Claddagh Irish Pub

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  For what it is- a pub in the mall- it is great! Great bartenders on Wednesdays and Fridays. Very solid selection of drinks. Tasty pub food.

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  Posted on 12.21.12 Sergey G.

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  I had a good 1st experience at Claddagh.  
  
  The service was decent...about par for most Plainfield restaurants.  Our server was polite but not chatty.  It was difficult to get her to crack a smile.  But by the end of the meal she had warmed up a little.  
  
  I started with a appetizer of Corned Beef & Cabbage Rolls.  These were delicious, warm and crisp.  The dipping sauce was a great compliment.  
  
  I ordered the entree size Fish and Chips.  I was really surprised when this arrived at my table.  The fish was ONE huge piece of cod, not several small pieces as I am used to.  The fish was crispy and flaky...a really good piece of fish.  The tartar sauce tasted homemade and was good.  The pub chips, on the other hand were served under the fish, so many of them were really soggy from the grease.  
  
  We were sitting in the bar area next to the live music.  The music started after we had already been served our food and it was pretty loud due to our proximity.  
  
  I will certainly return to give something else a try.

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  Posted on 12.20.12 Michael S.

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  I've been here a few times and overall enjoy coming here. I have noticed service at this location is hit and miss but when it's miss they just tend to be a little slow so I've not really had a "bad" experience. The food here is pretty tasty although I have no comparison to traditional English/Irish cuisine.
  
  I tend to stick with fish and chips and Guinness or maybe a Black and Tan. The fish pieces are pretty good size and not too terribly greasy while the chips are your potato wedge type. They have a nice light seasoning on them that provides a good flavor.
  
  Atmosphere is pretty nice and is a good place for hanging out and having a few beers which is nice, prices are pretty standard with comparable places in the area so overall it's a good time.

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  Posted on 11.14.12 Jordan M.

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  used to be awesome but they changed the menu. The shepards pie is CRAP the fish is greasy now and the beer cheese is terrible

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  Posted on 11.08.12 Luke C.

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  I eat lunch hear once every couple of weeks.  It has an improved lunch special list and a friendly staff.  We ecspecially enjoy sitting at the bar when Valerie is working.  She's a lot of fun to talk to.
  Claddagh is also a great place to catch a few drinks after work.  I'm not in town for diner but I'm sure it's good for that too!

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  Posted on 10.15.12 Drew K.

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  Food was fine. Service sucked balls. Listened to waitress bitching about making no money then she disappears for 15 minutes? Nice. Other tables Given complementary bread upon sitting down. But it wasn't offered to me.
  
  Fish was fine.
  
  I won't be back.

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  Posted on 09.06.12 B F.

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  Been here a several times and always a good meal and cold draft.
  Service seems to be hit or miss depending on server

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  Posted on 06.23.12 Greg S.

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  When I discovered Claddagh I had already been searching for a decent English pub serving proper English pub food for quite some time. The other pubs in the Indy area that I found varied from being quite disappointing to being completely insulting, one even flew the Union flag upside down! Claddagh, though Irish, was my last resort and the food was brilliant.
  
  I am a fish and chips girl, and Claddagh is now my official chippie. I have sampled some of their other menu items as well, and my only food complaints are regarding undercooked Scotch eggs, too-thick chips, and poor-quality, unwashed produce being used in salads. The produce complaint would usually be enough to keep me from returning to a pub or restaurant, but given that this is the only "chippie" around I am willing to simply not order greens. Also, their bread pudding, in my opinion, makes up for the poor-quality greens.
  
  The atmosphere is quite cosy, but the music is odd. This last time I went (25 May 2012 around 18:00) they were playing local radio. The week before when I went I do not recall there being any music at all, but it was still pleasant.
  
  *I quit drinking three years ago, before I discovered Claddagh, so I cannot comment on their alcohol selection.*
  
  Their prices seem fair given the quality of the food. My total is usually around $27 + tip, and I always order an appetiser, main, side, and dessert. It's a very reasonable price for the quality, atmosphere, and the fact that they are essentially the only "chippie" around.
  
  Right, so I rate Claddagh with four stars. I have already been there five times and I plan to return, probably twice per month at least. How could Claddagh get a five stars review? 1. Add mushy peas to the menu. 2. Start using higher-quality produce. 3. Make certain that cucumbers are washed. 4. Make certain that the Scotch eggs are cooked perfectly. 5. Make the chips a bit less thick.
  
  I apologise for the long review. I wanted to make certain that I mentioned everything I wanted to mention. Cheers. :)

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  Posted on 05.27.12 Candace P.

