matt the threshers bird hill

bogview

Two of us visited matt the threshers for a snack type food on Monday last at approx 4pm Pot of tea for two, a salmon and cheese open sandwich and prawn salad (which consisted of a glorified sandwich) and a club lemon . . . . . The whole thing came to a whopping €37 EUROS :eek:. . . .yes 37Euro this included would you believe a service charge of €1.50
The food wasnt even nice This place is a product of a past that we need to forget about.......Acomplete rip off .........no wonder we have no tourists in the country with places like this still lurking around!:mad::mad:

brettmirl

Did you order off a menu?

ejmaztec

brettmirl wrote: »

Did you order off a menu?

Whilst wearing a blindfold.

bogview

I didnt hear and as far as i was informed there wasn't any brail menus :mad:

Morgans

Thanks Bogview for the heads up. I wont be visiting Matt the Thresher after reading this thread.

wyndham

I hear ya! Was there last year and paid around €17 for what was basically chicken goujons and chips. Was billed on the menu as free range chicken as far as I recall. Portion was poor, as was the food. Remember feeling ripped off. They are basically skinning tourists on the back of the village's continuing success in the Tidy Towns scheme.

brettmirl

bogview wrote: »

I didnt hear and as far as i was informed there wasn't any brail menus :mad:

You didnt hear what?

mcaul

bogview wrote: »

no wonder we have no tourists in the country with places like this still lurking around!:mad::mad:

In every country in the world there are places that charge way over the odds for food. Yesterday in Harrogate, I was about to get coffee & muffin until i saw it was gong to cost just under £7. (€8.60)

Last Saturday evening in Sandymount I had glass good wine, pasta & salad for €20 - excellent value & on Sunday I had steak & sides in bray for €10.

Matt the Thresers used to have a great name for great food and was well worth it, but in the past 2 / 3 years the standard has dropped considerably but the prices have remained far too high. - Funny its never packed any more! - I wonder why?

There is TONNES of value in the Irish market today - open your eyes and you'll see it. Check the menu / prices before ordering and if you don't think its value, leave. The high price places will soon get the message.

bladespin

Theri attitude towards cutomers children on the Ray Darcy show probably didn't help either, was funny though.

Morgans

yes, and at worst if you have to put up with the custom provided for whatever sort of social awkwardness, (being invited there by a friend or such) dont return. However annoying it can be, I think its acceptable to be stung once, remember not to return and its acceptable to tell people about your experiences on forums such as this. Thanks again OP.

Red Alert

I remember being there a few years back and the food was alright - obviously went downhill since then.

ronaneire

bogview wrote: »

Two of us visited matt the threshers for a snack type food on Monday last at approx 4pm Pot of tea for two, a salmon and cheese open sandwich and prawn salad (which consisted of a glorified sandwich) and a club lemon . . . . . The whole thing came to a whopping €37 EUROS :eek:. . . .yes 37Euro this included would you believe a service charge of €1.50
The food wasnt even nice This place is a product of a past that we need to forget about.......Acomplete rip off .........no wonder we have no tourists in the country with places like this still lurking around!:mad::mad:

Sure you didn't buy shares?

bogview

ronaneire wrote: »

Sure you didn't buy shares?

Thought that myself when i WOKE UP.........It sort of crept up on me when I was about 10 miles up the road I realised what was after happening........expect share certs any day now:) The name should also be extended to "Matt the thresher milling customers"

baldbear

However runs it hasn't a clue how to do business. The yanks are giving out too!!!
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g186636-d607603-r8524349-Matt_the_Thrasher-County_Tipperary.html

bcirl03

baldbear wrote: »

However runs it hasn't a clue how to do business. The yanks are giving out too!!!
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g186636-d607603-r8524349-Matt_the_Thrasher-County_Tipperary.html

Just read the comments now - wow this place stinks. Shame they can get away with the level of service.

coylemj

It's a while since I've been there but I do recall that their floor management is less than satisfactory, they have the curious ability to annoy people before they order food and if you do arrive at a quiet time and sit down somewhere of your own choosing they have a knack of ignoring you until you kick up a fuss.

