Thanksgiving is on the horizon, and while on one level that leads to thinking about food (this is, after all, the food issue), it also makes this an excellent time to take stock of how much growth the metro has experienced, and how that’s been reflected in an even larger bounty of restaurants that are looking to make their mark on Oklahoma City palates. Yes, we’re back to thinking about food again. We’ve rounded up more than two dozen of our favorite fresh flavor purveyors; please feel free to feast on these recommendations.
► The Fixx
(pictured above)
When it began: October 2015
Where to find it: 644 W Edmond Road
What’s the story: It’s a classic tale – boy meets burger, boy eats burger, boy looks for opportunities to head back up to Edmond to eat more burgers. Which are huge, by the way, and the result of some painstaking taste-testing and refinement on the part of the owners.
What to try: Go for the gusto: The Beast is a burger topped with house-made chili, cheddar, a Schwab hot link, grilled jalapenos and onions and bacon that’s been treated with maple essence. It’s a messy, ferociously flavorful monster.
► Guyutes
When it began: August 2015
Where to find it: 730 NW 23rd, corner of 23rd and Shartel
What’s the story: Even if temperatures are keeping you from enjoying the second-floor patio, you can swing by for some “elevated street food” and beverages in this Uptown bar; kick back and drink in the come-as-you-are vibe.
What to try: If you have any room left after tearing through a huge plate of messy, delicious Tequila Sunfryz, fill it with the Widespread Panic meatloaf pizza or the vegetarian goodness of the hummus/falafel/quinoa-stuffed Peace in the Middle East wrap. Dude.
► Hatch
When it began: October 2016
Where to find it: 1101 N Broadway, Automobile Alley
What’s the story: Purveyors of “early mood food,” they’re certain to get you in the right mood to kick off your day, thanks to the open feel, natural light, yellow-and-blond-brick color scheme … and completely delicious breakfast.
What to try: For sweet, try the Oklahoma-shaped pancake with little crumbles of pecan and bacon; for savory, the migas laced with onions and peppers or the avocado toast. Either way, do *not* leave without some hash brown tumblers. They’re spectacular.
► Brent’s Cajun
When it began: September 2016
Where to find it: 3005 S Broadway, Edmond
What’s the story: The restaurant business is in Brent Hickman’s blood, and metro diners should already be familiar with his work via The Shack. Now he’s moved his knack for spicy seafood and welcoming atmosphere up the Broadway Extension, which should be a cause for celebration among Edmondites.
What to try: Boudin balls, Caesar crab salad, blackened catfish topped with crawfish etouffee, even Oysters Brent (that’s topped with shrimp, crab, garlic butter and cheese and grilled) – choose any spicy, steaming Cajun creation and get after it. And then come back on the weekend for an Andouille omelette.
► Chae Modern Korean
When it began: October 2015
Where to find it: 1933 NW 23rd, between the OCU campus and Penn
What’s the story: OKC had a bit of a gap in its culinary map where Korean cuisine was concerned; Chae has filled the bill with such style and savor that Okies who’d never tried the genre before are now recommending dak galbi and praising bulgogi like pros. If we were doing rankings, it’s hard to imagine this wouldn’t be right at the top – it’s excellent.
What to try: Public consensus is that the oxtail soup is an absolute knockout, but I still haven’t been able to talk myself out of the superbly soft pork belly buns and either the silky duck jook or the crunchy rice/beef/vegetable/egg medley of the bibimbap. Guess I’ll just have to eat here more often. Boo hoo hoo.
► Belle Kitchen
When it began: March 2016
Where to find it: 7509 N May, and 30 NE 2nd in Deep Deuce
What’s the story: Sweetness for sale in two locations – and the original on May also does a few sandwiches for lunch. Pints of ice cream, macarons (not roons), square doughnuts from a special brioche-and-butter dough, super tiny “pearls” – and if you want to grab some and go, godspeed, but they also brew coffee and stock flavored Pellegrinos if you want to dawdle a few minutes.
