Houligans Steak & Seafood Pub

This has and probably always will be my favorite restaurant in Eau claire. It all began during the festival of nations when I was a kid, (which btw they don’t participate anymore) outside of the restaurant they were selling their candied garlic burgers. Upon tasting it my family knew that the sauce was worth triple its weight in gold. (They now sell the candied garlic sauce packaged) Every time i visit home we have to go here. I have to buy a jar of the sauce to take home and my parents have sent me some in the mail as well. Service is always superb and the atmosphere certainly gives it a Irish pub feel. They have an extensive seafood menu and the steaks are amazing as well!!! If you want the best of eau claire go here seriously! If you don’t you are missing out! And if anyone from Houligans is reading, you should get involved in the festivals downtown again, you never know another kid like me may become a lifelong fan!

My wife and I haven’t been to Houligan’s in many years. No reason why. We went last night with a couple of friends and were very much looking forward to our visit.
My wife ordered the prime rib. I was in the mood for a burger, so I had the candied garlic burger with a side of sweet potato fries.
My wife’s prime rib was. ok. Not the best we’ve ever had. We’ve had better in the area. My burger was lack luster even with the candied garlic sauce on it.
The prime rib didn’t quite capture all the flavors we read about on the menu. She ordered it med-​rare. It came out a lot closer to rare. The same happened with my burger. I ordered it med-​rare and the inside was pretty red and the temp was close to being cold.
It was Friday night and the place was busy. Our waitress was very nice but the service was a little slow. Like I said it was busy so I understand the service being a little slow.
I thought for the meal we had the price was a little high. I don’t mind paying a higher price for an outstanding meal but I don’t believe we received an outstanding meal. It was average-​ish.
I see other people have loved the food there so Houligan’s is doing something right. We must of just caught them on an off night.
We don’t plan to go back for a diner anytime soon but we liked the atmosphere. We would like to return for a beer and try the apps. The apps sounded very good.
All the staff we talked to were very friendly.

Great food with a very cool atmosphere! Will be making this a regular date night spot!

Fantastic small town atmosphere with the luxuries of city life. This little gem is tucked off the main drag and produces the best bloody Mary’s in town. Beer is cold, taps are clean and prices are very fair.
Staff and patrons are friendly and inviting. Excellent way to start or end the evening.

Nice place, good steak. Not always easy to get a seat but you can always have a drink at the bar. Staff are very pleasant.

We had the candied garlic wings as an appetizer and they were amazing!!! Gorgonzola cheese dip was to die for. The entrée was okay, we had the ribeye and it was nothing to get too excited about.
We bought a jar of the candied garlic sauce and were disappointed to see that high fructose corn syrup was the #1 ingredient. Ew. I mean, yum, but EW.

My husband and I stopped here on our way home from the Warren’s Cranberry Festival. We don’t like to stop at chains for the most part. So we ‘Yelped’ steakhouse and Houligan’s popped up.
My husband had the NY Strip done MW and it was perfect, juicy and delicious. It came with mashed potatoes and corn O’Brien (with onions and red peppers, tasty!). Large enough steak portion that we had to bring some home for later!
I had a special which was sea scallops and sautéed mushrooms in a cream sauce over spinach ravioli also served with the corn O’Brien. It was fantastic! It was a bit pricey but we knew that from Unilocal and I would like to come here again someday.

We had some drinks and appetizers. All good, but nothing special. But, we were well taken care of (thanks to Mariah). Not sure we will ever return to Eau Claire — find your way over here for first class, friendly service and atmosphere.

Celebrated our anniversary today at Houligans. Great service (thanks Betty). Food cooked to perfection. Always a treat to eat here.

Delicious combo consisting of their 3 oz filet cooked to perfection and a smaller version of their seafood bake as a side. The delicious seafood bake is made with large shrimp, chunks of lobster meat and portobello mushrooms. Very rich dish. Great service and quiet atmosphere rounded out a perfect evening in downtown Eau Claire.

Had a wonderful late dinner tonight with my family. We tried the sausage tortellini, panko crusted horseradish salmon, and a grilled chicken Caesar salad. Everything was so yummy. We had a very relaxing and enjoyable dinner especially because of our wonder waitress, Betty. She was so sweet, accommodating, and friendly. Will definetely be back when we are in town. Thank you Betty you were the Best!

Ribeye to die for. Prime rib was sent back as not rare enough for me at 7pm, Sat. Accomodating waitstaff. Host was very attentive, gave great suggestions. Pomegranate Cosmo w/​Pama was super good.

I have traveled the world and just had the best hamburger of my life! The service was exceptional and the beer and wine selections are outstanding! Lots of other great entrees, as well!

Service was less than average, food was just okay and what’s with all the candied stuff on salads and side dishes. According to the bartender, it’s the chef’s thing… get a new chef!