Considering the prominent location and that they have a large car park it's amazing that it isn't run better.

penexpers

Hopefully this place will go under once the M7 opens.

boggerboy

Guys
Thanks to this post I managed to persuade my wife that we wouldn't stop in Matt The Threshers on the way home from West Clare yesterday. Instead we stopped in Killaloe/Ballina, ended up in a place called Molly's ( a pub) Ballina side of the bridge. From the outside it looks fairly rough but due to the food award plaques on the outside we ventured in. there were 4 of us and we had lunch each, 1 coffee, 1 coke and rest water, came to €37,service was exceptional, would happily go again. It's slightly off the main road, but worth it,especially if this thread is anything to go by.

BnA

I live locally in the area. As a few posters said, it used to have a good name for food a few years ago although it's closer to 10 years ago at this stage. It has gone massively downhill since. As for service.... you only have to do a google on the place to find out what the owner's attitude is like. No one local would dream of going there.

As boggerboy said, if you're ever passing that way and you want a bit of grub, swing down into Killaloe / Ballina. It's only about a mile off the road and you will have a choice of a good number of places to go. Mollys would be one of the best value of them, but they're all fairly decent.

villacud

You'll never find a local drinking on there at night time or weekends. All to be found in Dinny Ryans across the road. Dont think he does food though

frecklier

Was there at the weekend. While I have to say I have possibly never come across such a rude, unfriendly bar manager, the 'kids must remain seated at all times' rule rocks. Had five kids with us, and have never seen them sit so quietly and well-behaved.

JONJO THE MISER

The owner sounds like a Weirdo.

qwert2

JONJO THE MISER wrote: »

The owner sounds like a Weirdo.

This guy is a twat. I was here yesterday while passing through. I was never before. He loves splitting up families to different tables:)

It would be funny to say he is a bit like the soup nazi form seinfeld and Basil Fawlty. But to be honest he's just a greedy owner. You can literally see the euro sign in his eyes.

A polite American couple with a young child came in looking to use the bathroom (obviously the child needed it). His repsonse was 'you may you the bathroom, even though this is not a rest stop.'

He didn't smile once for the hour I was there. No charm, no customer skills. Food was average

mikemac

I know it well.
No local goes there.

Plenty of good places in Ballina/Killaloe, go there instead.

happymondays

wyndham wrote: »

I hear ya! Was there last year and paid around €17 for what was basically chicken goujons and chips. Was billed on the menu as free range chicken as far as I recall. Portion was poor, as was the food. Remember feeling ripped off. They are basically skinning tourists on the back of the village's continuing success in the Tidy Towns scheme.

stopped there about a year ago, has the same food and it was terrible.
goujons tasted like fish! i persume they used the same oil to deep fry
the chicken and fish, terrible place.

Its looks good from the outside which is what draws most people to stop
there i think, anyway i would never go back again.

Run_to_da_hills

Hopefully when the M7 is completed bypassing Birdhill, this shower will be put out of business.

I wouldn't stop for a p*ss in this place.

dollydishmop

villacud wrote: »

You'll never find a local drinking on there at night time or weekends. All to be found in Dinny Ryans across the road. Dont think he does food though

We stopped in MTT a few years back, and learnt our lesson.

Can't remember what it was called on the menu, but essentially we got a few bits of chicken nuggets and a handful of cold chips, served in a plastic basket, charged at 'posh restaurant/gastro pub' main course prices.

The next time we were passing we stopped in over the road, to watch the rugby. We asked if there was any chance of food, and were directed to MTT opposite. We said we'd been there once before and refused to go in there again, at which the barman told us he could do us up some toasties if we were hungry!
So, we sat in Dinny Ryans, watching the rugby, scoffing down endless cheese & ham toasties (they just kept bringing them out to us ), for which we paid pennies.

So forget MTT, head over the road...and look hungry

ejmaztec

It gets dodgy reviews on here as well. I'm surprised that they get any customers at all.:eek:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g186636-d607603-r75696860-Matt_the_Thrasher-County_Tipperary.html#REVIEWS

Some of the 31 (so far) reviews seem to be a little suspicious, in the amount of praise they give to this place.

I've passed that place countless times over the years, and fortunately, I've always kept on driving. I must be psychic.

RDM_83 again

villacud is right bar across the road is much nicer but no food

Not a terrible place to eat though annoying floor staff and since there's Goosers in Ballina not point going there

Terrontress

I've never been to this place but I am surprised by the posts on this thread. Wishing the man out of business! How about wishing he gets a better, cheaper menu and you can have somewhere decent to call in for some pub grub.

If all the contributors on here did not have so many posts, I'd swear you were all accounts set up specifically to have a dig at this place, so co-ordinated are the posts.

