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- Hours:
Mon-Wed 11:30 am - 12 am
Thu-Sat 11:30 am - 2 am
Sun 11:30 am - 1 am
- Delivery:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Music:
- Background
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Dogs Allowed:
- No
84 reviews for Brendan's Irish Pub and Restaurant
Review Highlights
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"They have the best Fish & Chips around." In 14 reviews -
"...ordered a Ruben sans the sauerkraut with Sweet Potato fries." In 3 reviews -
"Corned beef was nice and moist and situated in this cute..." In 10 reviews
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84 reviews in English
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Review from Laura G.
5/23/2012 1 Check-in Here
One of the coldest draft beers I have ever had, yum!
Very cool atmosphere. They have a good happy hour food menu as well as drink specials. Free wifi too. -
Review from Brian C.
4/26/2012
Went here for a buffett celebration dinner. The decor is very cool which is why it got 2 stars. The service was terrible. We started off at the bar ordering drinks. If I said we had to wait 5 minutes from the time of ordering a drink to the time of receipt of said drink, that would be an under estimate. As we sat there waiting, we could see our drinks sitting on the rail. We drink a lot, so we saw this often. Many times, other bartenders would move the beers out of the way so that they could service them. JUST HAND THEM TO US! Very frustrating.
After getting terrible service at the bar, we proceeded to sit in our "area" and order from the waiter. We thought the wait at the bar was long, but it paled in comparison to the wait at the table. The waiter actually brought us the bill before he even brought the drinks. Unreal.
The food we had was alright, they served fish that luked like tuna, but they called it something odd that I can't think of right now. Whatever it is that they called it, it was not the name of something that you would want to eat pan seared. I think it was corner catch or something like that.
After striking out with drink service seated, we tried our hand at the bar again. Disasterous results. This time, after waiting an excrutiating amount of time again, we reached over and grabbed the beer ourselves. This was not well like by the waitstaff. They also claimed that guiness needs to sit for 5 minutes or more after pouring. Nice try.
Got to be a better way, especially for the prices of their drinks. -
Review from Joleen Q.
3/4/2012
Pros: huge, cool atmosphere with plenty of parking and cheap beer
cons: my corned beef in my sliders were so overdone that it was like beef jerky! -
Review from Lisa K.
Camarillo, CA
4/30/2012
Bottom line: Comfortable, good service, overall well executed food.
I went there on a Saturday afternoon with my husband and daughter. Unfortunately, none of the cool enclave tables were open, but we were seated at a table with comfy leather chairs in the corner. Our server, Nick was super friendly and very helpful. I liked that he didn't serve my daughter's food too hot and that they brought extra silverware.
My take on the food:
Fish & Chips. The fish was PERFECTLY seasoned and cooked, but the fries toward the top were overly salty. However, the fries that weren't on the top were nice and crispy. I would order this again.
Shepherd's Pie. The beef was nice and tender, the potatoes fluffy and airy and the gravy well balanced. However, the portion size was a bit small, think like a small gravy boat. My husband even asked if we were given the half portion by mistake. I wouldn't order this again.
I assume the kids meal mini burgers were good. My daughter, who will eat about anything but has the appetite of a bird actually ate both burgers.
Cheesecake - nice and fluffy, yet rich. Buttery flavor. We were a bit amused that the slice of cheesecake was bigger than the Shepherd's Pie. I would order this again.
Creme Brulee - I hate to say it, but this was a real let down after having tried a bite of the hubby's cheesecake. Kind of reminded me of the kind of hospital food they serve when you're only supposed to eat bland liquids. The berries were on it were nice and fresh, though. I would not order this again.
Berry Trifle - probably the best whipped cream I've ever had on any dessert. Not too sweet, either. Perfectly moist. I would order this again.
Would I go again? Yes, if only for the fish & chips and cheesecake and to try the corned beef or steak & mushroom pie. -
Review from Andrew M.
Ventura, CA
4/14/2012
Been here twice now in the last two weeks, awesome service!!!!!! The food is really great too! The Reuben sandwiches are sooooo bomb, and I had the cobb salad the second time I came, I swear there was so much chicken and everything, I had it for dinner that night as well! The mixed drinks were pretty strong, had me two long islands and I have to say i was feeling pretty good! Definitely check it out!
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Review from Joni S.
Camarillo, CA
1/21/2012
Pros: Open late night. Only place that I've seen nachos on potato chips... DELISH!! Their hard cider on tap has a nice fruity taste, similar to wine.
Cons: Bangers and mash were only half good. Bangers needed more spices but the mash was great. Had an issue with one of their new waitresses... called in a fraud claim to my credit card.
