The hubs and I made McGonigal's our pub of R&R after a long day in the rain at Arlington Park. I was shivering from the elements and wanted something warm, so I ordered a glass of white white and a cup of the French onion soup with my apple and goat cheese salad. The salad was only OK and needed some nuts and cucumbers, but the soup? It was love at first sip. Not only was it picture-perfect, it tasted out of this world. I'm going to have cravings for this soup for a long, long time. The drink menu was exactly what we were looking for, a mix of beer, wine, and mixed drinks. I ended my meal with an Irish coffee (decaf). It was pretty great, as well. The pub itself was pretty lively on a Saturday night and featured a live cover band, making for a festive atmosphere. I loved the shape of the building and the cubby-hole booths. We'll definitely seek this place again next time we're in town.
(4)
Monica L.
I've been back six to seven times since... Their great, friendly service makes you want to your servers or bartenders friend. Small town neighbors:). Unbeatable Irish atmosphere. Solid Irish food (Scottish Egg has bragging rights). Wide variety of beers on draft and otherwise. Make it happen. Go. Destination worthy.
(4)
Melissa B.
Actually had dinner here... The vegetable boxty was fantastic! Loved this healthier option with a side of baked beans. Fish and chips also extremely tasty. Disappointed that Green Line is no longer served there though
(4)
Najaf A.
This is an outstanding restaurant in Barrington! The food is high quality and most of all delicious. The atmosphere is cozy! Staff is friendly!
(5)
Irwin S.
We have been coming here for a few years and we have always been very satisfied, until last night. I ordered the fish and chips. In the past it had consisted of thick pieces of delicious fish with a crisp non-oily coating. Last night the fish was cut thin and was dripping with grease. It was inedible. Additionally, I asked for no salt on the fries, but they came salted anyway (the waitress gladly brought out a replacement). Instead I shared my wife's flat bread, which was okay,but did not have as crisp a crust as on previous visits. The waitress was very apologetic and did not charge for the fish. She said they had a new chef. I don't know if she meant "a new line cook" or "a new executive chef", but they better get this fixed.
(1)
Karyn S.
1.5 stars I still have had terrible experience (and good, though overpriced food) there, but I did notify the:"contact us" link on the website after the dog incident (I assume it was the owner) Brian McGonigal answered within 24 hours, addressing each one of my concerns. Regarding the dog (my biggest issue), apparently it's a semi-regular customer who has been told before that her dog is only allowed in the outdoor patio seating, NOT inside, MONTHS ago, so he was surprised at my experience/that the dog was inside for any length of time, and said that the entire staff was going to be retrained/reminded of the policy. He seemed to generally care that I had a negative experience, and I really do appreciate it. I will probably go back one more time, because if not for the dog on my last visit, I would have said 3.5 stars (factoring in kitchen mistakes), so maybe I just always catch them on an off day. I'm willing to give another chance, cause the Irish Dip IS amazing...
(2)
Stephanie L.
Love going in here, as its my local. Very friendly staff and a good selection of pub fare (bangers & mash!!). If you are looking to watch the Premier League in the NW burbs on an early weekend morning you can't go wrong here.
(5)
Doug P.
We both had the corn beef sandwiches. Very good very lean. Add some horseradish and it is definitely. Some worth ordering
(5)
Steve B.
A warm comfortable place that serves good food. I have been a few times when I come out from the city. It is on par or better than most pubs in the city. I don't consider their British pub fare to be very authentic. So if that's what you are looking for, it is probably not the place for you. Having said that, the food is very good. I personally have never had issues with the service and I have eaten at both the bar and at a table. Sadly, Barrington is bereft of good restaurants, but this place fits the bill.
(4)
Greg A.
At first glance McGonigals looks like an old bank from the outside. When you walk in the pub seems small but I believe the seating goes beyond what you can see. We were greeted by a friendly hostess who sat us and then greeted again by a friendly server. Service was great for a bustling Sunday afternoon with the Hawks game on. Our drink orders were taken regularly and the food came out timely and hot. Adult Mac and Cheese was very good, but I loved the Shepards pie. The food all had great taste and there were plenty of Gluten Free options on the menu. The fine selection of draft brews rounded off a great dining experience.
(5)
Colleen E.
We went in last Saturday. The service was good, the food was excellent and the prices were exactly what we expected. We love Irish Pub food and will definitely be back! My husband had the Scottish egg and Bangers and Mash. Although, he said the bangers were over cooked, still delicious! I had the adult Mac and cheese which was ooey-gooey goodness! A French martini made very well: this is very hard to find in the burbs! It is a little noisy (it's a pub), however; not loud enough to keep us from conversation! Don't let that stop you!
(4)
Abby F.
This is the Chicago area, right? Just left after they turned the bulls game off 2 minutes before half time for the Cleveland Browns... I'm sorry, this is Chicago.
(2)
Kate H.
I remember the days when the only bar in town was the Yankee Doodle. McGonigal's really met the standards of Barrington when they opened. It's a classy but fun bar with beautiful wood decor a nice selection of beer, a friendly bar staff and good food. The location couldn't be more convenient. It's right by the train station, so my friends from Chicago will meet me there with ease. The upstairs party room is an excellent space for private events. My friend had his engagement party there, and I thought everything was done very well.
(4)
David W.
Went here for lunch on a Friday. Inside is cozy and rich. Look around and you feel like you're sitting in a historical place (not sure of the history but looks like a very old bank building). Sat in a booth that was basically carved into the wall. Very cool. Anyhow - I had the Reuben and a draft craft beer. Corned beef was excellent. Good draft beer selection - including several local crafts. Will be back when I am in the area, for eating, drinking or both!
(4)
Brett E.
On a night where Mcgonigal's DOESN'T have live music, it's a great pub style bar to stop in for a drink and hang out with some friends. They have a good on-tap selection and some fun cocktails. However, on nights where they do have live music, I can't stand the place. When you can't hear someone screaming right in your face and your only chance to talk to eachother is between songs played by a folky cover band, the music is too loud. Also, they claim to have free pizza every Friday night at midnight, but we've found that to only happen every now and then.
(4)
Jeff P.
We went to the Annex which is next to McGonigals. It was the same menu in both places. We had the Shepard pie which was excellent. Get a side of Irish Soda bread with it. We also had the Denny rueben with was awesome. Get local feel.
(5)
Rosie T.
The haddock fish n chips were as good as back home according to my Scottish father-in-law. The fish was tender and flavorful & tartar sauce just right. Plates were presented nicely. The shepherd's pie was good but not great. They really needed to drain the fat off the meat. I enjoyed the mix of lamb & beef. Irish boxty (potato pancake) with corned beef and cabbage satisfied my hubby's craving. The beer cheese sauce and pretzels knocked our socks off, although $11 seemed a bit steep for bread & cheese appetizer. Lastly, the football game was on & the front room loud, but they kindly seated us in the former bank vault room. We loved the decor. This place is welcoming and casual with great food.
(4)
Bex A.
Very cute well decorated pub ambience. They were an playing international football (soccer) game for any fans interested in watching. Lots of Irish food options, we ordered the curry and fries. It was during an art festival and we sat outside so service was slow, but not unexpected for patio seating. I just wish we did not wait as long and our appetizer came out before our entree. I had a very tasty smoked cheese and mac topped with bacon. I would definitely go back for drinks. A Blue Moon pint was only $5.00.
(4)
Tiffany A.
I have fun everything I go here! Kyle our bartender/ waiter is a lot fun to be around. Great service and thr appetizers are so good! I recommend the pretzels and cheese!!!
(5)
Kylie H.
We have been to McGonigals several times, but our most recent visit was upsetting. The server ignored our order and refused to serve beer because I had an out of state ID that she didn't recognize. It was awkward and embarrassing, especially because we had been there numerous times despite their outrageous prices. It is difficult to respect a bar that clearly can't handle the simple task of recognizing an out of state ID. If you are in the Barrington area, I'd suggest you go to Wool Street down the road- not only is their beer selection wider and more impressive, their prices are nearly half what McGonigals is charging. After such an unpleasant visit, we won't be going back.
(1)
Alma C.
Standard Irish pub fare isn't in my top 10, but I appreciated the fact that the waitress didn't bat an eye when my bestie brought her 18 month old to the bar area and ordered 2 pounds of wings for breakfast. Good people, friendly service, decent spot.
(3)
David C.
Nice enough place and a good change of pace for the Barrington area. The appetizers might be the best part. Service is a little slow. Beer selection is pretty interesting. Nice menu. The Trinity Sliders are awesome. I made the mistake of ordering the Sundried Tomato Salmon. The fish was cooked well, nice size portion, but the Sundried tomato over powered the salmon. My wife had the Shepherds Pie which was pretty tasty. The decor is pretty cool. Pleasant enough experience but nothing to that blows you away and the prices are on the high side. I will go back, but it might be awhile.
(3)
Jeanne M.
My husband and I stumbled upon McGonigal's on Saturday and decided to have some lunch. 1. The beer was good. Sterling was particularly pleased with his Guinness. 2. The sandwiches were delicious also. Sterling opted for the turkey club and raved about the turkey. I opted for corned beef and was not disappointed. The fries were also tasty. 3. This place has a gorgeous interior. Formerly a bank, McGonigal's interior is full of charm and beauty. All in all, a good experience.
(4)
Bonnie B.
It was just ok. I had the corned beef and cabbage which was pretty good. Portion wasn't that big though. We also had the pretzel appetizer which reminded me of auntie Ann's in the mall. The bar area is laid out in a strange way. It seems empty. There were also only three beers on tap...Guinness, harp and sam's.
(3)
Kristin K.
Stopped in for lunch while out visiting clients with my manager. The food was excellent and the atmosphere is very welcoming. It definitely has the feel of an old time pub and the layout has a homey feel compared to the chain restaurants. Certainly will go back!
(4)
Falcozapp A.
Just came back from a Boxing Day brunch with my wife and in-laws. Their order included fish and chips, Irish boxty, and a salad which they were all very happy with. My order was the full Irish breakfast. When it arrived, it looked delicious and indeed it was. However, I was surprised to find just a single rasher of bacon. I mentioned this to our server Jordan (who was charming, efficient and helpful) and she said that she would check with the chef. A few minutes later she came back and let me know that the chef said that this was standard for the order. I'm stunned that a $13:50 breakfast only comes with a single rasher of bacon and a single banger (this is perhaps the highest price I've seen for a breakfast platter). I don't recall this being the case at any similar place. Upon rereading the menu I can confirm that it does describe the breakfast as including rasherS and bangerS rather than one of each. Why list them in the plural if you're only going to serve one? It might seem like a small quibble but having proper Irish bacon was a large part of the reason why I placed the order. They need to update the menu to reflect this. I was very tempted to give a lower rating, but because everything else was so nice I didn't think it would be fair to do so.
(3)
Katrina D.
Overall, McGonigal's was an okay experience. I would return, but I would hang out at the bar instead of coming for dinner and sitting at a table. The atmosphere was great! I've never been to Ireland, but I definitely didn't feel like I was sitting in Barrington, IL. I ordered a reuben with no sauerkraut (just wasn't in the mood) and I was happy when our food was brought out and my sauerkraut-less reuben hadn't been mixed up with dad's which had the kraut on it. Everyone's order was correct with all the correct condiments and garnishes, a big plus in my book. The food was okay, about what you would expect. The one minor drawback was that the service seemed to be slow. We were in fairly early on a Wednesday evening (got there around 5:30) so there weren't a ton of patrons. Most were by the bar. The service felt slow for the day/time and our very polite waitress took a long time to grab our bill back and run our card. One thing I really enjoyed about our waitress was her honesty. My mom asked about the chicken pot pie, and she told her it was the only thing on the menu she wouldn't recommend. I was happy to hear her honesty instead of my mom ending up with something she didn't like just to get a sale. Check it out and stay for the drinks.
(3)
Matt S.
Get the Scotch Egg. Straight from the menu it says it's "A full hard boiled egg encased in Irish sausage, breaded and deep fried, garnished with an herb cream sauce". Don't mind the price... order it and enjoy. I will remember McGonigal's because of this special item. It's such a nice treat that I don't really see anyplace else. Anyway, this place has a pub atmosphere and looks pretty nice inside with all of the wood decor. Staff is pretty friendly and attentive. There is typical bar food along with classic Irish items as well. Price is good for both food and drinks. The quality isn't bad at all and I wouldn't mind coming back here at all.
(3)
Chris T.
Excellent food. Very good service. Will be coming back. Ate with party of 9 and all loved their food. Save room for the bread pudding- out of this world.
(4)
Barb N.
Beer-awesome sweet potato fries-soooo good! Goat cheese and Apple salad-wonderful Burgers-you won't regret it! Overall, a great place to eat, have a few drinks and meet up with friends.
(5)
Sarah W.
