I had a very good first experience today for lunch. Â I used the $15 coupon they give you as an online member. Â There were no hassles.
One girl greeted me very pleasantly and another took my order. Â Both were very attentive and had good customer service skills.
I ordered their salmon sand ($13.) Â It came with soup or salad, and I chose the baked potato soup. Â It came with grated cheddar, scallions, and big chunks of bacon. Â In and of itself, it was a meal. Â My main--the salmon with chips/fries--was excellent. Â The bread was toasted and smeared with butter (like garlic toast) and the salmon was grilled and then topped with more bacon, lettuce, and tomato. Â The entire order was recommended by the waitress and was spot on. Â I decided not to order from their beer menu as I'm a bit of a beer snob, and the idea of paying $4.25 for 14 ounces of regular old German Beck's was not what I was after. Â I didn't care that they didn't have more "organic" items of "veggie this-or-that" as I have absolutely no interest in those weird items. Â I love meat, seafood, dairy, and potatoes, so the meal here was great.
The decor was very Irish-themed (even if the wait-staff was anything but), which I really enjoyed. Â Check their items out because they do have quite an eclectic bunch of things hanging on the wall.
After today's pleasant experience, I'm prepared to return.
The other day I wrote a review of a locally owned place, where I said that I went in wanting to give a good review and was disappointed when I had to write a bad review. My experience with Houlihan's was quite the opposite: I was expecting to not like it (I generally dislike chains), but was very pleasantly surprised.
As soon as we walked in, we were greeted and seated promptly. After looking at the menu and the decor, I realized that Houlihan's is trying to establish itself at a slightly more upscale level than comparable chains. They had some organic options, some healthy options, etc. So that was cool.
All of the good was very good and well prepared. I started with a side salad, and it was fresh and texturally interesting (with tortilla strips, bacon bits, etc.). I am generally picky when it comes to salads, but I loved this one. My burger was quite tasty and well cooked, and the fries were fantastic--hand cut and dusted with sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper. My wife got the filet, and she really enjoyed it.
I was highly impressed with our server. At first, I thought he was kind of relentlessly efficient (at the expense of being cordial), but then I realized he was one of two servers for the whole restaurant, was dealing with many tables, AND was being the host. Given that, and the fact that he eventually warmed up, and the fact that he didn't forget anything we asked for in the midst of all of this--I am highly impressed.
One more thing--get the mango iced tea. I can drink like a million of them (at least a million).
Really happy that we stopped in, and that they are making me rethink my bias against chain restaurants.
My favorites are the scallops dish, the chicken Asian chop chop and the ribs. Although the scallops dish is unbelievably good, even the large size is not filling enough unless you order other menu items. I've always enjoyed Houlihan's and was very sorry when the one on City Line Avenue closed, which I would go to on my way home from work. I would get their e-mails on Wednesday and they always had different specials for that day only.
Review Source:Poor food. Ran out of several items after we ordered so had to reorder. Food was poorly sequenced and not that good when we got it. Took way too long to get the dishes even a drink took forever. They were shorthanded due to Hallowen and maybe even the storm. Plenty of better options in the mall next door
Review Source:This review is mainly for the food. The girlfriend and I both ordered the veggie burger and while it wasn't terrible we have definitely had better (i.e. Hip City Veg, Friday's,....etc).
In terms of the service, our waitress was very friendly and nice enough to let us get a food order in before the kitchen closed (restaurant closes at 11:30 and we arrived at 11:00 pm). We hung around until midnight and the staff did not rush us at all. I would definitely come back for drinks.
I've been going here for 10 years so, yes, I'm a fan. They've added some additions to the menu, like the martini flight, which I was really excited about, but the mini 'tinis, though cute, are more show than substance (ie, cosmo martini was basically cranberry juice, etc). But the oldies-but-goodies have stuck around for a reason: they're awesome. I highly recommend the stuffed chicken breast and the baked potato soup. The potato soup remains the best I've ever had.
Review Source:i'm not crazy about houlihan's in general, but i like this location. the decor in the bar area is nice, though a bit dark. the rest of the restaurant is a little too "tgi fridays" as in random memorabilia covering the walls.
food is ok. i  really like the seared ahi tuna salad. it has bananas and spicy mustard, which sound like they wouldn't go together, but it somehow it does in this dish. i'm a fan of the martini samplers; you pick 3 smaller sized martinis to try. and they are pretty good! i don't usually like creamy booze drinks, but the key lime martini is awesome!
service is ok. sometimes they try way to hard. i appreciate that you are working hard, but i don't like servers who are in my face making crappy jokes. i prefer coming here to sit at the bar, where the bartenders are friendly, but not overly so.
