Egan's

Let the smokers have the place. Although I could use a pint of Guiness on tap!

Great fries, wings and a fabalous selection of beers.....The selection of employees could be better....

We were quoted an hour wait for a table of 5 this past Monday night??There was nobody in the place.. So we went to Jake's and had a great meal with a wonderful server named Kenneth.

Love their food...yum. Great burgers, great fish & chips. The drinks are strong and the beers are yummy. Love the ambiance. It's always super busy, so the wait is long. Go later at night, on a weeknight or Sunday.

Only complaint is that it's too loud...

Went on a Monday night. A nice meal and a good experience.

We just got back and I had to post this. My husband ordered a whiskey chaser neat along with a beer. The prices were posted on a drinks menu. The check came and they charged an extra dollar because he ordered it without ice. When he questioned the manager about this she claimed that the menu prices were for mixed drinks ie drinks with ice, and that because he requested no ice his pour was larger. Well, I'll tell you that pour was not very large by any standard and I highly doubt that they actually poured an extra fifth of a pour in the glass because there wasn't any ice.

We had ordered dinner and were not cheap about it. The bill came to over $80 for 2 without tip and I had no entree, just oysters, a salad and dessert.

It's hard to believe a place would charge an extra dollar for a drink, because the customer requested it without ice. Even harder to believe when the place has the prices printed on a drink menu and the drink menu includes fine single malt scotches which only an idiot would dilute with ice. What's even harder to believe is that the manager became snotty and defensive and claimed that my husband had gotten more liquor. If you are going to continue this sort of gouging you should at least notify the customer by some sort of explanation on the menu or by the waitress.

The manager ended up slapping a dollar on the bar in an insulting manner. So much for Irish hospitality!

I being Irish (or half anyway) and a former restaurant manager, warned my husband that because the place was packed between 5:30 and 7:00 pm on a Sunday they wouldn't care and predicted the $ insult. I said "wait until we get home so we can tell the Barista all about it"

If the owners can't see that this sort of practice will not win anyone's respect, well there's not much more that can be said.

And another thing, whoever picks the music has lousy taste. Awful and way too loud. I agree with Right of Center's wife. The salad dressing has no flavor.

On a positive note, the bread and dessert I had, chocolate bread pudding, was very good. Kudos to the pastry chef.

Amatures and immatures behind the bar.

The Eagen Brothers who runs this restaurant need to go back to Ireland because the way patrons are treated here by management is truly abhorrent. The food is one step above bar food. The staff is young, friendly and are what keeps this place running. The brass kegorators up top are just for show. This place is by no means a brewery that grows their own beer. This place is good for drinks but not for food, unless of course you are extremely wasted.

to amy, a few posts above...anyone knows that when you order a drink "neat", it's an upcharge. you're getting more. i highly doubt that they were trying to rip you off...AND, you spent that much time dwelling over ONE DOLLAR? puh'lease.

My husband and I have been a few times. Sometimes it can so incredibly loud that there is no point in talking. While I think the food is ok (lacking some zip especially the salad dressing options) my husband who is English enjoys the food. I slowly going through the menu to find something to like (coronation chicken, hamburger, steak -all seemed bland). I do love the lemon tart and sticky toffee pudding is good (whip cream is British and lacks flavor though).

I generally like this place, but have to agree that they have some major staff problems...have always had nice servers, but the "management" type last night was rude, snotty and enough to get me to stay away for a while!

again, it's not about a dollar, nick. it's about attitude and customer focus. this is a symptom of something wrong within this place (and this kind of thing trickles down from the top). and as far as everyone knowing about this so-called neat "upcharge," I've waited and dined at many nicer places and have never encountered this practice ("oh you want sugar in your coffee? that's another buck"). give me a break: am I supposed to order a laphroaig and coke?? and for what it's worth, the pour was miserly. does egan's have those automatic dispensers like at airport bars to prevent costly overpours?

I definately get a not so comfortable feeling from this place - my boyfriend absolutely HATES Egan's - he thinks it's too stuck-up. BUT, it's the only place that serves our favorite beer - Hoegaarden, so we do continue to go back. We have ordered oysters once and burgers another time. The particluar oysters they had that week didn't taste right but we'll give it another shot. The burgers were not that good, I enjoyed the fries that came with them more than the burger. I don't plan to eat there again except for maybe the oysters every now and then.

It would be nice if they had friendlier bartenders - so far, the ones we've encountered don't make us want to stick around - not a good business move. Personable and knowledgeable service is always a good thing.

Amy- I am with you, and Nick- I have been to many upscale restaurants and have been in the restaurant business as a server, bartender and manager, and NEVER was there a charge for a neat drink. IT also appears that Nick might be of the attiudinal school so rampant at Egan's. The attitude at Egan's is offensive as if they are doing their patrons a favor by offering any type of courtesy- in particular the greeter/host/hostess. The anticipation of Egan's opening was great, an adult place to have a drink, but the reality is a huge let down. The music is too loud, the design magnifies the noise and the food is just OK. MAnagement needs to reassess and change the attitude to get me back. And evidently alot of others.

What a frantic sight at Egans last night when a guest was choking and none of the staff or Mgt. knew what to do except to call the police. Being in the hospitality business for over 25 years I went and got training on my own just in case something like this happened on my shift.Thank God I never had to use it.Too bad I wasnt in the restaurant last night to help. I think all staff members need to be trained for a situation like this.

BTW. Eyewitness account of the "choking" was actually an 80 year old woman having a heart attack. The waitress was the one to point out to her friends that she looked "sick and gray". So you see, the staff is not as clueless as you think, and the call to the paramedics most likely saved the woman's life.

About the drink. Nick was right, you do get charged more because ice makes any drink "smaller" or fuller. Thats basic bartending, some places charge, some dont. And if its a top shelf drink, then you most always charge. As far as the attitude, its not needed from a manager, but it depends on how you were speaking to them as well. I have never gotten a "tone" with a costumer, unless they were being really hostile towards me first. Anyhow I wasnt there so I would never judge, but I would be careful to ask next time about "neat" drinks to see what the establishments rules are.

Interesting comments, all.

My thoughts: If you are going to charge extra for a neat drink fine but it should be posted on the drink menu. Period. None of this bait and switch crap.

And, in this case because Amy and her husband were not aware of the extra charge, the manager should have waived the fee graciously and without attitude!

I also agree about the loud music but it's not just Egan's that is guilty of this. It's almost every midscale restaurant you go to. Are they trying to make everyone deaf? Please turn it off! God forbid we have to hear each other's conversations. If I want to hear loud music, I'll go to a dance club.

I can't complain about the food. I think it's pretty good and the servers I've had were pleasant. That being said, I was very put off by the greeter/hostess. Very rude. And would it kill her to say "Good evening"?

Yes! I went there last weekend and the greeter was a total sourpuss. Almost seemed annoyed that we were there.

Service was decent and food was fine but overall something was just missing.

I was quite annoyed because we got seated (party of 4) and then were asked to move because a party of six came in and they wanted to put them at the table they put us in and move us to a smaller table. I have never had that happen before. At first I thought she was "offering" us a chance to move and when I declined she seemed very upset and I realized, she was asking us to move for her benefit.

We went to Eagen's last night. The greeter was very friendly, and honest about the wait. Our waitress was very nice and helpful. I loved the salad dressing, BTW. My Filet Mignon was delicious. My wife's ribeye steak was a little disappointing. But her veggies were fresh and delicious(not always so in local restaurants.)
And I have not tasted such delicious, creamy Guiness on tap, since we were in Ireland 8 years ago! I have had Guiness on tap in England and other bars in the USA, but nowhere is it as creamy as Eagen's. I was able to lift the piano at home with one hand, after just one pint of Guiness. So that's MY opinion. Oh yes, the music is quite loud, but that is probably more of a sign that I am getting old. Who needs conversation anyway? Is 11am too early to have another Guiness?

We love Egan's - we go frequently. I was there this past Monday night with some girlfriends- my salmon was delicious, the server was friendly, we didn't have a wait (though it was a Monday). We've gone many Saturdays and had a long but enjoyable wait at the bar.

Yes, it can be smokey (won't be a problem in 2 more months) and a bit loud - it's an Irish pub! If you want quiet and refined go to Epernay. This is a nice place to go with friends for a good dinner that doesn't cost an absolute fortune, but where you can relax and have a good time.

It is a fun but smokey place. The food is OK, not the best but not the worst and the menu is rather lacking. The wings are too expensive for what you get. It is a great place to go for drinks though. It will be even better when the smoking ban goes into effect.

the waitstaff continues to baffle. some of the bartenders are very nice, and some, well, one, is just the most unfriendly person i've ever met. you get the impression he really doesn't want to be behind a bar. it's a shame because bad and indifferent service like that tends to turn people off.

Egan's should be a great place. it's little things like indifferent bartenders that hold it back.

Just access this web page to find out the address of Egan's to give to some friends, but was amazed by the discourse from so many disgruntled customers. I actually like the place and it is my kids favorite place to grab a burger. Always have found the place pleasant enough and the food is fine - I don't think the owners think that they are running the next Union Sq Cafe.

I think some of you need to lighten up just a little - maybe order two scotches next time and the extra $2.00 won't bother you so much. Or better yet, you can enjoy your scotch at home and save a substantial sum.

"...anyone knows that when you order a drink "neat", it's an upcharge."

No, not really... I never even heard of that term before!

"The food is one step above bar food."

Isn't it a bar?!

stick to being a pub. food is overpriced and too fancy for what this place. I love going for a beer but wont eat there anymore.

Can't wait to go back in mid-April when the smoking ban goes into effect. I think nightlife in NJ will be much improved, for us non-smokers at least.

Not worth it at all.

My family of 4 agreet to meet another family of 3 there for dinner, since they thought this would be a good family venue. Sure, fine, whatever. So we go.

Well, the first big turn-off was their reservations policy. As in "no reservations". I realize they are not the only restaurant that does not accept reservations, but that does nothing to change the fact that it is a most off-putting practice.

Upon entering, the haughty hostess made us feel deliciously unwelcome and unappreciated, and refused to seat us until all had arrived. We could, of course, have ordered drinks and appetizers, but no, they'd evidently prefer not to have our money. I might otherwise have considered having a drink at the bar, but I will not stand and drink at a bar when I have children with me. Instead, we waited, punished because of our friends' tardiness, made to feel in the way. When our friends arrived, we did finally order from a waitress who was both pleasant and competent. The food, though, was atrocious for any price. My meal was a tragedy of oysters, drowning in some sort of flavorless cheesey epoxy, with other, unidentifiable elements. Good fish and chips is just not hard to make, yet my husband's was awful -- the batter bland and the fish overcooked. And if you can't order fish and chips in a pub...! Having sampled my children's meals, I can report two more such experiences. Their menu is obviously too ambitious an undertaking for the level of ability in the kitchen. They are in over their heads. If they could re-vamp their menu to offer simple dishes (including fish and chips!), properly executed, I might return. In the meantime, the arrogance of their no-reservations policy, the truly awful food, and the surly, deliberately ungracious hostess have left me with both a literal, as well as a figurative, bad taste in my mouth -- and are no way to lure me back!