Not a place for bikers. We went in after a day of riding and were treated as so. Got one drink each (bloody Mary and pbr) and the bloody tasted like straight hot sauce to the point I couldn't drink it. While waiting for someone to even come back to the table we just left money on the table and left. They were clearly not interested in serving us. I won't be back after not even given the chance to try the menu.
(1)
Jessica M.
Not a fan! The noise level is terrible and the food stinks! I ordered fish and chips during St. Patrick's Day weekend and it looked like a TV dinner. It also tasted like it too! Overpriced and overrated!
(1)
Katie F.
Definitely not a fan of this place. I have been here multiple times to give it a far chance (st. paddy's day and middle of the week-days). But each time have been disappointed. The restaurant is really cool, its clean and maintained. The staff is hit or a miss on friendliness. The food is mediocre at best. They play the music too loud, you cant hear the person sitting two feet in front of you (Its not a dance club). I also don't understand why they play oldies music, its an Irish bar?! I would return if they made some changes.
(2)
Bart H.
Sold Irish bar in Barrington. Love that if this bar is to packed I head the Annex which is next door but attached. Wish it was warmer tonight and we could have sat outside but I always enjoy good service, good drink and decent bar food. Plus parking is easy. If ur in the area give it a shot.
(4)
Michael N.
I think Yelp should have more categories for stars. The food was 5 stars. I had the.......anyone? anyone? The burger! What a f'ing surprise. However, the service was....absent? Ashley and I found McGonigal's Pub on Yelp and decided to head out to DT Barrington for a couple beers and a sandwich. We were seated quickly and waited for our server....and waited...and waited. Now, I've never been a server before. But I have had a job where I have been really busy. And when you make a table wait around 15 minutes before you come by and ask if we are ready to order, that's just not how you do it. I want your name, some waters, a "Would you like to start with some drinks?", maybe even a "sorry we are swamped right now, let me know when you're ready and I'll be right over." Cmon give me sumthin!! The waiting sucked, but my burger was out of this world good. Ashley had a reuben and it was large and in charge. And by large and in charge I mean it made her its B because she couldn't finish it. I'd like to go back, honestly I would, buuuuuuuut.....
(3)
Sarah M.
Unimpressed. The service left a lot to be desired. The appetizers came out at the same time as our entrees -- I don't mean a minute before -- the exact same time. Our server came over and asked if that's what happened. When we replied yes it had, he kind of rolled his eyes and walked away with out a word. The pretzel and beer cheese was delicious. I got Bangers and Mash. The bangers were so hot I couldn't eat them right away, while the mash was so cold I didn't want to eat them at all. The bread pudding wasn't very good, although I can't quite remember what it was I didn't like about it. Will not return for dinner, but would go back for drinks and apps.
(2)
Dean H.
Love this place. They invested in a traditional Irish Pub interior, lots of great fare. Good for hanging out and watching a game as well as a family meal out. Prices are good. Beer selection great. Barrington is very fortunate to have it in its downtown Village-area.
(5)
Erin B.
Irish and American food, fun atmosphere, and a trivia night on Mondays! Never had a bad meal. There almost every week, and always looking forward to going back. Right next to the Barrington stop on the UP West line of Metra, you can come out, have a drink, some delicious food, then train back and not worry about the drive. Come give it a chance, try the Irish Boxty, I promise you will not be disappointed. :D
(5)
Jared W.
I really can't find anything that I didn't like about this place. First of all, the atmosphere is unbeatable. It's an old bank in downtown Barrington, and the mixture of old-school pub and modern sports bar was a lot of fun. As for the food, I really loved the Shepherd's pie. One of the few places I've been to that uses lamb. I had a couple of different craft beers that were on tap (Delirium Tremens and Breckenridge 471 IPA), and I can't say that I know many places that keep beers like that on tap. Overall, I really loved this place, and plan to be back.
(5)
Michelle F.
Thank you again to McGonigal's for some more amazing experiences. Not wanting to admit exactly how often I go here, I have been here about 5 times since my last review. I have gone for dinner, lunch, and another bar crawl since then, and every experience I have had has been nothing short of awesome. My favorite things there are the strong mixed drinks, the fries, and the chicken sandwich. The chicken is seriously so juicy and not dried out, and it comes on a delicious pretzel roll--you can't go wrong with that amazingness!! On the pub crawl the other day, my friends and I were a HUGE group of 15 people, and our waitress kept up with us like it was nothing. She even got us a plate of pickles. I wish I could remember her name and the girl who served us before that, because they were awesome. I think I will have to go back JUST to inquire about this. Their boss needs to know how great they are! The place is clean, fun, and a great time all around! Oh, and my friend wants me to say that she was disappointed that there was no foamy soap, BUT she really, really liked the paper towels in the bathroom :)
(5)
Sarah H.
Best (only) pub in town, Authentic Irish food and beer, Murphy's stout in the suburbs!
(4)
Les V.
Fish and chips were fresh but bland. Wife ordered corned beef that was pretty good. Nothing special.
(3)
David R.
We need more Irish pubs like this in the city. Not "Irish" pubs with an Irish name that trot out the glossy cardboard shamrock decorations around St Patrick's Day, but otherwise work assiduously to grow the revenue numbers of the Miller Brewing Company and cater to ballcap-wearing twenty-somethings who "need" a place to watch sports and shout at each other over music that was on the radio when they were zygotes. This one gets it right, not in the look so much (though that is a strength) but in the note-perfect vibe of low-pressure conviviality. It's a great mix of folks of all ages, many of whom seem to know each other--and the staff. This building was a bank, an honest-to-goodness, small-town, tall, standalone bank building with columns in front. Inside, it looks like County Kerry, with a huge handsome bar and numerous tables in charming, architecturally eccentric nooks. The music performance area is a small mezzanine overlooking the main floor. You like beer? So do they. There is ONE Miller Lite tap. They have Guinness, Harp, and Smithwick's, as you would expect. They have some standard but solid favorites such as Blue Moon, Stella Artois, Hoeegarden, and 312. Great Lakes, Breckenridge Brewery, and Leinenkugel's are represented, and they have some other excellent choices such as Murphy's Stout (God bless it) and Murphy's Red, not to mention Delirium Tremens, Pilsner Urquell, and Bell's Brown. So, basically, a beer for every preference, occasion, mood, hour of the day, you name it. Live music every weekend, friendly bartenders, a warm suburban crowd, and a food menu. Sure, there are TVs but you can ignore them if you like. This would be the best local pub in almost any neighborhood in Chicago, but you would probably ruin it by putting it in almost any neighborhood in Chicago.
(4)
Sean P.
Great Irish pub. Food is good (recommend the pot roast), drinks are great (craft beers) and services is good as well. Right in the heart of downtown Barrington where everything is walking distance. Highly recommended.
(5)
Zach G.
We had a long break between a wedding ceremony in Inverness and a reception in Lake Barrington. Already hungry, m'lady and I decided to stop here for a quick bite to eat and a drink or two. It fit the bill perfectly. The service was really quick, and although it wasn't overly friendly, it was efficient. My Guinness was poured perfectly and was delicious. My girlfriend had a Stella and a Blue Moon and both...well, they tasted like they should! That may sound funny to novices, but many of us frequent beer drinkers can tell when something is off, such as in the lines...these all tasted quite good. OK, so the food - we had an order of the Trinity Sliders off the app menus. These were basically corned beef on mini pretzel rolls with a delicious spicy mustard. Really tasty...we both enjoyed them greatly. Four beers (2x Guinnes, 1x Stella, 1x Blue Moon) + App for $29 with tax (but not tip). Maybe slightly high, but not terrible for the area.
(4)
Kerri L.
The man and I went here for lunch today. They have a good beer selection ( I can't partake in it right now, but the man was happy with it), I dig the decor, and our waitress was really sweet. For appetizers we ordered the Bryan and Guinness wings, and our waitress warned us that the Bryan wings were really hot and she couldn't take them back if we didn't like them. We usually order wings the first time we go to a place, and they're rarely as hot as they're made out to be, so we were curious to try these. The wings are big, and have a nice char on them. The Bryan wings were hot, but not so hot that they didn't have any flavor, they were really good! They are definitely hotter than your standard hot wing you can get at other places, which was good for us. :) If you love hot wings you need to try them. The Guinness wings were also good, but we were hooked on the Bryan wings. The french onion soup was ok. The broth was sweet instead of savory, and is the only reason i'm giving this place 4 stars because everything else was excellent. The man was going back and forth between the shepherd's pie and the pot roast so he asked the waitress, and she said that her favorite thing is the pot roast. He went with that, and it was absolutely delicious. One of the best pot roasts either of us have ever had. ( He said that mine is better, but he's a damn liar. A sweet damn liar.) I went with the Kilkenny burger with pepperjack, avocado, bacon, and sauteed onions. I was a little worried about ordering it. I'm currently pregnant and can only eat well done burgers. I've gone to a couple of places and ordered a burger well done, and it ALWAYS ends up being medium rare, and then I can't eat it and have to bring it home. It's always aggravating because burgers never reheat as well, and I hate sending food back. I had a perfectly well done burger, with a nice char taste on the outside, and the toppings were plentiful and tasted good together. I was really, really happy with my burger, and glad and relieved that they actually cooked it how I wanted it. so THANK YOU! The only thing keeping this from a 5 star review is the french onion soup, everything else was excellent, including the service. I make homemade french onion soup, so that does make me more critical, but if they fixed the broth and made it savory, I would be completely won over. Overall it was a great dining experience and we will definitely be back.
(4)
Bryan O.
Nice bar and very customer friendly staff. Had the buffalo chicken flat bread pizza and pork medallions, which were both very tasty. Great beer selection. Live entertainment was a two man band who played a wide variety of music very well
(4)
Austin W.
Amazing menu that doesn't overwhelm you, but has some great choices. Never had something here I did not like. Fish 'n Chips are a must. The staff is always friendly, even when busy. Connects to the Annex and everyone is very relaxed and happy to see you. Highly recommend.
(5)
Krystal W.
Tried them again since they were pretty much walking distance from my house. I was pleasantly surprised. We went when it wasn't super crowded, the service and sandwiches were good.
(4)
Michael H.
This is about the third time I have come here for lunch. My comments below: Pros: - Food quality is pretty high. Fish and chips were my favorite. Fries were seasoned and tasted really good. Fish was not bad. A little over breaded and overcooked, but does the job. - Overall the restaurant and bar area looks very clean. - Location near the train in Barrington is a huge plus. - TVs are generally showing something sports related and they play the sound from the TV rather than some annoying music that I don't want to be blaring over my conversation. Cons: - Service during lunchtime can be a bit slow. I have had different waitresses on each occasion and found that the last waitress was an improvement. Expect to be eating there for at least an hour for a table of two. - The chairs in the bar area are incredibly uncomfortable to sit in, especially if you sit for an extended period waiting for food. Try to get actual seats over stools. - Food is a bit pricey. For Fish and Chips and two iced teas plus tip, it is over $20. Its good, but not that good.
(3)
Ciara L.
Food is always perfect! Never had any issues with service. We go here regularly and when they see us walk in the door our drinks are poured before we have our coats off. Amazing staff, very friendly and the locals are friendly too. Highly recommend. One night I went to the Annex with some friends and the staff from McGonigals ran over there with my favorite beer because they knew it wasn't offered there.
(5)
Brad M.
Fish and chips were excellent! Really enjoyed the Reuben sandwich too!
(5)
Laurence K.
Nicely decorated pretty cool space. Decent menu with Irish fare to burgers and such Bartender was semi friendly looks like she had a late night Not very happy So I started with the Cobb salad which consisted of a small amount of romaine 2 cherry tomatoes sliced in half 1 piece of blue cheese ? And some eggs crumble. The blue cheese dressing I think was mayo with a piece if blue cheese in it. All this for $8.50? A Wendy's side salad is bigger! Oh and it was accompanied by 2 pieced of the driest Irish soda bread I've ever had. So still being hungry from my 10 Dollar salad I ordered the French onion soup. The soup was very very sweet and it had a very very small amount of cheese melted over the top Clearly not enough. Oh and yeas another pieces of the Irish soda bread . Ugh, well I guess this is more of a drinking bar Skip the food
(1)
Kristy M.
My husband and I took our two kids for and early dinner on a Saturday night. (around 5 p.m.) The atmosphere was fun and fairly loud...just what we wanted. And, it truly resembled an Irish pub. The soft pretzel with beer cheese was awesome! My husband loved the shepherd's pie, and I enjoyed the reuben. Our 7 year old gave the fish and chips two thumbs up. Service was super friendly and the food was out in a reasonable amount of time. We didn't have to wait for a table, but by the time we were leaving about an hour later, the crowd was definitely beefing up.
(4)
Kat Q.
