I have been coming to this bar for many years. Mainly for St. Patty's Day-standing in line at 6 am just waiting to get inside to drink my green beer and to be a rowdy guest. I always had a great time! Then I'd come back in the summer, the windows would be open-I'd watch the cars go down Woodward. I haven't been back in a while until recently. Nothing has changed-the decor is the same and the staff is still friendly. I enjoyed my Sam Adams beer and chatted with friends. Yay to summer and great places to hang out.
Review Source:Duggan's is the go to place during the Dream Cruise due to the prime Woodward location and the 2nd floor views overlooking Woodward. However, Duggan's shouldn't be overlooked outside of that mid-August week.
Duggan's has all a lot of beer options (both domestic and craft) along with any type of mixed drink you are looking for. The food usually never disappoints. It is above the average type of bar food. There are some unique offering on the menu such as "Jeff's bread" which is made there and comes on many different sandwiches. I found myself going there just for the bread.
Stop in for a drink with friends, dinner with the family overlooking Woodward, or any time to get out to a clean and comfortable pub.
Note: When walking in the side entrance, you can either walk up the stairs to the 2nd floor bar/restaurant, or to the lower level section. There are not any clear signs or directions if it is your first visit.
I may end up being a dissenter among all of the 4 and 5 star ratings. I've been going to Duggan's for the better part of 20 years. No one goes there for a 5 star meal. The Big Chief is really awesome and my father always has the Cuban Sandwich. If you want a hamburger, you won't leave really disappointed or hungry.
However, lately I've experienced very large portions of mediocre food. I ordered a pasta special recently and there was enough served for three people. While that gives you a lot of bang for the buck, you'll find that serving copious amounts of mediocre food falls short. Specifics? Hidden under a layer of baked cheese was a rather watery tomato sauce, some ground beef and undercooked pasta.
They do great throw-back burgers paying tribute to Woodward restaurants of yesterday (Totem Pole, Ted's). Just my opinion, but just focus on keeping those burgers great, and the rest will fall in line.
I originally stumbled unto this place because the wait at Red Coat Tavern across the street was too long. I was pleasantly surprised by their signature cheeseburger, the big chief. The big chief has some sort of sauce on it that incorporates curry and it is spectacular. I'm a vegetarian now and this is one of the meat dishes I actually miss, but I am sure it can be replicated in a veggie burger version.
As far as beer selection, they have blue moon but not much else I am interested in. Â Go for the burger though and sit downstairs by the bar, you will get better service.
The quest for great fish & chips took the family & I to Duggan's on Woodward, home of the "Big Chief". Â Perhaps choosing one of the first Fridays during Lent was not he best time to hit Royal Oak after 6pm. Â This Irish Pub was packed, loud and there wasn't a hostess or a helpful server in sight. Â I was told to grab a seat as a server zipped past me like Roadrunner dodging Wile E. Coyote, "Meep Meep". Â That was the only bump in this road. Â We grabbed a table, pulled up an extra chair and watched others fight over tables like it was a game of musical chairs. Â Our server seamed a bit overwhelmed but she did just fine, taking our order by memory with no assistance from a pen or pad. Â We devoured some freshly popped popcorn and some of the coldest beer I have ever had while we waited for our fish & chips. Â The fish & chip dinner was served on a platter. Piled high with 3 large pieces of young ocean cod, Â plenty of french fries, coleslaw and a roll served with a nice whipped butter. Â Everything was delicious. Â My only regret was the amount of food we ordered, had I known the portions were that big we could have ordered one less dinner and still had plenty of food. Â I really had a good time and I will have to return to try the "Big Chief" I have heard so many good things about.
Review Source:First off: the name is misleading...
I walked in this place, and didn't see an Irish Pub.
I looked at the menu: didn't see Irish Pub fare either... it's basically a traditional American bar.
That said... we were seated quickly, the waitress was pleasant and attentive.
I ordered the Susie Q Fish and Chips, which did not taste all that Irish, but the fish was very good. Crisp, tasty, and a very good portion. The "chips" however, were pretty much blah. Basic, frozen shoestring fries from the grocery freezer. Blah.
