Review: Irish Alley Restaurant & Pub

i knew before going there that the irish alley had nothing to do with the irish. they even have a sign now saying so. But this was the worse place i have eaten at in years. First they need to hire a chef not serve everything from freezer bags! Until that evening i never knew oysters came prefrozen in a bag. my tuna i ordered med rare and it was well done. by the time i got up and looked for my waitress 15 min had pasted. I told her to just take my plate away and i was still charged for it. No i didn't pay for it but was charged. oh and we were the only people in the resturant so there was no excuse.

I have mediocre results going here. Some times it's great, other times it's ok, and some times it's pretty damn good. The one problem I have with them is that they don't have specials. They need to change up some things. It has potential, the buildings are beautiful (especially seeing what they came from). They need to get a variety and change up there menu, but other than that they are on par with the other restaurants in Staunton. Love it or hate it, this is what you get from just about every restaurant in Staunton. Once they do this, they will be there. But what Mary said about hiring a chef, the only restaurant that comes to my mind that has an actual chef (not these people who cook and think they are chefs) is Staunton Grocery (way over priced). All these other restaurants are good, but they all employ the same cooks that cook, for the most part, pre-made food from Sysco. But this is about the only way that this city is set up to do. Staunton isn't exactly a thriving city, the economy has people not spending money on food and such, and the city taxes businesses to the high heaven (forcing them to move to Waynesboro or just fail). So, maybe Irish Alley needs to tighten a few buttons and loose ends but I would say that most if not all the restaurants in Staunton could do the same. On top of this, the city needs to change (both the people and government).

After looking over forum posts, blogs, and other internet articles about Irish Alley, it deeply saddens me to hear such negative things coming from local residents about one of their own. Knowing Bob (the owner) since early childhood, I know for a fact Mary that you couldn't possibly have waited or looked for you waitress for 15 minutes, because Bob himself would have come over to check and see if you were ready or what the problem was. He runs a tight crew, from his kitchen to his waitstaff, there is no flaws to be found in there service. What all this sounds like to me is a lot of bad mouthing and negativity coming from other restaurants in the area. Not saying it is, but it's kind of funny to me that everyone is making comments about "bagged" or "boxed" food coming from distributors such as Sysco. Just for your information, everyone in Staunton (maybe except The Grocery) gets there products from a truck and guess what, they come in a bag and/or a box. Even the local greats like Mill Street, Byer Street, and Depo get there products delivered via a truck. As a parting note, being a lawyer in Maryland (as well I used to be a lawyer in Virginia) I can tell you that most of what is posted here on Topix about Irish Alley is border line slanderous and you should really take into account what you say. All though the internet may seem anonymous, there are certain ways to find out who is posting and where it's coming from, almost down to the address of the user's location. So, just be careful what you say and realize that everybody thinks that they know the restaurant business, but the ones who actually attempt this great feat, it's an up hill struggle just as it is for any small upcoming business in these economic times. Remember, before casting the first stone, we all live in glass houses.

the past 9 months or so i've watched with interest this topic about irish alley rest. and pub. i've eaten at this beautiful and clean place many times-delicious food, refined people to serve and a good atmosphere-this is what i want and my friends want. i've also noticed that the majority of the negative comments have been very personal attacks and as the lawyer wrote "slanderous". a customer who is not happy would usually tell the manager or owner. i feel that these comments are to try to destroy a business that has just started in these tough economic times-- maybe these comments are coming from a competitor who has been in staunton for awhile. it is sad because staunton doesnt make it easy for a new business-just ask the retail people on beverley street. i hope there is a way to find out who has been making these very destructive and cowardly messages. to people with an open mind and who think for themselves-try this marvelous place-it is roomy, clean, has a fireplace in the main dining room and a fireplace in the large reception room upstairs. of course there is the nice patio on private property - with a wonderful view of sears hill park. the pub is cozy - the bar a good size and many drink and beers to choose from. i could go on and on praising this establishment, which by asking, i have learned it wasn't ever intended on being irish but is named for johnson street when it was known as irish alley. as for me and mine, we will continue to frequent this nice welcoming place.

I'm from DC and visited the Irish Alley for the first time on Friday, Aug 7, 2009 around 5:00 pm. Based on the name, I assumed it would be an Irish pub, based on the decor, I assumed they were trying for some sort of modern interpretation of an Irish pub. As others have pointed out -- besides the ubiquitous Guinness on tap -- there's nothing "Irish" about the Irish Alley. I don't mean that as a criticism, only that I was misled by the name. As for the decor, I liked it -- it's sleek and modern, in a classic sort of way (is that contradictory??).

My experience was pleasant enough, the bartender (who I believe was the owner) waited on me and we visited awhile. He seemed nice. I also ordered some "boneless" hot wings; the wings were OK, but very ordinary. The prices were quite reasonable.

Three of us ate there the other night and no complaints. Food was good, drinks were good. The burgers are great. Will definitly go back.

P.S. One of the guys was there near the opening and did in fact have a negative view. He went back prior to the other night and enjoyed it.

I am so ashamed of my community and the "dog eat dog" atmosphere that seems to have generated in the "Queen's City." In order to get through these tough economic times, we do need to be kinder to one another. Irish Alley Restaurant and Pub is a nice place to go. The workers treat the customers with respect, the place, as many have observed, is clean and the food-yes-Staunton food. Face it-Staunton is not as "high class"(for lack of better wording) as some pretend it is-it is a small regular community where people should be living in harmony, encouraging one another and not judging others. If you are a "regular" person, as I am, go to Irish Alley-you will be comfortable there and treated the same no matter your socio-economic standing.

I appreciATE that most of you have not been to IRISH ALLEY, but let me tell you about our visit. I heard a local Irish band was playing, so a group of us decided to go. The band was playing upstairs(quite the flight of stairs-definately not for the elderly or disabled!) we got a table close to the front and enjoyed the music. After an initial wait of over 15 minutesfor a waitress our drink order was taken and the drinks arrived. Two of the drinks had to be sent back as a GIN and Tonic with no gin is inexcuseable. Our food-we ordered full meals- was mediocre at best and took forever. The place was packed upstairs, but downstairs was empty- why the didn't bring another waitstaff upstairs to help I'll never know. I will say that the blonde haired bartender makes a wicked LEMON DROP shooter though. I too didn't get the Irish connection in any way.shape, or form.The band was awesome-the bar Iwouldn't waste my time or money in. And just so you know- I am being very nice about the review-I won't go into all our other issues with the place and the owners-the word rude comes to mind.

i was also there the night of the irish band. my group and i enjoyed the food, the atmosphere, the drinks and the room we were in. when we went in there were people in the dining room and the bar. i think the drinks are usually strong and good. i was appalled at what i heard one of the band members saying to the manager about wanting free drinks, etc. i don't think that happened and apparently it wasn't supposed to happen originally from what i gathered. the manager wasn't rude but the band member was. just leave these people [the restaurant] alone. you may have your opinion but that doesn't make it right. what they named their restaurant is really no ones business. why in the world did it take you so long to critique something that happened months and months ago? SARAH-you are pitiful.