The food service there is horrible. I had to flag down a waitress every time or go and get a refill of a beverage myself. Only when I am standing there they ask "can I help you?" Not only that,the way they handled the lines for the Brandi Carlile show was very confusing. No signs marking anything or no one directing us where to go. Hopefully they will improve things and be prepared for future events. The show and sound were about the only positives I liked. Cool venue that needs better service.

Holy cow! Thank you! I was there last night, and I normally love "The Clyde", but the venue  hosting was terrible.  I was thinking about posting something, but didn't want to be a grumpy ol' fart...but since you started it, I wanted to add something.  

Processing ticket holders was very slow and poorly handled (I think the last people get in around 8:40, 40 minutes after the show started), the lighting of the show was jarring and lopsided, the food services was soooo slow because the servers had more interest in chatting with friends then getting food out, and the bathroom doors made a terrible jarring sound that were very audible during Brandi's more quiet songs.  

On the plus side, just so you know that I am not a total stick in the mud, the security was friendly (part of the reason they were so slow was they kept chatting with customers) and the food that we ordered (with a 50 minute wait) was good.  In fairness, I think I saw the owner (Gulliani?) roll up his sleeves and pitch in with carrying food out during part of the more crazy time.  

I guess my advice is for events at Clyde: stay away.  But, for lunch or early dinner, I still think it is an awesome place and I highly recommend it.  I really hope they get their act together; I would think after being open this long they would be able to work out the kinks.  I love Clyde Iron and I want it to be a success!

Agreed with @Steven's comments about the wait time for tickets.  Why couldn't they separate out will call and folks with tickets in-hand?  Instead of what I thought would be a quick'n'easy ticket pick-up at a will call window, I was in line for 45 mins.  The line snaked out of the doors and back into the parking lot, at least 200 people long from 6:30 on -- and this with the show not starting until 8 PM.

Another thought - there were no signs, or friendly Clyde staff around to offer help.  I had to walk up to the security table and ask if the line was will call and in-hand tickets, where to go, and how things were organized.  There was no signage or direction of any kind.  Poorly executed - but excellent show by Brandi & the band.  Best part being when the lights were turned up on the left-hand side of the crowd without explanation and left on, to which Brandi said, "That's bullshit!  Turn 'em off!"  Awesome.

I have always felt an odd vibe when I go in there.

It starts with the entrance, which is cold, vast and unwelcoming. If you didn't hear the people upstairs, you wouldn't know where to go. Having to walk by the bar to get to the dining/concert area is odd as well, as it seems to cause a bottleneck among patrons.

I have not spent enough time there to give a solid review, but it just doesn't "feel" right.

I eat there a lot during hockey season because my kids play.  We've had up-and-down experiences there.  The food is generally good, but the service is spotty.  Long waits after ordering, long waits for drinks service, and wait staff that seem sort of amazed when I ask for something.  Like, if it says I get BBQ sauce as a side for my burger, don't be surprised when I ask where it is when you put the burger down and it's not there.

I like the venue a lot -- I think the entrance is unusual and cool, and I like being able to bring kids there without feeling like I'm disrupting other people's experiences.  I like the reuse of the old building and the decor that celebrates its history.  I wish the town still had the factory jobs, but if it can't be a factory anymore, I think it's a good repurposing.

I feel like the restaurant is close to being very good, but just can't quite get over the hump.  I hope it does.  Otherwise, if you're in the area, T-Bonz has kickass burgers.

I have had up and down experiences too.  I have kinda soured on them lately.  I only order the Ravioli and cheese and noticed that there can be a very long wait.  My other issue is that the ravioli has been excellent 2 times but the rest of the time it has be very under or very over cooked.  

I haven't had to many issues with the service but once ordered the cheese ravioli and got a mix of cheese and meat.  They took it back and I waited for a cheese.  I felt they made up with for this by offing a free desert so, again, I having had to many issues with service.  

Love the venue, and it is the reason why I keep coming back.

The site was contaminated?  Where can I learn more?

Love the venue. Been there a few times, once for drinks with friends and once for food. Both times the service was slow but not horrible. The food was rather disappointing, especially considering the price. I would head back there for a show perhaps but I'll eat elsewhere.

My parents and I eat dinner in the West End just about every Friday. We ate at the Clyde once. It was enough. Now we stick to TBonz.

I really wanted to like the Clyde. Local business, unique atmosphere; all things that I tend to enjoy. I've been there for lunch and dinner (during events and on normal weekdays/ends). I tried. I tried hard. I kept going back (six times in total) thinking that they would eventually iron out their issues. Bad food and even worse service. Waiting a long time for dry chicken and poorly seasoned food and being virtually ignored by waitstaff are not hallmarks of a restaurant worth patronizing. If you're needing a place to eat in the West End, go to the Duluth Grill. The food is great and the service is good.

