Came here today to reunite with two friends I haven't seen in a while. After hearing great things about it, I was excited to stop in! The place was pretty empty for a Sunday dinner, but somehow the food was still rather slow. It wasn't abysmal but it definitely could have been improved considering how few people were there. The waitress was nice and refilled our drinks often, and the manager even stopped by to check on us. They were making positive efforts which were appreciated! We ordered the spinach artichoke dip for an appetizer. It was good, but kind of bland. I got soup also, the potato bacon soup which was alright, I've had better. The meal was actually great! Super large portion and great for the price. I forgot the name, but it was basically this shrimp with sweet chilli sauce and a side of rosemary potatoes. This was definitely great, food alone would probably be a 4 out of 5 stars for this meal. Didn't get drinks but saw the specials were good, so may be a good place to come in the future. Overall, food has lots of potential and service for food could be a bit quicker, but it is something nice to try!
(3)
Theresa C.
I want to love this place. But like a bad boyfriend, it keeps disappointing me. Yet I keep going back. I went to a Yelp event a few months ago and everything seemed to improve. The food was better and tastier. The manager acknowledged the past problems and was ready to fix them. This pub had the makings of (dare I say) a 5 star review. I came in on Tuesday to try it again. The place was pretty busy and looked pretty good. It seems like they went with a streamlined menu or maybe it's just me. Well at least my favorite, Paddy Mac was still around. You won't let me down, will ya yummy sandwich? I ordered that and it was good but not as fantastic as I remembered. But the real disappointment came in the mac n' cheese though. If there was cheese in there I would be surprised . It tasted like buttered noodles. I had to add a ton of salt and pepper just to get it down. What happened to the creaminess and cheesiness? I've never had a problem with service here and once again it was great. Our waiter was spot on. But the food just wasn't as great as before. Still a good pub at 3.5, just not in the top pub club yet. What happened to us? Like I said before I really want to love you Claddagh but you're making it so hard for me to do so.
(3)
Mike B.
Really solid food, and good drink prices.
(3)
Bridget B.
Fun atmosphere, I really like how the place is decorated. Our server was attentive, and he food came out promptly. I ordered the corned beef- the sides were amazing, as was the sauce. The beef itself was just okay. Not very flavorful. The rest of my family enjoyed their orders of beef stew, various chicken dishes, and salads.
(3)
Joe B.
I like the multifaceted aspect of Claddagh; it seems like there are a dozen rooms, nooks, and crannies. Service is pretty good, and so is the live music. It looks and feels very homey inside, but I just can't get over the fact that it's all manufactured. Obviously it's not a real Irish pub, since it's in Illinois and not Ireland, but there are dozens of Illinois pubs with their own unique histories. This Claddagh, however, is one of 15 nationwide. And it's in a shopping center. The only question is, does any of that matter when you're hungry and thirsty?
(3)
Gaby F.
This is a huge place. Being in suburbs, it's more geared up for meals than drinking (like a Fados downtown etc.). In winter, there are lots of tables and big spaces to huddle. We went at the end of summer and sat on a pleasant patio overlooking a large pond with a fountain that killed the traffic on Randall Road. Our waitress greeted us with usual "how are you" but when we asked how she was we got "meh, same old, same old.." Mmmm. They make a big thing of the eight-minute Scotch egg (see Gary Rhodes for the perfect recipe). What arrived was dark brown (burnt) on outside, with a completely hard-boiled egg on inside that was not, in any way, soft. Not great. Oh BTW, the Irish love Colman's English Mustard and there was none here. I'm not sure if they stocked HP Sauce either.. The Meatloaf Sandwich had a tiny smear of BBQ sauce on thick bread slices, and the meatloaf was dry and thin. I should have ordered the entree meatloaf, which I assume was thicker. The fries were good, but the coleslaw was a tiny portion in a paper vessel. Boddingtons was fine. It's not like the beer they sell in Manchester, but this is Geneva. The wine selection had the usual rubbish: cheap wine (St. Michele, Los Almos, etc.). It is obviously not a wine place at all. The beer selection was bigger, but with no surprises. There were no cocktails. Last night I was in Unlimited on Kinzie and that was really very good. The Claddagh is just another huge chain place, without heart or soul. It just about does what it says on the label and can be found pretty much everywhere, except Ireland..
(2)
Jessica D.
Came here with my mom for a lunch on Saturday during the FIFA world cup. The bar portion was very full and busy (and a little noisy I might add) but we were sat next to a gorgeous nook and stained glass window on the opposite side of the restaurant. The place is decorated like an old abbey or similar semi-gothic semi stone pubby look. Spectacular mood decor. Absolutely lovely lunch of a humongous fish and chips platter. A good hard cider for me and a harp for mom. Then some eaton mess for sharing and it was the perfect pub luncheon. The bathrooms are behind the bar and well appointed if a little dimly lit. It's a wonderful, authentic looking, delicious pub and you really must try it if you're a pub fan in the area.
(5)
Justin L.
A great pub, decent food, good drinks, good service. I came here for the Yelp event, but true to my usual nature, I got there early and started drinking first. The bar tender was very attentive, and I got my drinks quickly... and he was attentive enough to notice when the next round was needed. The Yelp event included the house sangria, which may have been the best sangria I've had in a long time. I would definitely recommend it if you like sangria. The food... I sadly can't say much about. Simply because most of the food for the event was cheesy (and I sadly can't eat too much cheese). However, the chicken satay was pretty good! I really liked the venue. It had a nice pub feel to it (all wood furnishing), and has a few fire pits outdoors. I'm a big fan of drinking around a fire pit or bonfire, so a definite plus!
(3)
Mark K.
Food was only so-so, the service was slow -- even on a very slow Labor Day afternoon. And the MUSIC. The background music is /too loud/ and puts me on edge. Couldn't wait to get out! Used to be one of our favorite places but every experience has been slightly worse than the last. Won't be going back soon.
(2)
Patrick L.
Only been here for lunch but it's a solid place. Good burgers, good service & plenty of space.
(4)
Dana G.
Any pub with a glass-chiller made of ice that runs the length of the bar gets an automatic 3 stars in my book. What a cool (wink-wink) invention! I can't believe more bars don't have this. It actually works too. I was having a hard time finishing my beer because of my food coma after a Yelp event, and it was still cold after a lengthy time. The Claddagh is very clean and its decor is fun to look at. Stone walls and faux lanterns have a castle-like feel. I've never been in a castle but in my mind that's what one looks like. Large screen TVs all around. I didn't try the food. I am ashamed to say even being Irish I dislike traditional Irish food. I would definitely come back for more pints if ever in the Geneva Commons again. The waitress was very fun and introduced us to new shots that taste like rootbeer floats. Yum! Slainte!
(3)
Rachel D.
I really want to give this place more stars, but I have now been there 3 times, and each time it gets worse, the service is one of the reasons for less stars along with food not being cooked to proper temp.
(3)
Lucas C.
Service was good but my fish and chips were a soggy mess.
(2)
Allene R.
The potato leek soup was awesome. Wish I'd had more!!! And the salad was much more than a house salad. Can hardly wait to go again.
(4)
Jeannie T.
Outdoor ambiance is awesome - great patio with strings of lights, cute portable heaters, and amazing view of fountain/small pond. Food was good - I got pasta with portabella mushroom in a creamy pesto sauce. Very reasonable $6.99 for the lunch portion. Hubby got a corned beef sammy. Both were very good and I would order them again. I'm interested in finding out if they have live music because I was really digging the vibe this place had. We will definitely check it out again! (BTW, the "check in" was for $4 an Irish coffee. We skipped since it was hot out!)
(4)
Bridget K.
My friend's and I went here for my friends Dad's birthday. We went on a Thursday night for the Trivia. Her dad loves trivia, so it was a good choice. We were able to choose our own table in which we picked a booth. It was the only space in the Trivia area which seated six people the number in our group. Our server Shannon was awesome! She explained when we sat down that because we were there for Trivia she would only check in a few times throughout the night, but if we needed help to raise our hand and she would come over. We ordered a few appitzers to split between the table. I ordered a Harp which is my favorite Irish beer besides Guinness. My friend has a Gluten Free diet and found out that she could drink a Magners Cider because it is Gluten Free. The food was good and we really enjoyed Shannon's suggestion of trying the spinach, artichoke and chicken sandwich. The reason for the 3 stars is the Trivia game. I'm no Trivia rookie, I play every week in Chicago. The game was pretty easy and took a little bit to understand how to play it. The point system did not make much sense, nor did the "free" answer. The Trivia that I play in Chicago you get a bonus point and not a "free" answer. It was still fun. My friend's Dad enjoyed the night and said it was very relaxing which was nice. Maybe we will be back again for Trivia. If not, I am sure we will be back to Claddagh to get a proper pint of Guinness.
(3)
Vivian Y.
No doubt, I really enjoyed my fish and chips. It was a whole piece of cod filet deep fried in a light breading and not oily (it was fried at the perfect temperature). Husband ordered the meatloaf which was quite a large portion. We also shared the Irish egg rolls - corned beef and cabbage filling on the inside. My complaint - our appetizer took 20 mins and our entrees took 50 mins to arrive. We were there for lunch and it was 2pm. I can't imagine that the restaurant was that busy. This could have easily been a 4 star.
(3)
Mary B.
Um, hi, my name is Mary and I have an addiction to Irish pubs. And if this bar was closer, I'd be there every friggin day. What an interesting place! I went there for a Yelp event and had a blast. The food was great and the service was absolutely delightful! I didn't have too much food because I was 'working' the event, but I still was able to see how fun this place is. Everyone I talked to enjoyed the food and had a great time. They had all of your famous Irish beers, Smithwicks being my fav. And they also have a bunch of flights! Irish whiskey flights, Irish beer flights, Scotch flights... I mean, watch out if you have any of those! (or make sure you have a driver!) They had live authentic Irish music when I was there too. These boys were on tour, but I'm sure they have live music every week. This music was great and felt like I was stuck in the middle of Ireland, smelling the peat and having a grand ol' time. The service, I have to say, was really great. Everyone was so pleasant and accommodating. Once the event was over, I sat at the bar and had another pint with the musicians. The bartender actually let us stay past their closing time AND gave us a free shot at midnight because it was someone's birthday! How fun! I can't tell ya how nice everyone was! So yes, if you're in the area, go here. I live about an hour away so it'd be hard for me to visit very often, but I'll try my best to get my parents out there!
(5)
Doug H.
I was not a huge fan. The food was blah (borderline gross). The only thing saving the 2 star rating is that the patio has a nice view over a small fountain lake. I likely won't be back.
(2)
Diane H.
Typical pseudo Irish pub experience which is quite nice. The beer is good, especially if you can't handle a full Guinness (like me) they have yummy blends. The food is tasty and menu is very traditional. I usually get the fish and chips and the hub gets bangers and mash. There's some sort of egg roll appetizer involving potatoes that's pretty decent too. The service is usually good but the wait can be long if it's a weekend night.
(4)
Keith O.
Great looking place and cool atmosphere. And the entertainment was fun. That's where the good stuff ends. OK, maybe that's not entirely fair as it was my first time there. But I went there jonesing for a Rueben (a staple in every Irish pub I've been to) and I was shocked to find they didn't have one on the menu. Instead they had something called the Paddy Mac which was corned beef, cole slaw and swiss on sourdough bread. Well it was smothered in slaw and the corned beef was a single layer that was paper thin. As a matter of fact, I couldn't taste the corned beef at all. Terrible excuse for a "kind of Rueben" sandwich. Add to it that the bartender didn't know what a Big Ginger was (Jameson and Ginger) and I left there wanting more and with no intent of going back. So many good Irish pubs, there's no point in spending my money there,
(1)
Lynn M.
We went in again on 1/28/13. We both started with soup. The soup was flavorful, but luke warm. We ordered the fish and chips. The fish was fantastic, and a large portion. It seemed to be a better experience than last time, however, when my mother found a piece of cabbage floating in her diet coke, I was speechless. It seems very hit or miss at Claddagh.
(2)
Dianne S.
Big space, big menu, big prices. Needed a table for 11 plus 2 kiddies on a Saturday night and with a 45 min wait @ Buffalo Wild Wings and no waiting @ Cladaugh-the choice was easy. The grub...huge portions!! Ordered the fish & chips and out came an entire beer battered filet complete with wedge fries..somewhat skimped on coleslaw. The menu is so extensive & enticing that if you're not careful you'll end up ordering 2-3 entrees! Irish eats like bangers & mash and shepherd's pie are just a couple dishes to name a few. You can even mix their beers on tap, how cool is that?! Service could have been better, but we appreciated her splitting the check for us. This is a great place for big groups, they even have special areas sectioned away for bigger parties, complete with couch seating! Very comfy place to spend a cold winter's dinner! Plus...free wi-fi!!
(3)
Mac B.
Irish pub. We ate there a number of times. Food was ok. I think a lot of folks just go for the beer and the beer. Live music on some nights. Chicken sandwich is good. A bit spicy, but good spicy. If you are a major food critic, you probably won't be thrilled. But it's someplace different to try if you have never been here. I would not wait in line for 30 minutes to eat here, but very few places would I do that anyway. Would we eat here again, yes. It's just not a regular go to spot for us though.
(3)
Denise J.
im not sure why this place gets such a meh review, I thought it was OUTSTANDING!!! A friend and I went out to lunch and we were actually on our way to another restaurant in the area but as soon as I saw the Claddagh I knew I had to try it. This is the only location that is left in IL and I'm not sure why they all have closed down. It was a Sunday, so the restaurant was not crowded at all, and we got a seat in the bar area right away. I asked our waitress what beers they had on tap and she said they had about 25 different ones, and that it might be easier to tell her what I like. I had a taste for a cider and sadly most places dont have that option but I thought I might try. I was in luck, they had cider on tap, and not only a cider my favorite cider!! If you have never tried magners I highly recommend it!!! Even my friend who doesnt like beer or really drink at all liked the sip he had of mine(thats all I would share with him) For lunch I ordered the mushroom ravioli in alfredo sauce...im not usually an alfredo sauce kinda person, but I could not pass up the mushroom ravioli. Mhy friend got the shepards pie. Im so glad I stuck with the mushroom ravioli, the alfredo sauce was not the usual heavy sauce, this was a lighter alfrado....so amazing!!! the ravioli were stuffed full of mushrooms and the mushrooms had a very good flavor to them. My friends shepards pie was also really good. I have had shepards pie once before and thought it was a liiiiiittle bit salty but still really good. the Claddagh's shepards pie was not salty at all!! The vegetables were cut into big pieces, which is nice for not slidding off your fork. The mash potatos were fluffy and the meat inside was seasoned very nicely. There was about 5 other items I wanted to try on the menu, so I know I will be back for sure!!!
