MacDuff's Pub — Restaurant in South Lake Tahoe

This is a special place with special memories for me. My girlfriend and I came here a few years ago after a long enjoyable day at the lake cooking in the hot sun.

When we arrived, the parking lot was mostly empty, and we saw no one else for the entirety of our visit except for an older couple in their 60s/70s, and the server that greeted us outside.

When we approached, the server came out and she informed us that there was no space inside but we could sit outside if we like. At this point in our day we were exhausted, hungry, thirsty, and wanting most of all to be out of the sun to cool down and address impending heat stroke. So being told we'd need to sit outside was a bummer, but the seating outside had large umbrellas so we figured we'd be okay. We agreed and asked for some water.

Due to the angle of the sun and the position of the umbrellas and tables, there were really only two tables getting any amount of shade. One of the shaded tables was being used by the older couple I mentioned earlier, so we sat at the only other shaded spot.

After about 5 minutes passed the server finally came back out (no water), and she informed us that that table was reserved and that we'd need to move to another table. There were no signs on the table to indicate it was reserved, and it was a little baffling since all of the tables were identical, but we moved anyway. As the server turned to go back inside, we interrupted and asked for water again.

At this point we're on the verge of heat stroke and in desperate need of shade, so with headaches and dizziness we began to adjust the umbrella connected to our table to give is some small portion of protection from the sun. This is where the real trouble began.

The guy from the other table started yelling at us for ruining his shade. We didn't realize it when we began adjusting our umbrella, but about a third of his table's shade was being provided by our table's umbrella. Before I could apologize and explain, he escalated and started yelling louder and getting up from his seat.

At this point I'm literally too exhausted and dizzy to deal with this guy, and we can't seem to move the umbrella to get us some shade anyway, so we just sit back down and leave it be.

It's been 10 minutes now and the server is back out with the water and some menus. We express to her our need for shade, and ask again if there's seating of any kind inside. She says no. We point at the "reserved" table and ask if we can just sit there since we're quick eaters and will be gone soon (especially after that guy started yelling). She says no. We ask if there's anything at all she can do for us to get us some shade, and we tell her we attempted to adjust our own umbrella and got yelled at by the nutjob at the other table. She says she'll try to work on it (spoiler alert: she does nothing).

We order our food, drink our water, bake in the sun, get the food (it looked good but I honestly literally could not enjoy it between the sun and the nutjob and the slow and increasingly hostile service), eat like two bites leaving a large majority of the food uneaten because we're so uncomfortable, and pay our bill (Something was seriously wrong with me at this point in my life. Tipping was so ingrained in me that despite bad service and food we didn't eat, I still tipped 20%).

At this point the old aggressive dude comes up to us, and he presses a single finger onto the table, makes eye contact and gives a toothy grin and says "You have a nice day" before walking away to his truck.

The one person in the story that came away from this experience seemingly more miserable than us was that dude's wife, who clearly was deeply embarrassed by the whole thing -- urgently telling him not to yell and not to come to our table.

I have never had a worse dining experience in my life. Thank you MacDuff's Pub for giving me my "well at least it's not as bad as when we went to" story to make other places seem a bit better.

That "reserved" table never did have anyone come to sit at it, nor did that server ever help us...

Sure, here's a review of MacDuff's Public House in Tahoe based on the dishes you ordered:

I recently had the pleasure of dining at MacDuff's Public House in Tahoe, and it was an absolutely delightful experience. The outdoor seating provided a perfect ambiance to enjoy a summer evening meal. Here’s a bit about what I ordered and why I’m already planning my next visit.

First up was their classic French Onion Soup. Served in a charming bread bowl and topped with a generous layer of melted cheese and fresh green onions, this dish was a comforting masterpiece. The soup itself was rich and savory, with the perfect balance of sweetness from the caramelized onions and a touch of tang from the broth. The cheese crust was crispy and golden, adding a delightful texture contrast. It’s the kind of dish that warms you from the inside out – a true comfort food staple done right.

Next, I indulged in their Beet and Goat Cheese Salad. This vibrant dish was as visually stunning as it was delicious. The salad featured fresh arugula, sweet roasted beets, creamy goat cheese, and juicy mandarin orange segments, all topped with crunchy candied walnuts. The combination of flavors and textures was exquisite – the earthiness of the beets paired beautifully with the tangy goat cheese, while the sweetness of the oranges and walnuts added a delightful contrast. The salad was accompanied by two dressings: a tangy balsamic vinaigrette and a bright, pink beet dressing. Both complemented the salad perfectly, allowing you to tailor each bite to your taste.

The service was prompt and friendly, and the atmosphere was relaxed and inviting. MacDuff's Public House is definitely a gem in Tahoe, offering hearty, flavorful dishes that make you feel right at home. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great meal in a...

We drove past this place a couple times before stopping in. From the outside this place looks like a lot of fun. In good weather, they have a patio with plenty of seating and even little plastic igloo things. In the snow, it was even cuter with its Christmas decor and lights.

This place has a great atmosphere. First, the staff works as a team and seemingly all of them know what’s going on with each table. Better yet, they all seem like they’re having fun working there. They definitely add to the upbeat, friendly vibe. The service was great. Second, it seemed about half the people who walked in were regulars — which is always a good sign. Even so, they were just as welcoming to newcomers.

We got the Beer-battered chicken nuggets and the fish and chips. The chicken nuggets were a huge portion and came with 7 different dipping sauces. Each sauce made in house and was super tasty. It was so much fun to try all of the sauces that way. The fish and chips (we got with a side of onion rings) were light, perfectly fried and extremely flavorful. While we got seemingly staples or basic meals, they delivered on quality. During our meal, we watched many things come out of the kitchen and each looked better than the next. Next time we come in (soon!) I will have to try the Corned Beef and Cabbage.

As for drinks, they had a full bar and an extensive selection. The on-tap beers were limited but high quality choices and a nice mix of local California beers.

I really can’t say enough about this place. We definitely had a 5 star experience for our...