Blackthorn Irish Pub & Grub
| Address: | 3010 Clairemont Dr, San Diego, CA 92117, USA |
| Phone: | +1 619-276-3462 |
| Site: | blackthornsd.com |
| Rating: | 3.9 |
| Working: | 12PM–2AM 12PM–2AM 12PM–2AM 12PM–2AM 12PM–2AM 10AM–2AM 10AM–2AM |
Location
Photos 70
Reviews 9
JI
Jim Hackett
My wife and I just relocated to the area and were looking for a local bar/pub to hang out. We gave the Blackthorn a shot this past Sunday evening and it was not a good experience. We took a seat at the bar for drinks and a meal. The picture we saw on Google showed an enormous, "delicious-looking" burger so I ordered the Aztec Burger and my wife ordered the wings. We also ordered some drinks - Jack Daniels on the rocks and Petrone Silver on on the rocks. Both of our drinks barely half-filled our rocks glasses. It was a very small crowd that night - 2 other people at the bar, 3 guys playing shuffleboard and a table of 4 (including 3 ladies). About 10 minutes after we arrived the shuffleboard players - who were already very loud - got into an argument over the games rules. Not only did they get louder, their language was very offensive including numerous use of the "F-word" in spite of being within10 feet of my wife and I at the bar and the table with 3 ladies. Normally I would have said something but being new to the area I was uncertain as to what might happen. The bartender made no attempt to ask them to keep it down and this argument went on for another 15 minutes - loud, bad language and all! As it turns out the people who were having the argument including the brother of the owner - who, as it turns out, was sitting at the bar! (No wonder the bartender never said anything - probably fearing for her job!). My burger arrived and it looked NOTHING close to the picture I saw and was obviously a frozen patty. My wifes wings were average at best. Neither meal was anything special. When we got the bill we were shocked at the drink prices. My Jack Daniels was $10.50 and the Petrona Silver was $13.50!!! We have been to numerous places in the 3 weeks that we have been here - including some nicer establishments in Mission Valley and Pacific Beach - and never paid near these ridiculous prices, especially considering the drink portions that we received. I must add though, that the highlight of the evening was our bartender, Chelsea! In spite of not saying anything to the shuffleboard players (and probably risking her job), she was very friendly and nice to us. She recognized that we were there for the first time and made it a point of getting our names and telling us all about the Blackthorn and all of the special events and weekly specials. Chelsea would be the ONLY reason that we would have returned but even her personality was not enough to overcome all the negatives of the evening. We will continue to find another place to hang out in the Clairemont area. Anyone have any good suggestions?
J.
J. Guertin
It had a lot of the quintessentials; good service, decent food (albeit, way overly priced for nothing special). I came with my friend. She ordered a single round of beers for the two of us. My friends a bit of a lightweight, so I followed up with a food order of nachos and the iceberg wedge salad, on my own bill. We ate about 75% of both dishes, she finished her beer and I drank maybe a few sips of my own and left the rest unfinished. I asked for a box to take home the leftover food, and while I took the remains of the salad, I left part of the nachos still on the plate it was served on. We both payed our separate tabs and left a decent tip. I say the previous bit, because this is where it got odd: After the aforementioned, my friend and I talked outside the venue. We had to, because it was too loud to hear each other inside to try to coordinate anything further. Whilst doing so, a fellow (Im assuming the owner) came out to us saying we werent allowed back in because we "left too big of a mess, and his waitress isnt going to clean that." I admit that because of the nachos, A LOT of napkins were used, but they were tucked under the plate after, and there wasnt food spread all over the table, floor or anything ridiculous of the like. It was no more than whatd be left after eating at any other eatery. I asked how we could rectify (e.g. "Would you like us to bring our plates up instead?") and he just repeated the same, similar statement. This leads me to think either, A.) I want to give this place the benefit of the doubt, maybe he felt my friend was over-served and wasnt being direct about it (I can respect the business responsibility, but the delivery was odd), or, B.) there was really an issue about basic bussing duties (it wasnt that bad and its an eatery-pub, therell be dishes with remains left behind). Either way, I wont be back.
JI
Jill Florio
There are good things about this pub - unlimited taco Tuesdays, 2 for one burger nights...but overall, I have to say: bland beer selection; the space is extremely loud and echoing, with a tiny parking area. It is usually cold inside (they keep the doors open all the time), and the service is, while friendly, not adequate. It can take three reminders to get a new margarita (and after 40 minutes of ordering it first), and on taco night, expect that there just arent enough staff to serve your table properly. Orders get messed up, dont show up, or show up extremely late. The people Ive brought there - several times - ended up really unhappy with the place. I hate leaving Blackthorn a bad review, bc the employees are really nice. The burgers are quite good. There is a giant jenga and a table puck game. Ultimately, on non taco Tuesday nights, this is a servicable snall locals bar. I wish they would expand their selection of draft beers (bring Smithwicks back!).
DO
Doug Brown
friendly staff and a great local ambiance. unfortunately, the draught beer list is infested with Trojan Horse phoney "craft" beer brands like St Archer, Elysian, Four Peaks, etc. if you want an independently owned beer, your only option is Stone IPA; fine beer for sure, but having but one independent craft beer brand available is a sad commentary on this pubs willingness to sell out to corporate beer.
BR
Brian Riehm
The fare varies in quality, even ordering the same item that was good last time doesnt mean anything. Sometimes the beer doesnt taste right, maybe not cleaning the lines. Lots of little indications that cleanliness isnt great. Used to go frequently but stopped.
WA
Walter Henderson
Its a divey place. The beer selection wasnt so great in terms of craft beer. But the burger here is incredible. It seriously has to be one of the best in the city. Its huge, juicy, with plenty of fries. Perfection. The bartender was really nice as well.
TI
Timothy John Schiavo Jr.
Its really a great place to be at the food is awesome and the bartenders are great Im looking forward to work there again sometime like now as a second job Ted and his brother John, Chelsea Jessica and everyone else PS Timothy John Schiavo Jr
JA
James Card
Great food, located close and every time has met expectation. Usually people rate to complain but this is quite the opposite. Dude with 2 star rating makes me want to SMH as I have always had a good experience here.
OR
Oriana Jean-Guillaume
Im not one to go out much, or write reviews for that matter, but karaoke night (Saturdays) was a blast, I have never laughed so hard in my life and everyone there was so nice
