'A unique light dimmed': Restaurateur Daniel Murphy dies, left remarkable Red Bank legacy
The Jersey Shore lost a true dining legend Thursday.
Longtime Danny's Steakhouse owner Daniel "Danny" Murphy, otherwise known as "Papa Murph" to some, died on Thursday at 80 years old. It was announced by his daughter Lori Murphy Cinelli on Facebook, and reported by the Red Bank Green on Thursday night.
"This post comes with great sadness. Today we lost our incredible father. Anyone who knew our dad knew how amazing of a man he was. A unique light dimmed today," Cinelli's post read.
After owning the Red Bank staple since 1969, Murphy sold it to new owner Kyle O'Brien. Yet, Murphy's influence never left the industry, nor the community.
According to the Red Bank Green, Murphy pushed repeatedly for parking solutions in Red Bank, and early in 2020 during the pandemic, he urged the town to ease restrictions to allow curbside dining — a feature that still remains as the popular summer "Broadwalk" feature on Broad Street. He regularly championed fellow local businesses.
The longtime local went to elementary school in the borough before attending Red Bank High School, long before it was renamed Red Bank Regional.
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His roots in Red Bank, as well as its dining scene, ran deep.
“My mother had the Friendly Luncheonette on West Front Street, where RiteAid is now,” the restaurateur said in a past interview. “We hung out there. I came for lunch every day and then went back to school.”
Murphy spent a lot of time with his mother, Mary Murphy, who eventually took over the kitchen at The Brothers Restaurant in Red Bank.
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“My mother’s food was great,” he also once said. “I made pizzas there — 200 a night, by hand.”
Murphy also worked at the Capital Bakery on Shrewsbury Avenue, making doughnuts and hard rolls through the night.
Not long after, Murphy's mother wanted to open a pizzeria, so he made that happen. At the same site of Danny's Steakhouse, Murphy first opened Danny's Pizza Hut, which then became Danny's Italian Restaurant.
Since then, he had switched the format seven times and opened four other restaurants.
At one point, he had The Church on Main Street in Matawan; the Charlie Horse Cafe in the Middletown Racquetball Club; Nibbles in Ocean Township (a Jewish-Italian diet deli); and a place in Santa Monica, California.
Eventually, the same way he influenced and aided so many other local businesses, former owner of The Mill in Spring Lake Heights Joe Amiel convinced Murphy to reopen as a steakhouse in 1989. The rest is history.
While many knew Murphy when he lived above his restaurant in an apartment, he moved into the Grandville Towers high-rise just blocks away after selling the business in 2022, according to the Red Bank Green.
When asked about his success, he previously gave the Asbury Park Press this advice: "In one word — change. In any aspect of your life. Every year, evaluate your situation. Endurance, too. Stay on top of things all the time. Fifty percent is showing up.”
And one thing Murphy was known for, was showing up for many.
According to former Red Bank Mayor Pasquale Menna, Murphy was "a friend and faithful supporter."
"Danny added civility and made Danny's the place to be, not just eat and have a beer, but to be warmly welcomed and treated as a member of the family. It was old world, [but] it worked, and is sorely needed today," Menna's post also stated.
Current Red Bank Mayor William Portman also commented on Murphy's death at Thursday night's Borough Council meeting: "Danny was a great guy. Just warm and supportive." He also called for a moment of silence.
Countless other fans came out in droves on social media to show their support for Murphy's family, and share their memories.
TJ Pingitore of LeMalt Hospitality Group and the Wine Chateau eCommerce also made a post commemorating the icon, which received over 150 reactions and 60 comments.
"RIP Danny Murphy of Danny's Steakhouse Red Bank NJ. A dear acquaintance for 25+ years and Red Bank legend. Will miss ya and our talks," the post read.
One of those comments was from Trama's Trattoria owner Pat Trama: "So sorry to hear this news. The restaurant business lost one of their best today."
Other commenters shared their heartfelt sentiments, like Robin Oratio, who said "he was truly an icon in Red Bank and a legend in the local restaurant industry," while Mike Pianoforte said "Danny was legendary, he was a friend to many and someone who truly cared. Red Bank will not be the same without him. He will be missed. RIP Danny, thank you for your friendship, advice and support."
While Murphy had beloved children and grandchildren of his own, he was a father figure to many in the community.
Poster Michele Lanfrank, who refers to Murphy as "Papa Murph," made this farewell post.
Part of the post read, "Danny gave so much to this community and helped put Red Bank, NJ, on the map. Most of you know he owned Danny's Restaurant in Red Bank and kept it going strong for 50+ years. Not many, if any, stay on top for that long especially in the restaurant business. However, Danny was always on the cutting edge, recreating the brand, which was always so impressive to his longtime regulars (like me)."
She continued, "Danny will be greatly missed; I think that started after he sold the restaurant last year, even though he would come by on a daily basis. Rest in peace and power, Danny. We all love you. Thank you for the great times, excellent food, all the laughs, and disco dancing. Cheers to you Danny."
Gabriela L. Laracca joined the USA Today Network New Jersey in 2021 and eagerly brings her passion for cuisine and culture to our readers. Send restaurant tips to glaracca@gannett.com.Follow on Instagram at Jersey Shore Eats and subscribe to our Jersey Shore Eats newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Former Red Bank Danny's Steakhouse owner Daniel Murphy dies at 80