Not a fan!!! I AM a fan. First of all, there is no such thing on the menu there resembling what you are describing as the oyster dish. They DO serve fresh oysters but nothing in a sauce. What is your goal here, lying and trying to destroy a very popular place?? Jealousy? And on St-Patsy's? Shame on you.

Hey Charles, GET SOME SLEEP!!!!

"...anyone knows that when you order a drink "neat", it's an upcharge."

For the record... I have worked as a waittress and restaurant manager in Manhattan at a four-star hotel, my husband has worked as a waiter in restaurants in Minneapolis as well as NJ. We are both well traveled having lived in Europe at separate times. I have friends who have waited at high-end tables in Los Angeles as well as Manhattan. None of us had ever heard of this upcharge!

Additionally, what Miss Marta says is correct. If you choose to run your business this way (very tacky in my opinion) it should be clearly posted on the menu, ESPECIALLY since they HAVE a printed drink menu OR the waittress could let the customer know the policy when they order, "neat". Had the prices not been printed on a menu, my husband would never have even questioned the waittress about the discrepancy. We would have been none the wiser.

Thirdly, do they actually measure EVERY pour and then ACTUALLY increase the pour by the EXACT same percentage as the upcharge? I highly doubt it!! I'll repeat myself since some of you don't seem to get it. The pour looked pretty skimpy to begin with. Maybe that's why we were so crabby about the whole situation.

Finally, it's not the $ folks! it's the tone of the place. Stingy, sneaky and rude to customers!

What would have been wrong with the manager saying, "I'm sorry, you're right, it should have been printed on the menu. We''ll have to fix that" ?

Can any of you defenders of hidden upcharge's and rude behavior answer that?

Amy,
don't worry the rest of us have voted with our feet and never go there.

Go n-ithe an cat thú, is go n-ithe an diabhal an cat Egans.

Charles - I do not think that "NOT A FAN" is lying when they say they don't like the food. Its' their taste, it's their right to dislike anything they choose. And you are wrong, the dish they ordered is certainy on the menu, it's called Shanagary Fry. I happen to love it - the ultimate comfort food. So be it. And in the bar's defense, when a "BAR" is crowded, it's not a kid-friendly night. You cannot control crowds. And seating a partial party can lead to tying up a table for hours. I also defer to the bar/restaurant's policy here. NOT A FAN should realize that perhaps this is NOT THEIR PLACE - but indeed fine for others. Let's be civilized and fair.

I love Egans. My friends and I go there at least once a weekend with a huge gang of people, and sometimes we will do 'girls nite' on a Tuesday when it's nice and empty. Are all of you people writing blogs old? You're so crabby! I'm right out of school, and although I don't have a ton of money, I can afford Egans, and the extra $1 for a drink. Gimme a break! Did you spend $10+ on a sitter for the night, so you were feeling cheap about the extra buck? Are you one of the grumpy looking 40+ women (that are dressing like they're 20) who sit at the bar on a Fri/Sat looking to meet other 40+ men (who btw are all creepy, ladies, so don't bother)? Cheer up people - you're supposed to be having fun!

And let me just say something about their staff - Chris Egan himself is great. Very welcoming, extremely generous (he has, more than once, bought a round for my friends and myself). On a few Tuesdays he's played whatever songs we requested. If you don't like the volume stay home - you're acting like old farts! Some of the bartenders I've met are the same way as Egan. Matt is at the door and is always kind to my friends and I, and Kenny is my favorite bartender - he's sweet as apple pie, and knows how to pour a sweet Hoegarden. (He even knows it's better with an orange - and I like that about him - every other place will give you a lemon.)

I was there for my birthday recently and all the staff was great about the 25+ people who were taking over the back room and bar. We also had a great time out back in the tent on St. Patty's Day! We didn't eat (smelled good though!)there but we certainly partied!

I am amazed at the comments I have read about Egan's on this website. Clearly, people very unfamiliar with pubs and gastrofood. Being English and Irish (not like most people who claim to be!) This is the only establishment that is any where near a REAL gastro pub. The staff are freindly, the atmosphere is unpretentious and mixed like a real pub (not a pseudo, liberal American bar). Well done, Egan's for being the only place that I am willing to bring myself and my freinds too, and ignore all the petty bullshit that is being written on this website. In fact don't even read it, We all know the 'type'.......

what is gastrofood? Or better yet, give me an example of non-gastro food- is this food that you don't eat?

Are you saying that we're all phoney Irish folks? Or that we don't know our heritage?

I should have said gastropub, but then you won't know what that means anyway. 20 million Americans claim Irish heritage, which is amusing considering the size of Ireland's population.

It would have been really easy, Lorna, to offer a quick explanation instead of just being snobby about it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gastropub

I understand you're proud to be Irish, but what does it matter if people say they have some Irish blood in them? Americans try to hold onto any shred of ethnic culture they can find, because mot people in this country don't have any real ethnic traditions to call their own.

Anyway, to get back on track, my girlfriend and I are heading to Egan's for a few drinks later tonight. Looking forward to meeting the rude bartenders everyone talks about. ;D

Just remember that not ALL of the bartenders are rude. Imo, there's just one in particular. Don't even know his name. Get Kenny if you can!

Lorna,

We, here in America like American bars. Pubs are fine, but Egans with it's pretensions is not one of my favorites.

Give me the camraderie of Tierneys any day! Now that's an Irish Bar!

I'm sure you're not fully Irish. There must be some French in the mix for you to pull that hoity toity attitude.

Go n-ithe an cat thú is go n-ithe an diabhal an cat!

Hey Pissant,
"Camraderie" is a French word that spells "camaraderie". Who's the one with the attitude, especially with a name like PISSANT? Staff is very friendly at Egan's and some of them actually work at Tierney's. If you can't get along, maybe you should go to a Bistro and shut up.

I'm so sorry I misspelled a word and that it offended you sooooooooooo much!

Staff is NOT friendly at EGAN's as we can all see from the posts above.

Saying it doesn't make it so. You can keep saying it over and over and over again. We'll all know that it isn't true.

Why do you think you should be allowed to have an opinion on my name? Any by the way, it's pissant. NOT PISSANT.

There is a difference you pretentious twit!

I don't really care if the staff are friendly or not.I don't go out for a drink or something to eat just to be friendly with the staff!I think Egan's has brought a breath of fresh air to this town.It has a wonderful atmosphere ,with a good mix of young and old patrons.
The bottom line is ,if you don't like it go elsewhere ,and if you do,keep going.

Hello, to all who take the time to talk about our place, good or bad. I'm happy to see people care enough to talk about us. I'm very sorry if any of the staff has been rude, I can't always be there and it's so great to have somewhere to check up on everyone. The matter of the up- charge was addressed way befor x-mas and the policy was changed. I think it may have first been posted in the fall. Someone even said it was in August when that happened, again I am sorry for any misunderstanding and once again it's great to have a place to see a problem and be able to fix it. I am at work almost all days 10 am til 3pm and would love to talk to any customer about any problem. I think our staff are very friendly and willing to help. We are very busy and not that big so we can't always seat as many people as quickly as we or you would like. We are really trying our best to please as many people as we can. The one thing you must remember this is a pub. It is not always the best place to bring big groups with kids because they have no place to wait. We're opening a new dinning room in the fall just for that reason. We really would like everyone to be happy. It really is all about having fun. Please don't get too angry with each other on this site. I appreciate all the comments, good or bad! I would love to talk to anyone personally or on line @ dublinfive@comcast.net Thanks for all your interest, Sharon Egan

Went to Egan's last night. Was really more of a restaurant than a bar, at least in terms of the layout; if I had brought more than just one other person with me, I would have had kind of a hard time standing around having some drinks.

However, that's just an observation, not a knock on the place. It was a bright, friendly sort of place, and it would probably be a nice place to go eat. Just, if you're a young person thinking this will be a bar to go to with your friends, a) it is not really a bar, and b) you will be the youngest one there. :)

I think it would be safe to say that the majority of the people posting on this are lifeless. I happened upon this site while looking for the Egans website and I read some of the comments. I think you are all jackasses. If a pub has caused this much strife in your pathetic lives that you feel you must berate each other to no end on some stupid local website, than all of you new to reevaluate your lives. All I have to say, and this is just common sense, are three things...
Firstly, if it’s a pub, that means a bar, so yes, there will be smoking, to complain about it is to piss into the wind, wait for April 15th and shut up.
Secondly, I repeat Egans is a pub which is a bar, bars tend to play loud music to drown out the innate conversations of the drunk. If you can't handle a loud atmosphere, then don't go to a bar, there are other "bars" like sushi "bars" those might be more your speed.
Common sense, simple common sense.
Thirdly, as far as attitudes go, did you ever think that if you could get attitude across to some faceless stranger on some ridiculous website that, that snobbery could carry over into real life interactions? well it does. Attitudes begat attitudes. Working in the restaurant business is hard, for all those who don't know. And for those who do, don’t lie and say that an asshole customer has never gotten your goat. Considering that most of the bad comments on here were made by seemingly quick witted, big word slinging, typically snobbish 'we used to live in manhattan so we know what good is' people who infest such(lucky to be culturally diverse)suburban towns. I would say that your attitude, which I know was used on a hardworking wait staff member, bartender, or hostess probably didn't go over well. If you have a problem with peoples attitudes, then trying losing yours as well, and see if that changes the situation.

Keith, What time did you go to the pub? We serve food till 10:30 and on Sat. night the dinner trade is very busy, but after 10:30 all the diners have gone and it is totally a bar. Last night we had a 50th birthday get together for one of Montclair Highs most loved allumni, Jerry Rubacky, Happy Birthday Jerry, Thanks for having your friends meet in our place it was great to see you all!!! Try us again I think you'll find we get a mixed range of ages. I like to think thats what makes our place fun. We have jazz tonight from 6pm til 9pm.

Sarah...

I like Egans (had my high school graduation party there, everyone loved it) and I think the bickering going on here is silly too, but...do you really think blasting the people posting is going to a: solve anything or b: make you sound intelligent?