Freshest pint of Guinness you're going to get this side of Dublin. Proper pour as well. Edward Isle mussels simmered in Guinness are to die for. I wont share them with a mate. Portabella sandwich is awesome too. If your a Mc go here. Sit at the bar. Drink Guinness and eat.
(4)
Brett F.
Look at you, B-town! You've come a long way 'ol chap, haven't ya? Only wish we would have had a place like McGonigal's back in my younger days while living in Barrington (aka Borington) where the only nearby fun to be had was on the humdrum Schaumburg strip. A legit pub meets dining establishment, meets live music venue, meets event locale, is exactly what this Northwestern 'burb needed. There's a bit of everything to be found here and fortunately, they do it all pretty well. From what I saw, the bar was jumpin' with the younger set consuming Guinness while the 'older folk' sat conversing at long, gleaming wood tables over tasties like yummy Reuben's, Irish Boxty, Shepherd's Pie and Fish 'n Chips. A great spot to throw back some wings, watch the game and let loose or even take advantage of this building's historic past as Barrington's oldest bank and secure the cozy private dining room that used to be a safe - and still boasts all the combo locks and vault features! Impressive space and an enormous upgrade to Borington's, er, Barrington's social spectrum. Welcome to your new watering hole, Suburbanites, it's a keeper!
(4)
Richard R.
I've wanted to check McGonigal's out for a while and finally made it over there the other night -- one of the (finally) nice warm evenings here this spring. Although McGonigal's said they would have outdoor seating by Memorial Day, there was none when we got there, so we went inside. Upon walking in we were assaulted by extremely loud music blasting from the sound system. To make matters worse, the "music" was some kind of trash that was totally out of character for a place that's trying to position itself as an Irish pub. :-( We were looking over the list of draft beers (which seemed much more abbreviated than the list they have on their website) when the next song came on and it was even more obnoxious than the song that was on when we walked in. That was enough for us. We got up and walked out.
(2)
Michael C.
We will never go here again. The potato soup was gross. The shepherd's pie was worse. When we asked if they could play some music (this is an Irish pub after all) the owner said no because he wanted to watch the football game (American college) on TV. We asked our waiter for the WiFi password and he didn't know it and wouldn't find out. A huge waste of time and money (wife insisted we pay for our slop). So disappointed especially since there were some good Yelp reviews of this place.
(1)
Shauna D.
A great addition to downtown Barrington, though a little pricey for twentysomethings (not their target demographic I know). I recommend taking advantage of drink specials. The place is very nicely done, quailty craftsmanship, upscale Irish decor, this is no dive! I've had the Fish n Chips and turkey club, both good, but I will definitely be back for the Fish n Chips. I've been here for St Paddy's as well as their open bar NYE party upstairs. Always attracts a good crowd of your typical Barrington patrons. The owners are great, and really put in the effort to grow their customer base with live Irish music, events, an updated Facebook and newsletter. Of course as a "newer" restaurant, enthusiastic owners should not be surprising, but it really is nice to see the passion they have for their business come through.
(4)
Jessica H.
Be warned! This review is not for any item on the menu, except the burger. When you go to McGonigals, you order the burger. It's as simple as that. Other dishes on the menu, yes they are perfectly fine, but to be honest...don't bother. They are seasoned perfectly and probably the best in the area. The patty is so amazingly juicy, and are cooked exactly to your specification. Never have I ordered medium and gotten medium-well or well done. I don't know what kind of meat they use, or what seasoning, but it is just perfect. Last time I went, I tried something else...and I wished I'd ordered the burger. I kicked myself until the next time we went, and so the saying was created "when you go to McGonigals, you get the burger".
(5)
Denise S.
Great People and Excellent Food. Its a great place to chill and meet friends.
(4)
Amanda M.
Nice Irish pub restaurant type place. Plenty of tables and a bar to sit out. They had this adorable looking upstairs area with a couple tables that looked really inviting. There were several big screens, but they weren't distracting from the overall atmosphere. The bartenders were friendly and the drinks were reasonably prices. My salad was lousy, but that wouldn't stop me from going back.
(4)
Shawn M.
Great local pub with friendly service, great selection of beers on tap and good food. We had the wings, Irish dip, and fish and chips - all wonderful. Also a large gluten free selection if you need it.
(5)
Lori R.
Shepard's pie is fantastic! wine selection is meh, but it is a pub so have beer.
(3)
Tiffany T.
Good place to go for music & drinks. Not a good place for watching sports as the TVs are too small and hard to see. The food is good, but can be inconsistent. For some reason, my main problem is a heating issue. More times than not I get something that should be hot, but is luke warm. The other day it was luke-warm chili that would have been really good had it been hot. I have also gotten the pub pretzels with cheese and the cheese came out with a frozen block in the middle once. This problem seems to be a kitchen one, since I have had this happen at both McGonigals, and the WIne Bar and now the Annex. Just heat up the food properly, please!!!!
(3)
Brandy B.
This place is FABULOUS!!!! We've never ever had a bad meal here! The drinks are great too! Great atmosphere. A little too bright maybe but that's my personal preference. I love the Irish Magners apple and pear cider they have. The bartenders and servers ROCK! In love with the Irish pot roast. Sorry mom, but I've never had better then here...now if I could only figure out the recipe! Love the pretzel bread and cheese too but thisis what knocks it down a star....$11 for THREE breadsticks? Maybe it's the cheese, which they give us way more then we ever use, who knows. Either up it to 4 or drop the price and I'll give them their star back. Go here and experience it for yourself!!!
(4)
Restaurant Vigilant E.
McGonigals...this is a nice "irish" pub...the type of place Barrington has needed for decades!!! The interior is warm and inviting...maybe a bit more "themed" than actually "authentic" but a decent environment. I know a few of the staff members (they used to work at the Curragh in Schaumburg before it closed) and they are GREAT additions to this place! I don't like their 16 ounce pint glasses...but, I realize they are acceptable and market standard (the only true pint glass in my opinion are the 20 ounce tulip glasses, but I am getting snobby, so will stop)...The aforementioned staff will ensure the pour is proper! While I am a professional bar hopper, I have never had a drinking session in this place (I don't drive when I drink, and this is a bit out of taxi range for me), but I know they have some good musical acts like Morgan Fingleton and Fast Eddie MacAteer...awesome! I have had a couple of dishes there - Chicken sandwich...awesome! I have had it three times and it has never ever been overcooked (and is there anything worse than a rubber shoe of a chicken breast?)...I know it is just a sandwich, but it is possible to screw up and McGonigals really delivers a quality product! The chicken boxty - always a fan of a decent boxty! I was not disappointed!!!! I did have to use table salt though (which I NEVER use), but once that was added, I was very happy. The pretzel nuggets with melted cheese...this stuff is Seven Eleven comfort food at its best...I mean that too...pretzels and cheese...whats not to love? Again, not exactly an old Donegal recipe...but whatever! My only bad experience here....the mussels. I went once with about 4 people and I was the only one at the table that didn't like them. For me, it was the broth....there was something about it that was just terrible in my opinion...but I think it was more a matter of my personal taste, rather than poor execution...
(3)
P K.
Nice looking Irish pub with a large on tap craft brew selection. Bartenders know their stuff and provide correct glassware that is clean. I have had their burgers and fish and chips, all real good, however they serve a lot of other traditional Irish chow that I am not interested in. Let's face it there is a reason there is no great Irish tradition of great cooking, they were starving to death on that island and that is why we all moved here. Oh, one other thing, I have not seen it on the menu lately but if the carrot ginger soup is available, get it.
(4)
Dr J.
I'm wondering if Barrington deserves a place this nice! After years of watching the downtown deteriorate it's absolutely fabulous to see McGonigal's finally open. Spent some quality time there last week, and even for their first few days open, the food smells good, the staff is nice and the place looks amazing. Totally worth the trip, even after St. Pats day.
(5)
kit k.
Are you kidding me there are Irish Sports Bars in this area? Yes 9,000,000 of them. I mean come on the same thing over and over and over again. What do they do cool here besides a cool room. Nothing
(1)
Ashley S.
Saturday night, someplace new...we chose this little Irish bar. The atmosphere was great, the food was fantastic, but the service was sub-par. So it's not a very large place inside and there was a Michigan vs. Notre Dame game on, so the bar area was busy, but there were open tables in the place. We got seated right away and sat at the table for almost 30 minutes before we even got our beers. The waitress was not very personable, she never even introduced herself. I have worked in the service industry and find it really irritating when someone doesn't even give you their name. When she saw that we were done eating she asked if we were would like dessert, or any other drinks and my boyfriend replied "no, thank you, I think we're all done." She removed the plates and left the table. She came back with a dessert menu and told us to take a look.....ummm we said no, thank you. Then when she returned she asked if we had decided on dessert, we told her yet again that we were through. She left, and returned once more finally with our bill. MY GOD! We paid and skidaddled. Seriously probably some of the worst service I've ever experienced. I mean I can understand if you're extremely busy, but tell us that up front and make sure you don't put one table before another, it's just crappy service! I really liked the place, had a great feel, but honestly I don't know if I'll return due to the lack of personality/skill of the staff they have. Real bummer considering the food was really good :( wah wah wahhhhhhh
(3)
Corin W.
Went here last night for a Green Drinks gathering. We arrived early so we sat and had a beer and appetizer in the main bar/diningroom while we waited. The ambiance of this place freakin' rocks. It's three floors. All dark wood. Cozy booths with large windows to sit by. even though some of the tables are close together you still feel like you have privacy. Subdued lighting. A cheery skull sitting on a shelf behind the bar made this Gravestomper feel at home. Our waitress, Joy, was just that...a joy. She was bright and funny and attentive. The bartender was smiling, friendly and enjoying himself. We had the best spinach artichoke dip we've ever had. A steaming cast iron crock surrounded by a mountain of fried pita wedges. It was a meal in itself. When we made it up to the third floor for the Green Drinks gathering we discovered another bar up there. Patrick our upstairs bartender was just as friendly and attentive as the staff in the main lobby. And he had a great sense of humor. I say that because at another green drinks meeting we've attended at another restaurant we've always received crap service from the bartenders. The manager's excuse to us? 'You should come here for regular service, not just a green drinks meeting.' I know--that sounds insane right? Like we weren't real customers because we met with fifty other people there. McGonigals, however, proved that every time a restaurant has customers come in--for whatever reason: whether it's a banquet, business lunch, or intimate dining--is a chance to dazzle them with yours service and quality. Great job guys! We're already telling our friends about you!!!
(5)
M. H.
I am SO glad we found this place! PROs: The food is absolutely delicious and fresh. As simple as it is, the Boxty is fantastic, the spinach dip is unreal, the fresh pretzels with cheese-beer dip.... yummmmm. We've never had a bad meal here. Everything tastes so fresh and homemade. I also love the atmosphere inside (it's an old historical building from the turn of the century). CONs: The hostesses dress a tad on the 'unprofessional' side and look 16 (this could be a CON for a guy I suppose!). They go out for many cigarette breaks and drag it back inside with them. Also, the noise level in there is insane. You'll have a sore throat by the end of the night. We also generally have to wait since the space is so small. And parking can be a bit of a burden. Pros totally outweigh the cons. I'm not Irish...but McGonigals makes me want to be!
(5)
Scot E.
Loving me some McGonigals. Visited recently with my wife and absolutely loved it. The beer selection is good - very cold on tap!! Pretzel nuggets for an appetizer how can you go wrong!! Fish and Chips were excellent so was the pot roast. Service was excellent!! Did I mention the beer cheese?? I asked if I could get a bowl of it for my soup choice!! AWESOME experience. We will be back.
(4)
Ian M.
My kind of hang out! The food is amazing, and any bar that has Delerium Tremens on tap is a-ok with me! Highly recommended!
(5)
Amanda C.
Went to McGonigal's the other night for the first time with a friend for dinner and drinks. I was very pleasantly surprised as I grew up in Barrington and there was NEVER anywhere good to go besides Wool Street, which I find to be just OK. McGonigal's is very tastefully decorated and actually resembles an Irish pub. Their booths have beautiful upholstery and the stools are cushioned and comfortable. The bar in the center allows you to get a good view of everyone who is showing up for the BHS reunion at night. I do like the crowd better here and find it to be less obnoxious than at Wool Street. The menu is well-priced with a variety of traditional Irish food. I had the Reuben which was one of the best ones I've had. It wasn't too soggy and came with a great side salad that wasn't one of those wimpy iceberg ones. My friend had a chicken sandwich which was just OK. She should have ordered something more authentic in my opinion anyway. I noticed that for football games they have 32 oz. of Miller Lite for $5. I am planning to go back this week and will recommend this over Wool Street.
(4)
bob t.
Good burgers and a decent beer selection on tap.
(4)
Megan T.
