Patricia Cipollone (left), Russell Simonds, and Joanne Ketler bring a little bit of Philly to Rehoboth.
Murph’s Brings Philly Style Beef and Brew Home
There’s a new local pub in town, sort of the place where everybody knows your name, and all I have to say about Murphs Beef and Ale is cheers!
Nestled along Route One Extended, right near that fabulous Signarama, with plenty of parking on site sits Murph’s—a great place to grab a sandwich, have a brew, chat with the owners and staff and make yourself at home.
Owners Joanne Ketler and Patricia Cipollone modeled the concept after one of their favorite taverns in Philly, lured chef Russell Wayne Simonds, formerly of Big Sissies, to the kitchen and put out the welcome flags. Now there’s a Philly-style beef and brew in the hood.
Their signature is the hand-cut beef, of course. It’s served in thick slices on a soft, delicious roll, with available au jus, horseradish, or, you can get Murph’ed—that’s the addition of sharp, aged provolone cheese. Feeling adventurous? You can go Overboard, by having the sandwich loaded with gravy, or topped with garlicky broccoli rabe.
I went the keep-it-simple route, with just the roast beef (from Hickman’s Meat market, so you know it’s quality!) and some horseradish—a perfect combo. I ordered the sweet potato fries, done well, and they arrived to perfection.
In addition to the Murph’ed beef, you can have Murph’ed pork sandwiches as well as baked ham and roasted turkey. The vegetarian option is not just a same-old, same-old…at Murphy’s it’s broccoli rabe, fresh arugula and sharp provolone on a Kaiser Roll. Differently delicious. I also sampled the Caesar salad and can report that it’s generous on the garlic, just the way I like it. Next time, I have my eye on the salad and soup combo, featuring the chef’s special potato soup. I snuck a spoonful or two and can report that even on a 95 degree day, it was a welcome addition to the menu.
As for the prices, they are quite reasonable, with sandwiches $7-8.50. The Veggie is $9. Four dollars will get you fries and for $4.50 you can have them drenched with gravy Baltimore or Philly style.
Whenever a new restaurant opens in the area, we wonder what kind of niche it will fill. For Murph’s I see locals gathering for cold beverages and football, soup or a sandwich after a long happy hour, or a cool, friendly stop for the whole team after pickleball. In fact, during my recent visit, there was a happy cadre of pickleball players chilling after a workout. Upcoming Tuesdays are set for post women’s softball gatherings, as Murph’s is sponsoring the Blue Heron’s Over 50 Softball Team this year.
Only open since May 16, Murph’s is starting to pick up steam. For in-towners, Murph’s is just a short walk over the bridge or a great sandwich stop on the way out of town after drinks and dancing. Going to the beach? Call ahead (302-212-5355) for carry-out and park easily for pick-up.
Murph’s is open every day for lunch and dinner or a late-night bite. Take a table to visit with friends and family while you dine or hop onto a stool at the big comfortable bar, where ice cold drafts and bottled beer awaits. Check it out, go say hello to Joanne and Pat, and get to know our newest neighborhood hangout. This is one place where you’ll never have to ask, “Where’s the beef?”