Who would have expected to find an Irish pub right on Church Street in Charleston? Certainly not us, but there it was, beckoning us in. Like many restaurants we saw, Tommy Condons has a heated outdoor dining area, and this is where we ate our dinner. We dined too early to hear the Irish music, but Wednesday to Sunday, entertainment is provided. Later in the week, when we went out at night, we could hear the music.
Before you dine here, make sure you pick up one of the discount coupons you will find around town or at the visitor center. We got the she crab dip free, and it was very good. I saw other coupons that gave $5 off of your meal or a free appetizer, so look around.
Even though it was a warm day, as soon as the sun went down, it became downright cold, and we were chilled to the bone when we arrived. It made our choice of the potato soup and she crab soup the perfect warm-ups. The soups were very good, served piping hot and full of chunks. I ordered a Rueben and a Yuengling to drink. I know, ordering a Pennsylvania beer in Charleston is almost sinful, but I was just so surprised to see it that I couldn’t resist. If you prefer to be more authentic, you can try the Shandy, Black and Tan, or a Rosie O’Grady.
Now, in all honesty, I have to admit that the sandwich was just okay, the corned beef was lean, and the bread was tasty, but it just wasn’t great. The fries were limp and not worth cheating for. Joe had the fish-and-chips, and that was a total winner. Even the steamed broccoli was perfect, with great color and texture. Al had a steak and baked potato, and it too was very good. The salad that was served with it was also quite exceptional. I think that I just made a bad choice that particular day.
Service was only okay. Our waitress was not friendly, and when we arrived, we were her only customers. We expected better. I was slightly disappointed with our meal here, but I really want to give them another chance. The atmosphere in the pub itself is quaint and exactly what I expect in an Irish pub. Unfortunately, by dining outside, you loose the atmosphere. If you are staying at the French Quarter Inn, this restaurant couldn’t be more convenient.