Hiya,
Will you put in a formal complaint somewhere they might see it?
I always think that the way a complaint is handled says an awful lot about any business place!
K
I’m sorry but the place is a hellhole. Seriously twee. Had a similar experience about 2 years ago when some German friends insisted we go after hearing about it. Service was pretty abysmal and the food we got was average considering the expensive price. When my German freinds complained they got the feeling that as they were tourists the manager couldn’t care less as he wouldn’t see them again. Needles to say I won’t be going back either solo or with European friends!
I meant in writing after the event. I understand that the manager’s attitude was shocking on the day but they may be a bit more pleasant from a distance?
Wishfull thinking I’m sure.
They obviously don’t thrive on repeat trade.
It’s a shame as it could be a great spot!
I was that soldier who complained to the manager. It’s all true. The toilets smelt like Dublin zoo in the ’80s, my longed for post-walk food never arrived, he told me to finish feeding my child her 3 mouthfuls of spag bol at another table somewhere deep in the pub, and (despite having left money for said spag bol)I was chased out into the car park by the waiter and mortifyingly told to pay for 25 people’s food because he didn’t know where their new table was. I ended up savaging a Dominoes pizza like a honey badger in a car park in Lucan. If I ever meet a leprechaun I will wish never ever to have to go back there. Ever. Begorrah.
I went there two weeks ago, we only wanted a drink and sat at the token tables in service no mans land for those who dont want to pay 25 euros for a steak.
I asked if we could order some drinks and I was told bluntly “no” and the waiter walked away , I said “do I have to go to the bar” , he mumbled “yeah”. Then he came back and said “one of the floor staff will be with you”.
The floor staff guy came along and he took around 15 minutes to get us a few drinks. I asked if I could order food and was told “no”. We eventually managed to get the attention of one of the staff who was not completely disinterested in working there
On my way out I went to the bathroom. One of the staff was standing at the urinal with one hand on his phone texting and the other hand -you can guess where – anyway he walked out without washing his hands. This was the last straw, total sickener.
Sorry to hear about your terrible experience but I have to say excellent pint of Guinness, great atmosphere and a must see for any tourist. Avoid the “Hooley room” and join the locals on a Thursday night. I have no affiliation with the pub.
I have been going to Johnnie Fox’s for over 20 years – maybe twice a year in the afternoon for lunch mostly. Never had a bad experience. They have even accommodated my gluten free needs. But I have rarely gone into the Hooley room except once or twice for Hooley. Unfortunate for tourists that most of the staff are foreign….
Went there about a year ago and, while my experience wasn’t as bad as yours by a long shot, I did come away thinking what a nice pub it would be if it didn’t cater so much for tourists… but then I thought, who else would trapse up a mountain for a pub; only tourists!
When foreign relatives visit, for some reason they insist on going to Johnny Foxes, invariably it is filthy, slow, smelly with poor and uninteresting food. It isn’t even the highest pub in Ireland.
Complete kip best avoided
What does that mean, Laragh “Unfortunate for tourists that most of the staff are foreign….” That they can’t do their job properly? That they are responsible for the sound level or the manager’s contempt?
I love the Blue Light, great place. They used to do great toasted sandwiches, do they still?
The second last time I was in JF’s I asked for more bread as i had been given only one slice with my chowder, they asked me how many slices would I like (warning bells) when the bill came they charged me for the extra bread – 50c per slice!! I couldn’t believe it, they were only short of asking me to pay for another butter! I complained, sent an email etc. Next time I went some months later (kids love the place!) the bread was free…as it should be when you’re paying mad prices for their soup.
Spent an hour looking for JFs tonight. Up hills and down vales. Couldnt find it. One small sign at Enniskerry, thenanother brown one at a cross roads. Went every route of crossroads. No pub. Asked security men at kiltiernan, didnt know, very nice guys 😉 tried finding it on sat nav. It was 2.5 km. But we went all over place murphys lane quarry lane. No luck. How to find it??
Friday 18 January, 2013 at 2:01 pm
Hiya,
Will you put in a formal complaint somewhere they might see it?
I always think that the way a complaint is handled says an awful lot about any business place!
K
Friday 18 January, 2013 at 2:51 pm
Hi Katia – one of the party did complain to the management on the day (see above) and didn’t get any satisfaction from them, unfortunately.
Friday 18 January, 2013 at 3:19 pm
I’m sorry but the place is a hellhole. Seriously twee. Had a similar experience about 2 years ago when some German friends insisted we go after hearing about it. Service was pretty abysmal and the food we got was average considering the expensive price. When my German freinds complained they got the feeling that as they were tourists the manager couldn’t care less as he wouldn’t see them again. Needles to say I won’t be going back either solo or with European friends!
Friday 18 January, 2013 at 3:24 pm
Hi Jean
I meant in writing after the event. I understand that the manager’s attitude was shocking on the day but they may be a bit more pleasant from a distance?
