Kilkenny's Irish Pub — Restaurant in Tulsa

I lived in Tulsa many years ago and I remember a great Fish and Chips place but I couldn't remember which bar/pub it was. So on the hunt we went as I am in town once again for business. We had fish and chips several nights in a row trying to find the right place. Tonight was our last night and ranked the best in Tulsa, we saved this place for our final night. I was disappointed to say the least. I saw great reviews of golden brown fish and chips with perfect crust and thick fish. I ordered mine with sweet potato fries because they are my favorite. But first we started with the raw oysters. The Raw Oysters were really good and really large. I'm glad we ordered them. Then my fish and chips came and I was immediately disappointed by the look. They didn't look like the other pictures I've seen of the place. Mine were burnt. They tasted burnt. My colleague's were also burnt. He tried to scrap the fish out of the CRISPY shell to eat the fish as he loved the tarter sauce. The tarter sauce was the only good point about this dish, we had ordered extra tarter sauce and never received it. My fries were cold, my fish was way over cooked and tasted burnt. I'm just really disappointed as this night was supposed to be the grand finale with the best fish and chips. I didn't take more then 4 bites. The server then asked if I wanted a box, I expressed my most assertive "No, please just take it" and without asking a word or saying anything she just walks away before I can say anything else to her. I had ordered an Irish beer and even that couldnt get the burnt taste out of my mouth. I gave up on drinking or eating anything else, took my cheesecake back to my hotel, stuck it in the fridge and brushed my teeth to try to get the taste of burnt out of my mouth. And I would be done with it, but now, I am so sick to my stomach and the taste is back. Not sure if I just put to much hot sauce on my oysters or if the universe is just having a bad day, but I am now burping and tasting the fish again as I lay down in my hotel. Worst last night dinner, and I'm still disappointed because I'm hungry but Nausea. So I get up to eat my cheesecake and it's decent. I asked for no whip and still got it, but I can scrap it off. It's truly my fault for not checking before I left but even then I had to ask for plastic silverware from the hostess on my way out because my waitress never asked nor offered. I am disappointed.

Not sure the next time I'll be in Tulsa again, but I know where I won't be going if I have...

Kilkenny’s is what happens when Chili’s puts on an Irish accent and calls itself a pub. There’s a vague suggestion of authenticity—boxty this, bangers that—but make no mistake: this is American comfort food in a green rugby shirt. I’ve been coming here for years, mostly because it never changes. That’s not a complaint. There’s something admirable about a place that refuses to evolve. The lights stay dim, the Guinness flows, and the menu reads like a small-town phone book. Twenty-two appetizers. Seven boxties. Ten burgers. Pasta for the cautious. Oysters for the bold. God help you if you try to read it all before your server comes back. The traditional Irish dishes? Usually disappointing. The traditional Irish dishes? Usually disappointing. The kind of food that suggests the chef’s research stopped after watching The Commitments on a shaky internet connection. Fish and Chips are decent.. Mostly due to the chips. Cottage Pie is passable.. Mostly due to the beer you'll be drinking. The Thomas Town Tenders, which have absolutely nothing to do with Ireland, are usually my go-to—not because they’re great, but because I’ve already been staring at the menu too long, spiraling into analysis paralysis, and I know they’ll do the trick and the name is easy to remember. There’s a burger called “Big Daddy’s Gut Grinder.” I don't know who that’s for, but it sounds like something you order when you've given up. A dare between two fraternity brothers. A culinary war crime on a bun.
They even have a Cajun Bayou Burger for whatever reason. Maybe a sad attempt at fusion. Service is fine. Not fast, not slow—just there. You’ll wait for a table, especially on the weekend, and you’ll like it. Because once you’re inside, it’s cozy. Familiar. You’ll probably see someone you know, or someone you’re glad you don’t. And then there’s the Irish Breakfast Shot—whiskey, orange juice, and bacon. Less a cocktail, more a cry for help. The kind of drink dreamed up by someone who hates mornings, Ireland, and themselves in equal measure. It’s not clever. It’s not good. But at 1 a.m., after using a pound of fried food to mop up the booze and bad decisions, it somehow goes down easier than it should. Kilkenny’s isn’t great. It’s not trying to be. It’s loud, bloated, and proudly mediocre. But it’s ours. And on some nights...

I’ve gotten sick 3 times here! I know that sounds like my fault, fool me once etc. but hear me out. First time, chicken cordon bleu and I’ll be honest the doneness of the chicken was suspect. Second time, friends suggested we go. Ok whatever, I’ll check the food better. I was fine, but Husband got some sort of bratwurst situation. He mentioned while eating it was weirdly cold but “maybe that’s how they serve it?” He ended up vomiting all night. Third and FINAL time I ordered the most un-mess-up-able thing you could possibly get: bland grilled chicken with veggies and rice. The chicken was cold and tasted so salty it was actually inedible. It came with an orange marmalade which I’ve had before but this time it was straight up liquid with chunks of orange peel. I’ve had it in the past @ Kilkenny’s and it was a true jam, with a more gelled consistency. I asked our server if I could have a fresh sauce (kind of assuming they were running out and mixed it with water since thats what it tasted like. It was towards the end of dinner rush on a Sunday) She went back to the kitchen, came back without any sauce and told me “that’s just how it is.” She brought me a different sauce later, some sort of berry compote and told me it was “more expensive” so it should be good. I don’t really care if a sauce is more expensive, I want the one I ordered how it’s always been served. Also like weird justification because everything on your menu should be edible regardless of the cost? She sent the manager over and he asked what was wrong so I told him the chicken was cold, salty, and the sauce was weird and not how I’ve had in the past. He apologized and offered to take it off our bill, which was appreciated. It’s sad because Kilkennys used to be wonderful 5 or 10 years ago but it’s just gone so downhill in terms of quality and service. I really wish it were better because I think this is a fun spot in Tulsa- great area, with unique dishes. But the insanely large menu, high turnover on waitstaff, and literally illness-inducing trips I’ve had these last three times is totally...