My dad had the Big Chief burger, and said it was good, but no where NEAR as good as the burgers from the original Big Chief on Woodward Ave.
Decor is eclectic... but not particularly Irish. Having a giant mirror with "GUINNESS" in the bathroom does not an Irish Pub make... I'd come back, but it's not anything I'm ready and raring to go on.
I would like to be a regular at Duggan's. You know, the kind who walks in the door and gets a wave from the bartender. Here's why:
1. I can walk there so no worries about driving after a few beers.
2. They serve beer in these really heavy steins. You know when you've had enough because you can't pick up the mug.
3. Susie Q's fish sandwich and the fish and chips are stupendous - soft, velvety fish inside and crunchy batter outside.
4. Great views from the top floor.
5. Great signs on the wall especially the one for Widmer on the stairway. It reminds me of living in Portland.
6. Last time I was there, a woman was playing songs on the jukebox and singing along. That's priceless!
Go to Duggan's!
For the Big Chief sauce/ Big Chief! (Rest of place, 2 stars*)
The unfortunate thing about Duggan's is if you love the Big Cheif burger, this place is about 5 stars. If not, it's pretty overpriced 'meh' food. Lucky for me I'm the former.
99.9% of the time I order a medium rare Big Chief with extra sauce on the side, w/ fries. Sauce on the side is extra these days. First thing is to cut your burger, and make sure it's how you want it. Caution to those sitting to the inside wall of the main floor sun room. The red neon all around makes your burger look red. Hold it towards sunlight!
Send burger back if not correct. Make sure fires are warm. Send back if not. Get back correctly made sammich, check for spit, and dive in. The other .01% of the time I get Susie Q fish sandwich. I love their fries dipped in Big Chief sauce.
So apparently I've done this enough to seem like an 'issue' so how am I giving this place 4 stars? ummmm BIG CHIEF SAUCE! You LOVE it or you DON'T. That is how this works. You eat it off your hand, your shoe, your lovers face it matters not. You can read up on the history of this burger, but basically it's a total niche burger. It's can't be replicated in any form even closely. We buy the jars of sauce to put on chicken, and burgers at home and have attempted making said big chief at home with the same pickles, and it's just not the same. I've been coming here with my dad since I was a kid at least every other month, just for a big chief and when it's fresh off the grill it's the same dance of joy in my mouth each time.
I've never had bad service personally. We always eat downstairs first room parking lot side (sun room).
*Overall I'd rate Duggan's a two star if you really judge the whole place. I've had a lot of the over priced 'pub' appetizers. Friend mushrooms and onion rings are a total let down. Its menu is wonky in places. It always feels somewhat dirty anywhere downstairs.
I'm eating BC sauce on a spoon as i type this because I went here yesterday...
2 Star Burgers with additional star for the TV's.... what more is there to say than that ?
I had the Piedmont Burger and it was nothing sensational.... I asked for medium well and it came back well done to as well done as it could be. The beef just lacks flavor to me. Perhaps 2 stars is harsh, but for a $ 10 burger, it should have better beef than this.
Great service however....
The patio on the top is really nice and it does have a fun atmosphere. The service is fine but they do things like eat at the bar which bothers me but isn't a deal breaker. The place smells in the stairs leading up to the top of the bar and defiantly needs some updates that are important like carpet, tiles, bar top and glasses. The food menu was large and seems to be your typical frozen selection that are popular at your beer and shot type places. I think this bar has its place in this location. Just a laid back bar when you need a cold beer and that shot to calm you after work. This place in my opinion is a two stars but it's not fair when there are good things about it and I believe some people will really like this atmosphere. Just not for me! Where is the Irish Pub atmosphere and food? Just Wondering!
Review Source:Sat on the open 2nd story for dinner and drinks last night for the first day of non-ridiculously hot temps. Â We really enjoyed ourselves.
Pretty tasty bar food. Â I had the nachos, which were seriously stacked with toppings, but had crappy chips (round out-of-the-bag style). Â Luckily I didn't really notice the chips with all the delicious cheese, meat, beans, peppers, tomatoes and olives. Â Oh yeah, they also give you huge portions of sour cream, salsa and guac. Â yum. Â
Drinks were reasonable. Â I enjoyed my bloody mary ($5) and beers were pretty cheap. Â
Sounds like it gets pretty busy closer to dream cruise time, so I'll be sure to avoid it then.
