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The Iron Duke
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Has TV:
- Yes
5 reviews for The Iron Duke
5 reviews in English
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Review from Todd V.
Toronto, ON
9/14/2008
This review was originally going to be a five, then a four, then a five again. I'm all over the place on this one because I knew this place before it was the Iron Duke. Back in my Gananoque days when this was known as the Wellington, this place was somewhat more authentic pub-ier, had live entertainment every weekend (read "Gerry the guitar guy standing in the corner singing") and the place reeked of beer, smoke (which you could do inside at the time) and good times. It was always worth the drive from Gan.
Now stands the Iron Duke, a cleaned-up version of its predecessor with still a bit of the old heart left in it. I happened across it in a moment looking for a place to slaughter a pint, lunch, and some time before my show. The first thing I noticed as I walked in was that it was done over with all the modern fixings, but still held some of the old stone, brick, and wood from its more halcyon days. I was already impressed as soon as I sat down with the service. My pint came out so fast I assumed that he'd yanked it out of the fist of a regular at the bar. Bonus points for sure there. The menu comes on a folded up tabloid-esque one sheet newspaper that allows them to inform one and all about the upcoming special events. News at the Duke. Cute.
My peameal bacon cheeseburger came to the table with pace, perhaps as a testament of the fact I showed up at 3:00pm and equidistant between the lunch and dinner rush but I get the feeling that people are not left waiting even in the heat of things. The presentation for a lowly burger is fantastic, the side salad was not only composed of fresh greens, it almost stole the show. Maybe I was just too starved and ragged from the journey from Toronto.
The only complaint I could have is the soundtrack ("Horse With No Name", Beach Boys, etc.) did not convey the British pub atmosphere you hope for. That and I can't stand Simon and Garfunkel, so they were going to get a four. That was until the manager on duty came over to me personally to apologize for not being able to get onto their WiFi. Great décor, speedy service, and great food and politeness. Five it is. -
Review from Susan H.
Kingston, ON
5/11/2012
If I could give a lower score I would. Visited this establishment for the 1st time last night. Limited menu, so I chose something safe - Roast Beef on a Bun basically, with a caesar salad, and a side order of deep fried dill pickles as an appetizer. First came the pickles, all batter and grease, first bite the grease rolled out and dripped, second and third bite (I was a fool to continue) a small SLIVER of pickle. Eash of the pieces were the same, heavy grease, thick batter, little pickle. Then the main course, I thought ok roast beef and caesar salad, they cannot ruin that ! But they did ! The bun had a little notch cut out, and filled with the beef, onions, cheese etc. Sounds good? NOPE..the roast beef had a funny "off" taste (spices perhaps?), the onions were partly cooked in some spots, overcooked in others. The cheese was rubbery and snapped apart. The caesar salad (I love caesar salad) was not recognizable as such! Stale croutons, few bacon bits, very limp and soggy lettuce, and smeared with a heavy oil with a slight vinegar flavour. DEFINATELY not caesar salad dressing.
I barely got the food down, and left most of it on the plate. The waitress asked if I wanted to take it home. I told her NO, it was not very good, tasted horrid, and I never wanted to see it again. She mumbled something about "...just the bill then" and went off. I was billed full price for this disgusting meal. It is the next day and my stomach is still sick from eating what little I could get down. I expected pub food to be tasty if not varied, this was rank!
If you are interested in a GOOD pub type meal, I suggest LOYAL OARSMAN, in KINGSTON TOWNSHIP. MUCH better selection and food preparation. STAY AWAY FROM IRON DUKE, aside from the liquor this place is the worst restaurant I have ever experienced in the last 20 years!! -
Review from Jenny C.
Kingston, ON
1/24/2011
This Pub is my parents watering hole and probably will continue to be until they either drop dead, or another pub opens up closer to home.
The beer is good, the service is good and the food is pretty tasty. The food isn't quite the traditional 'bangers & mash' pub type, but it still serves wings and fries, along with an assortment of salads, sandwiches/burgers, and a few nicer plates. The food is fresh and not greasy, the pub is clean and nice looking, and everyday they have creative new specials. Although usually their specials are more interpretations of the traditional meals (For example: Their wonton soup included 1 deep fried wonton in sour soup, and their smoked beef sandwich just wasn't like any smoked beef sandwich I'd seen before. It's all still tasty, but not what would be normally expected).
It's not your typical dingy pub, the interior is nice and inviting. My only complaint is the music! Thurs-Sat nights are often pretty busy (especially when there's a hockey game on) and they constantly blare their music. It appears the louder the people are, the more they turn up the music, and so the louder people get.
Because of how loud things get at the Iron Duke on those evenings, I've lowered my rating. When the management realized that the Iron Duke isn't a club, I'll put it up again. But come on quieter days, and you'll love your stay. -
Review from Verona R.
9/13/2008
A step above the typical Irish/British bar. Innovative cuisine above the typical pub fare..but many of the classics are included on the menu. The owners are a very personable bunch, more than happy to chat with the patrons. Beer selection is excellent. Great time.
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Review from Jonathan W.
Calgary, AB
9/27/2008
Great casual pub with decent food and friendly staff. The latest place to "grab a beer". Menu is pub fare but done well. Good beer selection and lots of seating with reasonably flat screen tv's to catch the latest in sports.
