The Freckled Fin - Bradenton

The Rueben sandwich was fantastic, but be sure to ask for extra dressing. The coleslaw was quite dry.

The Freckled Fin Irish Pub stands out from the usual Irish pubs, while still sharing some common features. It has a bar atmosphere, offers live music, and serves classic pub fare typical of Irish establishments. However, the menu is refreshingly different from any other Irish pub I’ve visited, featuring unique dishes that truly reflect Irish cuisine rather than the Americanized versions often found elsewhere. During my trip to Dublin in 2013, I was introduced to authentic Irish dishes that I had never encountered before, whether at a fine dining venue like L’Ecrivain or a quaint pub where I enjoyed a quick meal and a pint. The offerings at the Freckled Fin remind me of those genuine flavors and culinary experiences.

The food was decent, but it was definitely overpriced. The main reason I’m giving this place a one-star rating is that there is no mention anywhere that parties of six or more are automatically charged a 20% gratuity. Our group of six consisted of two adults and four children (ages 10, 6, 4, and 17 months). This policy wasn’t disclosed on the menu at all. The hostess told us that it is only mentioned on their website and Facebook page, but I checked both and couldn't find it anywhere. We usually tip 20% as a standard practice, but being forced to do so, especially for a toddler who isn’t even a year and a half, seems absurd. It feels like the owner is just trying to squeeze as much money as possible from each customer. Additionally, none of the overpriced lunch dishes come with fries, which is what most people would expect; instead, they come with a cheap bag of potato chips and a tiny cup of pre-packaged coleslaw. The way they handle their gratuity policy is quite shady and suggests that the owner is more interested in making a profit than providing a good experience for guests.

The peel-and-eat shrimp seasoned with Old Bay are absolutely divine! The outdoor space is incredibly dog-friendly, which is one of our main criteria for a great restaurant patio.

You just lost a large party. We came to dinner to check out your location for a potential rehearsal dinner. The wait staff was so rude (took half the table's drink order ignored the others... Told us our chairs were blocking the aisle but allowed little children to block the aisle. When we asked for straws at the bar the gentlemen there told us there were no straws. (We now understand about the turtles However we saw other tables even with children who had straws . THEN gave us straws. It would have been so easy to have been kind and explanatory . Lost about $5000!