(5)
Amber S.
To be honest, I am not a super fan of Irish food. But this place is cozy and well appointed. The service has always been great too. But my favorite thing is sitting outside here. Maybe it was the Blue Moon, but it's nice. The calamari here is some of the best I have ever had.
(4)
Sandy A.
We ate dinner here just a few days before Thanksgiving. There were 3 things that really impressed me. 1) There were still Fall decorations up - not Christmas. 2) the manager, Brian, came to our table, introduced himself and wanted to make sure we were having a fabulous experience and 3) our waitress, Chelsea was excellent. The food was good. We had appetizers of corned beef and cabbage rollups which were like mini reuben sandwiches and very tasty. I'm not a "big Irish food" kind of person, but I'd go back. The food was substantial and seasoned well. For dessert we shared a "trio" of desserts and it was awesome with flourless chocolate cake, ice cream and pumpkin cream brulee. We'd go back!
(3)
Kimberly H.
My husband & I went here this past weekend. He ordered the corned beef & cabbage & I had the fish & chips. The corned beef & cabbage was standard, but my husband was impressed with the size portion of the fish. The batter was very light & crisp. However, I found that my fries under the fish plank were swimming in the grease. I'm not a huge fish fan, but it sounded good and I gave it a try. It was ok, but my husband thought it was excellent & he finished it. I know this is an Irish pub with Irish fare, but I think I would have liked to have seen some Irish beef stew on the menu.
(3)
Jen M.
The Claddagh is a good place to go if you've already eaten and want to get drinks. Case in point: My husband ordered something along the lines of a chicken sandwhich. I think that is what it was titled on the menu. Everyone knows a chicken sanwhich, just like everyone knows mac n cheese... there are different variations, but, eh, not enough to reclassify or even create a new subcategory. I will just say that the chicken sandwhich my huz ordered at Claddagh deserved it's own subcategory. And I mean "sub" in the most degrading way possible. When it can out, steaming on the plate before us, we told the waiter thanks but huz didn't order a burger. To which he replied, "It's not a burger, its just ground up chicken meat so it looks like a burger." OOOKAAAY. I don't know about you, but I don't want my food to RESEMBLE what it's not... or anything for that matter. Like those damn soy hot dogs. I think food should represent itself, and represent itself well. Just saying. That being said, the look alike burger/sandwhich was chewy and tasteless (in both senses of the word). I tried it just to validate. I, on the other hand, went the more traditional route, ordering a corn beef sandwhich. It looked great and tasted.... stale. Hard as a brick. The upside is that Claddagh has many many interesting beers on tap with plenty of drink specials-- many beverage options to wash away your sorrows or Irish-fare-gone-bad disappointments. Which, in my opinion, is worth exactly 2 stars.
(2)
Colleen D.
Been here before but went last weekend and was very disappointed. Went specifically for their Corn Beef Rolls - completely tasteless. It was truly weird how there was no taste. I also ordered fish and chips - again - unimpressed - tasteless. My mom had the Shepards Pie - she also said it just didn't have a taste. The staff kept telling us they have a new lighter menu.....menu looked the same but maybe they are just preparing the food lighter? I can't say for sure but I was disappointed and won't be going back for a long time. I also thought the prices were a little high.
(2)
Keegan L.
Part of the Claddagh franchise, traditional Irish pub, great beer selection. But as the other reviews state, food is generally sub-par. Average waitstaff performance.
(3)
Joe B.
One if the best Guinness pours you will find. I agree with Amanda K., these reviews must be old. Since 2005, I've been here at least 15-20 times. I believe the first 2 yrs were a learning curve for them. They have changed the menu several times since, and I think I have tried everything. We hardly ever sit at the bar, so I can't comment on the service, but there used to be a bartender by the name of Trish and she rocked! Trish, where did you go? The prices are average for the authentic tasting large portions. I will definitely continue to frequent.
(4)
Jake H.
Love coming here! Used to frequent twice a week but conflict of work schedule hinders that now. Great food that is always consistent. Drinks are always poured spot on and the wait staff and management are all super friendly. Must try the corned beef and cabbage egg rolls!
(5)
Steve G.
This place has gotten better over time, or else I've grown to accept it. It's not really an Irish pub, per se, but it serves a great pint of Guinness, there's a good selection of Irish whiskies, and the decor is definitely Irish. But it's hard to call this a pub when it's the size of a Chuck E. Cheese. It's a huge place, with rooms decorated in different motifs, like a library or a even a church. Fireplaces and plenty of wood abound. A great deck as well. UPDATE (07/31/2007): First a disclaimer... I got an email from the CEO for the Claddagh restaurants, and he invited the wife and I out for a drink and to talk about my previous experiences - good and bad - so this review may be less than 100% objective. I don't think it is unfair, but there it is. The menu HAS been updated, and they've dropped some old favorites, like the Calamari Salad. They updated their burger, and they're highlighting a corned beef and cabbage roll appetizer. The wife and I split the corned beef/cabbage roll appetizer and the fish and chips. The appetizer was very good, although it could have been a wee bit crispier for our tastes (not sure if that would have made it greasier though). My wife also thought it would go better with a mustard dip instead of the 1000 Island dip they provided. The fish and chips was outstanding. Now, we may have gotten special attention and that might be why the hunk of fish was so large -- but it was cooked PERFECTLY, with the batter just thick enough. Highly recommended! For dessert, we let them talk us into the new bread pudding dessert. Another home run. The portion was huge -- big enough for 3 to share. It floated on a delicious custard, and the pudding itself was fresh and full of good stuff. This is worth returning for, even if you didn't like anything else. We took half of it home and enjoyed it the next day -- that's the good thing about bread pudding. Like lasagna, it gets better with age... Overall, I bumped my rating up to 4 stars based on this visit. I think the food is much improved, and the only weak spot is the lack of true Irish character behind the bar. A couple of wisecracking tinkers fresh off an Aer Linugs non-stop from Shannon would add to the atmosphere, although the bartenders are definitely cute and friendly enough right now. Overall, I'd recommend this as an everyday place to eat and drink. It can get crowded at dinnertime, so allow for that. I'm not sure about reservations since we usually drop by when we're out shopping.
(4)
JT A.
If you're looking for a good selection of Irish, European, and American beers, this could be the place for you. If you are looking for good Irish food, this is not the place for you. The corned beef and cabbage was a shame. It looks like deli cut corned beef service over scalloped-style potatoes and some warmed up cabbage. The service did handle our table of 10 quite well. Drinks initially arrived slowly, so we just planned accordingly and weren't without the rest of evening. After the meal we wandered over to the bar area to listen to some live music and the bartender were fast and friendly. No problems there. I agree with the other reviews that if you're looking for a good Irish pub, this isn't it. If you're looking for a nice place to have a few beers then maybe this will be worth the stop.
(2)
Reese N.
Visited on Sunday, March 16,2014 at 3 p.m. Walked in for a mother daughter lunch on our way back to college. A wristband was placed on my hand when I replied yes if I was drinking. Chose our own table, cool, but when waitress arrived I told her that I wanted a drink that was on the menu, she did not know drink and insisted on beer, how many years ago did I see this drink on the menu, she asked. I requested the drink menu and she said none was available, finally brought drink menu to find that my favorite hot cider was on the menu. One daughter is strict vegetarian but full menu not available. She ordered hot tea. Our food, which was awesome, arrived before our drinks... And our water was in plastic and mine remained empty for all of the meal. Was asked if I needed more when the check arrived. Many tables were empty. I still tipped 20% as the young server seemed to need support. I really love the hot drinks, food and bread pudding, but terrible service...oh and did I mention that our table tipped at the end? It had napkins under one leg to balance...all the bottles slid off! Two of us ate, one had tea.. We were full but not served well...
(2)
Jeremy F.
The Claddagh has gotten a lot better over the years. I don't remember the specific time frame, but they seemed to mix up their menu quite a bit. Now, every time I go, it's hard to stay away from the Bacon and Cabbage dish - one of the best on their menu in my opinion. Often they'll have great live music - especially the Celtic Sounds - and trivia nights. This combined with a friendly wait staff helps make for a great experience.
(4)
Daniele B.
My grandma and I both had the dubliner chicken and it was very bland. No flavor what so ever. I also had the clam chowder again there was no flavor there either. I don't recommend it.
(2)
P S.
The insides are nicely done and would be great for a big group as well as some covert canoodling in one of the alcoves... ...but you'll be waiting a really long time for your canoodle-inspiring beverages. Sure the waitstaff is really friendly, the beer list is pretty impressive (Beamish in the burbs!) and the patio is lovely... ...but prepare to sit for a while after you order your delicious beers on the lovely patio. The wait time for our soup and half sandwich lunch today was easily over 20 minutes and while the place wasn't remotely crowded and our server didn't seem very busy, mom and I both wondered what was with the hold up. The prices range from fairly decent ($7.99 for that soup and half sandwich, $9 for a loaded Cobb salad) to rather ridiculous ($18.99 for a salmon entree). I bet it's a great date place given the low lighting, and I have had the fish and chips before which were some of the best ever... oh and I guess also the Guinness onion soup was delicious... hmm on second thought, I'll go from two stars to three.
(3)
Al M.
We were in Geneva to visit my son. We wanted to eat out side. We saw the umbrellas and turned in. This is how we ended up at Claggagh. The weather was perfect, and the waitress was excellent. The retaining pond that was adjacent to the outside eating area was quite mucky and dirty to look at, so I stopped looking. That is the best thing I can say about our meal. While the food was not horrible, it was very homogeneous. Like almost any other chain restaurant that one might go too. We ordered a couple of small plates for appetizers. I do understand what a small plate is. I ordered olives and pickles. I literally got 4 olives and one small dill pickle cut in quarters. My wife's cheese while passable for an everyday brie and fruit was also just OK. When they say small they mean small. I ordered a grilled chicken salad it had about 3oz of dry chicken on it with goat cheese, nuts and the basic salad stuff. My son's fish and chips was cooked well but not seasoned at all. I rarely expect much from chains, this is no different.
(2)
Chuck D.
As far as Irish pubs go, its pretty generic. The atmosphere is fun though and the food is decent - just don't expect anything to shock your pants off! Not a huge beer selection, to be honest, but they can have some good specials. I would like to sit out on the porch one time as that always looks quite nice. Definitely worth a try if you are in the mood for an Irish Pub as there isn't much other choice in the area.
(3)
Missy L.
I have never been to Claddagh before and will be going again soon. The appetizers provided were delicious. The spinach/artichoke dip was my favorite. I am not a fan of mushrooms or fish but let me tell you.....my friend literally stopped eating and paused to savor the salmon mousse. Being a vegetarian she was so happy to have more than just 1 option to sample.
(5)
Allison A.
I love this place! I love the beer chiller at the bar that keeps my black & tan perfect. I love the live music. The spinach artichoke chicken sandwich is good. We always end up here at the end of a date, great Irish pub. I would give it 5 stars if they improve their dessert menu; it is new & not the best-- but do I really need to be eating dessert while drinking beer??
(4)
Barbara B.
Good atmosphere. Good service. Mediocre food. I had a chicken wrap - McDonald's is better. My husband did like the Irish stew
(2)
Nicole L.
Food was not impressive. My baked mac & cheese was mildly better than the Kraft Homestyle Mac & Cheese at the store. Plus it was supposed to come with bread but didn't. When we asked about it our waiter acted like he was doing us a huge favor by bringing out the two tiniest slices of bread I've ever been served at a restaurant. For those prices I won't be back.
(2)
Sabrina M.
All I can say is corned beef and cabbage egg rolls. To die for. Love it and they have the nicest staff
(5)
Jeff S.
Good food, good service, outdoor seating is really nice.
(4)
Craig R.
Decent place for a beer and some of the more typical irish fare. the portions are HUGE though so be sur eyou have an appetite or be prepared to take some home. I had the sheperd's pie and it was pretty good. Wife had the fish and chips which looked really yummy. This is not haute cuisine or gourmet food but satisfying-stick-to-your-rib food.
(3)
Brian L.
Although MK and I are not strangers to The Claddagh, we decided to return tonight (11/09/2007) because we got an email saying that in November, some of the old menu favorites would be back. Unfortunately they weren't all back on the menu. We did talk to the waitress and GM about the new items, but MK's favorite Connemara Chicken still won't be returning. Don't get me wrong for everything that follows, but I really DO like Claddagh. Cold beers, tasty chow, but there "corporate" mentality just keeps getting in the way of this being an OUTSTANDING "Irish pub". For instance, tonight's special beer was Dos Equis and the soup of the day was Minestrone. Yep, nothing shouts Irish pub more than Mexican beer (our waitress said it was "Spanish") and Italian soup. I just don't get it, other than their beer distributor is shoving XX down their throats enough for them to make it the special. Seriously, beyond these constant reminders that this wasn't a pub brought directly over from Ireland and desires to be run as if you were IN Ireland, the food continues to impress (although it be with a shorter menu than the past). For a starter, we had the Shamrock Wings. This is one of our favorites every time we go. There's something about a sweet & sour sauce for wings that has a kick to it, that makes the night go that much better. We also each had the Guinness Onion Soup. I'm a baked onion soup fiend, and so I pretty much try it anywhere I can. Last time we went, the onions weren't cooked as much as this time, so I'll just mark that up to a one-off mistake. This time, it was fantastic. I usually have the Fish and Chips and although they've removed the "Full Order" from the menu (which is fine cuz I never could finish it anyway), the cod is always served fresh and the batter is just right and extremely tasty. It, once again, delivered. MK had the Turkey Club and said it was really good. The only thing she doesn't like is the marble rye that it's on. She's not a big fan of any bread other than white, so that was her only drawback, but she said the turkey was fresh as was all other ingredients on the sammy. We usually do opt out of dessert because we're so full. If you have a starter, a soup or salad and your main course, you likely will be too. The only reason I'm giving it 3 stars is because of those tangential things that just keep reminding you, "we're a chain". I don't know how they get rid of it unless someone from corporate sees enough complaints like this. Lastly, about a year ago they got rid of the valet parking. I'm not quite sure why. Given that finding a spot in that lot is always a pain, it's a subtle customer service thing, especially in crappy weather, that was nice. There's ALWAYS High School boys looking for a job, so there's no excuse really other than worries about liability.