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  The Claddagh has good food and cold beer! They have a good selection of beer too! The staff is nice but service can be a little slow...

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  Posted on 05.20.12 Sara W.

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  I could have given this place 5 stars if only the music had not been so obnoxiously loud. Otherwise the atmosphere was pleasant and sitting near the fire on a cold, rainy night most pleasant.
  I ordered the Shamrock Wings and I have to say, I'm a huge fan! The sauce was just the perfect balance of heat and sweet - bone sucking good! The Garlic-Lime Aioli dipping sauce was good with everything (even fingers). My companion ordered the Claddagh Fish. The kettle fries nothing special but the fish very moist in a Bass Ale batter and the sourdough bread was yummy dipped in the cheese & onion dip.
  The waitstaff were pleasant and attentive and the bathrooms clean. I will definitely visit this spot again when in The Indy area. I might even try something other than the wings.

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  Posted on 12.20.11 Lillia L.

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  Nothing to write home about, but I may give a couple other menu items a chance sometime.  The cocktails are good, and my husband likes the beer flights.  We've tried the beef stew (yuck) and shepherd's pie (pretty good),   Live music was nice, not a bad place to hang out before/after a movie.

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  Posted on 11.07.11 Katie M.

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  Had a very good meal of bangers and champ with onion gravy.  Beer selection is good, with plenty of Irish options on tap.  Sat at bar so service was not rated.  Atmosphere is slightly loud but not objectionable.  Recommended.

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  Posted on 10.15.11 Mike R.

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  Who would have thought there would be a shopping mall in the middle of no where in Indiana.
  
  This place was very good, nice athmosphere, though the live music was a tad loud, even far away.
  
  For some reason (maybe it was because it was a Tuesday night) the place was empty.
  
  The Irish Fare was good, what you would expect from a place named Claddagh.
  
  Parking is plentiful, just not exactly close to the place, especially if you have a handicapped person with you.  Though drop off by the front door is easy, but you have to hike a bit to get to and from your car.

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  Posted on 08.31.11 Wm H.

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  The first time we dined here was a few months ago.  I had the fish and chips, Pip had the Shepard's Pie.  The fish was pretty bland, but I fully intended to douse it in vinegar anyway.  The Shepard's Pie tasted okay, but it was greasy.  Granted, I probably couldn't make a dish like that without grease from the ground meat coming out either.
  
  We went back today and were seated at the same table.  (Awwww.)  Just like last time, it was super quiet for lunch on a Saturday.  The surrounding shopping center was buzzing.
  
  I think I know why it was quiet.
  
  We started with the Salt and Pepper Calamari, fried together with slivers of onion and green pepper.  This was very greasy and the portion seemed small, considering there was significantly more veggies than calamari.  
  
  Philip went for the Irish Breakfast and I ordered the Irish Stew.  Firstly, the food runner came out with our server behind her and they did the
  food role call.  I really hate that.  Does anyone else really hate that?  
  
  "Who had the Irish Breakfast?"  "Who had the side of fries?"  Even our server, who was holding my stew, shouted "WHO HAD THE BEEF STEW?" even after everything else was on the table and there was nothing in front of me.  I mean, come on.
  
  My stew was okay, but very bland.  There was no sign of the accompanying vegetables with the exception of a slice of onion skin.  I hit it with salt and loads of HP sauce and that turned things around a little bit.  I wouldn't order it again, though.  It wasn't Irish Stew.  It was just regular old beef stew.  Less tasty than something I would slap together on a cold Sunday.
  
  The fried eggs on the breakfast were annihilated with an inch of brown egg lace surrounding the yolk.  They were otherwise served just the way Pip likes them, with the servers thumb on them.  The black pudding on the breakfast was hard as a rock.
  
  Here's where it went kind of wrong.  P quietly said to me,  "Do you think I could ask for another piece?  This is fried to a hard crumble."  
  
  We just don't complain about food that often.  Personally, I've only complained about my food ONCE in my entire life.  Because, no matter what, once you open your mouth to complain about food - everything changes and you always end up being the asshole.  The staff thinks you're a jerk.  The people sitting two tables away think you're a jerk.  The cook takes a shit in your gravy.  There's just NO WINNING.
  
  We were talking about a piece of sausage that was the size of a quarter and 1/4 inch thick.  ONE is served with the breakfast.  I didn't think it would have been a problem for him to ask for a replacement.  This WAS inedible.  
  
  The server came back with another piece of sausage, the small end portion that should have been discarded, but  was fried in the same way.  The server stated that this is how it's traditionally made.  Philip just sent it back.  
  
  The manager came out and, again, started with how it is traditionally made that way - tossed in the deep fryer!  Um, no.  
  
