Well McPhabbs really is McBloodyFabulous!!!!! It seems to be the place where all the cool Yelp-ers and Finnieston folk spend their time and I had been really keen to see why. Made a reservation for a Saturday night table and we were glad we booked as it was packed. Lots of people just in having drinks and a few scattered having dinner. It's a small venue and everything is a bit jammed together but I like that as it gives it more of a pub, chilled out vibe. We were a bit early for our table but they found us one as soon as possible. The drink selection was great. I'm a massive fan of gin and I loved that they had one of my favourites (Eden Mill Golf Gin) as the gin of the week. On the recommendation of the very knowledgable bar staff I also tried Blind Tiger which was pretty good too. My boyfriend is always impressed with anywhere offering St Mungo so was happy to be here already! The menu choice was incredible. Everything was so varied & had an interesting twist to it. I really fancied the crab burger that I've heard so many great things about but I have an avocado allergy and I know they would've done it without it no bother but I hate to be a pest!! My boyfriend cannot resist chicken wings so naturally when the special starter of the day was sweet bbq chicken wings he leapt at it and said they were great. We also enjoyed some sourdough and olives as a side - it was supposed to come with the starters but a mix up meant we got it after our mains! A bit annoying but we enjoyed it none the less. For my main, I went for the seared hanger steak with black bean, chorizo & Brazilian feijoada. It was genuinely one of the best dishes I've had recently. So so flavoursome and a great mix of different foods all in one. My boyfriend also went for the special main - pork & apple burger which he thoroughly enjoyed. I had been eyeing up one particular dessert on the menu for well months to be quite honest!!! The peanut butter & jelly baked alaska was just all of my favourite things rolled in to one. It was great but my only criticism from a massive pb lover is it could've done with more of a nut taste to it. Overall I loved McPhabbs! It was a great night in a great part of the city & I can't wait to go again. read more

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Yasss - I've got to say, I really, really love the new McPhabbs. See, I was a fan beforehand but now it's had a refurb and it is looking really slick and lovely. The team behind Finnieston favourite Firebird recently took over so the place has seen quite a lot of changes. Out the front there's new seating which I know will be lovely in the warm weather (when it arrives). Inside is a lot lighter and brighter - I love the colours and there is some really funky embossed wallpaper going on too. They've updated the food menu and seriously, I want to eat it all. But more on that in a minute. The bar menu has changed too so the beers and wine are now a bit cheaper - old McPhabbs had oddly expensive booze but it's nice to see the prices come down. When does that ever happen? Ok, so the food menu. I love this menu and was really excited by everything, but I have to admit I've had the same dish twice now because I loved it that much. Soft. Shell. Crab. Burger. Oh my days. It is as good as it sounds and that's without me telling you that it also has kimchi (spice punch!) and avocado (soothing deliciousness) on it too. It is seriously so good. You need to eat it. At £11 it's at the pricier end of the burger scale but it does come with chips and it's crab! So you can't really complain. Other things on the menu I plan on eating shortly are: beef short rib tacos, fontina mac cheese, Vietnamese summer rolls. There's also a tasty sounding sandwich selection. There's another outside area out the back which is a nice little deck area and the function area downstairs has also seen some changes which I won't spoil for you. You need to go see yourself! So yeh, I've got to say, I am a huge fan of the new McPhabbs and see myself visiting all the time. read more

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I'm sure by now you are sick of reading reviews of the crab burger by now so here's something different... No actually, it's not. That burger is amazing! That crispy seasoned batter is making my mouth water just thinking about it, I can't wait to get it again. The 7 spice fries are great, really well balanced with heat taking its rightful second place to flavour. For dessert I went for, well, not a dessert but a Salted caramel hard shake - glorious. Vanilla and cream leads to a light hit of vodka and the sweet taste of caramel. Winner. Quite content but not willing to let a dessert go to waste I finished off the wife's lemon meringue baked Alaska. The meringue was so silky smooth and the lemon was just the right amount of sharp to compliment it. Thoroughly enjoyed myself and it was made even better by a random folk band having a jam session in the corner. read more

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Been a while since I've been here and it's nice to see they had a refurb in my absence I was between 3 and 4 stars so I'll explain why the 4 New decor is lovely, creams, dark woods and teal..... Exactly how my living room was 5 years ago so I had a little sense of comfortable nostalgia The service ..... 5* in itself .... Blonde girl was very smilie and helpful, no sooner was I drinking the last swig of my pint that she was over asking if I wanted another drink..... Hell yes I do..... This is a big plus for me, I would have happily left without another drink but being asked I always say yes and give them more money The food Soft shell crab with seven seasoned fries Side of onion rings Now I bit in to the soft shell crab burger and the taste of the crab with coriander and kimchi was Devine, however there wasn't much crab meat in the burger The fries were lovely at first but then a little overly seasoned as I continued and it was more of a sickly chore to continue Onion rings again were a delight in the first 2, however after that it was just greasy and not sitting well my the tummy If the service wasn't as great as it was, the food would have got the place 3 stars Also nearly £5 for a pint of Heineken ... That's pushing closer to 2* pal!!! I'll go back, I'd even order the crab again, but ask for normal fries, onion rings, I'd steal one of someone else's plate and be done with it read more

