Matt Murphys

Aside from a bounty of cheap burgers and greasy fries, this year's tour of pub grub options turned up a surprising lack of substantial (read: tummy-filling) dishes. Except, that is, at Matt Murphy's, where the farmhouse plate's country-style pâté is the size of a small brick and the soup arrives in a bowl as big as your head. Besides which, the food is outstanding. Try the tender, relish-slathered lamb sirloin sandwich or the piping-hot, supercrispy fish and chips, wrapped in newspaper—they're more than enough to make you forgive Matt Murphy's for not serving burgers. RUNNERS-UP: Bukowski's Tavern, Deep Ellum LAST YEAR: Bukowski's Tavern