Top food: chicken Caesar, potstickers, taco salad Service; one bartender very rude and vulgar. Strong drinks, I would always go with a friend who used to work there so we usually got served quickly. Would not recommend sitting at a table. Service is pretty slow. read more

Coworkers and I wanted a good place to go for HH. One lives in Williston and as soon as she suggested it, I knew it was a great choice because the one in Waterbury is excellent. Although our server started out a bit grumpy, he perked up as the night went on and he was always prompt with food and drinks. I got the ale house burger which was cooked exactly as I like it (med rare) and the fries were perfectly crispy. Some coworkers shared chips and guacamole while another got chicken tenders and fries. It's nicely decorated for the holidays. I highly recommend. read more

McGillicuddy's Irish Ale House - Ale house burger - Irish Near Me - Williston, Vermont

Our server Aiden was attentive, friendly, and prompt! Excellent service! Amazing and relaxing environment. Will be back again soon! read more

McGillicuddy's Irish Ale House - Irish Near Me - Williston, Vermont

Amazing service by our server Emma and great food from the cooks. Got all our food on time and had great accommodations. p.s. Should start serving Heineken read more

Always a good time. Friendly staff. Good food. Lots of craft beers. Great place to watch sports.

Classic sports bar, on the smaller size. Place was steady for a Saturday night, but was seated almost immediately. Waitress was nice but seemed to be flustered dealing with other customers and busting tables. Our food came out super fast and was very delicious. I got the turkey avocado BLT and it was great. A good spot to grab a solid tasting dinner and watch a game. read more

McGillicuddy's Irish Ale House - Turkey avocado BLT - Irish Near Me - Williston, Vermont

Horrible. 3 of us went and unfortunately no one had a good meal. I ordered a med. Bacon cheeseburger which came out very well done and dry with no bacon. Two of the other meals were flavorless. We sat at the bar and the bartender and manager were more interested in counting their draw then helping us. After asking she came over, took our drink order and then disappeared. We had to ask again to order and then she took my order and walked away. She went to the other side of the bar and helped 3 other people. We said you know they wanted to order as well then she took the order, this was about 20 mins. Later. I've tried to give this place a chance, hours are good, but between parking, bad food and bad service, I am now done. read more

McGillicuddy's Irish Ale House - Onion rings and burger - Irish Near Me - Williston, Vermont

Great place for a variety of local brews. Friendly atmosphere and great locals at the bar.

Drinks were good but the food was VERY mediocre. Will not return unless I'm already drunk.

Me and a buddy both ordered a sip of sunshine. They came out looking and tasting very different. Waitress and bartender said it was just the glass making it look different. I ordered the vermont maple chicken sandwich and it just tasted like a regular chicken sandwich with a sticky bun. Very disappointing read more

McGillicuddy's Irish Ale House - The "same" beers - Irish Near Me - Williston, Vermont

Great experience except for Caleb the bartender serving us $12 lemon drop shots. Our server was a sweetheart that went to ask him about it but he gave her a line that there was cordials in it so that justifies the expense. read more

I started coming here 3 yrs ago. Always got the same thing, Apple Walnut Chicken Salad. The first two years, it always delivered. Fresh veggies and prep was really good. Then? After the Pandemic this place went downhill fast. The waitstaff/bartender employees were always great. WTF happened in the kitchen? Here's a list of issues: Fries- Often cold and soggy Mozzarella Sticks - Cold in the middle - We all know they come frozen, but that's a rude reminder... The fresh veggies that come with certain things on the menu - Look and taste like they have been "around awhile" Myself and my partner will most likely never eat there again. My last experience was the final tipper. My Apple Walnut Chicken Salad came without chicken. The waitstaff promptly tried to fix it. After waiting for my chicken and staring at my wilting salad for almost 30 minutes, I tapped out... Our server was awesome and took it off our bill. My biggest issue is with the food. The beer/wine and drinks are always great. Re-think the restaurant thing and just be a bar. Serve free peanuts or popcorn and you're good to go. read more

