By MICHELLE VISCO
WAKEFIELD — If you are looking for reasonable prices, delicious all-American food and a feel-good atmosphere, then Laurie’s 909 Neighborhood Pub located at 93 Salem St. in Wakefield has everything for you. Robert Macfadgen and Laurie Rizzo own the restaurant which they started together at 33 Tuttle St. in November of 2012. They more recently moved to Salem Street in December of 2022.
Macfadgen is a huge Beatles fan, as is Rizzo, and Beatles photos can be found all throughout the restaurant even in the bathroom. The restaurant is actually named “909” after the Beatles song “The One After 909” off their album Let it Be. The clocks are also all turned to 9:09. They have a good sized bar upon entering that is topped with pennies! The bar is called “Penny Lane” and is named after another famous Beatles song. At the old location on Tuttle St., they also had a “Nickle Bar” where they cooked food and shucked oysters right in front of customers. This new location is too small for the “Nickle Bar” but they were able to keep the beloved “Penny Lane.”
Rizzo worked for the Marriott in hotel management for 25 years before opening up the restaurant with Macfadgen. She did a lot of catering for them and she always wanted to have her own place. Then she met Macfadgen at the gym and he helped turn her dream into reality. They cleaned up their initial location on Tuttle Street and the rest is history.
The signature items that customers are most impressed with are the steak tips, eggplant, burgers, swordfish and scallops. There is also a raw bar with oysters. Signature cocktails that are named after the Beatles are also served. Some of the drinks that are included in the menu are the “Eleanor Rigby Espresso Martini,” the “John Lennoncello,” the “McCartney Margarita,” “Penny Lane Punch” and more.
The staff that work at Laurie’s are one big family. Laurie’s mom and dad Ollie and George also work at the restaurant. Her mom specifically makes the gravy and they are involved in a lot of other ways as well. Both have their initials written in pennies on the “Penny Lane” bar.
Macfadgen enjoys it when everyone at the restaurant is mingling with one another. Sometimes he says he will be standing at the bar and pose a question to everyone sitting there such as “Do you know who the fifth Beatle is?” and they will all talk amongst themselves. He noted that people are not shy here and there are many regulars who know each other.
Rizzo said that the most rewarding part of owning a restaurant is seeing the happiness it brings people in the community. It is a feeling of joy, good food and camaraderie.
The restaurant also offers a meal every month to a few of the local churches. This happens on the first Thursday of each month for people who are less fortunate and it is an opportunity for them to eat a meal with someone. The churches they typically serve are Saint Joseph’s Parish, The First Baptist Church and the Most Blessed Sacrament, all of Wakefield. They prepare lunches for Saint Joseph’s school as well and include the staff. They contribute to many other events throughout the year for Father Ron and others.
Rizzo knows good fish so she drives to Gloucester weekly to get fresh fish for her customers. Her grandfather Mr. LaRosa was a fisherman and her Uncle Leo, who lives in Gloucester, knows the good places and when and where to go.
Macfadgen said of Laurie’s 909 that it is a town gem. Laurie’s 909 is a place where you can visit with a great friend or a family member and feel safe and comfortable. Laurie’s 909 is open from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday trough Friday. Patrons can park on New Salem Street if the front and side lots are full.