Chinaskis - Glasgow City

This place was near our Airbnb and was recommended by the host. Fun atmosphere, good food and good service. What else can you ask for?

Service and beer was good. Good looking pub. If that’s all your after then great. However, avoid the food. The battered haddock and chips was dire. The batter was like an oil soaked sponge. The fish a tasteless paste inside the batter. The chips tasted off.

You have to know who Chinaski was and be mindful of your surroundings or you might miss this bar and that would be a tragedy of the most lyrical proportion. Being a poet and being from Chicago and having a great knowledge of Charles Bukowski made this the perfect accidental happy place on a short trip to Scotland. It was serendipity that got us there – but it was good prices and great service that kept us there. It was a rainy day in October (2021) so we stayed inside – but there is a large and well-appointed outdoor space should the weather permit. The service was friendly and quick. They clearly enjoy working there as we bantered back and forth about Bukowski and the subtleties of tourism. The food was great. The Bukowski Burger was cooked perfectly and seasoned with the same complexity of the work of it’s namesake. This was the perfect ending to an extended weekend – before heading back home to Chicago. I highly recommend this place – but maybe don’t ask if you can buy a tee-shirt.

At first glance, the restaurant may seem questionable from the outside. However, don't let that deter you from entering and indulging in the food. The fish tacos are outstanding and I am eager to come back and try their burgers, as they look fantastic. The restaurant has a laid-back atmosphere and though small, it has a cool vibe. The staff is incredibly friendly and accommodating.

We made a reservation at this restaurant a few days in advance for dinner. When we arrived 10 minutes early, we were asked to wait at a table for drinks while they prepared our dinner table for the next hour. We expressed our preference to be seated for dinner, but it seemed to offend the staff. They eventually asked another couple to vacate their table so we could be accommodated, but the overall experience made us feel like we were inconveniencing them. Disappointed by the service, we ultimately decided to leave.