(3)
John O.
I'm Irish and this place is sad. The drinks are good and so is their little bar they have but the service needs some training and the food has way to much greece in it. I don't know why I took my leftovers of shepherd's pie home and I don't know why. I didn't even touch it again. The Irish are not know for cooking unless it's pub food. Stick to a traditional Irish pub.
(2)
Erin B.
Wow, this place has really gone down hill. My family and myself always stop by here for lunch or dinner when we go out for a long day of outlet shopping. It's nestled just outside of a ginourmous strip mall, which also gives us plenty of places to stop after our bellies our full so we can "walk it all off." I should have taken pictures because the inside of this "pub" is really beautiful. Everything from the stained glass (which is directly from Ireland) to the interior decorating to the georgeous patio area. This restaurant must have changed management or something, because the menu is all new, which includes an "irish" lemonade that contains midori and something else that is NOT irish, and service is really lacking. Pops opted for the standard fish and chips which he was quite impressed with (he stated "at least they didn't change this.") while mom and I split the 1/2 pound steak burger which was ok. The BF had the wedge salad and french onion soup which he said was just OK. About a year ago, this place was the best. Everything was SOOO good. It makes me sad that things were just ok this time around. We will probably be back, as we hope that this time was just a fluke.
(3)
Barbara Y.
We went on a week night because we had a Restaurant.com certificate and didn't feel like cooking. My husband likes this place, but I think it's because of the Guinness. The food is adequate but can be greasy. We started with the Corned Beef & Cabbage Rolls, which were tasty even thought the potatoes were a bit hard. My entree, Orange Blossom Salmon from the Celtic Seafood Festival menu, had a very oily sauce but no ginger and mandarin salsa as listed on the menu. My husband enjoyed his Guinness Beef Stew but hey, there's that Guinness again. The restaurant really ticked me off by automatically adding an 18% tip to the bill. I sympathize with restaurant workers who aren't paid a decent wage and have to rely on tips. I usually tip 20% if the service is good, but I refuse to do so when I'm treated like a child who can't be trusted to tip on the full check amount before the discount.
(2)
Jennifer B.
This place was trying WAY to hard to be an authentic Irish pub. Our waitress even had a little speech about how each room was made to look like a different type of pub in Ireland. Having an English husband I have spent my fair share of time in pubs (admittedly mostly to make the in-laws bearable, but whatever) and you just can't recreate the 100 years worth of filth, smoke, and grease in a brand new American pub, no matter where you import your stained glass windows from. Even if they dropped the "we're an authentic Irish pub" front, it still wasn't that good. The food was mediocre and my beer came warm.
(1)
Rob H.
Great beer, but they just serve it. The food is mediocre at best and no where near worth what you'll pay for it. The people are nice, but they alone can't justify the prices.
(3)
Karen B.
The food was bland. No flavor. The waiter seemed bored and annoyed. We sat outside which was nice except for the fact that I tripped over one of several pipes sticking out of the ground from their unfinished construction. I sat eating my corn beef and potatoes with an ice pack on my ankle. i was uncomfortable. The manager came by at the beginning to apologize and give me the ice pack but that was it. He didnt come by to check on us. I felt that was very rude. I will never go back.
(1)
Pattie G.
Worst service I have ever had! Can't comment on food, they couldn't get it out to me in the hour I was there. Then they told me what I ordered wasn't available.
(1)
Jeff H.
WOW - I'm really shocked at some of the reviews posted here - to each their own, I guess. People love Egg Harbor and Stockholms, for example, and I'm indifferent toward both - but I love the atmosphere and service at Claddagh. In fact, my birthday is tomorrow and my wife has agreed to take me there - we'll split the fish and chips and get our fill of Guinness. The fish and chips is all I've had there, so maybe that's why I'm a little higher on Claddagh than most (btw, Cherie, I hear you about the food poisoning and understand, I've been to the hospital four times in the last 12 years with it, believe me I understand). My 2 cents to people who haven't tried it, give it a shot. I think you'll be pleased.
(4)
Chris B.
I'm a huge fan! Being a creature of habit, I always order the Fish and Chips. Delicious! My daughter always orders the Shepherds Pie and she loves it! Nice atmosphere and reasonable pricing.
(4)
Kate S.
This places is amazing. My friends and I usually just order a salad and then desserts, because the Bailey's cheesecake is by far the best thing in the world and if I ate a full meal I wouldn't be hungry enough to really enjoy it. When it's warm out, sit on the deck and you can look over the pond and the swans. The only reason I can't give it 5 stars is that I've never ordered an actual entree.
(4)
Joseph F.
When this place first opened, the food was excellent and the wait staff polite and attentive. During the past couple of years it has really nose-dived. Our last visit, we were pleasantly surprised with some new offerings on the menu. Unfortunately, the quality is below average at best. Also not a good place if you're drinking Guinness. The pour is poor. Save your money and hit an alternate restaurant - many to choose from in the area.
(2)
Andrew K.
Came in on a quiet afternoon. Maybe it was too quiet. After 10 minutes of looking at the menu I had to ask the host to send over our server for our drink order. When we ordered our meal I asked for my burger to cooked medium rare. I was told that "due to health reasons" they only will cook burgers medium well. I have never had a restaurant tell me that. I decided for a chicken sandwich instead. It was overbooked and dried out. I don't plan on going back.
(1)
O. K.
All these reviews are really old, maybe they read them & corrected issues.I have ALWAYS had good service, if not occasionally great service. Some times i think service depends on the customer, If you are a jerk or a needy waiter runner, the waiter wil not like you. I have never had an issue, went for the first time in 2005, Thought it was beautiful & food was great, I had Meatloaf & date had Stew-Both super. Last went Valentine's Day 2009-have gone so many times in between I had the Shepards pie once, I think its just not my bag, have to love mashed potatoes-i don't. I like to go early in the day & I get the awesome sausage & egg sandwich, cause my hubby hates breakfast restaurants & its the only way i am getting breakfast with him.. I have always had great service at the bar & have had my share of free samples of different beers & have developed some new tastes. The Fire & Stone in here is gorgeous, i LOVE A PLACE WITH AMBIANCE! The fish-sanwich or entree-so good, drunken steak-so good-Guiness baked onion soup-mmmmmmm! Appetizer must-Corned beef & cabbage egg rolls! I like to go after shopping at The Commons on the weekends, Monday is $10 fish & chips, Weds. is $2.50 drafts They have Live Irish musicians sometimes too.
(5)
Cherie K.
If you go here for any of the chicken dishes, word of warning: cut the chicken in half and check for doneness before eating. I ordered the Chicken Kildare (I think that was the name) and got through close to half of it before I noticed the bottom half of the stuffed chicken was literally medium rare. We called the waiter over to show it to him and he immediately removed it, came back later and asked if I wanted something else. I was so worried about getting food poisoning (had it before from chicken, not fun) that I couldn't eat anything else. He removed my portion of the meal completely from the charge, including half the cost of my beer. This was our second trip here and it will be our last. I was unimpressed the first time, too, but wanted to give them another chance. I'll stick with McNally's if I want Irish.
(1)
Jay S.
Desperately in need of new management. I've been going here since opening. The quality of food has gone from bad to worse. I figured I'd give it another try tonight for dinner since my son loves the chicken tenders. May have been an off night or something. The service was poor and my balsamic chicken was overcooked and dry. My wife's shepherd's pie was also in need of extra gravy. The server did nothing to mitigate our dissatisfaction ... when she was around. The table next to us was not cleared for twenty minutes as was still dirty when we left. As usual, you can still get a properly pored Guinness - that's why I gave it one star instead of zero. The chicken tenders were the best tasting item on the table.
(1)
Olya K.
If I had to describe this place I would say its spotty at best - I have had decent food and not so decent food here, so I think it all depends on what strikes your fancy on the menu on any given night. For me the decision to come back is driven by location convenience more than anything else. Best experience to date is coming in early evening on New Years Eve and sitting at the bar with some appetizers to accompany and live Irish music - before moving on to another restaurant for the actual dinner reservation. Oh, and another time when they had live music on their patio and we sat at a table overlooking a fountain on a balmy spring/summer night. The sandwiches are ok (a chicken pesto variety is the most memorable), the fish and chips choice is not bad if you have not had in a while, and the salads are decent if you want a little bit of a selection. But not great, really! If you were to come here for anything - come for the atmosphere or the beer, not so much the food unless you have been craving some pub grub with a little sophistication to the usual deep fried choices elewhere. They tell you a story about their different room styles - its actually quite noteworthy and peculiar, but is there something wrong about the fact that it took me 5 or 6 times to come here before I got to hear "the story"? I think so - it should more of a marketing gimmick to get people to remember the place and come back. Irish friends of ours say its a place to be for a Sunday lunch - have not made it here for that yet.
(3)
Robyn C.
Blech! I should have known better, it was exactly as I suspected...an overpriced tourist trap. If you want Irish, go downtown to McNally's, or Quigley's in Naperville.
(1)
Melissa M.
I feel that it is really really hard (for some reason) to find a good Irish restaurant, however, I think the Claddagh is the closest I have found to being good. I have dined there maybe 5 times, and have had great experiences like 3 and a half times. The fish and chips and shepard's pie are GREAT but anytime I deviated too far from that, I was disappointed. Also I ordered some drink that was horribly disgusting and I know it's lame that I can't remember it now but I asked the server if I could have some sprite to put in my drink because it was so gross (kind of implying, could I get something else) and he was just like, uh, OK and brought me the sprite. The drink was no less disgusting. However this was before I had worked in a restaurant and I used to think it was rude to send stuff back and now I am know people do it all the time so I don't feel so bad. Anyway... overall it is a decent Irish dining experience.
(3)
Andrea R.
On a recent trip to Illinois some friends took me to what they explained was one of their favorite Irish pubs to frequent. I was excited because any culinary representation of my heritage usually makes me happy. I was curious to see this place looks very "chain like" as opposed to the cute little pub I had in my head, never the less in we go to be seated in quite possibly the coldest room I've ever been in besides a walk in freezer. It's difficult to eat with chattering teeth. We ordered sausage rolls and scotch eggs for appetizers. The scotch eggs were okay, I'm used to the ones at my local pub so I might be biased. However, the sausage rolls were delightful and I wanted to take the plate with me to another table to eat them all myself. That would have been quite rude of me. I ordered the Irish beef stew which came out so hot I loved the warmth radiating onto my frozen fingers. It was delicious and satisfyingly savory. I'd order it again in a heartbeat. I did enjoy the decor quite a bit as the bar area had fun murals and the "castle room" was exactly how I'd want a room in my house to look. Over all a good meal in a fun themed restaurant.
(3)
Jennifer D.
We really enjoy sitting on the patio for a late lunch of appetizers - like the pub fries (yummy goodness). Service isn't always the best, but the view is nice if you're overlooking the pond!
(4)
Victoria B.
Everything that I had here was phenomenal I only been here twice but I will continue to come Our bartender dan was great, the beer selection is good also. You won't regret to come here, the grilled cheese is awesome! And the Scottish eggs (something like that) are so unique and delish
(5)
Josue O.
Delicious modern take on traditional Irish food in a great pub atmosphere. We come here several times a year and this visit wasn't quite as good as usual, but still worth the visit. My favorites are their Guinness onion soup, the fish & chips, and the Irish stew. We also tried, for the first time, their Scotch eggs (good, but not the best I've had) and the sausage rolls, which were nicely prepared with a rustic honey mustard sauce. We also got Irish coffees that were PERFECT. If you're looking for St Patrick's Day any time of the year, give them a try. I don't think you'll be disappointed. My only beef is that the temperature inside the restaurant was arctic!
(4)
Martha O.
Fish and chips were good but stay away from veggie burger and chicken sandwich. The manager was nice and did not charge us for the veggie burger or chicken sandwich. It is a pub and you don't necessarily expect great food. Would go here again but wouldn't order those items.
(3)
Samantha M.
I really loved this place when I first went there and it used to be one of my husbands favorite restaurants but their quality of food has really gone down. The menu items that made it special- their bangers and mash, bacon and cabbage, rainbow trout, mussels and lamb- have all been removed and replaced with typical and mediocre "Irish" pub fare. On my most recent and last visit, the Irish breakfast was okay and the fish and chips were average The space is really nice but all the toilets in the ladies washroom were broken. It's just a shame that a once great Irish style pub restaurant has fallen so far away from the quality they once had to offer. I won't be dining there again.
(2)
Carolina B.
I have been wanting to stop in here for a while and finally got the chance! Unfortunately I wasn't too impressed. We went on a Friday night and it wasn't busy at all, which I take as a bad sign. We were seated at a high top, barrel table. I asked to move and the hostess said we couldn't move because they were re-arranging something in the area I wanted to move to. So we stayed where we were and it was an awful table. Uncomfortable and awkward because it's a barrel! And there was a metal ring around the table making it extra hard to eat. Forget that though the table isn't the only problem! At first we had one server come up and greet us and get us water, then another one came up to do the same, so they were a little unorganized. We ordered our food right away, as always we started with chicken wings and they were good. Best part of the meal. For our entrees; I ordered a house salad and the corned beef and cabbage soup and my boyfriend ordered the Jameson burger with fries. The salad was soggy and warm. Not good. The soup was okay but not very flavorful or unique like the description made it seem. The burger was your average burger but without any garnishes. It was meant to have Guinness cheese sauce over it which my boyfriend ordered on the side, and it was a good decision because the cheese was cold. The fries were the only truly good thing but that's hard to mess up. We were disappointed and probably won't go back.
(2)
Mike T.
Stopped in for dinner. Ended up having a beer and leaving. Unimpressive menu. When we told the server we wouldn't be eating she turned on us. Friendly became a bad attitude. The place had 6 people in there at dinner time. Don't think I'm going back.
(2)
Jennifer H.
Food is really bland. Fish and chips were nothing special. The service was okay though.
(2)
Shondra M.
They seem to have typical Irish food. Our food was very tasty, the only downside was the slow service and our waiter was very bad at getting us refills. Overall, was ok.