(Have had two experiences here in the past two months.) Â
We like to sit at the bar...have a few beers, order an app or two, and usually get some food to go. Â So this review is based solely on the bar service. Â Â Â
First experience was great! Our bartender was very attentive, friendly and personable! (But not too/overly personable ) Â Had menus from the time we ordered our first beer, ordered app with second round. Â Take out order/process was a breeze. Wish I remember the bartenders name, would give her 5 stars! Â Â
Then...this past Saturday evening around 5pm we stopped in. Â The bar had one other patron. Â First drink was quick and easy, but then she disappeared. Honestly 10-15 minutes before we could get her attention to ask for menus. Â Ordered the stuffed mushrooms (highly recommended!) Â Food came out, but no silverware. Again our bartender was missing so we had to help ourselves to silverware settings from the bar table across the way. Â (I really hate doing that) Â Empty beers for at least another 5-10 minutes while the delicious appetizer was staring us down. Â Maybe I am being too critical/maybe she was new? But very poor experience. Â Do like the menu especially with the small plate/tapas section.
What disappointment! I had a coupon for up to $15 off our bill (birthday coupon) and decided to use it for lunch last week.
We ordered the BBQ chicken flatbread for appetizer and it was all right. Nothing to brag about. Our salads were small and limp. The server brought out complimentary garlic rolls that had a weird after taste which prompted me to not eat it!
The server was odd. He introduced himself at least a dozen times along with interrupting our conversation. Albeit we were grateful to the overflow of ice water thanks to the hyper server.
I ordered seared scallops over mash, which was yummy but hardly an entree'. It was more of a child's meal than an adult. I was thankful to have my appetizer as back up. The friend ordered the chicken enchiladas which were better portioned and excellent.
it's sad to see Houlihan's quality go down. I've visited the Cherry Hill location in the past and service and food quality was way better.
I don't plan to visit Houlihan's again.
Always been a huge fan of Houlihan's. Â The selection is incredible. Â So much to choose from, there's literally something for everyone. Â Food is very good too. Â Also have an outstanding drink menu. Â Went this past weekend and had a quick meal at the bar and some drinks. Â Really great small plates menu did the trick for us. Â Got the barbeque chicken flatbread which was pretty good, but loved the bacon mac and cheese. Â Rarely get mac and cheese at a restaurant, but I'm glad I did. Â
My fiance really enjoyed the skinny drink menu as well. Â Several fancy drinks that are low in calories. Â Probably the best tasting cosmo she's ever had although it may not of had as much alcohol. Â What a cool idea.
Service was also great. Â Bartender was super friendly and helpful with the menu. Â Will be back to this location. Â Love Houlihan's!
Disclaimer: I know it's Easter Sunday and "The Houl" was open, we were starving after church and needed some drinks/snacks. By the end of the meal Houlihan's showed us that next year (if they are still in business) they should consider being closed. Why? They were suffering from staffing and quality issues in the kitchen, the bar tender was too oblivious to look up a simple drink recipe, the food runner did not know the difference between lettuce wraps and tuna wontons, Â and I had to get my own roll ups from the manager so that my wheelchair bound mother could eat.
I usually don't care enough to write more than a few lines about any dining experience but this was an unusually poor showing and has really left a poor taste in my mouth. Below is a rundown of how the meal spiraled down the tubes.
Tuna wontons: We didn't order the wontons. However, when the runner dropped off the plate she said, "Lettuce wraps?" Â I said that they were not lettuce wraps and she was already out of ear shot. Our server did let us eat them and later even had them voided from the check.
Meatloaf: Â I had a few bites and it was really good.
Spaghettini: Overall not a bad dish, however, for $ 15.95 I would expect some spices and some asiago and/or parmesan cheese to warrant this high price.
Sm. Â Shrooms: I am a big fan.
Chicken Fajita: A mediocre presentation at best. Too much oil on the non-sizzling skillet, the chicken was dry, flavorless, and the portion was undersized for what "they" charge. The guacamole was good, the salsa was not, and the peppers were not cooked enough.
Steak wedge salad: Because the core was never removed from the lettuce wedge the dish was immediately not pleasing to the eye because it looked like it had just come unwashed from the field. The steak had been ordered to be cooked medium but when it was cut open at the table turned out to be cooked just a few minutes beyond well done.
Lettuce wraps: A fairly good appetizer but not worth $ 8.75 when comparing it to P.F. Chang's lettuce wraps that are delicious and only cost $ 7.50.
3's company: Do not include the Chocolate cappuccino cake with this order. The offering really did not taste good and suffered from texture issues as well.