I should have also added that we waited for food for over two hours and also had to bus our own table. People who arrived after us were waited on right away and got their food faster. The waitress was right behind me, about to bus the table, when I asked if we could get some menus. Might be better off eating elsewhere before a big event from now on.

If you go to eat somewhere when they are having a big event, you should expect slower service.

Though... 2 hours IS inexcusable for a place that serves food, regardless of the event.

I went for the music, and I think it's fair to expect a small meal that isn't cold in a reasonable amount of time, if they advertise it.  You're right.  Next time, I should eat at home before the show.

Clyde Iron has been a learning experience for me and our staff. There are a lot of hurdles we have had to get over and we are working very hard to try and do good here in our community. Bringing up a part of town that no resources have been given to has been very hard. Thanks to everyone that has given us a chance. 

We have gone out and brought in big national acts that have not played here in the past and we are still committed to providing this. Each show is different and our last one (Brandi Carlile) was great. The show was sold out and was different with many people coming early to the show. This was something I was not prepared for and it showed with the long waits. I learned from this and will work on making everyone's experience better going forward.

"Have any of you been to First Avenue? It has some of the same feel of that venue."

Are you high?

I appreciate all that the Clyde is doing. The restaurant is more than just serving food, drinks, and music. It is an intentional infusion into a dilapidated area. I appreciate that I can bike or walk to Clyde from my Denfeld neighborhood. 

That said we ate there right after it opened and the dish I ordered was not good. Fortunately, the owner was making the rounds and greeting guests so I could give my suggestions for improvement. He took my feedback seriously and the menu item I critiqued has since improved. We have been back several times and had good service and good food. We had somewhat of a long wait once, but the waitress took off the price of our drinks from the bill. I really like going to the Clyde and will continue to support a great local business. 

My only current complaint, the skimpy wine pours...

I agree with the burger comment above. The best burger I have ever had in Duluth, MN was at Clyde on July 14, 2011. Fantastic. And the Salmon Chowder is excellent.

Been there 'bout 7 times, all excellent. Brandi Carlisle night WAS kinda off, but I don't expect perfection. Btw: waiting two hours for food. Were you handcuffed to the table? Leave for gosh sakes! :)

I too, like many above, wanted to like Clyde, I usually love to support local, non-chain eating establishments that serve something other than reheated frozen meals like we've all had at the big chain places.  

I have been to Clyde three times. The first was shortly after it opened. Upon arrival we were confused as there was no host or signage directing us that upstairs was full service and downstairs was cafeteria style. After standing there for about three minutes, the kitchen manager came over and welcomed us and informed us to go upstairs.  Being that this was a Tuesday at 3 p.m., I was not too upset, I understand the importance of controlling labor in a restaurant. Anyway, our food came, but it was wrong.  I was impressed that most of the menu items were "homemade" but in my opinion, if your version of homemade tastes worse than the stuff you can buy, then you should figure out how to improve it.  Our service was not horrible, and I absolutely loved the atmosphere.  

We returned two other times also to have mediocre service and lame food.  I think this place has so much potential, I can't but help but believe that if they had not have received $500,000 in special loans, they would not still be open.  Anybody can run a failing business when they aren't required to make a profit for the first X number of months.  And in March, Clyde asked for a 90-day extension on its loan from the city. Not a good sign.  

Believe me, I want to see the place succeed, I think it has a lot of potential, but, as a restaurant manager in town, I can't but help wonder who they have running the place. Poor service and crappy food are definitely not a recipe for the success of any restaurant.  It's a cool building, but how many times will someone return just for that?

In my humble opinion, the Clyde would be served best by better signage/organization.

Two simple signs would address the biggest issues: "If you sit here, order at that counter; if you want service, go upstairs." "Here's the line for food, there's the line for the event."

Interesting comments.  We live in the neighborhood and frequent the Clyde once a week or so.  Really like the atmosphere, easy parking and the fact it's rarely so full you can't get a table.  We've had good luck with the woodfired pizza, and $12 for a 16" one topping is really not a bad deal ... the service has always been friendly and really prompt right off the bat but agree they do tend to be MIA about the time you want a refill.

Also hope they keep bringing live shows in, but they could stand to update the Live at Clyde websight so we may know when they are. The calendar hasn't been updated since April. 

Those are just minor things that they can easily "iron" out ba dum dum though.  Do hope they stick around.

Hello All,
I Dj Mouse, has started cooking my authentic Caribbean food at the Clyde. Please come on down and bring your family and give me your feedback. I suspect many of you are just salivating in anticipation, that's fine. I have already been stocking up on the Coconut Curry and Jamaican Jerk - Hot Wings Sauce. Come on down and try something new..We celebrate the "Diversity of the American Worker!" thanks and have something to eat!