Katie...
who said I was claiming intelligence or that I am intending to solve anything. I am simply joining in on the childish banter, just as you have with your comment. Noone can simply comment without a sharp retort from someone else. Attitude was the main focus of my comment, and it seemed to be confirmed by yours.

...example number two...
as entertaining as this is, in the hopes of returning this page back into its originally intended use, may I suggest the topic of Egan's as the focus, and not redundant immature comments?

I am sitting here reading all of this "arguing" about a pub and cannot believe how nasty it is.
It is sad that in our society, we cannot show respect to others.
If you had a bad experience, that is fine and you should be able to state that you didn't enjoy your time.
If you had a great experience, you should be allowed to do just the same.
People do have the right to their opinions, and we all have different likes and dislikes.
Foul language and name calling should not be part of what this website is about.
We all don't have to agree on our experiences at Egan's.
I have always had a great time there, I am a non-smoker, so I sit in the back, have a great meal and enjoy the service and drinks.
I have had bad experiences in other restaurants, and have given them a second chance. Sometimes the experience was better, other times not. So, I choose not to go back to places I didn't care for.
I do choose however, to not start name calling and get crude.
If you don't like it there, just state why and do so politely, and then don't go back there.
If you love it there, don't lash out at those who don't enjoy it.
It's REALLY is that simple.

I did NOT post the posting above. I do NOT talk like that.

The real pissant!

Why complain about a problem and then make it worse? Why criticize others and do the same thing yourself? AUGH!!!

Ok, here's my opinion on Egans, because this is a restaurant review thread. I've been to Egan's a couple times. I'm not old enough to drink, so I havn't really got an opinion on the bar. I like the food, especially the brown bread and soda bread they put out for free- I'd go just for that. I think it's nicely decorated, there's one host/waiter guy who's pretty good lookin' and it's just a nice restaurant/pub in town and a pleasant change from Asian and Italian food. Sure, it has it's flaws, and it's good to get them out there in an intelligent, respectful manner. But so far, I've had a good time at Egans.

I think you are all a little off your rockers to be taking such a thing as a comment post so seriously.

As for Egan's, I feel like the staff is always friendly and willing to help without hesitation.

I usually come in on Firdays and the two young hostesses are always pleasant, very friendly, and welcoming.

My waiter one night, I believe went by the name K.C. He was also very friendly and attentive.

The bartenders could be a little more light hearted and talkative, but they are always busy on Fridays.

The food is typical pub fare, but really good. May I suggest the Salmon over spinach...divine....

Went to Egan's Sunday night and it was a very nice experience. Food was fine and service was very friendly.We will return.

As Joan said, totally bonkers. I would much rather be in Egan's, than writing about it.
See you there.

I have always had a great time at egans. However, i know when to leave. I've been in on a saturday night at 7pm and the wait was long and the place was packed and i thought "i'll come back when its more my crowd" ... and i did. And, i had a pleasant experience. I think most people know what they like so why force yourself into an experience that is going to make you uncomfortable? there are so many restraunts in montclair. but I've heard great things about egans, I've been there for lunch which was totally relaxing and quiet, Ive been there on busy fridays and on slow mondays and i can tell you i've gotten what i expected. I have read all these comments and for one i dont know who brings children to a bar and then complains about the chicken nuggets, i dont know who goes to a bar and brings children period, nor can i understand who goes to a bar with a party of 7 who arent expecting to wait/have a drink at the bar. I dont know who goes on barista day after day to repost nasty things about eachother and the bar. say what you have to say tastefully and once only please its a lot of banter to read.
Lastly, i think its a shame if someone decides not to goto egans and experience it for themselves because 4 people had bad things to say.

Thanks Shella, I really appreciate your comments.

Yes -- food/drink comments are fine, please lighten up on the arguing back and forth or profanity (now deleted). And kudos to Sharon for posting.
Thanks -- from the management.

Liz,

Please delete my name from the post:

Comment deleted by Baristanet

Posted by: pissant | Mar 26, 2006 8:07:57 PM

I did not post this and said so- leaving my name makes it look like I did.

It's gone -- thanks.

this is all just mind blowing...
i have one thing to say to those who complain about the wait staff at egan's
i was there the other day for lunch and i realized how horrible the costomers can be to the staff - it was pretty busy and those who need constant attention should go back to wearing diapers and being spoon fed by thier mother (in other words....the waiter should just stand next to you and feed your food and even pour you your perfect helping of ketchup....you know who you are) the people that come in there are rude and if i was a waiter i would react the same way - you could tell just by looking at the waiter that they felt unappreciated and disrespected - if you have a good attitude when you go out to eat ... the waiter will usually respond with the same attitude - don't forget... this is their source of income...and to ruin a tip on purpose is highly unlikely - the costumers at egan's can be too snotty and they act like they are above anyone and everyone - they are the artsy-fartsy snobs that think they are the kings and queens of montclair - i enjoy egans - i am a regular and have witnessed the piss poor attitudes of other costumers first hand - and im assuming that those who post on this website with nothing but negative comments are those exact costumers that i am talking about - it is really just simple....give something a try and if you don't like it ... don't come back - trust me... im sure the waitstaff won't even notice you are gone. Plus, you will only benefit the regulars like myself to have an even better experience at my favorite friendly pub.

love the brews!! keep up the good work!!

amazed,

In the hospitality business, the customer is always right. If you are indicative of the people who frequent Egan's, I feel sorry for the owners.

Or do you really work there and need to vent?

So helltoupe,

Are you saying that people have the right to talk down to and belittle waiters/salespeople and show them no respect at all?
Yes, in business, the "customer is alwyas right", but Karma does exist, and it doesn't hurt to be nice to people who are there to assist you in having a pleasant experience.
Yes it is true, even waiters are people who have feelings.

I've worked at restaurants in the past and my goal was always to do whatever I could to make the customer happy and have them feel good about the experience. Also, having worked as a server, THAT IS OUR SOURCE OF INCOME. Thats how we pay our bills, our loans, our debts, our doctors, our expenses. Do you really think anyone would intentionally go out of their way to ruin your night and in turn affect the amount of money they would be making from your tip? I HIGHLY doubt it!

The next time you go to a restaurant realize and understand a few things first. You are not the only customer in the place. A server on a busy night has many tables, many people and many orders to deal with, drinks to pour/wait on bartenders to pour alcoholic beverages for them, food to run to the tables, make sure each table has what they need and if everything is satisfactory, and have them leave with a smile. Some can handle the pressure and thrive and that is why they choose to do that as their occupation, it's good money! If you're friendly, they will be as well. It's dinner time, relax and enjoy and put a smile on!!!! You chose to go out to that restaurant, so dont choose to be a hard time for that person to deal with just beacuse you are having a bad day. That is the employees "office" and workspace. Treat them with respect and I'm sure you'll be pleased with your experience.

Just to give you guys an example of what a customer said to me one night:

Upon greeting them on a very busy night, (I immediately apologized for the wait and had told them how busy I was). I asked how they were and if I could get them drinks and offer the specials. The customer then responded by saying, with a straight face even, " From now on you should IGNORE everyone else and give me full attention because I need the service. I'm dealing with a lot of issues and require your constant attention." My first thought was, Are you kidding me? But, I politely smiled and told the customer that I could not IGNORE my other tables, but that I would make sure the experience was above par and everything they needed would be available. I made sure everything was, and at the end of their meal the customer thanked me several times and told me it was their own fault for bringing attitude and their problems to the restaurant and to my workplace.

Being polite and pleasant and fun will certainly go a long way in having your time spent at a restaurant that much more enjoyable.

P.S. If your going out for dinner or drinks, throw a few extra dollars on the tip, a few extra bucks above a standard tip is making someones night!

Oh and one more thing, Dont mess with someone thats handling your food!!

The thing I love about Egans is that it is ALIVE. I am a nonsmoker and not much of a drinker, but every time I go there, I feel as if Montclair is the center of the world. The place radiates warmth and good fun. The food can be great in its way -- go to Nobu in the City if you want gourmet. Egans' corned beef is superb and so are several of the other items. Since it's well known that most chatmongers on town blogs are negative, cranky people, it's not surprising that Egans has caught their attention. Anything that successful must be bad. But it isn't! Lighten up and enjoy. Some of Montclair's other, very empty restaurants that have zero ambience and absolutely worthless waitstaff -- if you want quiet and no smoke and a boring time -- be my guest and go there. Leave Egans to those who want to be around people and be a part of something larger; a phenomenon, if you will. In the restaurant world, phenomenons can sometimes be chancy places to go, because everybody else is going at the same time. At those moments, the service might lag and the noise level might rise, but that's all part of what makes it different. Egans has my vote.

Hey LUNGSSTILLWORKING have you ever had that pint of Guinness? How do you like the non - smoking?

Hey Lungs Still Working? Are you speaking out of a hole in your throat yet? What do your lungs look like? Are they black and cancerous?

I am so glad I can now go to Egan's and not have to deal with the cancer sticks. YEAH!

Egan and Sons will be showing the World Cup on the big screen. All England and U.S.A.games. Stop by for the schedule.

Do you guys show on the tv the six nations rugby games?

I just have to say thanks to Egan's for being the only place to catch the World Cup Games with great atmosphere, friendly service, and delicious guinness....
Thanks for waking up early for the morning games and giving out free munchies. The bartenders and waitresses have been nothing but friendly. I go there so much for the games they even know my name!!!
The crowd has been fantastic. Everyone dresses in their favorite team colors and cheers as loud as they can.
I highly recommend coming down... fan or no fan.... its really a blast!!
Thanks again

Hey FIFA Fan Thanks so much you have just made it all worth it. Sometimes I worry because the kitchen really isn"t open and some new commers don't really get it. It's really all about the football! See you tomorrow at 11am not sure whats on the menu yet.

Every six months or so, I swing by to see if the food, service and ambience are as atrocious as the last time and I’m seldom disappointed (wait, or am I?)

Went last night, started with the maple wings which, b/c they’re served in the oh-so-cute funnel and overly breaded, become a sodden mess within minutes. Waited an eternity for our entrées (a burger and – here’s where I made my mistake – the rib eye.) The rib-eye was topped with something unidentifiable (and equally inedible) and downed (literally DROWNED!) in some reduction. For $30, this was an insult.

Another interminable wait (is the service at Egan’s the worst you’ve ever seen?) and we’re brought our dessert – the crisp (which had no “crisp” to it, which was smothered by melted (MELTED!) vanilla ice cream. I tried to stop our waitress (Paige) but she was long gone (ironically helping some kid get ketchup out of a jar!)
[Abusive portion of comment deleted by the editors.]