  P is actually FROM Belfast, Northern Ireland.  A traditional Irish fried breakfast was a WEEKLY occurrence.  Of course no one expects to fully satisfy food memories from home, but a pickle-sized portion of sausage deep fried to a dry crumble isn't acceptable at any standard.  
  
  The manager continued to argue, claiming that they cook the sausage properly and a man from Dublin told them so.  He then says,  "Besides, we would consider you to be British."   The whole situation was beyond ridiculous.  
  
  They made no concession on our check, which wasn't expected, but it would have been nice.  Even a free dessert or something.  Anything.  
  
  Then when we left, we passed the manager, our server and food runner standing in a group talking.  We got a condescending "Have a nice day."
  
  Like I said, complaining about your food changes everything.

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  Posted on 07.30.11 Jen F.

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  Is there new mgt here?  It's just not the same place I am used to dining at.  Service was bad (waitress admitted), food was terrible and music playing was Call Me by Blondie at an Irish Pub mind you!!!!!!  This used to be my fav place . . . not anymore.  My Valentine's dinner was a disaster!

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  Posted on 02.11.11 Debby R.

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  Good atmosphere. Good food although my patty mac was good, the slaw was a little too sweet for my liking. Very slow sunday afternoon when we visited. Good wait staff however.

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  Posted on 10.17.10 B K.

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  I am pretty particular about my fish and chips.  I mean, I've had fish and chips in Ireland, England and even at Ivar's, a Seattle institution.  I woke up craving fish and chips and thought this may be the place to satisfy that hankering, but I was quite unimpressed.  I should have known better--it's a chain, but the reviews were mostly good and anything that is not a chain is scarce on the way back into Indy from Greencastle.  The fish was blan, the breading was tasteless and lacked the crispy authenticity of an Irish pub meal and the fries were seasoned steak fries--not bad, but I could have just done with regular potatoes.  I mean come on, Irish and good potatoes need to be a priority, not a mere side dish for your pre-battered frozen fish.  Twenty dollars later (including the stale iced tea, tax and tip), I felt a bit taken advantage of. Next time, I'll just save my money and get a flight to Ireland...I mean if I put my twenty bucks in savings every time I get a wild hair for some fish and chips I just may make it back in a couple of years...

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  Posted on 09.01.10 Heather V.

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  Pretty tasty Irish food.  I really don't eat anything but the fish and chips there.   It's what they are known for, and it's what they do best.   Onion rings are also very good.
  
  Wife had the rissoto, and it was not good at all.  She now sticks to the fish and chips.

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  Posted on 07.30.10 Nathan G.

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  I wasn't really that impressed with this place...
  
  We called before we headed out and told them we were on our way with a party of 5 an hour before they closed their kitchen at 11pm. We got there on time, seated ourselves and waited 20 minutes for a waiter. Once our waiter arrived he was annoyed and rushed us to order. The food was not fantastic, the portions were small and the prices were way too steep for a restaurant in Plainfield.
  
  Don't get me wrong, the decor and atmosphere are great but the food and service are sub par at best.

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  Posted on 06.07.10 Rosemary L.

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  Claddagh has the best fish and chips I've ever tasted. They are light and crispy, but a very generous portion. The fried calamari is also the best I have ever tasted. Claddagh's fried food is prepared so well because it isn't greasy. The atmosphere is great and the staff is extremely friendly. It has the best bar in Hendricks county as well, although it is probably the most expensive bar on the west side. I would highly recommend The Claddagh to anyone looking for a great meal or a great happy hour.

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  Posted on 12.17.09 Gregory L.

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  Indianapolis is stop number three on our tour of four regional meetings in various parts of the country. Tonight Claddagh Pub by Indy Int'l Airport took good care of our group of about 30 with friendly, responsive service and wonderful food.
  
  My standard fare upon first visit to an Irish-themed pub is a trio of Guinness-Bass black & tans with an order of Fish & Chips.  The black & tans could have used a tad more Guinness, but I'm not going to complain, as they hit the spot.  The Fish & Chips came highly recommended and did not disappoint.  I was impressed with the fact that nearly half our group ordered fish & chips and all were pleased with the result.  One of my colleagues ordered the Shepherd's Pie and reported that it was outstanding. We preceded our main courses with appetizers of onion rings (some of the best I've ever eaten), chicken wings, and cabbage rolls (delicious!).
  
  The servers were upbeat & friendly and never let a glass get empty.  The manager stopped by several times to check on us, and seemed genuinely interested that we had a good visit.
  
  This is the best dining experience of this two-week junket thus far.  Way to go!

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  Posted on 10.18.09 Jeff S.

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