McGonigel’s Mucky Duck

Wow! My first time at the Duck. We came to see the Piper Jones Band, and we’re blown away by this place. Great atmosphere and acoustics, excellent ambiance. Had a pint of Harp and a hard cider, along with Scotch Eggs and the ‘Wee Three’ — tiny versions of their entrée pies… All of it was spot on… I will definitely visit whenever I’m in Houston, and highly recommend it.

Went in for quick lunch specifically for the fish and chips.
The restaurant was empty but the staff was engaging and friendly.
Ordered the fish and chips. The fish was very good. It was flavorful and flaky and not overly battered. The fish was a home run. One observation would be to let the fish drain on a napkin as the plate was a bit oily, no big deal just a presentation point. I was disappointed however in the chips part of the ensemble. The chips were battered. I’ve been to Scotland and England and eaten in many a pub and I cannot ever recall eating battered chips.
This was a let down. I was expecting and nice chunky chip, simple potatoes meet fry oil and you’re done.
That I’m sure is just someone trying to add local «flair». Don’t just do the right thing make it fish and chips not fish and battered French fries.
I will be back.

Some of the best acoustics for a very intimate venue!
Not a bad view in the house. Best bar food in Htown.

If you want GREAT fish and chips… this is your place. It’s kinda divey… very dusty… and the service is fair. Others in the group ordered Sheppard’s Pie, and Fish Tacos and loved it.

I was surprisingly impressed with the food and atmosphere here. I came here on St. Patty’s Day, which was insane, of course. The music was great though. They had an instrumental Celtic band inside and some Irish rock bands under the tent outside.
Their beer selection didn’t appeal to me, but the food did. I tried both the shepherd’s pie and the fish and chips (they offer a limited menu on St. Patty’s Day, btw). The shepherd’s pie was fantastic. They were serving up orders within a minute of being placed, and they were surprisingly delicious. The fish was also so good, but there were maybe only three pieces of fish over a small handful of fries, served inside a cup. The shepherd’s pie was definitely more filling.
I look forward to coming back, although unless you really love that kind of music, $ 22 is a lot to pay for a cover on St. Patty’s.

A friend and I visited last night and had a very enjoyable experience. Not ones to enjoy the crowd of St Patrick’s Day but loving the Irish culture and offerings, we sat inside at a table inside and ordered up the Guiness Beef dish, the Wee Three and The Diva dessert.
Thankfully, the wait staff was friendly and helpful. There were folks filling the tables and some playing the games that were set out on the tables. Wednesday nights are billed as «Game Night».
In the Wee Three… you get 3 small «pot pie» type entrees that are absolutely scrumptious. I do not say this lightly! There’s the Shepard’s pie… delectable… the Beef & Mushroom… the bomb… and the chicken… was good, but lacked chicken, & could use peas and carrots. The crust over the top of the dishes was melt in your mouth perfect. The Guiness Beef dish was so good, it just doesn’t get any better.
«The Diva» was a warm… chocolate chip cookie with vanilla ice cream on top plus carmel and chocolate syrup running across the top. Sinfully delicious.
Wednesday Nights are the «Irish Sessions»…a laid back gathering of local musicians. It was lovely.
Thanks McGonigel’s for so many years of music and community!

I will never go back. ever! Let it be known first and foremost I have given Mucky Duck more than its fair share of chances over a 10 year period. It is very over priced and the general attitude is awful. My most recent and last experience was this. The evening began okay, I got there early and got a table for 3. When my group arrived and we ordered food. Which came out promptly as there was only about 20ish ppl attending the dinner show. I ordered an $ 8 dollar mac n cheese and 1 beer. I took one bite and it was awful… overcooked noodles in what could only be described as a failed attempt at cheese soup. Had my brother taste test just to get another opinion in which he agreed and I set it off to the side. The waitress during the entire show came back approximately 5 times. Never asked me about it, offered to take/​remake it or anything of the sort. At the end of the show I finally spoke up to the waitress who I had to track down that it was awful and did not want to pay for it. She said, well you could have ordered something else. I politely said ma’am you should have asked as it was obvious that only 2 bites were taken from it. She took it off my bill which ended up being $ 5.50 for the beer. When she came back to the table with the bills I gave her $ 10…which she then tipped herself with the rest if my change! I have done every job in the restaurant and catering business and you don’t ever tip yourself!

I had the Mark Portugal before the Vanessa Carlton show and it was awesome! Lots of bread, turkey, avocado, and bacon! Loved the atmosphere and the proximity to the stage.

Just spent New Years Eve with friends at my favorite club of all time. The food was fantastic, service extraordinary, and evening totally one for the memory books. The owners and staff know how to dress up a venue for a special occasion. The next big event here will be Valentines. Don’t know who is playing but if you want to impress that special someone in your life reserve a spot at the Duck. Rusty, Teresa, and Shane will more than likely be there to welcome you with a warm smile and hospitality only found at this great Houston establishment.

