When we're all zipping around in electric cars, we'll need something fun to do with the petrol stations. Let's hope they all turn into a version of Sunshine Social, a cruisy western suburbs winner that's been feeding its community for six years.

You can pop by for beer or coffee. You could swing through (parking is easy) for fried chicken burgers and pork belly rolls after swimming lessons or a draining day at work. Or, even better, you could settle in for a balmy afternoon or golden evening and soak up the Social vibes. I rolled in with my kids and dog on a recent hot night and found plenty to love.

The sprawling all-weather venue is mostly outdoors, on the concrete apron that would have been bowser central. Most of the area is open, defined by planter boxes, picnic tables and barrels with stools, but there's also an undercover area that acknowledges Melbourne's delightful knack of throwing all kinds of weather at us, sometimes simultaneously.

A simple indoor dining room is lined up in front of the bar (craft beer on tap) and a charcoal rotisserie that spins steadily and tirelessly, turning lamb into lunch and brisket into banquet.

Sunshine Social is an ace place for little kids, with scooters and bikes, plus a cubby for giggling and hiding.

The rotisserie drives the menu. Chook is spun until it's golden and served with pucks of sage stuffing. Lamb shoulder and beef brisket are twirled on the spit until the smoky flavour seeps in, then they're wet-braised to fall-apart loveliness in the oven. The beef is a tender highlight, smothered in gravy that awakens Sunday roast memories.

Vegetables are charred on cooling coals; sweet, earthy carrots and pumpkin star among a salad list that also includes a juicy and relaxed Greek salad.

Fried chicken is a feature, too: brined and buttermilk-soaked so the meat is succulent and seasoned, it's spice-crumbed and fiercely fried. Order a platter and it comes with watermelon and pickled chilli. Get it in the popular burger and it's jazzed up with jalapeno aioli.

Owner Gareth Crawford used to work at the Station Hotel in Footscray and saw a need for an easygoing watering hole a little further from the city. A local resident, he crafted the place he wanted in his life and struck a joyous chord.

There have been a few iterations of the food offering over Sunshine Social's life; this menu has nailed it. From the business side, it's not overly complicated to execute. For the customer, the offering leans towards bounty, value and cheer, rather than finesse or creativity. It's upbeat, friendly and tasty, just my kind of fuel stop.