Overall: The Irish know their potatoes!Comment from Brendan S. of Brendan's Irish Pub and Restaurant 2/1/2012
Hi, Joni! We're so pleased that you enjoyed our Irish… More » -
Review from Acie B.
Oxnard, CA
10/25/2011 1 Check-in Here
Been here a handful of times since they opened their doors. Once even before the Grand Opening had happened and their full menu rolled out.
Unfortunately, every single time I've been cursed with slow, inattentive service bordering on negligence.
Every.Single.Time.
EVERYSINGLETIME... And I hate to think why.
I kept coming up with excuses for them but I'm done. I'm sticking with the bar top (which is pretty slow itself).
They've got 1 1/2 stars for their pretty awesome pub grub, bar offerings and happy hour menu.
-The steak and mushroom pie is a reason to get out of bed in the morning.
-The whiskey list is impressive; the beer offerings are quality.
-For $5, their happy hour burger is pretty tough to beat.
Additional one quarter stars for trivia night and decor each.
I'm sad, because we could've had a good thing goin', Brendan's... -
Review from John K.
Camarillo, CA
2/12/2012 1 Check-in Here
First time here....TOTALLY UNDERSTAFFED!!!! What bar owner in their right mind understaffs on Thanksgiving eve? Everyone knows that this is a night notorious for folks coming home for the holiday. Probably a good idea to spend my money elsewhere
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Review from Angelique L.
Newport, OR
Updated - 9/13/2011 6 photos
I'm liking Brendan's more and more. Have been back for dinners, lunches and Happy Hour. The food is consistently good and hot. They took the fish tacos off the Happy Hour menu but the burger and the wings that are still on there are an incredible deal and very delicious. Homemade potato chips? Hold me back. I prefer these over the fries, which are also super.
The waitstaff is great. Very friendly and attentive. They pour Guinness with the right head on it and check on their customers often. Love the decor and the atmosphere and have sat in every room. They have big private booths, a dining room and cozy bar areas. All the seats are great.2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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4/29/2011
Came back for Happy Hour and had to ask for a menu which took a really long time. Apparently, Happy… Read more »
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Review from Kindra H.
Camarillo, CA
12/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
If I could leave this place 0 stars I would. The service was TERRIBLE, he only only acknowledged us once and never came back, and then as we were leaving he yelled after us because he thought we stiffed him on the bill but it was right on the bar, I'll never go back. Very rude.
Comment from Brendan S. of Brendan's Irish Pub and Restaurant 2/1/2012
Hello, Kindra. Your review is incredibly alarming to me and… More » -
Review from Anna A.
Oxnard, CA
Yes I do go here from time to time, but no I haven't really eaten here. Regardless, Brendan's is a sight to check out. It's absolutely beautiful inside. It could be at Disney Land if they needed a Irish restaurant. There is detail everywhere you look and I love that. No need for sunglasses here, the place is dark, dark, dark! I'm not to keen on that. The only reason I go here, (happy hour only) and the reason they get 3 stars is the have Magner's on draught.
Here's the lowdown....
Decor: Beautiful from floor to ceiling. I can tell they dropped some cash on this place, (explains the prices). Bar seating all around the bar. Tables near the bar. Regular seating and these cubby hole tables in the back. They have darts to play. The place is always clean as is the bathrooms.
Food: I've only had the corned beef and cabbage sliders. They were great. Even my husband who says corned beef and cabbage is too "white" for him, cause he's Mexican liked them a lot. Corned beef was nice and moist and situated in this cute little bun.
Drinks: Magner's on draught! A great cider, thats wonderfully cold, with tiny bubbles. Happy hour price is $5, and well worth it. That's what I come for here. I'm pretty sure they are the only restaurant in VC that has it on draught.
Service: This has been a drawback for me over the dozen times I've been here, and I sit in the bar. I've been ignored, forgotten, and I had a cocktail waitress take off with my money, and return 20 minutes later. Though recently it has improved immensely. Kevin is a bartender and has A+++ customer service.
I will one day delve deeper into Brendan's menu, but right now I'm going to stick with my happy hour Magner's.Listed in: Happy Hour
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Review from Diane S.
Irvine, CA
2/19/2012
Food is awesome! Best beer battered fish ever! Service started out a little slow in seating us & taking our order, but after that all went well. Husband loved his sampler platter: lamb stew, curry fries & shepherd's pie.
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Review from Chris P.
