Drogheda Restaurant Reviews

Anyone tried Song & Jenn at the back of McHugh's?

Lord TSC wrote: »

Hit up the Fisherman’s Catch chip van today, out in clogherhead. Mainly after reading constant recommendations for the place on here.

God, it was awesome. €10 for two lovely, perfectly cooked pieces of fish and a fair decent serving of chips. (€6 for a half size portion). Took it off to a nearby picnic table overlooking the port. Really quaint and a really nice afternoon out. Can absolutely understand the hype people have given it on here.

(I’ll ignore the sewage truck that was parked outside and absolutely stunk. I get that isn’t their fault but I’ll want to go again when I’m not being gassed out of it, lol).

I went down expecting it to be a basic chipper level of battered fish but it was perfectly cooked. I’d have been thrilled if I got such a nice piece of fish in a “proper” restaurant.

Ice cream from the Porthole desert place next door were nice too. A perfect day out and only wish I’d tried it out earlier in the pandemic.

If it's any consolation to you, it was closed for most of the pandemic and has just reopened recently. So you didn't miss anything!

We booked a table in Hops on the “hottest day of the year” for 6pm.

We arrived a few minutes early and the outdoor space was busy with people drinking (most) and eating (some).

A big outdoor screen had been set up and the football was on, lovely.

We managed to find a quiet table which was away from the screen and most of the noise.

We made our choices and sat for a few minutes, nobody came near us so I asked a passing waitress if we could place our orders.

The waitress took our order and asked if “we’d like to pay now?”

Somewhat taken aback we said we’d pay when we were finished eating if that was ok.
It was.

She didn’t take the menus away for some reason so I moved them to an empty table beside us.

I feared the worst, but surprisingly our first course (patatas bravas) arrived within 10 mins.

It was fine, a large portion (enough for two) of cubed potatoes with chorizo.

As we waited for our mains you could see plenty of people asking for menus and drinks.

A couple of people were chasing waitresses asking “where’s my steak??” too!

The onsite entertainment was provided by our waitress coming out of the kitchen with plates of food and not having a notion where the food was supposed to go.

She just sort of wandered around hoping to make eye contact with someone who might have ordered the food she was carrying.

She was usually successful after a lap or two.

Also nice to see some of the staff wearing masks, on their chins.

We made eye contact with our waitress and got our mains (rib eye steak & scampi) about 15 mins after our starter which wasn’t bad in fairness.

Mrs ox asked for some tartare sauce and vinegar, the waitress looked at her and said “tartare sauce and vinegar??”

(The scampi was supposed to come with “home made” tartare sauce)

We got the sauce but were told there was no vinegar in the restaurant “due to brexit”

When we saw the scampi we both looked at each other and said “findus!”

The waitress present me with my “medium cooked” steak (no steak knife)
I’d asked for medium-rare but by this stage I was too distressed to speak.

The scampi was pretty bad but I have to say the steak was delicious, with a lovely pepper sauce on the side.

We asked for and received the bill but no-one came near us to take payment so I went inside and paid by card.

“Running away” was briefly discussed, I don’t think anyone would have noticed either way.

No-one asked us “how was your meal?” or “is everything ok for you?” at any time.

There seemed to be plenty of staff around but very little in the way of organisation.

I’ll put the scatterbrain service down to lack of training & poor leadership but no way will I be eating there ever again.

furiousox wrote: »

I’ll put the scatterbrain service down to lack of training & poor leadership but no way will I be eating there ever again.

I don't know the place but are you being a bit harsh? Many establishments are trying outdoor dining for the first time and may have changed menu's and certainly table layouts to suit. I'd be surprized if staff are not a bit 'dizzy' for the first week or two.

Went to The Forge Field Coffee shop yesterday for breakfast. Was just lovely! Busy enough for a Monday morning but plenty of space between the tables. We were in the greenhouse area so it was grand and warm as there was a breeze out. Food delicious as always and service great.

furiousox wrote: »

Perhaps, but looking at the online reviews this isn't a recent issue for them, plenty of complaints about haphazard service going back a year or two.
I have to say the rib-eye was very tasty so I might give Goodwins steak house a try next time.

I was in Goodwin's for Sunday lunch on 2 occasions late last year (when indoor dining was allowed), and I have to be honest, I wasn't impressed by the service (food was fine). I felt the tables were too close both times. On our first visit, we had to go and find a waitress to take our order, and when she did come to the table, she pulled down the mask to talk to us! I watched her do the same at other tables, it wasn't just at ours.
On our second visit we had to ask the manager where our food was, it took so long to serve our main course. People who had come in after us were served before us.
I won't be rushing back.

The Valley was packed last weekend.

Booked out all day Sunday; no walk-ins!

Tango reopening shortly under new management.

Looks like things haven't improved much in the hops.
I was talking to someone who was there today for lunch there were only 4 tables occupied and every one of them had problems with food or service.
Wrong food orders going to the wrong tables.
one person got their food 40 mins after everyone else at the table.
Someone had to ask for the bill FOUR TIMES!
They said " if you don't bring the bill in the next 5 mins we're leaving!" :-0
Looks like a job for Gordon Ramsey to sort out.

The positive reviews on Tripadvisor must be from those who were able to leave without paying! 😂

Love the look of the valley inn Breakfast just wish they would do pancakes for the kids and we would be there. Had dinner in it on Tuesday,was fast,tasty and wasn't too busy.

Has anyone eaten at donegans since it reopened? Find the valley Inn great too

My husband brought two of our kids in the day the reopened. Said the service was terrible. It wasn't busy when they arrived and the kids were happy enough. Then he noticed that a couple of tables who'd arrived after him were getting their food & they still hadn't had their drinks. He couldn't get any staff attention. He said it was just getting to the point of him up and leaving when they arrived with the food. No apologies for the wait etc. He won't be rushing back.

In comparison, we went to the Valley last Saturday for breakfast, seated straight away with menus. Service very efficient, orders taken & food brought out in no time. Plenty of tea and coffee and juice for the kids, everyone happy. Just as another poster said, pancakes would be a nice addition to the menu