I have only been to the Essex Junction location. I have dined there approx. 12 times. I cannot comment on the other locations. Essex (five corners) location: The French onion soup is good. Good flavor and plenty of onions. Depending the time/staff, sometimes shy on the cheese and heavy on the croutons. I usually order the Blackened Haddock served with Rice and pico de gallo. The Haddock is good, serving size seems to vary between a lunch portion and dinner portion. The rice pilaf is just ok. Pico de Gallo is fresh and has a hot pepper bite. I have sent Haddock back a couple of times due to serving size and broken up pieces instead of a nice filet. A few servers are seasoned and attentive. Most are kids. Poor service and not socially personable. I was actually FORGOTTEN once. I got up after waiting 15 minutes without any server contact and was verbally told I had been forgotten. I did contact "The manager" via phone as she wasn't working that night. She did not seem to be concerned and basically stated it was hard to get good help and that was the Restaraunt business. No apology. I have been back to dine, and 50/50 on being acceptable or not. Prices average. Typical bar atmosphere with lots of TV's everywhere. I would like better more consistent service and food. Unfortunately it is the only place close by with blackened Haddock. I you are hungry it will suffice. read more

McGillicuddy's Irish Ale House - Irish Near Me - Williston, Vermont

The beer is good but the food is terrible. The price is outrageous and the quality is poor. Don't be expecting any Irish food as the don't even have spuds! read more

Stopped serving drinks before the food even came! Burger was burnt to a char completely un edible.

Great selection of beers and great burgers! Also the pub chips with the onion dip are the best add salt and vinegar to the pub chips.

While I enjoy mcgillcuddys and the atmosphere I Went the other night, order nachos which are supposed to have cheese while they didn't have hardly any cheese on them, the ground beef was burnt as well. To many times I have encountered problems like this which is unfortunate. read more

Lunch with a couple of friends was my first, ever, visit to any McGillicuddy's location. We arrived closer to 1 PM than noon so I am thinking the lunch crowd had thinned out a bit as there weren't many patrons remaining. TVs at every booth and on all the walls. Place was clean and lighting was just right. We seated ourselves and began with drinks consisting of just H2O and a diet cola. Menu choices just about right for a pub with lots of sandwiches and burgers to choose from, including veggie. My friends ordered the chicken soup of the day and I ordered the New England clam chowder. Chowder was very good and my friends said their soup was also very good. One of my friends ordered the tacos and the other ordered a garden salad. I ordered the California Burger w/fries. My burger was delicious and cooked to medium...maybe a tad more than but it was great. Friend who ordered tacos said they were good but my other friend said she was disappointed in the salad, mostly because it wasn't the type of lettuce she preferred. Server was prompt and courteous. Prior to gratuity our meal came to $50.00; reasonable I suppose. Will I return? Yes. My two friends have been to this McGillicuddy's location before for dinner but they did not stay as they said the noise was so loud you couldn't hear yourself think. Had my wife and I encountered the same type of noise level we also would have left so my return will likely be during lunch hours. All that said I would recommend a visit to McGillicuddy's. read more

The order was Luke warm, and the fish & chips were salty. Not the outside but the cod itself. It was like they kept it a salty brine without washing it prior to cooking. The Califorina burger was well done instead of medium rare. The Nachos was melted cheese etc but was not hot , more like luke warm read more

