Today we’d like to introduce you to James Murphy.
James, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Opening its doors in September 2005, in the heart of Chicago’s North Center neighborhood, Mrs. Murphy & Sons Irish Bistro has been serving up gastro-pub fare with traditional Irish pub favorites, complemented by a thoughtful assortment of craft beers, a friendly wine list and a deep selection of Irish whiskey for more than 11 years.
The restaurant was the brainchild of Jim Murphy, my father. He had run Murphy’s Bleachers in Wrigley Ville since 1980, but had always dreamed of opening a place that reflected the sort of pubs that he loved in Ireland. In 2002, he found a space in an old funeral home building that was for sale on Lincoln Ave. He had lined up a chef, commissioned a gorgeous bar from Ireland, but passed away as the space was being renovated. We (myself along with my stepmother, Beth Murphy and brother Brian Murphy) decided to carry the project through to completion. The key thing that we really strive to offer is the sort warm family welcome, that makes a great Irish pub.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has not been a smooth road. The process of renovating the pub and getting it open was a dramatic thing to get past. At one point the bar makers workshop in Ireland flooded! So just getting the bar built shipped here, and then assembled on site, on its own was loaded with drama.
Mrs. Murphy & Sons Irish Bistro – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
We are a full-service restaurant, but also a pub and event space. We regularly host weddings, theater readings, storytelling, and every sort of party in our upstairs event space. We’re intensely proud of our beer and Irish whiskey selection. We’ve had tremendous success out at street festivals and have won the People’s Choice award at Chicago’s Ribfest for our fall off the bone ribs with a marmalade whiskey BBQ sauce.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Beyond profit, it is really to deliver excellent food and drinks with the sort of warmth that I personally look for when I go out to eat.
Contact Info:
- Address: 3905 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, IL 60613
- Website: irishbistro.com
- Phone: 773-248-3905
- Email: irishbistro@gmail.com
- Instagram: irishbistro
- Facebook: @irishbistro
- Twitter: @irishbistro
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/mrs-murphy-and-sons-irish-bistro-chicago
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