McPhabbs - Soft shell crab burger, fries and onion rings..... Then a fiver pint - Pubs Near Me - Glasgow, GLG

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Great fun, two beer gardens & friendly staff. Free wifi for customers & big games on the TV. Plus a private function suite with its own bar for events. Recently refurbished & new management McPhabbs is not one to miss! Especially with 2 for 1 burgers & burritos :) read more

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Popped into McPhabbs for a late lunch on Saturday afternoon. Friendly staff and the barman enjoyed a natter as he took our order. The menu is simple and unpretentious much like the pub itself. It was simple pub food but very tasty and arrived quickly. I had the burger with extra toppings of cheese and mushrooms. After the tasty burger I had to try dessert - sticky toffee pudding with toffee sauce with ice cream and a latte. Epic! And made all the better with a 50% discount on food until the end of March. An awesome wee pub. I'm still trying to remember why I don't come here more often! read more

McPhabbs - Sticky toffee pudding! - Pubs Near Me - Glasgow, GLG

Looking for a quick place to have lunch before heading to the west end for a little shopping (antiques) I came here as I've had this bar on my list for what seems ages. This is a real nice bar to head to if you want drinks especially the weekends, reminds me a little of chinaskis bar just around the corner. I had ordered a selection of breads & oil with vinegar followed by the special haggis boritto, the bread was that nasty cheap stuff and I'm sure that the oil tasted more like chip oil, and believe me I've smelt enough of it in my time, in the end the bread on its own was nice enough. The special was definitely not thought out by the chef and looked more like slops that should be in the staff canteen bin this was served Luke warm, and could only manage to eat 25% if the dish. Maybe l ordered the wrong thing on the menu as some of the food that l did see sure did look good. Good bar for drinks but not for food. read more

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Another update to my updated review, and my star rating goes up a star again. Maybe the service really just depends on the day. My boyfriend and I were out and about enjoying the day and decided we would take a walk to McPhabb's to partake in their 50% off menu. My friends and I really can't get enough and wished they did the 50% off menu more often. When we came in, we were instantly greeted by the same guy, who I mentioned last time, but this time, he was friendly and inviting. A drastic change from the previous time I was in with Sophie K. The boyfriend and I decided to take a seat in our usual section, somewhere near the front and we were handed menus and our drinks order was taken. I decided to try the southern fried chicken goujons which came with chips and coleslaw, and the boyfriend went with the cajun chicken burger and cajun chips. We were both pleasantly surprised at the quality of our food. It was so tasty, I ate mine as slowly as possible, not wanting the meal to end. I appreciated the fact that I could tell the goujons were battered in house and not just out of a freezer pack. Fresh and juicy, definitely my favourite meal to date. The boyfriend really enjoyed his chicken burger, but quite liked the taste of my meal. All in all, our visit here was fantastic, a drastic change to the last visit, and keeps us wanting more, that's for sure. read more

McPhabbs - Pubs Near Me - Glasgow, GLG

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So I thought it was just a pub! It turns out new McPhabbs is so much more than that. I was lucky enough to grab myself a couple of free tickets to the brilliant Bayou supper club. (Thanks Bri and Yelp) The idea is you get a feast of creole food in a secret location in the depths of the bar. Intrigued??? You should be!! Trudie M and I did not know what to expect when we headed along, but we were in for a great surprise. Looked after really well by Barry M and his colleagues all night, we waited upstairs with a drink until we were called down to the secret room. The call comes and you go through a door that does not look like a door. It looks like a wall, but it's a fake wall. You go into a room that transports you to a different place altogether. The aim (I think) was to transport us (without a plane) to the French quarter in New Orleans. No I had not found the Narnia wardrobe. Instead I had been lucky enough to enter the excellent secret room that had been done up fantastically to make you feel like you have been taken out of Glasgow. The food (and drink) on the night was brilliant and very different to anything I had ever tried before. To start we were given absinthe... But not a shot. Instead it was served with sugar and water. It dilutes and sweetens the strong liquor and makes it much more palatable. It was served with lots of theatre from old looking water taps and really got the night of to a great start. Starters were breaded frogs leg! My first time trying them and they were good. Yes just a little bit like chicken but more tender, but I love trying new foods and now I can score frogs legs of the list. The mains were a feast (this word gets used to often, but this really was) of different dishes. Super tasty hush puppies, amazing grits and shrimps, a spectacular jambalaya with tasty sausage.... That sounds enough you say? You would be right, but the biggest bowl was yet to come. A huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuge bucket of clams, mussels, langoustines and potatoes. It was mind blowing in terms of size, a portion fit for a King... No a emperor! Savoury done. I was full to bursting and ready to fall into a food coma. We listened to the talented jazz soloist doing his thang in the corner of the room. Surely the food must be over I thought, but no then the wall/door opened again and the always cheery Barry appeared with shakes and sweet pastries! The shake was a hard milk shake styled on the famous New Orleans coffee, but filled with booze. It was sensational! The pastries were beignets. Little cinnamon buns and they were also sensational! (Yes - I'm running out of sensational style words) The night was epic. The food was brilliant and the atmosphere was perfect. Upstairs in the bar they have gone a great job of the relaunch with a fantastic new menu and a great new fresh look. However it's the added extras that get it another star for me. The secret supper clubs, the hidden rooms and the super friendly team of staff really set this place apart. Thanks again Barry, Briony, Yelp and the whole McPhabbs team for a tremendous (I don't think I have used that one yet) night!!! read more

