Personal preference I guess.

is it really that bad? i was considering paying for it

Then eat at O'Briens (whatever that is) the rest of the year. One nasty burger isn't going to do you any harm.

Double post.

I haven't been but it's generally reported to be about as crowded as (...trying to think of something less offensive...)... India?

Also you pay extra for showers AFAIK, and any lounge buffet is never as amazing. For 40$, you'd be better of paying 20$ for something at O'briens (you'll probably get some onion rings, not much more). That being said, isn't O'brien's the Irish pub in Concourse C opposite and before the EK J lounge? Being a pub, also not recommended for a minor.

You can go to the Haagen Dasz place, or McDonalds, or Costa, or Ocean Basket (a South African franchise! yay!) or Starbucks (ugh...) but the point being, you should probably have booked the 1h transit :D

That's McGettigans I think (I was in Concourse C for the first time in a while last week). I noticed the name as I still thought it was the Irish Something or other.

Yes! you're right. O'briens may well be another irish pub somewhere else, in recent years I've spent more time in the lounges and less in the terminals. There was a time I would be doing 17h transits airside in DXB with no lounge access (yes yes, I know.. I was young and had stamina...) and I would've known all these places but now...

There is (was?) also the Irish Village.

There's an Ocean Basket at DXB!? Since when?

Always has been AFAIK. It's next to Burger King I think, it's at one of the ends of Concourse B, either the one leading to C or the other one.

I think that's what I saw and it's now McGettigans, but it's been a while since I've not had lounge entry, or been to Concourse C, so not 100% sure.

AFAIK this is not policy anymore.
As a "Young Traveller" in EK's books I have no problem entering the J lounge in DXB.
The way to tackle it is to take down the staff's name, make a verbal threat that you will take things to higher management and how much you spend on the airline and all of the "dragons" leave you alone. As a consumer paying a "Adult" fare anything and everything available to an older PAX should be available to myself. I have no hesitation of shouting at a phone agent and asking for a manager. Money doesn't grow on trees and my patience doens't either.