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| - When it comes to Legacy Village tripe, this is my #1 choice. Damning by faint praise? Yes. But, unfortunately, in my line of work, there are a lot of occasions for lunch or dinner at a restaurant that is on the "better" end of junk chains. I choose Claddagh over Cheesecake Factory any time I am faced with that terrible decision.
There is a lot of truly bad food on the menu, but there are some decent things, as well, earning Claddagh an "A-OK" rating. I've never had bad service here, but never been overly impressed by anything.
In the absence of a legitimate Irish Pub in the 5-10 mile radius surrounding my home (South Euclid), if I want a plate of fish & chips and a Smithwicks or a Black & Tan, this place will do. I had a business lunch here the week between Christmas and New Year's, and had a nice plate of fish & chips. It was fine. Maybe even good. Not great.
One thing that I like here that I can't get anywhere else are the wings. They're smallish, but I love the flavor of the "Shamrock" (gag) sauce. It's greenish... ish. Not appetizing to look at. But delicious. Certainly a personal taste thing, they're not much like your typical hot wing. But then again, hot wings aren't really all that Irish, are they?
The Shepherd's pie pretty well sucks, the Guinness Stew pretty well sucks, the Bangers pretty well suck, and someone at my table once ordered the grilled chicken breast and it looked completely pathetic. It was reported to be completely pathetic. I did not try it.
But, as a purpose-destination for me (beer, wings, fish/chips), I kind of like it. I can say, unequivocally, that if there was a legitimate Irish Pub nearby, I'd never set foot in here again. For what that's worth...
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