Half price burgers on Sunday's was a very nice surprise when we went to the place this weekend. It was our first time there so we had no idea! The space is very small and very pub- like. There are TV's in every booth and a whole list of beer. Their menu features a large selection of burgers which I was actually rather impressed with. I chose to go with the "On the Green Burger" which features a a bun with an 8oz burger that has been marinated in Guinness and topped with Corned Beegf AND CHEESE! Heart attack waiting to happen but- very much worth it! Yummm! They also give you an option of sides and well I chose to go with the curly fries even though they were almost an additional $2 charge. Sadly, I must admit that there were wayyyy less curls than I would have liked! But- my burger was cooked just right and very juicy which I very much appreciated! While I enjoyed a burger, my partner opted for the Bangers and Mash. This is a traditional dish and is made of grilled Irish Bangers that are served on sweet grilled onions with sweet potato mashes with a Giness Gravy. I had only look at my partner's face to establish that he was not enjoying it. Of course, being the pain that I am, I then had to snag a bite and YUCK what a disappointment! The whole dish was just too sweet- it didn't taste right and I was a bit disappointed as I chose this place for it's Irish flare. Tisk Tisk. Anyways, the only complaint I have is the speed of service. The place was not very busy but our waitress took forever to get the bill. We even joked that the next time we came, we would be asking for the bill as soon as we placed our order and that perhaps we would only have a 15 min wait for the check after we finished eating. It was also frustrating that once that check was brought over, that the burgers were not rung up as half-off so the check had to be redone. We didn't really stress over it though nor make a fuss and actually, we accepted it once the waitress came back and let us know that it was only her second day on the job. So overall; food is good, price is right. :) read more

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The Vermont Burger and the Crispy Maple Sandwich are amazing. Do yourself a favor and try both!! Delicious flavors and excellent taste.

Went to have dinner at this place with my family and 6 year old son. My son wanted some of my wings so they said I had to order 12 to split flavors. I went to order 4 for my six year old since he wknt eat anyone than that and they said I had to order 6 and 6. What is the big deal. Asked for the manager and he said it's their policy. What happened to make the customer happy. We went from coming here 3 or 4 times a month to never coming again! I will also be sharing this story over and over. read more

We went there this passed Sunday. There was only one server and one bartender for the front of the house. They did ok considering how busy it was. They cleaned a table off for us but it and the booth seat was still covered in crumbs, salt and pepper. We ordered mozzarella sticks and fried pickles. The small appetizer plates they brought us were covered in thick greasy finger prints and one actually had food stuck all over it. We sent them back for clean ones and the ones that were brought to us weren't much better. The mozzarella sticks were a dense old tasting cheese. Not stringy like fresh. The pickles were soggy and the actual pickle was chewy. Also I wasn't pleased with the sauce they serve with it. (Just a basic thousand island. I prefer a spicy or horseradish dip). My husband ordered a philly cheese sandwich with no peppers or onions (I know I know but he likes it plain). It came with peppers and onions. We had a child's chicken tenders basket. The chicken was overdone and again tasted old. I'm thinking it was the grease. The fries were soggy and overcooked. We also got two orders of fish and chips. One of which I was sharing with my son. It had so much breading. Again soggy. Then obviously the fries were nasty. It was our first and last time going there. read more

Pros: an extensive beer menu ( microbrews, local stuff, and all the trendy beer you feel semi-obliged to appreciate in VT). It looks like it was made using Microsoft excel, utilizes columns of data like excel, and I honestly wish I could take it with me to my next foray with a dimly-lit chalkboard in an overpriced, overcrowded gastropub. -TVs in every booth so you can feel superior when you dismiss them as excessive and indicative of the loss of the American dinner table and it's grounding social influence. Then you get really into an episode of American Pickers semi-ironically but secretly with great enthusiasm because f%#k it, who even has cable anymore and modern living is amazing. -Food that is exactly what you think it's going to Be when you order it. It's neither better nor worse, just food-food. Cons: service is usually great. The last time I went the waitress was working through a new "edgy" persona where she swears a lot and is really casual and pretends to be mean to you and your date because it's, edgy man. I think a lot Of really sad older men would like her performance and enjoy the "bad girl" vibe so I would Encourage her to continue with that but maybe not while I'm trying to shamefully consume a whole Platter of spinach dip on a Tuesday night. Anyways, support your local Irish pub. It's not amazing but it's easy to relax there, as long as that one waitress leaves you mostly alone. read more

The one star is for the time we had nachos at the bar on a weeknight. They were good, and the bartender was nice. The remaining blank stars are due to the fact that I can't fill them in. We came in. It was a busy Friday, I get it. But we were seated. And waited. And waited. After 15 minutes of servers walking by repeatedly with no one so much as greeting or acknowledging us- let alone taking a drink order- we left. So that's that. read more