Scary thing about Egan’s is I had such high hopes for the place prior to its opening (even visited before opening and was shown around by the very nice owner who I still see at the place.) I just wish he had a more discerning eye for food and service.

Simply awful.

Yes Ninach,
We all know by now how great a food critic you are after failing in Long Island, as a "restaurateur", selling salmon "steaks" smothered with "red sauce" and other atrocities, served by Gino. Why are you on Egan's case on every food web site? Jealous of their business or horrible taste? There's plenty of red sauce places around here to satisfy your palate so get off their case.

Todd -- You're getting tedious. You're entitled to your reviews too (haven't seen any here though.) This is simply my humble opinion (and not quite sure why you're using quotes above? Oh well.) There's plenty of great places to eat in the area, Egan's just ain't one of them.

Ninach,
When I see opinions that are so totally biased bordering on insults, I have to react. First of all, you are insulting about a thousand people who are eating there every week, not only telling them they are ugly but also that they have no tastebuds.
Second, you are making so many mistakes in your so-called review. The wings are not breaded at all, nothing, zip... So how can you say they are over breaded. It just shows your ignorance. On your comment about the steak, there is nothing about the steak itself. Was it good, bad, overcooked, whatever. All you say is that it came with "some kind of reduction" (sorry about the use of "). That reduction, after I did my homework and talked with the Chef, is Veal stock (from D'Artagnan) simply reduced with herbs and Burgundy wine. It is laddled on the plate, under the steak, so you have the option of not even tasting it ... certainly not "smothered".
I agree with the slow service but considering how busy they are, it's a small price to pay.

My comments are for Ninach: Egan's is not the place for you, it's clear. There's nothing wrong with you so don't feel different. It's really simple. You dont' like it, it doesn't meet your standards and you hate everyone from the chefs to the waitstaff to the hideous patrons that belong in a circus.( I am paraphrasing) I moved to Montclair in 1964 and Mrs. Egan is one of my dearest friends, and yes, I even worked at the door for the first 6 months as their first hostess, so I warn you that this is a biased response and take full responsibility for my one-sided-ness. What a hard job it was trying to estimate how long a party would sit and linger over coffee, harder still to politely discourage incoming and eager families to wait it out 60 minutes or more for a table. It was a judgement call you see; imagine a husband and wife arriving with a baby in an infant seat and an elderly parent with a walker - the bar (back then) was filled with smokers and gaeity and was loud and packed shoulder-to-shoulder. Hmmm. What to do? My only option was to be honest and try not to please everyone. So I'm being honest with you. Move on and find out where all of the other self-entitled, whining, good looking food experts hang out and have a ball with yourselves. From my perspective Montclair has gone to the dogs. Thank God for blogs like Baristanet so all you whiners can have a 24 hour forum that never sleeps. In closing and as a personal aside, I stopped into the new Urban Outfitters when it opened recently only to find that the fashions simply did not fit my 47 year old body quite right. In fact, I looked really ridiculous! The only thing that struck my fancy was a trendy, 7oz martini glass. Do I post a comment about what a waste of real estate space this chain boutique is? No, I admit I am no longer a teenager. Not even close. And I leave it for the folks who like it and hope it succeeds. Reality bites, don't it Ninach?

How unfortunate that someone would go out to have a meal and spend so much time over-analyzing the consistency and presentation of their food (many people in this world don't have anything to eat), making harsh judgement calls of the strangers seated around them, and then call out a waitress by her name on this blog site. How unfortunate, as well, that you found a waitress helping a child with their ketchup either "ironic"(look it up), or as a personal assault on your dining experience. The negativity you exude, Ninach, will only come back to you and way your life down. I have the following suggestions for you: yoga, meditation, long walks on the beach, and lastly, home-cooked meals. No one wants to go through a night of waiting on someone like you. Stay home.

How unfortunate that someone would go out to have a meal and spend so much time over-analyzing the consistency and presentation of their food (many people in this world don't have anything to eat), making harsh judgement calls of the strangers seated around them, and then call out a waitress by her name on this blog site. How unfortunate, as well, that you found a waitress helping a child with their ketchup either "ironic"(look it up), or as a personal assault on your dining experience. The negativity you exude, Ninach, will only come back to you and way your life down. I have the following suggestions for you: yoga, meditation, long walks on the beach, and lastly, home-cooked meals. No one wants to go through a night of waiting on someone like you. Stay home.

I want to thank the management and staff at Egan's for coming in early on June and July mornings to give us a true pub in which to watch the World Cup.

I had been to Egans only a few times before the Cup, and had given it an unfair thumbs-down based on the poor performance of one waiter in the front room. However, after seeing just how much care goes into freezing the taps -- and its effect on the home brews like the hop-heavy ale -- and how gracious the establishment was in providing coffee and toasties during the USA games (granted, the Brits got full English breakfast for the Portugal game, but that's what happens when their fans fill the place), I started coming more often.

I disagree with Ninach's assessment of the maple wings, if only because the syrup really isn't enough to make them a "sodden mess." In fact, the glaze is actually helpful in separating the wings from each other within the funnel (which is a common presentation piece used to great effect elsewhere -- especially with pommes frites) and draining excess onto the plate below. Despite the sweetness, the wings still had kick and complemented the darker brews nicely.

As for the service, both my bartenders and the new wait staff were especially apt at keeping my beer full and my courses staggered. I didn't wait very long for the prep on my fish and chips, which were none too bready and reminded me of the fish and chips at both the Argyle and A Salt and Battery. The burgers are sizeable and well presented on the Nicolo's rolls, and the fire-rubbed pork serves as a nice continuation from the maple wings.

I don't know anything about ugly people at Egan's, as the clientele seems to be post collegians, older europeans and ex-pats and a diverse base of late-twenty and early-thirtysomethings. And the staff... well if we're going to be critiquing PEOPLE, I leave in love with the blonde server each time I'm there.

I once was strictly a Great Notch Inn and Tierney's guy for my Jersey-side watering holes. I've since made Egan's my home... and have no intentions of leaving just because some failed writer who couldn't buy his way into NJMonthly called me ugly.

I dined at Eagan's Sunday evening and found the experience to be extraordinary. The sticky toffee pudding is amazing as were the few alcholic beverages I enjoyed. The time spent was made much more enjoyable by the friendly atmoshphere created by the excellent waitress named Paige who talked to me as if I were great friends with her, but still managed to exhibit professionalism by checking on drinks and bringing the correct orders.

Ninach,

I'm sorry that your experience at Egan's was "simply awful" and that you felt my service was negligent.

As a member of the staff, I take pride in our menu and regret to hear that your opinion strayed.

Is slander really necessary to state a clear point?

Slander isn't "slander" when it's the truth. Poor food, poor service and poor ambience tend to speak for themselves.

Technically what you've committed is libel, not slander.

Furthermore, it is no secret that Egan & Sons has become a cornerstone of the Montclair community and perpetually pleases it's clientele with delicious gastronomy and a world class selection of wines and spirits... just scroll above.

"Delicious gastronomy?" "World class selection of wine and spirits?" What is this twaddle and who is this twit spewing out this rot?

Egan's is a bar, Not a great bar, as it happens, but one of very few in Montclair. (It lacks, among other things, the sense of hopelessless that really great bars usually convey, that Eugene O'Neill and Ian Rankin would both recognize.) But if it gets to the point where people come to this place for its "delicious gastronomy," then a bar it will certainly cease to be.

That would be terrible. But it would be even more terrible were it to attract more of the sort of people who are named "Paige" (with all that conveys in the sense that John O'Hara would recognize) and write gushing posts like the one above, which no genuine bar, even one so ersatz in its approach to "old timeyness" as Egan's, should have to endure.

No bar worth its world-weariness should ever become "a cornerstore" of any local business community, either. Good grief!

PS: I don't think Paige even really understands what it's like to work in a genuine bar. She (a gender guess) may think she knows what it takes to suck up to her employers, but I very much doubt she's on the mark even there. Not if they run, as it appears to be, a bar.

I'm glad cathar has the patience to comment on that post. I did not know where to begin.

Roger that Susie! Tell me about it... so much petty bs... I second cathar's sentiment.

I agree with Ninach and Cathar. Egan's as a bar is all pre-fab, plastic and precious. Egan's as a restaurant is overpriced, with terrible service (we walked out once after it was clear no staff member would bother to approach our table for drinks or a simple hello after 20 minutes), and mediocre food.

We tried it three times for food. We tried it a couple of times for drinks. We'll never try again.

I think its funny how you feel the need to fight about something on a blog sight. In my eyes... beautiful and intellegent Paige is winning this immature battle. I think your problem ninach cathar and susie b, is that you don't understand what Paige is saying because her vocabulary is far more advanced than your own. Once again, people like you just need to stay home. In fact, you obviously spend your lonely Saturday nights on the computer probably looking up words like "carnies" and "gastronomy" just to keep up. And one more thing, Paige is a fabulous person especially because she helps kids before she helps any over-paid, phony, artsy-fartsy snobs from montclair.
Keep up the good work Egan's.

What?

Once again I will comment on the fact I am happy people care enough to take notice and write about our place. However I feel the need to defend myself this time. I would like to say that I am so happy there is no sence of hopelessless, as you say, in our place. I would like to think our place is a place to have a good time. If people don't like the place they should not come back. I find comments like pre-fab and plastic crazy the entire place is made of authentic Irish artifacts that my husband took so much of his time and care to pick. We don't take this business lightly. If people are unhappy I think we always take the time to correct it. Our food is made to order and takes some time. We are also very busy with a small kitchen. My husband is a great man that moved to this country with the intention of raising his young family in a diverse relaxed community, at the same time making a beautiful place for the comminity to go to and have some fun. This blog is crimminal and I am ashamed that Montclair would stoop so low. This is not the Montclair I grew up in and brought my family back to. I loved growing up in this town and wanted my family to experience the same carefree life I had as a kid. Unfortunatly with people like Ninach and Cathar its all changed. If you don't like it stay out. Montclair is full of wonderfull restaurants and bars. As for hopelessness, that I hope you never find, thats just simply so sad. Sharon Egan

Right on Sharon....Montclair is a better place because of Egans. What the Egans have done, bringing a community together under their roof, is, well, just what the doctor ordered.

As Sharon says, there are many very cool places to eat in town, not many also have a real sense of community.

I have been fortunate to have taped a few segments of my cable show there, Inside Montclair, and the staff, all of the staff, were very friendly, and great to work with too.

If you don't like it, fine, don't go back..there are many, many others who thinks its great...I'm one of them.

wayne robbins

I would have to say that the worst thing I could say about Egan's is that I, sometimes, find it too crowded. I have figured out when those times are and schedule my visits accordingly. Thanks for creating a great place!