Went on New Year's Eve around 6pm just to have some cocktails and some apps. Â Had a total of eight adults. Â When we walked in I saw a jukebox and threw in $5.00 because the music they were putting out was lame. I asked the bartender to turn up the sound. Â He asked what room I was in? Â I said upstairs. Â Cool enough after I played my 20 songs only to find the upstairs has it's own jukebox. Â Went downstairs to get a refund so I could play the tunes upstairs. Â Bartender says "Too Bad" Â Well too bad for you guys as the food was nothing to write home about, Â I have had better wait staff at McDonalds and I will not return to give you my hard earned money. Â Stick with downtown Royal Oak if your going out.
Review Source:My family used to meet up at the Duggan's in Clarkston until it closed down. After moving to Royal Oak, I was happy to see a familiar place. One of my favorite things on their menu is the Spinach Artichoke Dip. If you have any dignity you may want to skip this because you might not want to weep tears of joy in public. Their Susie Q Fish And Chips is legendary, I promise you. The Jeff's Bread that comes with the meal has a yummy cheese spread that I can't get enough of. And the Woody Bowl salad is positively gigantic; plus the ranch that comes with it is perfection (and my family has ridiculously high ranch standards, so take my word for it). Be prepared to take home leftovers, because no matter how much you don't want to stop eating, the portions are so huge that you won't be able to finish off a plate of anything here.
Review Source:Not bad - not great. The food was good, although there was a lot of it. I ordered the veggie sandwich and fries. It came and I had to joke "did I order TWO sandwiches?" Leftovers is always a plus I suppose, I had a full meal for the next day.
My husband ordered the burrito, and it surely is 5 pounds as they claim, if not more. Why they feel the need to gorge their patrons, I have no idea. It also came with a side of beans and rice...didn't really seem necessary - but like I said, I guess leftovers are nice?
Seems like they could trim down their portions a bit to cut costs - but that's just my opinion.
Oh - and the fact that someone played Boyz II Men, I'll Make Love to You on the juke box totally made my night.
You won't be disappointed going here...... Over the years we have gone here for many different occasions and have always left full and happy. To get the true experience you need to dine upstairs in the summer with the windows open. A little hard sometimes to get a table up there, but really it's worth it.
I usually pick between the Little Chief (a smaller version of the Big Chief), Chicken Caesar Salad Sandwich (the Jeff Bread is amazing), and fish and chips (a susie q recipe for those who remember). Any one you choose will be worth it.
The service is great and the decor is right on par with the location -- Woodward Avenue.
I am pretty sure the burgers here are an authentic Chinese recipe (see previous review for Pei Wei)... Not so great... The fries weren't bad, though, and the Bass Ale was good... thanks to the Bass Ale people.
All in all, the food was blah, but our server was a real difference maker. She was almost too good. Certainly too good for here.
Honey, I think Andiamo's should call you. They need someone like you.
Duggan's Irish Pub is a friendly watering hole in Royal Oak, offering up some Deeeetroit history, along with those Happy Hour Bud Light drafts. A Woodward Avenue mainstay, Duggan's features the Big Chief, a quarter pound of burger heaven delivered from Woodward's glory days---the days the "Dream Cruise" salutes each year.
The Big Chief hails from the old Totem Pole drive-in on Woodward in Ferndale. Â Two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, and sweet pickles on a sesame seed bun. Â But the sauce is what sets this burger apart from the rest. Â It's mayonnaise based with some yellow curry, which makes for one delicious flavor profile. Â Unfortunately, the grill guy (or gal) sometimes gets a little heavy handed with the cooking, so I've learned to ask for it medium. Â I've actually had to send this burger back due to the "crispiness" of the meat! Â Diners may also order the Big Chief as a Turkey Burger. Deluxe adds fries and slaw. Â They've recently changed up the fries, which is not a good thing. Bring back the seasoned fries!
Another option is to go for the half pound Angus Burger, which is more burger bliss, and can be ordered medium. Â Have them add the Big Chief sauce. Â You'll want to thank me. Â
Other favorites:
-Susie Q Fish and Chips--ocean scrod deep fried to perfection using the recipe from the original Susie Q's on Woodward.