Los Angeles, CA
8/19/2011
Great spot! Especially considering how overpriced some pub-style places can be, it's a great value. The corned-beef, both on my burger and my Gram's separate plate, was tender and lean, though not as flavorful as it could have been. The big perk was the small booths, which are essentially individual rooms--you slide in, and you can just hear yourselves. When one is visiting with their grandparents, this is a lifesaver.
If you're in the area, definitely swing by and give it a shot. -
Review from Melanie S.
Agoura Hills, CA
2/16/2012
Service is good, food is GREAT! Fun atmosphere, best fish & chips around. I always have a positive experience and love this place!
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Review from Christine C.
Los Angeles, CA
7/18/2011 1 Check-in Here
Pretty good Irish Pub. The interior decoration is really nice, as the bar area is wide with lightpoles to make you feel as you were outside in the city. There are inner booths that makes it feel private. You can hear what's going on in the restaurant but quiet enough for conversation.
The food is pretty good, and decent for the price. Entrees are on the average taste spectrum which isn't a bad thing. It's not bland, but it's not oversalted either. Very good extensive selection of all sorts of Irish pub fare, foods, and drinks.
I would come again if I were in the area. -
Review from Malia R.
Camarillo, CA
8/7/2011 1 Check-in Here
Had Chuck the bartender's Bloody Marys the other day at Brendan's Pub - which is right out of Ireland.!
Service was phenomenal! Based on Chuck's recommendation, the Fish & Chips were absolutely 5 Star delicious! Will come back very soon! -
Review from Boyd T.
Temecula, CA
7/2/2011
This is a very good Irish Pub with a good selection of Beers and Spirits. A little shocked at being charged $12.99 for a glass of Redbreast Irish Whisky.
Fish and Chips 9/10
Ribeye Steak 9/10
Shepherds Pie 5/10Comment from Brendan S. of Brendan's Irish Pub and Restaurant 7/8/2011
Hello Boyd, We thank you very much for the feedback and… More » -
Review from karen p.
Burbank, CA
6/3/2011
Bf and I stumbled upon this place after shopping at the outlets. I remember this place used to be a sizzler restaurant but you can hardly guess that's what it used to be. The place looked legit. We sat in this room like secluded booth which created a very romantic atmosphere, +1 star.
It was happy hour and the food on the menu was $4.95. I ordered the hamburger and bf ordered the prime rib and some irish nachos to share. We both had pints of newcastle. The Irish nachos came out within 2 minutes and was basically potato chips with nacho cheese sauce and meat. There were so much nachos! All this food for $4.95!! Next came bf's prime rib, he sliced me off a piece of meat and it was really really juicy. I thought the prime rib was better than Lawry's in Beverly Hills. It came with mashed potatoes and zucchini slices. Yum. My burger however, was a little bland, nothing too special. So What did i do when bf's food tastes better than mine? Switcheroooooooooooooo of course :] (*Bf wanted me to mention that prime rib during happy hour was not 4.95 but 10.95)
I really liked the fact that our booth was secluded in a little room like nest so we could talk privately. I was able to feed my bf, get fed, and have lots of private conversations in our cozy little booth.. LOVE it. If you happen to be in Camarillo and want a nice kick back place for beer and good food, this is your place to go. I would definitely come back to Brendans. -
Review from Wes E.
Camarillo, CA
12/29/2011 4 Check-ins Here
The food was fabulous. It was very authentic. My wife daughter and I had a very friendly experience. I enjoyed the stew trio and there brownie dessert. I will definitely go back.
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Review from Brian K.
Ventura, CA
5/15/2011
I think this is my first-ever one star review. I was hoping it would never come to this, but Brendan's has reached a new low.
The only good thing I can say about this place is that if you really insist on having an overpriced, underwhelming meal in a theme restaurant you no longer have to drive to Anaheim.
The first problem was when the bartender was trying to help a local family choose a beer. In doing so she described Guinness as a "very thick, very heavy beer". Really? Have you ever heard anyone in a real Irish pub describe Guinness that way? It's actually quite light-bodied for a stout.
Strike two was the Fish and Chips. The menu states "The Best Fish and Chips You've Ever Had" which is not a smart thing to put in print regardless of how good or bad it is. I heard that Jerry Seinfeld used to rip his opening act if they said anything nice about him when they introduced him because if they say something like "and here's the greatest comedian ever" you have nowhere to go but down. Brendan would have been smart to follow that wisdom. The pieces of fish were shaped in almost perfect rectangles, bringing to mind the frozen fish sticks I suffered on the Fridays of my youth. Good fish and chips should be served piping hot but these were almost room temperature. They should also be served with a nice crunch batter but these were about 75% mushy and 25% mildly crunchy.
