The Ye Olde Squire Taphouse & Eatery is a mix between a Canadian sports bar and a traditional Irish pub. When browsing for a new lunch spot to try, it was the name of the restaurant that caught our eye. We went in with high expectations, and we were not disappointed.
When we walked in, we were greeted at the door by a friendly and enthusiastic host who seated us in the bar. Immediately we knew the atmosphere was warm and welcoming. The space was full of sports fans wearing jerseys rooting for their team, and everyone had a great rapport with the bartender which created a welcoming and familiar environment. Think fun and energetic, not loud and overstimulating.
The Irish Charm
While Ye Olde Squire is absolutely a sports bar, the touches of Irish decor add to the overall theme without being over-the-top. The menu has quite a bit of variety. From burgers and tacos; to meatloaf and shepherd’s pie; to a few different curry dishes, there’s everything you would expect at and Irish pub. The pricing overall is very reasonable considering the portion size and overall quality of the menu.
The drinks menu is fairly standard. You’ve got your beers on draft featuring all the usual suspects as well as four craft beers. For our gluten-free friends, the Ye Olde squire does offer Daura Damm, a gluten-friendly beer in a bottle.
There is a large selection of wines for a pub, as well as an extensive cocktail list. They hit all the cocktail categories, going so far as to put three unique caesars on the menu. We tried the Royal Treatment, a gin-based drink made with Empress 1908 Gin, Prosecco and white cranberry juice. Tasty, but strong, this cocktail isn’t for the faint of heart. While we were dining, we noticed another guest with a cocktail we didn’t seem to see on the menu. When we asked the bartender, she told us it was called a Strawberry Spritz — which was delicious — and while it had been recently removed from the menu, she was happy to make it for us.
The Main Event
For an appetizer, we shared some Jalapeño Croquettes which comes with a warm queso dip. They came out super fast and were piping hot, overall a great start to our lunch. The balance of the spicy, with the potato texture and flavour was balanced well with the queso dipping sauce, we just wish there was a little bit more dip. Next time we order this dish, we will definitely ask for extra on the side.
For our mains, we tried the Asiago Chicken Penne Pasta, and the Royal Dublin Burger.
If you like your pasta sauce on the sweeter side, the Asiago Chicken Penne is definitely for you. The chicken was tasty and hot with a bit of a kick to it. I wouldn’t call this dish spicy, so no need to avoid it if you don’t like hot foods.
The Royal Dublin Burger was definitely the main event of our lunch. Wow, what a burger. Made with a beef patty, two chicken tenders, bacon cheese, BBQ sauce and all the traditional burger fixings, this burger was so big it had to be dismantled to be eaten. It was one of the better burgers we’ve had — and we’ve tried a lot of burgers over the years. The chicken tenders were hot and cooked to perfection, crispy but not dry.
If you’re hungry and looking for a bang for your buck, the Royal Dublin Burger is the way to go.
Finish with Something Sweet
Dessert time! The Ye Olde Squire dessert menu was modest, which we loved since it made the decision so much easier. We ordered a Lava Cake that came with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The cake itself was hot, spongy and rich with a molten chocolate in the centre. The ice cream was delicious and refreshing, pairing really well with the richness of the chocolate.
The Ye Olde Squire overall is a great spot to head to for lunch, with a menu that’s great for a game night with the guys. The flagship location on Fennell Ave. E also advertises a brunch menu, which we will definitely have to check out on our next visit.
Ye Olde Squire Taphouse & Eatery
1508 Upper James St. Hamilton, ON L9B 1K3
Parking available in plaza.
For takeout or reservations call 905-575-7821.