Fabulous beer selections and good prices. I recommend the Rueben and the fries! They were amazing. My husband ordered the fish and chips and the fish was good, but I think he would have preferred my Rueben. The hostesses were a bit distance and rude they ignore you when you walk in even though you are standing in front of the host stand. After about 2 mins they acknowledged and sat us, but were running short on menus and had to bring them to us later. Overall the atmosphere is great and they have a great beer selection! I would not recommend for groups or families over 4 people because they have 2 & 4 person tables with the exception of one family table tucked around back that can probably seat eight people. I think this is a great addition to barrington.
(4)
Ali L.
My sophomore year chemistry teacher was perched at a two-top in the corner. Two dudes whom were in love with my little sister in HS (and might still be) were chatting at the bar. My mom's local political friend was hobnobbing at the table next to us. I suppose that now that I don't live in B-town anymore that it's nice to go to one spot and see people you really haven't seen and/or care to see again. I did enjoy the 10 beer bucket special and the bite of my friend's reuben sandwich that she begrudgingly let me try. And after a few buckets (don't worry, we had a DD), I almost had the chutzpah to go over to said chemistry teacher and berate him for the only "D" I ever received in my entire academic career. Seriously, ever. It's a cool spot that Borrington desperately needed.
(3)
Bill B.
Not happy for the 3rd time. You'd think after 2 1/2 years they could get it right. We went tonight, family of 4. My wife's salad was good, "she said", the burgers for my sons, dry! And the Shepherds pie lacking in many ways. What?, no cheese? I felt like I was eating big bowl of mashed potatoes. "Where's the beef?" Really! Hardly any beef, hardly any veggies and no cheese - really? Certainly not the best shepherds pie I've ever had.
(1)
Therese D.
Went for dinner with husband on a Friday at 7-ish, It was hoppin' and we had a short wait. Would like to have ordered a beer while waiting but couldn't get to the bar as it was deep with bodies. Both of us had the fish and chips - excellent! It came with a delicious coleslaw, we don't usually like coleslaw-this was different had a bit of a tangy bite to it. Beer lovers will be pleased with the excellent choices. Service was just fine. The interior is really attractive, unique and interesting, prices great, quite loud but fun atmosphere. Looking forward to going back!
(5)
Rick M.
Good atmosphere, excellent burger, good beer on draft. Reasonable prices. My gues had the Shepherd's pie and said it was great. Go
(4)
AMG F.
Drinks are great and choices on draft are excellent. Good decor. They have great service and the food has never dissapointed. This place beats out the other venues on ambience. This is definitely Barrington's finest bar.
(5)
Carla B.
Great bar, good food, friendly happy workers :)
(4)
Lori N.
We love the food...but the place is just too darn loud. I wish they had a separate quiet dining area!
(3)
Jackie V.
Good Irish Pub food, good drinks, and on the weekends a good time typically with a band. It's a fun place to go for drinks, but make sure you get a spot there early enough on the weekends, because it gets packed!
(3)
Amy B.
McGonigal's is a much needed Irish Pub in Barrington! I have been there several times for lunch and dinner. My favorite server is Luke. He goes about his work in an energetic, happy, and friendly way. I like the Ceasar Salad. I will be returning to McGonigal's again and again. Barrington is lucky to it!
(5)
Damian S.
Been here twice after school was out for the day. The beer selection is very decent (though they do pour a Guinness a bit too fast--they'll never win any pouring competitions sponsored by the giant), and the food selection is what you'd expect for an Irish pub in America. On to the food critique portion: The Irish breakfast was similar to that found all over the Isle, but with a few changes--never have I had melted cheese on top of the grilled tomato, and the baked beans were a little strange (I don't know what it was...not a lot of flavor, and a bit too red (not ketchupy, but strange...I'll be having the breakfast again, so maybe I'll figure it out on the second try). The black and white puddings were excellent, the eggs done well, the Irish bacon was fine (though I always find it a little too fatty around the edges--but tasty nonetheless), and the mashers were tasty, too. All in all, it was a pretty good likeness of an authentic Irish Irish breakfast. It really hit the spot. On the second visit, I tried the Mountain Berry Cobbler. Not quite what I was expecting, as it was two small cinnamon and sugar covered dough balls surrounded by a sea of yummy berry compote. The berries and ice cream were great, but the little baked things did not make this a cobbler by any definition of mine. Yummy overall, but not a favorite. I then decided to have my meal...I thought I really deserved a dessert first after a long day at school...and chose the shepherd's pie. It was very good and filling. Your typical fare as far as SP's go, but with lamb mixed with the ground beef. Lamb is not my favorite by far (I never even ran across it in a shepherd's pie in Ireland), but it was subtle enough that it was bearable, considering the rest of the pie was good. The atmosphere of the restaurant was fine. We went during off times (11am for lunch, and 3:40pm for the dinner), so the place wasn't crowded at all. However, I can easily imagine that with the size it would fill up extremely fast during peek hours. Service the first time for lunch was fine. Our waitress was extremely jovial, willing to teach one of my colleagues about puddings for breakfast, and was checking up on us every 5 minutes to make sure drinks were filled and food was fine (and not in an annoying way, either). The dinner staff was much slower (especially when it came to paying the bill (my friend had to leave as I waited 12 minutes for someone to come and take my credit card so I could finally leave)); they also only checked once on drink refills in the hour and a half we were there. They were very accommodating though at processing my dessert before the main course request. Guess no one else has ever done that, huh? I would highly recommend McGonigal's if you're in the mood for some good pub fare, and a taste of Ireland without having to break the bank for a trip over the pond. It's an amazing addition to the Barrington area, as I usually agree with my students that Barrington is "Boring-ton." This changes things as far as eating opportunities in this town I've worked in for 19 years. It's about time!
(4)
Patrick M.
"Decent" food & good fresh beer off the tap however I just about sh*t when I got the bill. $82.00 for two dinners, a couple of pints and a kids chicken fingers plate. Seating was a drag as we felt we were punished for bringing a 2 y.o. and had to sit alone in a remote dinning area that really should have been designed as a closet. Friendly but slowwww staff that frequently forgot we were there. (Probably due to the seating arrangements).
(2)
Mark B.
Stopped in today for lunch over the weekend and was pleasantly surprised. Irish pub fare has been pretty grim in suburbia lately. However, McGonigal's seems to taken their food seriously. We started with the Trinity Sliders (3 small corned beef sandwiches on pretzel rolls with a dash of mustard on the side). They were excellent. The corned beef was lean, the rolls fresh and the mustard spicy. We also got a batch of their pub fries app. The fries overall at McGonigals are excellent. Crispy on the outside, creamy on the inside with a nice spice mix.. However, the app version has about a tablespoon of small bacon chips dumped over the top and comes with ketchup and a mayo/curry dipping sauce. We liked the fries, but, dare I say it, the bacon added nothing as there wasn't much of it and it was difficult to get it to stick to the fries.. The mayo/curry sauce was great. My recommendation is to get your entree with the excellent fries and ask for a side of the curry sauce. For the entrees we enjoyed their fish & chips, shepards pie and bangers and mash. The fish and chips were perfect. Having slogged through a lot of fish and chips, I have to say these were some of the best. They use Haddock versus Cod or the mysterious North Atlantic White Fish (Scrod) you see in a lot of places. 3 good sized portions of light battered, perfectly cooked fish.. Very nice. The shepards pie was very large and could probably feed two if you split an app or salad. By its nature, the whole thing was hotter than the sun, but quite tasty. Very traditional mix of meat, corn, peas, pearl onions and mashed red potatoes on the top. Nice flavor without being bland or overly spiced. The bangers and mash were good as well. They are the same red skin potatoes used in the shepards pie, surrounded by 4 bangers with something a kin to a hunters sauce drizzled over. If you're not familiar with bangers, you may want to pass or sample someone else's. They are good, but have a different texture than most German or Italian type sausages we enjoy in the U.S. Overall, beer was good, food was good, atmosphere was good.. Albeit really slow on a Sunday Bears Game Day.. We'll be back.
(4)
Ian H.
Great beer list on draft and great food. I'll be back in the future.
(4)
Liz B.
Stopped in for lunch with my bestie to get away from work for a little bit and catch up. It was almost one and the place only had a few tables sat. The hostess tried to seat us in a tiny back corner that has 3 two-tops and the center one was occupied by two who looked to be in a serious meeting. It was a tight squeeze to begin with and I'd feel like I would be practically eating with them so we asked if we could sit at a bar table instead. The hostess looked at us like we had suddenly sprouted extra heads. Then she replied, "I guess that should be OK." That struck us as very strange, but whatever, it annoyed us. Our server was nice, but she was the only one working but she could handle the three tables she had. I had the potato pancake and my friend had the ruben. Both of our meals were good and presented nicely. When we finished to get back to work, our server was M.I.A. and the manager was picking up her slack. She finally showed up and got us our bill. I was going to put it on my card, but then she disappeared again, so my friend put down cash so we could leave. The atmosphere of McGonigal's is very cozy, and I'd like to come by for a drink or dinner, perhaps when they have a little more staff available.
(3)
Amanda V.
My husband and I have been here twice. We were there once with our infant, and one time on our own. They were very accommodating with our little one. The atmosphere is great, the waitstaff was friendly, the beer selection was exciting, and the food was quite good! The first time I had the portobello mushroom sandwich and really enjoyed it. My husband had an Irish burger with an egg on it, and he liked that too. The second visit, I had the Goat Cheese & Apple salad...great! My husband had the trinity of sliders and thought those were pretty good too. The only downfall...the prices are pretty high.
(4)
Annie O.
I am so disgusted with my experience here I cannot even describe it. I've been wanting to visit this place for so long since Barrington is in need of some more good restaurants, and I was really excited to try it out. I was home from college this weekend and went with my family. It was a Sunday evening and the place was not busy at all; maybe 8 or 9 other tables there besides us. After we were seated it took 15 minutes to get water and drink orders in since no one came over to our table. Right when they brought out drinks back we immediately placed our order. After that we were completely ignored by ALL waitstaff for the next 45 minutes. My sisters and I got up to go ask them for things 3 times and ask where our food was. Even after we asked we were brushed off and ignored. When our food was finally brought out after an hour of being there we immediately asked for the check and ordered a peach cobbler for dessert. They brought our check out 10 minutes later with no peach cobbler. We didn't even bother asking for it because we couldn't wait to get the out of there as quickly as possible. It makes me sick to think about how disappointing this experience was when we were all so excited to try it out. The food was okay; just your usual pub food and definitely nothing worth waiting over an hour for. I would not wish this experience upon my worst enemy.
(1)
CT G.
Great taste of Ireland in Barrington. Excellent selection of traditional pub favorites. Looking forward to this becoming a local treasure.
(4)
Bobby L.
Love this place. The atmosphere is amazing and the food matches. I have had a number of things here, all were very good, but the thing that stands out the most is the Shepherds pie. DELICIOUS! it's two levels and they frequently have traditional Irish bands playing. Irish owned. Super Clean. GREAT beers. I read a short one star review and the only thing that makes sense is that it was written by some near by competing bar because it's not just another Irish bar. It's THEE Irish bar.
(5)
Jason W.
Solid shepherd's pie. Very nice service, the manager Izmeenie? (totally massacred that spelling) was great. They spent some $ on the construction. Overall was impressed.
(5)
nicole h.
Our group of 4 was pleasantly surprised. The traditional Irish dishes were done really well. My vegetable boxty rocked my socks! Only gripe? I was still hungry. But it was like only five bucks or something like that and I pack a serious appetite for a woman. Guess I should have ordered two... Anyway, the fish fry, the corned beef...clean plates all around. The beer special on that particular Thursday was awesomely affordable (though I can't remember what it was because I took full advantage). The bill was impressively small. The decor, the set up, and the service knocked it out of the park. Great place.
(5)
Jodi K.
Food was awesome here, its a smaller location upfront with tvs and a bar. I didn't go to the back of the bar. But we loved the service and food, we would be back.
(5)
Luke S.
Try to sit upstairs...great place for a date or to people watch....excellent service
(5)
Elizabeth M.
Good food and great atmosphere
(5)
Gail C.
This is a wonderful little gem out here in the wilderness! I jest, went here for dinner to check out this new place. (Congrats! They make an excellent black and tan) I had the shepards pie. Great food, great beer, good prices! Definately a come back to. Especially, since I now work out here!
(4)
Sally K.
Met a friend/client for lunch and met the most friendliest staff ever. The food was incredible. Great to see a restaurant serve sweet potato fries in this area!
(5)
Katlan S.
Food was great! I had the Banger's and Mash. Lots of flavor and the sausage was so effin' good. The server was very knowledgeable about the menu and helped me pick out a great dish (I'm indecisive). Great beers on tap and the atmosphere is great. Very laid back and the yuppies there didn't judge us when we walked in all grundgy lookin'. The interior of the restaurant is very nice. I loved it! I wasn't a fan of the french onion soup, though. It was kind of sweet, I've had better.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Music : Live Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : No Best Nights : Thu, Fri, Sat Coat Check : No Smoking : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Jamie N.
