Carrigan’s in Hamilton is probably one of the easiest restaurant reviews for me to write.
Why?
Because at one point I ate here so often that I practically sickened myself of the place.
And I mean that as a compliment. 😂
Before I started travelling around Lanarkshire reviewing food, Carrigan’s was one of the main places I would go when eating out locally.
I loved their old Market Menu, knew exactly what I liked and apparently saw absolutely no reason to try anywhere else.
Starting Ribz Reviews Food eventually forced me to branch out, but returning to Carrigan’s after trying hundreds of other meals gave me a good opportunity to answer one question:
Was it actually as good as I remembered?
Carrigan’s Hamilton
Carrigan’s is an independently owned family business that has been operating since 1979.
They now have locations around Lanarkshire, but this review is specifically about the Hamilton restaurant at Eddlewood Toll.
The food is very much in the classic restaurant/pub-grub category.
Think burgers, chicken, pasta, steaks and plenty of familiar favourites rather than tiny portions of food arranged artistically in the middle of a massive plate.
That’s exactly what I want from somewhere like this.
The Value Menu
One of the big reasons I visited Carrigan’s so often in the past was the value.
The old Market Menu was always a favourite of mine, and on my more recent visit I returned to try the similar Carrigan’s Favourites-style offering.
When I visited for the original review, the lunch deal worked out at around £13.95 for two courses.
Menus and prices can change, so definitely check the latest offering directly with Carrigan’s rather than travelling based purely on that price.
The important thing for me was whether the food still lived up to my memories.
What We Ordered
Between us, we ordered:
- Potato skins
- Pâté and crackers
- Southern fried chicken
- Macaroni cheese
There was really only one dish I was particularly interested in judging.
The Southern fried chicken.
But first, the starters.
Potato Skins
The potato skins were excellent.
Nice and crispy on the outside while remaining fluffy in the middle, which is exactly how I want them.
But I need to give a special mention to the garlic mayo served alongside them.
That dip was a 10/10 for me.
Full-scale sublime.
It’s funny how sometimes the simplest part of a meal ends up being one of the things you remember, and that garlic mayo absolutely did the job.
Pâté and Crackers
We also had the pâté and crackers at the table.
It’s another classic starter that fits perfectly with the type of traditional menu Carrigan’s does.
Nothing overly complicated – just familiar restaurant food before getting into the mains.
Southern Fried Chicken – The Real Test
When I think about Carrigan’s, this is the dish I remember.
Southern fried chicken.
This was what I really came back to judge.
I’d eaten it plenty of times years ago, but after travelling around and trying so many other restaurants and takeaways since then, would it still be as good as I remembered?
It was better.
Every bite of that crispy coating was absolute magic.
I’ve eaten my fair share of fried chicken over the years and this was still right up there with some of the best I’ve had.
It was like there was a party in my mouth and the only person invited was another chunk of chicken I couldn’t wait to stuff in my wee fat face.
Sometimes professional food-review terminology just doesn’t quite cover it. 😂
Macaroni Cheese
The other main at the table was the macaroni cheese.
Unfortunately, I can’t give you a detailed review of this one.
Normally I can rely on getting a taste of whatever my sister doesn’t finish.
This time?
Nothing.
She demolished the full thing.
I’ll take that as a fairly strong review in itself.
Proper Hearty Restaurant Food
That’s probably the biggest thing I associate with Carrigan’s.
It’s hearty food.
You’re not going somewhere like this because you want an experimental tasting menu. You’re going because you fancy familiar dishes, good portions and proper comfort food.
Even after spending years trying restaurants all over Lanarkshire, I can understand exactly why I used to return so often.
Where Is Carrigan’s Hamilton?
You’ll find Carrigan’s Hamilton at:
3 Birkhill Road
Eddlewood Toll
Hamilton
ML3 8BG
There’s complimentary customer parking at the Hamilton restaurant, which is handy if you’re travelling from elsewhere in Lanarkshire.
Carrigan’s is a family-run local business that’s been around for decades, and that longevity probably tells you plenty about how well known the name has become locally.
Is Carrigan’s Hamilton Worth Visiting?
For me, Carrigan’s is almost a nostalgic restaurant.
I went through a period where it felt like the only place I ate locally.
Then I started reviewing food, branched out and discovered hundreds of other places.
Coming back after all of that could easily have been disappointing.
Instead, the Southern fried chicken was even better than I remembered.
Throw in excellent potato skins, that ridiculous garlic mayo and the value available from their set-menu style offerings, and I can see exactly why I used to visit so often.
I’m just going to try not to eat there every week this time. 😂
My pick: Southern fried chicken
Unexpected hero: Garlic mayo
Best for: Hearty, familiar restaurant food
Would I return? Considering my history here, I think we already know the answer.
I’m building an interactive map of every food spot I’ve visited over the last few years. It will update with every post I make.
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