You see, that’s what really baffles me about Egan’s. To Sharon’s point (and they’re well taken) it’s VERY evident that a lot of planning, thought and (quite frankly) love went in to the construction of the place. I remember wandering in prior to its opening (so happy that we were about to get a real Irish pub in MC!) and being given a tour! I thought I’d be a customer for life after that!

What COMPLETELY baffles me after all this very evident front-end work is the lack of execution after opening. The service is simply horrible – in every one of my visits there I’ve been extremely underwhelmed. “Getting the right people on the bus” is the most important aspect of any business (especially a service business) and to gauge by my own experiences, they have not done a nearly good enough job. Secondarily, the food really is bad. It seems to be caught in some place between standard Irish pub fare and more upscale fare (a la its neighbor Corso 98.) It comes across as neither of those. My last meal there was terrible (and terribly over-priced.)

I don’t know who’s acting as the GM of Egan’s but they really need to step up their game (IMHO.) You’ve taken my cash (on more than a few occasions now) and I don’t feel shy in offering my opinions (think of it as a quid pro quo.) There are plenty of notable places in MC and it’s very unfortunate, given all the hard work and efforts of the owners, that Egan’s is simply not one of them.

I've been to Egan's many times. The owners and waitstaff are unfailingly pleasant and hospitable. The food fresh and well prepared. I've lived in Montclair for over 30 years and I second Sharon Egan's comment -- the town has changed. It has become a magnet for nattering, self-satisfied boobs.

I was perusing the site this morning and wandered into this thread. Have mercy! I won't begin to comment on the vitriole spewed by the resident population of malcontents. Sharon, while it's admirable of you to comment, don't bother. There is a core group here who exist simply to criticize and insult. I agree that Montclair has changed, and not for the better. Happily, Egans provides a pleasant venue for those of us who choose to enjoy life and the company of others to gather. The crowds speak for themselves. Keep up the good work.

Let's get this straight. Egan's is a business whose primary motivation is to make money. So let's get off the high horse and drop the phooey about community. If Sharon Egan and her staff can't take criticism - much of it constructive above - then they're in the wrong line of work.

If people have found the food to be lacking or the service below par, then this is the forum to air those concerns. The staff and owners of Egan's can take the criticism or leave it.

I too have been disappointed a number of times at Egan's and some of the above claims have merit. I've also had great nights of hanging out with friends there. If the staff was more attentive and the food was of better quality for the price, I'd go more often. I'm sure others would follow.

This is so funny.

Funny thing is, that's probably not even Sharon of Egan's.

And everyone is taking stuff seriously.

It is VERY funny.

Hey danc...I'm sure the post above is from Sharon Egan...she has in the past repsonded here, and I can tell by what she had said, that it really does sound like her...and when you talk about someones biz..it's very serious.

And while I'm chatting here, "Please", Egans has had many very special community events, for non profits too...and hosting a special breakfast for a few early morning games from the World Cup, for free, is just typical of the kind of people who run the place.

wow.... it's interesting, "please", how you expect someone, like the owner or wait staff, who take their occupation and their business very seriously, should "take or leave the criticism". Have you ever been insulted in your life and NOT defended yourself? People have been blantently abused on this public site. It's pathetic! They obviously have more self worth and back bone then you do. They have every right to talk back and stand up for themselves. Maybe you can learn a little something from them.

Boy on boy,

No one has insulted them personally. I certainly have not. Again, let's get this straight - Egan's is a business. A business! They opened a bar to make money. Money! These are not voluteers who work to make the community better.

If, as you say, they take their business and occupation seriously, I would think that the owners of the pub would want to know if customers are unhappy with food and service.

Why is this hard to grasp?

I cannot believe people find so much to criticize at Egan's. It is a bar/pub and the volume of people and volume of noise is completely understandable. If you are planning on going out and enjoying a quiet evening with your friends, then perhaps a bar is not a good idea- head over to the public library. And the music is NOT that loud- perhaps some of you are getting too old to patronize a pub? Moreover, Egan's is certainly the nicest bar in town and the attention to detail is evident throughout. The food has always been a delight and the service is definitely acceptable. The only thing I find fault with Egans lies with the middle aged patrons who groan at the amount of college age and twenty somethings in the place on weekend nights, it's a bar- that's what we do at that age!

I agree with Sharon Egan when she says this town has changed- I too have grown up here for years and seen a sad change in the character of the town. It has gone from a friendly, neighborhood town with big families to an overly romanticized haven for yuppie New Yorkers who have set their standards too high. There is no sense of community amongst the giant SUV's, Starbucks and cellphones that have invaded a great suburban town.

Don't some of you people have anything better to do than constantly complain? Move elsewhere if you find fault with everything in Montclair.

I cannot believe people find so much to criticize at Egan's. It is a bar/pub and the volume of people and volume of noise is completely understandable. If you are planning on going out and enjoying a quiet evening with your friends, then perhaps a bar is not a good idea- head over to the public library. And the music is NOT that loud- perhaps some of you are getting too old to patronize a pub? Moreover, Egan's is certainly the nicest bar in town and the attention to detail is evident throughout. The food has always been a delight and the service is definitely acceptable. The only thing I find fault with Egans lies with the middle aged patrons who groan at the amount of college age and twenty somethings in the place on weekend nights, it's a bar- that's what we do at that age!

I agree with Sharon Egan when she says this town has changed- I too have grown up here for years and seen a sad change in the character of the town. It has gone from a friendly, neighborhood town with big families to an overly romanticized haven for yuppie New Yorkers who have set their standards too high. There is no sense of community amongst the giant SUV's, Starbucks and cellphones that have invaded a great suburban town.

Don't some of you people have anything better to do than constantly complain? Move elsewhere if you find fault with everything in Montclair.

Supporter,

I have lived in Montclair for 20 years. In that time I've seen Egan's location house a pizza place and two bars. None of these establishments survived. Why? Not because of SUV's or NY transplants or cellphones. The reason these places didn't survive is because they had lousy food and poor service.

I'm glad you found Egan's delightful. I did not. Neither did many who posted here.

If you set your standards for a restaurant so low, that's your business. I hope surly waitresses, indifferent hosts, overcooked burgers and tepid beer greet you each time you enter Egan's.

I hope those standards suit your tastes.

For God's sake, Please/aka ninach or other whiners, go to Charlie Brown or Olive Garden [Portion of comment deleted by editors.] so we don't have to see you or hear you or wait even longer for a table because of you. By the way, go see ninach review of Blu. The great food critic talks about "trufel" oil and "shiatke" mushrooms. Way to go ninach. Stick with hot dogs, pizza and anything else you can spell.

Yeah, my spelling's pretty awful, eh? This blog needs sp check!

Best Hot Dog = Amazing Hot Dogs
Best Pizza = Ray's (I just don't get Star Tavern!)

Ironically both in outer-Baristaville . . .

Please-

Well since you are an authority on all things Montclair, I assume you are also an authority on MY standards of restaurants. If you had actually read the bulk of my posting I am essentially saying that Egan's is a bar/pub and it must be considered as such. I cannot fathom how people can be so inspired to write completely scathing reviews of a bar? What are people expecting, as long as the beer is cold, what is the problem? You go to these places to be in the company of your friends, not to hang out with "surly waitresses and indifferent hosts" so why do you have to be so critical? Go somewhere else for dinner if you expect to be doted on!

Also,I appreciate how you can make sweeping assumptions about my likes and dislikes based off of a posting on a threaded web discussion. What a nice person you are.

I just read Sharon Egan's posts above, loved the part that people like myself and Ninach (whoever that may be) are ruining the Montclair she remembers. Oh darn.

Well, I remember a different Montclair. One that had real bars as it happens. (And a great, nationally known h.s. football coach in Clary Anderson!) I still don't think Egan's exactly qualifies. It is a place with some pretensions (all those genuine "Irish artifacts", high prices, staff members who blow hot and cold within the space of an hour and decidedly spotty food. But whatever Egan's really aspires to be, its search for same isn't really helped by defensive replies from one of its proprietors and gush from a server. (I too, by the way, as a former bartender have never heard of charging more for a drink without ice - personal choice for the most honest local pour is the Whiskey Cafe in Lyndhurst, that they don't get much call for Bushmill's only inspires them to pour more.)

At any rate, people are both allowed to frequent Egan's and to comment on its distinct choppiness in service and quality. It would thus have made more sense for Ms. Egan simply to have said something along the likes of, "Gee, I'm sorry that happened, I'll look into it right away." But no. That tells me something right there.

Whatever else Egan's is, it is definitely not, to cop another poster's word, "delightful." It strains and is pricey and loud. And I have never had the feeling while there that anything can happen, that anybody just might walk through the door in a few minutes, attributes I think help for make a truly great bar (no matter the quality of the food).

what... you sound like a blubbering idiot!

My family and I ate at Egan's a while back. I must say it reminded me of many of the Irish pubs that I visited a few years ago while vacationing on the Emerald Isle. A wonderful time was had by all. The Hanger Steak that I had was mouth wateringly good. The staff was courteous and helpful to accomodate our family's needs. I can't wait to visit again for another fabulous meal.

My family and I ate at Egan's a while back. I must say it reminded me of many of the Irish pubs that I visited a few years ago while vacationing on the Emerald Isle. A wonderful time was had by all. The Hanger Steak that I had was mouth wateringly good. The staff was courteous and helpful to accomodate our family's needs. I can't wait to visit again for another fabulous meal.

Wow. Some of the people who write postings on this site are morons. I thought we all learned about run-on sentences and punctuation in grade school, cathar. By the way, ninach, I love Star Tavern pizza- I could eat a whole pie! Out of curiosity, ninach, why have you appointed yourself Montclair's resident online food reviewer? Are you getting paid for this, or do you just have an abundance of free time?

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Now that's just sad.

I came on this site to check out what people think of the place since I've never been to Egan's.

I can see I wasted my time since all the so-called reviews I've read are just full of whining and unnecessary rude comments. Not to mention a bunch of reviewers who insist on using select words just to TRY and make themselves sound smarter.

Seriously all I you need to say is: The service was bad because...
I had the filet mignon but it was a little undercooked.

It's that simple people.

Here you go:

"...surly waitresses, indifferent hosts, overcooked burgers and tepid beer..."

To Supporter, We've been living in Montclair for 15 years . No, we are not old and ritchity. We are in our 40's and have done all the bar stuff here. Years back Egans was a great Italian restaurant called "Cafe D Angelica's" It was there for year's before the lease owner decided to take back the lease after it expired. He then opened his (another) restaurant but failed , then sold out to the owner's of Arnold's(or whatever it was called)Then it became Egan's. The Cafe was a great meeting place for all of us. The food was great, the drink's were cheap, and the service was friendly and missed in this area now. So NO!! Egan's was not the first place on Walnut at that space to remember.

