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I know exactly what you mean. I have a fairly mediocre placement but it is in a location that I personally desire and I actually enjoy research so it doesn't matter for me (even though I know that I am unlikely to have my research win me any awards or accolades from prominent people).
But I would say that if you don't have a strong personal desire to keep doing research because you like it (or because it will help you meet your life goals, whether that is respect or money or whatever) then you shouldn't look for an academic job!
It sounds like you have already been around the block in terms of getting papers to a 'publishable' state. But have you endured the publication and research marketing gauntlet for real yet? That kind of male bovine fecal matter really wears people down mentally and physically.
It is not worth putting up with unless academia is something that is really important to you, which it doesn't sound like it is.
I know - and I'm sure you know - people who were bright and walked away from academia forever and are doing well in their lives. It's a good thing to find out one way or another what you want to do. Hopefully you will receive more information that will help you decide.
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