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Finally visited McPhabbs for a meal last week, and it did not disappoint me at all! I have been there before a couple of time just for drinks, and for the Cocktail Battle - i was able to taste few delicious canapes and the amazing Salted Caramel Hard Shake cocktail, but I was looking forward a proper meal there. I went for dinner with Francesca P, we had a deal for two course dinner plus a glass of wine. It was a Thursday night and the place was quiet, so the service was quite quick. I ordered the crab burger + 7 spice fries and oh my god, it was delicious! Really tasty, a bit spicy and really filling. The fries are actually one of the best i ever tasted! I could not go for dessert, and i ordered the dark chocolate and amaretto delice which was SUPERB. Overall, 5 stars and nothing to complain about, and actually, I can't wait to go back again as I really like their menu and i still got few things i would like to try! read more

McPhabbs - Soft shell crab burger, kimchi, smashed avocado, peanut satay mayo & 7 spice fried. - Pubs Near Me - Glasgow, GLG

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Mcphabbs is one of my favourite new places at the moment. Having been taken over by the same team that owns Firebird in Finnieston Although no major changes have been made it has received a minor facelift, and it's looking much better for it. Long gone is the Wetherspoon feel the bar now feels brighter and more modern. With a colour palette of pale grey, tan, turquoise and lots distressed wood it's a lovely bar to hangout in for the afternoon. The vibe is casual, relaxed and friendly. The biggest change in McPhabbs can definitely be found in their menu. Long gone is the bog standard pub food and it's it's place are interesting pub grub dishes. There is not one dish on the menu that I wouldn't want to try (I've now been so many times I've tried quite a few of them and they have all been delicious - hello Soft Shell Crab burger) To start with I ordered the chicken wings. Now generally I'm not a fan of chicken wings because I hate having to fight with my food but these are worth the battle. The coating is messy, sticky and spicy, it's really tasty and so flavourful but pretty hot so not for the faint hearted. The chicken is so well cooked it practically falls off the bone and is succulent and juicy as a good chicken wing should be. The portion is massive and actually could easily be shared between two. As a side note it definitely would have been helpful to have a plate for the bones and a hand wipe for my messy post wing greasy fingers. For my main I ordered the Soul Food Sunday.This is some serious hangover food - 3 massive pieces of deliciously tender southern fried chicken which come in a DE-liciois well seasoned crispy coating. Fried buttery new potatoes, a whole heap of kale (well is it a roast for hipsters of course there is kale) and a tangy tomato salsa, which although nice did get lost a little bit in all the other flavours. It also comes with an American style biscuit which I really liked - it's like a slightly harder sweeter scone, it adds a nice sweetness to the dish which I liked. For me the only part of the dish that was a let down was the gravy - it was way too watery for my taste. It did have flavour but I prefer a thicker gravy - not horrible just not my cup of tea. Even after all that I STILL managed to squeeze in a desert. My fav dessert here is the Lemon Baked Alaska which I now have every time. It comes beautifully presented with a massive dome of lemon ice cream placed on a slim disc of sponge and covered in MEGA sweet toasted meringue. This comes served with a light zingy raspberry coulis, some white chocolate curls, meringue crumb and popping candy. It all works well together but be warned this is a massive dessert which is extremely sweet....possibly too sweet but I enjoy it, although every single time have struggled to finish it. At the moment McPhabbs are doing a 15% discount on all their food, making my three course meal just £15.30 - FIFTEEN of the Queens British Pounds!?! That is so cheap! Even without the discount the meal would have only cost £18, the value for money is exceptionally good. This has become a fast favourite of mine for tasty pub grub with a twist, although I wouldn't describe it as a Gastro pub - I'm sure they wouldn't want me to either since this is not the vibe they are going for. An interesting menu which I love, not only will I be back soon I am practically a regular already. read more

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Limited edition Salted Caramel Hardshake is amazing! they send it down to the kitchen to be made so you know its going to be great quality, the cream is brilliant and I think there's Icecream in it too? Chocolate Stoli vodka with a gorgeous salted caramel drizzle really takes the cake, its so yummy and not too sweet either! at £8 its pricey for a medium sized drink, but half the money from this drink goes to charity and you actually see them put £4 in the charity jar by the till when you buy it, so you actually know its going to the right place.It's also quite filling so you are getting your money's worth too. would visit again definitely as their menu looks very interesting too. read more

