John Carrigan’s Eating House

Food is absolutely amazing, service is friendly it is a little pricey though but, you’re getting what you paid for… plenty of selection and great atmosphere

I would have given this 5 stars but we did wait over half an hour between or starter and main, altho it was an actual god send as we were all like burst couches from party to hard the night before: P
we ordered the JC combo for starter which was awesome, a little bit of everything and shared between three it was just enough. I recon if there was only two of yous sharing a doggy bag would be required; which they do provide if u ask :)
our mains were superb, steak, chicken pasta and southern fried chicken. these we did need doggy bags for as there was more than enough to feed a small army. generous is an understatement d (^o^)b
the staff were all very welcoming and the place was spotless I would definitely go back and I would definitely recommend it to any one who hasn’t been: D

Why anyone would rate Carrigan’s anything less than 5* is beyond me, I was tempted to give it a 4 star because there is one woman behind the bar who is constantly grimacing — she can be quite rude and unhelpful, looks like a Rottweiler chewing a bee — but the food is just to good than to rate this place anything less than 5* but be weary this place is constantly packed, if you want a table Friday/​Saturday/​Sunday I would suggest you book well in advance, also a note — I’ve tried feebly for years now and I almost always cave in (because the food’s too good!) but you really don’t need to order a starter, the portion sizes are large and they don’t skimp on quality, this is by far my favourite «pub type» restaurant, I know people who come from the other side of Glasgow and further to dine here, it really is that good.

I love Carrigan’s. I haven’t been for a wee while, and the reason for it is the service. The staff REALLY annoy me. They’re pretty dismissive, short and at times they can be downright rude to you. «Aye just two minutes HEN» and «Ehhh just wait there» (half our party had already arrived, we saw them, and tried to walk to the table). There’s nothing wrong with being a bit common in a local restaurant. But when you’re rude and common it winds folk up. There is one older woman who has worked there a while — she is a gem. The rest I’d take or leave.
If you want my recommendation, then order yourself a steak dinner. Carrigan’s boast a bloody marvellous steak with sauce and a huge side serving of chips, vegetables, tomato and mushroom. So much so that it’ll spoil you for life — I started eating steak here and when I went elsewhere I’d sit waiting on the side servings arriving, not realising that most restaurants charge for them separately.
Their starters and desserts are beautiful too — the entire menu is good, wholesome pub grub. I totally recommend their food — just take the staff with a pinch of salt!

Been here for dinner, drinks and a function, so I’ve experienced most of what Carrigan’s has to offer! I even worked here for one shift before being taken into hospital in August; unfortunately the job couldn’t be kept open for me when I was better!
Food in the restaurant part of the venue is absolutely great; I really cannot fault anything, from the service to the food, and having some quiet drinks in the bar is always good because the bar staff are pleasant!
Now, why a 3 star review you may be asking yourself for what sounds like a wonderful restaurant? I’ll tell you why. The mezzanine function suite. I attended my Aunt’s 70^th in here, and the service was absolutely appalling. Stupidly, the sole table they have up there cannot seat full parties, and therefore have to seat any «spare» people at a side table, making them (me being one of them on this occasion) feel totally left out from the party.
On top of this, the side table of outsiders get their food orders/​meals served at least ¹⁵⁄₂₀ minutes after the main table, which is just not good enough in my opinion.
So yeah, a very mixed review for this place. Maybe it was just my one off experience in the function suite, but I’m doubtful as the sole table upstairs can only seat I would say 20? Restaurant and bar though? Go for it, you won’t be disappointed!

Now I would normally have given this restaurant a 4 – 5 star rating but I’m rating this on my experience at my friend’s 30^th birthday party on Saturday night.
He had booked the Mezzaine level which is a private area which accomodates 30 people. Now to try and book this is near enough impossible as it’s always fully booked so I would book well in advance. You also have to lay down deposit, I looked into this a couple of years ago for my birthday but it was too much hassle.
The meal was for 7.30 and I arrived about 20 past 7 but the main table was full and only holds 24, so the 6 left had to sit at tables for 2. My man and I felt really left out. Others felt bad for us and said if advertising for 30 it should be a table for 30, which I totally agree.
It was a set 3 course menu for £19.95. The first course of soup was the only meal I enjoyed. Now I’ve been here many times for meals and always had a really good meal and experience.
We were always served last and the waitress used our table to set down some of plates while she was serving. That felt awkward and horrible, we thought she was serving us but she was like «Oh yours will be here soon, just using your table for now while I’m serving.» «Eh cheers!» And being last meant the food was cold. Was truly disappointed in my fav dessert of apple pie and custurd. Yuck! I think they had flavoured it was something weird too and it wasn’t cinnamon, which I love.
After a while people starting leaving so we were able to sit at the table later but we still felt like outsiders mussling in, so needless to say we didn’t stay long. I prefer the restaurant downstairs, again you need to get in early to book at table or wait using a buzzer system. I also like the bar just sitting having a few drinks.
The quiz on a Thursday night is ok but the DJ tends to talk to people he knows over the mic all the time, so you’re getting a one sided conversation that you haven’t got a clue what he’s on about.
Hopefully when I go back it’ll be a better experience.

I first visited Carrigans for a family meal on my Mum’s 60^th birthday. Loads of people had recommended it to us and we thought we should check it out to see what all the fuss was about. Safe to say, all of us had a great night and thoroughly enjoyed it. I’ve been a handful of times after that occasion, and each and every time the food has been outstanding.
Carrigan’s is situated at the top of Low Waters Road in Hamilton which is pretty far out from the town centre. The building has served as a pub for 15 years now, and recently won ‘Independant pub caterer of the Year’ in all of Scotland which is a pretty big achievement considering there is a gastropub on every corner of town. The restaurant is in the same building as the pub but sits seperately so if you are there for a family meal you don’t get the hustle and bustle of the people there. The restaurant is split into sections, each divided by glass panels and it looks really stylish whilst still inkeeping with the homely feel.
My personal favourite dish is the Amalfi Pasta, penne with chicken in a white wine and brocolli sauce. It is amazing! The portions are massive which is quite unusual for a modern restaurant. It’s really inexpensive for the quality and portion size of the food, with a typical main dish costing between 6 – 12 pounds. I can also recommend the chicken burritos which were great, but i couldn’t even finish half of it!
There are little buzzer stations on the table to press if you need service, or want to talk to the manager. This is a great idea as it means you never wait long for service.
I have never drank in the bar so i can’t comment on that, but it is always busy and vibrant, with loads of events on like quiz nights and special guests.