This is a great place to go to see a show that you are interested in! We go once a year around Christmas time to see the Trish and Darin Murphy Christmas Show. It includes a three course meal with DELICIOUS food and a great selection of Beer and Wine! About 90 people attend and it gets CROWDED. It is a small venue and with so many people it can be hard to maneuver around if you need to get to the restroom, which has 2 stalls so expect a line ladies!
Now they are a great place to go for lunch to grab a beer and a delicious meal. They also have a great happy hour. However, if you want to go there in the evening to grab a beer & talk with friends, this may not be the best choice. People here, like my family, are there to listen to the music. There will be a cover at the door & yes it can be anywhere from $ 10-​$ 15!

Went to Mucky Duck on the recommendation of a friend. Bust wanted to get one beer. Barkeep says there’s a$ 22 cover for a musician who’s about to start. $ 22 and the cost of a beer is a tad too steep for one beer in my book — so out the door I went.
Really should be a way to get a beer without paying the cover when your not staying for the music.

The food is delicious and the staff is absolutely amazing! I took a group of special needs adults to hear their open mic night and the catered to our large group and were super friendly. Our server was Jennifer and she was extremely helpful and amazing at her job. Couldn’t say anything horrible about this place! Amazing amazing amazing!!!

The food was simply amazing! I had the steak and mushroom pie (yummm) and my friend had the fish and chips. Food came out and looked almost too good to eat – almost. It was the best savory pie I have ever eaten in a restaurant! It tasted like it was made purely of steak, mushrooms, and love.
The wine and beer menus were a bit overwhelming for someone not used to the choice offered. I chose a rose and I had three glasses (paying by the glass) and I must say that it is very unusual for me to like a wine enough to buy three glasses. Next time my friend and I will be splitting a bottle.
The music portion was so awesome! The room is cozy and a great atmosphere. Will definitely be going back!

My girlfriend and I experienced excellent service right from the get go.
WARNING: They do not serve liquor. Also, to ensure you get in to the establishment on live music nights, purchase your tickets ahead of time.
That being said. Julia, our server, was very nice and good at her job. She got us set up to get in to see the live blue grass band for 9:30 without having pre-​purchase tickets. The music sounded great! It’s a small, cozy, personable environment. Not over crowded to hear good live bluesy music!
The patio is very enjoyable; like a fun little secluded deck. Great atmosphere.
The food, ribeye and the ‘mark portugal’, was outstanding. I thought it was a tad spendy, but it was worth it.
We’ll be back.

Mucky Duck is pretty much a Houston institution, and it’s such a treat to see this place continually succeed as a food, drink and music venue, when so many great go-to’s have closed their doors over the years. I can’t recall ever having a «miss» on the food, and service is generally just as reliable, although it can get extremely busy during evening performances. The trio of pies is such a good selection, as you’re guaranteed to like all three and fall in love with one. The steak salad is also yummy, and MD is one of the last places in town still serving scotch eggs. While it’s not the cheapest pub meal in town, the quality of food and drafts are well worth it.

We had tickets to a Wednesday night show. Packed house. We were seated quickly. The waiter was there before I could get situated in my seat. Gave us menus and took our drink order all within a minute of sitting down. Did I mention it was a packed house? They have good beer and food menu.
Best music venure in Houston. It’s a listening room that serves fantastic pub food and beer and wine. I actually saw a woman get shushed! I loved it! She was sitting center stage and wouldnt shut up during the act playing acoustic guitar. None us paid $ 35 a ticket to hear her blather on! But I digress!
Can’t wait for my next visit!

It had been awhile since we’ve been here. Noticed some Unilocal reviewers that were disappointed they couldn’t talk and laugh during performances. I’m happy to see this move because we come to see and listen to the performers. Call us old fashioned but it seems disrespectful to attend a musical event and act as if your conversation is more important than the music.
Mucky Duck is a wonderful place to see live music. If you don’t want to watch/​listen to the artist (s) then maybe find a different venue for your loud conversation.

Good food, good service. I really like the atmosphere in here. It’s pretty dimly lit and laid back. I’ve only been on open mic Mondays but the crowd was fun and supportive of the artists.

What a neat little spot. I came with co-​workers for lunch and was excited to give it a try after all I had heard about it. It’s a pub, with a stage and better than average pub food. I wanted to try some sandwich… but they were out. So I went with the Sheppard pie; it was good, but a little small… left me wanting more. Overall the food was tasty and the prices decent. Service was a little slow (or at least the food took a while). Seems more like a place to take a date for an intimate concert than a place to go with the co-​workers for lunch.

I came here for lunch and just didn’t feel it.
Food wasn’t worth the cost to buy it. I felt like after lunch, that I had not had lunch at all.
I felt it was more of a business man’s lunch place to drink.
There was limited space to park on the street, I walked almost a block to get from where I parked.
I was recommended the Wee Three. I had promised a friend I would at least try it and I was upset when I found out the steak pie had a lot of mushrooms. I gagged through that part of the meal. (I will try most things at least once). I was feeling sick for the rest of the meal. (no, I don’t make promises to my friends any more over food). The other two dishes of the three were fine.
I probably would not go again. The atmosphere isn’t right for me as it is a pub and restaurant and I don’t drink. It does have performers in the evenings. WOuld be fine for those who like local music and drinking.