Elephant and Castle
Daragh | April 28, 2006There’s two words that spring to mind every time I think about one of my favourite restaurants in Dublin…Chicken Wings!! The Elephant and Castle (18 Temple Bar, Dublin 2, Tel +3531 6793121) is famous for it’s baskets of chicken wings.
However, you would be mistaken if you think that Chicken Wings are the only thing that they do well in there. Their burgers, salads and omelettes are devine also. It’s all about simple food, just done well. And then there’s breakfast!! As Rick said here recently, the California Sunrise Breakfast is without a doubt the best breakfast in town (I met Rick leaving there having had his this-morning, so, he’s obviously addicted!).
One word of warning about it however, the restaurant don’t take telephone bookings, you generally have to call in and put your name on a table. I’d always advise leaving about an hour or so to spare, as you may well end up waiting that long during busy periods (and in fairness, it’s always pretty busy). However, if you call over, they will happily put your name on a table, and tell you to wander off to one of the local pubs in Temple Bar for a drink whilst you wait. Believe me though, it will be well worth the wait! 
Some helpful advice however….don’t be fooled (as so many unfortunate tourists are) into thinking that despite the fact that the Chicken Wings appear under the starter section of the menu that they are simply a starter. I’ve seen the hungriest of people with huge appetites struggle to finish a whole basket, they really are huge! And remember, when eating them, only ever use one hand as otherwise things will start to get very, very messy! Trust me on this! 
And another bit of helpful advice, no matter how cool it is never go here on a first date! I’ve watched so many first dates go horribly wrong in a messy, messy way as both people try and be polite and refined and not get messy…there’s nothing refined or clean about eating these!!
And, whilst your there, check out the picture’s of New York on the wall, there’s a sister restaurant in Grewnich Village, NYC, and listen to the music, which is always very funky, or, just stare out the window at the madness of Temple Bar, or look around for a celebrity, everyone from Colin Farrell, to Bono and many many more frequent this place.
Lads, I have to say I can’t wait to try this sunshine brekkie. I always thought E&C was a tourist joint.
Oh god no, most definately not. In fact, most tourists tend to end up next door in Gallghers for the traditional Irish Fry-up.
The food, and particularly the chicken wings, is superb. But I had to stop going there when yet another meal was ruined by my seething over the rude service. As you can see from the filled tables every evening the loss of my custom has been a disaster they have yet to recover from.
And I really miss those chicken wings.
I have heard tell of these chicken wings, but alas I have never actually been able to get a table in the feckin place to sample them!
To be honest, I find the lack of telephone bookings tiresome and frustrating and also I’ve tried literally dozens of time to eat in this restaurant and have never been able to secure a table (most times they don’t even say ‘come back in an hour’ they just say ‘no, we’ve nothing free’) so now I don’t even bother.
It doesn’t seem to matter what time of the day or even which day you try to get in, or how big or small your party is, they just seem unable to accommodate you.
Perhaps I’m the only one who has this problem though? I’ve thought several times about voicing my frustrations to management to ask them to review their no-booking policy (ha, like they’re going to do it just cos I ask!) but I haven’t so far. Maybe I will now though, after seeing the pic of the wings! Mmmmm!
If its chicken wings you are after, get yourself to the Harbour Master in the IFSC, magnificent.
I ordered some for my daughter once and was amazed by the size of the small portion, because it is finger-licking huge. They also give you a mountain of napkins cos you need them, yum.
Yep, agreed on the Harbour Master too. Another really good place for wings is Dandelion up on the green (they do BBQ wings too!)
The wings are even better in Tribeca in Ranelagh. It’s easier to get a table too. Karen, you probably looked like a bad tipper that’s why you never got a table. If you have straight blonde hair and a bit of a nordie accent you have no hope. Better send the man in to book.
had some of these babies last night.
if anyone has the recipe of how they make em I’ll pay top dollar for it.
hi from germany!!
just to say that i’m a great fan of those delectable wings i have every time i come to Dublin (and in two weeks i’ll go there again!) and i was wondering if there is any chance that someone knows where i could find the recipe? thanks anyway and great comment on the restaurant, i agree so much with it!
Heh, like Coca Cola Romain, it’s a closely guarded secret that no-one is allowed to talk about!!
damm… then i’ll try to seduce one of the waitress to get some informations when i’ll get there! thanks anyway and i’ll let you know if i get any infos.
The chicken wings in this joint are of the finest quality I have ever tasted…never a starter though, you will do well to get through these baskets in one sitting. Probably the best compliment u will see, is when you look around, almost every single table has at least one basket of wings on it every time I have been there – ’nuff said pal !!
Someone out there has got to have an idea of how to get close to the recipe for E&C wings, it can’t be that difficult, Tribeca’s are equally as good!! White wine vinegar, salt, pepper, paprika, bit of tomato puree??? Come on CHEFS lets crack the CODE !!!
CHICKEN WING MYSTERY SOLVED. They order the sauce for the wings in, i found a website with the same stuff, tried it myself last night…yum – no need to ever have to wait an hour for a table there again. Web address is americansweets.co.uk and the sauce is ‘Frank’s Red Hot Original’ or ‘Anchor Bar Buffalo Wing Sauce’; one is as good as the other so not sure which they use.
Andy I love you, have looked for the recipe for ages. You’re my hero!