(3)
Sarah L.
I don't even want to give this place one star! I ordered the farmhouse salad which is doing mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and sliced cucumbers. When my salad arrived the lettuce was limp and shriveled, some to the point where it was rolled into balls. I am sure that this particular food was stored improperly, and if you can't store lettuce properly I am betting the rest of your food in the walk in is stored incorrectly as well. In addition to my salad my daughters cheese burger was delivered without cheese. My husbands fish and chips was soggy...sounds great I know. Oh and the manager didn't come over once.. We will never ever be back
(1)
Rittersportzfan P.
I can always tell when a place is going to suck...hostess is missing, one waitress running around like a chicken with her head cut off. I hung around here with my Father and son for 15 minutes then decided to walk down the street to better offerings. No Irish food is worth this wait, I don't care if it's made by magical Leaperchauns who bleed Jameson Whiskey. My advice to the management is hire more people who care otherwise the Houlihans less than 1km down the road will gladly take your business.
(1)
Dave Y.
The menu has something for everybody. Being on a paleo diet, I am always looking for protein heavy dishes and the Irish Breakfast (Served all day and pictured here) fit the bill. It is basically all I order when I go in now. When I want to cheat a bit, the Scottish eggs, served with their mustard sauce, is always calling out to me and more often than not is my "cheat" for the day. Do yourself a favor and order outside your comfort zone. You will not be disappointed. I highly recommend a visit here.
(5)
Nicole B.
My aunt and cousin took me out shopping in Geneva and we needed a break. Luckily, they have been to the Claddagh numerous times and said it was good so we decided to stop in for a drink. It was such a nice day out, we had to sit outside. It was really nice, since we got to see the man-made lake and enjoy the breeze. (We even got to see mama ducks and their baby duckies! It was very exciting.) Our waiter arrived, informing us they had some specials (including $4 mimosas and Bloody Marys) so we had a hard time deciding what to get. My cousin decided on a Bloody Mary, craving the salty and spicy tang. I was undecided but knew my aunt liked wine, so suggested we split a sangria carafe. She was game and we got the red sangria. Our waiter continued to check on us, seeing if we needed any refills. Halfway through, we decided we were hungry and out waiter was happy to oblige. We ordered some corn beef and cabbage rolls, think corn beef and cabbage inside a won ton wrapper deep fried. (Or a Rueben deep fried.) They were unique and delicious. We finished our drinks and were on our way. I'd definitely come back to try some of their other food items - the fried fish looked amazing!
(4)
Janine K.
For starters, this place has a great atmosphere, which represents an pub in Ireland so I'm thinking this would be a great place to go for St. Patrick's Day. I don't live in the area, but I met a friend here for lunch at 2:00 on a Sunday. There was no wait, and the place wasn't packed or anything so it was a good time to go. Our server, John was good and the only problem I had with this place was with the salad I ordered. I ordered the lunch size mac & cheese (with Guinness Beer Cheese sauce & bacon) YUM! and a side salad. I got the mac & cheese but not the salad. I grabbed our server's attention and told him about the salad and brought another one right up. Strangely enough, someone else brought a salad up far after we were done eating...I obviously didn't take it, I told her we were already done eating. Other than that, everything was A-Ok! They have a good menu so I'd definitely return for more.
(3)
Diana J.
I love this place for special occasions. Amazing view outside with the fire pits and water fountain. Menu is kinda short but offers great meals. Great bar items too! FYI you can also buy the rings! They used to have live music on Fridays but that stopped.
(4)
Curt A.
Well we'll see how this goes,.table is sticky. The runner brought out the appetizer ( corned beef and cabbage roll, very good) but no plates. Food came out, I had the Monte Cristo and chips the fries were barely warm but the sandwich was super hot, beers are good and cold. Over all next time I'm out here I'll try one of the others in the area, or just do an appetizer and a couple of beers.
(3)
R H.
Maybe we caught them on a bad night. I'm hoping at least. This place came highly recommended by a couple of my buddies, so we gave it a shot. We had a rather large party (9), but had a reservation so it's not like we caught them off guard. Our waiter got our waters and first round of drinks rather promptly. Sadly, those are the highlights on the very short list of things done satisfactory that night. After the appetizers, we all just kind of sat there staring at each other wondering when our waiter would reappear to take our order-- at the very least ask if we wanted another round of drinks. When the waiter returned, visibly flustered and sweaty, he quickly scrambled to collect the used dishes that had been stockpiling in his absence. He looked as though he was going to beat feet to return to whatever other table(s) he was tending to, so I quickly flagged him down and informed him we were ready to order. Fast-forward to the long awaited arrival of our food. Alas, one of my friends didn't even get the burger he ordered. He didn't make it into a huge deal; we were just happy to have food! Wrapping things up, we all got one last round of drinks. Well, all except for my one buddy whose Moscow Mule was completely forgotten about. Our waiter didn't charge him for it though. No harm, no foul. Three other people at our table did, however, end up with items on their bill that they had either never received or ordered. Oops, time to flag the waiter down -- AGAIN. All in all, unsatisfactory service provided by a waiter who was, or at least appeared to be, stretched far too thin.
(2)
Lisa S.
I wasted my whole day at this restaurant. They weren't busy when we arrived. They did have a big party which I totally understand the kitchen being backed up. But I did expect our waiter to check on us for our drinks. My pop was gone for over 45 minutes and watered down. We were not checked on and we didn't even get an apology. My burger came out after 45 minutes-hour. It came out uncooked. It was the worst experience I have ever encountered. The experience was awful. We won't be returning.
(1)
Joe V.
Went to this place while in the Geneva commons and the food was great. We both ordered burgers and potato skins. The signature burgers were cooked to our request and were awesome. The service and environment were excellent as well.
(4)
Madison B.
How is this place still in the Commons. Food is mediocre and the bar smells like vomit. They probably should clean their bar mats more often.
(1)
Katie C.
Came in for a Saturday lunch while Christmas shopping. Got seated very quickly, and was pleasantly surprised by the comfortable, warm interior. Our server, Jeremiah was attentive and gave some great suggestions about food and drink selections. My husband and I ordered the fish and chips. I am generally very picky about this dish, so when I say they did a nice job, I sincerely mean it. The fries and coleslaw were good too. I enjoyed a left hand milk stout with my meal and was very satisfied splitting the double order of fish with my husband. We will definitely go back again!
(5)
Leslie S.
There's not much I can say about The Claddagh - it's your typical, themed restaurant with mediocre food and service. It's rarely crowded, but it does a decent business. The menu includes food you could get just about anywhere these days, including fish tacos, spinach and artichoke dip, burgers, mac n cheese, steak... You get the idea. Oh sure, there are some traditional British items, including corned beef & cabbage, shepherds pie, bangers and mash, and fish and chips, but none of them taste anything like the food I've had in the UK. The prices seem a little above-average, especially the appetizers, which start at $8. My husband and I did about $80 here the last time we came, which seemed high for dinner and a few beers for two. The service is borderline awful. The last time I was there, the waitress seemed to think we were great pals, and started complaining about other tables and how long she'd been working before telling us about her plans for the weekend. She kept making jokes as well, that seemed like inside jokes, except I didn't know her, nor think she was very funny. Most of the time, you're on your own at The Claddagh, as the waitstaff is hardly what I would call "attentive." The one thing I do appreciate is the outdoor patio, but most of the restaurants at the Commons have some kind of outdoor seating, so it's nothing that sets The Claddagh apart from the others.
(2)
Ken C.
Had the Jameson burger, holy crap that was awesome. Good atmosphere with Irish music, if that's your thing. I'll definitely go back.
(4)
Don S.
Came here with another family for thanksgiving dinner and ordered off the large menu, guess I should of ordered something else, but I figured corn beef and cabbage would be safe at a Irish pub/restaurant. Dry dry dry. No flavor and small portion. My sister in laws food had a hair in it, my nieces dinner came out late after the waitress said they had to remake it (probably forgot to put in the order) and the kicker was we had to ask for our check after waiting a half hour....oh yeah we had a 18% tip included because we had a party of 9. Bad night I guess. Should of had the turkey.
(1)
Melissa M.
Went here today for lunch and was pleasantly surprised. Food was excellent. My friend and I traded a bit from each of our meals and we both really enjoyed it all. The Irish beef stew was tasty and flavorful. My friend's Monte Cristo was delicious, too. The breading/batter was so good, as were the fried cheese curds we had as an app. Service was little bit slow but very friendly and helpful. I will definitely be back.
(4)
Samantha C.
Food is always good. They change the menu often though. Servers are great and very friendly.
(3)
Betty K.
Horrible... I have been going here since it opened. Initially the menu was good... Loved the bangers and mash, cod dinner, shepards pie, the last time I went the menu was totally different and not good, the service was horrible (the waitress was watching a big soccer game and had better things to do than wait tables) and it was so noisy you couldn't hear yourself think... This is my last trip to this place.
(1)
Ted K.
A waste of time and money. Service is maddeningly bad. Waited an hour for food, after waiting 25 minutes for a table when several tables were unoccupied. Hostess seemed ambivalent to whether we waited or left. It was Fathers Day, so I was at least expecting a Happy Fathers Day when we walked in, especially since they were running a FD promotion. Waited another five minutes for silverware to get to the table, and we hunted down our own condiments from the servers station. The server at one point complained about how understaffed they were today, which is odd since it was a holiday. Beer was cold, and the food was priced about average for the area, which tends to be overpriced in general. I guess the beer and bar are reasonable excuses to come here. ***as a follow up, I informed the bartender they were getting hammered on Yelp and she replied "a bunch of ungrateful "@&$?!"
(2)
Lauralyn T.
We visited Claddagh on Father's Day (early dinner), and when we arrived, there weren't that many people . . it filled quickly. Our waiter was attentive at first .. . our drinks and appetizer arrived in good time. However, our dinner arrived at least 30 minutes after our order was taken . . . this is in line with some of the other reviews . . meals taking so long. We like the food . . everyone in our party enjoyed their dinner. I just don't know if they are short staffed (waiter never visited 'till we were about finished) or what . . it's too bad, because location, atmosphere is great.
(3)
Vladimir K.
This place is ass. Typical schlocky gimmicky crap that would only be passed off to dumb honkies in the suburbs who have never been anywhere. Dumb food, dumb atmosphere, service is ass, plus I peeked in the kitchen on my way to the restroom and it looked super dirty. This place sucks liquified anaconda feces through a straw made of hollowed-out rinoceros bones.
(1)
Erin K.
Hello, Claddagh! I was so excited to try this pub because I have been having fond memories of Ireland. I met three friends for a noon lunch and the place was almost empty. (And yet, our waitress was quite less than attentive...) I loved the decor, for the most part...I enjoyed the atmosphere and would love to come back at night when it might feel a little more full. My friends split the BOGO fish and seemed to like it. All of them had been here before and said you can't really go wrong...they have liked everything they have had. I took at chance on the beef stew and while it didn't live up to my Irish memories, it was tasty. I think next time I'll go a different route...there are several other things I wanted to try (like baked mac and cheese!) This will definitely be on my list of places to return, hopefully sooner rather than later!
(4)
PG M.
This pub has a really wonderful atmosphere. When we were there the live music was top notch, the beer selection was great, and the draught beers were fresh. The food is another story. It is just terrible, no other way to describe it. The vol-au-vents were probably the most revolting dish I have eaten in recent history. The Shepherd's Pie had potential, but the mashed potatoes was so fat-laden that it was inedible. Many other dishes were ordered by our party, and none could even be considered okay, let alone good. For such a wildly popular pub/restaurant there really is no excuse for the abysmal food quality.
(3)
Jerry G.
I've been here a number of times over the last 6 years. I've done mostly dinners here, occasionally a lunch, and have had a few times where I sat at the beer and tried to walk myself down their beer taps from left to right. The daily specials on drinks make it reasonable in terms of prices. The yelp coupon offering $4 off of an Irish Coffee seems pretty good. They have in the past played with the menu a couple of times a year. It got to the point where I would order the corned beef and cabbage entree just to see how different it was from the last time I had it. I've been told they've toned that down a bit and are more consistent. I've gotten into the habit of shaking a little bit of the Malt Vinegar onto the Pub Chips (which are fries). It kind of grew on me. I've had their Guinness Onion Soup (ok to good), their Paddy Mac (must have up'ed it somewhat from the beginning of the year because another reviewer said it was a single piece of corned beef with a lot of cole slaw. Mine had a number of layers of corned beef and the slaw was not overly done) (good), Corned beef and Cabbage (good), Fish N Chips (good to almost great), Shepherd's Pie (good to almost great), and the Beef Stew (good). I've also tasted a few whiskies here. They keep a decent stock. Haven't had many of their appetizers because they appear to be the same appetizers you can get at other places. To me, what makes it a 4 star instead of a 3 star are the bartenders. They have always been friendly, talkative, knowledgeable of the beers and somewhat knowledgeable of the whiskies. It's more often than not that they'll reach across the bar, shake your hand, tell you their name and ask yours. Bar patrons seem to be a friendly crowd as well. They must be doing something right. Since I moved into the area in 2005, I've watched other food joints in that mall area drop out.
(4)
Jolly S.
Service was very good and fish and chips are so nice and crispy. Overall though the food wasn't anything too exciting. I had the beef stew which was hearty and served over a ball of mashed potatoes, but it wasn't particularly flavorful. I might come back for beer and music since the place itself is really nice but ill pass on dinner.
(2)
Sylvie Z.
We had terrible service (Wait time nearly an hour from order to service!) And food very mediocre. We would not come back.
(1)
Bridget K.
A few yearsI ago, gave Claddagh a great review. I am sorry to say, I can't do that again. It still looks good, but they have turned up the music level so loud you can't talk over it and it's just typical restaurant music. Somebody should tell them it's an Irish themed place. The food is bland, the kind you can get anywhere. The staff can be good, they can be as bland as the food or they can be downright dreadful. On our last two visits I had to send my Irish Coffee back. Once it was cold, once it came in a regular coffee cup and both times, it lacked whipped cream. The mac and cheese was not on the menu which was disappointing as it made such a nice change from fries. I think the place needs a new chef and possibly a new manager. I'm sorry to have to say this as I really liked this place.
(2)
Clint B.
