Shamrock Restaurant

Excellent food and service!

I hit this completely unassuming roadside stop on the road between Virginia and the Poconos. You drive too fast you could miss it. The staff was friendly and we were seated quickly. I ordered the Prime Rib. It was delicious and exactly how I ordered it. I asked for a side of horseradish and it was full strength so I mixed it in with my aujus. Perfectly cooked veggies (Brussels sprouts) and a potato. I was in heaven. Thanks to you all for the great meal.

Restaurant needs an update but Good food, reasonably priced. Corned Beef is great, anytime Guiness is involved its a win win. Coconut cake is a must for dessert…

Good seafood. Service a little slow. Great Irish nachos and crab dip. Crab cake was good too.

Great service and fair price but other than that nothing to really set it apart. Standard fair, adequate portions in a diner like setting.

Came yesterday with a group of about 40 people, pre-​arranged.
My wife had the shepherd’s pie, which was wonderful. I had fish n’ chips. A huge portion but the breading was quite thick. I wondered if it was pre-​battered, then frozen.
Complimentary macaroni salad was great, not sweet like most others are.
The dining room was almost entirely filled with old folks (including us).

BP and I saw the sign for Shamrock Restaurant on our drive back home from PA and decided to stop by for lunch. We were glad we did, it’s a cozy place with authentic Irish food that left us craving corned beef for the next few days…
We looked that the menu and there are many very good looking options, but are also pretty expensive. I was unsure of the portion size, but did not feel I should pay $ 20 for Shepard’s Pie.
We ordered the Irish nachos with corned beef as our appetizer at $ 9.95. Like the caption in my picture says, I loved the thick-​wedged potato spirals. How cool are those? I ordered a corned beef sandwich with a side of fries (side of fires were ordered before I saw the wedges in the Nachos!) and BP decided to order the lunch special, Whale of a Sandwich: One haddock filet on nice, chewy, delicious bread (bun-​like) and chose the Maryland Crab as his side of soup (which was served with one measly packet of crackers… I think we could have asked for another, but was a bit surprised with the lack of generosity). The soup was nice, warm and had a good amount of crab meat!
We devoured the nachos. I already noted how much I loved the thick potato spiraled wedges, but they were also nice and crispy. Not soggy from being underneath the toppings and cheese. Oh, the cheese… It was thick, creamy, salty, and just plain awesome. The rich cheddar complimented the corned beef bits perfectly. The meat was so tender and flavorful. It was a good amount of food that more than satisfied until our waitress brought our sandwiches and side of fries.
BP’s sandwich was very enjoyable. The fish was crispy, light, and not at all greasy. The bread looked like a hot dog bun, but was better than that. It was a perfectly doughy and the tartar sauce just took the whole thing to a new level. My corned beef was very tasty as well. I loved the rye bread and the tender slices of flavorful meat definitely hit the spot. I took some leftovers home and the sandwich stayed moist! Highly recommended!

Seeing that on many a drive past this quant little gem of a restaurant I don’t know why we didn’t stop sooner before! Excellent little place to stop for delicious food! If your looking for that little mom and pop style home cooked meal this is the place to eat at! The food was incredibly fresh, and came pretty quick. Had to try the state famous soft shell crab, it was delicious! Lightly fried and serves on homemade bread. My wife had the corn beef (seeing how it’s an Irish restaurant) it looked delicious as well; she said it was really good too. Upon entering the dining hall there are small gifts and goods all of which are hard not to want to buy and take home. I would highly recommend stopping here if you happen to be passing through and are in search of a good meal. Don’t pass it up, take the time stop!

This place reminds me of the family restaurant style restaurant of my youth.
The Fish and Chips worked really well. The crust on the fish was extraordinary. The fries appear to have been frozen, but they weren’t bad.
The Thursday Steak special offered a flat iron steak and a potato with sour cream, chives and a pepper. Everything was perfectly well cooked.
The salad bar was minimalist, but decent.
I would definitely eat here again, but can’t give it my highest recommendation.

Usually a great menu and cuisine. But last evening our palettes were offended. The chicken fingers appetizer was bland; no spices. They tasted as if they were dipped in flour and tossed in the fryer. I feel they were pre-​frozen.
The Irish egg appetizer’s meat coating was too salty and dried out. The egg tasted old.
The oysters’ bread coating was far too salty. (Someone in the kitchen does not comprehend that the oysters are inherently salty already.)
The only items that tasted good were the potato salad from the salad bar and the corned beef sandwich.
Also, some items offered on the website’s menu were nonexistent; not current.
Service too was lackluster.
Last night was very disappointing.

