Ballydoyle Irish Pub - Downers Grove

The restaurant was very quiet for a Sunday afternoon. I ordered a Guinness that was ice cold, but unfortunately, the corned beef in the rye sandwich looked and tasted like leftovers - just chopped up fatty chunks on toasted bread. The green beans were smothered in garlic powder, which was also disappointing. I will definitely be looking for another spot next time I have a craving for some Irish food.

Oh, the memories! Or lack there of. ha! BEST neighborhood bar with outstanding bartenders and speedy waitstaff. It?s been many years since I?ve been back but it says something that I saved an old matchbox and often catch myself thinking about their livemusic and the many good times had under their roof for so many years! Miss you Ballydoyle!

The food (Bangers and Mash) was great and portioned well. I tried their amaretto-whiskey cocktail and was disappointed with the flavor, which was weak and watery. The cost was a bit high for an Irish place and service was very slow (though they were busy,to be fair). Live music was a nice add.

Fantastic live music, delicious food rated 9 out of 10, and friendly staff providing excellent service.

I have been a loyal customer of Ballydoyles for a long time, but recently, I have not had many positive experiences, primarily due to the slow service. The servers themselves are friendly and professional, but there have been instances where there were only two servers, or even just one, working. Despite this, the management does not seem to limit the number of tables being used. This puts a lot of pressure on the servers, and the kitchen also appears to be understaffed. During my last visit, it took 45 minutes to receive our drinks and meal, which was also incorrect. The servers did their best to keep us updated, but there was little they could do to improve the situation. It was clear that they were overwhelmed. Management should consider regulating the number of tables to ensure a better dining experience for everyone. The only manager we saw seemed to take more smoke breaks than the servers had breaks. I hope that things improve soon, as Ballydoyles has been one of our favorite restaurants in the area.