Ok burger with decent Jameson sauce, some sort of stale onion straws and the fries were almost as bad as possible. Nice decor and nice staff.......Probably why I can give it 3 instead of 2 stars. I don't think I will be going there again.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Music : Background Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Best Nights : Thu, Sat, Sun Coat Check : No Smoking : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Supriya D.
Came here today to reunite with two friends I haven't seen in a while. After hearing great things about it, I was excited to stop in! The place was pretty empty for a Sunday dinner, but somehow the food was still rather slow. It wasn't abysmal but it definitely could have been improved considering how few people were there. The waitress was nice and refilled our drinks often, and the manager even stopped by to check on us. They were making positive efforts which were appreciated! We ordered the spinach artichoke dip for an appetizer. It was good, but kind of bland. I got soup also, the potato bacon soup which was alright, I've had better. The meal was actually great! Super large portion and great for the price. I forgot the name, but it was basically this shrimp with sweet chilli sauce and a side of rosemary potatoes. This was definitely great, food alone would probably be a 4 out of 5 stars for this meal. Didn't get drinks but saw the specials were good, so may be a good place to come in the future. Overall, food has lots of potential and service for food could be a bit quicker, but it is something nice to try!
(3)Theresa C.
I want to love this place. But like a bad boyfriend, it keeps disappointing me. Yet I keep going back. I went to a Yelp event a few months ago and everything seemed to improve. The food was better and tastier. The manager acknowledged the past problems and was ready to fix them. This pub had the makings of (dare I say) a 5 star review. I came in on Tuesday to try it again. The place was pretty busy and looked pretty good. It seems like they went with a streamlined menu or maybe it's just me. Well at least my favorite, Paddy Mac was still around. You won't let me down, will ya yummy sandwich? I ordered that and it was good but not as fantastic as I remembered. But the real disappointment came in the mac n' cheese though. If there was cheese in there I would be surprised . It tasted like buttered noodles. I had to add a ton of salt and pepper just to get it down. What happened to the creaminess and cheesiness? I've never had a problem with service here and once again it was great. Our waiter was spot on. But the food just wasn't as great as before. Still a good pub at 3.5, just not in the top pub club yet. What happened to us? Like I said before I really want to love you Claddagh but you're making it so hard for me to do so.
(3)Mike B.
Really solid food, and good drink prices.
(3)Bridget B.
Fun atmosphere, I really like how the place is decorated. Our server was attentive, and he food came out promptly. I ordered the corned beef- the sides were amazing, as was the sauce. The beef itself was just okay. Not very flavorful. The rest of my family enjoyed their orders of beef stew, various chicken dishes, and salads.
(3)Joe B.
I like the multifaceted aspect of Claddagh; it seems like there are a dozen rooms, nooks, and crannies. Service is pretty good, and so is the live music. It looks and feels very homey inside, but I just can't get over the fact that it's all manufactured. Obviously it's not a real Irish pub, since it's in Illinois and not Ireland, but there are dozens of Illinois pubs with their own unique histories. This Claddagh, however, is one of 15 nationwide. And it's in a shopping center. The only question is, does any of that matter when you're hungry and thirsty?
(3)Gaby F.
This is a huge place. Being in suburbs, it's more geared up for meals than drinking (like a Fados downtown etc.). In winter, there are lots of tables and big spaces to huddle. We went at the end of summer and sat on a pleasant patio overlooking a large pond with a fountain that killed the traffic on Randall Road. Our waitress greeted us with usual "how are you" but when we asked how she was we got "meh, same old, same old.." Mmmm. They make a big thing of the eight-minute Scotch egg (see Gary Rhodes for the perfect recipe). What arrived was dark brown (burnt) on outside, with a completely hard-boiled egg on inside that was not, in any way, soft. Not great. Oh BTW, the Irish love Colman's English Mustard and there was none here. I'm not sure if they stocked HP Sauce either.. The Meatloaf Sandwich had a tiny smear of BBQ sauce on thick bread slices, and the meatloaf was dry and thin. I should have ordered the entree meatloaf, which I assume was thicker. The fries were good, but the coleslaw was a tiny portion in a paper vessel. Boddingtons was fine. It's not like the beer they sell in Manchester, but this is Geneva. The wine selection had the usual rubbish: cheap wine (St. Michele, Los Almos, etc.). It is obviously not a wine place at all. The beer selection was bigger, but with no surprises. There were no cocktails. Last night I was in Unlimited on Kinzie and that was really very good. The Claddagh is just another huge chain place, without heart or soul. It just about does what it says on the label and can be found pretty much everywhere, except Ireland..
(2)Jessica D.
Came here with my mom for a lunch on Saturday during the FIFA world cup. The bar portion was very full and busy (and a little noisy I might add) but we were sat next to a gorgeous nook and stained glass window on the opposite side of the restaurant. The place is decorated like an old abbey or similar semi-gothic semi stone pubby look. Spectacular mood decor. Absolutely lovely lunch of a humongous fish and chips platter. A good hard cider for me and a harp for mom. Then some eaton mess for sharing and it was the perfect pub luncheon. The bathrooms are behind the bar and well appointed if a little dimly lit. It's a wonderful, authentic looking, delicious pub and you really must try it if you're a pub fan in the area.
(5)Justin L.
A great pub, decent food, good drinks, good service. I came here for the Yelp event, but true to my usual nature, I got there early and started drinking first. The bar tender was very attentive, and I got my drinks quickly... and he was attentive enough to notice when the next round was needed. The Yelp event included the house sangria, which may have been the best sangria I've had in a long time. I would definitely recommend it if you like sangria. The food... I sadly can't say much about. Simply because most of the food for the event was cheesy (and I sadly can't eat too much cheese). However, the chicken satay was pretty good! I really liked the venue. It had a nice pub feel to it (all wood furnishing), and has a few fire pits outdoors. I'm a big fan of drinking around a fire pit or bonfire, so a definite plus!
(3)Mark K.
Food was only so-so, the service was slow -- even on a very slow Labor Day afternoon. And the MUSIC. The background music is /too loud/ and puts me on edge. Couldn't wait to get out! Used to be one of our favorite places but every experience has been slightly worse than the last. Won't be going back soon.
(2)Patrick L.
Only been here for lunch but it's a solid place. Good burgers, good service & plenty of space.
(4)Dana G.
Any pub with a glass-chiller made of ice that runs the length of the bar gets an automatic 3 stars in my book. What a cool (wink-wink) invention! I can't believe more bars don't have this. It actually works too. I was having a hard time finishing my beer because of my food coma after a Yelp event, and it was still cold after a lengthy time. The Claddagh is very clean and its decor is fun to look at. Stone walls and faux lanterns have a castle-like feel. I've never been in a castle but in my mind that's what one looks like. Large screen TVs all around. I didn't try the food. I am ashamed to say even being Irish I dislike traditional Irish food. I would definitely come back for more pints if ever in the Geneva Commons again. The waitress was very fun and introduced us to new shots that taste like rootbeer floats. Yum! Slainte!
(3)Rachel D.
I really want to give this place more stars, but I have now been there 3 times, and each time it gets worse, the service is one of the reasons for less stars along with food not being cooked to proper temp.
(3)Lucas C.
Service was good but my fish and chips were a soggy mess.
(2)Allene R.
The potato leek soup was awesome. Wish I'd had more!!! And the salad was much more than a house salad. Can hardly wait to go again.
(4)Jeannie T.
Outdoor ambiance is awesome - great patio with strings of lights, cute portable heaters, and amazing view of fountain/small pond. Food was good - I got pasta with portabella mushroom in a creamy pesto sauce. Very reasonable $6.99 for the lunch portion. Hubby got a corned beef sammy. Both were very good and I would order them again. I'm interested in finding out if they have live music because I was really digging the vibe this place had. We will definitely check it out again! (BTW, the "check in" was for $4 an Irish coffee. We skipped since it was hot out!)
(4)Bridget K.
My friend's and I went here for my friends Dad's birthday. We went on a Thursday night for the Trivia. Her dad loves trivia, so it was a good choice. We were able to choose our own table in which we picked a booth. It was the only space in the Trivia area which seated six people the number in our group. Our server Shannon was awesome! She explained when we sat down that because we were there for Trivia she would only check in a few times throughout the night, but if we needed help to raise our hand and she would come over. We ordered a few appitzers to split between the table. I ordered a Harp which is my favorite Irish beer besides Guinness. My friend has a Gluten Free diet and found out that she could drink a Magners Cider because it is Gluten Free. The food was good and we really enjoyed Shannon's suggestion of trying the spinach, artichoke and chicken sandwich. The reason for the 3 stars is the Trivia game. I'm no Trivia rookie, I play every week in Chicago. The game was pretty easy and took a little bit to understand how to play it. The point system did not make much sense, nor did the "free" answer. The Trivia that I play in Chicago you get a bonus point and not a "free" answer. It was still fun. My friend's Dad enjoyed the night and said it was very relaxing which was nice. Maybe we will be back again for Trivia. If not, I am sure we will be back to Claddagh to get a proper pint of Guinness.
(3)Vivian Y.
No doubt, I really enjoyed my fish and chips. It was a whole piece of cod filet deep fried in a light breading and not oily (it was fried at the perfect temperature). Husband ordered the meatloaf which was quite a large portion. We also shared the Irish egg rolls - corned beef and cabbage filling on the inside. My complaint - our appetizer took 20 mins and our entrees took 50 mins to arrive. We were there for lunch and it was 2pm. I can't imagine that the restaurant was that busy. This could have easily been a 4 star.
(3)Mary B.
Um, hi, my name is Mary and I have an addiction to Irish pubs. And if this bar was closer, I'd be there every friggin day. What an interesting place! I went there for a Yelp event and had a blast. The food was great and the service was absolutely delightful! I didn't have too much food because I was 'working' the event, but I still was able to see how fun this place is. Everyone I talked to enjoyed the food and had a great time. They had all of your famous Irish beers, Smithwicks being my fav. And they also have a bunch of flights! Irish whiskey flights, Irish beer flights, Scotch flights... I mean, watch out if you have any of those! (or make sure you have a driver!) They had live authentic Irish music when I was there too. These boys were on tour, but I'm sure they have live music every week. This music was great and felt like I was stuck in the middle of Ireland, smelling the peat and having a grand ol' time. The service, I have to say, was really great. Everyone was so pleasant and accommodating. Once the event was over, I sat at the bar and had another pint with the musicians. The bartender actually let us stay past their closing time AND gave us a free shot at midnight because it was someone's birthday! How fun! I can't tell ya how nice everyone was! So yes, if you're in the area, go here. I live about an hour away so it'd be hard for me to visit very often, but I'll try my best to get my parents out there!
(5)Doug H.
I was not a huge fan. The food was blah (borderline gross). The only thing saving the 2 star rating is that the patio has a nice view over a small fountain lake. I likely won't be back.
(2)Diane H.
Typical pseudo Irish pub experience which is quite nice. The beer is good, especially if you can't handle a full Guinness (like me) they have yummy blends. The food is tasty and menu is very traditional. I usually get the fish and chips and the hub gets bangers and mash. There's some sort of egg roll appetizer involving potatoes that's pretty decent too. The service is usually good but the wait can be long if it's a weekend night.
(4)Keith O.
Great looking place and cool atmosphere. And the entertainment was fun. That's where the good stuff ends. OK, maybe that's not entirely fair as it was my first time there. But I went there jonesing for a Rueben (a staple in every Irish pub I've been to) and I was shocked to find they didn't have one on the menu. Instead they had something called the Paddy Mac which was corned beef, cole slaw and swiss on sourdough bread. Well it was smothered in slaw and the corned beef was a single layer that was paper thin. As a matter of fact, I couldn't taste the corned beef at all. Terrible excuse for a "kind of Rueben" sandwich. Add to it that the bartender didn't know what a Big Ginger was (Jameson and Ginger) and I left there wanting more and with no intent of going back. So many good Irish pubs, there's no point in spending my money there,
(1)Lynn M.
We went in again on 1/28/13. We both started with soup. The soup was flavorful, but luke warm. We ordered the fish and chips. The fish was fantastic, and a large portion. It seemed to be a better experience than last time, however, when my mother found a piece of cabbage floating in her diet coke, I was speechless. It seems very hit or miss at Claddagh.
(2)Dianne S.
Big space, big menu, big prices. Needed a table for 11 plus 2 kiddies on a Saturday night and with a 45 min wait @ Buffalo Wild Wings and no waiting @ Cladaugh-the choice was easy. The grub...huge portions!! Ordered the fish & chips and out came an entire beer battered filet complete with wedge fries..somewhat skimped on coleslaw. The menu is so extensive & enticing that if you're not careful you'll end up ordering 2-3 entrees! Irish eats like bangers & mash and shepherd's pie are just a couple dishes to name a few. You can even mix their beers on tap, how cool is that?! Service could have been better, but we appreciated her splitting the check for us. This is a great place for big groups, they even have special areas sectioned away for bigger parties, complete with couch seating! Very comfy place to spend a cold winter's dinner! Plus...free wi-fi!!
(3)Mac B.
Irish pub. We ate there a number of times. Food was ok. I think a lot of folks just go for the beer and the beer. Live music on some nights. Chicken sandwich is good. A bit spicy, but good spicy. If you are a major food critic, you probably won't be thrilled. But it's someplace different to try if you have never been here. I would not wait in line for 30 minutes to eat here, but very few places would I do that anyway. Would we eat here again, yes. It's just not a regular go to spot for us though.
(3)Denise J.
im not sure why this place gets such a meh review, I thought it was OUTSTANDING!!! A friend and I went out to lunch and we were actually on our way to another restaurant in the area but as soon as I saw the Claddagh I knew I had to try it. This is the only location that is left in IL and I'm not sure why they all have closed down. It was a Sunday, so the restaurant was not crowded at all, and we got a seat in the bar area right away. I asked our waitress what beers they had on tap and she said they had about 25 different ones, and that it might be easier to tell her what I like. I had a taste for a cider and sadly most places dont have that option but I thought I might try. I was in luck, they had cider on tap, and not only a cider my favorite cider!! If you have never tried magners I highly recommend it!!! Even my friend who doesnt like beer or really drink at all liked the sip he had of mine(thats all I would share with him) For lunch I ordered the mushroom ravioli in alfredo sauce...im not usually an alfredo sauce kinda person, but I could not pass up the mushroom ravioli. Mhy friend got the shepards pie. Im so glad I stuck with the mushroom ravioli, the alfredo sauce was not the usual heavy sauce, this was a lighter alfrado....so amazing!!! the ravioli were stuffed full of mushrooms and the mushrooms had a very good flavor to them. My friends shepards pie was also really good. I have had shepards pie once before and thought it was a liiiiiittle bit salty but still really good. the Claddagh's shepards pie was not salty at all!! The vegetables were cut into big pieces, which is nice for not slidding off your fork. The mash potatos were fluffy and the meat inside was seasoned very nicely. There was about 5 other items I wanted to try on the menu, so I know I will be back for sure!!!
