Murphy's Steak House in Bartlesville, OK

Lured by the Sign

My eyes are well trained in spotting vintage signs in cities and towns.

Last November, I spotted this one easily, as we drove into Bartlesville.  

​"Murphy's Steak House!" I shouted as we passed the weathered cow. 

Then I made Don turn the car around to let me get a better look.

Open?

Was this place even in business?

We hoped so. We love local steakhouses and cafes. I actually don't care that much about eating steak, but I love a good neon cow sign... or cow statue. I'll take whatever food comes with it.

The boxy building looked closed, but there was a truck. Maybe it would be open later. How about that walk up window for service? You don't see those much anymore.

We hoped they'd be open for dinner, since it was Monday and our hotel's restaurant was closed...  

Frank Lloyd Wright's Price Tower

We had actually come to Bartlesville to stay in the iconic skyscraper, built by FLW in 1956.  

We were geared up to have an amazing overnight adventure in the 19-story building that was originally designed to house the H.C. Price headquarters, as well as businesses, shops, apartments and a top floor penthouse for the Price family.

Don and I love a curious hotel adventure, but we love our dining adventures, too.

Luckily we got to have both, with our visit to this small Oklahoma city.

Open!

​Murphy's was open!

Two signs were glowing when we arrived around 8:00. The newer sign announced, "Home of the World Famous Hot Burger...''Gravy Over All" WooHoo!

Entry 
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We parked and headed inside. There was a good sized waiting area. I heard there used to be lines out the door.

If we'd been there at 6 on a Friday, I'll bet the little room would have been filled with locals. Luckily there was no wait.

I wanted to look at all the framed news articles and photos, but we wasted no time. Small town businesses don't love it, when non-local diners stroll in, just when they're gearing up to head home.

​"Sit Anywhere!"

We stepped inside the restaurant, which looked a little more like a diner than a steakhouse. We were told to sit anywhere.

The restaurant wasn't due to close for 90 minutes, but the place looked pretty cleared out. There were lots of options. The corner table near the window was cute... but kind of large for two. 

Dining at the Counter

Oddly, the counter had chairs instead of stools. We could have had a more authentic experience if we'd sat down at the counter.

But there were more employees than diners at this point. I had a feeling we'd be intruding on their "end of shift" banter if we'd eaten at the counter.

Booth Time

We figured we should pick a a nice orange-ish booth and be quick about it.

We weren't exactly up for a romantic dinner, so we chose a booth not far from the counter and kitchen window. Lots to watch.

Observing

Everyone seemed nice, but I didn't spot anyone who seemed old enough (or chatty enough) to share Murphy's history with us. Sometimes you have to just quietly take it all in and not ask tons of questions.

The table gave us the first bit of info. "Established in 1946" The employee shirts prompted a question. "Gravy Over All" was written on the back. What did that mean?

One Order of Hot Hamburger!

Our young server seemed hurried, so we just ordered the food that the place is known for. While our meal cooked, we watched some staff with brooms and rags. Two women sat at the counter doing important tasks. One was counting money and the other was filling small plastic "to-go" containers, with the famous dark gravy.

I laughed when Don's Hot Hamburger arrived. Toasted white bread, covered with ground beef patty, buried beneath a mountain of hot fries and blanketed with chocolate-brown beef gravy!

Our waitress didn't ask "Gravy all over?" like we had expected. But she did offer Don some garlic sauce. He did as recommended and squirted some on top. He also added a generous amount of salt. He thought the strange concoction was pretty fine. 

I was actually happy, with my grilled ham and cheese. (no photo) The ham was a nice thick slice. It hit the spot.

Reading Some History

It was still 30 minutes until closing when we finished. But there wasn't a person in sight who looked open to chit chat. I decided to study the walls for some history.

Jane and Michael Stern of "Roadfood" fame, had a write up on the wall. Their books and articles have guided us to many locations. But it was the cow sign that introduced us to Murphy's.

Melvel & Lorene Murphy

The best framed piece, was a photo of the couple who started this little place in 1946. This photo must have been after the remodeling and expansions of 1957 & 1966.

The couple must have had some big stories to tell from early on, when there were only 8 stools and 4 booths... and Mickey Mantle sat at the counter in 1949.

Sturdy Business

I read that the steakhouse weathered some difficult times over the years.

In 1969 it burned down. In 1982 it was struck by a tornado. 

I took a peek at the building as we headed to the car.

I wondered if the sign survived the fire and tornado?

I guess the building must have been rebuilt after the fire. I heard they were only closed a few days after the tornado.

I felt a little bad that I didn't try harder to just ask a question or two. Some of those young workers might have had parents who worked at Murphy's... they might have had their own memories of coming in for Hot Hamburgers, when they were young tots!

Back to the Tower

As we headed back to the Tower, I had another thought.

I wonder how many of the men who worked on this tower in the mid 1950's, had a lunch or dinner break at Murphy's.

After the Price Tower opened in 1956, maybe the people who worked in the skyscraper, gave themselves a steak or hot hamburger treat?

But even more fun... what if the renowned architect himself had a craving for a Texas Dining Adventure and headed a mile down the road to Murphy's!

I so wish Melvel and Lorene were still around, so I could ask!