Brandy Alexander: The first meager portion came out served in a rocks glass and tasted like ice milk that had been watered down w/ a splash of crème de cacao (Never taken off the check). After complaining about the portion size and the severe low quality of the drink our server brought a second one that was served in the proper cocktail glass and tasted quite good. The third drink had a bit more brandy than the second but that is a good thing.
Overall: Sunday nights is half off drinks, wine, and beer in the "bar only." Â Well, we would have gladly sat in the bar but one of our people is wheel chair bound and is in no way able to belly up. Therefore, we requested the closest wheelchair accessible table to the bar area and were happy we could watch celebrity apprentice when it started at 8 pm. Of course after our server takes our drink order at 7:55 pm I asked him if the first round would be full price because it was not 8 yet and he said "the special is only for the bar area." I told him that we would relocate to "the bar area" but my mother who is the person in the wheel chair said in a very snippy tone that we would be leaving. The server returned and said that we could have our discount. How generous, thank you so much Houlihan's,
The decor here is pretty awesome. I like the low light setting and images plastered all about the walls...it's rather reminiscent of Applebees, except I guess the low light makes it look somewhat classier.
I really had no expectations set when I decided to dine here so I guess was mildly surprised by the selection of food.
I ordered the Chicken 72 which came with your choice of a side (they carry quite a selection of sides) - I got the loaded baked potato. The sandwich and the potato were huge and I had enough to take home for lunch the next day which is always a plus.
I also ordered the disco fries as an appetizer, that was just ok. I was looking forward to a lot of cheesy, crispy fries except they weren't that cheesy and the fries were anything but crispy.
In regards to service, the hostess was kinda slow but I enjoyed my waitress. Not too shabby of a place I'd say.
This place tries to position itself as a step up from the other chains.  Regarding the décor they generally succeed.  It's a bit nicer than a Ruby's, Chili's etc.  As for the food, not so much.
Lunch and dinner are very different experiences.  I've been to lunch here  several times.  Generally things have gone well and the food has been decent.  They have a 15 minute lunch guarantee and they almost always make it.
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Dinner is not as good. Â Service seems to go downhill and the food is just OK. Â Nothing special. Â They have a flight of mini martinis that the wife loves. Â You pick three from among several flavors. Â Not bad for $8.
I wouldn't go out of my way to go here for dinner but for lunch or drinks and appetizers it is not a bad destination.
Good, predictable/reliable, not too expensive franchise.
While I prefer indie places, I have a slew (don't we all) of good chains that will do in a rush, a pinch, or a I-don't-have-access-to-yelp-for-some-strange-Âreason conundrums. Â Houlihan's is high on the list.
The menu is vast, the food is tasty, the atmosphere is upscale neighborhood bar. Â My favorite feature of theirs is the tapas-like menu of "mini entrees" and "big small plates". Â The menu advises that 2-4 of these smaller plates equals one large entree - I ordered the mini Chicken Cordon Bleu entree, and 2-4 of those would have fed the whole family.
As chain restaurants go, "Houlie's" is pretty decent. Â But this particular location's service is so touch-and-go, I can only muster up 2 stars.
The good: the food quality is pretty high, lots of choices on the menu and they're prepared well. Â I'm partial to their chicken tortilla soup, the steak and wedge salad, and the "fancy spaghetti". Â Their desserts are really tasty, they do a single-serving pecan pie that is out of this world. Â I also like that they now have a separate menu with smaller-sized dishes, so you can order a few different things and try them all.
The bad: the service. Â This place is always busy, and I totally get that on a busy night you're not going to have the server's 100% devoted attention. Â But there's a huge difference in service quality among the staff, some are awesome and some are much less than awesome. Â Take last night, for instance -- the restaurant was packed so my BF and I ate at the bar... Â they only had 2 bartenders working on a Saturday night to handle drinks for the entire restaurant, which meant that service was super slow. Â (Not the bartender's fault... Â the manager should schedule an extra person for the weekends.) Â When the bartender finally came over to take our order, I told him what I wanted and he walked away and started serving drinks to other customers... Â he never took my BF's order! Â A few minutes later we had to grab the other bartender when she walked by and ask her to put in my BF's food. Â When our meal came, we marveled at how big the portion size was -- we had ordered several things off of their new smaller-portion menu, and the "fancy spaghetti" we each got was huge. Â We discovered later that they had ordered us each the regular-sized version of the dish instead of the small size we had asked for, which was double the cost and more food than we had wanted. Â This has been an ongoing problem in the years we've been coming here... Â we'll stay away for a long time because of bad service, then come back and have someone decent so our faith is restored... Â then the next time we come the service is slow and our orders are messed up, so we stay away again.