Stop your whining people! I had a great time last Wednesday night. The beer sampler was a nice treat, I had the fish special - delicious, and my husband had the pork chop. The food was tasty, services was fine, we had no complaints - just had a good time.

It was Osborne's Tap House prior to it being Egans.

If Egan's charges $29 for a steak ($29!!!) the least they could do is provide good service.

Everyone is entitled to an opinion. If we all thought the same, it would be a very boring world to live in. I’m not here to bash anyone that has posted; I would just like to put an opinion out there from someone who happens to LOVE Egan's.

I have been going there since they opened last year. There are plenty of pleasant regulars there. It has that "Cheers" feeling. Clearly, much thought went into creating Egan’s. All of the attention to detail (take a good look around) is very impressive. It's a place where you decide the kind of fun you want to have. There are many great people to talk to, of all ages. Depending on what you order, it can be expensive (like everywhere else). It's a great place to get together after work with friends. It can be noisy but it is a bar/pub and is expected. I haven’t been disappointed yet, since I know what to expect. If there is a wait, go to the bar and have a beer or two. At least there is a great bar to wait at.

Chris and Sharon are extremely kind. They work very hard at trying to please all of their customers. Some of the staff have bad attitudes...they actually look miserable (so don't ask them for a drink). I’m sure Chris and Sharon will figure out soon enough who they are. Others are great (ask for Kenny…he knows how to make a good drink). This happens in a lot of places like this.

I can always count on getting a good meal there. The mussels are delicious, great portabella mushroom burgers, salads, etc. (all my opinion, of course). Shrimp are wonderful too! I usually don’t order the filet here because I’m not going to Egan’s for that type of meal (although I tried my friends and it was quite good). But in keeping everyone happy, they have a great filet on the menu if that’s what you’re looking for.

I happen to like the music as well. Don’t hang the DJ! Such a great variety is played. Again, my opinion…and I can speak for the group I go there with as well, we all love it.

If you’re looking for a quiet meal, Egan’s is probably not the place to be. If you’re looking for a great place to get together with friends, have a great night out, and might not mind a louder dining experience, then definitely check it out.

Proof of Egan’s success is the weekly crowds and repeat customers. Yes, it is a business, but what a great business to have! That about covers it, oh, and thank you to Chris and Sharon for creating a great place so many of us love!

This is my first time on barista, although I know many addicts, and after reading this lengthy thread, I have to comment on Egan's.
The reason so many people have so many things to say about Egan's is because it has been such a huge success. I have never had so many acquaintances tell me about one restaurant before. When anything gets that hyped up it is sure to disappoint some people, who are then even more upset because their expectations were so high.
I really enjoy Egan's as a bar, it's actually my favorite along with Tierney's. The first time I was there I kept thinking I was in NYC, because it was too nice for NJ. I like the booths and tables to sit at and talk, the younger crowd, and the back patio. I have noticed it is loud, but I can't remember the music being the problem. I was there last weekend with my friend visiting from Ireland, and we were having a such a good time we scrapped plans to go to Red Cheetah and stayed until closing.
I have eaten there only twice and I thought it was pretty good, not awesome but decent. The fish and chips were good, even though real chips would have been better than french fries. The cottage pie is yummy, though a little heavy on the nutmeg, and the sticky toffee pudding is out of this world. My mom really liked the scallops special she got, and she wants to go back there. Her only gripe was she thought the paintings on the wall didn't look Irish enough (I like them).
I have found the employees to be nice, comparable to any other place in this area, and I would recommend it for food and drink.
FYI Star Tavern rocks

I too am ignoring the posts above and just stating my opinion: I've enjoyed Egan's the 3 times I've been there. Once for drinks after a movie, once for dinner in the dining room and once for dinner at the bar (it just worked out that way). Not the greatest joint in the history of the planet, but quite decent. Good obscure beers on tap. noise level was a bit high but not obtrusive. service was fine. I liked the paintings and the rooms are designed well for the crowd, in the sense that they fell lively without feeling cramped or claustrophobic. As for specifics about the food -- I realize the following statement puts me in a small minority, but I happen to like liver. And Egans make quite a tasty plate of liver.

The food at Egan's is waaaaaay overpriced. I agree with the above poster: $29 for a steak? $29! They claim to serve simple Irish food. Who pays $15 for pot pie?

If this was an upscale place, with great service (any service really), then OK.

I tried to eat there twice and it was a nightmare.

Forget it.

Way Overpriced?? If spending $40 - $50 on a dinner for 2 is overpriced, than maybe you should stick to fast food from now on. I've eaten there a few times and never thought twice about what I spent. The Filet Mignon may be a bit overpriced at $29...although there is a Hanger Steak on the menu for around $16..and it is delicious! And the $15 Pot Pie you speak of does not exist. I believe both the Cottage Pie and Chicken Pot Pie are both under $12. Get your facts right before you post nonsense. Tried to eat there twice? Did you have problems getting the food from your fork to your mouth?

The place has been busy since it opened over a year ago.....thats a sign of consistency!

Great bar, great crowd, good food! Never had a problem with the service either.

It seems to me as though people who go there and write bad reviews on this site are looking for fine dining. It's a bar! And I like it...Cheers!

Christine, just to let you know, chips are french fries (french-fried potatoes). So they are real "chips", just like in Ireland/Scotland, etc.

I wonder if all of the unhappy posters (not Christine) keep going back to Egan's? I bet they do...hmmmmm!

It's incredibly clear that the venerable Egans cannot take constructive criticism or suggestions. But ...what's really amusing is Sharon Egan's earlier posting that Egans is a "place to have fun" and a place to experience "community." I guess it all depends on what your definition of "fun" and "community" are.

More than anything, Egans is entertaining, from an observer's standpoint. Witness the countless drunk people at the bar on any given night. Egans has become quite the "meatmarket" and "pick-up" place !

(part of comment deleted by Baristanet)

! Yes indeed ...Egans is the Peyton Place of Montclair.

Comment deleted -- please stick to the food, folks.

I have been to egans countless times, and each time I don't know why I am there. It started off as a 30-50 Montclair crowd who like good beer and a mellow atmosphere.

But more recently it has become an Abercrobie and Fitch runway full of snotty little rich kids.

Time to find a bar like Tierney's that you don't leave with a lip fungus. (fictionalized)

Who's next?

Is anyone out there who knows how to run a bar. I wish Demitri from table8 would take a stab at a lounge-style chic space where you can get a drink for a respectable price in the company of normal people.

I'm tired of seeing disgustingly drunk 40 somethings, sucking face on a bar stool with 400 people standing around.

anyway, see you there next weekend.

Agree, there are a lot of snotty kids running around, but, I'm a 40-something and do not make out at the bar and don't plan on it. I've seen 40-somethings sucking face at Tierney's and every other bar for that matter. Don't forget what you could possibly leave with from Tierney's (other than lip fungus). Who really cares what drunk people do. You're in a bar, that's what you have to remember. It's a bar...people are horny baby!

What's wrong with the way it's run? That's why it's packed all the time, because they don't know what they're doing. I think NOT!

See you over the weekend!

I somewhat agree with your comments 40-something.... but I will say that in Montclair just because its packed doesn't mean that its well run.

Buzz still fills Cuban Pete's every night.

Most places have issues. Tell the owners next time you're in what you think they're doing wrong. They may listen. However they run it, I'm still going back. And I don't think I'm the only one...

Much better now that there is no more smoking, but all in all I think it is over rated. they need to expand or change up their menu. It also seems overpriced...take the buffalo wings for example. Not a bad place to come and just get drunk though.

The wings have a different flavor which make them unique. There are enough to share so split them with a friend. Vodka + wings = a great drunken night at Egan's.

It was OKAY-staff need to be better, and the Cottage Pie is TERRIBLE!
do NOT buy it, you'll thank me later

The Egan's Pilsener is superb... nice and crisp and just enough bitter... I could do without the overly floral tones in the Pale Ale or the Wheat beer though. A great place for the 30-something crowd and the music BTW is often a great new wave selection off of the owner Chris' ipod. I just wish there was more standing room along the bar, that place can get unruly sometimes. The perfect place thats only 3 blocks from where I live, which rules...

I have heard the Egan's microbrew is made by Cricket Hill Brewery.

baristaposter,

apparently that is true--Cricket Hill does all of Egans brew--

Now-Egans if you don't like, don't go and then you can stop whinning here...

that said, staff does suck(overall) can't say that for every individual working there--you can actually die of thirst at the bar at times when there are more bartenders than customers

food I have't eaten there since they firsy opened--I thought it was that bad--but I hear it has improvede vastly--I'll give it a try again soon.

say what you will--it is still one of the hottest spots in snooty ole Montclair.

Love Cricket Hill, Egan's needs more Micro-brews...keep the light beer in bottles where it belongs and give us beer drinkers more options on draft!

Its a great bar...and closely resemble the best modern Irish bars anywhere including those in Ireland.

They have a very good pint of Guinness I have had several there... I hope that they keep an eye on this signature of a good bar and make sure that the staff are properly trained in serving a pint of Guinness.

They could also train the guys at Tierneys who have crap pint.

Their micro brews were not good when I visited..maybe they have improved?

Its a good place and was sorely needed in Montclair.

I hate this place. Go to the harrison avenue tavern for great drink specials and a great time.

To Heckel:

Egan's is such a success that they don't need to have drink specials. Do us all a favor and drink at The Harrison Avenue Tavern.

Baristaposer:

Egan's is a success if your trying to have the worst night of your life and spend 200 doing so. Why dont you do all of us a favor stay out of jersey.

their soccer team is a bunch of cry baby wanna be gym class heroes who do nothing but bitch all game about light contact by opposing players. unfortunatley their best player is also the most annoying and by far the biggest cryer in the ashly soccer league. he takes more bad dives than
greg louganis & cries more than a sally fields oscar speech

How is a soccer post relevant? This is the food board is it not?

If the place is too expensive for some of you, don't go in. If you don't like the food don't go in. If you don't like the service, don't go in.

There are about 100 bars/pubs within a 15 minutes drive of "Baristaville" so there really is no reason to be so negative about this place.

Corey:
You're right; however, the point of this board is to discuss the restaurants and review them. If someone didn't like the place, they should certainly post about what they didn't like. All positive comments would make a one-sided (and rather useless) restaurant review site.

