05/28/2026
I'd like to share a Google review I read a few days ago. I share this not because I'm proud of the perceived level of service or quality of food this reviewer received. I share this because we are more than accepting of reviews that are poor, only because it helps us get better as a whole. However, reviews that are aimed to be destructive, that are full of lies and that are aimed at taking digs at our Guests, I WILL NOT TOLLERATE. We do our best here at O'Toole's, and we are the first to admit when we error. When we error, we have a management team that tries to resolve the issue and make it right for the Guest, as we did in this instance. Just to have it mocked in a Google Review.
Francine Kaye
Local Guide · 61 reviews · 17 photos
4 days ago
New
I don't know where to begin this litany of one of the worst meals we've had EVER. We decided to try O'Toole's, in part because it's been at their Queensbury location for 30+ years (so it must be good, right?), we were in the mood for pub food, and we heard they have a good gluten-free selection.
Interestingly, we bumped into a friend at the restaurant before we ordered who warned us that the food at O-Toole's is 'hit or miss.' Unfortunately, we picked a night when everything was off, including the service.
A party of three, we placed our appetizers of clam chowder and the gluten-free artichoke spinach dip. We all know both dishes have been prepared ahead of time and were stunned (with the restaurant mildly busy, but not packed) when it took nearly 30 minutes for the appetizers to arrive. The soup was lukewarm and so was the dip, which had a gloppy, very unappealing flavor and texture. Also, it was served in an extremely tiny bowl the size of a coffee mug, completely inappropriate for the $13 price tag. The chips did not taste like corn chips, were heavily dusted with an overbearing chili powder. Some of the chips were dark brown and tooth-crackingly overcooked. One bite of the dip and it was clear we weren't going to put ourselves through such an awful excuse for spinach-artichoke dip, so we sent it back in lieu of another gluten-free selection: boneless wings. Again, they took an in ordinate amount of time to arrive and they arrived BARELY WARM. The waitress was checked out and literally disappeared from sight for most of the time, unless she darted out for a delivery to our table.
Their 'famous' chicken wings were a joke. We specified that they be cooked crispy and they came to the table rubbery and barely warm. Is there any wing fan out there who thinks wings with flabby skin are a treat? The burger salad was not good, mostly because it was barely warm and the cheese not melted. The sirloin steak was OK but the sides were miniscule the broccoli completely waterlogged. The Loaded Fries, as per the restaurants policy, were served barely warm and clumped together with not a lot of cheese or toppings. The unchewable bacon bits were an irritating touch as well.
At this point, it's crystal clear to anyone reading this that the place is basically not managed, and the kitchen is an epicenter of chaos. They couldn't get any of our appetizers or entrees served at a decent temperature.The menu consists of simple, non-laborious pub food, much of which is pre-made. This shouldn't be so difficult to pull off. Whether the substandard experience is the fault of the waitress or kitchen staff is something the general manager needs to work out, but it was a disaster and O'Toole's would do well to get a competent expeditor overseeing the line & waitstaff STAT! We spent two hours in that restaurant when we should have been out in an hour. We let the manager know about our experience. She was very nice about it and gave us a coupon for a free appetizer and entree.
The funny part (in a sad way) is, my husband attempted to give the card away the next day at work since we have no intention of ever returning, and he literally couldn't give a card for free food at O'Toole's away! Everyone said O'Toole's reputation was pretty solidified and they weren't interested.
Apparently, O'Toole's continues to exist because of bar flies and those who tolerate bad-to-mediocre food.
Price per person
$20–30
Food: 1
Service: 1
Atmosphere: 2
Noise level
Loud, but you can still talk
Group size
3-4 people, Not sure
Seating type
Indoor dining area
Parking space
Plenty of parking
Response from the owner Just now
This is usually where people will read a response to the Guest apologizing and offering a deal to come back so the restaurant can make it right, as I usually do. This, however, will not be that kind of read. NOT AT ALL!!
It should be noted that this reviewer has visited and reviewed approximately 42 eateries in the last 3 years. Of those places approximately 67% were rated a 1 or 2. Think you are safe if you are a hotel, doctors office, Spa, Supermarket or any other type of business…think again. Approximately 75% were rated a 1 or 2 over the last 3 years.
So this does not seem like just an attack on a bad review (which I NEVER do) I will spend a little time defending our well-loved Restaurant;
Your review seems to indicate that this was your first time visiting, however in the dialogue with our manager you mentioned that you have been coming here for years.
We have cameras in our restaurant and thankfully your table is in view. Your server, Hailey (who has constant compliments), visited your table 4 times after apps and then entrees were dropped and not a mention of wings being “rubbery and barely warm", or sides being too small, or “broccoli completely waterlogged” – not 1 mention! Keyboard Warrior??
Yes, you did spend close to 2 hours at our establishment – however a good portion of that (45-50 minutes) was well after your food was delivered chatting with a friend.
I feel that more defending will be wasted on ears that quite frankly, completely exaggerate or down-right lie about their experiences. I find it odd that our food was so terrible (a 1 star), yet a takeout box and bag were asked for. Odd. Perhaps it was for the dog – as you mention in other reviews.
What really angered me about this review is the fact that you attacked our Guests! The regular Guests we love and take care of on a daily or weekly basis. We have bar and dining room Guests who visit us every day, and some who visit us every week…for YEARS!
Our Guests are not, as you call them, “bar flies and those who tolerate bad-to-mediocre food.” They are nice people we consider friends who enjoy our outstanding service, food and drinks. You will never have the opportunity to become our friend or Guest. Because your review history points towards being a negative keyboard warrior attempting to be a Google Guide Guru, I will not be offering you a discount or a gift certificate to come back, because your negativity is not welcome here. You are banned!
Some entertaining and uplifting comments from our reviewer on places visited: Happy reading…
“The Pad Thai was ok, but padded with non-sequiter vegetables such as those annoying mini corn do-hickies.”
“both attendants were dazed, slow-moving and very slow to comprehend the basic act of pairing our ticket with the proper key.” “Incredulous, we walked toward it and now had to locate the wandering stoner in possession of our keys.”
“the young mop top behind the counter was the rudest young man I’ve ever encountered in food service.”
“the rudest service we’ve ever experienced.”
“the service was extremely slow and sloppy.”
“We literally threw it to the birds in the parking lot.”
“The service was rather dismissive, and the interior was very sloppy”.
“The food quality was substandard at best -chef du cuisine was Sysco, but I don’t even want to offend them.”
“They were so insipid, we took them home to the dog.”
“The dog didn’t really even want to chicken wings so that sums it all up.”
“The nachos themselves were insipid."
“He was very short with us, hurried us to a bad table and split. We sought him out and asked to be moved to a better one”
“The tortellini Alfredo was equally insipid”
“Another minus: their water is absolutely over-chlorinated! We both ordered tea and could only taste chlorine.”
“I've given it years and allowed for ‘everyone has bad days’ rationale for as long as we can. But I'm no longer going to tolerate bad service and unfriendly attitudes in the name of buying local.”
“Rude people run this place.”
If 70% of the public places I visited, I rated a 1 or 2 star, I may consider staying home.... But that's just me.
-Michael Moynihan - GM
(proud of our entire staff and love our Guests!!)