What to try: We’re told the best sellers are the hibiscus and the maple bacon; taste either of them and you’re likely to think, “Well, obviously.”
► Fat Dog
When it began: March 2016
Where to find it: 1234 N Western, just south of the intersection with Classen
What’s the story: It seems almost cruel to tout their top-notch patio just as winter is rolling in, so bear that in mind for April and enjoy the food instead.
What to try: The titular Fat Dog, a massive half-pound beast of a frank, is a natural choice, and the buttery, flaky fish and chips is also great.
► The Hash Retro Diner
When it began: June 2015
Where to find it: 1149 E 2nd, Edmond, just east of UCO
What’s the story: The “retro” part of the name refers to a mindset, not a lack of freshness. Just about everything in chef Vetiana Phiasiripanyo’s little old-school diner spot is homemade, down to the jellies and dressings.
What to try: The hash, obviously, which comes in half a dozen varieties – try the Fiesta or Trainer – plus the waffles are done to perfection and the salads are especially bountiful.
The Hash Retro Diner on Facebook
► Cultivar
When it began: March 2016
Where to find it: 714 N Broadway, Automobile Alley
What’s the story: They call it farm-to-fire Mexican; that means top-notch ingredients combined in delectable ways, in an airy open space whose bar and patio are both nicely inviting.
What to try: I’m partial to the fully customizable build-your-own burrito bowl, but if the line’s a little long (which can happen during peak hours), the smoked chicken quesadilla is also delicious, especially with some chorizo-laced beans.
www.cultivarmexicankitchen.com
► Texas de Brazil
When it began: August 2016
Where to find it: Penn Square Mall, by the main entrance on the south side
What’s the story: The OKC addition to the nationwide chain of churrascarias lets diners choose from leg of lamb, filet mignon, spicy sausage and more cuts of meat carried through the restaurant on skewers.
What to try: Whatever you feel like – the primary menu option is an all-you-can-eat pass to sample anything on tap, including the massive salad bar and the array of side dishes, bread and imported cheeses.
► Provision Kitchen
When it began: October 2015
Where to find it: 6443 Avondale, Nichols Hills Plaza
What’s the story: The best ideas come from the ground up, says owner Whitney McClendon. And working with a namesake organic farm in OKC, her restaurant pours locally sourced goodness into salads, soups and take-and-bake entrees, the better to give you healthy meal choices.
What to try: The ginger-lime salmon (to take away) puts a lot of flavor into 250 calories, and the Thai shrimp salad on-site will keep your day moving along nicely.
► Derailleur
When it began: April 2016
Where to find it: 10 W Main, Yukon
What’s the story: That’s right, fine dining in Yukon! Sharing its name with a widget that helps cyclists switch gears, this recommended spot constantly rotates its dinner offerings to keep its focus on bold, simple, refined flavors and fresh local ingredients.
What to try: Can’t help you there – the menu changes too often to be certain any dish will be available two weeks in a row. But while it’s technically a gamble, the odds are ever in diners’ favor thanks to the expertise of owner Richie Bean and former Ludivine chef Bryce Lack. Go give it a shot. Yukon, ho!
► Patrono
When it began: July 2015
Where to find it: 305 N Walker
What’s the story: To avoid burying the lede: Try this place soon, and often. The small space tucked away in the Avana apartment complex downtown is filled with southern Italian flavor in a panoply of pasta and protein.
What to try: Everything I’ve tried is excellent, from arancini to almond cake, but the bucatini amatriciana makes a perfect, spicy starting point.
► NOIR
When it began: November 2015
Where to find it: 701 W Sheridan, The Paramount Building on Film Row
What’s the story: It’s a pity this spot doesn’t open until 5 p.m., since it’s less than a block away from the 405 office. But if you need some dinner, drinks or a late-night brunch (midnight-2 a.m.), it’s a stylish reason to swing by Film Row.
