Thicker as in chunkier pieces of ingredients, or as in it being less chunks in thin liquid and more a thick liquid composed of thick gravy and solid-but-soft pieces?

I always disliked the meat because it's hard to chew; that's always been an issue of mine with a lot of meat dishes. I'd much rather have some lovely tender braised steak with mashed potatoes and (I guess) carrot-flavoured mash... though the smell of our family's variant on Irish Stew is incredibly enticing.