There seem to be more people concerned with a pub I've never heard of than with Dunnes or Tesco!

mikemac

It's not entirely a negative thread, we recommended places in Ballina and Killaloe. Goosers in Ballina is a great spot.

It's a very well known place and on the N7 so lots of posters know it and I'd be fairly local to it so added my opinion.

Hanlor

Not defending the place against what others have posted...... But was there a few weeks ago and had their breakfast. Was very expensive at €12 but have to say it was excellent. Real quality ingredients, fresh Oj, etc

Slasher

we were in MtT's yesterday. Had a good cheese burger and chips. They were out of Diet Coke, which was surprising. In and out in 30 mins, good food, good service, not too dear (definitely not a rip-off). Owner was his usual self: not rude, but not welcoming either.

91011

Maybe it has changed? - Great if it has as it used to be a great spot.

€12 for a really good breakfast is not too bad if quality ingredients are used. (I hate 5.99 breakfasts as the stuff is usually muck).

Though if you're not in a rush the detour down to Killaoe/Ballina is well worth it for both relaxation & food.

Chipman2007

@ McCaul

>>Where'd you get steak for a tenner?

Ta

C

FarmerGreen

Chipman2007 wrote: »

@ McCaul
>>Where'd you get steak for a tenner?
TaC

Errr <Quote>..bought a four-pack of Gitster's Cornish Nasties today in Tesco for €2.50.

Cherrycoke

Sounds like the owner could do with a dressing down from Gordon Ramsey!! Could we nominate him for Kitchen Nightmares?!

Gers_punto

very interesting thread, this is a leter i sent to them last winter, indeed i never got a reply

To Whom It May Concern:


Having recently visited your establishment on the Dublin Road in Birdhill Co. Tipperary. I have felt obliged to write to you with regards to my severe dis-pleasure which both my partner and I experienced while dining there.

Having heard from friends that Matt The Threshers was one of the best restaurants in the region we felt impulsed to dine as we returned from the daily shop.

What greeted us when we arrived was nothing short of disgraceful. Firstly the hostess at the door ignored us as we entered and as we took a seat we were told in a not so friendly manner to “move”. The following is a list of points as to why I am writing this letter

1) After having been told by the hostess to “move” we were seated directly in front of door leading to a gale force wind followed by the freezing cold in our faces every time the door was opened.
2) The gentleman that took our order was possibly the most ignorant fellow I have ever met in such an establishment. A smile goes a long way as do the basic table manners of saying please and thank you. Instead we got grunted at, had the menus grabbed from our hands and when he returned with the drinks they were slammed on the table in front of us
3) When the food arrived we noticed our side orders were not there and when I told the gent we had ordered extra sides I had to check my shoulder to see if I had a second head attached. AGAIN we were grunted at and the food was slammed on the table on top of my cutlery and still 1 side order short.
4) Our food was prepared with the care and attention of a back yard butcher. The grease poured from my meatball shaped burger as I ate and my partner’s salad quite literally swam in vinegar.
5) Upon starting our meal while having a look around our seating position we couldn’t help but notice cobwebs on the pillar directly behind our heads.
6) We were seated by the entrance where at this time a new host had appeared, an elderly gentleman who proceeded to cough loudly and stare at us as we ate.
7) Having visited the toilet facilities I have come to the conclusion that this is nothing shot of a cesspool. Urine soaked floors, Graffited mirrors and broken toilet locks are not the kind of things you would expect in such a highly talked about restaurant.

But despite all this we still continued our meal the final straw being the lady at the end whom I went to pay for our food which we did NOT enjoy.
Never in my life have I had change thrown on a counter in front of me left to pick up with out so much as a look in the eye, a please or a thank you.

Enclosed is a copy of my receipt and as stated above, your restaurant is highly regarded in some peoples hearts. Unfortunately in mine it is regarded as the WORST dining experience of my life and it will be talked about but for all the wrong reasons.