My friend had the Chicken Curry which was served in a way I've never seen before. It comes with rice AND fries which was the first clue that something was amiss. It's served almost like an American dinner, with the chicken on one third of the plate, the rice and the fries neatly arranged on the other thirds. Very odd. So much for the big bowl of comfort food that is traditional pub curry.
On top of everything the service in the bar area was slow, and we were seated along the back wall that literally vibrates and shakes you if you lean back on it because the dishwasher or other big machine is on the other side (probably something they inherited from the Sizzler that used to occupy the space).
If you never leave Ventura County and your palate has been destroyed by sodium-filled meals at PF Changs and Olive Garden then you'll probably be happy as a clam eating this terrible food next to their fake, electric fireplace. If you have actually had good Irish pub food then you're in for a huge let-down. What a disappointment. I hope I never have to write a one-star review again... it's quite depressing having to re-live the experience. I think I'll have a Guinness next to my real fireplace. -
Review from Kahee W.
Thousand Oaks, CA
1/21/2012 1 Check-in Here
Love the ambiance! Drinks and food are priced ok, but definitely a good place to people watch. The staff are friendly....
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Review from Bryan P.
Camarillo, CA
4/22/2011
I know Camarillo is lacking on bars so I was very excited to hear about this place opening. My wife would comment that the building used to be a Sizzler. This made it better in my mind, I remember all you can eat shrimp as a kid. I still get goosebumps thinking about them... I was hoping to walk in and it would be haunted by ghost shrimp that would swim up to my mouth and tease me. Alas, this did not happen.
Ok so back to Brendan's. This place got a lot of hype coming in. I heard the decor was incredible. Imported from Ireland. The ceiling alone was worth going for. I always like a good ceiling in an Irish bar so that way when I fall over backwards drunk off my ass I have something nice to look at.
I decided enough is enough, I took aforementioned wife and head out. We're getting drunk today honey! (2pm) We walk in and it has a dark ambiance. Nicely decorated. Traditional Irish music ringing in my ears. We head to the bar, tuck ourselves in the back as not to bring attention to our alcoholism....
The bartender comes over. And this is where everything went horribly wrong! Homeboy comes up and asks if we would like a drink in a horrible fake Irish accent. It was bad. He made a fool of himself for starting off like that. 1 star gone right away.
I ask if they have Courage on tap. Anyone that has been to as many Irish/English bars as I have will know that Courage is an incredible beer but as of 3-4 years ago is no longer imported to the United States. I always check just in case though. He said he had never heard of such a beer. Another star gone. If you're going pretend to be Irish at least pretend to know your beers.
I get some other beer. I can't even remember what it was. I was already frustrated.... After the 1st pint I began to notice the Irish music was becoming annoying. They're really trying to hard in this place to make it Irish. It's like a TGIF's version of an Irish bar. I didn't hear any Leprechauns come out singing happy birthday to the children so at least they saved a star there.
As time and beer went on we decided to order some food. Looking over the menu it was obvious this was going to be a large tab. I decided on the fish and chips. Generally a safe bet. Wife..... BLT. They use "Irish Bacon" there. Not sure what the hell that is but it looks like bacon. Slices of fat from the belly. And obviously the pig didn't have the luck of the Irish because it's cooked body was sandwiched between 2 pieces of crappy (possibly wonder) white bread. No... I think this was an unlucky American pig. If they knew me, they would know I have a talent of picking out fake Irish accents and can tell the ethnicity of pigs.
So her sandwich was nothing special. It lacked "Irish Bacon" My fish and chips were decent. A little too much breading and wasn't crispy at all. I like crispy. Best part of it was the tartar sauce. And they give you a bunch of it! Luckily the beer was doing it's job and I didn't really care.
So after about 2 hours we decide to give up and ask for the tab. It came out to around $80. This was 2 lunch items and I'd say 7 beers. It's pretty expensive. But what do you expect? They have to make up for how much it cost to decorate the damn place.
I hope this served as good warning for you. If you think you're Irish because you own a copy of Boondock Saints this place might be for you. But other than that? Go sit in a clover infested field with Guinness and a stick to bash snakes. You'll save a lot of money and feel more like St Patrick than this place will make you.
In conclusion, when you really think about it, it's pretty sad that we came here to get drunk. How hard is that at an "Irish" bar? We walked out because we were frustrated at the place. I have heard terms to describe me as "Embarrassing" "Childish" "Immature" "A drunk" and "What's wrong with him" None of these were used on me here. I think they actually said "Thanks come again!" Something I would have never expected leaving an establishment I had set out to get drunk at. 2 STARS Brendan! 2 STARS!!!! -
Review from w k.