17 yrs had passed since my last visit and I will make sure not to allow THAT to happen again.
Check the farm fresh menu… I had lamb… drool…it was so dang good and the gravy was FABULOUS also ordered was egg plant lasagna both can with the salad bar and fresh bread.
Our lunch turned into a 3 hr chat and not once did we feel pressured to give up the table.
Hint…you must get a window seat just beautiful on the rainy day we were there as the clouds lifted off the mountain… call ahead to reserve just incase. :)

I decided to stay in Thurmont MD overnight due to it’s close proximity to Gettysburg PA without Gettysburg prices and tourist chaos.
Thurmont MD is a quiet town just below the PA border perhaps 16 – 18 Miles from Gettysburg PA.
The choice to stay here turned out to be a really great one when the Shamrock Restaurant was suggested to us as a possible dinner location by the hotel we had booked into.
We arrived at the Shamrock restaurant for late dinner around 8:30 pm.
It is located right on rte. 15. If your coming from the south go the 300 more yards you are instructed to do by the huge billboard. If you don’t you end up on a backroad.
The Shamrock isn’t necessarily an Irish restaurant. It’s more of an overdone Irish themed restaurant (see pictures) it has a small Irish gift shop area as you walk in the front door for the main dining room not the lounge area.
The décor is cute and reminded me of the type of place my Irish Nana would love.
We were greeted by a very pleasant and friendly older woman and sat right away. The open dining room layout had only a few tables occupied.
Our waiter was very pleasant, personable and had a deep knowledge of the menu.
The dinner menu had a pretty wide range of American dishes on it. Very few Irish dishes. No Bangers and mashed here folks.
The tap selection was limited. Only 2 Irish beers. Guinness stout and Harp. They did have Magner’s in bottles. Only 1 whiskey from Ireland, Jameson.
I decided on the crab cake sandwich. When your in MD you gotta have something with crabs in the ingredients IMO. My Uncle got Cod with tomatoes.
Mine was absolutely delicious. He said his was good.
The crab cake was about 99% crab!
For a small extra charge you can get salad bar. Some meals come with it.
The Salad bar was actually a little hard to find. It’s on the wall separating the lounge from the dining room.
The salad bar was small and offered limited basic salad items. Don’t forget to slice yourself some bread to go with your salad. Super good!
After dinner we both had dessert. The apple pie was really good. The lemon Meringue pie my Uncle had could have used more time baking but I was told it was good.
We spent an hour in the Lounge after dinner talking with the staff and long term bartender enjoying cold beers. A lot of fun.
The entire staff was efficient and friendly.
I’m happy that restaurants like the Shamrock, in the day and age of corporate/​chain restaurants still exists.
I would definitely return to the Shamrock. If your in Thurmont and not sure where to get dinner or a «Luncheon» try the Shamrock. You will find something on the menu for any taste. I’m not sure what type of allergies they can accommodate.
Good: pretty much all of it.
Bad: limited Irish dishes and tap selection.

Excellent! Lamb, crab and seafood with salad bar all good irish fare that makes it easy to see why the Shamrock has been so popular for the past 52 years
Sorry would have posted a photo of the irish roast duck and haddock we had but I ate it before I could grab my camera– too good to wait

Absolutely amazing! Service super be and food was outstanding!!!
We showed up on father’s day, without reservation, yet they squeezed us in with a smile. Service was quick considering that they were so busy.
We ordered the prime rib, and the Irish whiskey glazed salmon. We both got a salad bar as a aide, and garlic mashed potatoes. I also ordered a bloody Mary on special for $ 3.50, and it was quite nice. Not too spicy, just the way I like it. Both of us felt that they were the best we had ever had. It’s a must try. They also carry a lot of Irish merchandise, and we couldn’t resist to get it.

The review by Scott H convinced us to give it a whirl, and we were pretty happy overall. The décor is like sitting in grandma’s parlor, but appears to be well maintained and clean. The salad bar is quite small and reminiscent of one from the 60’s and 70’s both in physical form factor and the items on it. It offers the first glimpse into whats ahead though with some really tasty fresh bread that you slice yourself.
The menu is an interesting mix of Maryland seafood and Irish classics. We tried one of each. The crab imperial had HUGE lumps of crab in it, so big some had to be cut up to fit on a fork. No fillers, just more crab to bind it together. One of the best crab imperials I have ever had. The shepherds pie featured a lot of flavorful falling apart lamb and was made in a small cast iron skillet.
If you can get past the décor, small salad bar, and most of the patrons having white hair, the food itself is amazing.

If you are over 40, you have been here before. You know the type of joint built in the 1960s with almost no update since. I had driven by this place many times over the last 15 years and finally had a chance to stop tonight.
You’re in Maryland so crabs are going to be on the menu and there’s no disappointment here. I started with a cup of the Maryland crab soup it was a little bit salty and canned vegetables, but was otherwise very good. Next up was a trip to the salad bar, and whoa is this something from the 1970s. Small, clean and filled with all sorts of uninspiring salad bar stuff. Someone’s grandma is really going to like it.
However, I forgot to mention that Ice-​T. I ordered unsweetened iced tea and was given my own little one quart pitcher with huge lemon and a big spoon with two straws. Absolutely delicious.
I decided to splurge and went with the $ 24 crab imperial. Holy cow. Delicious. Loaded with lump crab with just a hint of spices and topped with a browned topping likely made with eggs, mustard and seasonings.
Service was excellent, thanks to David. Some dude was looking for a free smoke from the staff and none were to be found. David did a great job dealing with a talkative customer. It was fun to watch. I took it as s good sign that no one in the kitchen smoked.
So, I am giving this place four stars where 3 stars is average diner food. There is potential here but it’s time to leave behind the vestiges of the 60’s.