The hubs and I made McGonigal's our pub of R&R after a long day in the rain at Arlington Park. I was shivering from the elements and wanted something warm, so I ordered a glass of white white and a cup of the French onion soup with my apple and goat cheese salad. The salad was only OK and needed some nuts and cucumbers, but the soup? It was love at first sip. Not only was it picture-perfect, it tasted out of this world. I'm going to have cravings for this soup for a long, long time. The drink menu was exactly what we were looking for, a mix of beer, wine, and mixed drinks. I ended my meal with an Irish coffee (decaf). It was pretty great, as well. The pub itself was pretty lively on a Saturday night and featured a live cover band, making for a festive atmosphere. I loved the shape of the building and the cubby-hole booths. We'll definitely seek this place again next time we're in town.
(4)Monica L.
I've been back six to seven times since... Their great, friendly service makes you want to your servers or bartenders friend. Small town neighbors:). Unbeatable Irish atmosphere. Solid Irish food (Scottish Egg has bragging rights). Wide variety of beers on draft and otherwise. Make it happen. Go. Destination worthy.
(4)Melissa B.
Actually had dinner here... The vegetable boxty was fantastic! Loved this healthier option with a side of baked beans. Fish and chips also extremely tasty. Disappointed that Green Line is no longer served there though
(4)Najaf A.
This is an outstanding restaurant in Barrington! The food is high quality and most of all delicious. The atmosphere is cozy! Staff is friendly!
(5)Irwin S.
We have been coming here for a few years and we have always been very satisfied, until last night. I ordered the fish and chips. In the past it had consisted of thick pieces of delicious fish with a crisp non-oily coating. Last night the fish was cut thin and was dripping with grease. It was inedible. Additionally, I asked for no salt on the fries, but they came salted anyway (the waitress gladly brought out a replacement). Instead I shared my wife's flat bread, which was okay,but did not have as crisp a crust as on previous visits. The waitress was very apologetic and did not charge for the fish. She said they had a new chef. I don't know if she meant "a new line cook" or "a new executive chef", but they better get this fixed.
(1)Karyn S.
1.5 stars I still have had terrible experience (and good, though overpriced food) there, but I did notify the:"contact us" link on the website after the dog incident (I assume it was the owner) Brian McGonigal answered within 24 hours, addressing each one of my concerns. Regarding the dog (my biggest issue), apparently it's a semi-regular customer who has been told before that her dog is only allowed in the outdoor patio seating, NOT inside, MONTHS ago, so he was surprised at my experience/that the dog was inside for any length of time, and said that the entire staff was going to be retrained/reminded of the policy. He seemed to generally care that I had a negative experience, and I really do appreciate it. I will probably go back one more time, because if not for the dog on my last visit, I would have said 3.5 stars (factoring in kitchen mistakes), so maybe I just always catch them on an off day. I'm willing to give another chance, cause the Irish Dip IS amazing...
(2)Stephanie L.
Love going in here, as its my local. Very friendly staff and a good selection of pub fare (bangers & mash!!). If you are looking to watch the Premier League in the NW burbs on an early weekend morning you can't go wrong here.
(5)Doug P.
We both had the corn beef sandwiches. Very good very lean. Add some horseradish and it is definitely. Some worth ordering
(5)Steve B.
A warm comfortable place that serves good food. I have been a few times when I come out from the city. It is on par or better than most pubs in the city. I don't consider their British pub fare to be very authentic. So if that's what you are looking for, it is probably not the place for you. Having said that, the food is very good. I personally have never had issues with the service and I have eaten at both the bar and at a table. Sadly, Barrington is bereft of good restaurants, but this place fits the bill.
(4)Greg A.
At first glance McGonigals looks like an old bank from the outside. When you walk in the pub seems small but I believe the seating goes beyond what you can see. We were greeted by a friendly hostess who sat us and then greeted again by a friendly server. Service was great for a bustling Sunday afternoon with the Hawks game on. Our drink orders were taken regularly and the food came out timely and hot. Adult Mac and Cheese was very good, but I loved the Shepards pie. The food all had great taste and there were plenty of Gluten Free options on the menu. The fine selection of draft brews rounded off a great dining experience.
(5)Colleen E.
We went in last Saturday. The service was good, the food was excellent and the prices were exactly what we expected. We love Irish Pub food and will definitely be back! My husband had the Scottish egg and Bangers and Mash. Although, he said the bangers were over cooked, still delicious! I had the adult Mac and cheese which was ooey-gooey goodness! A French martini made very well: this is very hard to find in the burbs! It is a little noisy (it's a pub), however; not loud enough to keep us from conversation! Don't let that stop you!
(4)Abby F.
This is the Chicago area, right? Just left after they turned the bulls game off 2 minutes before half time for the Cleveland Browns... I'm sorry, this is Chicago.
(2)Kate H.
I remember the days when the only bar in town was the Yankee Doodle. McGonigal's really met the standards of Barrington when they opened. It's a classy but fun bar with beautiful wood decor a nice selection of beer, a friendly bar staff and good food. The location couldn't be more convenient. It's right by the train station, so my friends from Chicago will meet me there with ease. The upstairs party room is an excellent space for private events. My friend had his engagement party there, and I thought everything was done very well.
(4)David W.
Went here for lunch on a Friday. Inside is cozy and rich. Look around and you feel like you're sitting in a historical place (not sure of the history but looks like a very old bank building). Sat in a booth that was basically carved into the wall. Very cool. Anyhow - I had the Reuben and a draft craft beer. Corned beef was excellent. Good draft beer selection - including several local crafts. Will be back when I am in the area, for eating, drinking or both!
(4)Brett E.
On a night where Mcgonigal's DOESN'T have live music, it's a great pub style bar to stop in for a drink and hang out with some friends. They have a good on-tap selection and some fun cocktails. However, on nights where they do have live music, I can't stand the place. When you can't hear someone screaming right in your face and your only chance to talk to eachother is between songs played by a folky cover band, the music is too loud. Also, they claim to have free pizza every Friday night at midnight, but we've found that to only happen every now and then.
(4)Jeff P.
We went to the Annex which is next to McGonigals. It was the same menu in both places. We had the Shepard pie which was excellent. Get a side of Irish Soda bread with it. We also had the Denny rueben with was awesome. Get local feel.
(5)Rosie T.
The haddock fish n chips were as good as back home according to my Scottish father-in-law. The fish was tender and flavorful & tartar sauce just right. Plates were presented nicely. The shepherd's pie was good but not great. They really needed to drain the fat off the meat. I enjoyed the mix of lamb & beef. Irish boxty (potato pancake) with corned beef and cabbage satisfied my hubby's craving. The beer cheese sauce and pretzels knocked our socks off, although $11 seemed a bit steep for bread & cheese appetizer. Lastly, the football game was on & the front room loud, but they kindly seated us in the former bank vault room. We loved the decor. This place is welcoming and casual with great food.
(4)Bex A.
Very cute well decorated pub ambience. They were an playing international football (soccer) game for any fans interested in watching. Lots of Irish food options, we ordered the curry and fries. It was during an art festival and we sat outside so service was slow, but not unexpected for patio seating. I just wish we did not wait as long and our appetizer came out before our entree. I had a very tasty smoked cheese and mac topped with bacon. I would definitely go back for drinks. A Blue Moon pint was only $5.00.
(4)Tiffany A.
I have fun everything I go here! Kyle our bartender/ waiter is a lot fun to be around. Great service and thr appetizers are so good! I recommend the pretzels and cheese!!!
(5)Kylie H.
We have been to McGonigals several times, but our most recent visit was upsetting. The server ignored our order and refused to serve beer because I had an out of state ID that she didn't recognize. It was awkward and embarrassing, especially because we had been there numerous times despite their outrageous prices. It is difficult to respect a bar that clearly can't handle the simple task of recognizing an out of state ID. If you are in the Barrington area, I'd suggest you go to Wool Street down the road- not only is their beer selection wider and more impressive, their prices are nearly half what McGonigals is charging. After such an unpleasant visit, we won't be going back.
(1)Alma C.
Standard Irish pub fare isn't in my top 10, but I appreciated the fact that the waitress didn't bat an eye when my bestie brought her 18 month old to the bar area and ordered 2 pounds of wings for breakfast. Good people, friendly service, decent spot.
(3)David C.
Nice enough place and a good change of pace for the Barrington area. The appetizers might be the best part. Service is a little slow. Beer selection is pretty interesting. Nice menu. The Trinity Sliders are awesome. I made the mistake of ordering the Sundried Tomato Salmon. The fish was cooked well, nice size portion, but the Sundried tomato over powered the salmon. My wife had the Shepherds Pie which was pretty tasty. The decor is pretty cool. Pleasant enough experience but nothing to that blows you away and the prices are on the high side. I will go back, but it might be awhile.
(3)Jeanne M.
My husband and I stumbled upon McGonigal's on Saturday and decided to have some lunch. 1. The beer was good. Sterling was particularly pleased with his Guinness. 2. The sandwiches were delicious also. Sterling opted for the turkey club and raved about the turkey. I opted for corned beef and was not disappointed. The fries were also tasty. 3. This place has a gorgeous interior. Formerly a bank, McGonigal's interior is full of charm and beauty. All in all, a good experience.
(4)Bonnie B.
It was just ok. I had the corned beef and cabbage which was pretty good. Portion wasn't that big though. We also had the pretzel appetizer which reminded me of auntie Ann's in the mall. The bar area is laid out in a strange way. It seems empty. There were also only three beers on tap...Guinness, harp and sam's.
(3)Kristin K.
Stopped in for lunch while out visiting clients with my manager. The food was excellent and the atmosphere is very welcoming. It definitely has the feel of an old time pub and the layout has a homey feel compared to the chain restaurants. Certainly will go back!
(4)Falcozapp A.
Just came back from a Boxing Day brunch with my wife and in-laws. Their order included fish and chips, Irish boxty, and a salad which they were all very happy with. My order was the full Irish breakfast. When it arrived, it looked delicious and indeed it was. However, I was surprised to find just a single rasher of bacon. I mentioned this to our server Jordan (who was charming, efficient and helpful) and she said that she would check with the chef. A few minutes later she came back and let me know that the chef said that this was standard for the order. I'm stunned that a $13:50 breakfast only comes with a single rasher of bacon and a single banger (this is perhaps the highest price I've seen for a breakfast platter). I don't recall this being the case at any similar place. Upon rereading the menu I can confirm that it does describe the breakfast as including rasherS and bangerS rather than one of each. Why list them in the plural if you're only going to serve one? It might seem like a small quibble but having proper Irish bacon was a large part of the reason why I placed the order. They need to update the menu to reflect this. I was very tempted to give a lower rating, but because everything else was so nice I didn't think it would be fair to do so.
(3)Katrina D.
Overall, McGonigal's was an okay experience. I would return, but I would hang out at the bar instead of coming for dinner and sitting at a table. The atmosphere was great! I've never been to Ireland, but I definitely didn't feel like I was sitting in Barrington, IL. I ordered a reuben with no sauerkraut (just wasn't in the mood) and I was happy when our food was brought out and my sauerkraut-less reuben hadn't been mixed up with dad's which had the kraut on it. Everyone's order was correct with all the correct condiments and garnishes, a big plus in my book. The food was okay, about what you would expect. The one minor drawback was that the service seemed to be slow. We were in fairly early on a Wednesday evening (got there around 5:30) so there weren't a ton of patrons. Most were by the bar. The service felt slow for the day/time and our very polite waitress took a long time to grab our bill back and run our card. One thing I really enjoyed about our waitress was her honesty. My mom asked about the chicken pot pie, and she told her it was the only thing on the menu she wouldn't recommend. I was happy to hear her honesty instead of my mom ending up with something she didn't like just to get a sale. Check it out and stay for the drinks.
(3)Matt S.
Get the Scotch Egg. Straight from the menu it says it's "A full hard boiled egg encased in Irish sausage, breaded and deep fried, garnished with an herb cream sauce". Don't mind the price... order it and enjoy. I will remember McGonigal's because of this special item. It's such a nice treat that I don't really see anyplace else. Anyway, this place has a pub atmosphere and looks pretty nice inside with all of the wood decor. Staff is pretty friendly and attentive. There is typical bar food along with classic Irish items as well. Price is good for both food and drinks. The quality isn't bad at all and I wouldn't mind coming back here at all.
(3)Chris T.
Excellent food. Very good service. Will be coming back. Ate with party of 9 and all loved their food. Save room for the bread pudding- out of this world.
(4)Barb N.
Beer-awesome sweet potato fries-soooo good! Goat cheese and Apple salad-wonderful Burgers-you won't regret it! Overall, a great place to eat, have a few drinks and meet up with friends.
