The Bull Run has been in business since 1740 and is rumored, so I hear, to have possibly, just possibly, been Paul Revere’s last stop on his legendary ride through Middlesex County during the battle of Lexington and Concord.

    Of course that could just be tavern talk, but it doesn’t change the fact that The Bull Run has been “serving the tired, thirsty traveler” for over 200 years and today, is recognized as one of New England’s finest dining destinations.

    As you can imagine, a lot has changed since the tavern first opened, run by Obadiah Sawtelle and known as “The Stagecoach Inn” and I don’t just mean that today, Bull Run visitors no longer arrive in horse-drawn carriages - although a few still do, when they’re celebrating their wedding day!

    Recently, The Bull Run has undergone several alterations and renovations and benefitted froma few new additions. From staff changes to building renovations, The Bull Run has been revitalized and expanded to offer customers an enjoyable dining experience.

    Structurally, there have been several additions and renovations to this historic building, including a makeover of the Sawtelle Banquet Room (new walls, new carpeting, new window treatments, new lighting, etc.) and the creation of a both new bar in the Tavern and a new outdoor dining patio.

    The new bar is a perfect place to enjoy a few drinks after dinner with friends, or to finish off an exciting Friday night of live musical entertainment in the Sawtelle Room (check out a concert schedule Online at bullrunrestaurant.com).

    The patio now gives diners a chance to enjoy their meals looking out on the Bull Run’s picturesque landscape.

    And there is another change to the Bull Run that has customers screaming with glee. Well maybe not actually screaming, but it’s as they say, I scream, you scream and the Bull Run now offers ice cream!

    There is a new ice cream stand called Obadiah's at The Bull Run on the corner of Route 2A and Longley Road. At Obadiah’s, guests can get frappes, sundaes or freezes plus, they have a selection of 21 ice cream flavors to choose from. The ice cream stand is open during the week, Wednesday through Sunday.

    And while all these changes have taken place, a few new faces have also joined the restaurant’s amazing staff.

    The restaurant is now under new management, as the third generation of the Guercio family has taken the reigns at The Bull Run. Bryan Sawyer, the grandson of original owner Lee Guercio, Sr.  has taken over the restaurant as new General Manager.

    And there is a new Executive Chef running things in the Bull Run kitchen, Judith Basso. Basso has brought a whole new dedication to community to the restaurant, using only the finest local ingredients from Central Massachusetts farms. Basso has reached out to places like Brookside Farm in Townsend, Ewens’ Sleepy Hollow Sugar House in Lunenburg and Wilkins Farm in Pepperell for ingredients in just The Bull Run’s new Brunch menu alone.

    New Brunch menu? Yes, that’s what I said - on top of all of these changes, there are also seven new seasonal menus at The Bull Run!

    When dining here, there are just some things on the menu - new and classic Bull Run dishes - that you just have to try.

    As an appetizer, I recommend ordering the Gazpacho with jalapeno sour cream. A mixture of the ripest local vegetables, tomato jus and herbs garnished with jalapeno sour cream - it’s a mixture of cool, fresh and spicy all at once, and tasty to the last spoonful. 

    The Onion and Pepper Rings are also a must. Cornmeal crusted, New England-style fried rings piled high on your plate and served with tomato aioli. For only $6, this is a great starter dish or finger food to go with a Wachusett beer or two.

    The sweetness of the sauce and quality of the filet make the Blackberry Port Filet Mignon a savory entrée and definitely worth trying. The dish includes grilled beef tenderloin in a port wine and blackberry sauce, served with mashed potatoes and vegetables.

    The Pappardelle Pasta dish is a zesty and flavorful item off the lunch menu. The pappardelle pasta is tossed with basil, pine nuts and greens in a lemoncello cream sauce and garnished with parmesan cheese and lemon zest.

    And you will never go wrong if you order a Bull Run Burger. A big juicy burger you can have it topped with a variety of items including hickory smoked bacon, mushrooms or gouda cheese. I recommend topping it off with fried onion and pepper strips and pairing your burger with garlic herb-seasoned French fries on the side.

    All of The Bull Run’s menus and information on its function rooms, wedding options, concert bookings and much more can be found Online at bullrunrestaurant.com.

    So there’s no better time than now for trying The Bull Run restaurant. It’s got everything you love and so much more.

    The Bull Run is located at 215 Great Road in Shirley. Lunch and dinner are sold Wednesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday Brunch is served 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Sunday dinner from 3 to 10 p.m. For more information visit bullrunrestaurant.com or call (978) 425-4311 or (877) 536-7190.