Mrs. Murphy’s

When Barry and Erin Rafferty open a restaurant, they do it with heart.

“I've done many projects over my life, but this took the most time for me to complete because it was so personal for me. Everything that's on the walls was particularly personal to me, the feel of it the live music that is played here, the menu content, the staff who work within it are all personal to me. What I'm trying to do is to create a little piece of Ireland in Medford.”

And they didn’t just build a restaurant, they built a home at Mrs. Murphy’s.

Set right in the heart of Medford Square, Mrs. Murphy’s is an Irish pub that brings the flavor and feel of the Emerald Isle to New England.

“Mrs. Murphy's Pub is really meant to feel like you're walking into your Nana's living room. It's a saying in Ireland that says “Cead Mile Failte”; 100,000 welcomes. And that's really the vibe here at Mrs. Murphy's. We want everybody, whether they're a group of friends or a first date to feel welcome walking into Mrs. Murphy's.”

The restaurant is actually named after Erin’s mom.

“All those years later. I’m the Mrs Murphy.”

But the decor is inspired by both sides of the family.

“Our parents photo albums and keepsake boxes made it to the walls of Mrs. Murphy. So it's a very personal place.  When our family members walk in, they see their own faces on the wall. And it's really meant to be a reflection of who we are as a family.”

And the menu is a mashup of both Irish and American pub favorites.

“I wanted it to be as Irish as I could make it, but I had to balance that against fact that we are in Medford, Massachusetts. So it’s an Americanized version of an Irish menu.”

Since you’re at an Irish pub, some Irish-ish nachos are definitely in order.

“The Irish ish nachos are like a little Reuben on a chip.  There's corned beef and sauerkraut and the most delicious House made chips all in one bite. It's a unique dish and they're a fan favorite.”

Other Irish delicacies include spicy sausage wrapped in puff pastry with yellow mustard and sriracha. And the Chicken “Dunks”, Mrs Murphy’s take on tenders served with a curry ranch dipping sauce.

“They're made with thigh meat instead of chicken breast. They're very moist and delicious. They come with the most delicious dipping sauce. These are beyond a chicken finger.”

Handhelds include the super juicy Double Smashburger, which Barry recommends for two reasons.

“A, it's my favorite. B, it's two four ounce beef patties, pickle, tomato, lettuce, burger bun.  It smells in your mouth. It's very soft. We try to keep it as simple as we can, because it's all about the meats and the breads, and we don't skimp on either of those products.”

Traditional Irish breakfast is an all day affair at Mrs. Murphys.

“So an Irish breakfast is made up of two slices of back bacon, two pork sausages, black and white pudding.  There's some grilled tomatoes. There's some beans and it's finished with Irish soda bread. It's as Irish as it gets.”

The entree section has options like crispy fish and chips featuring a beer battered haddock served with mushy peas, cole slaw and fries.

“So fish and chips is another staple of Ireland, and it's very important to me.  It starts and finishes with fresh fish. It's a beer batter that surrounds it.  It's a very large portion on the plate. And it's as good a fish dish, I believe, as you have anywhere in the country."

Other Irish staples include Barry’s family recipe for Shepherd’s Pie.  And a comforting Steak and Ale Pie, featuring a hearty stew topped with flaky puff pastry.

“When you crack into the initial layer of puff pastry, obviously the steam comes out. You get the smell of beef. You get the smell of ale. You get the smell of onion, mushroom. And then the beef melts in your mouth. And it's comfort food at its best.”

At dessert, you could opt for the Barrys’s Grandmother’s Chocolate Biscuit Cake.

“So the chocolate biscuit cake was also born in County Mayo.  It's 100% cocoa.  It's two different types of biscuits.  There's fresh cream. It's served cold.  It could be unique to my family, I'm not so sure, but, but it's been very well received, and we're very happy with it.”

But if your NOT into Nana’s Cake, you can order the so-called “NOT Your Nana’s Tea”

“It comes in the most beautiful antique teapot from Ireland.  It's a little bit of a nod to pink lemonade.  Very citrusy, a little bit sweet, but not too sweet, made with Grey Goose and some sparkling lemonade.  It is impossible not to order another and it's an experience more than a drink because of the way that it's served.”

And it’s also impossible not to feel like family, when you visit this family at Mrs. Murphys.

“I really think coming to Mrs. Murphy's feels like a homecoming whether you're from Ireland and you want to just feel a little bit of home, or you're from here and you just want to feel welcome and among friends instantly.”