Have driven by so many times, we figured «why not?» Stopped in after Brunswick graduation ceremony. Wish we hadn’t. Our first impression was the smell — it smells BAD in there. Like horses. We were literally wondering if they had recently renovated a barn and turned it into a restaurant. Maybe it’s smelly only after heavy rains, but after sampling the food quality, I don’t want to find out anything more about this place.
We werent that hungry and only ordered small items — soups and apps, because we didnt want to stay too long. The slow service kept us there. The ham and bean soup was lukewarm at best, while my son’s chowder was almost boiling. Probably too long in the microwave is my guess.
I ordered the «Irish Nachos» and while I appreciate the attempt to create something new… taste your own damn food once in a while, Shamrock. The Irish Nachos are flat out DISGUSTING. Nacho cheese with sauerkraut does not a good pairing make. And 10 bucks for glorified tater tots, processed nacho cheese and canned sauerkraut is just plain greedy.
My father in law ordered the Reuben and asked to share with my mother in law. Server brought it out with no extra plate… She had to use a saucer from her cold soup to eat from.
Prices are high. Food is not fresh, prepared poorly and served without care. I’m avoiding this place forever.

We went to Shamrock Restaurant after spending a day at Cunningham Falls State Park. What a good decision! The staff were gracious, inviting, friendly, and very knowledge about the menu. Our waitress was excellent! She brought us some wonderful fresh baked wheat and marble bread after taking our drink orders; I can’t even describe how fresh and soft it was. We were kicking ourselves for not buying a loaf.
We both ordered the Shepherd’s Pie (it’s just what we were craving!) and it was to die for! Attached is a picture (with a bite taken out). It was absolutely delicious and elegant — the best Shepherd’s Pie we’ve ever had. We also had a side of cranberry-​applesauce, equally delicious (kids would probably love it, especially). I really enjoyed how they had a wedge of fresh watermelon on the side, for the Shepherd’s Pie. It was a good palate cleanser after such a traditionally heavy meal.
We got dessert as well (the place sells fresh baked pies), and it was equally stunning. It was a big slice of lemon cake with blueberries, mascarpone, and a blueberry-​sugar glaze/​sauce. It was most and decadent. Even my fiancé, who doesn’t like blueberries, couldn’t stop eating it. We devoured it a few seconds after this picture was taken!
All in all, this place was a home run. Food was fresh, delicious, and served by great staff. Each meal was about $ 20, plus two beers and dessert, which totaled about $ 60 before tip. Definitely worth every penny — we will be back!

It me sad to write it… but the Shamrock just isn’t the «Gem» it used to. My dad has been returning to this establishment for over 40 years, stopping in every 5 years or so. I believe the last time we stopped in was a good while but the menu has changed and things have just gotten older. Although I can appreciate some «old irish charm», the Shamrock is now smelly, with a pugnent aroma I can only describe as mothballs and sweaty feet. I think its about time they replaced the old dirty carpet, that has sopped up way too much smelly food/​water.
The food prices were pretty expensive, including the salad bar which I think is seriously lacking. My dad was disappointed to see that they took the homestyle dinner items (i.e. hot roast beef platters, country fried steak) off the menu. I was more disappointed that they had very FEW irish dishes. In fact, I think I counted all of 4 on the entire menu.
The waitress informed us that the same family owns the restaurant, however there hasn’t been improvement only downfall. Although I can attest that the homemade cobbler was pretty darn good. I’d settle for dessert only.

We’ve driven by this restaurant many times… finally decided to stop and give it a try. Once you walk thru the door, it’s easy to see they wear their name from the inside out!
We ordered our dinner then headed to the salad bar. I’m pretty particular and was «wigged out» by the dirty handles on the spoons for the dishes! But the one thing that wigged me out more was the bread. Wonderful loaves of homemade bread waiting for CUSTOMERS to grab a hold and slice their own piece. Yes, they have a paper napkin laid over the top, but I’m sorry… you have no idea who just went to the bathroom and didn’t wash their hands!!! I could hardly swallow bites of my dinner just thinking about who had just touched the bread.
Ok what was for dinner? The hubster had the steak special. He said it had a good flavour, however left half of the steak on the plate because it came med-​well not well done like he wanted it. His baked potato wasn’t completely done. I had the half chicken with cranberry sauce. It was very tender but too much to eat. I’m taking it home and will turn it into chicken salad.
For dessert we tried (and shared) the coconut cake. It was so moist ~ well more wet than a good moist cake. The coconut was mostly in the icing which was incredibly sweet and you couldn’t really enjoy it. One bite and I laid my fork down.