Review
The new place is called Murphy's Bar & Restaurant and is not to be confused with Murphy's Tavern on East Wash (although the similar name does make it hard to figure out which is which online). Since it's close to our house we drive past the new Murphy's fairly frequently and it didn't take long before we decided to pay them a visit, and boy, what a difference an owner can make.
Having been to JJ's TotS a few times we can say with confidence that it was never as busy as Murphy's was this Friday night. The place was slammed with Waunakee and Madison locals alike, with waits for the dining room pushing an hour plus. We put our name on the list and crammed into the bar to get a drink. It was standing room only, but we eventually lucked into a couple stools at the bar at which point we took our name off the list since eating at the bar is kosher at Murph's place. A quick look over the menu, and a visit from the bartender had us on our way in short order.
Everything on the Friday menu is beer battered and that includes the walleye and the lake perch. Since I know better than to order beer battered freshwater fish I stuck to the standard cod with a side of the not-so-standard hash browns with cheese and onion ($0.50 extra for the cheese). For being the new kid on the block Murphy is already slinging the fish, and our plates were ready in about 10 minutes. The plates featured (from left to right) two pieces of cod, a large cup of coleslaw, a small cup of tartar, and a dinner roll riding atop a rectangular cut of hash browns.
I started in with the cod and expected a mouthful of steam, but was greeted with a lukewarm sensation. While the batter actually had a really good flavor, and the fish was flaky, it lost a lot of luster thanks to the low temps. I plowed through it quickly, but more out of necessity than desirability as I didn't want it to get any colder than it already was. In addition, the fact that you only get two pieces for your $11 doesn't make it a great value, and while I would try it again I would hope for a fresher fry the next time around.
On the other hand, the hash browns were nice and hot and tasted delightful. The cheese and onion blend that oozed through the shreds was done just right and really perked up the well-fried spuds.
When fish is served lukewarm it needs a good pick-me-up, and Murphy's provided one with their thick and creamy tartar sauce. The merciful mix took the fish where it needed to go helping make an overall pleasurable experience. <.p>
The slaw was of the finely-chopped variety and offered a little zest, although it could have used even more. The portion was hearty, and like that tartar it pushed this Fish Fry in the right direction.
The roll was a roll. No complains here.
Perhaps it's the fact that Murphy's is brand new and everyone wants see what the new guy has to offer, or maybe it's that there just aren't many good Fish Frys in Waunkaee in general, but whatever it is everyone and their mother seemed to be there this Friday. While our dinner was a little hit-and-miss it seems like Murphy's has a recipe for success that will keep drawing them in. Overall, we recommend the Fish Fry we had this trip and will surely be back for a round two before long.
Murphy's has three fish on the menu - each of them sharing the same beer batter. Since beer batter goes best with cod, that's what we've stuck with (sorry lake perch and walleye). It goes for $11 and comes plenty quickly as long as you're there before the rush. The cod is flaky and sports the aforementioned batter proudly. The coating is every bit of basic and while there's not much flavor to be found a rich and creamy sensation comes through. Texture-wise it falls somewhere in the middle - not too thick, but definitely not thin, which allows the coating to hold some grease. It's every bit of average, but in these parts inoffensive clearly sells.
There are plenty of sides to choose from at Murphy's and after seeing the waffles fries on a fellow diner's plate we just had to try 'em. The spicy spuds were a very good rendition and while the portion was petite each individual was hearty so even a handful sufficed. While they weren't Dexter's Pub good, they weren't too far behind.
Thick and creamy tartar is a prerequisite with rich cod and Murphy's plays the right tune here. It had all the thickness you want to go along with plenty of pep. The fish soaked up every last drop and a second cup would certainly have come in handy.
Murphy's homemade tartar kept the train rolling with a hint of horseradish and a little sugar to spice things up. A dinner roll on the side was a dinner roll, and that's that.
Murphy's has a pretty good thing going on and we're happy to see them doing so well. It's literally one of the closest restaurants to our house and it's nice that their Fish Fry is consistently good. Overall, we recommend this Fish Fry and while we'd like it to be a little better sometimes good is good enough.