McPhabbs - Salted caramel hard shake! - Pubs Near Me - Glasgow, GLG

This was our first visit as a family, with our new puppy, to the refurbished McPhabbs. We were made to feel so welcome, including the kids and our pooch (and she was brought a bowl of water). The menu is eclectic and exciting, with some great options for the kids (including fish finger sandwich). With the new puppy I chose the Truffled Mac'n'Cheese so I could keep one hand free. I opted for the bacon extra and it was delicious. Creamy, with a crunchy topping and a flavour of truffle that didn't over power (so easily and often done). My oldest chose the Pork Belly Tacos, which was so full of flavour with some fresh and exciting sides of salsa and slaw. We didn't stay for dessert as our pup had done so well to stay calm and I felt it was wise to quit whilst we were ahead. But I'd love to bring the kids back for their Sunday special of Fried Chicken, biscuits and gravy, Southern style. PS there was some mellow live music whilst we were there. read more

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Popped in last night to try the Salted Caramel Hard Shake cocktail created especially for Yelp Cocktail Week. Oh my... it tasted like the most amazing caramel sundae in liquid form! If you stick your straw right to the bottom you get little crunchy hits of salted caramel, mmm... Get it while you can. We arrived too late to order up some snacks as the kitchen had just closed at 9pm, but we'll look forward to coming back another time. read more

McPhabbs - Salted Caramel Hard Shake #YelpCocktailWeek - Pubs Near Me - Glasgow, GLG

To say goodbye to a friend of ours, we decided to head back to McPhabbs for their 50% off deal. Following the fiasco of the previous visit (see review), I decided to again follow Carolyn E's recommendation of the chicken goujons. They are delicious. Tender and crispy and fresh. I like the salad as well. My only issue are the "fries" but they are also alright. McPhabbs, you have redeemed yourself! read more

Been here a couple of times and have always found it a nice place to spend time in. The drinks are reasonable and it's where I found my new favorite fruit cider (Old mout ftw). The staff are really friendly and the interior is lovely. Plenty of seats with outdoor seating available. Now, the times I have came here it's been for Yelp events so have been down in the Secret Room. It's a cosy room with it's own bar. Nicely decorated with a great atmosphere. Definitely like this place for Yelp events! I can't comment on food as I haven't been here for an actual meal, but have been given food as part of the Yelp events. The food I've had has been delicious! Range from sliders, parfait, haggis balls, mac+cheese etc and have always been cooked to perfection. Based on this I will be coming in for a proper dinner. read more

McPhabbs - Hanger steak with black bean, lentil, chorizo Brazilian feijoada with chermula dressing. - Pubs Near Me - Glasgow, GLG

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Last week we let the hype, strong reviews and the promise of Soft Shell Crab Burgers guide us to McPhabbs. We had made use of a £12 for 2 courses deal on 5pm and booked in for a Tuesday night. On entering it was a nice wee place and it's good to see some outdoor seating, we were seated in the corner next to the window and all the booths looks like they could be pretty intimate. For starter I had a smoked haddock scotch egg which was a nice concept but had parts of the dish missing which went unacknowledged. I liked it but wasn't as special as I thought it was going to be. For main I decided against the burger (which my friend got and said was good but would've been better without half an avocado smashed on it, his words not mine) and had the pork belly tacos. Again these were nice without blowing me away, the highlight being the pinto beans accompaniment which did get me a bit windswept. We also ordered some sides: corn on the cob which they had ran out of, replaced by a bowl of corn and butter. A move that became more confusing when the tacos came out with mini corn on the cobs. The carne asada fries were also pretty disappointing but the 7 spice versions were a triumph. We finished the meal off with the 3 desserts on the menu and all in honesty I wasn't really a fan of them. The White Chocolate and Passionfruit Cheesecake had a granola base (why!?) and was topped with the peel from half an orange whilst being served in the kind of glass you would see in a nightclub. The Baked Alaska was too sweet, although the ice cream and cake inside were nice whilst the stick toffee pudding was probably the best of the bunch but was more ice cream than pudding. After all the hype I felt a little bit robbed, there was some high points and the service was excellent but the food won't have me rushing back. Disappointed. read more

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I'm reserving my fifth star for when I finally get around to trying McPhabbs' food. I think I've visited four times so far and, apart from the Christmas Yelp event, where we ate event food that no doubt doesn't even feature on the new menu, I've only every had drinks here. So, when I've amended that I guess I'll update this review. McPhabbs is a pretty cool little bar that I often forget to visit. There's no good reason for that except that it happens to not be especially close to my other regular haunts. When I do remember it exists I always wonder why I don't spend more time here. The bar is comfy and warm, the staff are friendly, the service is good and the range of drinks available is wide. There's no reason to not visit more often. They have a decent cocktail menu, including a Rhubarb Gin Fizz cocktail which has never failed to knock my socks off, and there's a decent selection of wines too. My only complaint is that the beer on draft does seem to be a tiny bit over priced. On Sundays they have a very enjoyable pub quiz which gets bonus points for starting at 19:30 - early enough that you don't have to worry too much about how unpleasant it will be to get up for work on Monday morning. Yeah, I definitely need to get back here to try the food. I promise to do it soon. read more

