As we seek to serve the people of Calhoun County in there search for quality dining experiences, this week took us to the Irish Pub in Battle Creek . As we entered the establishment I noticed two things. The first was a sign that referenced that place as a DrinkEatery. I am not sure what that is, but was slightly disturbed altogether. The second thing that I noticed was the huge IRISH PUB sign on the wall, which was apparently just their for decoration as it had nothing to do with this establishment. The waitress was prompt and took our drink orders and brought us our menus. After filling our drink orders she went back and sat at the bar and waited for us to make our selection. As I perused the menu I noticed something very disturbing. For an “Irish Pub” there was a severe lack of Irish food on the menu other than a Reuben and Corned Beef sandwich. Where was the fish n chips, Shepherd’s pie, Beer brazed short ribs, lamb, mutton, or give me some Irish beer battered anything. Instead their specialty at an Irish Pub was a wet burrito? Already disappointed all around I ordered their “specialty.” Overall I was simply confused by the décor as none of it had anything to do with Ireland (other than some golf pictures, which is funny as golf originated in Scotland , not Ireland ). While waiting our waitress decided that since four of us ordered water it would be less strain on her to actually o her job if she just dropped off a pitcher of water at the table and go back to the bar a sit. Seriously?!??! It is not that hard, and you were only serving two tables. SERVICE 1.5 stars.
Our food arrived and I was eagerly anticipating trying their “specialty” which was $9.25. The wet burrito was filled with beans and meat, topped with melted cheese and warm salsa. It also had lettuce, sour cream and black olives on it. It was far from “special.” The beans inside were dry, and the meat would have tasted better had they ground up my shoe and used it. It was served with a side of tortilla chips, which I thought was an excellent idea, but again execution fell way short as the chips were stale and really inedible.
ATTTENTION ALL RESTUARANTERS: 1. If you put something on your menu and reference it as your “specialty” make it worth your customers time. 2. If you only serve “bar” food, then don’t call yourself an Irish Bar. The term Irish Bar brings with it certain expectations…Like being IRISH!!!!
Sadly, I may have gotten the best of the deal since this is their “specialty” I really would have hated everything else. Food was sub-par. I will say that I did try an onion ring from the sampler platter and everything on the plate looked as it was just your ordinary frozen appetizers. In fact, they advertised the Onion Rings and Mushrooms as Brew City which meant they were simply out of the freezer. To be honest we could have gotten the same food from a bowling alley, and would have paid less for it. FOOD 1 star.
Overall 1.25 stars, and no I will not be returning. The hard part is we have eaten here before for their St. Patty’s day lunch which is pretty good, yet none of the items were on their menu.
~TFM~ ~~~Although this week I am a Confused Fat Mexican.
An expedition to the Irish Pub was conducted today by a group of fit, attractive studs. And when these guys left, your heroes, the 4 fatties and a midget showed up for their meal. The Irish Pub has been around for a long time but this patron had never eaten there before. The parking lot looks like it was transplanted from Chernobyl , but the interior of the restaurant was nice, if not a little dated, and is actually larger than it seems from the outside. We were seated by a hostess who gave us our initial drinks before our waitress arrived. The waitress was friendly and returned to our table several times for refills and to ask how things were or if we needed anything. She also did not screw up anything. 3.25 out of 5 stars on service.
The food was decent. I ordered the chicken strip basket. 5 pieces of chicken which also comes with steak fries and cole slaw for $8.95 plus tax. A bit pricey for a basket, but they have a 3 piece basket with the same sides for several dollars less. The chicken was good, not overly done or dry. It's hard not to screw chicken strips up however. The French fries were good. You can tell they are not home made, but they were larger steak fries and were cooked well, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. The cole slaw was home made. I thought it was a bit too strong on the vinegar side, and I prefer smaller cut vegetables in it, but it wasn't bad. To be honest though, I though Kentucky Fried Chicken's cole slaw was better. I also sampled an onion ring and a mozzarella cheese stick from the sampler platter. They were both good, but you can tell the restaurant uses lots of pre-made or frozen items. Food gets 2.75 out of 5 stars.
Overall, the Irish Pub gets 3 stars out of 5. I would definitely eat there again. I would like to try some of the other items on their menu. While their menu was not massive, it was large enough and had plenty of options.
TFOT
Today’s lunch time excursion took us to the Irish Pub in Battle Creek . We arrived at noon and the place was not that busy. The wait staff was friendly and witty however during the course of our meal, our waitress reached across the table several times rather than walk around the table to serve. Also the waitress left a pitcher of water at the table rather than fill our glasses. I ordered the shaved steak sandwich and the sampler platter for the table. I will say that the food was Bar food, and since I was in a Pub, I guess I cannot really complain to much but an Irish Pub should have some Irish food other than a Ruben sandwich or corned beef sandwich. The food was bar average at best but was a bit bland. 1.5 stars around.
Biggin
Alright today is that glorious day again of trying all the food that Battle Creek has to offer. All I have to say after today’s lunch is are we there yet? Have we eaten at all the crappy places in this town? Because I am not sure how much more of this my stomach can take. I feel(not look) like one of those marathon runners that gets so far into the race a hits a brick wall, feeling as if they can not go any farther. My stomach is crying for help and my digestive system is asking for a break. But I must push on, I can not stop now knowing that what I do is for the sake of all local humanity. But you have to wonder, is there no humility. How can these places continue to serve up food that is not fit for consumption?
Anyway lets get to it. Today we went to the Irish Pub in Battle Creek , never mind the exact address you will not need it. Upon pulling into the parking lot you see a run down un-kept establishment. This place has not been updated since the date that it was built, which I am guessing was some time in the late 60’s early 70’s based on the décor. This place was covered in wall paper that was peeling, the ceiling was dingy, and the place just was not clean. But hey they will sell you a sports print off of there wall for $45.00.
As for the food I ordered the Turkey Club. To sum it up it was a sub par club, there was just nothing that stood out on this sandwich that cost me about $8.25 and the fries that came with it were steak fries but once again nothing special. The club had ample meat, but was dry. The real crazy thing is I looked at the dinner menu which had items ranging close to $20.00. I tell you one thing if I am spending $20.00 on a meal it is going to be place that I have some confidence in what type of meat is actually being used to prepare the dish. I have to say that I called this as soon as I saw the place. Words of advice; fresh paint, new flooring, and fresh ingredients go a long way.
BREAKING NEWS: I have just been told that they have a martini bar down stairs. What????? I am not sure that being under a structure that looks like that is a safe place to be and I am darn sure they do not know what a martini is.
Ok, lets get to the service. Service was once again sub par. The server dropped off a pitcher of water at the table. We would not want you to walk the ten feet to the table to fill our glasses and I was told by one of the other fatties that it was so exhausting for this server she had to sit at the bar. Oh my goodness, it is your job, do it that is what the tip is for.
Funny note: TFM ordered the burrito, as he has the most experience with south of the border cuisine.
Here is the breakdown:
FOOD: 1.5 stars
SERVICE: 2.00 stars
OVERALL: 1.75 stars
FBAB