Camarillo, CA
3/2/2011
Great expectations aren't always reality...
if you read any of my other reviews, you know that Im an eating drinking fool. Part of being a fat guy, you eat, part of being an alcoholic, you drink. I do both, well.
I hear about Brendans and its 200 whiskeys. This to me is like a blond porn star to Charlie Sheen, I HAVE to have it.
Sadly, this decision came about during lunch yesterday, and Its one I regret like no other. My assistant and I were out running errands, and the place we had wanted to go was closed, so we decided on Brendans, and this is where my sad tale begins.
First, it bears no resemblance to any irish pubs I can remember blacking out in over the years. No big deal, but for all the effort spent, it could look better. It looks like a bar that has a few tables strewn about to serve food in during the days when the drunks have to stay out of the sunlight.
Second, they dont have a Corned Beef Sandwich!!! WTF? Are you kidding me? They have a Reuben, but no corned beef. Having a good part of my family hail from County Cork, I have never met another Mick named Reuben, but thats besides the point. I ask the waitress to do up the Reuben on Sourdough, with no kraut, and add mustard and lettuce, simple right? a side salad to finish it off.
The first delivery was a Reuben, no kraut. Send it back and get a grilled, buttered sourdough, otherwise dry. I refuse to actually call it a sandwich because a sandwich should actually have some meat on it. There was TWO, count them TWO thin slices of corned beef on my sourdough, with nothing else. Pathetic didnt even begin to describe it. The side salad was nothing more than a spring mix from a bag, thrown on the plate, completely dry.
My assistant had a tuna melt, that smelled BAD, and she ended up sick to her tummy all day.
Normally I would give a place a second shot at earning my money, but the showing was SO pathetic, and SO bad, that I just cant see a reason to throw another $30 at lunch when even subway is better.
Sorry guys, Im crushed, and Camarillo still doesnt have an Irish pub. -
Review from Michael S.
Westlake Village, CA
2/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
No way, thought I... How could this place get so many one and two star ratings? Well, we found out today.
Cute insides, yep. Good Irish Draft beer, yep... and ZERO else.
Cautioned by the number of low ratings on this place we decided to get a fish sampler with chips and corned beef sliders first, so that we would know what to order for our meals. ...cut to the end, we ordered nothing else, got out of there and went over to Wood Ranch!
Forever for our server to acknowlege us. We ordered appetizers, two beers and two iced teas immediately. 25 minutes later beers came along with the soda bread, butter and jam. "We" liked the soda bread, but we knew what it was...the unsuspecting (as others have written) didn't like it. Hardly any butter (a whipped tablespoon?) for 10 slices of bread.
Iced tea was 'tropical.' Come on. New restaurant, don't you know we were done with tropical in the 80's??
Finally arrives the fish and sliders. Cold. Each appetizer was $9.00. Two, count them, two tiny sliders with one, yes one, tiny, thin slice of corned beef that didn't cover the bun. Nothing else but a bit of sauce on the plate, yes, $9.00!
Fish, not so good. Drowned in vinegar it was palatable, plus a half-handful of chips, $9.00.
Biggest disappointment was that one of our party is vegetarian. There was a salad....nothing, yes zero, else. She asked the server to ask the chef if he/she could make something up for her that was vegetarian. "No," was the answer from the kitchen.
We expressed our dissatisfaction to our server who responded that she's heard it a lot that the food isn't very good. She has told the management about it and was told, basically, to shut up and serve it, it's none of her business. We suggested she keep her serving options open 'cuz we're not sure how long this place is going to stay in business.
Now the insult. Two beers (small), two iced teas, two appetizers, $40.00. We think it takes a lot of nerve to charge that much for so little, and so bad. The best news was that there wasn't very much of it!
Do not go here thinking you'll eat. Drink beer, maybe. Nice decor, but not enough to bring us back. You gotta actually get a chef that can cook. -
Review from John M.
Camarillo, CA
2/16/2011
I was really hoping Brendan's would deliver, but I think with all they've invested that their aim was to be an authentic Irish pub with high quality food, authentic beer and a good vibe. They do have a good vibe, and the fish & chips and bangers & mash was good, but for $14 each, plus beer, plus water coming out to a lot of money, I'd rather spend my money elsewhere.
Plus, this would be a great place for happy hour, and all they have are their $14 entrees for $10. And only for 1 hour - 5:15 - 6:15. And no beer for happy hour.
So hopefully they'll add beer to the happy hour, in addition to some cheaper pub/bar food, expand the happy hour to about 3-6 and make table water free. Would love to give this place another couple of stars. It has potential. -
Review from Rudy C.
