Richard DiSisto is at it again, transforming a stretch of Ventura Boulevard in Sherman Oaks into a veritable dining destination with his third venue in the past year: Murph's. Channeling pure Americana in the form of an Art Deco service station from the 1930s, Murph's is geared towards the everyman who is looking for some good grub and even better drinks. Like its neighbors (and fellow DiSisto operations) next door, the space boasts ample bar seating and comfy booths, as well as a small patio outside and scattered tables inside.
You'll find classic dishes like sausage and fries, deviled eggs, pork and beans, and a fried chicken sandwich here, but you'll also discover some unexpected options that Murph the Mechanic (a fictional diner) might be more hesitant to try: pig ear fries, a pâtè melt and grilled artichoke. Pair them with something from Christopher Day's (Tipple & Brine, Honeycut) drink menu, though, and everything will go down smoothly. Aside from a well-crafted beer list comprised of local craft brews (beers from fellow Valley dweller MacLeod's Ale made the cut), cocktails with names like Oil Change and River Tam cater to every kind of drinker. Into something sweet? The Cake is a Lie tastes like, well, chocolate cake with lemon meringue. If the thought of that makes your teeth hurt, go for Murph's Law, a bourbon-based libation with hints of honey, giner, lime and SanTan hefeweizen.