-Bar pizza with pepperoni. Nice crust and pepperoni w/ a slight kick. Â
-Nachos Grande. Loaded w/ toppings
-Spinach / Artichoke dip
-Lapointe Vineyard salad--mixed baby greens, crumbled bleu cheese, red onion, Michigan cherries, grilled chicken, pine nuts and raspberry vinaigrette.
For dessert, try the homemade hot fudge brownie or cream puff, with locally made Ray's ice cream and Sander's hot fudge.
Duggan's features a couple dozen beers on tap, free popcorn and interesting people watching. Dine on the upper level and enjoy the breeze from the open windows, and the view of cars travelling down Woodward.
Cold beer and a 5 lb burrito (even without the meat) made for a great lunch. Â The upstairs patio was a furnace though and our table was sticky as heck. Â Service was great. Â The decor is the old "if you got a nail and can find a spot on the wall, put something random up". Â Clearly it is not an "Irish Pub" in the true sense, but this is Royal Oak people, what do you honestly expect? Â A leprechaun serving your meal on a shamrock plate?
Review Source:I expected an actual Irish Pub.. this was probably the furthest from it. Â I was a little confused.. dirty bar w/ crappy overpriced bar food? Â Really? Â So disappointed..
Irish Pubs do not have Cuban sandwiches and potato skins on their menu (which I actually ordered.. haha) Â Not only was I disappointed by what was on the menu, but I was somewhat mad about how expensive their food was considering it was basically glorified bar food. Â
So maybe this isn't the place to eat at.. that's OK. Â Moving on to drinks, service and environment. Â They were out of my boyfriend's 2 beer choices (bummer) and my mixed drink was weak (bummer). Â We were seated in one of the booths in the bar area, and the bartender waited on us. Â He was barely even faking a friendly demeanor, and the cook actually ran our food out. Â We might have gotten another round of drinks (eh, why not?) except he never came around... The place looked like they never clean it after a rough and hard night. Â
With all of the choices in the area I have no reason to ever go there again.
My friends and I went here on a Sunday night on a whim because Red Coat Tavern was closed. A pleasant surprise.
If you want an authentic Irish Pub, check out Dick O'Dows in B'Ham. This place is more of a year round Dreamcruise spot. From the outside it looks like a place that specializes in Jagerbombs and popped collars, but the inside is more of the 30+ (and I mean plus) crew. Not too bad.
Lots of TVs to watch the games on. The upstairs I hear is nice, but it was cold and we were hungry so we stayed downstairs. I had the Big Chief Burger which was pretty fantastic. Not too greasy, not to dry and the special sauce is amazing. Fries are pretty run of the mill, but the burgers are big enough that you don't even need them.
Definitely a do-again place for a beer and a burger, which my friends and I have dubbed "behrbrgr".
Dugggans how do I love thee? Â I like your Little and Big Chief burgers, your smaler platter, your Oberon on tap, your bloody mary's, your service. Â Your waitstaff who are very adept at splitting bills properly (seriously some other places can't split a bill to save their lives.) Â Sitting upstairs on a nice night getting the fresh air - I enjoy You Duggans.
Review Source:This is quite obviously not an Irish Pub. Yes, it says it is, but common sense would tell you it's not. It is, however, a good place to have a beer and watch a game.
I am a popcorn lover, and free popcorn anywhere makes me happy. Probably too happy. Duggans has the salty snack readily available and fresh for your enjoyment. Kudos.
The German Chocolate cake is HUGE. I almost died when it came out. Pleasantly surprised as well by the flavor. Beer and chocolate cake may seem a little odd, but it's really good with Guinness! Yes, I ordered cake and Guinness at the poser Irish Pub. :)
Go and watch a game here, but don't think Irish Pub when you go and you will be a happy camper :)
Originally by sweet boyfriend was going to take me to Red Coat Tavern for lunch but the wait was 45 minutes so we drove across the street to Duggan's. Â He's been there many times but this was my first visit and really liked it. Â
The free popcorn is a nice touch and it's really salty to get you to buy more drinks. Â We just ordered a couple of beers and the Big Chief burgers and they were delicious! Â I have no idea what's in that sauce but it's great! Â I like my burgers drippy so if you're like me, ask for extra. Â We like the sauce so much, we bought a jar to take home.
