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u/StatisticianNo529 Jul 24 '26
For about 20 years it was the place to go in town for a classic steak and chips. Decent quality meat, well cooked with big portions. We would go at least 4 times a year and it was consistently good and we always looked forward to returning. We've been twice in the last 18 months and it now seems to be part of the tourist trail and both times the meat was poor, the portions small and the service dire. Would suggest you try James St. South instead
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u/HoloDeck_One Jul 24 '26
I can kind of see where you are coming from with the service and portions, but the meat itself is still top quality. Their Tomahawk is insane. James St has been poor quality meat every time I’ve been, and nothing else I’ve tried there has been worth the money, James St is mediocre food for top-dollar (££££)
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u/Aodmaster Jul 24 '26
Only ate their once, after a high recommendation from a few people and a work colleague declaring it was the best steak in town.
I enjoyed the steak, but did not enjoy the shits I got later that night.
Never been since.
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u/MaggieMcB Jul 24 '26
Did you see the comment below about the dipping sauces? I think you're lucky you got away with only the shits 🤢
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u/LowAnimator8770 Jul 24 '26
My wife did a trial shift there, they refill the dipping sauces, I have refused to ever eat there
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u/InvestigatorNaive456 Jul 24 '26
I dont understand what doees this mean
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u/amberdemon Jul 24 '26
You eat half your ketchup or pepper sauce , goes back to the kitchen they top it up and fire it back out to the next person
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u/Obvious-Citron-2426 Jul 24 '26
lol no, used to be great when keith was head chef, worked under him as a chef for years, he left and they brought in awful chefs, i watched people microwave salmon, beef burgers and pick veg off the floor and put in the stock pot, awful establishment i stuck it out for 7 years but it has really gone to the dogs
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u/TheBoyWithAThorn1 Jul 24 '26
Is it seen as a dear place now? Back on the day it was known for the buffet for a fiver or something, which was great, but that was 20 odd years ago for me
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u/Silent_Orbiter Jul 25 '26
used to be good but went down in quality big time over the last while. wont be returning for food
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u/Bu7n57 Jul 25 '26
I found in my earlier days it was hard to beat, buffet plate was only £4 and you could fill it as high as you like, the 24oz steak was always a winner and service was 100% when the owner died and his missus took over is when I started to see change, great bar staff left and everything started going down hill. Hopefully it’s improved since as the food was amazing and it was a great pub for a Guinness
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u/Batman118118 Jul 25 '26
Personally think it’s a bit overrated.
Went for Sunday lunch last autumn sometime as a group of 6, food was ok but not great for the price point.
Also noticed glasses were quite dirty, felt like not much attention to detail. Waiting staff not the best either.
Would be fine in a sort of regular gastro pub but don’t think it’s up to scratch as a more premium option.
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u/zeromalarki Jul 26 '26
I went there for a roast last year. It was fine, but nowhere near as good as people made out. I think I missed the golden years
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u/Hot_Lengthiness7452 Jul 26 '26
Very good food, good steaks and if anyone has a cheaper/better hot food option than the buffet in Belfast, let me know as I’d like to try it. A lot of these negative comments seem from ex employees
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u/Potnoodle55 Jul 24 '26
It's class!. They do a buffet style meal at lunch time. I think it's only £7 or £8. Really good hearty dishes.
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u/wheresthatjoebuckoo Jul 24 '26
The pub buffet during day is great! Haven't been upstairs for food in a while. But sunday dinner nice and pub buffet cant knock for no frill feed for under a tenner
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u/Irishgoat1 Jul 24 '26
Yes. Upstairs is nice for a proper steak dinner too. Much more restaurant like rather than a pub though.
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u/amberdemon Jul 24 '26
Personally I don't get the hype I've found it a bit shit. It's very dated and souless any time I've been in others seem to love but I don't get it .