(5)Sarah W.
Not a place for bikers. We went in after a day of riding and were treated as so. Got one drink each (bloody Mary and pbr) and the bloody tasted like straight hot sauce to the point I couldn't drink it. While waiting for someone to even come back to the table we just left money on the table and left. They were clearly not interested in serving us. I won't be back after not even given the chance to try the menu.
(1)Jessica M.
Not a fan! The noise level is terrible and the food stinks! I ordered fish and chips during St. Patrick's Day weekend and it looked like a TV dinner. It also tasted like it too! Overpriced and overrated!
(1)Katie F.
Definitely not a fan of this place. I have been here multiple times to give it a far chance (st. paddy's day and middle of the week-days). But each time have been disappointed. The restaurant is really cool, its clean and maintained. The staff is hit or a miss on friendliness. The food is mediocre at best. They play the music too loud, you cant hear the person sitting two feet in front of you (Its not a dance club). I also don't understand why they play oldies music, its an Irish bar?! I would return if they made some changes.
(2)Bart H.
Sold Irish bar in Barrington. Love that if this bar is to packed I head the Annex which is next door but attached. Wish it was warmer tonight and we could have sat outside but I always enjoy good service, good drink and decent bar food. Plus parking is easy. If ur in the area give it a shot.
(4)Michael N.
I think Yelp should have more categories for stars. The food was 5 stars. I had the.......anyone? anyone? The burger! What a f'ing surprise. However, the service was....absent? Ashley and I found McGonigal's Pub on Yelp and decided to head out to DT Barrington for a couple beers and a sandwich. We were seated quickly and waited for our server....and waited...and waited. Now, I've never been a server before. But I have had a job where I have been really busy. And when you make a table wait around 15 minutes before you come by and ask if we are ready to order, that's just not how you do it. I want your name, some waters, a "Would you like to start with some drinks?", maybe even a "sorry we are swamped right now, let me know when you're ready and I'll be right over." Cmon give me sumthin!! The waiting sucked, but my burger was out of this world good. Ashley had a reuben and it was large and in charge. And by large and in charge I mean it made her its B because she couldn't finish it. I'd like to go back, honestly I would, buuuuuuuut.....
(3)Sarah M.
Unimpressed. The service left a lot to be desired. The appetizers came out at the same time as our entrees -- I don't mean a minute before -- the exact same time. Our server came over and asked if that's what happened. When we replied yes it had, he kind of rolled his eyes and walked away with out a word. The pretzel and beer cheese was delicious. I got Bangers and Mash. The bangers were so hot I couldn't eat them right away, while the mash was so cold I didn't want to eat them at all. The bread pudding wasn't very good, although I can't quite remember what it was I didn't like about it. Will not return for dinner, but would go back for drinks and apps.
(2)Dean H.
Love this place. They invested in a traditional Irish Pub interior, lots of great fare. Good for hanging out and watching a game as well as a family meal out. Prices are good. Beer selection great. Barrington is very fortunate to have it in its downtown Village-area.
(5)Erin B.
Irish and American food, fun atmosphere, and a trivia night on Mondays! Never had a bad meal. There almost every week, and always looking forward to going back. Right next to the Barrington stop on the UP West line of Metra, you can come out, have a drink, some delicious food, then train back and not worry about the drive. Come give it a chance, try the Irish Boxty, I promise you will not be disappointed. :D
(5)Jared W.
I really can't find anything that I didn't like about this place. First of all, the atmosphere is unbeatable. It's an old bank in downtown Barrington, and the mixture of old-school pub and modern sports bar was a lot of fun. As for the food, I really loved the Shepherd's pie. One of the few places I've been to that uses lamb. I had a couple of different craft beers that were on tap (Delirium Tremens and Breckenridge 471 IPA), and I can't say that I know many places that keep beers like that on tap. Overall, I really loved this place, and plan to be back.
(5)Michelle F.
Thank you again to McGonigal's for some more amazing experiences. Not wanting to admit exactly how often I go here, I have been here about 5 times since my last review. I have gone for dinner, lunch, and another bar crawl since then, and every experience I have had has been nothing short of awesome. My favorite things there are the strong mixed drinks, the fries, and the chicken sandwich. The chicken is seriously so juicy and not dried out, and it comes on a delicious pretzel roll--you can't go wrong with that amazingness!! On the pub crawl the other day, my friends and I were a HUGE group of 15 people, and our waitress kept up with us like it was nothing. She even got us a plate of pickles. I wish I could remember her name and the girl who served us before that, because they were awesome. I think I will have to go back JUST to inquire about this. Their boss needs to know how great they are! The place is clean, fun, and a great time all around! Oh, and my friend wants me to say that she was disappointed that there was no foamy soap, BUT she really, really liked the paper towels in the bathroom :)
(5)Sarah H.
Best (only) pub in town, Authentic Irish food and beer, Murphy's stout in the suburbs!
(4)Les V.
Fish and chips were fresh but bland. Wife ordered corned beef that was pretty good. Nothing special.
(3)David R.
We need more Irish pubs like this in the city. Not "Irish" pubs with an Irish name that trot out the glossy cardboard shamrock decorations around St Patrick's Day, but otherwise work assiduously to grow the revenue numbers of the Miller Brewing Company and cater to ballcap-wearing twenty-somethings who "need" a place to watch sports and shout at each other over music that was on the radio when they were zygotes. This one gets it right, not in the look so much (though that is a strength) but in the note-perfect vibe of low-pressure conviviality. It's a great mix of folks of all ages, many of whom seem to know each other--and the staff. This building was a bank, an honest-to-goodness, small-town, tall, standalone bank building with columns in front. Inside, it looks like County Kerry, with a huge handsome bar and numerous tables in charming, architecturally eccentric nooks. The music performance area is a small mezzanine overlooking the main floor. You like beer? So do they. There is ONE Miller Lite tap. They have Guinness, Harp, and Smithwick's, as you would expect. They have some standard but solid favorites such as Blue Moon, Stella Artois, Hoeegarden, and 312. Great Lakes, Breckenridge Brewery, and Leinenkugel's are represented, and they have some other excellent choices such as Murphy's Stout (God bless it) and Murphy's Red, not to mention Delirium Tremens, Pilsner Urquell, and Bell's Brown. So, basically, a beer for every preference, occasion, mood, hour of the day, you name it. Live music every weekend, friendly bartenders, a warm suburban crowd, and a food menu. Sure, there are TVs but you can ignore them if you like. This would be the best local pub in almost any neighborhood in Chicago, but you would probably ruin it by putting it in almost any neighborhood in Chicago.
(4)Sean P.
Great Irish pub. Food is good (recommend the pot roast), drinks are great (craft beers) and services is good as well. Right in the heart of downtown Barrington where everything is walking distance. Highly recommended.
(5)Zach G.
We had a long break between a wedding ceremony in Inverness and a reception in Lake Barrington. Already hungry, m'lady and I decided to stop here for a quick bite to eat and a drink or two. It fit the bill perfectly. The service was really quick, and although it wasn't overly friendly, it was efficient. My Guinness was poured perfectly and was delicious. My girlfriend had a Stella and a Blue Moon and both...well, they tasted like they should! That may sound funny to novices, but many of us frequent beer drinkers can tell when something is off, such as in the lines...these all tasted quite good. OK, so the food - we had an order of the Trinity Sliders off the app menus. These were basically corned beef on mini pretzel rolls with a delicious spicy mustard. Really tasty...we both enjoyed them greatly. Four beers (2x Guinnes, 1x Stella, 1x Blue Moon) + App for $29 with tax (but not tip). Maybe slightly high, but not terrible for the area.
(4)Kerri L.
The man and I went here for lunch today. They have a good beer selection ( I can't partake in it right now, but the man was happy with it), I dig the decor, and our waitress was really sweet. For appetizers we ordered the Bryan and Guinness wings, and our waitress warned us that the Bryan wings were really hot and she couldn't take them back if we didn't like them. We usually order wings the first time we go to a place, and they're rarely as hot as they're made out to be, so we were curious to try these. The wings are big, and have a nice char on them. The Bryan wings were hot, but not so hot that they didn't have any flavor, they were really good! They are definitely hotter than your standard hot wing you can get at other places, which was good for us. :) If you love hot wings you need to try them. The Guinness wings were also good, but we were hooked on the Bryan wings. The french onion soup was ok. The broth was sweet instead of savory, and is the only reason i'm giving this place 4 stars because everything else was excellent. The man was going back and forth between the shepherd's pie and the pot roast so he asked the waitress, and she said that her favorite thing is the pot roast. He went with that, and it was absolutely delicious. One of the best pot roasts either of us have ever had. ( He said that mine is better, but he's a damn liar. A sweet damn liar.) I went with the Kilkenny burger with pepperjack, avocado, bacon, and sauteed onions. I was a little worried about ordering it. I'm currently pregnant and can only eat well done burgers. I've gone to a couple of places and ordered a burger well done, and it ALWAYS ends up being medium rare, and then I can't eat it and have to bring it home. It's always aggravating because burgers never reheat as well, and I hate sending food back. I had a perfectly well done burger, with a nice char taste on the outside, and the toppings were plentiful and tasted good together. I was really, really happy with my burger, and glad and relieved that they actually cooked it how I wanted it. so THANK YOU! The only thing keeping this from a 5 star review is the french onion soup, everything else was excellent, including the service. I make homemade french onion soup, so that does make me more critical, but if they fixed the broth and made it savory, I would be completely won over. Overall it was a great dining experience and we will definitely be back.
(4)Bryan O.
Nice bar and very customer friendly staff. Had the buffalo chicken flat bread pizza and pork medallions, which were both very tasty. Great beer selection. Live entertainment was a two man band who played a wide variety of music very well
(4)Austin W.
Amazing menu that doesn't overwhelm you, but has some great choices. Never had something here I did not like. Fish 'n Chips are a must. The staff is always friendly, even when busy. Connects to the Annex and everyone is very relaxed and happy to see you. Highly recommend.
(5)Krystal W.
Tried them again since they were pretty much walking distance from my house. I was pleasantly surprised. We went when it wasn't super crowded, the service and sandwiches were good.
(4)Michael H.
This is about the third time I have come here for lunch. My comments below: Pros: - Food quality is pretty high. Fish and chips were my favorite. Fries were seasoned and tasted really good. Fish was not bad. A little over breaded and overcooked, but does the job. - Overall the restaurant and bar area looks very clean. - Location near the train in Barrington is a huge plus. - TVs are generally showing something sports related and they play the sound from the TV rather than some annoying music that I don't want to be blaring over my conversation. Cons: - Service during lunchtime can be a bit slow. I have had different waitresses on each occasion and found that the last waitress was an improvement. Expect to be eating there for at least an hour for a table of two. - The chairs in the bar area are incredibly uncomfortable to sit in, especially if you sit for an extended period waiting for food. Try to get actual seats over stools. - Food is a bit pricey. For Fish and Chips and two iced teas plus tip, it is over $20. Its good, but not that good.
(3)Ciara L.
Food is always perfect! Never had any issues with service. We go here regularly and when they see us walk in the door our drinks are poured before we have our coats off. Amazing staff, very friendly and the locals are friendly too. Highly recommend. One night I went to the Annex with some friends and the staff from McGonigals ran over there with my favorite beer because they knew it wasn't offered there.
(5)Brad M.
Fish and chips were excellent! Really enjoyed the Reuben sandwich too!
(5)Laurence K.
Nicely decorated pretty cool space. Decent menu with Irish fare to burgers and such Bartender was semi friendly looks like she had a late night Not very happy So I started with the Cobb salad which consisted of a small amount of romaine 2 cherry tomatoes sliced in half 1 piece of blue cheese ? And some eggs crumble. The blue cheese dressing I think was mayo with a piece if blue cheese in it. All this for $8.50? A Wendy's side salad is bigger! Oh and it was accompanied by 2 pieced of the driest Irish soda bread I've ever had. So still being hungry from my 10 Dollar salad I ordered the French onion soup. The soup was very very sweet and it had a very very small amount of cheese melted over the top Clearly not enough. Oh and yeas another pieces of the Irish soda bread . Ugh, well I guess this is more of a drinking bar Skip the food
(1)Kristy M.
My husband and I took our two kids for and early dinner on a Saturday night. (around 5 p.m.) The atmosphere was fun and fairly loud...just what we wanted. And, it truly resembled an Irish pub. The soft pretzel with beer cheese was awesome! My husband loved the shepherd's pie, and I enjoyed the reuben. Our 7 year old gave the fish and chips two thumbs up. Service was super friendly and the food was out in a reasonable amount of time. We didn't have to wait for a table, but by the time we were leaving about an hour later, the crowd was definitely beefing up.
(4)Kat Q.
