The Ford
This is the story that started 3000 miles away and a restaurant that came to be with the luck of the Irish and the heart of a hometown girl.
“I worked in Ireland. I worked in the UK.”
“I grew up in Medford, Massachusetts, go Mefa!”
“And here I am in Medford, Massachusetts. 55 years later, having opened what I believe to be my dream project.”
And together, they called it The Ford.
Located in Medford, Massachusetts, The Ford is a dream turned reality for Barry Rafferty, an Irish immigrant who wanted to create a restaurant inspired by the fond memories of his homeland. And it all started with a chance meeting with his now wife, Erin.
“I wasn’t the first and I won’t be the last, I met my wife in my mother’s backyard.”
“It's a bit of a setup. And I met Barry, one beautiful summer evening in Dublin”
“From that, our relationship grew, we got married and I moved to Medford.
“And ever since we stepped foot back in Medford, Barry was looking around for the perfect place to open a neighborhood tavern and found this spot. And it's been a labor of love. He's put his whole heart and soul into making this place really special. And he's done a great job.”
When conceptualizing the restaurant, Barry longed to recreate the warm feel of the family gathering spots he enjoyed in his youth.
“Atmosphere is everything where everybody feels welcome. That they're sort of being enveloped in a hug when they walk through the door. If you've ever been to Ireland, the pub, the local pub is part of the fabric of the community. It's not just a place to drink, it's a place to celebrate. It's a place to catch up with friends and really just be an active part of the community and catch up with people.”
And while the front makes you feel like home, back in the kitchen, they execute familiar dishes done right.
“What they are doing in the kitchen is all from scratch. The chef that we have and the whole team in the kitchen. Really take pride in making sure that everything is top notch and fresh.”
There are many ways to kick off your meal at The Ford. From fresh shucked oysters delivered daily, to addictive garlic parmesan wings served with ranch for dipping. And while this may not be a Mexican restaurant, Erin claims there’s no toppings their nachos.
“I am a nachos snob. Yes, I am. Our nachos have beans, pico de Gallo, jalapeños, fresh cut chips, the most delicious cheese. And believe me, I've tried not to use all over the world. And these are my favorite."
There are creative flatbreads like this one piled up with caramelized onions, blue cheese, pears, walnuts, red onions and arugula with a balsamic glaze and crispy golden onion rings- all hand cut in house.
Our view is that onion rings and a beer. They're served crispy. t's the batter is a very light batter. It's a nice chunky size onion. And it's served with. And it served with a house sauce that is creamy and spicy and wonderful.”
When it comes to entrees, standouts include crispy fried chicken served with creamy mashed potatoes and slaw. This unique Cauliflower steak, perfect for vegetarians and a burger that will have you seeing double.
“Why have one when you can have two. We serve two four ounce burgers patties. We serve with their own house sauce. It served on a potato roll. It's juicy. It's a mouthful. It's just a little taste of everything and I love it.”
And then there’s the steak tips: a dish Barry had never come across before coming to the States.
“We don't have steak tips in Ireland. And the key to a steak tip has got to be the tenderness and what it's marinated in.
“People in Medford and local areas take their steak tips very seriously. You have to have a great steak tip. And marinated just right seasoned just right cooks just right in the forehead nails it when it comes to our steak tips.”
But a dish Barry DID know a thing or two about was that classic Irish comfort food, Shepherd’s Pie.
“The shepherd's pie was important to us, especially Barry because he comes from Ireland. And the shepherd's pie was something he was going to hang his hat on to make sure that everybody knew that we were dead serious in that kitchen. It's comfort food at its best. It's layered with cream potato on top. There's peas, there's onions, there's gravy. It's just so moist. And when you when you when you when you dip the spoon you get the potato you get a little bit of cheese, and you get the lovely filling underneath. And it just feels like home.”
Another dish that will transport your palate back to the Emerald Isle is the fresh and crispy fish and chips.
“The fish is light, crispy perfectly cooked every single time. And even people who come from Ireland and the UK, come in here for our fish and chips and say wow, you nailed it. It's delicious.
And they really nailed dessert, keeping it simple with a classic Chocolate Brownie Sundae.
“It comes in a tall sort of old school soda fountain glass with delicious vanilla ice cream, freshly made brownies and whipped cream. t’s really like an old school throwback with a long spoon. It's a huge hit. And everybody adores it.”
And whether you’re from Medford, or from across the pond, you too will adore The Ford.
