Finnegan's Wake
1034 East Street, Walpole, MA 02081
(508) 668-1189
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For a relatively small town, Walpole certainly has its fair share of restaurants and bars, including an Irish pub called Beckett's, which is just south of the town center. And while Backett's serves good food and well-poured pints, lovers of Irish pubs should not overlook another spot in this southwestern suburb of Boston, namely Finnegan's Wake, a basement-level pub in Walpole Center with lots of character that is nearly impossible to find unless you happen to know someone who knows the place.
One reason for Finnegan's Wake's appeal is the fact that the pub is located in an old foundry in an area behind the center that has a distinctly industrial feeling. The entrance is by way of an old wooden porch and a staircase that leads down into the restaurant. The center of Finnegan's Wake is a small bar, with a dining area (as well as a small room to play darts) off to the left side of the bar. To the right is a quieter, more private dining room with windows a good distance above the tables and a fireplace that doesn't seem to be in use, but adds a nice touch to the room. This dining room has several tables and high-backed booths and is partly partitioned off from the rest of the place, making it a better option for families and others who might be looking for peace and quiet, though the bar area typically is pretty serene.
As is the case with most Irish pubs, the menu at Finnegan's Wake holds few surprises; chili, steak tips, scrod, salmon, Guinness beef stew, shepherd's pie, and fish and chips can all be found here, as can burgers, pork chops, and some particularly good fried chicken that almost tastes broasted, with a dry and crusty exterior and a moist interior. Finnegan's menu does, however, have an item or two that you might not find in all Irish pubs. The hearty turkey dinner, for instance, is something you would more likely find in a classic diner, while the liver and onions dish is an acquired taste that the more Americanized Irish pubs don't always have. And then there is the humble toastie; yes, Finnegan's Wake has this beloved grilled ham, cheese, and tomato sandwich that can be found in nearly every pub in Ireland, but is not easy to find in Boston-area pubs. It might not be exactly like the heavily buttered and often cellophaned sandwiches across the pond, but it is very good.
Finnegan's Wake is a real hidden gem that locals tend to frequent, but folks outside of Walpole generally don't know about. The food is good, the prices are mostly reasonable, the service is friendly and efficient, and there is plenty of street parking in Walpole Center, which is a short distance up the hill from the building. Sure, Beckett's is certainly a decent Irish pub as well, but if you like to go to places that feel like no one else in the world knows about, Finnegan's Wake will probably fit the bill.
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