Camarillo, CA
2/27/2011
Had a lunch date there on a Sunday. Suffice it to say I finished my lunch elsewhere. The food was not good. Be sure to get drunk BEFORE you try their food. The fish was not fresh, the apricot spread had way too much whiskey in it, the salad was miniature, the mashed potatoes were exquisitely bland, the lemons were somehow dry and there were no french fries.
Not everything was terrible though. I liked the clam chowder and the butter was excellent. Oh and the artwork on the walls was worth the hassle.
Treat this as a nightclub, not a restaurant and you won't be disappointed. -
Review from Eric T.
Camarillo, CA
11/27/2011 6 Check-ins Here
Whiskey club warrants 5 stars, but the absolute douche bag crowd this place brings on a Friday and Saturday night makes you not want to go. A dance floor at an Irish bar is awkward. I would suggest a Sunday afternoon or midweek adventure.
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Review from Erica G.
Oxnard, CA
1/27/2011
We had a blast!
My post is about our dinner last Saturday night. I'll post up my pictures later but I think I weirded out the wait staff by taking pictures of my food and the booth. They actually asked if I wanted to get IN the picture and be with my husband and I said "no, that's ok - this is for Yelp!". They just sort of looked at me and went "OOOHHH K...." haha The only thing I was thinking at THAT moment was "boy I hope they know what Yelp! is"...but how could they not, right??
So let me go back to the beginning...
We walk in and there is a velvet red rope dividing the in from the out. We had actually tried going there earlier but the line scared us away and ended up going to bella victorian for drinks first. After I was sufficiently tipsy off of wine, we headed back to Brendan's and there was no wait outside!
There's two gorilla sized tuxedos at the front entry - one has a moderate Irish accent. Very nice men.
We had like a five minute wait inside, the staff seemed attentive to our needs. We stepped over to the extremely crowded bar to grab some beers and I couldn't believe it... the bartenders actually were scanning the area behind the patrons in front of them to make sure nobody had an empty hand (or glass). The nice bartender took our order and drinks were given to us speedily! I had a loaf of bread in a glass (Guinness) and hubby had a Coors light. The world was grand.
Our buzzer went off, and we were whisked to a private room-booth (not sure what you really call that). I joked with the waitress that it needed a beaded curtain and she revealed that there is a room in the back you can reserve (as of February) called the "Snug". Hmm... snug. Can you bring champagne? Just kidding.
I ordered a Ruben sans the sauerkraut with Sweet Potato fries. Hubby got a burger and steak fries. The cornbeef was really good, I think I would have liked something more done with the rye...it was too dry and not flavorful enough for my liking. The SP fries were OK. Nothing spectacular. The steak fries were salty and slightly underdone but after many beers you're not interested in eating fries... he really liked the burger, the meat was good quality.
I got a little frustrated with (I won't mention her name because I don't want to get her in trouble) our waitress. She was sweet as can be, but towards the end we were ready to get out and waited a while for our check. She apologized sincerely and we understand that things get out of hand, just don't forget about your paying customers!!
Oh, and they were out of toilet paper in the small stall in the bathroom... so the nice drunk chick in the stall nextdoor handed me like half a roll.
The staff and the patrons are both really nice. I'm not sure why there were so many people dressed like they were going to a club but any excuse to dress up is Kosher to me!
Good luck Brendan's, I see a bright future for you... Slainte! -
Review from Fiona C.
Camarillo, CA
2/21/2012
I can't believe how critical some reviewers are of Brendan's! It's an Irish pub, a place to have some beer, grub, hang out with your friends and have a relaxing time. I have been here many times. Yes, sometimes the service is slow - so what? The food has always been great - so far I have tried the corned beef sandwich, the wings, fish and chips, and I think I have had one of their burgers. I am very picky about restaurant food, and most of my reviews are not very flattering because I feel that a lot of restaurants are only concerned about the bottom line.
Brendan's has never given me a reason to not want to go back. By its very nature, an Irish pub will be loud at times. Have you been to Dargan's? Now that's loud! In a place that serves a lot of alcohol it is to be expected that people will get loud at times.
If you want your food fast, instant service, no noise - go to Denny's! If you feel that service is slow, take initiative and go find someone that can help you. Don't just sit there hoping for a miracle. It's all about your attitude.
Anyway, I love Brendan's! -
Review from Michael L.
Monrovia, CA
12/28/2011
Meh. OK for Camarillo, I guess.
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Review from Vicky W.