Wishfull thinking I’m sure.
They obviously don’t thrive on repeat trade.
It’s a shame as it could be a great spot!
Friday 18 January, 2013 at 4:20 pm
I was that soldier who complained to the manager. It’s all true. The toilets smelt like Dublin zoo in the ’80s, my longed for post-walk food never arrived, he told me to finish feeding my child her 3 mouthfuls of spag bol at another table somewhere deep in the pub, and (despite having left money for said spag bol)I was chased out into the car park by the waiter and mortifyingly told to pay for 25 people’s food because he didn’t know where their new table was. I ended up savaging a Dominoes pizza like a honey badger in a car park in Lucan. If I ever meet a leprechaun I will wish never ever to have to go back there. Ever. Begorrah.
Friday 18 January, 2013 at 4:27 pm
“Dublin zoo in the ’80s”, “savaging a Dominoes pizza like a honey badger”, love it
Friday 18 January, 2013 at 5:35 pm
Have been here before & had similar experience.
If I was you I’d also post similar review to Trip Advisor.
As many people as possible should be informed of this.
Friday 18 January, 2013 at 7:40 pm
I went there two weeks ago, we only wanted a drink and sat at the token tables in service no mans land for those who dont want to pay 25 euros for a steak.
I asked if we could order some drinks and I was told bluntly “no” and the waiter walked away , I said “do I have to go to the bar” , he mumbled “yeah”. Then he came back and said “one of the floor staff will be with you”.
The floor staff guy came along and he took around 15 minutes to get us a few drinks. I asked if I could order food and was told “no”. We eventually managed to get the attention of one of the staff who was not completely disinterested in working there
On my way out I went to the bathroom. One of the staff was standing at the urinal with one hand on his phone texting and the other hand -you can guess where – anyway he walked out without washing his hands. This was the last straw, total sickener.
Friday 18 January, 2013 at 9:15 pm
Stick your review on tripadvisor
surprisingly effective
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g186605-d3316376-Reviews-Johnny_Fox_s_Oub-Dublin_County_Dublin.html
Saturday 19 January, 2013 at 1:21 pm
Sorry to hear about your terrible experience but I have to say excellent pint of Guinness, great atmosphere and a must see for any tourist. Avoid the “Hooley room” and join the locals on a Thursday night. I have no affiliation with the pub.
Saturday 19 January, 2013 at 3:33 pm
I have been going to Johnnie Fox’s for over 20 years – maybe twice a year in the afternoon for lunch mostly. Never had a bad experience. They have even accommodated my gluten free needs. But I have rarely gone into the Hooley room except once or twice for Hooley. Unfortunate for tourists that most of the staff are foreign….
Saturday 19 January, 2013 at 3:49 pm
Went there about a year ago and, while my experience wasn’t as bad as yours by a long shot, I did come away thinking what a nice pub it would be if it didn’t cater so much for tourists… but then I thought, who else would trapse up a mountain for a pub; only tourists!
Saturday 19 January, 2013 at 5:43 pm
When foreign relatives visit, for some reason they insist on going to Johnny Foxes, invariably it is filthy, slow, smelly with poor and uninteresting food. It isn’t even the highest pub in Ireland.
Complete kip best avoided
Monday 21 January, 2013 at 9:27 am
Interesting cousinjack, thanks for the info.
Monday 21 January, 2013 at 11:57 am
What does that mean, Laragh “Unfortunate for tourists that most of the staff are foreign….” That they can’t do their job properly? That they are responsible for the sound level or the manager’s contempt?
Monday 21 January, 2013 at 5:13 pm
I too have had poor experiences @ Johnny Foxes.
But not tooo far away you have the brilliant Blue Light for Drinks/craic or the Merry Ploughman for food/service/place to bring tourist friends.
Tuesday 22 January, 2013 at 10:48 am
I love the Blue Light, great place. They used to do great toasted sandwiches, do they still?
The second last time I was in JF’s I asked for more bread as i had been given only one slice with my chowder, they asked me how many slices would I like (warning bells) when the bill came they charged me for the extra bread – 50c per slice!! I couldn’t believe it, they were only short of asking me to pay for another butter! I complained, sent an email etc. Next time I went some months later (kids love the place!) the bread was free…as it should be when you’re paying mad prices for their soup.
Sunday 8 December, 2013 at 4:43 am
Spent an hour looking for JFs tonight. Up hills and down vales. Couldnt find it. One small sign at Enniskerry, thenanother brown one at a cross roads. Went every route of crossroads. No pub. Asked security men at kiltiernan, didnt know, very nice guys 😉 tried finding it on sat nav. It was 2.5 km. But we went all over place murphys lane quarry lane. No luck. How to find it??
Monday 9 December, 2013 at 3:23 pm
Kate, you had a lucky escape.