I agree, I want to hear the negative stuff as much as the positive but I don't think I need to hear about soccer games, people's intimate encounters at the abr, or personal slams on the staff.
I just think people get a little off track.

actually the comments about the soccer team is totally relevant - they always come to egans right after a game or any other night because they realize this is the only bar that they can get away with having no manners - so if you enjoy sitting next to loud drunken smelly brits then by all means go to egans - they have a lot to do with the atmosphere there... there have been many nights where they have caused a fight with costumers and staff... or start chanting awful british songs... or make every woman that walks by completely uncomfortable - they are obnoxious and rude and its not the crowd i like to be part of (considering its not just one or two of them... they travel in packs)

See now the soccer thing makes sense in the contect of this board. I don't need to hear about how they argue calls on the field.

Hooligans, nice.

[Abusive comment deleted by the editors.]

I heard that it is more expensive to sit in the back dining area then it is to sit in the front....
WHERE DO THEY GET OFF DOING THAT??

has anyone heard the same thing

I just wanted to congratulate Chris and Sharon, for opening up the best bar to hit Montclair in many years.
Despite all of the complaints posted on this site, the place is consistently packed.

There are plenty of stuffy, overpriced, trendy restaurants in Baristaville, to serve all of you chronic complainers. Please pick one!
Sharon and Chris: Keep up the great atmosphere! You have a customer in me for life.

My wife and I ate at Egan's for the first time a few weeks ago and had an excellent experience. The food was great, the drinks were honest and the staff was some of the friendliest we've encountered in NJ. We'll be back. Often!!
BTW, it was a Friday night at around 7 pm and we were seated almost immediately.

I flew in from the west coast. I was hungry and thirsty and couldn't have found a better place. The fries were perfect. The beer was cold. The hostess/owner (Sharon) was very,very pretty.When I read all of the negative posts I think that the sensory stimulation you are looking for can be best found in a lap dance.Good food,good drinks and at least one pretty woman to look at, What else would you need?

The new gravlax platter and goat cheese napoleon are delish!

Cheers to Egans!

Two out of three glasses of wine served to me were served in a wine glass with lipstick on it, not my shade!

It happens. Didn't you return them for another glass? im sure they were washed, just not checked before serving..

Right on Lilly. Baristanet was not meant for the way its being used. Kim is deffinately full of her own shit. What's the chance of the bartender missing 2 glasses from the same wash with lipstick on them. This is the bullshit we have to read from an open forum. Blame the website for not proof reading the daily post befor posting on the site, big deal the post would be posted the next day.

Or...

...perhaps someone has taken the time to give an account of how she was treated at a local bar. If the service sucks, then an OPEN forum is the place to discuss.

You sound like the assh*le to me.

What happened to Wayne Robbin's snarky comment to Kim about changing her dress?

How about running the glasses through the dishwasher, 165 degrees, not just the hand washer which clean's crap!!

yeah! what happened to Wayne's inane comment? c'mon barista, censoring Wayne is mean like kicking the dog

Hey Eagle Eye and tippler, you both have it all wrong. Kim had posted her comment on a few diff. threads in the food section, not just here. That's where I made my comment..Barista is not doing any kind of censorship.

BTW - I was having as much fun as Kim was in our remarks..she said " not my shade", and I said " to change her dress.

Nothing at all to go crazy over folks..just some harmless fun from both of us...relax

This is becoming my out of town moms favorite place to come when she visits me. She is the type of woman who loves food, friendly people and really cherishes good service. We recieved all of that at Egans last Saturday night. When I walked in it was busy, with an hour wait, we decided to sit at the bar and have a drink while we waited. There were no bars seats available so we stood one row behind the seaters and ordered. Nice thing # 1- the hostess proactively came over to us and told us that she was preparing to seat a couple that was sitting at the bar further down and suggested that we grab those seats when they open up. Nice thing # 2- While we sat at the bar an amazing dessert passsed by and we and a couple sitting next to us all looked at each other and asked the bartender what it was. The bartender told us it was a bread and butter cobbler. Before we knew it the bartender brought us a complimentary dessert for us to sample. It was so nice because the dessert brought strangers together into conversation together. (and the dessert was amazing!) It was so fun. Nice thing # 3- The waaitstaff. The waiterss was so friendly and nice, and gave honest suggestions for our meal. The food runner/ waiter? was very harmlessly flirty with my mom and it just made her night, she felt like a queen! Nice thing # 4- I post this because of the wine glass comment above. We got a bottle of wine and the waitress brought over 2 glasses, just before she poured the wine into my moms glass she looked at the glass and said, haang on a sec, you need a new glass, this one is dirty. She then ran and got a new glass and problem was solved. Yes, in a perfect world they should not have dirty glasses, but it happens. The nice thing is the prompt attention to having it resolved in a professional and friendly manner. Thanks so much Egans for providing yet another wonderful dining experience for me and my mom. Well be back!

How about just having clean glasses? It's a bar. It's their job. How hard is it to understand?

D-i-s-h-w-a-s-h-e-r....

As per my earlier comment; that is a bit bizarre that this happened to you, lipstick on a glass with 2 different shades, none of which were your own?!?? Well wether or not it was your own, these things happen. No, the glasses are NOT hand washed, instead there are 2 conveniently located dishwashers behind their bar, making it the responsibility of the bartender, not a dishwasher to wash the glasses.

Obviously, the dishwasher(machine) doesnt "scub" the dishes like a human does, so the oil and vaseline combination in the lipstick may "stick" to the glass, naturally.

On any note, perhaps women should no longer use lipstick when drinking out of glasses to save us all the trouble of having to respond to these comments.

To conclude, Egans is still my top choice for a night out on the town, lipstick marks and all... even if its not my shade.

I happen to be regular at Egan's and have not experienced ANY of these negative comments above. The food is excellent. Epecially the chicken wings, the burgers, and the salad. I think the dressing is fabulous, not overpowering. I find the bartenders extremely helpful and friendly. And the patrons that go there are a great crowd too. A classy 30 and 40 year old group.

Eaten at Egan's three times now/hung out for drinks about 5 times. Food is good, and yes, a bit overpriced in certain items. Salad is so-so, scallops are good, chicken potpie was filling. And the key lime was excellent! As a 30 something female, I like the crowd, although it has changed somewhat since they first opened. It is a bit overcrowded some nights, but again, every bar is crowded on a Friday night at 10!
I think the bartenders/wait staff are friendly and helpful, ask for Amy, Kevin, or Dino.

I went to dinner at Eagan's Friday night with my family at 8:30. We entered through the back door only to be almost run over by what seemed like a speeding, drunk driver in their parking lot.
I think Eagan's should make up their mind whether they want this to be a family joint or a young hang out for the lonely to get irresponsibly drunk and race through the parking lot, threatening the safety of its sober patrons.
Watching the bartender serve a dad while he left his 2 young children sitting at their table alone so he could do several shots at the bar was disturbing. Is there any morality at this bar/restaurant?

I'm still wondering how the drunk driver got his car through the back door.

Once again it's someone else's fault and NOT the parent...

The dad's morality has nothing to do with Egan's.

Does anyone know what Egan's is doing for St. Patrick's Day?

yes.

It's not up to the bar to decided if a father/mother can drink with there children. Since i am a bartender we are trained about the difference between what is moral and what is legal. Legally, management cannot tell them not too drink, that would be prejudice. It is the family members responsibility to take care of their children, not the bar. Though bartenders must follow the legalities, this doesn't mean that we are in any way immoral. I m sure the bartender recognized the issue, and might mention something to the customer if they felt the drinking was out of hand.

About the car almost hitting you, this is a shame. However, most estabishments do not have a "Parking lot watcher" to make sure that situations like this happen. This could happen in any establishment, not just Egan's.

This is a Restaurant/Bar not segregated to only families or only 21+ fun crowd, therefore when you go out to a place as such people shuld be more open-minded and understand that the crowd is diverse, which adds the "flavor" to Egan's.

Egan's flavor? Saltine Crackers.

If you're lookig for morals a bar is certainly not the place.

And "really?" - the purpose of your training has nothing to do with morals and everything too with the law. It's callled 'over-serving'. Tho' as long as Dad was not behaving stupidly, you were legally obliged to serve him.

My Wife and i thought it would be nice to have a corned beef & cabbage dinner on St. Patty's day. Already knowing this might be difficult since the rest of the world might have the same idea, we drove by Egan's around 7pm. It looked pretty packed so I decided to skip it, and try some other restaurant so we could go to the movies.

On Sunday, I was still thinking about that nice dinner, so I grabbed the Mrs. and headed to Egan's at 3:30pm.

There were not too many patrons there at the time, so we were able to sit right away.

Our waitress was courteous and friendly.

I had the corned beef dinner, and the Mrs. had the scallops, both of course with a pint of Guinness. Yummo!

Both dinners were great, and the key lime pie just divine.

Music wasn't too loud, but I would have liked to hear Celtic/traditional Irish music, not WPLJ rock hits on this particular weekend. I don't want to hear Barry Manilow on Cinco De Mayo at a Mexican restaurant, ha,ha!

It was a nice time for sure. I would suggest going early if you get freaked out by crowds.

I wish they didn't take Reuben sandwiches off the lunch menu. That was the best!

This place is ok, but really only exists because there is NO competition. I don't see how you can tell somebody the wait is a half an hour and then 2 hours later, expect them to still want the table.

Went there this past Sunday and had the best scallops ever. The service was friendly and fast. I'd like to thank the Egan's for coming to Montclair.
Bill Tierney

Where's Francois?

I don't know but when you find him, let me know.

Billy you are a gentleman

As you can see from the length and quantity of these posts, Egan & Sons of Montclair is definietly something to talk about. I consider it the premier establishment in the entire area. The casual,but upscale atmosphere has a welcoming and comfortable appeal. Complete with a tremendous selection of draught and bottle beers along with a full range of dishes from delicious fish & chips to savory curried chicken, this pub/ restaurant has montclair on it's ear. Delightful and upscale atmosphere adds to the warm environment that is only enhanced by the friendly,knowledgeable and delightful staff. If you go anywhere in Montclair this week make it Egan & Son's you will not be disappointed. I have a great appreciation for service and quality and they have won my heart as the finest establishment in town. Don't take my word for it, see for yourself and I'll see you there.
:)
-R

Who do the Egans think they're fooling? Has anyone seen the ad in the Montclair Times, advertising "Hot for Teachers" celebration at Egans on Sunday evening? Give me a break ! First of all, "hot for teachers" is incredibly inappropriate language to use when referring to the relationship between kids and their teachers (and the Egans have children. They should know this !) Apparently, Egans is hosting a "beer and grilling" celebration (replete with reggae band) on Sunday night (presumably) to celebrate teachers. Who do the Egans think they're fooling? It's merely a ploy to get their parking lot full of drunk 20 year olds on a Sunday night like it is every Friday night. Don't they know that "kids" (as in kids and teachers) aren't old enough to drink beer? They'll be no kids there -- or teachers for that matter. And where does all the extra money they're going to pull in that night go? Not to the teachers .....what a joke.