Best burgers anywhere. Good meat and seafood if a bit pricey. Eat up front, never eat at a show in the back room. Service in the dining room is great, service in the back room is spotty at best.

Went there last night (Wed) with my wife on her 68^th birthday. I had a 20 oz dark beer like a Heffe. It was great. My wife’s drink was also very good. She had crusted salmon & I had the Mediterranean shrimp. They were both excellent. The waitress with the short legs (as she puts it) did a great job and never rushed us. She is a asset to the business. The presentation of the food & temperature of everything was perfect. The food was pricey, but worth every dollar. I think a small salad or a cup of soup should be included with a dinner. We will definitely be back again. I would of liked another beer, but had to drive to Lake Wissota.

Came here for an anniversary dinner and went all out. I started with the cheese curds, which came with some of the best ranch that I have ever had. It was very fresh and creamy. The curds were pretty good too. They use actual cheese curds instead of the blocks of cheese you get at many other places in town. Then I had the blackened pork chops. They were cooked fantastically and the seasoning was great. The mashed potatoes that came with it were delicious as well.
It also came with a side ceasar salad that was very well put together. It had a deviled egg with caviar on top with was a nice addition to the tangy egg.
I then topped it off with a grasshopper and lava cake. The lava cake was pretty good, but it came with a chocolate dipped spoon that added a nice flavor to every bite. I ended up using it on the grasshopper. I had never had a grasshopper previously, but it was a very delicious after dinner «drink» especially coupled with the chocolate dipped spoon.
There was also a good selection of beers on tap with a concentration on microbrews.

Stepping into this Eau Claire institution, one of the few fine dining establishments still left in our idyllic berg, you’re instantly greeted with a smile, whether you enter through the front or back door. Even new guests are treated as though they are old friends by the host staff, wait staff, and even the kitchen staff, as you make your way to your chosen location at either the bar or the dining room. The sound in the air in unmistakable. It sounds like family… like that perfect happy noise that fills the room at a Thanksgiving dinner… like home.
But, of course, none of that really compares to the feasts that are to come. When handed the menus, you are brought to your first difficult decision… to look at the drink menu or the food menu first. I’m personally one to want to figure out the beverage first.
The drink menu is, quite simply, a credit to the state of Wisconsin. From the great variety of beers running the gamut of expensive imports to locally loved standards, you can see why the bar stools at this establishment are rarely empty. The wine menu, as well, boasts a great offering of tastes for every palate. Of course, where the bar staff here really shines is when it comes to the cocktails. Not sure what you want to drink? Just ask the bartender. I’ve yet to find them incapable of giving me just the perfect concoction to complete an evening.
pint2 copyOnce you have your drink order in and have heard the specials, flip open that menu and prepare to really struggle with what you want to have fill your hunger. It helps to have a basic concept of what you want for the night, as I know I personally find myself struggling once I start salivating over the different cuts of meat available for my dinner. Of course, there was also that special that sounded amazing… then again, I’ve been really craving seafood and that fish fry could be just what I need. Of course, if you go on Saturday, the answer is simple… Prime Rib, without a doubt.
In the end, what you choose isn’t entirely important, as I’ve tried almost every item on their menu and have yet to leave dissatisfied. Of course, that after-​dinner drink (grasshoppers anyone?) may have helped put that extra curve to the smile on my face.
Quite simply put, Houligans is the type of place where you will find yourself wanting to return to again and again… and you’ll be amazed at how quickly they remember a face… and a drink order.

I’ve eaten at Houligans a few times, and absolutely love it. The first time, I got a tortellini pasta dish, which was great, but I really should’ve ordered what my mom got. My mom got one of the stars of the restaurant: the candied garlic burger. They have a patented candied garlic sauce that is for sale in jars there also. I am obsessed with this sauce, and I always have some in my fridge. They also put it on a steak, and I have yet to try that, but it is so amazing. The service is always great, the staff is always friendly, and I have never had a bad meal there.

It’s good but it’s not amazing. True, it is probably one of the nicest restaurants in Eau Claire, but it’s pretty much average steak and seafood from any typical chain like Perry’s, McCormick & Schmick’s, etc.
I gave it 4 stars instead of 3 for their perpetually rotating collection of draft beers, including Chimay and the amazing Devil’s Eggs topped with caviar. It was so delicious that even after a full meal, I had 2 orders to go.
Their famous candied garlic sauce didn’t have a lot of flavor for me personally. Their prosciutto wrapped filet was a great concept but I didn’t taste the prosciutto and the filet had a dry texture. The seafood is very fresh and the martinis are ok but in a city where good draft beer is $ 2, $ 7.50/martini in a small glass is pushing it. I’d def visit again for the seafood and fresh draft beers. I think I just ordered the wrong things my first time around.