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With all the beautiful soft shell crab burger and hardshake pictures flooding social media, it was only a matter of time before I would give in and visit McPhabbs myself. The place wasn't busy at all and so we could pick anywhere to sit, which was nice. I was initially planning on trying the famous crab burger, but a bánh mì shrimp sandwich with fries for £6.50? Yes, please! The food came pretty quickly and looked wonderful. There's a bit of hot sauce on the sandwich, but it's not the kind that would burn your mouth off, so even those who aren't big fans of spicy food like myself will enjoy it. The shrimps were nice and juicy and there was plenty of cilantro and yummy kimchi. The fries were also good, although a tad salty for me. To finish off, I couldn't resist getting the salted caramel hardshake. We actually decided to share it with my friend, being both pretty full already, which was a great choice. There was a bit of a wait, but it was worth it. The hardshake was AMAZING. So creamy and delicious and rich and sooo filling. I don't think I could have finished it by myself, but it was seriously one of the best drinks/shakes I've had. So overall, I loved McPhabbs. The place is cozy and the staff very friendly. If all my Mondays kicked off like this, I'd be one happy girl. Can't wait to go back and try some more of their stuff. read more

McPhabbs - Bánh mì shrimp sandwich w/ fries - Pubs Near Me - Glasgow, GLG

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You know there's one of those places where you've just never been, but kinda thought you must have been, but, in actual fact, you were in right to think you'd never been there because, well, you've actually never been to? With me? Whaaa? Yes, well that was the case with me and this place. It's not unsurprising that I've never hit this place, as it's not exactly on the beaten path for me. But in saying that, I did live only about 10 mins away for a good number of years. Anyway, lets not continue down this path, as I'ma actually beginning to bore myself. So, I stumbled in here with the Right Honorable Andrew C as we made a drunken lunge home after a night at the near(ish) Brew Dog. Quite why we made tracks for this place I do no know, perhaps I made a similar speech to the opening paragraph of this review and dear Andrew kicked me into the place to get me to shut up? We shall never know! Anyhow, we appeared to stagger in during a poker night (did I just spot a hobbit? Yeah, i bloody well did! Look Andrew, it's a hobbit) and promptly made our way to the beer garden at the back. OK, it's not stunning, but it's outside and not on a main road, a rarity in Glasgow beer gardens. Beer wise, it's kinda tough to judge the place in comparison to the outstanding liquids on offer at BD (and indeed a number of bars in Glasgow now) but judge I must. Emmmmm, yeah, pretty standard really. Vibe wise, it seemed to be a 'regular' crowd mixed with two drunken yelpers. But despite this ratio, it never felt unwelcoming. Decor wise, i like it. It looks and feels very much how i like my pubs to look and feel. Pretty much this: I decree that all pubs in Glasgow should have a time free aspect to them. If i walk in at 2pm, it should have the same feel as if I walked in at 8pm... just a little busier... I'm not saying it should make sense, I'm just saying. I like it. I'll be hitting it again. read more

I used to come to local neighbourhood type joint McPhabbs all the time when my office was just a stones throw away, but its been several years since I've been and I heard they had a wee make-over so I thought I would give it a shot with a group of pals I was meeting. Situated on Sauchiehall Street just beyond Charing X, it has an appealing beer garden amongst the tree lined street. It was a glorious day so we decided to sit outside. The picnic tables were a bit dirty and the one we had (the only one left) was broken and lop-sided, not good for balancing your beer on. On the subject of beer I was stunned when I was charged 4 smackers for an ale. They only had one ale on and the rest were just your bog standard beers (for roughly the same prices). The round was pretty hefty - not what I was expecting. I would say its a sign of the times, but there are several other bars nearby selling real ale at closer to £3. After a few beers we all started to get a little bit peckish and decided to move inside for food. This is the start of angry Rocco phase, I shall explain..... As there were about 8 of us we decided to put two tables together before ordering. The waiter was having none of it and suggested that we all squeeze round one table as they were 'too busy" and needed the tables. I had a look around and spotted about 3 or 4 free tables, so I ignored him. We put the tables together anyway, and the waiter came back and made some snide comments along the lines of 'just make yourselves at home' or something. This enraged me for several reasons. 1. we had been buying plenty of drinks and were now about to order food, therefore good, valued custom. 2 they were not THAT busy that they couldn't spare an extra table and 3. how the hell were we meant to fit 8 people round one small table???? Thankfully some of the staff behind the bar seemed to notice this little episode from the waiter and they immediately put someone else on our table - fair play! Having not eaten in McPhabbs for years I decided to go for the burger. A good benchmark I thought. I don't know if it was the rage within that clouded my judgement but I though the patty was very dry and I wasn't a fan of the seasoning (cumin or something?). Also some of the chips I got were undercooked. Its hard work nowadays keeping up with all the amazing burger bars so I would say McPhabbs probably need to step up their game in this department. On a plus note, it is a great place to watch the footy and the majority of staff were nice chaps. I hope my next visit will be much more pleasurable affair. read more