Disappointedly

lynski

I went there just over 2 yrs ago with my sister and our 2 small children, whilst we were both pregnant. The atmosphere was frosty to say the least. The food was passable, but expensive. Then i heard the owner on the radio shortly after that basically saying children were not welcome. So we dont go there, and it is a pity as we make 6-5 trips past per year and it used to be on the shop list, but anyone who does not want my business i wont force myself on.

rodge68

Stopped in there one Saturday 3 years ago, never agin, one glass of wine, one 7-up and a look that would kill you. You would be more welcome in Hell. Now I go across the road to the far superior Coopers for a real Irish pub, locals chatting, GAA photos everywhere, polite staff and great Guiness... I highly recommend the place.

luap_42

Terrontress wrote: »

I've never been to this place but I am surprised by the posts on this thread. Wishing the man out of business! How about wishing he gets a better, cheaper menu and you can have somewhere decent to call in for some pub grub.

He is not going to improve anything, since he has been treating customers badly for more than 15 years. I have had relatively good service there back in the very early days (1980's) when it opened as a themed pub, and also complete crap food and service there in the 1990's. Locals do not eat of drink there for a good reason.

If he goes out of business, then hopefully someone else will open it and run it properly with good service and good food.

Terrontress wrote: »

If all the contributors on here did not have so many posts, I'd swear you were all accounts set up specifically to have a dig at this place, so co-ordinated are the posts.

This is the Rip Off Ireland forum, and pointing out the negative about MTT is exactly what this thread was started for. So what exactly is your point?

Terrontress wrote: »

There seem to be more people concerned with a pub I've never heard of than with Dunnes or Tesco!

It is currently on the main Dublin to Limerick road and looks like a place worth stopping, which means it will suck in a lot of passing travellers. It also used to have a good reputation, however in my opinion it has been hit and miss since the start. It is perfectly justified to have a go a every place like this, in order to warn people off.

Stinicker

I ate there this year two days after the Birdhill stretch of Motorway opened (in May I think?)

My mother and I were driving up to Fermanagh from Kerry and we decided to stretch our legs and grab a bite to eat. I remember it being the biggest rip-off ever and the steak I got being like old rubber boots, my mother however was delighted with her food so I didn't kick up a fuss so much as she was happy. The staff was Eastern European but poor enough, the place was fairly quite and now I can see why. Our meal which would have been a starter and main course for mum and my steak and a coke and coffee came to something like €55.

Rip-off and I hope this guy whoever he is goes bust when the new motorway opens up fully because to treat customers like this and to rip them off in such a manner he does not deserve to have such a business. In the hands of a right person with people skills it could be goldmine and win repeat custom; however it is now a catch when can and I will be going elsewhere in my future trips up through the Midlands.

mikemac

I know the M7 is coming but you're right, with a bit of work this place could indeed be a goldmine

I wonder does that manager want customers at all
Sure Goosers in Ballina is off the beaten track and is mobbed during the summer.

If ever there was a badly run place with lots of potential that could be turned around on Ramsey's Kitchen Nightmares then this place is it!

crazybaldhead

We travel from Dublin to Kerry a few times a year, and Matts was always the place we stopped, in fact we looked forward to it, both on the way and the return journey.

However, two years ago we stopped with our then 2 year old and were disgusted at the service and attitude of the manager. He visibly tutted at the sight of us coming in with a small child and tried to seat us miles away from anywhere so we wouldnt disturb any one else. We ordered food eventually and had to ask for it three times over the space of 45 minutes. In the end we left and had lunch elsewhere as my two year old was getting very impatient, as Im sure any of you with kids would understand.

NEVER AGAIN. Very bad experience.

-Corkie-

Stop in Finnegans its nice and fast too..

sok11

was there a few months ago, same story, crap food, wrong price, bad atmosphere. Staff not happy. Jst a bad vibe all round.

the good news however is the bypass will put them underwater in no time!
(if they keep this crack up that is)

ConTheCat

Hmm just saw there was a job in paper for here and googled it. After reading all this not sure if I want it

ejmaztec

I wondered whether the place was getting any customers since the new road opened.

-Corkie-

I wouldnt think so. They were doing F all in good times on the old road. I was shocked the way he abused customers when I was there. I travel a bit and I have heard loads of stories about the place..

ejmaztec

-Corkie- wrote: »

I wouldnt think so. They were doing F all in good times on the old road. I was shocked the way he abused customers when I was there. I travel a bit and I have heard loads of stories about the place..

It should be renamed Basil the Fawlty.

uck51js9zml2yt

I stopped going in here years ago. It was a regualar stop for me between Dublin and Tralee. At some point the food went downhill and the prices uphill.

A good spot to stop is Racket Hall just outside Roscrea. The food is good and reasonably priced...and the staff are friendly.