Katie O'Byrnes Restaurant — Restaurant in City of Schenectady

We have been patronizing Katie O'Byrnes since the day they opened their doors almost twenty years ago. We have never had a bad meal whether it was dine-in or takeout. The food and service are simply the best around. My wife absolutely loves their 'Katie's Nachos' with corn beef to the point she actually craves this dish. I on the other hand my all-time favorite is their 'Cheese Burger Club' and of course their 'Katie's chicken wings' for a starter!

However, tonight we decided to celebrate New Year's by dining in at Katie's. My wife and I were looking forward to their Prime Rib and ordered off their New Years Dinner menu. We started off by ordering a Shrimp Cocktail (4) $12.99 to share. We then decided we would both order the same entrée - Prime Rib Dinner w/ a 6oz Lobster Tail for only $34.99. I ordered my Prime Rib medium-rare and she went with medium-well done - which I will never understand why anyone would order past medium on such a beautiful cut of beef. But after 43yrs of marriage there are some issues better left alone.

We were glad we shared the Shrimp Cocktail because the shrimp were huge. This appetizer was served on a bed of lettuce filled with cocktail sauce and superbly presented in a martini glass. We found it was a delicious, visually appealing way to start our meal, like you would expect in a fine restaurant.

Our Prime Rib and Lobster Dinner was brought to the table hot. We were immediately impressed with the ample cut of beef, cooked as ordered with a large mound of mashed potatoes and fresh vegetables (steamed broccoli, cauliflower & carrots). Simply put, our meals exceeded our expectations. Our dinner was well presented, served in a timely, and had large portions (left with two doggie bags). If that wasn't enough for any couple looking for a great meal on a night out, our appetizer/meals were priced below local competitors and we go out often in our area. In these economic times pricing matters, period!

As for Katie's staff, from the point we were greeted/seated and then throughout our meal, the hostess and waitress were attentive, courteous and friendly. Our waitress was very helpful in explaining the dinner specials being offered tonight. Even the young man who bussed our table was extremely respectful. Every staff member up to and including two owners wished us a Happy New Year and went above and beyond to make sure we enjoyed our experience at Katie's.

Our Happy New Year Dinner was a delight for us, however as I started this comment we have never had a bad meal at Katie's. The only difference this time, we had to thank everyone at Katie O'Byrnes for helping us ring in 2024 with a fantastic meal while we recognize a very special place where friends come together in a very special place...

Yesterday (2/1/24) my small family of 3 tried to have dinner at Katie O'Byrne's shortly after 4pm on a Thursday afternoon. The parking lot was fairly empty and we were able to park right in front of the door. The dining room looked pretty empty but to our surprise the bar was quite full. We made our way to the "hostess" station and waited to be seated (as the sign said). One waitress shoved past my husband to service a table behind him & made a remark that I didn't hear. I was looking at the "on-tap options" & daily specials. When my husband says to me; "Did you hear what she just said?". To which I replied "No". And my husband said to me; "She (the waitress) said they are booked, and unless we had a reservation we weren't eating here. What do you want to do?". Struggling to hear over the banter in the congested area I said "What?!?", to which my husband began to repeat what she had said because I hadn't heard him. He began to repeat; What do you... [want to do]? He didn't get to complete that sentence because that waitress that had shoved by him before, had done it again. Only this time it was to grab what I can only surmise was a waiting list. Which she shoved in my face and screamed; "Actually, I don't know what you want ME to do!!!!" I was confused because another waitress was standing next to me, holding 3 menus and I thought we were about to be seated. That wasn't the case, as this new waitress made a remark to the other that she had just gotten yelled at and didn't want her to get the same. I said to my husband; "Let's just go". I walked out of there with tears streaming down my face, at this point I just wanted to go home. I was just that sad....yesterday was my birthday. And that question from my husband about what I wanted to do? He was trying to ask, if I just wanted to get takeout from there or go somewhere else. And what I got for my birthday? Being screamed at and demeaned by one of their staff & just going home skipping dinner altogether because I was just that upset. I'm sure the food is lovely but, I'll never be back because of how we were treated. I hope your staff had a better day today & treated your potential...

The atmosphere in Katie O'Byrnes on a Thursday night was active but not overly loud, I did have to wait close to ten minutes at the entrance for someone to seat my party though.

After a quick glance at the menu, having already looked at it online, I waited a few minutes until our sever arrived to take our drink orders where I also put in some appetizers; Fried Pickles and the Irish Nachos. The pickles were pretty good, surprisingly crispy and served with a small dipping cup of ranch dressing that helped with the saltiness I've come to expect from fried pickles. The nachos were also good, if a little salty, which I blame on the fact that the chips are homemade. They were loaded down with plenty of toppings, and featured a rich Irish cheddar that was as smooth as spreadable butter.

After one of my party knocked over their entire glass of water, the bus boy was on top of things with a stack of napkins in hand. I very much appreciated this, as I find spilled drinks to really ruin a good mood. After cleaning up the mess we all put in our main orders, I myself going with the Celtic Haddock sandwich with the onion rings. The sandwich was delicious, flakey and juicy fish with a nice crispy but not overly thick breading. I really loved the raw onion they used as one of the garnishes, really fresh which really will open up those sinuses. The onion rings were pretty plentiful which surprised me, as I usually find when I order onion rings that there are less of them then french fries or sweet potato fries. They were definitely beer battered which added a nice subtle flavor to the rings, as well as making them more buttery than your typical Panko breaded onion rings.

Now I didn't order a desert, but my other two party members did; well one did but two deserts were brought out by mistake. The Irish Cheese Cake, which both said wasn't anything special. Oh well, can't win them all.

Overall for a party of three with two appetizers, three main courses, two waters, one soda, and two deserts with one coffee the total came to just over $77.00 A tad bit pricy for pub cuisine, but the quality of the food makes up...