McPhabbs is definitely my new favourite place. They've recently been taken over by the Firebird guys and their menu's had an overhaul. And wow! What an overhaul. I've been twice in the past few weeks. The first time I wasn't feeling great and just ordered soup of the day - potato and leek - and it was so thick, creamy and punchy with leek flavour. Soup really does cure everything. The second time I brought an appetite because Soft Shell Crab Burger! Topped with spicy kimchi and smashed avocado and on a bed of crunchy romaine lettuce, the soft shell crab was fried in a delicious batter and it was all housed in a seeded brioche bun. I think I'm already having withdrawal from it. Every mouthful was just rammed with different flavours and textures. Everything worked perfectly. If that's not enough it comes with a side of 7 Spice fries. The most potent of the spices was definitely cumin and as I absolutely love cumin I was in spice heaven. I thought the heat may have been overpowering - I mean, come on! 7 spices! - but their choice of spice were well balanced and worked well with the meal. I also got a side of buttermilk fried onion rings (I told you I brought an appetite) which were coated in some yummy herbs and spices and had a lovely sweetness to them. They had a nice light crunch, no stodgy beer batter here! It was all 5 star food. I love the feel of McPhabbs too. It's a nice big bar with loads of seating and mixes bright spaces with turquoises. It also boasts a rather large bar space, which I'm sure comes in handy on busier evenings. The recent refurb seems to be working so well for them. I have a feeling that this is the beginning of a lot of exciting things for them! They've also got a beer garden for our rare summer days. I honestly can't imagine a better way to spend a sunny Sunday afternoon than grabbing a table outdoors and enjoying their special Soul Food Sunday menu. I'll be there with bells on the first sunny weekend of the year. I've already organised another meal with a group of friends so I've got an excuse to go back to McPhabbs as soon as I can. The biggest challenge is definitely going to be not ordering that crab burger again! read more

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I tend to like organisation. Things in their place. Spoons in the spoon drawer and plates in the cupboard. But sometimes these things fall down. Categories constructed to identify something ordinary sometimes fail when extraordinary things come along. McPhabbs is one of those extraordinary things. Its place in the Pub, British category by Yelp seems to fall short of what this place is all about. The beers are fairly ordinary. A selection of local cheepies and some exotics. But they do not change much - you are not looking at a Bon Accord Blackboard here. But there is some comfort in that - it is pain when the beer you like is suddenly finished five minutes before you step in the place. Trust me - the stuff they have on the bar - they have got lots. The décor - dark wood. But not the trendy dark wood, where it is combined with stainless steel and glass. More like wood that may have been lighter and just kind of ended up this way. It is décor that makes you think - Wow that looks really comfortable. And it probably is. Patrons - definitely locals. They change throughout the day. Local office workies from glass fronted buildings off here for sustenance - solid and liquid at noon. Evenings draws in the folks from the nearby red sandstone tenements who perch themselves in the summer outside air. Chance to meet the neighbours and enjoy the best of Glasgow evening. Picture yourself enjoying an afternoon with nothing to do but read the paper, sit outside in a pub and enjoy a few pints while the city spins in front of you. McPhabbs is that place. Should I discuss the food? - nope - I will leave you to find that out on your own, you lazy bugger. I can't do everything - check it out for yourself. read more

Nipped in (well, actually took a taxi) to McPhabbs (run by my collegue Ryan W.'s husband) for a bit of lunch today (7 Feb). The menu has just had a bit of a revamp and so for the whole of February food is half price! Naturally then, the place had a healthy Friday lunch time crowd in. The menu serves up most of the usual suspects; burger lasagne, mac n cheese...but also has some tidy wee surprises like the haggis burrito, which I have just scoffed (with salt n chilli fries on the side)! Plus, anywhere that offers bottles of Punk IPA is a place to keep in mind in my book. I spied Ryan's Southern Fried Chicken Wings too but alas, I'll have to wait til next time to try them. The waiter (Al) was really attentive and was happy to accommodate with various requests over the course of the meal. I reckon I'll be back to visit for dinner (not far down the road from the King's Theatre) and maybe even a boozy night out as it also has a large beer garden (roll on summer!) and I'm told a good big function suite downstairs. Definitely worth popping in next time you are down that way. read more

Huge fan of this place. Food was great and affordable. Traveling in Glasgow and had a fantastic dinner here.

Ah, the much fabled McPhabbs. For years, I could never figure out exactly where it was. Nothing to do with them, just I'm an utter buffoon sometimes. I'm sure this comes as no surprise to anyone who's actually met me. In any case, I was having a wander one day in the sunshine when I found it. Since then, things have changed but the current incarnation is excellent, I must say. From the open seating in front of the bar, out in the open for when the weather is nice, you can watch the world go by and sip on your perfectly cold beer. The beer, you say? There's lots of it to choose from, a wide range of bottles and on tap. Working your way through it one at a time would take you some considerable time, and no doubt be quite pleasurable. Ask the staff if you have any questions, they're very helpful about any queries you may have. On the last visit there, I tried some of the sliders and loved them. Very moreish succulent tiny burgers topped with jalapenos, tempting you with their "ach, they're only little, one more won't hurt" schemes. Also, mac and cheese is here and it's impeccable. Sloan's may have a rival, but another couple of samplings of both in the interests of fairness is only right, I guess. To sum up, it's a modern, brightly lit comfortable place to go and spend some time. You may not intend to spend as much time as you do, but McPhabbs has a tendency to do that. You get comfy, you find a beer you like, then people arrive, so you have some food, and next thing you know, it's the year 3000. It's that kind of place, and that's no bad thing. read more