(5)Amber S.
To be honest, I am not a super fan of Irish food. But this place is cozy and well appointed. The service has always been great too. But my favorite thing is sitting outside here. Maybe it was the Blue Moon, but it's nice. The calamari here is some of the best I have ever had.
(4)Sandy A.
We ate dinner here just a few days before Thanksgiving. There were 3 things that really impressed me. 1) There were still Fall decorations up - not Christmas. 2) the manager, Brian, came to our table, introduced himself and wanted to make sure we were having a fabulous experience and 3) our waitress, Chelsea was excellent. The food was good. We had appetizers of corned beef and cabbage rollups which were like mini reuben sandwiches and very tasty. I'm not a "big Irish food" kind of person, but I'd go back. The food was substantial and seasoned well. For dessert we shared a "trio" of desserts and it was awesome with flourless chocolate cake, ice cream and pumpkin cream brulee. We'd go back!
(3)Kimberly H.
My husband & I went here this past weekend. He ordered the corned beef & cabbage & I had the fish & chips. The corned beef & cabbage was standard, but my husband was impressed with the size portion of the fish. The batter was very light & crisp. However, I found that my fries under the fish plank were swimming in the grease. I'm not a huge fish fan, but it sounded good and I gave it a try. It was ok, but my husband thought it was excellent & he finished it. I know this is an Irish pub with Irish fare, but I think I would have liked to have seen some Irish beef stew on the menu.
(3)Jen M.
The Claddagh is a good place to go if you've already eaten and want to get drinks. Case in point: My husband ordered something along the lines of a chicken sandwhich. I think that is what it was titled on the menu. Everyone knows a chicken sanwhich, just like everyone knows mac n cheese... there are different variations, but, eh, not enough to reclassify or even create a new subcategory. I will just say that the chicken sandwhich my huz ordered at Claddagh deserved it's own subcategory. And I mean "sub" in the most degrading way possible. When it can out, steaming on the plate before us, we told the waiter thanks but huz didn't order a burger. To which he replied, "It's not a burger, its just ground up chicken meat so it looks like a burger." OOOKAAAY. I don't know about you, but I don't want my food to RESEMBLE what it's not... or anything for that matter. Like those damn soy hot dogs. I think food should represent itself, and represent itself well. Just saying. That being said, the look alike burger/sandwhich was chewy and tasteless (in both senses of the word). I tried it just to validate. I, on the other hand, went the more traditional route, ordering a corn beef sandwhich. It looked great and tasted.... stale. Hard as a brick. The upside is that Claddagh has many many interesting beers on tap with plenty of drink specials-- many beverage options to wash away your sorrows or Irish-fare-gone-bad disappointments. Which, in my opinion, is worth exactly 2 stars.
(2)Colleen D.
Been here before but went last weekend and was very disappointed. Went specifically for their Corn Beef Rolls - completely tasteless. It was truly weird how there was no taste. I also ordered fish and chips - again - unimpressed - tasteless. My mom had the Shepards Pie - she also said it just didn't have a taste. The staff kept telling us they have a new lighter menu.....menu looked the same but maybe they are just preparing the food lighter? I can't say for sure but I was disappointed and won't be going back for a long time. I also thought the prices were a little high.
(2)Keegan L.
Part of the Claddagh franchise, traditional Irish pub, great beer selection. But as the other reviews state, food is generally sub-par. Average waitstaff performance.
(3)Joe B.
One if the best Guinness pours you will find. I agree with Amanda K., these reviews must be old. Since 2005, I've been here at least 15-20 times. I believe the first 2 yrs were a learning curve for them. They have changed the menu several times since, and I think I have tried everything. We hardly ever sit at the bar, so I can't comment on the service, but there used to be a bartender by the name of Trish and she rocked! Trish, where did you go? The prices are average for the authentic tasting large portions. I will definitely continue to frequent.
(4)Jake H.
Love coming here! Used to frequent twice a week but conflict of work schedule hinders that now. Great food that is always consistent. Drinks are always poured spot on and the wait staff and management are all super friendly. Must try the corned beef and cabbage egg rolls!
(5)Steve G.
This place has gotten better over time, or else I've grown to accept it. It's not really an Irish pub, per se, but it serves a great pint of Guinness, there's a good selection of Irish whiskies, and the decor is definitely Irish. But it's hard to call this a pub when it's the size of a Chuck E. Cheese. It's a huge place, with rooms decorated in different motifs, like a library or a even a church. Fireplaces and plenty of wood abound. A great deck as well. UPDATE (07/31/2007): First a disclaimer... I got an email from the CEO for the Claddagh restaurants, and he invited the wife and I out for a drink and to talk about my previous experiences - good and bad - so this review may be less than 100% objective. I don't think it is unfair, but there it is. The menu HAS been updated, and they've dropped some old favorites, like the Calamari Salad. They updated their burger, and they're highlighting a corned beef and cabbage roll appetizer. The wife and I split the corned beef/cabbage roll appetizer and the fish and chips. The appetizer was very good, although it could have been a wee bit crispier for our tastes (not sure if that would have made it greasier though). My wife also thought it would go better with a mustard dip instead of the 1000 Island dip they provided. The fish and chips was outstanding. Now, we may have gotten special attention and that might be why the hunk of fish was so large -- but it was cooked PERFECTLY, with the batter just thick enough. Highly recommended! For dessert, we let them talk us into the new bread pudding dessert. Another home run. The portion was huge -- big enough for 3 to share. It floated on a delicious custard, and the pudding itself was fresh and full of good stuff. This is worth returning for, even if you didn't like anything else. We took half of it home and enjoyed it the next day -- that's the good thing about bread pudding. Like lasagna, it gets better with age... Overall, I bumped my rating up to 4 stars based on this visit. I think the food is much improved, and the only weak spot is the lack of true Irish character behind the bar. A couple of wisecracking tinkers fresh off an Aer Linugs non-stop from Shannon would add to the atmosphere, although the bartenders are definitely cute and friendly enough right now. Overall, I'd recommend this as an everyday place to eat and drink. It can get crowded at dinnertime, so allow for that. I'm not sure about reservations since we usually drop by when we're out shopping.
(4)JT A.
If you're looking for a good selection of Irish, European, and American beers, this could be the place for you. If you are looking for good Irish food, this is not the place for you. The corned beef and cabbage was a shame. It looks like deli cut corned beef service over scalloped-style potatoes and some warmed up cabbage. The service did handle our table of 10 quite well. Drinks initially arrived slowly, so we just planned accordingly and weren't without the rest of evening. After the meal we wandered over to the bar area to listen to some live music and the bartender were fast and friendly. No problems there. I agree with the other reviews that if you're looking for a good Irish pub, this isn't it. If you're looking for a nice place to have a few beers then maybe this will be worth the stop.
(2)Reese N.
Visited on Sunday, March 16,2014 at 3 p.m. Walked in for a mother daughter lunch on our way back to college. A wristband was placed on my hand when I replied yes if I was drinking. Chose our own table, cool, but when waitress arrived I told her that I wanted a drink that was on the menu, she did not know drink and insisted on beer, how many years ago did I see this drink on the menu, she asked. I requested the drink menu and she said none was available, finally brought drink menu to find that my favorite hot cider was on the menu. One daughter is strict vegetarian but full menu not available. She ordered hot tea. Our food, which was awesome, arrived before our drinks... And our water was in plastic and mine remained empty for all of the meal. Was asked if I needed more when the check arrived. Many tables were empty. I still tipped 20% as the young server seemed to need support. I really love the hot drinks, food and bread pudding, but terrible service...oh and did I mention that our table tipped at the end? It had napkins under one leg to balance...all the bottles slid off! Two of us ate, one had tea.. We were full but not served well...
(2)Jeremy F.
The Claddagh has gotten a lot better over the years. I don't remember the specific time frame, but they seemed to mix up their menu quite a bit. Now, every time I go, it's hard to stay away from the Bacon and Cabbage dish - one of the best on their menu in my opinion. Often they'll have great live music - especially the Celtic Sounds - and trivia nights. This combined with a friendly wait staff helps make for a great experience.
(4)Daniele B.
My grandma and I both had the dubliner chicken and it was very bland. No flavor what so ever. I also had the clam chowder again there was no flavor there either. I don't recommend it.
(2)P S.
The insides are nicely done and would be great for a big group as well as some covert canoodling in one of the alcoves... ...but you'll be waiting a really long time for your canoodle-inspiring beverages. Sure the waitstaff is really friendly, the beer list is pretty impressive (Beamish in the burbs!) and the patio is lovely... ...but prepare to sit for a while after you order your delicious beers on the lovely patio. The wait time for our soup and half sandwich lunch today was easily over 20 minutes and while the place wasn't remotely crowded and our server didn't seem very busy, mom and I both wondered what was with the hold up. The prices range from fairly decent ($7.99 for that soup and half sandwich, $9 for a loaded Cobb salad) to rather ridiculous ($18.99 for a salmon entree). I bet it's a great date place given the low lighting, and I have had the fish and chips before which were some of the best ever... oh and I guess also the Guinness onion soup was delicious... hmm on second thought, I'll go from two stars to three.
(3)Al M.
We were in Geneva to visit my son. We wanted to eat out side. We saw the umbrellas and turned in. This is how we ended up at Claggagh. The weather was perfect, and the waitress was excellent. The retaining pond that was adjacent to the outside eating area was quite mucky and dirty to look at, so I stopped looking. That is the best thing I can say about our meal. While the food was not horrible, it was very homogeneous. Like almost any other chain restaurant that one might go too. We ordered a couple of small plates for appetizers. I do understand what a small plate is. I ordered olives and pickles. I literally got 4 olives and one small dill pickle cut in quarters. My wife's cheese while passable for an everyday brie and fruit was also just OK. When they say small they mean small. I ordered a grilled chicken salad it had about 3oz of dry chicken on it with goat cheese, nuts and the basic salad stuff. My son's fish and chips was cooked well but not seasoned at all. I rarely expect much from chains, this is no different.
(2)Chuck D.
As far as Irish pubs go, its pretty generic. The atmosphere is fun though and the food is decent - just don't expect anything to shock your pants off! Not a huge beer selection, to be honest, but they can have some good specials. I would like to sit out on the porch one time as that always looks quite nice. Definitely worth a try if you are in the mood for an Irish Pub as there isn't much other choice in the area.
(3)Missy L.
I have never been to Claddagh before and will be going again soon. The appetizers provided were delicious. The spinach/artichoke dip was my favorite. I am not a fan of mushrooms or fish but let me tell you.....my friend literally stopped eating and paused to savor the salmon mousse. Being a vegetarian she was so happy to have more than just 1 option to sample.
(5)Allison A.
I love this place! I love the beer chiller at the bar that keeps my black & tan perfect. I love the live music. The spinach artichoke chicken sandwich is good. We always end up here at the end of a date, great Irish pub. I would give it 5 stars if they improve their dessert menu; it is new & not the best-- but do I really need to be eating dessert while drinking beer??
(4)Barbara B.
Good atmosphere. Good service. Mediocre food. I had a chicken wrap - McDonald's is better. My husband did like the Irish stew
(2)Nicole L.
Food was not impressive. My baked mac & cheese was mildly better than the Kraft Homestyle Mac & Cheese at the store. Plus it was supposed to come with bread but didn't. When we asked about it our waiter acted like he was doing us a huge favor by bringing out the two tiniest slices of bread I've ever been served at a restaurant. For those prices I won't be back.
(2)Sabrina M.
All I can say is corned beef and cabbage egg rolls. To die for. Love it and they have the nicest staff
(5)Jeff S.
Good food, good service, outdoor seating is really nice.
(4)Craig R.
Decent place for a beer and some of the more typical irish fare. the portions are HUGE though so be sur eyou have an appetite or be prepared to take some home. I had the sheperd's pie and it was pretty good. Wife had the fish and chips which looked really yummy. This is not haute cuisine or gourmet food but satisfying-stick-to-your-rib food.
(3)Brian L.
Although MK and I are not strangers to The Claddagh, we decided to return tonight (11/09/2007) because we got an email saying that in November, some of the old menu favorites would be back. Unfortunately they weren't all back on the menu. We did talk to the waitress and GM about the new items, but MK's favorite Connemara Chicken still won't be returning. Don't get me wrong for everything that follows, but I really DO like Claddagh. Cold beers, tasty chow, but there "corporate" mentality just keeps getting in the way of this being an OUTSTANDING "Irish pub". For instance, tonight's special beer was Dos Equis and the soup of the day was Minestrone. Yep, nothing shouts Irish pub more than Mexican beer (our waitress said it was "Spanish") and Italian soup. I just don't get it, other than their beer distributor is shoving XX down their throats enough for them to make it the special. Seriously, beyond these constant reminders that this wasn't a pub brought directly over from Ireland and desires to be run as if you were IN Ireland, the food continues to impress (although it be with a shorter menu than the past). For a starter, we had the Shamrock Wings. This is one of our favorites every time we go. There's something about a sweet & sour sauce for wings that has a kick to it, that makes the night go that much better. We also each had the Guinness Onion Soup. I'm a baked onion soup fiend, and so I pretty much try it anywhere I can. Last time we went, the onions weren't cooked as much as this time, so I'll just mark that up to a one-off mistake. This time, it was fantastic. I usually have the Fish and Chips and although they've removed the "Full Order" from the menu (which is fine cuz I never could finish it anyway), the cod is always served fresh and the batter is just right and extremely tasty. It, once again, delivered. MK had the Turkey Club and said it was really good. The only thing she doesn't like is the marble rye that it's on. She's not a big fan of any bread other than white, so that was her only drawback, but she said the turkey was fresh as was all other ingredients on the sammy. We usually do opt out of dessert because we're so full. If you have a starter, a soup or salad and your main course, you likely will be too. The only reason I'm giving it 3 stars is because of those tangential things that just keep reminding you, "we're a chain". I don't know how they get rid of it unless someone from corporate sees enough complaints like this. Lastly, about a year ago they got rid of the valet parking. I'm not quite sure why. Given that finding a spot in that lot is always a pain, it's a subtle customer service thing, especially in crappy weather, that was nice. There's ALWAYS High School boys looking for a job, so there's no excuse really other than worries about liability.