It appears (according to the sign) this a new restaurant and it shows. It started with the waitress couldn't find a pen to write down our order. The food was adequate but service was slow and it really wasn't that busy. Not to mention they had quite a few staff. It took about 12 minutes to have our order taken. The waitress was pleasant so hopefully she will improve her skills. At this time, I would suggest going to the next exit. read more

Finally got the opportunity to try this place out. Something like 20-30 beers?? Wow. They are always willing to let you taste test some. Schlitz is back?? go figure. The food is quite good. I personally think they make the very best chicken salad sandwich ANYWHERE! Service is always friendly and prompt. The bartenders know what they are doing and handle the crowds with ease. The decor is a bit dreary. I think it's too much space and ceiling for an irish pub. I usually expect a somewhat cramped yet cozy space. But it's functional for the amount of tables and booths they stuff into here. If anything, come for the brew selection and food. read more

upon arriving we were met by a woman who identified herself as the wife of the owner.This was our first time here so I thought to ask her for a food suggestion. she responded ny saying "I don't eat here, this is my husbands restaurant". Hmmmm...I thought this was an honest yet not encouraging response. We sat at the bar watching the tender refilling the bar snack into filmy/fingerprinted glasses. hmmm.....not interested in clean glassware. we ordered shepherds pie and the barbecue burger. the shep pie was made with ground beef and what seemed to be canned corn and instant mashed potatoes. the barbecue burger came with onion rings that most certainly came from the bottom of the deep fryer. there was no onion to be found the beer was good. go for drinks/ be wary of the food read more

Made it here last night with some friends of mine - I had been excited to see what the latest Williston offering had to bring the area. They were HOPPING! As it did just open a week ago, I'll keep this review pretty fair and not nitpick the little things associated with a new business (especially a busy one). You walk in and seat yourself (they do need a sign because everyone that walks in is instantly confused on what the protocol is). The seating area is a good size with tables spaced nicely and a combination of booths and tables. The walls are COVERED with TVs. It's a bit much and a little overwhelming, in my view, and not what I would have expected when I heard the name of the place. I expect it when I go to the Vermont SPORTS Grill. The McGillicuddy's in Montpelier I recall having a variety of TVs too but not in this vast quantity. In any case, it would be a nice place for someone to go to watch a game, so I probably won't be bringing my ADD husband as he'll otherwise be suckered into TV-land (and we don't even like sports!). The menu is awesome, ranging from Irish dishes to burgers and salads. I was impressed that they will use local beef for an extra $2 charge, if you'd like them to. That is SMART. It may sound like a lot but the prices are all very reasonable, with many options even under $10! I opted for the pulled pork with coleslaw and fries (which were crispy large wedge fries - YUM!). The pork was good but not the best I've ever had - it had more of a wet, boiled pork consistency than one that had been hand pulled, just coming off the smoker. The bun was a nice bakery bun and not your usual fluffy, cheap, hamburger bun. I'm excited to try other menu items! The atmosphere was busy, a little loud (high ceiling), and a little frantic, which I attribute to being so new. My one qualm was that our waitress was quite slow and seemed timid. There were waits for beer and food but she never really informed us of this - it was just apparent after we'd been waiting for some time. But again, I can forgive a lot as I know that they were so new and quite busy - I will definitely try them again! It is wonderful to have another option in the Williston area that is not a large chain and I know the rough spots will get smoothed out soon as they find their place. read more

McGillicuddy's is pretty decent food and I'd likely visit again. The place is very clean and polished for what I'm used to as an Irish Pub. Great place to watch a game. The food is standard bar food (burgers, fries, salads), but I do appreciate that you can get grass fed beef instead of the normal fatty meat most restaurants serve. It's $2 extra, but well worth the price. I think that little extra makes a big difference compared to the other commonly-themed Irish bars in the greater Burlington area. For me, I'd go back if I were in the Williston area or had friends who wanted to go to watch a game. read more