Freshest pint of Guinness you're going to get this side of Dublin. Proper pour as well. Edward Isle mussels simmered in Guinness are to die for. I wont share them with a mate. Portabella sandwich is awesome too. If your a Mc go here. Sit at the bar. Drink Guinness and eat.
(4)Brett F.
Look at you, B-town! You've come a long way 'ol chap, haven't ya? Only wish we would have had a place like McGonigal's back in my younger days while living in Barrington (aka Borington) where the only nearby fun to be had was on the humdrum Schaumburg strip. A legit pub meets dining establishment, meets live music venue, meets event locale, is exactly what this Northwestern 'burb needed. There's a bit of everything to be found here and fortunately, they do it all pretty well. From what I saw, the bar was jumpin' with the younger set consuming Guinness while the 'older folk' sat conversing at long, gleaming wood tables over tasties like yummy Reuben's, Irish Boxty, Shepherd's Pie and Fish 'n Chips. A great spot to throw back some wings, watch the game and let loose or even take advantage of this building's historic past as Barrington's oldest bank and secure the cozy private dining room that used to be a safe - and still boasts all the combo locks and vault features! Impressive space and an enormous upgrade to Borington's, er, Barrington's social spectrum. Welcome to your new watering hole, Suburbanites, it's a keeper!
(4)Richard R.
I've wanted to check McGonigal's out for a while and finally made it over there the other night -- one of the (finally) nice warm evenings here this spring. Although McGonigal's said they would have outdoor seating by Memorial Day, there was none when we got there, so we went inside. Upon walking in we were assaulted by extremely loud music blasting from the sound system. To make matters worse, the "music" was some kind of trash that was totally out of character for a place that's trying to position itself as an Irish pub. :-( We were looking over the list of draft beers (which seemed much more abbreviated than the list they have on their website) when the next song came on and it was even more obnoxious than the song that was on when we walked in. That was enough for us. We got up and walked out.
(2)Michael C.
We will never go here again. The potato soup was gross. The shepherd's pie was worse. When we asked if they could play some music (this is an Irish pub after all) the owner said no because he wanted to watch the football game (American college) on TV. We asked our waiter for the WiFi password and he didn't know it and wouldn't find out. A huge waste of time and money (wife insisted we pay for our slop). So disappointed especially since there were some good Yelp reviews of this place.
(1)Shauna D.
A great addition to downtown Barrington, though a little pricey for twentysomethings (not their target demographic I know). I recommend taking advantage of drink specials. The place is very nicely done, quailty craftsmanship, upscale Irish decor, this is no dive! I've had the Fish n Chips and turkey club, both good, but I will definitely be back for the Fish n Chips. I've been here for St Paddy's as well as their open bar NYE party upstairs. Always attracts a good crowd of your typical Barrington patrons. The owners are great, and really put in the effort to grow their customer base with live Irish music, events, an updated Facebook and newsletter. Of course as a "newer" restaurant, enthusiastic owners should not be surprising, but it really is nice to see the passion they have for their business come through.
(4)Jessica H.
Be warned! This review is not for any item on the menu, except the burger. When you go to McGonigals, you order the burger. It's as simple as that. Other dishes on the menu, yes they are perfectly fine, but to be honest...don't bother. They are seasoned perfectly and probably the best in the area. The patty is so amazingly juicy, and are cooked exactly to your specification. Never have I ordered medium and gotten medium-well or well done. I don't know what kind of meat they use, or what seasoning, but it is just perfect. Last time I went, I tried something else...and I wished I'd ordered the burger. I kicked myself until the next time we went, and so the saying was created "when you go to McGonigals, you get the burger".
(5)Denise S.
Great People and Excellent Food. Its a great place to chill and meet friends.
(4)Amanda M.
Nice Irish pub restaurant type place. Plenty of tables and a bar to sit out. They had this adorable looking upstairs area with a couple tables that looked really inviting. There were several big screens, but they weren't distracting from the overall atmosphere. The bartenders were friendly and the drinks were reasonably prices. My salad was lousy, but that wouldn't stop me from going back.
(4)Shawn M.
Great local pub with friendly service, great selection of beers on tap and good food. We had the wings, Irish dip, and fish and chips - all wonderful. Also a large gluten free selection if you need it.
(5)Lori R.
Shepard's pie is fantastic! wine selection is meh, but it is a pub so have beer.
(3)Tiffany T.
Good place to go for music & drinks. Not a good place for watching sports as the TVs are too small and hard to see. The food is good, but can be inconsistent. For some reason, my main problem is a heating issue. More times than not I get something that should be hot, but is luke warm. The other day it was luke-warm chili that would have been really good had it been hot. I have also gotten the pub pretzels with cheese and the cheese came out with a frozen block in the middle once. This problem seems to be a kitchen one, since I have had this happen at both McGonigals, and the WIne Bar and now the Annex. Just heat up the food properly, please!!!!
(3)Brandy B.
This place is FABULOUS!!!! We've never ever had a bad meal here! The drinks are great too! Great atmosphere. A little too bright maybe but that's my personal preference. I love the Irish Magners apple and pear cider they have. The bartenders and servers ROCK! In love with the Irish pot roast. Sorry mom, but I've never had better then here...now if I could only figure out the recipe! Love the pretzel bread and cheese too but thisis what knocks it down a star....$11 for THREE breadsticks? Maybe it's the cheese, which they give us way more then we ever use, who knows. Either up it to 4 or drop the price and I'll give them their star back. Go here and experience it for yourself!!!
(4)Restaurant Vigilant E.
McGonigals...this is a nice "irish" pub...the type of place Barrington has needed for decades!!! The interior is warm and inviting...maybe a bit more "themed" than actually "authentic" but a decent environment. I know a few of the staff members (they used to work at the Curragh in Schaumburg before it closed) and they are GREAT additions to this place! I don't like their 16 ounce pint glasses...but, I realize they are acceptable and market standard (the only true pint glass in my opinion are the 20 ounce tulip glasses, but I am getting snobby, so will stop)...The aforementioned staff will ensure the pour is proper! While I am a professional bar hopper, I have never had a drinking session in this place (I don't drive when I drink, and this is a bit out of taxi range for me), but I know they have some good musical acts like Morgan Fingleton and Fast Eddie MacAteer...awesome! I have had a couple of dishes there - Chicken sandwich...awesome! I have had it three times and it has never ever been overcooked (and is there anything worse than a rubber shoe of a chicken breast?)...I know it is just a sandwich, but it is possible to screw up and McGonigals really delivers a quality product! The chicken boxty - always a fan of a decent boxty! I was not disappointed!!!! I did have to use table salt though (which I NEVER use), but once that was added, I was very happy. The pretzel nuggets with melted cheese...this stuff is Seven Eleven comfort food at its best...I mean that too...pretzels and cheese...whats not to love? Again, not exactly an old Donegal recipe...but whatever! My only bad experience here....the mussels. I went once with about 4 people and I was the only one at the table that didn't like them. For me, it was the broth....there was something about it that was just terrible in my opinion...but I think it was more a matter of my personal taste, rather than poor execution...
(3)P K.
Nice looking Irish pub with a large on tap craft brew selection. Bartenders know their stuff and provide correct glassware that is clean. I have had their burgers and fish and chips, all real good, however they serve a lot of other traditional Irish chow that I am not interested in. Let's face it there is a reason there is no great Irish tradition of great cooking, they were starving to death on that island and that is why we all moved here. Oh, one other thing, I have not seen it on the menu lately but if the carrot ginger soup is available, get it.
(4)Dr J.
I'm wondering if Barrington deserves a place this nice! After years of watching the downtown deteriorate it's absolutely fabulous to see McGonigal's finally open. Spent some quality time there last week, and even for their first few days open, the food smells good, the staff is nice and the place looks amazing. Totally worth the trip, even after St. Pats day.
(5)kit k.
Are you kidding me there are Irish Sports Bars in this area? Yes 9,000,000 of them. I mean come on the same thing over and over and over again. What do they do cool here besides a cool room. Nothing
(1)Ashley S.
Saturday night, someplace new...we chose this little Irish bar. The atmosphere was great, the food was fantastic, but the service was sub-par. So it's not a very large place inside and there was a Michigan vs. Notre Dame game on, so the bar area was busy, but there were open tables in the place. We got seated right away and sat at the table for almost 30 minutes before we even got our beers. The waitress was not very personable, she never even introduced herself. I have worked in the service industry and find it really irritating when someone doesn't even give you their name. When she saw that we were done eating she asked if we were would like dessert, or any other drinks and my boyfriend replied "no, thank you, I think we're all done." She removed the plates and left the table. She came back with a dessert menu and told us to take a look.....ummm we said no, thank you. Then when she returned she asked if we had decided on dessert, we told her yet again that we were through. She left, and returned once more finally with our bill. MY GOD! We paid and skidaddled. Seriously probably some of the worst service I've ever experienced. I mean I can understand if you're extremely busy, but tell us that up front and make sure you don't put one table before another, it's just crappy service! I really liked the place, had a great feel, but honestly I don't know if I'll return due to the lack of personality/skill of the staff they have. Real bummer considering the food was really good :( wah wah wahhhhhhh
(3)Corin W.
Went here last night for a Green Drinks gathering. We arrived early so we sat and had a beer and appetizer in the main bar/diningroom while we waited. The ambiance of this place freakin' rocks. It's three floors. All dark wood. Cozy booths with large windows to sit by. even though some of the tables are close together you still feel like you have privacy. Subdued lighting. A cheery skull sitting on a shelf behind the bar made this Gravestomper feel at home. Our waitress, Joy, was just that...a joy. She was bright and funny and attentive. The bartender was smiling, friendly and enjoying himself. We had the best spinach artichoke dip we've ever had. A steaming cast iron crock surrounded by a mountain of fried pita wedges. It was a meal in itself. When we made it up to the third floor for the Green Drinks gathering we discovered another bar up there. Patrick our upstairs bartender was just as friendly and attentive as the staff in the main lobby. And he had a great sense of humor. I say that because at another green drinks meeting we've attended at another restaurant we've always received crap service from the bartenders. The manager's excuse to us? 'You should come here for regular service, not just a green drinks meeting.' I know--that sounds insane right? Like we weren't real customers because we met with fifty other people there. McGonigals, however, proved that every time a restaurant has customers come in--for whatever reason: whether it's a banquet, business lunch, or intimate dining--is a chance to dazzle them with yours service and quality. Great job guys! We're already telling our friends about you!!!
(5)M. H.
I am SO glad we found this place! PROs: The food is absolutely delicious and fresh. As simple as it is, the Boxty is fantastic, the spinach dip is unreal, the fresh pretzels with cheese-beer dip.... yummmmm. We've never had a bad meal here. Everything tastes so fresh and homemade. I also love the atmosphere inside (it's an old historical building from the turn of the century). CONs: The hostesses dress a tad on the 'unprofessional' side and look 16 (this could be a CON for a guy I suppose!). They go out for many cigarette breaks and drag it back inside with them. Also, the noise level in there is insane. You'll have a sore throat by the end of the night. We also generally have to wait since the space is so small. And parking can be a bit of a burden. Pros totally outweigh the cons. I'm not Irish...but McGonigals makes me want to be!
(5)Scot E.
Loving me some McGonigals. Visited recently with my wife and absolutely loved it. The beer selection is good - very cold on tap!! Pretzel nuggets for an appetizer how can you go wrong!! Fish and Chips were excellent so was the pot roast. Service was excellent!! Did I mention the beer cheese?? I asked if I could get a bowl of it for my soup choice!! AWESOME experience. We will be back.
(4)Ian M.
My kind of hang out! The food is amazing, and any bar that has Delerium Tremens on tap is a-ok with me! Highly recommended!
(5)Amanda C.
Went to McGonigal's the other night for the first time with a friend for dinner and drinks. I was very pleasantly surprised as I grew up in Barrington and there was NEVER anywhere good to go besides Wool Street, which I find to be just OK. McGonigal's is very tastefully decorated and actually resembles an Irish pub. Their booths have beautiful upholstery and the stools are cushioned and comfortable. The bar in the center allows you to get a good view of everyone who is showing up for the BHS reunion at night. I do like the crowd better here and find it to be less obnoxious than at Wool Street. The menu is well-priced with a variety of traditional Irish food. I had the Reuben which was one of the best ones I've had. It wasn't too soggy and came with a great side salad that wasn't one of those wimpy iceberg ones. My friend had a chicken sandwich which was just OK. She should have ordered something more authentic in my opinion anyway. I noticed that for football games they have 32 oz. of Miller Lite for $5. I am planning to go back this week and will recommend this over Wool Street.
(4)bob t.
Good burgers and a decent beer selection on tap.
(4)Megan T.