I saw the Michigan/Michigan State game on the big screen at Duggan's. Â The food was pretty good and OMG do they ever give you a large piece of german chocolate cake with ice cream. Â Me?! I had a great time watching the game.
My budding junior high middle linebacker son? He thought the pin ball game was great (I'm gonna have to work on this kid and the male bonding thing, i.e., dad's and son's football, the meaning of life, etc.)
Anyway, good joint to have a brew and a burger.
After living in the area for years and passing it on a daily basis I finally was coaxed into walking into Duggans Irish Pub on Woodward. I say coaxed because it's not a place I would normally go. It's an obnoxiously huge building with open air seating on the top floor. This allows for good drunken arm waving and shouting in the summer time. Now even though it has Irish in the name, it's not very Irishy. It's more like a TGI Fridays with a leprechaun jammed up its butt. It has goofy tchotchkies all over the place. Against my better judgment, I still sat down with my friends. Since it was an Irish Pub I looked to see the beer selection. And sure enough, like every good Irish pub, all they had was Guinness and Killians. Sure they had other non Irish beers. Who cares about that shite. Everyone knows that only good Irish pubs sell Guinness and Killians. Isn't that all they eat over there, bacon and cabbage with a pint of killians? Oh I forgot breakfast, lucky charms with a pint of Killians. So of course I ordered a New Castle since they had it on tap. The waitress sets the beer in front of me and right away something smelled, um, out of place. The beer reeked of vinegar. It tasted like it too. Don't ask why I tasted it. Â They didn't flush the taps properly and a little of the vinegar, a lot actually, used to clean the taps was still in the lines. Another person I was with who ordered something different had the same issue. Not a good start. The food at this giant green part y box is about the same as fast food without the fast. When its busy it is more clubish than bar. And it doesn't do either particularly well. The clientele consists of cougars that look like they been around the jungle a few times, NASCAR fans and princesses that think they are the hottest thing in the bar. That last group of women makes me laugh every time. It's the Michigan Tech strategy. Go to a place where the ratio of men to women is in your favor. That way even if you look like a used hanky you will get attention. And really isn't that all I really want out of a bar, to sit and eat crappy food, drink beer that smells like a natural cleanser and ogle women that look like they've been used one too many times without a wash?
Review Source:Look! Over there! On the side of the road! What is that big green mass?! Â Is it the HULK?!
Nope. Just Duggan's Irish Pub. Driving down Woodward you really can't miss this place. The big windows that are opened on the warmer days, the place packed on a nice day, dream cruisers lined up in the parking lot with their fold-out chairs MONTHS before the dream cruise-- that is Duggan's.
If you are looking for a younger trendy crowd-- continue your search somewhere else. Â Shoot for sitting upstairs, I like it a lot better than downstairs.
I like the Turkey Little Chief: 1/4 lb. turkey patty with a slice of cheese.. I also like the breaded chicken wings on the app menu as an entree.
Nice place to get a beer and enjoy the breeze!
I actually went here with an Irishman. He was pleased enough, so full stars, and I can't argue with him or else he'll put me in a headlock (which reminds me of that one time...)
Duggan's does the standard Irish affair, though they don't have a large selection of Irish brews. I guess English will have to do? Though if those of us looking for an authentic Irish experience, Irish liquor will do a better job than beer, right? Or so I'm told.
I didn't expect Duggan's to be a true Irish pub. None of them really are, are they? They put Irish in the name of the place, throw some shamrocks on the sign, and presto! Irish pub! That's sort of what Duggan's does.
I had supreme nachos there. I didn't know the Irish were into nachos!
But still, it was a good time. The waitstaff were funny as hell, the prices fair, and the crowd was in high spirits... and maybe that's what they were getting at with the whole Irish pub business.
I'd suggest checking them out of St. Patty's day. Besides the two floors they put a huge tent in their parking lot and have a bar set up out there as well. It's super cheap and one hell of a party... and beats waiting in line at the Old Shillelagh!
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