Do you ever find yourself hungry, but have no idea what type of food you want? If this happens to you, then let us introduce you to a restaurant with excellent food covering a variety of food types, right in the centre of Hua Hin. Father Ted’s is an Irish Pub and restaurant on Damnernkasem Road (Soi 61) just opposite the Hua Hin Police Station which gets great crowds almost every day.
Pub restaurant meals, from this writer’s experience, can be hit and miss. However, Father Ted’s left our group with a very positive impression of their food and service during a recent visit.
Their very extensive menu takes you on a tour of their favourite world cuisines. In the menu, there’s a page devoted to British and Irish style Chinese dishes, a full page each for Mexican, Italian, plus Thai dishes. Add to that, a page of British and Irish pub food Specialities, and a Steak menu with beef imported from Australia as well as grilled Salmon. Extremely comprehensive for a Pub restaurant.
Just wanting something light? Not to worry, there’s a selection of favourite bar snacks and sandwiches to fill that desire.
Our Father Ted’s food journey started with Vegetarian Spring Rolls, and the Caesar Salad with Smoked Salmon from the Starters menu – both high in quality and taste. The Caesar Salad was a generous size, and the Smoked Salmon added a sense of luxury to the dish. From the Western Style, Chinese menu, we chose the Salt and Chilli Ribs. Great tasting ribs with a subtle spice hit served on wok tossed sweet peppers and onion. Very tasty and worth getting your hands dirty for!
Our main dishes took us around the world. First stop – Mexico with Father Ted’s Chicken Fajitas. Perfectly grilled strips of chicken topped with melted cheese served on sliced and grilled peppers and onions. To accompany, warm tortillas plus four sides – Salsa, Spanish rice, refried beans, and sour cream.
From their Speciality menu, the very British Fish and Chips. Beer battered Sea Bass, home-made chips, and whole peas – served with Tartare sauce, a lemon wedge and a green salad garnish. Crispy light batter and nicely cooked fish plus great chips. An all-time favourite for many.
Australia was our final stop on the main course dishes with Filet Mignon! 250 grams of imported tenderloin wrapped in bacon grilled to our desire, and served with sautéed asparagus, a generous serve of rosemary and garlic potato mash, and a small mixed leaf salad. The Filet Mignon and the other grilled meats on this menu come with a choice of eight sauces. We chose Pepper Sauce. All members of our group tasted this steak and in unison agreed – one of the best and most tender steaks we’ve had in Thailand. Outstanding!
The dessert selection is simple and covers the bases. Our group sampled three – the Apple & Rhubarb Crumble served warm with ice-cream and whipped cream; a Chocolate Brownie, drizzled with chocolate sauce for added indulgence and accompanied by vanilla ice-cream and cream; and a Thai favourite – Mango and Sticky Rice.
If you are looking for breakfast, then Father Ted’s can help with that. Breakfast is available from 9:00 am from Friday to Wednesday, and 10 am Thursdays. Starting with simple offerings like Muesli, fresh fruit, and the like through to a Full Irish Fry-up called “The Works”. It promises toast, Black Pudding, two types of sausage, two types of bacon, two eggs, hash browns, baked beans and fried tomato, with tea or coffee to wash it down. There is also a Vegetarian breakfast Fry-up!
Opened in December 2016, Father Ted’s has been entertaining guests with live music every night, and special guest performers weekly. Every Saturday night the Soul, Jazz & Blues band “Remix” draws a good crowd. The highly popular “Bangkok Beetles Band” are also regulars at Father Ted’s playing every Wednesday night and almost always packing the place. For sports fans, it’s also one of the best Sports Bars to get your fix of the most popular sports from around the world. Happy Hour is available from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm Monday to Friday and upstairs you’ll find a Pool Table for those wanting to test their skills.
Further information and contact details for Father Ted’s can be found at facebook.com/fathertedsthailand
Next time you are hungry but don’t know what you are in the mood for, think Father Ted’s.
By Michael Cullen