Fabulous beer selections and good prices. I recommend the Rueben and the fries! They were amazing. My husband ordered the fish and chips and the fish was good, but I think he would have preferred my Rueben. The hostesses were a bit distance and rude they ignore you when you walk in even though you are standing in front of the host stand. After about 2 mins they acknowledged and sat us, but were running short on menus and had to bring them to us later. Overall the atmosphere is great and they have a great beer selection! I would not recommend for groups or families over 4 people because they have 2 & 4 person tables with the exception of one family table tucked around back that can probably seat eight people. I think this is a great addition to barrington.
(4)Ali L.
My sophomore year chemistry teacher was perched at a two-top in the corner. Two dudes whom were in love with my little sister in HS (and might still be) were chatting at the bar. My mom's local political friend was hobnobbing at the table next to us. I suppose that now that I don't live in B-town anymore that it's nice to go to one spot and see people you really haven't seen and/or care to see again. I did enjoy the 10 beer bucket special and the bite of my friend's reuben sandwich that she begrudgingly let me try. And after a few buckets (don't worry, we had a DD), I almost had the chutzpah to go over to said chemistry teacher and berate him for the only "D" I ever received in my entire academic career. Seriously, ever. It's a cool spot that Borrington desperately needed.
(3)Bill B.
Not happy for the 3rd time. You'd think after 2 1/2 years they could get it right. We went tonight, family of 4. My wife's salad was good, "she said", the burgers for my sons, dry! And the Shepherds pie lacking in many ways. What?, no cheese? I felt like I was eating big bowl of mashed potatoes. "Where's the beef?" Really! Hardly any beef, hardly any veggies and no cheese - really? Certainly not the best shepherds pie I've ever had.
(1)Therese D.
Went for dinner with husband on a Friday at 7-ish, It was hoppin' and we had a short wait. Would like to have ordered a beer while waiting but couldn't get to the bar as it was deep with bodies. Both of us had the fish and chips - excellent! It came with a delicious coleslaw, we don't usually like coleslaw-this was different had a bit of a tangy bite to it. Beer lovers will be pleased with the excellent choices. Service was just fine. The interior is really attractive, unique and interesting, prices great, quite loud but fun atmosphere. Looking forward to going back!
(5)Rick M.
Good atmosphere, excellent burger, good beer on draft. Reasonable prices. My gues had the Shepherd's pie and said it was great. Go
(4)AMG F.
Drinks are great and choices on draft are excellent. Good decor. They have great service and the food has never dissapointed. This place beats out the other venues on ambience. This is definitely Barrington's finest bar.
(5)Carla B.
Great bar, good food, friendly happy workers :)
(4)Lori N.
We love the food...but the place is just too darn loud. I wish they had a separate quiet dining area!
(3)Jackie V.
Good Irish Pub food, good drinks, and on the weekends a good time typically with a band. It's a fun place to go for drinks, but make sure you get a spot there early enough on the weekends, because it gets packed!
(3)Amy B.
McGonigal's is a much needed Irish Pub in Barrington! I have been there several times for lunch and dinner. My favorite server is Luke. He goes about his work in an energetic, happy, and friendly way. I like the Ceasar Salad. I will be returning to McGonigal's again and again. Barrington is lucky to it!
(5)Damian S.
Been here twice after school was out for the day. The beer selection is very decent (though they do pour a Guinness a bit too fast--they'll never win any pouring competitions sponsored by the giant), and the food selection is what you'd expect for an Irish pub in America. On to the food critique portion: The Irish breakfast was similar to that found all over the Isle, but with a few changes--never have I had melted cheese on top of the grilled tomato, and the baked beans were a little strange (I don't know what it was...not a lot of flavor, and a bit too red (not ketchupy, but strange...I'll be having the breakfast again, so maybe I'll figure it out on the second try). The black and white puddings were excellent, the eggs done well, the Irish bacon was fine (though I always find it a little too fatty around the edges--but tasty nonetheless), and the mashers were tasty, too. All in all, it was a pretty good likeness of an authentic Irish Irish breakfast. It really hit the spot. On the second visit, I tried the Mountain Berry Cobbler. Not quite what I was expecting, as it was two small cinnamon and sugar covered dough balls surrounded by a sea of yummy berry compote. The berries and ice cream were great, but the little baked things did not make this a cobbler by any definition of mine. Yummy overall, but not a favorite. I then decided to have my meal...I thought I really deserved a dessert first after a long day at school...and chose the shepherd's pie. It was very good and filling. Your typical fare as far as SP's go, but with lamb mixed with the ground beef. Lamb is not my favorite by far (I never even ran across it in a shepherd's pie in Ireland), but it was subtle enough that it was bearable, considering the rest of the pie was good. The atmosphere of the restaurant was fine. We went during off times (11am for lunch, and 3:40pm for the dinner), so the place wasn't crowded at all. However, I can easily imagine that with the size it would fill up extremely fast during peek hours. Service the first time for lunch was fine. Our waitress was extremely jovial, willing to teach one of my colleagues about puddings for breakfast, and was checking up on us every 5 minutes to make sure drinks were filled and food was fine (and not in an annoying way, either). The dinner staff was much slower (especially when it came to paying the bill (my friend had to leave as I waited 12 minutes for someone to come and take my credit card so I could finally leave)); they also only checked once on drink refills in the hour and a half we were there. They were very accommodating though at processing my dessert before the main course request. Guess no one else has ever done that, huh? I would highly recommend McGonigal's if you're in the mood for some good pub fare, and a taste of Ireland without having to break the bank for a trip over the pond. It's an amazing addition to the Barrington area, as I usually agree with my students that Barrington is "Boring-ton." This changes things as far as eating opportunities in this town I've worked in for 19 years. It's about time!
(4)Patrick M.
"Decent" food & good fresh beer off the tap however I just about sh*t when I got the bill. $82.00 for two dinners, a couple of pints and a kids chicken fingers plate. Seating was a drag as we felt we were punished for bringing a 2 y.o. and had to sit alone in a remote dinning area that really should have been designed as a closet. Friendly but slowwww staff that frequently forgot we were there. (Probably due to the seating arrangements).
(2)Mark B.
Stopped in today for lunch over the weekend and was pleasantly surprised. Irish pub fare has been pretty grim in suburbia lately. However, McGonigal's seems to taken their food seriously. We started with the Trinity Sliders (3 small corned beef sandwiches on pretzel rolls with a dash of mustard on the side). They were excellent. The corned beef was lean, the rolls fresh and the mustard spicy. We also got a batch of their pub fries app. The fries overall at McGonigals are excellent. Crispy on the outside, creamy on the inside with a nice spice mix.. However, the app version has about a tablespoon of small bacon chips dumped over the top and comes with ketchup and a mayo/curry dipping sauce. We liked the fries, but, dare I say it, the bacon added nothing as there wasn't much of it and it was difficult to get it to stick to the fries.. The mayo/curry sauce was great. My recommendation is to get your entree with the excellent fries and ask for a side of the curry sauce. For the entrees we enjoyed their fish & chips, shepards pie and bangers and mash. The fish and chips were perfect. Having slogged through a lot of fish and chips, I have to say these were some of the best. They use Haddock versus Cod or the mysterious North Atlantic White Fish (Scrod) you see in a lot of places. 3 good sized portions of light battered, perfectly cooked fish.. Very nice. The shepards pie was very large and could probably feed two if you split an app or salad. By its nature, the whole thing was hotter than the sun, but quite tasty. Very traditional mix of meat, corn, peas, pearl onions and mashed red potatoes on the top. Nice flavor without being bland or overly spiced. The bangers and mash were good as well. They are the same red skin potatoes used in the shepards pie, surrounded by 4 bangers with something a kin to a hunters sauce drizzled over. If you're not familiar with bangers, you may want to pass or sample someone else's. They are good, but have a different texture than most German or Italian type sausages we enjoy in the U.S. Overall, beer was good, food was good, atmosphere was good.. Albeit really slow on a Sunday Bears Game Day.. We'll be back.
(4)Ian H.
Great beer list on draft and great food. I'll be back in the future.
(4)Liz B.
Stopped in for lunch with my bestie to get away from work for a little bit and catch up. It was almost one and the place only had a few tables sat. The hostess tried to seat us in a tiny back corner that has 3 two-tops and the center one was occupied by two who looked to be in a serious meeting. It was a tight squeeze to begin with and I'd feel like I would be practically eating with them so we asked if we could sit at a bar table instead. The hostess looked at us like we had suddenly sprouted extra heads. Then she replied, "I guess that should be OK." That struck us as very strange, but whatever, it annoyed us. Our server was nice, but she was the only one working but she could handle the three tables she had. I had the potato pancake and my friend had the ruben. Both of our meals were good and presented nicely. When we finished to get back to work, our server was M.I.A. and the manager was picking up her slack. She finally showed up and got us our bill. I was going to put it on my card, but then she disappeared again, so my friend put down cash so we could leave. The atmosphere of McGonigal's is very cozy, and I'd like to come by for a drink or dinner, perhaps when they have a little more staff available.
(3)Amanda V.
My husband and I have been here twice. We were there once with our infant, and one time on our own. They were very accommodating with our little one. The atmosphere is great, the waitstaff was friendly, the beer selection was exciting, and the food was quite good! The first time I had the portobello mushroom sandwich and really enjoyed it. My husband had an Irish burger with an egg on it, and he liked that too. The second visit, I had the Goat Cheese & Apple salad...great! My husband had the trinity of sliders and thought those were pretty good too. The only downfall...the prices are pretty high.
(4)Annie O.
I am so disgusted with my experience here I cannot even describe it. I've been wanting to visit this place for so long since Barrington is in need of some more good restaurants, and I was really excited to try it out. I was home from college this weekend and went with my family. It was a Sunday evening and the place was not busy at all; maybe 8 or 9 other tables there besides us. After we were seated it took 15 minutes to get water and drink orders in since no one came over to our table. Right when they brought out drinks back we immediately placed our order. After that we were completely ignored by ALL waitstaff for the next 45 minutes. My sisters and I got up to go ask them for things 3 times and ask where our food was. Even after we asked we were brushed off and ignored. When our food was finally brought out after an hour of being there we immediately asked for the check and ordered a peach cobbler for dessert. They brought our check out 10 minutes later with no peach cobbler. We didn't even bother asking for it because we couldn't wait to get the out of there as quickly as possible. It makes me sick to think about how disappointing this experience was when we were all so excited to try it out. The food was okay; just your usual pub food and definitely nothing worth waiting over an hour for. I would not wish this experience upon my worst enemy.
(1)CT G.
Great taste of Ireland in Barrington. Excellent selection of traditional pub favorites. Looking forward to this becoming a local treasure.
(4)Bobby L.
Love this place. The atmosphere is amazing and the food matches. I have had a number of things here, all were very good, but the thing that stands out the most is the Shepherds pie. DELICIOUS! it's two levels and they frequently have traditional Irish bands playing. Irish owned. Super Clean. GREAT beers. I read a short one star review and the only thing that makes sense is that it was written by some near by competing bar because it's not just another Irish bar. It's THEE Irish bar.
(5)Jason W.
Solid shepherd's pie. Very nice service, the manager Izmeenie? (totally massacred that spelling) was great. They spent some $ on the construction. Overall was impressed.
(5)nicole h.
Our group of 4 was pleasantly surprised. The traditional Irish dishes were done really well. My vegetable boxty rocked my socks! Only gripe? I was still hungry. But it was like only five bucks or something like that and I pack a serious appetite for a woman. Guess I should have ordered two... Anyway, the fish fry, the corned beef...clean plates all around. The beer special on that particular Thursday was awesomely affordable (though I can't remember what it was because I took full advantage). The bill was impressively small. The decor, the set up, and the service knocked it out of the park. Great place.
(5)Jodi K.
Food was awesome here, its a smaller location upfront with tvs and a bar. I didn't go to the back of the bar. But we loved the service and food, we would be back.
(5)Luke S.
Try to sit upstairs...great place for a date or to people watch....excellent service
(5)Elizabeth M.
Good food and great atmosphere
(5)Gail C.
This is a wonderful little gem out here in the wilderness! I jest, went here for dinner to check out this new place. (Congrats! They make an excellent black and tan) I had the shepards pie. Great food, great beer, good prices! Definately a come back to. Especially, since I now work out here!
(4)Sally K.
Met a friend/client for lunch and met the most friendliest staff ever. The food was incredible. Great to see a restaurant serve sweet potato fries in this area!
(5)Katlan S.
Food was great! I had the Banger's and Mash. Lots of flavor and the sausage was so effin' good. The server was very knowledgeable about the menu and helped me pick out a great dish (I'm indecisive). Great beers on tap and the atmosphere is great. Very laid back and the yuppies there didn't judge us when we walked in all grundgy lookin'. The interior of the restaurant is very nice. I loved it! I wasn't a fan of the french onion soup, though. It was kind of sweet, I've had better.
(5)