Monasterboice Inn (Donegans) 4.5 star review: Heading back north after a weekend in Dublin, I booked a table for three at the Monasterboice Inn (Donegans) for 5pm. We were welcomed and shown immediately to our table where our order was taken by a pleasant waitress. My initial impression was how busy the restaurant for early evening and put it down to its good reputation.
We had been tempted by the excellent value of the 25 euro special menu but decided to go a al carte. Our starters arrived very promptly and my choice of deep fried brie was excellent.
Main courses arrived without delay and we had selected the scampi, duck and surf and turf. The scampi had been recommended by a family member who had been before and I can safely say it was the best ever tasted. The steak was also top quality.
Unfortunately we had no room for desserts but maybe next time.
Our waitress had been very efficient throughout, bringing a jug of water without being asked and checking several times if everything was OK. We would have no hesitation in recommending the Monasterboice Inn.

Monasterboice Inn (Donegans) 2.0 star review: It is unfortunate that tonight i must write a complaint about a local restaurant. I have never written a public complaint about anything before so this is very serious.

Background:
Donnegans (Monastreboice Inn) is a local restaurant in Monasterboice (just outside Drogheda) in Co Louth. Our family have gone here for years and it used to be the best restaurant i had even been to, until now...
Today would have been my fathers birthday, he sadly passed away in February but we decided he would have loved a meal so we celebrated his memory today with a meal, thats whenit started.....

We arrived for a booked table at 5:30pm, arrived at about 5:10 and got seated while we waited for the rest of the family, all good so far. Everyone arrived by half and by 5:40 everyone had ordered, honkey dorey!

We had 9 kids with us all under 13, two autistic and a baby in a high chair. All of who by 6:15 were still sitting patiently waiting on their food (COUNT 35mins)

6:20 came and those who ordered starters (about 5 of 20 people) got theirs, but no food for the kids... by 6:30 i specifically requested the kids food as in every restaurant ive ever been to they have had enough sense to being childrens food as soon as possible as kids dont quite have the patience adults (should) have.

Anyway 10 mins later and still no kids food,i complained to the owner as my mother was quite upset at this point. a full 30 minutes after (COUNT 80 MINS from order!!!) still no food for the kids, despite specifically requesting the kids food they decided in their inifintie wisdom that because they gave the adult orders first in the kitchen that those would be the first served (The waitress actually told me this!!!).
Eventually the food did arrive, but the attitude of the waiting staff and the owner was a disgrace, i as a mid thirtys man actually cried due to the treatment my family got.

In the end they offered us free tea and coffee, now isnt that customer service for a bill that came to almost €300...
And also argued that we didnt specifically

Monasterboice Inn (Donegans) 3.0 star review: The menu and the decor are quite dated but that possibly adds to the charm of the bar. We had scampi, chicken Maryland and breast of chicken and ham. The food was top class as was the service but unfortunately the prices are horrific!! All our meals were around the €18 mark with vegetables extra! In the area I live in I would have a selection of restaurants offering two and three course meals for that price. To summarise we had a nice meal which was served efficiently and with a smile but we will not be returning purely because of the exorbitant prices.

Monasterboice Inn (Donegans) 2.0 star review: I have been going here for many years - one of the best steaks and one of the nicest scampi's until today

Myself and my wife went for lunch and ordered two portions of scampi - normally fresh prawns deep fried in crispy batter - there must have been a change in Managment or chef or else corners are been cut - tough frozen prawns which hadn't been cleaned covered in a greasy batter , you could tell they had been fried in old dirty oil - best of all is the price 17.50 for a half portion ? This is unacceptable in these times - I don't mind paying for what you get but after many years of loyalty I will no longer be going back to restaurant - there is also a notable change in the menu from nice roast meat dinner to lasagne,panini's and toasted sandwiches, just when everyone try's to differentiate themselves..?

two scampi's ,coke, and 1/4 bottle of red wine €43.00 for lunch there is better value and quality in food in the local area - very disappointing - great in its day but it's time has passed - shouldn't change a good thing .

Dear Customer,
Thank you for your feedback, as it is very valuable to us.
Firstly we apologise for your experience. It appears the scampi was by no means up to our usual high standard.
Did any of our staff enquire “was everything ok”, at any stage during your time with us?
Scampi is a very quick order, and if you were asked, we could have corrected the situation within minutes.
We serve 23 prawns in our half portion, I agree this is misleading to call it a half portion however we have been doing so for 54 years and to change it now would be very confusing.
We believe €17.30 is a good price for 23 prawns.
We do serve roasts most days during the week, perhaps there was none on the day you were here. Paninis and Lasagne are very popular alongside the roasts, especially in the summertime.
We are disappointed that you did not make your complaint on the day as we would have liked the opportunity to correct it for you.
The management has not changed.
Yours sincerely,
Roseanne Donegan.

Monasterboice Inn (Donegans) 5.0 star review: Best steak ever.

When working as a courier, travelled here for dinner everytime was passing.

Would come in from the M1 just for the steak.

Words can't describe it... you've got to try it for youself.

the staff are great, service is great, can not fault the place.

Monasterboice Inn (Donegans) 3.0 star review: A group of 3 of us called in about 5:30 on a Sunday evening & we all went with the €25 menu option. Waitress was really nice but food a bit slow to arrive & restaurant was not too busy at that stage. Seafood Chowder was on the A La Carte but not the set menu & fair play when asked for they gave me a smaller bowl of Chowder to keep within the €25 menu. However the chowder was pure muck, completely tasteless!
All 3 of us went for the steak option, as really was not a lot else. Food was fine, decent comfort food but nothing out of this world. Nice bread with the starters but only 1 portion of small veg arrived with the 3 mains & we were charged €3.40 for an extra potatoe. Overall a nice place when stopping on the road, nice staff, clean & decent food. Good for what it is, but not gourmet. Portions are not the "massive" that had heard about.

Monasterboice Inn (Donegans) 5.0 star review: loved it.girl on floor are brill.nothing to much trouble...

Monasterboice Inn (Donegans) 4.5 star review: I came here with a group of friends after they had recommended it. When we first arrived for our booking we were told to wait a moment, 10 mins later we were told that it would be another 40 mins as it is so busy. We complained and were seated by the manager within 5 mins. After we forgot about that we got on with our meal. the starters were lovely, the steak which is raved about was very nice and homemade desert was very nice. Overall the atmosphere was laking but generally the food was lovely.Service was slow but we ate that the main thing

Monasterboice Inn (Donegans) 4.0 star review: Have been coming here for years, as steak is known to be excellent. Glad to see they are recognising recessionary times & now offer €25 value menu, even if choices are quite limited. Was a busy night, but barman took our food order & we weren't waiting too long. Bar staff in general are excellent, you would never be left waiting for a drink. Main dining area is very comfortable, but no privacy at tables in bar area. Don't think I've ever had a bad meal, so for consistency alone, it's well worth a few stars.

Monasterboice Inn (Donegans) 5.0 star review: This place serves the best steak in the country. The atmosphere is always good and the service is excellent. The steak is not expensive for what you get. Steaks here especially the fillet is double the size of most resturants so value is good. They also now do a €25 menu which is also excellent value. I have eaten steak all over the world and this place is up there with the best of them. I would highly recommend this resturant to anybody. You will not be disappointed.