That ad was brilliant! Go Egans!

Something tells me that Thomas needs to lighten up a bit!
I have no connection to Egan's, but I don't find that ad offensive. If anything, it sounds like a ploy to get the teachers in to let loose at the end of the school year--nothing wrong with that! It doesn't say "Hey, kids--bring your teachers and let's party," does it?!?

Nice place, great service. The burger was the issue. DW's burger was ordered medium, came out rare and bloody-- she squeezed it and it FLOODED her plate with bloody juice-- not an attractive sight.

So they gave her another, medium well we were told (despite wanting it medium w/o the blood). The meat was done but again--- the bloody juice came a'runnin' out. Not as much as last time, but still-- I had to grab another plate for her so she could have her food on a dry plate.

(So they either cook them too hot so the outside is done and the inside dead rare, or they are frozen. Either way, if you can't cook a burger right, I can't get with you.)

The beer was good. We won't be back anytime soon. Too many great places to give this one another try.

Dear Profwilliams,
If you re-read yourself, you'll notice that you don't make any sense at all. If meat is frozen, there is no "blood juice" coming out of it, just greyish water. When any type of meat is ordered medium, one of the signs you are looking for is when the blood starts coming out. The fact that you had blood on your plate just means that nobody cleaned the plate before it got to you, which I agree is bad, but if you want meat with NO JUICE, order it well done and dry as a shoe. I think it's unfortunate that people would judge a whole menu by their hamburger or pizza or hot dog. This criteria would put most restaurants out of business in Paris.
I do agree that Egan's quality has been going down dramatically in the past few months but I don't think it's because of "juicy meat".

Okay basically the food at Egans sucks ! Everyone knows that. Problem is they have a monopoly in this town. Only one of a few with a liquor license that's halfway decent and affordable. Though most folks with any amount of sophistication have wisened up and know it's a total pick-up joint of drunk 20 and 30 somethings. The owners are loving it and raking it in -- let's hope their new restaurant (if it ever gets finished) will be of higher quality. By the way, they will lose many clients as soon as the new restaurant called 'Fitzgeralds' opens in Glen Ridge (where Joseph's is) replete with liquor license.

Haha Fitzgeralds. I dont understand who though it was a great idea to open a bar next door to the police station. Maybe Egans will lose a few costumers but I hardly see this effecting them. Glen Ridge cops with new Dodge Chargers and absolutly nothing to do? You do the math.

The Office in Montclair has been next to the police station for 25 yrs, who do you think closes the bar 5 nights a week?

Egans is good place run by great people. some of the cliental leave alot to be desired. if you order a nine dollar drink, trust me you get a nine dollar drink. One problem why would anyone bring kids in strollers into any tavern. This is not TGIF's, Charlie Brown's or Chuckie Cheese's. It is a bar where people drink, talk loud,swear and escape their own children for a few hours. The other day some idiot yup-ple came in with a double stroller complete with two happy meals for the pram riders to enjoy while the parents order off the menu. What idiot's. I will be glad when this Gerald Fitzpatrick's or is it Patrick Fitzgerald's opens up and some people stay where they belong. thank you!

I'm sorry, but 15 dollars for a Guinness and Martini is ridiculous.

We're not in Manhattan. And the martini wasn't to the brim.

The Guinness was $5, but a $10 martini?

Get over yourselves.

Went to Egan's last night. Love it! Great service-good food. The bartender even gave us a beer on the house when there was a miscommunication and they poured 2 instead of one. He couldn't have been nicer-even thought it was our fault! Keep up the good work and we'll keep coming back!

Do they brew their own beer?

Went her for dinner on monday night. It was wonderful. I had the fish and chips and my friend had the double pork chop. Great flavors. Even better was the service, we had the nicest waitress. I can't wait to go back and try something else!

Went here for dinner on Monday night. It was wonderful. I had the fish and chips and my friend had the double pork chop. Great flavors. Even better was the service, we had the nicest waitress. I can't wait to go back and try something else!

Ms. Egan...
"If people don't like the place they should not come back."

"This blog is crimminal and I am ashamed that Montclair would stoop so low. This is not the Montclair I grew up in and brought my family back to."

If you don't like Montclair, don't come back. or would that be don't stay?

What's the blog?

Anyone been to the fish joint they just opened?

The fish joint (next door)-Halcyon - is terrific, and seems to be one of Montclair's best-kept secrets. Can be crowded and noisy during peak weekend hours, and, like Egans, takes no reservations. Wide selection of reasonably priced wines by the carafe. Plenty of non-fish items on the menu.

I just want to give a big shout-out to Egan's...we were there on NYE and had a great time eating and drinking at the bar. The bartender (Joacquin?) was great, the place wasn't nuts (at least, not before midnight), and it was the perfect low-key night! The place is consistently good at doing what it does; it's that simple.

Well, until now I loved Egans and Halcyon...Always had great experiences, but I will not be returning to either place due to the completely unprofessional management/ownership. My girlfriend booked a table at the lounge at Halcyon for a small birthday party for me in mid February. She called about 2 months in advance. She was told by THE OWNER that we would have a corner table. She called back today to give the exact number of people attending and was informed that a party of 50 had been booked for that night, so basically, our reservation was cancelled. We had already sent out the invitations, and people had arranged transportation, babysitters, etc to attend my 30th birthday party. Now, with little notice, we must find another place, or most likely cancel. [Abusive portion of comment deleted.]

Wow. That totally sucks. Any response from the owners?

Hey saventi...sorry to hear what happened, however, there really are quite a few other really nice places here in town that might be able to help you..and your guest's would be close by the orig. location...and perhaps end up with a nicer experience.

Happy 30th. to you

Saventi, you should call the Wood Pit on Bloomfield Ave. and see if they can work with you--it will be more of a down-home experience than Halcyon (which I personally prefer) and the owners Kim and Lawrence are basically the nicest people on earth.

And the food is incredible!!

They're BYOB, unlike Halcyon.

To Relaxpeople,

In response to your question, it was the owner, Sharon Egan, that told my girlfriend that the party of 50 had been booked. She then proceeded to tell my gf that it was her fault for not calling earlier. However, she was told 2 months ago that the section was reserved...It was a total screw and they handled it horribly.

In these days of economic pressures, when you take your family out to eat you count on a pleasant experience. I gathered my brood, 2 adults and 3 children and decided to go someplace the children had never been – Egan’s on Walnut street. We arrived early – 4:30 – and I was told that we would be put into a booth that was walled in on 3 sides – which seemed o.k. at the time but later proved to be akin to being placed in isolation. I presume we were placed there because of the children. Presumably the hostess anticipated behavior issues but these are 3 very well-behaved children who eat out a lot and know how to act in a restaurant – plus they are at an age where poor behavior or loud voices is not to be anticipated.

Wine:
The adults ordered a glass of wine and ordered an appetizer as well as a meal. With that the waitress disappeared, hardly to be seen again. The second glass of wine – necessary to fill in the inordinate amount of time waiting for our meal – was finally ordered when one of us got up and went to the bar to get it.

Food:
The children ordered a hamburger, a grilled cheese sandwich, and chicken tenders – hardly gourmet but yet apparently extremely challenging to the kitchen staff. The hamburger was small, dry and over-cooked. The bun was stale. The grilled cheese sandwich looked as if it had been reheated – bread dry and over-toasted. The chicken fingers were dry and over-cooked.

One adult hamburger was also dry, didn’t fill the bun.

AT one point a waitress recognized one of us and we actually got some attention – too little too late, however. We were there for this light meal of uncomplicated preparation over 2 hours. All the while isolated in a walled-in booth.

Bill: $121

Egan’s is, I believe, probably fine for drinks at the bar – just don’t try and dine there and certainly don’t bring a family.

Try Avenue Bistro Pub in Verona. Kid's menu, full bar, great food. Nice ambiance too (check out the abstract paintings on the walls!)

There's also the Cloverleaf Tavern in Caldwell. Terrific beer selection and the food is delish. (Nothing fancy, but solid pub food.)

I went with friends and their kid, and the hostess gave him a coloring book and crayons.

I guess I ve visited a few times with my family and enjoyed a good meal drink from time to time at halcyon Egans fish place. i hadnt come back because of a bad experience with a snippy very pristine waitress, Laura with an attention deficite and bad timing. I think the older lady was managing that night but seem to have spent her time sitting at the bar that night. At least the food was good. My brother and our wives are easy going so we decided to let some time go by since most people go there for the social scene.

This past weekend I visited for my last time after realizing that the menu is just not as good as it once was. I couldnt put my finger on it but the presentation was more chainfood like and not as I remembered. It was a very bad experience at the bar this time, slow service, bad food, big tab-$120 I don't think that the same people in the kitchen anymore.

This past Sunday was my 1st visit. Very impressed by the decor. It was busy, football on tv eyc.. but I wasn't expecting anything. We were sat and drinks were ordered, our server, a very pleasant, smiley young lady. My martini wsa very good. Looking at the menu, it seemed that it wsa varied, pretty good start. The specials were recited and a few items sounded really appealing. I ordered the ribeye ($27) and oysters $(16),the oysters were very small and very hard to eat, they were not cut from the mussel that holds them in the shell but it was the luck of the draw. The ribeye was very fatty, more than a normal ribeye,I did not complain or send anything back. I will give it a 2nd chance, every place has a bad day. The prices are higher than I expected especially for a pub. Maybe the 2nd try will be the charm.

I happen to like Egan's but when it comes to ordering food there (as with most places that are essentially bars first--not restaurants) imo your best bet is to stick to the pub fare. Burgers, fish and chips, wings, etc.

i agree w/nyccommuter, nothing great about the place except for the social scene.

used to frequent Egan's and spent a lot of money there. service is very poor, EVERY time. food is pricey and mediocre at best.

once toaties were served with RAW bacon -yiks!

owners are unprofessional and seem inexperienced. tho, i think he owned bars in Ireland. hmmmmmm....

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Wow, this place is awful. Everything is overpriced and the service is a joke. Our bartender took 15 minutes to acknowledge our existence, and as soon as we got our drinks a bouncer(?) told us to drink up because they were closing.

The pretention of these people is amazing. If you are an asshole, you will enjoy Egan’s. If you are a tremendous asshole, you probably work there.