(3)John O.
I'm Irish and this place is sad. The drinks are good and so is their little bar they have but the service needs some training and the food has way to much greece in it. I don't know why I took my leftovers of shepherd's pie home and I don't know why. I didn't even touch it again. The Irish are not know for cooking unless it's pub food. Stick to a traditional Irish pub.
(2)Erin B.
Wow, this place has really gone down hill. My family and myself always stop by here for lunch or dinner when we go out for a long day of outlet shopping. It's nestled just outside of a ginourmous strip mall, which also gives us plenty of places to stop after our bellies our full so we can "walk it all off." I should have taken pictures because the inside of this "pub" is really beautiful. Everything from the stained glass (which is directly from Ireland) to the interior decorating to the georgeous patio area. This restaurant must have changed management or something, because the menu is all new, which includes an "irish" lemonade that contains midori and something else that is NOT irish, and service is really lacking. Pops opted for the standard fish and chips which he was quite impressed with (he stated "at least they didn't change this.") while mom and I split the 1/2 pound steak burger which was ok. The BF had the wedge salad and french onion soup which he said was just OK. About a year ago, this place was the best. Everything was SOOO good. It makes me sad that things were just ok this time around. We will probably be back, as we hope that this time was just a fluke.
(3)Barbara Y.
We went on a week night because we had a Restaurant.com certificate and didn't feel like cooking. My husband likes this place, but I think it's because of the Guinness. The food is adequate but can be greasy. We started with the Corned Beef & Cabbage Rolls, which were tasty even thought the potatoes were a bit hard. My entree, Orange Blossom Salmon from the Celtic Seafood Festival menu, had a very oily sauce but no ginger and mandarin salsa as listed on the menu. My husband enjoyed his Guinness Beef Stew but hey, there's that Guinness again. The restaurant really ticked me off by automatically adding an 18% tip to the bill. I sympathize with restaurant workers who aren't paid a decent wage and have to rely on tips. I usually tip 20% if the service is good, but I refuse to do so when I'm treated like a child who can't be trusted to tip on the full check amount before the discount.
(2)Jennifer B.
This place was trying WAY to hard to be an authentic Irish pub. Our waitress even had a little speech about how each room was made to look like a different type of pub in Ireland. Having an English husband I have spent my fair share of time in pubs (admittedly mostly to make the in-laws bearable, but whatever) and you just can't recreate the 100 years worth of filth, smoke, and grease in a brand new American pub, no matter where you import your stained glass windows from. Even if they dropped the "we're an authentic Irish pub" front, it still wasn't that good. The food was mediocre and my beer came warm.
(1)Rob H.
Great beer, but they just serve it. The food is mediocre at best and no where near worth what you'll pay for it. The people are nice, but they alone can't justify the prices.
(3)Karen B.
The food was bland. No flavor. The waiter seemed bored and annoyed. We sat outside which was nice except for the fact that I tripped over one of several pipes sticking out of the ground from their unfinished construction. I sat eating my corn beef and potatoes with an ice pack on my ankle. i was uncomfortable. The manager came by at the beginning to apologize and give me the ice pack but that was it. He didnt come by to check on us. I felt that was very rude. I will never go back.
(1)Pattie G.
Worst service I have ever had! Can't comment on food, they couldn't get it out to me in the hour I was there. Then they told me what I ordered wasn't available.
(1)Jeff H.
WOW - I'm really shocked at some of the reviews posted here - to each their own, I guess. People love Egg Harbor and Stockholms, for example, and I'm indifferent toward both - but I love the atmosphere and service at Claddagh. In fact, my birthday is tomorrow and my wife has agreed to take me there - we'll split the fish and chips and get our fill of Guinness. The fish and chips is all I've had there, so maybe that's why I'm a little higher on Claddagh than most (btw, Cherie, I hear you about the food poisoning and understand, I've been to the hospital four times in the last 12 years with it, believe me I understand). My 2 cents to people who haven't tried it, give it a shot. I think you'll be pleased.
(4)Chris B.
I'm a huge fan! Being a creature of habit, I always order the Fish and Chips. Delicious! My daughter always orders the Shepherds Pie and she loves it! Nice atmosphere and reasonable pricing.
(4)Kate S.
This places is amazing. My friends and I usually just order a salad and then desserts, because the Bailey's cheesecake is by far the best thing in the world and if I ate a full meal I wouldn't be hungry enough to really enjoy it. When it's warm out, sit on the deck and you can look over the pond and the swans. The only reason I can't give it 5 stars is that I've never ordered an actual entree.
(4)Joseph F.
When this place first opened, the food was excellent and the wait staff polite and attentive. During the past couple of years it has really nose-dived. Our last visit, we were pleasantly surprised with some new offerings on the menu. Unfortunately, the quality is below average at best. Also not a good place if you're drinking Guinness. The pour is poor. Save your money and hit an alternate restaurant - many to choose from in the area.
(2)Andrew K.
Came in on a quiet afternoon. Maybe it was too quiet. After 10 minutes of looking at the menu I had to ask the host to send over our server for our drink order. When we ordered our meal I asked for my burger to cooked medium rare. I was told that "due to health reasons" they only will cook burgers medium well. I have never had a restaurant tell me that. I decided for a chicken sandwich instead. It was overbooked and dried out. I don't plan on going back.
(1)O. K.
All these reviews are really old, maybe they read them & corrected issues.I have ALWAYS had good service, if not occasionally great service. Some times i think service depends on the customer, If you are a jerk or a needy waiter runner, the waiter wil not like you. I have never had an issue, went for the first time in 2005, Thought it was beautiful & food was great, I had Meatloaf & date had Stew-Both super. Last went Valentine's Day 2009-have gone so many times in between I had the Shepards pie once, I think its just not my bag, have to love mashed potatoes-i don't. I like to go early in the day & I get the awesome sausage & egg sandwich, cause my hubby hates breakfast restaurants & its the only way i am getting breakfast with him.. I have always had great service at the bar & have had my share of free samples of different beers & have developed some new tastes. The Fire & Stone in here is gorgeous, i LOVE A PLACE WITH AMBIANCE! The fish-sanwich or entree-so good, drunken steak-so good-Guiness baked onion soup-mmmmmmm! Appetizer must-Corned beef & cabbage egg rolls! I like to go after shopping at The Commons on the weekends, Monday is $10 fish & chips, Weds. is $2.50 drafts They have Live Irish musicians sometimes too.
(5)Cherie K.
If you go here for any of the chicken dishes, word of warning: cut the chicken in half and check for doneness before eating. I ordered the Chicken Kildare (I think that was the name) and got through close to half of it before I noticed the bottom half of the stuffed chicken was literally medium rare. We called the waiter over to show it to him and he immediately removed it, came back later and asked if I wanted something else. I was so worried about getting food poisoning (had it before from chicken, not fun) that I couldn't eat anything else. He removed my portion of the meal completely from the charge, including half the cost of my beer. This was our second trip here and it will be our last. I was unimpressed the first time, too, but wanted to give them another chance. I'll stick with McNally's if I want Irish.
(1)Jay S.
Desperately in need of new management. I've been going here since opening. The quality of food has gone from bad to worse. I figured I'd give it another try tonight for dinner since my son loves the chicken tenders. May have been an off night or something. The service was poor and my balsamic chicken was overcooked and dry. My wife's shepherd's pie was also in need of extra gravy. The server did nothing to mitigate our dissatisfaction ... when she was around. The table next to us was not cleared for twenty minutes as was still dirty when we left. As usual, you can still get a properly pored Guinness - that's why I gave it one star instead of zero. The chicken tenders were the best tasting item on the table.
(1)Olya K.
If I had to describe this place I would say its spotty at best - I have had decent food and not so decent food here, so I think it all depends on what strikes your fancy on the menu on any given night. For me the decision to come back is driven by location convenience more than anything else. Best experience to date is coming in early evening on New Years Eve and sitting at the bar with some appetizers to accompany and live Irish music - before moving on to another restaurant for the actual dinner reservation. Oh, and another time when they had live music on their patio and we sat at a table overlooking a fountain on a balmy spring/summer night. The sandwiches are ok (a chicken pesto variety is the most memorable), the fish and chips choice is not bad if you have not had in a while, and the salads are decent if you want a little bit of a selection. But not great, really! If you were to come here for anything - come for the atmosphere or the beer, not so much the food unless you have been craving some pub grub with a little sophistication to the usual deep fried choices elewhere. They tell you a story about their different room styles - its actually quite noteworthy and peculiar, but is there something wrong about the fact that it took me 5 or 6 times to come here before I got to hear "the story"? I think so - it should more of a marketing gimmick to get people to remember the place and come back. Irish friends of ours say its a place to be for a Sunday lunch - have not made it here for that yet.
(3)Robyn C.
Blech! I should have known better, it was exactly as I suspected...an overpriced tourist trap. If you want Irish, go downtown to McNally's, or Quigley's in Naperville.
(1)Melissa M.
I feel that it is really really hard (for some reason) to find a good Irish restaurant, however, I think the Claddagh is the closest I have found to being good. I have dined there maybe 5 times, and have had great experiences like 3 and a half times. The fish and chips and shepard's pie are GREAT but anytime I deviated too far from that, I was disappointed. Also I ordered some drink that was horribly disgusting and I know it's lame that I can't remember it now but I asked the server if I could have some sprite to put in my drink because it was so gross (kind of implying, could I get something else) and he was just like, uh, OK and brought me the sprite. The drink was no less disgusting. However this was before I had worked in a restaurant and I used to think it was rude to send stuff back and now I am know people do it all the time so I don't feel so bad. Anyway... overall it is a decent Irish dining experience.
(3)Andrea R.
On a recent trip to Illinois some friends took me to what they explained was one of their favorite Irish pubs to frequent. I was excited because any culinary representation of my heritage usually makes me happy. I was curious to see this place looks very "chain like" as opposed to the cute little pub I had in my head, never the less in we go to be seated in quite possibly the coldest room I've ever been in besides a walk in freezer. It's difficult to eat with chattering teeth. We ordered sausage rolls and scotch eggs for appetizers. The scotch eggs were okay, I'm used to the ones at my local pub so I might be biased. However, the sausage rolls were delightful and I wanted to take the plate with me to another table to eat them all myself. That would have been quite rude of me. I ordered the Irish beef stew which came out so hot I loved the warmth radiating onto my frozen fingers. It was delicious and satisfyingly savory. I'd order it again in a heartbeat. I did enjoy the decor quite a bit as the bar area had fun murals and the "castle room" was exactly how I'd want a room in my house to look. Over all a good meal in a fun themed restaurant.
(3)Jennifer D.
We really enjoy sitting on the patio for a late lunch of appetizers - like the pub fries (yummy goodness). Service isn't always the best, but the view is nice if you're overlooking the pond!
(4)Victoria B.
Everything that I had here was phenomenal I only been here twice but I will continue to come Our bartender dan was great, the beer selection is good also. You won't regret to come here, the grilled cheese is awesome! And the Scottish eggs (something like that) are so unique and delish
(5)Josue O.
Delicious modern take on traditional Irish food in a great pub atmosphere. We come here several times a year and this visit wasn't quite as good as usual, but still worth the visit. My favorites are their Guinness onion soup, the fish & chips, and the Irish stew. We also tried, for the first time, their Scotch eggs (good, but not the best I've had) and the sausage rolls, which were nicely prepared with a rustic honey mustard sauce. We also got Irish coffees that were PERFECT. If you're looking for St Patrick's Day any time of the year, give them a try. I don't think you'll be disappointed. My only beef is that the temperature inside the restaurant was arctic!
(4)Martha O.
Fish and chips were good but stay away from veggie burger and chicken sandwich. The manager was nice and did not charge us for the veggie burger or chicken sandwich. It is a pub and you don't necessarily expect great food. Would go here again but wouldn't order those items.
(3)Samantha M.
I really loved this place when I first went there and it used to be one of my husbands favorite restaurants but their quality of food has really gone down. The menu items that made it special- their bangers and mash, bacon and cabbage, rainbow trout, mussels and lamb- have all been removed and replaced with typical and mediocre "Irish" pub fare. On my most recent and last visit, the Irish breakfast was okay and the fish and chips were average The space is really nice but all the toilets in the ladies washroom were broken. It's just a shame that a once great Irish style pub restaurant has fallen so far away from the quality they once had to offer. I won't be dining there again.
(2)Carolina B.
I have been wanting to stop in here for a while and finally got the chance! Unfortunately I wasn't too impressed. We went on a Friday night and it wasn't busy at all, which I take as a bad sign. We were seated at a high top, barrel table. I asked to move and the hostess said we couldn't move because they were re-arranging something in the area I wanted to move to. So we stayed where we were and it was an awful table. Uncomfortable and awkward because it's a barrel! And there was a metal ring around the table making it extra hard to eat. Forget that though the table isn't the only problem! At first we had one server come up and greet us and get us water, then another one came up to do the same, so they were a little unorganized. We ordered our food right away, as always we started with chicken wings and they were good. Best part of the meal. For our entrees; I ordered a house salad and the corned beef and cabbage soup and my boyfriend ordered the Jameson burger with fries. The salad was soggy and warm. Not good. The soup was okay but not very flavorful or unique like the description made it seem. The burger was your average burger but without any garnishes. It was meant to have Guinness cheese sauce over it which my boyfriend ordered on the side, and it was a good decision because the cheese was cold. The fries were the only truly good thing but that's hard to mess up. We were disappointed and probably won't go back.
(2)Mike T.
Stopped in for dinner. Ended up having a beer and leaving. Unimpressive menu. When we told the server we wouldn't be eating she turned on us. Friendly became a bad attitude. The place had 6 people in there at dinner time. Don't think I'm going back.
(2)Jennifer H.
Food is really bland. Fish and chips were nothing special. The service was okay though.
(2)Shondra M.
They seem to have typical Irish food. Our food was very tasty, the only downside was the slow service and our waiter was very bad at getting us refills. Overall, was ok.
(3)Sarah L.