What to try: Depends on your scope: you can go big with a huge helping of chicken coconut curry, medium with the French dip-esque D.O.A. or snacky by tackling the chips-pork-and-black-bean nachos. And for a liquid kicker, the Double Indemnity is an untethered star.
► Goro Ramen + Izakaya
When it began: July 2016
Where to find it: 1634 Blackwelder, Plaza District
What’s the story: A Plaza District portal to Japan (flavorfully, not physically), it aims to replicate the bustling, casually communal vibe of a Tokyo pub.
What to try: The nikuman (soft buns) and cauliflower appetizers, as well as the warm, fragrant mochi cake, make excellent additions to the namesake ramen, itself a savory and potentially spicy treat.
► Sunnyside Diner
When it began: June 2016
Where to find it: 916 W 6th, just off Classen
What’s the story: Has this been a great year for new diners or what? If you haven’t tried this cheery spot on the west side of downtown, do – they do lunch, but have more than enough breakfast prowess to fill you up before you even look at the sandwiches.
What to try: The kitchen displays good execution on simpler dishes such as pancakes and eggs benedict, as well as range on more imaginative stuff: the lemon-blueberry French toast is a delicious dose of sugar and carbs, and the Eggs in Purgatory uses spicy marinara to outstanding effect.
► Puebla
When it began: May 2015
Where to find it: 305 E Main, downtown Norman
What’s the story: This taqueria of fresh-made tastes is a trifle older than the other entries on this list, but – if you’ll pardon its inclusion – it was new to us. And a revelation; it’s genuinely wonderful.
What to try: Everything we tried was legitimately delicious, and we tried a fair portion of the menu. Even I, no fan of fungus, had to admit the smoked Portobello is tasty, as well as innovative, but start with the incredibly rich, savory beef barbacoa that made us involuntarily groan with appreciation.
► Mary Eddy’s
When it began: May 2016
Where to find it: 900 W Main, 21c Museum Hotel
What’s the story: Resurrecting the old Fred Jones Manufacturing Plant into a classy boutique hotel has paid a couple of extra dividends: Its contemporary art gallery is always open for public exploration, and its house restaurant brings some serious flavor to Film Row.
What to try: The house-made charcuterie platter is a brilliant starter, the pizzas display crafty flavor combinations, and the snapper is one of the best pieces of fish I’ve ever had in the city. Plus, they’re bullish on bourbon, so bear their bountiful bar selection in mind.
► Ember
When it began: November 2015
Where to find it: 6300 Waterford Blvd, in the Waterford
What’s the story: An extensive renovation to the hotel resulted in this cozy “Modern American Tavern” that attempts to celebrate the Prohibition era in its cocktail menu while exuding hospitality (you don’t have to know the password to get in).
What to try: The Kobe burger with white truffle mayo, preferably after a helping of the duck and Andouille gumbo. Yessir.
► Volare
When it began: October 2016
Where to find it: 315 White, Norman
What’s the story: Parking is always a salient concern for someplace in the heart of Campus Corner, but make the effort – this is a cool, stylish space with a menu thoroughly worth exploring. Be sure to take a gander from the third-floor rooftop patio, too.
What to try: The powerhouse oven can knock out Neapolitan-style pizzas in about 90 seconds, so you shouldn’t have to wait long to try classics (the Margarita makes the most of its fresh, tangy tomato sauce) or more experimental pies such as the honey-laced Bee Sting. And the namesake short rib sandwich should be in your thoughts, as well.
► Legacy Grill
When it began: September 2016
Where to find it: 224 Johnny Bench, Bricktown
What’s the story: In the interest of not re-opening any fresh wounds, we’ll just say this is a slightly revised take on a previous Hal Smith Restaurant Group concept. It now focuses on paying homage to Sooner State legends through images on loan from the Oklahoma Hall of Fame, and on dishing up house takes on traditional American cuisine.
What to try: The honey-fried chicken is probably the specialty of the house, but give some thought to the blackened catfish stuffed with crabmeat and shrimp, as well.
