Above the law
Murphy’s Law kicks Irish pub fare up a notch. Anything that can go right will go right at Murphy’s Law. The Irish pub and restaurant opened in December 2008 in downtown Chandler, 58 South San Marcos Place, in the historical Dougherty Building, built in 1914. For sure, owners Roger and Tresha Baldwin have tastefully juxtaposed the past with the present, providing this revitalized downtown another quality restaurant and meeting place.
The couple, who own 360 Physical Therapy locations in the Valley, have worked closely with longtime building owners, the Saba family. A Saba’s Western Wear was one of the former stores here; that family’s commitment to the life of downtown Chandler has continued through not-so-good times to today’s renaissance.
Of course, not everyone at this exciting venue is Irish or knows a Shamrock from Shamrock Foods, but there’s warmth and hospitality everywhere — in addition to food that far surpasses pub fare. Serving a diverse clientele, the restaurant is open for lunch and dinner daily. Families are regular guests here, as are moms and dads on dates. You can even enjoy breakfast on Saturdays and Sundays. Live music is scheduled Mondays through Saturdays, starting at 8:30 p.m. on the weekdays and 9 p.m. on the weekends.
Jennifer Hintz, for example, is one of two to greet patrons at the front door with a spontaneous smile. The other to greet patrons is much taller than Jennifer and cracks a smile that would only warm the cockles of a vampire or werewolf, if ghouls have cockles. He’s called Murphy, and he sets his own laws at the front door; if you don’t abide and have a great time, you’ll see the back door for certain.
Murphy is a 40,000-year-old cave bear the Baldwins found in a museum just outside San Francisco. Standing on his rears, the skeletal bear welcomes you to his eponymous pub, growling gregariously.
Murphy is just one of the many antiques the Baldwins have decorated their new place with. They travel throughout the country to acquire them, says Roger, a Long Island, New York, native who’s also lived in Denver and Seattle and served in Iraq as a member of a security-training group.
You’ll find memorabilia on the walls of Murphy’s, so the café/pub is a museum, too. “Every time they travel, they’ll find new things,” says Chris Field, general manager and third-generation restaurant veteran. You’ll also see thousands of dollar bills on the walls. They’re charitable donations by visitors: Murphy’s regularly writes a check to ICAN as part of its community involvement.
Field is assisted by Assistant General Manager Craig Barela and an amiable and efficient wait staff. A recent addition to Murphy’s, Chef Chad Carnahan, has 22 years in the business and a degree from the Culinary Institute of California in San Francisco. A lifelong Chandler resident, he was formerly with the House of Tricks in Tempe, Big Four Restaurants and Teakwoods in Chandler.
Carnahan’s food is neighborhood pub-plus-plus-plus. This is food you’ll enjoy driving for from elsewhere in the Valley. Even standard items, such as Murphy’s Harp Ale Battered Fish & Chips, are singularly good. Just right for a cold Irish night, Murphy’s Own Shepherd’s Pie is served with Colcannon mashed potatoes and cheese — and it served me well even during a hot summer desert night.
The surprise: the new Dublin Coddle Pasta — an Italian/Irish marriage in a pasta bed, with grilled Irish sausage, a red wine cream sauce and lots of herbs. Carnahan regularly prepares these kinds of entrées: unexpected but outstanding juxtapositions of flavors. Another recent example: hot wings served with a blackberry sauce (the berries are an Irish favorite). “I thought he was kidding — until I tried it,” Baldwin says. Expect a new dish like this every week, he says with a smile.
Of course, spirits are stars here, too. More than 26 draft beers are served, including hard-to-find craft beers such as the superb Kilt Lifter from Tempe’s Four Peaks Brewery, and food and beer pairings are regularly scheduled. Even wine lovers will enjoy the small but hand-selected wines, such as the Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc, the Elsa Malbec Mendoza and the Fat Bastard Chardonnay.
And Murphy: He’s happy you’re happy at Murphy’s. Just buy him a pint of Harp or Guinness — and Irish eyes will always be smiling on you.
