Sawney Bean's — Restaurant in Steinbach

Do yourself a favor: don’t waste your time, money, or appetite at Sawney Beans. This place is an absolute joke pretending to be an Irish restaurant. If I didn’t have to leave a star to post this review, they wouldn’t have gotten that. Frankly, I’m shocked this place is still in business.

From the moment we walked in, it was clear we’d made a mistake. The vibe was just off. The floors were sticky, the air smelled like stale beer mixed with neglect, and the bar area looked like someone’s garage after a failed yard sale. Clutter everywhere, like nobody’s bothered to clean or organize in days—maybe weeks. Tables didn’t seem wiped down, and everything just felt grimy. Hygiene? Nonexistent. And that theme carried right into the kitchen, where cooks worked without hair nets or beard covers. Add in servers eating while delivering plates to tables and you’ve got a full-on health code nightmare. Disgusting doesn’t even begin to cover it.

The service was no better—completely checked out. Our server acted like she couldn’t be bothered to do her job. No greeting, no smile, no basic human decency. She made it pretty clear we were an inconvenience by even showing up. Not a single recommendation, no upselling (honestly, a mercy in disguise), and she checked on us exactly once before vanishing. When she messed up our drink order, she dropped a replacement glass on the table like we were lucky to get anything at all—no asking if we wanted a refill, no apology. Zero professionalism, zero effort. And when we left without tipping—because they earned nothing—she had the nerve to mumble under her breath as we walked out the door. Classy, right?

And then there’s the food. Calling it “food” might be a stretch. I ordered the Bangers and Mash, expecting at least a halfway decent pub classic. What I got was a leathery, overcooked sausage paired with mashed potatoes that were clearly powdered from a box. Bland, pasty, and completely devoid of any real flavor. The “red wine and onion gravy” was basically just a pile of greasy onions drowning the plate in a thin, tasteless mess that made everything soggy and even less appealing—if that was possible.

I also made the mistake of ordering calamari. Overcooked into rubber bands, and so salty I felt my blood pressure rise with every bite. My partner chose the chicken Alfredo, which was somehow worse. The noodles were overcooked into mush, the sauce was bland and watery, and the chicken? I’m not even sure it was chicken. It had the bizarre, spongy texture of a cheap meat substitute—like something you’d expect to find in a budget frozen meal, not at a sit-down restaurant. It was a sad, flavorless mess.

By the time we were done, I was actually angry we’d wasted an evening and hard-earned money there. There was nothing redeeming about this place. Dirty, lazy, uninspired—Sawney Beans isn’t just bad, it’s an embarrassment. Poor hygiene, pathetic service, and food that shouldn’t be served to paying customers. Honestly, I’ve had better experiences at gas station hot dog rollers.

Bottom line? Avoid this place like the plague. Spend your money anywhere else. Trust me, you’ll thank...

Since moving out here 3 years ago, we've decided to check out many local restaurants. We've been to Sawney Beans 3 times now and the first 2 times our service and food was terrible.

We decided to try it out again recently after about a year of not going. I had ordered the full rack of baby back ribs, and the mashed potatoes don't even come with gravy, no salt or pepper added. Salt and Pepper were available on the tables but still feel like it should be necessary to season the food you're cooking. They didn't taste like they were made from scratch. Reminds me of the boxed mashed potatoes my mum used to make. The menu is a piece of paper that is not even laminated to look somewhat clean or professional. The menu also doesn't state what sides are available for entrees for some reason, and the tables don't have drink menus. A few of the beers we've ordered were flat. My suggestion would be to scrap the cheap menus and print bar codes onto the tables so that people can scan them with their phones to see the menu. Seeing the paper menu at any restaurant is a terrible first impression.

The bar itself looks cluttered, out-of-date, and unorganized. The bar lighting is off and doesn't attract the customer's eye to any premium spirits. It was difficult to guess which drinks they had available from sitting down at the table. The TVs are old and dusty. Some of them weren't even on. Our server was polite and checked on us often, but when we asked what types of lagers were available, she was confused as to what a lager was. Staff needs more training.

Jon Taffer would have a meltdown.

We were hoping to change our view of Sawney Beans with our last visit, but we will not be returning to the restaurant after 3...

Hey there! So, let me tell you about this amazing restaurant. The best part about it is that not only is the food absolutely delicious, but the service is top-notch and the prices are totally reasonable.

When it comes to the food, this place doesn't disappoint. They have a wide variety of mouthwatering dishes to choose from, catering to all kinds of taste buds. Whether you're in the mood for some juicy burgers, crispy fries, or even a healthy salad, they have it all. And let me tell you, each dish is prepared with utmost care and bursting with flavor. You won't be able to resist going back for more!

Not only is the food fantastic, but the service is equally impressive. The staff is incredibly attentive, friendly, and always willing to go the extra mile to ensure a memorable dining experience. From the moment you step in, you'll be welcomed with warm smiles and prompt service. They truly make you feel like a valued guest.

Now, let's talk about the prices. You'll be pleasantly surprised to see that they don't break the bank. In fact, for the quality of food and service you receive, the prices are more than reasonable. It's a win-win situation!

Trust me, if you're looking for a place with good food, exceptional service, and prices that won't leave your wallet empty, this restaurant is the one for you. Give it a try and...