► Bay Street Bistro
When it began: August 2016
Where to find it: 1315 24th Avenue SW, Norman
What’s the story: It takes a little work to find, considering the construction on Lindsey and its location off 24th (turn east at the tag agency and look for the blue building with wrought iron railings), but the persistent Normanite will find some nice, tasty offerings at the end of the rocky trail.
What to try: A grilled chicken kabob bowl if you’re feeling virtuous; a heavenly bacon-boosted gourmet grilled cheese if temptation gets the better of you. And since it should, you can balance out your caloric karma by adding a Jump Start smoothie. Everybody wins!
► The Hutch on Avondale
When it began: September 2016
Where to find it: 6437 Avondale, Nichols Hills Plaza
What’s the story: The Coach House is gone; long live The Hutch. One of OKC’s legends has been given a 21st century redesign, maintaining exceptional cuisine in a more relaxed bar-type atmosphere.
What to try: Whatever you pick – pork rillettes, smoked brisket sandwich, pork steak with spaetzle – plan to pair it with a craft cocktail or two, as the bar is packed with creativity thanks to mixologist Kyle Fleischfresser.
► Eggington’s
When it began: November 2015
Where to find it: 737 W Danforth, Edmond
What’s the story: Based on a Wyoming dining concept, this colorful diner down the street from Edmond North is a prime stopover when you’re in that end of the metro and in the mood for hearty eats.
What to try: It’d be difficult to hold yourself merely to something comparatively light like the chicken salad stuffed into and heaped upon an avocado – it’s quite good, but the rest of the menu is awfully tempting, and the rich Florentine Benedict or hunk of focaccia smothered in sausage gravy are liable to overwhelm your resistance. As they should.
► The Fit Pig
When it began: January 2016
Where to find it: 722 N Broadway, just off Automobile Alley
What’s the story: Eating healthy can often be a lot of work, a flavor wasteland or both, so a spot like this that dishes up genuinely appetizing options to go is much appreciated. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, gluten-free, paleo … you’re all set.
What to try: Always give the namesake dish a shot: The Fit Pig combines hunks of chicken with sweet potatoes, greens, a dab of garlic and even bacon. See, eating smart isn’t necessarily frustrating.
► The Drake
When it began: August 2015
Where to find it: 519 NW 23rd, in The Rise
What’s the story: It takes a certain level of determination to open a seafood-focused restaurant thousands of miles inland, but Good Egg has a golden touch for restaurateuring – and this newest flagship is a sleek, stylish marvel at presenting and sharing the splendor of the seas.
What to try: The oysters are varied and plentiful, any fish is going to be well-presented and they have a mac and cheese tinted with squid ink (come on, how are you going to miss that?), but the scallops are the tender, succulent apex.
► Meatball House
When it began: September 2015
Where to find it: 333 W Boyd, on Campus Corner, Norman
What’s the story: Though they do a tasty spaghetti, this is not solely an Italian restaurant – you’ll find plenty of influences from Japan to France to the U.S.A. on their menu, and a wide variety of delicious options.
What to try: The Balls on Buns – sliders, basically – allow for trying multiple combinations of proteins and sauces, and I’m partial to the mac and cheese with embedded beef balls. Plus, the cocktail menu is excellent.
► Gigglez Bar & Grill
When it began: November 2015
Where to find it: 1016 N Walker, across from St. Anthony and just south of the roundabout on 10th
What’s the story: It’d be easier to recommend if it had a name like Jerry’s or Food Palace, but even with the … suboptimal branding, the taste of the product makes it eminently worth a visit.
What to try: The burgers – like the avocado-enhanced Guac Guac, Who’s There? – have a beef/pork blend, the pizzas are delicious and they have a really inventive weekend brunch menu.
► Coming Soon
Future flavors to put on your radar
Barrios
En Croute
Hopscotch
Jones Assembly
Nic’s Place
The Pritchard
Revolucion
El Toro Chino
Union at SoSA
Yokozuna
Yolk
Yuzo