10/19/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Fun happy hour with the girls from the office yesterday! They have a variety of happy hour appetizers for $5 each - we had the sliders, potato skins and irish nachos. All were amazing! The ambiance is nice and relaxed and they have little cubby rooms where you can sit with your group and actually hold a conversation, unlike any other bar I've been to. Thumbs up. We had a great time!
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Review from Alex E.
Oxnard, CA
1/17/2011 1 Check-in Here
First off, I will say all positive:
-great look, the inside decor was amazing and very well done.
-we were greeted at the door which was nice
-food was decent, I'd give it a B
-kitchen was super fast all the food came out really quickly
But then there was some negatives:
-the server was horrible... I don't think it gets much worse than that. He was too intrusive and he basically told us to shut up as he went on and on about the fancy filtered water that they charge $1 per person for.
-yes the food came out fast but we didn't get to finish anything before another course came out. So it felt like food was being shoved down our thoughts
-the tv was too loud and you couldn't really hold a conversation
-and like I said the inside decor looks amazing but the outside still looks like the cheesy 1990s Sizzler that the building used to be. The just added some green lights to the top and called it a day.
This place has alot of potential... But it's not the best thing that has hit Camarillo like everyone is saying. Yes Camarillo needs more places like this but when i went the on a Saturday night, I saw red velvet ropes, a huge line to get in and way too many girls dressed in club attire... And in my opinion that does not belong in Camarillo.Comment from Brendan S. of Brendan's Irish Pub and Restaurant 1/18/2011
Hi Alex! Thanks for the in-depth feedback. We can't always… More » -
Review from Convey R.
Oxnard, CA
11/18/2011
It's a nice place, however, it is too damn loud in there. Some people just want a beer and maybe something to munch on. Not a goddamn nightclub. I hate loud club music. Oh, the server gals are attractive, that's about it. The service was good, although, it did take over 30 to get my beer. Everyone else got their beers fast, except me.
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Review from Heather R.
Camarillo, CA
1/24/2011 13 Check-ins Here
My first Brendan's experience was at 12:30am Sunday morning... My girlfriends and I had gone to Ventura to look for a little night life and we're disappointed.
Local friends of mine have been raving about Brendan's since its opening and we thought, Let's See...
We were very glad we did! Before I hit the door I ran into friends of mine, who greeted me with hugs! Once inside, I saw 10 more friends and it was like home! Instantly the crowd became familiar faces and I was so glad to have found a new local hang out!
Looks like Brendan's is my ~Cheers~! Where everyone knows your name!
What a great addition to our community! -
Review from D H.
Camarillo, CA
6/23/2011 21 Check-ins Here
We always order to go...
They have the best Fish & Chips around!!!!!!!!! Every time my family and I go there that is what we order because they are amazing! -
Review from Clara K.
Camarillo, CA
3/15/2011 5 photos
I'm giving them 2 stars for their FOOD, not for their drinks or anything else. Perhaps I came in at the wrong hour, but this place really is not the place for lunch. I think their late night hours would probably be better for their drinks. My co-workers and I had these dishes:
Wings and Chips appetizer: Keep in mind that this isn't the exact name. I tried to look it up on the website, but it is still not up and running yet. The chipotle ranch dressing was just right. I felt the wings were a little bland, but it was okay. This dish was one of the better parts to our meal.
Chicken caesar salad: My co-worker ordered this, and was dissatisfied. I posted a picture of this. Normally when you think of salad, I think most people envision a dish with cut up vegetables, tossed with the meat, cheese and dressing. This salad was separated, and the lettuce was not chopped up. I have no knowledge of Irish cuisine. I'm not sure if Brendan's is really considered authentic because really I think most things located in Camarillo cannot be considered authentic anyways, but maybe in Ireland their salads are separated like this? I'm not sure, but if you're really a salad person, this dish probably will not be for you.
Lamb stew: Another one of my co-workers really liked this, but I did not. It did not taste horrible, but I thought it was kind of bland. It needed a little something. Maybe salt or spice. It just needed to be more savory.
Curry fries: This was a side order I ordered with my lamb stew. For about $3, this was a good deal as it was probably my favorite part, and everyone else's, of the entire meal. They did lack a little flavor, but I thought this was the best deal, and for only $3!
Guiness stew: I posted a picture of this one, but it was actually my co-worker who ordered this so my words cannot contribute much to this one, except that my co-worker thought it was all right. Basically, this translates into: "I'm not going to get this again."