I don't even want to give this place one star! I ordered the farmhouse salad which is doing mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and sliced cucumbers. When my salad arrived the lettuce was limp and shriveled, some to the point where it was rolled into balls. I am sure that this particular food was stored improperly, and if you can't store lettuce properly I am betting the rest of your food in the walk in is stored incorrectly as well. In addition to my salad my daughters cheese burger was delivered without cheese. My husbands fish and chips was soggy...sounds great I know. Oh and the manager didn't come over once.. We will never ever be back
(1)Rittersportzfan P.
I can always tell when a place is going to suck...hostess is missing, one waitress running around like a chicken with her head cut off. I hung around here with my Father and son for 15 minutes then decided to walk down the street to better offerings. No Irish food is worth this wait, I don't care if it's made by magical Leaperchauns who bleed Jameson Whiskey. My advice to the management is hire more people who care otherwise the Houlihans less than 1km down the road will gladly take your business.
(1)Dave Y.
The menu has something for everybody. Being on a paleo diet, I am always looking for protein heavy dishes and the Irish Breakfast (Served all day and pictured here) fit the bill. It is basically all I order when I go in now. When I want to cheat a bit, the Scottish eggs, served with their mustard sauce, is always calling out to me and more often than not is my "cheat" for the day. Do yourself a favor and order outside your comfort zone. You will not be disappointed. I highly recommend a visit here.
(5)Nicole B.
My aunt and cousin took me out shopping in Geneva and we needed a break. Luckily, they have been to the Claddagh numerous times and said it was good so we decided to stop in for a drink. It was such a nice day out, we had to sit outside. It was really nice, since we got to see the man-made lake and enjoy the breeze. (We even got to see mama ducks and their baby duckies! It was very exciting.) Our waiter arrived, informing us they had some specials (including $4 mimosas and Bloody Marys) so we had a hard time deciding what to get. My cousin decided on a Bloody Mary, craving the salty and spicy tang. I was undecided but knew my aunt liked wine, so suggested we split a sangria carafe. She was game and we got the red sangria. Our waiter continued to check on us, seeing if we needed any refills. Halfway through, we decided we were hungry and out waiter was happy to oblige. We ordered some corn beef and cabbage rolls, think corn beef and cabbage inside a won ton wrapper deep fried. (Or a Rueben deep fried.) They were unique and delicious. We finished our drinks and were on our way. I'd definitely come back to try some of their other food items - the fried fish looked amazing!
(4)Janine K.
For starters, this place has a great atmosphere, which represents an pub in Ireland so I'm thinking this would be a great place to go for St. Patrick's Day. I don't live in the area, but I met a friend here for lunch at 2:00 on a Sunday. There was no wait, and the place wasn't packed or anything so it was a good time to go. Our server, John was good and the only problem I had with this place was with the salad I ordered. I ordered the lunch size mac & cheese (with Guinness Beer Cheese sauce & bacon) YUM! and a side salad. I got the mac & cheese but not the salad. I grabbed our server's attention and told him about the salad and brought another one right up. Strangely enough, someone else brought a salad up far after we were done eating...I obviously didn't take it, I told her we were already done eating. Other than that, everything was A-Ok! They have a good menu so I'd definitely return for more.
(3)Diana J.
I love this place for special occasions. Amazing view outside with the fire pits and water fountain. Menu is kinda short but offers great meals. Great bar items too! FYI you can also buy the rings! They used to have live music on Fridays but that stopped.
(4)Curt A.
Well we'll see how this goes,.table is sticky. The runner brought out the appetizer ( corned beef and cabbage roll, very good) but no plates. Food came out, I had the Monte Cristo and chips the fries were barely warm but the sandwich was super hot, beers are good and cold. Over all next time I'm out here I'll try one of the others in the area, or just do an appetizer and a couple of beers.
(3)R H.
Maybe we caught them on a bad night. I'm hoping at least. This place came highly recommended by a couple of my buddies, so we gave it a shot. We had a rather large party (9), but had a reservation so it's not like we caught them off guard. Our waiter got our waters and first round of drinks rather promptly. Sadly, those are the highlights on the very short list of things done satisfactory that night. After the appetizers, we all just kind of sat there staring at each other wondering when our waiter would reappear to take our order-- at the very least ask if we wanted another round of drinks. When the waiter returned, visibly flustered and sweaty, he quickly scrambled to collect the used dishes that had been stockpiling in his absence. He looked as though he was going to beat feet to return to whatever other table(s) he was tending to, so I quickly flagged him down and informed him we were ready to order. Fast-forward to the long awaited arrival of our food. Alas, one of my friends didn't even get the burger he ordered. He didn't make it into a huge deal; we were just happy to have food! Wrapping things up, we all got one last round of drinks. Well, all except for my one buddy whose Moscow Mule was completely forgotten about. Our waiter didn't charge him for it though. No harm, no foul. Three other people at our table did, however, end up with items on their bill that they had either never received or ordered. Oops, time to flag the waiter down -- AGAIN. All in all, unsatisfactory service provided by a waiter who was, or at least appeared to be, stretched far too thin.
(2)Lisa S.
I wasted my whole day at this restaurant. They weren't busy when we arrived. They did have a big party which I totally understand the kitchen being backed up. But I did expect our waiter to check on us for our drinks. My pop was gone for over 45 minutes and watered down. We were not checked on and we didn't even get an apology. My burger came out after 45 minutes-hour. It came out uncooked. It was the worst experience I have ever encountered. The experience was awful. We won't be returning.
(1)Joe V.
Went to this place while in the Geneva commons and the food was great. We both ordered burgers and potato skins. The signature burgers were cooked to our request and were awesome. The service and environment were excellent as well.
(4)Madison B.
How is this place still in the Commons. Food is mediocre and the bar smells like vomit. They probably should clean their bar mats more often.
(1)Katie C.
Came in for a Saturday lunch while Christmas shopping. Got seated very quickly, and was pleasantly surprised by the comfortable, warm interior. Our server, Jeremiah was attentive and gave some great suggestions about food and drink selections. My husband and I ordered the fish and chips. I am generally very picky about this dish, so when I say they did a nice job, I sincerely mean it. The fries and coleslaw were good too. I enjoyed a left hand milk stout with my meal and was very satisfied splitting the double order of fish with my husband. We will definitely go back again!
(5)Leslie S.
There's not much I can say about The Claddagh - it's your typical, themed restaurant with mediocre food and service. It's rarely crowded, but it does a decent business. The menu includes food you could get just about anywhere these days, including fish tacos, spinach and artichoke dip, burgers, mac n cheese, steak... You get the idea. Oh sure, there are some traditional British items, including corned beef & cabbage, shepherds pie, bangers and mash, and fish and chips, but none of them taste anything like the food I've had in the UK. The prices seem a little above-average, especially the appetizers, which start at $8. My husband and I did about $80 here the last time we came, which seemed high for dinner and a few beers for two. The service is borderline awful. The last time I was there, the waitress seemed to think we were great pals, and started complaining about other tables and how long she'd been working before telling us about her plans for the weekend. She kept making jokes as well, that seemed like inside jokes, except I didn't know her, nor think she was very funny. Most of the time, you're on your own at The Claddagh, as the waitstaff is hardly what I would call "attentive." The one thing I do appreciate is the outdoor patio, but most of the restaurants at the Commons have some kind of outdoor seating, so it's nothing that sets The Claddagh apart from the others.
(2)Ken C.
Had the Jameson burger, holy crap that was awesome. Good atmosphere with Irish music, if that's your thing. I'll definitely go back.
(4)Don S.
Came here with another family for thanksgiving dinner and ordered off the large menu, guess I should of ordered something else, but I figured corn beef and cabbage would be safe at a Irish pub/restaurant. Dry dry dry. No flavor and small portion. My sister in laws food had a hair in it, my nieces dinner came out late after the waitress said they had to remake it (probably forgot to put in the order) and the kicker was we had to ask for our check after waiting a half hour....oh yeah we had a 18% tip included because we had a party of 9. Bad night I guess. Should of had the turkey.
(1)Melissa M.
Went here today for lunch and was pleasantly surprised. Food was excellent. My friend and I traded a bit from each of our meals and we both really enjoyed it all. The Irish beef stew was tasty and flavorful. My friend's Monte Cristo was delicious, too. The breading/batter was so good, as were the fried cheese curds we had as an app. Service was little bit slow but very friendly and helpful. I will definitely be back.
(4)Samantha C.
Food is always good. They change the menu often though. Servers are great and very friendly.
(3)Betty K.
Horrible... I have been going here since it opened. Initially the menu was good... Loved the bangers and mash, cod dinner, shepards pie, the last time I went the menu was totally different and not good, the service was horrible (the waitress was watching a big soccer game and had better things to do than wait tables) and it was so noisy you couldn't hear yourself think... This is my last trip to this place.
(1)Ted K.
A waste of time and money. Service is maddeningly bad. Waited an hour for food, after waiting 25 minutes for a table when several tables were unoccupied. Hostess seemed ambivalent to whether we waited or left. It was Fathers Day, so I was at least expecting a Happy Fathers Day when we walked in, especially since they were running a FD promotion. Waited another five minutes for silverware to get to the table, and we hunted down our own condiments from the servers station. The server at one point complained about how understaffed they were today, which is odd since it was a holiday. Beer was cold, and the food was priced about average for the area, which tends to be overpriced in general. I guess the beer and bar are reasonable excuses to come here. ***as a follow up, I informed the bartender they were getting hammered on Yelp and she replied "a bunch of ungrateful "@&$?!"
(2)Lauralyn T.
We visited Claddagh on Father's Day (early dinner), and when we arrived, there weren't that many people . . it filled quickly. Our waiter was attentive at first .. . our drinks and appetizer arrived in good time. However, our dinner arrived at least 30 minutes after our order was taken . . . this is in line with some of the other reviews . . meals taking so long. We like the food . . everyone in our party enjoyed their dinner. I just don't know if they are short staffed (waiter never visited 'till we were about finished) or what . . it's too bad, because location, atmosphere is great.
(3)Vladimir K.
This place is ass. Typical schlocky gimmicky crap that would only be passed off to dumb honkies in the suburbs who have never been anywhere. Dumb food, dumb atmosphere, service is ass, plus I peeked in the kitchen on my way to the restroom and it looked super dirty. This place sucks liquified anaconda feces through a straw made of hollowed-out rinoceros bones.
(1)Erin K.
Hello, Claddagh! I was so excited to try this pub because I have been having fond memories of Ireland. I met three friends for a noon lunch and the place was almost empty. (And yet, our waitress was quite less than attentive...) I loved the decor, for the most part...I enjoyed the atmosphere and would love to come back at night when it might feel a little more full. My friends split the BOGO fish and seemed to like it. All of them had been here before and said you can't really go wrong...they have liked everything they have had. I took at chance on the beef stew and while it didn't live up to my Irish memories, it was tasty. I think next time I'll go a different route...there are several other things I wanted to try (like baked mac and cheese!) This will definitely be on my list of places to return, hopefully sooner rather than later!
(4)PG M.
This pub has a really wonderful atmosphere. When we were there the live music was top notch, the beer selection was great, and the draught beers were fresh. The food is another story. It is just terrible, no other way to describe it. The vol-au-vents were probably the most revolting dish I have eaten in recent history. The Shepherd's Pie had potential, but the mashed potatoes was so fat-laden that it was inedible. Many other dishes were ordered by our party, and none could even be considered okay, let alone good. For such a wildly popular pub/restaurant there really is no excuse for the abysmal food quality.
(3)Jerry G.
I've been here a number of times over the last 6 years. I've done mostly dinners here, occasionally a lunch, and have had a few times where I sat at the beer and tried to walk myself down their beer taps from left to right. The daily specials on drinks make it reasonable in terms of prices. The yelp coupon offering $4 off of an Irish Coffee seems pretty good. They have in the past played with the menu a couple of times a year. It got to the point where I would order the corned beef and cabbage entree just to see how different it was from the last time I had it. I've been told they've toned that down a bit and are more consistent. I've gotten into the habit of shaking a little bit of the Malt Vinegar onto the Pub Chips (which are fries). It kind of grew on me. I've had their Guinness Onion Soup (ok to good), their Paddy Mac (must have up'ed it somewhat from the beginning of the year because another reviewer said it was a single piece of corned beef with a lot of cole slaw. Mine had a number of layers of corned beef and the slaw was not overly done) (good), Corned beef and Cabbage (good), Fish N Chips (good to almost great), Shepherd's Pie (good to almost great), and the Beef Stew (good). I've also tasted a few whiskies here. They keep a decent stock. Haven't had many of their appetizers because they appear to be the same appetizers you can get at other places. To me, what makes it a 4 star instead of a 3 star are the bartenders. They have always been friendly, talkative, knowledgeable of the beers and somewhat knowledgeable of the whiskies. It's more often than not that they'll reach across the bar, shake your hand, tell you their name and ask yours. Bar patrons seem to be a friendly crowd as well. They must be doing something right. Since I moved into the area in 2005, I've watched other food joints in that mall area drop out.
(4)Jolly S.
Service was very good and fish and chips are so nice and crispy. Overall though the food wasn't anything too exciting. I had the beef stew which was hearty and served over a ball of mashed potatoes, but it wasn't particularly flavorful. I might come back for beer and music since the place itself is really nice but ill pass on dinner.
(2)Sylvie Z.
We had terrible service (Wait time nearly an hour from order to service!) And food very mediocre. We would not come back.
(1)Bridget K.
A few yearsI ago, gave Claddagh a great review. I am sorry to say, I can't do that again. It still looks good, but they have turned up the music level so loud you can't talk over it and it's just typical restaurant music. Somebody should tell them it's an Irish themed place. The food is bland, the kind you can get anywhere. The staff can be good, they can be as bland as the food or they can be downright dreadful. On our last two visits I had to send my Irish Coffee back. Once it was cold, once it came in a regular coffee cup and both times, it lacked whipped cream. The mac and cheese was not on the menu which was disappointing as it made such a nice change from fries. I think the place needs a new chef and possibly a new manager. I'm sorry to have to say this as I really liked this place.
(2)Clint B.
Ok burger with decent Jameson sauce, some sort of stale onion straws and the fries were almost as bad as possible. Nice decor and nice staff.......Probably why I can give it 3 instead of 2 stars. I don't think I will be going there again.
(3)