Instagram pictures of food from McPhabbs post makeover made me decide to venture in to town on a busy Saturday and it was totally worth it! Inside is typical pub decor; nothing special or fancy but it doesn't need to be when the foods great, the booze is there and the staff are fab! We ordered sandwiches without noticing that they are only available Mon-Fri. The waitress explained that this is because they don't get a bread delivery on the weekend! They checked though and they were able to do sandwiches as they did have some baguettes so we ordered a Salt Beef sandwich and a Cajun Shrimp sandwich. We had planned to go half and half but the sandwiches actually weren't that big so we just had a taste of each! My salt beef was beautiful pulled beef, rocket and onion chutney. Maybe a bit too much chutney for my taste and I'd ask for less next time - also there are sultanas in the chutney! Still gorgeous though! The Cajun shrimp oh my Days! It had some punchy mustard and rocket on there and was SO good. I'd order that next time! He fries are skin on, thin and crispy and so moreish! Is definitely return to try more of their menu as it truly was lovely!! Worth a pit stop for some lunch. read more

McPhabbs - Salt beef sandwich - Pubs Near Me - Glasgow, GLG

I've been going to McPhabbs on and off for over 10 years. The staff are great, food and drink reasonably priced, friendly atmosphere, they set up TVs in the front beer garden when there's big football games on, and they serve the best haggis in Glasgow. Magic. read more

McPhabbs - Outdoor Patio, watching Scotland vs Ukraine, October 2007 - Pubs Near Me - Glasgow, GLG

I was in here yesterday for a few after work drink. A fair few drinks. Been here a couple of times before and the place is brilliant. Staff are friendly, beer garden out front and space out the back. Nice decor and all that but we chose to sit outside and take in our day of summer. It was quite quiet when we arrived at around 4pm but soon it started to get a little busier. £3 for a pint of your finest Tennets which wasn't too bad. Think Staropramen was £4.50, mind is a little fuzzy. Football was on the TV, a nice venue to kick back with a brew and watch the games. Regards to the food we never had any, because that is cheating. Next time though I will have to sample some of that but I think they had some deals on with the food. The dishes did look nice when passing us. I would watch the hand dryer in the men's room. It is a little intense. Certainly gave me a fright. read more

I've been drinking here on and off for a while, and made the recommendation for post-work drinks & food on the first day of my new job, as it was close to the place we were doing training. I'd remembered something vaguely about a january half-off deal on food, and I like the dark, candle-y atmosphere. I am so, so glad that I chose this place. I had a chicken linguine (linguine? I think linguine) - I was a bit concerned when it arrived that there wasn't very much of it, but it was actually the perfect portion size. And absolutely delicious. Texture, creaminess, everything was brilliant. Also: the function room downstairs has come a long way over the past few years, it's a great little space. read more

There just aren't many good pubs in Glasgow that you can watch the football in. Either they are in desperate need of a defibulator or a body bag. But Mcphabbs fits the bill perfectly. A laid back atmosphere in which to watch the footy, or enjoy a paper in the beer garden. The food menu is decent and I agree with Andrew, the sauseage and mash is brilliant! The clientel are office workers or people just out for a wander or bar hopping. Nice and relaxed, and with the footy there it'll probably be my haunt for the world cup read more

Well, I have taken a shine to this place over the last year or so. Been in a good dozen times now at least. Hit McPhabbs up today to make the most of their amazing 50% off promo which inspired hearty laughs when the bill came. Exceptional value. Almost felt guilty, so pledged to go back next week, cancelling previous dinner plans. The service was outstanding, and the food was hearty and delicious. I had three courses, including a big sunday roast for £9. Aye. Top staff and vibe overall, with lots of families today with dogs. Very chilled out and welcoming. Bar is amazing, with modest prices for the most part. Easily in my top 10 local gaffs thesedays, which is more elite than it might sound. read more

Admittedly by Glasgow standards this place could be considered above average with its beer gardens, and friendly, cosy interior. The problem is I take offence at any pub that offers 6 varieties of lager on tap without a single guest ale (just the usual token cheap commercial affair like Belhaven Best that gives real ale a bad name). The beer gardens are also disappointing, with the nicer leafy one being on the busy main road and north-facing, whilst the south-facing one is in a back-lane car park. The food menu is full of variety and perfectly fine by pub standards - they don't serve food past 9pm in the evening. read more