My recommendation: if you want to come to this location, do it on a slow night or maybe come for lunch. Â And cross your fingers that the server they give you is a decent one.
I really like this place. Â Took advantage of a <a href="/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Frestaurant.com&s=c5fe485af4df376130bee54f875814d79c4d7913e1258123b1206d2bdbf4873b" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://restaurant.com</a> gift cert. and they were very pleasant when I gave it to them with the check. Â The scallops dish is so tasty! Â The potato soup is always great. Â Even my martini was quite good (dirty, but they were out of the blue cheese olives, boo). Â Over all I really think this place is great. Â The prices blow Redstone out of the water, that place is ridiculously overpriced in my opinion. Â For a chain, this place is great. Â And some entrees give any restaurant a run for their money. Â Cozy atmosphere too.
Review Source:Had dinner with a fairly large group of family members (10) this past Friday. I was immediately impressed by the extensive, but not overwhelming menu. Most entrees were around $13-17 and my burger was around $10. Everyone was really satisfied with their apps and dinners. Most picked salads that were huge. Two desserts were shared, the smores plate and the Italian donuts. The Italian donuts were awesome. Still hot, covered with cinnamon and sugar, and accompanied by  a chocolate and a vanilla dipping sauce.
Definitely a good meeting spot based on location, price, and quality of food. The service was also good.
Stopped in after work with a colleague of mine since we work right across the street. Â It was around 7pm on a Friday, but we got seated right away.
Our server's name was Dante. Â He was great. Â I'd even say to request him if you go there. Â He was really fast, made great recommendations, and really personable.
The food was actually better than I had expected. Â I got some type of chicken sandwich (i forget the name now) and my colleague got the pot roast. Â tried both, and both were great, and at the recommendation of Dante.
As for the atmosphere, it was low key and pretty quiet. Â There were some families there with children, so that added to the noise level, but not too much.
Well I recently had a ridiculously awful experience at Houlihan's. Â
Myself and a group of coworkers went during the lunch hour. Â We were shown to our table in an acceptable amount of time. Â They crammed the six of us into a booth, but that was okay since it was during the busy lunch hour and we took what we could get.
Enter our waiter. Â Imagine if R. Kelly and 50 Cent fused themselves together and became a waiter at Houlihan's. Â Cindy gave the waiter her order and his exact reply was "I don't mean to tell you that's f*&%in disgustin', but that's f&%$in disgustin". Â
Perhaps he was momentarily confused when he made this comment, maybe he thought we were sitting on the curb in West Philadelphia or something. Â So after a few uncomfortable seconds where we all exchanged worried glances, Cindy asked "what would you recommend?". Â His reply was of course what you would expect from most waiters who were asked such a question: Â "Daint too much dats good on this menu, I don't like most of it". Â
Now I've been to alot of restaurants, as i'm sure most of you have. Â I don't expect to be blown away by the service at Houlihan's, I mean, it's Houlihan's for crying out loud. Â But I've never encountered a waiter like this before. Â When he disappeared, we briefly contemplated just leaving right then and there. Â We were so turned off at this point. Â
But lets move on from the waiter, despite the fact that there were more inappropriate moments he graced us with afterwards. Â Let's talk about the food.
The food was...........well, "f%$&in' disgusting". Â Hey the guy was unprofessional, but he sure knew how nasty our meal was going to be ahead of time. Â
Between the 6 of us, there were 3 or 4 salads and I think a couple of the chicken parmesan sandwiches. Â The salads were plain, uninspiring, and just not good. Â The sandwiches looked extremely wet and actually had more of a fishy taste than a chicken taste. Â It was quite bizarre. Â
The horrible food and the extremely unprofessional waiter all contributed to what was one of the worst restaurant experiences of my life. Â We vowed never to go back there as a company (the last several times have been mediocre at best) and we couldn't get out of there fast enough after paying the bill. Â
Were we on some hidden camera show? Â Was this all just a joke?
Houlihan's has really impressed me over the last few years. Â I think they changed some of their philosophies, and it really shows. Â Their menu is very progressive, while at the same time offering plenty of comfort food.
I went here for my birthday last year and the wait staff was really friendly and great. Â They kept my cake in the freezer for us, which was really nice, and they kept the beers flowing. Â
My favorite item on the menu is the Buffalo Bleu Salad which has so many delicious things on it, I can't even list them out here. Â They have great mini martini's and desserts, which cap off the dinner well. Â I live about 30 minutes from this location and I still go out of my way to make it here quite often, so I must be a fan.
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