Mrs. Murphy and Son's Irish Bistro

My wife and I have been here 3 times and each time we've ordered something different. We've ordered everything from Stew to Steak to Seafood and each meal has been consistently good. They have a good selection of beers, as well as wine. Make sure to try the soda bread that they bring to the table.
On two visits we were seated downstairs in the dining room off of the bar. The wood burning fireplace is always burning on cold nights, which gives off a great smell and comfortable feel. On a recent visit, we were seated upstairs overlooking Lincoln Ave. This dining room has more of a fine dining feel. Service has always been excellent.

Pros: Great Service, Food, Parking

Cons: None

Posted 05/03/08

a bit more beer hall flavor would send the irish in us back for more. but as is, the place hasn't really changed much from it's previous funeral home atmosphere. that in and of itself isn't a plus.

Pros: well, it's irish.

Cons: dark, drab, and the feeling of a funeral being done up in the kitchen doesn't work for me.

Posted 08/11/07

There are no pictures on the menus, and the Irish do have food other than american pub food. Irish bistro is one of my favorite spots on Lincoln. Pork chop is always cooked as I like it med rare, the beef in the beef stew was tender and pliable. The beer list is extensive, and service always prompt, kind, ands professional. Snvolt has never been to this fine establishment as he claims there are pictures on the menus, take it from a sox fan and south side Irish this place is great.

Pros: great food, excellent beer, great service

Cons: they're cub fans

Posted 07/15/07

Irish fine dining, is like saying healthy fast food, it doesn't exist. The Irish should stick to what they do best, bar fare.

I took my wife to this restaurant and we were both extremely disappointed. Go here if you like;
Bland Food
Overpriced Food
Rude waitress doing some sort of fake accent
We ordered Prawns for an appetiser. They are not the fat giant shrimp that are pictured in the menu. They arrive sawed in half with most of the meat missing. What's left is peppered with shell shards.

What's this I asked the waitress. THOSE ARE PRAWNS! THAT'S WHAT THEY LOOK LIKE!!!!

I will say that they have an extensive beer list. I wish I had ordered a burger to go with it.

Pros: Extensive beer list

Cons: Rude Waitress and bland overpriced food.

Posted 06/13/07

My wife and I ate here for the first time recently. The food is medium priced, but well worth paying more for. It took a long time for us to choose what to order from the menu because the options all sounded delicious, but the server did not rush us. Our entrees were generously portioned and very tasty! I highly recommend the Guinness onion soup and the New York strip. The atmosphere was very intimate and quiet. The menu even had a disclaimer not to use your cell phone in the dining area. I rate this restaurant a perfect 10.

Pros: Food, service, atmosphere

Posted 11/08/06

I haven't been back to Mrs Murpy and Son's since shortly after it opened. Reading your recent favorably reviews reminded me how much I liked it, and I'll be back this evening. I liked everyting about the place, although I thought it was a bit pricey. The overal enviornment, food, service, location etc. were all top notch. The owner/partner, who I knew from his time at the East Bank Club, came over to talk to us, which was a nice personal touch.
Thanks for reminding me that I have to make a point of going back to those places I really like and give them my business, so hopefully they will stay open and flurish.

Pros: Ambiance, service, food

Cons: price

Posted 10/25/06

I am a fairly picky eater and really don't wander away from my standards very often, but I decided to try Mrs. Murphy's because of the great reviews. I was thrilled to find a variety of dishes that were unique enough to give me an idea what "Irish cuisine" is while encorporating enough American twists to keep it within reason. The beautiful decor certainly doesn't hurt, either. I recommend sampling their extensive beer collection as well.

Pros: Amazing space with great food and service, plus free parking

Posted 09/20/06

Just love this find. The food is interesting and different. I've been back several times both for weekend lunch and dinner. We've tried a number of fish dishes, all perfectly cooked. The corned beef sandwich at lunch was the best I've ever had and the Irish soda bread is good enought to eat for dessert (although the house desserts as wonderful too). Dinner is more American contemporary than brunch but both are equally good. Awesome beer list and great bar for hanging out. Happened to notice that there's an upstairs and ventured up to find terrific private party rooms. Can't wait to plan a party for my lovely wife.

Pros: Free parking at nearby lot; private dining available; fabulous beer list

Cons: Not downtown but worth the short drive north

Posted 09/14/06

A great place to go for dinner...even the bathrooms are posh. We started with the mussels and this place is the only I've found in Chicago who doesn't turn mussels into bland, rubbery blobs of lukewarm flesh. I'm usually dissappointed with seafood but these were amazing. The duck is even better. They have the best bloody marys and screwdrivers I've ever had...combine those with a tasty breakfast "skillet" and it makes for the perfect Sunday brunch. The menu is rich, inventive and offers something for everyone.

Pros: Beautiful atmosphere and good wine

Posted 09/05/06

This place has excellent food and an extensive selection of good craft brews. Guinness and cheese soup, wild boar sausage are awesome. Servers/bartenders are really friendly and helpful. Decor is very nice, too...woodburning fireplace, huge ornate wood bar, great bathrooms. Beer selection is top notch; plenty of great stuff on tap and even more in bottles. The place never seems to be busy (you can walk in on a Friday night with no reservation and get seated with no problem). Definitely check it out...you'll be glad you did!

Pros: great food, great beer

Posted 09/03/06

Have loved this place since I first saw it when it opened last September. Particularly love the shepherd's pie and the bread and butter pudding. The staff have always been very friendly (we love you, Jeff, Nate and Emily) and accomodating. Great new addition to the neigborhood!

Pros: Free parking lot, great for parties (beautiful upstairs rooms)

Cons: Too many beers to choose from!

Posted 07/04/06

Used to be a huge fan...food/atmosphere are wonderful. Recently, came in with a $25 gift card, given a few months earlier by a staff member after a reservation mix up. Food/service were great. To pay our bill, we gave the card, cash to cover the balance and a 25% tip. The card turned out to be "empty". We were questioned and treated as though we stole it or were running a scam. By the end, we were given partial value of what the card was supposed to be, no apology. Maybe a gimmick to get you in the door or maybe an inexperienced employee but a very embarrassing/uncomfortable situation. Disappointed because it was a favorite but we won't go back .

Pros: Good Food, Valet

Cons: Rude Staff

Posted 05/13/06

Beautiful restaurant. Neat bar areas on both levels. Good food & very pleasant staff. Great for either a romantic dinner or just drinks in the bar.

Posted 05/11/06

Great atmosphere. Nice fireplaces. Food was good. The first time we went the service was a little slow but they had just opened. Since then the service has been exceptional.

Posted 12/26/05

Basically, the food was terrible, the shrimp pasta dish tasted like vinegar, the food was cold, the food took over an hour to arrive at our table, the food is over priced. Trust me, I am not a big complainer, don't waste your money or time. The service is bad, the food is bad, and the food is over priced for what you recieve.

Pros: atmosphere

Cons: bad food, bad service, food not worth prices

Posted 12/08/05