McPhabbs - Specials board July 2011 - Pubs Near Me - Glasgow, GLG

I hadn't been to McPhabbs in a long time, but I went there for a wee birthday lunch today and it was lovely! It's a pretty bar, situated in one of the grand tenements along the gentrified side of Sauchiehall Street. It's a two minute walk from Charing Cross if you fancy escaping the mess that is town on a Saturday night and grabbing a couple of quiet ones instead. They have a fair range of beers and ales on tap, all for reasonable prices. They have a good selection of spirits and a big screen TV in their beer garden. They also make very good coffees (my friend, who knows her coffee, gives them the seal of approval) and Wifi if you fancy an alternative to one of the neighbouring cafe's. Their food is pretty standard pub grub, although their menu offers more than just a steak pie. You can order panini's and baguettes for around a fiver that are served up with salads. They also serve burgers, nacho's, macaroni and, more unusually for a pub, stir fry! My friends got some panini's loaded with fillings and served up with a garnished side salad. I opted for a plate of chilli with rice and pitta. It was nice but quite filling for a lunch. I was quite sad when I couldn't finish it so I'd recommend it for a dinner (or to get some of the chilli on the starter menu). They also do a good range of side orders like onion rings, but most notably mind blowing was their chocolate fudge cake. Warm, moist and with sauce drizzled all over it, I got a second hunger when that was popped down on a plate in front of me. Let's just say I made room. It was served up with ice cream and bloomin' gorgeous. The staff in here are friendly, checking that your food is to your satisfaction without being pushy. There are a good mix of people in here, from students to middle aged couples escaping for a sedate lunch. It's a nice, traditional bar that looks pretty at night when its fairy lights are glittering around the place. Their beer garden is very leafy and they have sports TV - it's a nice place to watch events like the up and coming world cup final. With the laid back vibe, satisfying food and friendly service, it's a nice wee pub in this area of Glasgow that I like to think of as a charming little secret. read more

This is one of those pubs I seem to have walked past numerous times, always saying I'll make a point of going in next time I'm down that way. I'd been saying that for a long, long time - even before I moved to Glasgow. I was walking past one night after a mini pub crawl - The Dolphin, Three Judges, Brew Dog, Firebird - and was on the way to Bon Accord, when my friend and I decided we should remedy the fact we'd never been to McPhabbs. It was a Thursday evening, and the place was quite busy - there seemed to be a good mix of ages, and I got the impression there were several regulars too. We stayed for a few pints before hitting Bon Accord. Beer wise, it's selection is pretty standard, as is the pricing. But there's something really nice about McPhabbs - something intangible, but it just has something about it that I like. Since that fateful Thursday evening I have been back three times - it's a good place for a quiet afternoon pint and a read of the paper as well as being a lively nightspot with an eclectic crowd. So I'd say McPhabbs is a cool bar, and it's definitely worth a visit. It's now been added to my docket of pubs on my West End - City Centre pub crawl route. Lovely read more

Everything on the menu sounded delicious so friends and I decided to get a few dishes to share so we could try as much as possible. We ordered the buttermilk chicken, collared greens and corn which was just as juicy and flavourful as the fried chicken I've had in the Deep South of America - definitely authentic! We also ordered the truffle Mac and cheese which had a good, crunchy crumb baked on top and a nice level of truffle flavour. I would have preferred a thicker cheese sauce but that's just me being particular. I'd definitely recommend the fries with pulled brisket, sriracha, guac and cheese - super tasty but not too spicy. read more

This was my local when I very first moved to Glasgow so I'll probably always look at it fondly, thankfully it's still just as good as when I first arrived. The decor is all wooden panels and low lighting, but not so dark as to be dive bar, more trendy bistro. There is a small beer garden out the front which needs a little attention as the tables are getting a little weathered and tatty, but in Glasgow I guess they don't see all that much use. The rear beer garden is a lovely little deck which seems to catch the sun a lot more. So if there is any space free nab it quick. The food is good, and the portion sizes can be huge. I'm a big fan of their burritos, especially the haggis which they sometimes have on special. If you're coming down as a group, especially for lunch, I advise phoning your order in ahead of time so you're not kept waiting too long. My only real complaint is the bar selection could be better. They have limited draft and bottles, but they do stock all the usuals. read more

I'm not a fan of pub-grub - but this place is dangerous for the waistline. In all the right ways. It's also dangerous for the wallet. At least if you drop in 3 days over the same week. Ok, so there were very valid reasons for this (starvation, out with friends, needed food after exercise - and yes, I call lawn bowls exercise). But they also do have their 50% off food on at the moment. I don't know what exactly they mean with "summer sale", as in how long it will last. Usually they do this early in the year. But I am all for it, any time of the year, please. Because it gives me perfect chance to sample through their menu without feeling like I'm going bankrupt. I tend to just go for the one same thing when I eat out because I am boring that way. But you really can't do that when the waitress recognises you two days in a row. Their Burrito's are to die for, but still (i'll go back to them when its full price!). Now that I am feeling like I'm getting a deal, I want to try as much different stuff as I can. Unfortunately everything is so good there. So I think I have to go back. Very soon. And the coleslaw is a mandatory side dish! In all seriousness though, I like this pub. read more

Ive had the pleasure of visiting Mcphabbs on several occasions and on the past 2 times I have been downstairs in their function room. Having recently undergone a makeover this is a gorgeous room for any small function with its own bar area which is perfect. Gone are the booths and now there are funky tables and chairs with lots of twinkly lights and the bar has been moved. Catering for a gluten free diet is now on the menu and i cant wait to return and sample the menu. I have tried a few nibbles and they were really nice! Lovely bar with friendly staff! read more

A relaxed pub atmosphere, making it a good spot to relax with friends. I had the soft shell crab burger with 7 spice fries and very much enjoyed it. In fairness if there's soft shell crab on a menu nothing else really stands a chance so I was keen to get my order in quickly just in case they ran out! I enjoyed it and would be happy to return! Lovely service from the barman/waiter guy too read more

McPhabbs - Soft shell crab burger with 7 spice fries. Yum! - Pubs Near Me - Glasgow, GLG