, lettuce, tomato, apples and onions) there are traditional favorites distinctively named with Maine and McGuire flair. Subs start at $3.40, salads at $2.50 and hot dogs at $1; add-ons start at 50 cents.
Some of the McGuire’s inspiration comes from Lisa’s great, great aunt Laurie Edling. She is “the best darn cook” who has been working at her own business for 70 years. Lisa says she advocates treating people the way you would like to be treated, doing what you love and always trying your best. “And, we are,” Lisa added enthusiastically. “We love good food and we love to serve others …. We took time to get certified through the National Restaurant Association, we built a new kitchen …. searched out the best food vendors and made the place fun and happy.” And, fun it is with jolly little leprechauns, shamrocks, and quaint Irish appointments throughout the cafe. ShamRock Café was the only name that earned the whole family’s imprimatur.
Pioneer Times photo/Elna Seabrooks
FIRST TIMER — Garrett Henderson places an order during his first visit to the ShamRock Café. He says his friend recommended it highly.
Adding to the success of the business, is the fact that the McGuires took time to research what works and how to pull together the ingredients of a busy sandwich shop similar to a larger version their family owns in Arizona. They even realized the importance of making it handicap accessible. “I went there over the holidays to train for a couple of weeks before we started,” said Gary. He said he observed an active, working kitchen right down to the equipment. Their success has forced them to order additional equipment to address the high volume of orders.
As successful entrepreneurs, the husband-and-wife team give high praise to fellow restaurateurs in the area calling them “superb.” For those with a bit of a sweet tooth, The ShamRock sells desserts made by Houlton’s popular Pastry Corner. Lisa and Gary say they toured the state sampling and searching for the best sandwiches bringing some of Maine’s own finesse to their café.
They also say they will compile their customers’ favorite combinations and have a contest to name a special creation called “The Houlton” to join the other named specialties on the menu. Their old-school approach to good sandwiches is affordable, good food that’s not fancy and designed “to make you feel good in the tum-tum,” says Lisa in her playful way wearing a bright green felt hat reminiscent of the Emerald Isle. Currently, the ShamRock is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