I like the place. My husband & I sit at the bar and always see people we know or meet someone new. The bartenders are friendly and attentive. Todd always tells us the story on the newest beers and shares a sample before we choose. Now, about the food... This isn't a hoity-toity sort of place, it's a great neighborhood pub!We haven't tried everything. We love the chili, it is thick and meaty, spiced right without torching your taste buds. We think it's the best around and at a great price. The chili is definitely our go-to, either a cup as an appetizer or a bowl as our meal. I've had the garden salad with grilled chicken a few times and it's consistently big, fresh & delicious. My husband loves their burgers and the fish & chips. If you're looking for a comfortable, low key, clean, friendly place to grab a beer after work or shopping, you need to try them out. read more

Totally boring, totally standard strip mall sports bar. You could this same uninspired bland food at any of the zillions of places exactly like this anywhere in america. Don't waste your time or money on food you won't even remember by the time you get to your car. Also it took a lonnnnng time to arrive and my fries were pretty near to cold by the time I got them. It gets two stars because the food, while boring, is not gross or anything. read more

Friendly staff and last time I counted 28 beers on tap. They also stock heady topper. I see so many bad reviews of the food here and quite honestly I've had nothing more than the wings which as a huge wing fan are great quality and crispy with a fairly good sauce. I don't understand how people can go to a bar and grill that serves pub fare and totally dog the food. You're in a bar!!!! Wake up!!!! read more

McGillicuddy's Irish Ale House - Harpoon 100 barrel series #46 kettle cup 2013 Belgian - Irish Near Me - Williston, Vermont

Stopped here to get something to eat, place was not busy so I figured it should be quick here . Wrong got a menu finally 10 minutes later the bar tender asked me if I wanted something to drink I'm like sure I been driving for 4 hours hungry and thirsty. I place my order while watching tv these people who just sat down place their order 15 minutes after me they got there food before me I did not say anything to the bar tender but really. Finally I got my hamburger/ onion rings 45 minutes later read more

Seriously, ignore the persnickety reviews for this spot; Yelp literally lets anyone with an internet connection and the ability to type weigh in on any eatery. We had burgers here again today(Jan, 2013). The house burger, that's mixed with beer, is outstanding. It's juicy and flavorful. We also had some starters. The French onion soup is just salty enough, cheesy, and delicious. Their boneless wings are cooked to perfection (Really, I mean that; they're crispy on the outside and moist on the inside.). They also have a huge variety of local beer on tap to the extent that this wine lover is learning to enjoy beer! read more

Amazing fish and chips. Great beer selections. Wonderful service. Great tunes. LOTS of TVs

Good bar with a great draft list. More TV's then you can handle, even personal TV's in the booths where you have your own directv remote. Food is solid, good burger options with fair prices. I've never had a problem with the service as mentioned in other posts. Sometimes gets crowded I suppose and overwhelms the staff. read more

Good locally owned Irish pub in Williston.. Who knew? Most soups and Irish Stew are home made.. Vast selection of draft beer and Todd pours a nice Guinness! Open for lunch! Friendly bartender and clientele . read more

The food is O.K to say the least. I have had better pub food. If you're local try Cody's Irish Pub in Essex. The food there is so much better and fresh!! They have a good beer list, but the service is deplorable. I have never had such a bad waitress in my life, rude, inattentive and kept hovering over the table. Not hovering to see if we wanted drinks or anything else but to hurry us along so she could leave. Seedy atmosphere. read more

This is one of the best places to grab a drink in the Williston area, and personally my go-to for a quick bite to eat with friends. They always have an extensive variety of draft beer, booths with TV's, and fast service. I absolutely love their nachos, it's literally all I get along with a cider or 2. With that being said, I got take out for the first time this week and unfortunately they made the mistake of not giving us the guac we ordered and paid for to go with our nachos. It may not seem like a big deal to some, but when you only order nachos to split it's a let down not having the guac which adds so much to the plate overall and only realizing it once you get home. I'll have to check my order before leaving from now on. It also wasn't a busy night, a Wednesday night to be exact. However I still give this place 5/5 for in house eating and drinking, but the takeout experience I had takes away a few stars for me. read more