Shoot. I cannot remember the name (and please keep in mind that a lot of these names are not accurate, but just touch bases with their real names) of this wine, but my co-workers ordered a glass of their wine. If you're feeling adventurous, it's the first one on their 'Interesting Wines' menu. It was a nice white wine, and reminded me of chardonnay. Really sweet, light, and pleasant on the tongue. It had a hint of a fruity taste, which I could not identify. We all really liked it, which is why I really want to emphasize that Brendan's may not be spot on with their food as they are still new (maybe it takes a while to adjust your dishes and make them better :) ). Give their drinks a go. I think you will have better luck with those for now.
Each stew and salad cost us about $10. For the portions, it was really pricey. Please save your money, and invest in the drinks.
I liked the service. Our server did seem a little nervous. I think he was new, but he was really sweet. The best thing about this place was probably the wine and the ambiance. I really liked the interior. I felt that I was in the world of Harry Potter. It is evident that they spent a lot on the interior so I do hope they stay open because of that. If I come back anytime soon, it will be for their drinks, not the food, at least for the next couple of months. I think new places sometimes need time to get better in the beginning, which is completely fine.Comment from Brendan S. of Brendan's Irish Pub and Restaurant 3/19/2011
Hello, Clara! Pleased to hear you liked our wine selection,… More » -
Review from Janean K.
San Diego, CA
Went here on the opening day. Service was slow, but I would expect that seeing that when something new opens in Camarillo, EVERYONE has to come and check in out. The "bouncer" at the door was a jerk, told him my party was already inside seated and he still tried to make me wait in line. Then he sent some little kid (child labor laws?) on wheelies inside to go check and see if my name was at the door. Why would my name be at the hostess counter at a pub when my party is already seated!? idiot. What did he think i was going to do, run in and steal a table?
Our waiter was nice, and the place is nicely decorated. I'll come back for drinks and the Camarillo salad, since there are no other vegetarian options.Comment from Brendan S. of Brendan's Irish Pub and Restaurant 1/31/2011
Hi Janean. Thank you for providing us your feedback. We… More » -
Review from Jennifer W.
Camarillo, CA
2/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
My friends and I had a great time here! We had drinks while we waited for a table- around 7 p.m. on Saturday we were told it would be an hour wait. I had an irish coffee and friends had beer. I was later told that the irish coffee was only $2.00 because it was raining. The guys snacked on kettle style potato chips at the bar for 30 minutes or so before our table was ready.
We were seated at the best table- back in the corner with plush seats. It was pretty loud since it was packed and people waiting in the bar kinda poured into the dining area..and add in the bag pipe playing which was pretty cool....having the corner table helped reduce the noise.
My friends ordered standard irish pub food..corned beef and cabbage, fish and chips, and lamb shank. Since I'm getting married in a few months, my selection was limited to an ahi tuna nicose salad. I cheated a little and had a cup of the soup of the day...creamy garlic potato. The soup was fantastic! I was expecting medicore pub food, but I tasted everyone's food and it was all good. My favorite out of the three was the lamb shank- fell off the bone like it should.
For staters they bring you bread with butter and jam...seriously so good! Try to only have one slice, it will tempt you. My salad was good, but next time I'd ask for the dressing on the side.
This is the kind of place I'd bring visiting family and friends. I'll definitely be back! -
Review from eS P.
Ventura, CA
4/17/2011
Finally I tried out the place with my cousin, after waiting a few months to go. We saw the place on St. Pattys day, which was ridiculous.
At $14 a standard entree, ( a hell-no in my book for this setting), so we just ate allot of sides and a Camarillo salad. The sides are reasonable and nicely portioned at $2.95 each and the basic salad was $5.95 (which lacked a bit of dressing for her taste.)
I really liked the sides, we had amazing croquettes and fries. . .I thought those were way better than the Guinness they served. Kinda horrific if Guinness is supposed to be their staple drink. . . . .[Just add some Irish whiskey if you you order one . . .]
The demographic of the bar is really only for late 20-somethings-30-somethings that like to party and be loud. Please don't take your parents here. Near us sat a couple in their 50s who seemed really displeased with the environment of the place.
Will I come again? Sure, probably with friends and coworkers since I do fit the demographic, and I can make a meal out of sides. -
Review from Arianne S.
Camarillo, CA
12/1/2011
Omg, where do I start? I had their Blarney burger and it was very delicious. When I took a bite it melted in my mouth! Their fries are excellent and the service is very friendly. I'm not usually a big fan of waiters always in your face so this is a plus for them, they would only come to check up and ask if everything's ok. My friends had a Reuben Sandwich and that was also delicious. Not to mention their Guinness is amazing and the way they mix their drinks is to perfection. The atmosphere is amazing along with the giddy Irish music! I've only found one thing wrong and there is no baby changing table but it's no big deal. If you're looking for a homecooked Irish meal, this is the place.
