McCracken’s Irish Pub — Restaurant in Leesburg

I really hesitate to leave a not-so-great review, but the more I thought about our recent visit, the more I felt it was necessary. How is a place supposed to better itself if unaware of or unwilling to address issues?

We have been in McCracken's to sit down and eat twice and have ordered take out multiple times. We ate in last week and our second time in was no different than the first. Greeting; it was non existent. We had to wait for the hostess to finish a private convo with another employee before she even recognized us. When she did, she was pleasant enough. We were seated behind the hostess podium, close to the door, which is totally OK! What wasn't OK was the bartender, our waitress (I'll get to her), and a cpl other employees coming up to loudly chit chat about guests and other grievances behind the podium with us in earshot the entire time. This EXACT same thing happened the first time we dined inside and was one of the reasons we had not returned in a long minute. Hoping things had changed, they didn't. On to our server, who was also our server the prior poor experience we had. She was unfriendly, uninterested, didn't greet us very nicely upon her arrival to our table, which also took a good few mins. When we ordered our drinks, my husband ordered a beer and water, I ordered water and said I needed a few minutes to decide on "something else." We also wanted an appetizer, but she was so disinterested in us, she ran off b4 we could tell her we would like to order the pretzels. She came back, dropped the drinks, did NOT ask me if i had decided on one, and walked away. She came back a few mins later and asked what we would like to order. We both just ordered sandwiches with fries. She did not tell us what the specials were. I had the roast beef sandwich, my husband the lamb burger. My sandwich was excellent! His was "ok," he said, but nothing super special about it. Maybe, if our waitress had cared enough to tell us what was good, popular, etc he might have been able to order something else. He enjoys trying recommendations/new things he hasn't necessarily had before. I can't remember if she came back and checked on us, because again, she was disinterested and not very friendly. When she asked if we wanted dessert, we said, "no thanks," and she proceeded to grab my plate, which had all of my fries on it, which i wanted to take home, so asked, "may I have a box, please?" She said, "sure, set my plate back down, brought me the box and that was the last we saw of her. No "thanks for stopping by," no "we'll see you next time," or "have a nice night." Just zero pleasantness from honestly anyone in the restaurant. This was on a Thursday evening, restaurant wasn't crowded, and while I'm sure everyone says, "and we're pleasant ppl," we really are, lol! We're super easy to please and laid back.

The food was good, but honestly overpriced especially with all the bad attitude. We go out once a week and try to support all of our local town establishments, but im sorry to say, I doubt we will be back to McCracken's. Going out is a luxury for us since we don't get to do so often. I would just rather go somewhere I'm at least made to feel welcome, which is honestly the minimum.

I hate this....I feel terrible leaving a less than stellar review. Here's hoping you guys can turn things around. I truly...

I was so looking forward to revisiting this place, my Dad and I have had amazing times here and enjoyed some great food and service here. However, they should be extremely embarrassed by the experience I had this evening. I sped from the airport to make it before their 11 o’clock closing time and just after 10 I made it! 10:13 to be exact. Ah, a Guinness and their fabulous food sounded great after a long day of travel from the west coast. Only to be greeted with a ‘What do you want?’ As the bartender was refilling her ice bin. I asked if they were still serving food. A simple ‘no, sorry’ would have sufficed. Instead, I not only felt unwelcomed to even have a beer, she said no, then proceeded to huff and puff then said ‘huh, I don’t know, if you order food you only can order this part of the menu’ as she slammed it down in front of me. I told her I really needed some food if I have a beer. She then went to the kitchen to check. I stood there in shock and felt I definitely inconvenienced this woman, ON A FRIDAY NIGHT an hour before her closing time. As she went to the kitchen a patron made eye contact with me and I noticed the food in front of him. I said ‘well she isn’t very friendly’ and I left. As I was walking out the door, to my surprise she screamed out over the bar ‘okay then you have a great night!!’ In a harsh violent sarcastic tone. I couldn’t even look back. I asked some friendly locals outside if there was a place still serving food and they very cordially directed me to another place. As a bar owner myself, I found this so unbecoming and disappointing. I get what it is like to have a long night behind the bar, 25 years of experience. And in my 25 years I never would treat someone like that. And if my staff did that to someone? They would be looking for...

Comfortable, unique, inviting, and fun. That’s how I describe McCracken’s.

We feel comfortable from the moment we enter. The well-thought out design and menu items are unique, and make you feel like you’ve stepped into a true Irish Pub.

The entire staff is friendly and inviting, taking care to make customers feel like old friends whether it’s their first visit, or their regulars.

Now the fun. Sitting at tables is great, but we’re partial to the bar where staff accumulates frequently to collect drinks for table customers, but interact with bar patrons as well. Knowledgeable bartenders can blend just about any cocktail that suits you, or pour a pint from a great selection of beers and ales.

Justin C. is engaging and helpful in selections, and will jump at the opportunity to create a cocktail of your choice, or better - one of his own creations that will not disappoint.

On the edge of the vibrant, old-town Leesburg revival, McCracken’s should be a must-try location, which offers plenty of choices to keep you...