Come and travel Oklahoma with me.

I am a fan of Mediterranean food. I know it’s odd but I just love how the flavors come together. I finally had a chance to try Hummus Mediterranean Cafe a few weeks ago with family and we loved it.

We started with the plain hummus with warm pita. This was amazing. It’s hard to find good hummus unless it’s made fresh, and they make theirs every day. The warm pita worked so well with that fresh hummus, I could have eaten so much more if given the chance. While Miss Mae ordered the Akawi pie, me and Big K ordered the combo platter with Kofta and Shish Tawook. We also all got the mint lemonade as something different to drink. Because of a bigger order for a table before us, it took a bit longer than normal but the food was worth the wait. Let’s start with the Akawi pie, this is like a Mediterranean version of a pizza. Akawi is a brine cheese named after the Palestinian town Akki (now part of Israel). I had a bite, it was good. The cheese has a Feta type consistency and flavor. Overall, Mae loved it. The combo platters we ordered were good as well. They came with vermicelli rice, grilled vegetables, and baba ghannouj with pita. Kofta is a type of meatball with spices. Shish Tawook is marinated chicken, grilled to a perfection. Everything on this platter was amazing. The rice was perfect, the Kofta was good as was the Shish Tawook. Big K loved his platter as well. As for the mint lemonade, this was different, but it works. You have the fresh lemonade with the freshness of mint. It was just a flavor explosion that I had never experienced before but would definitely drink again.

We had a great night, just sitting as a family and enjoying a good meal. They are a bit hard to find if you don’t know what you are looking for, tucked into the corner of a strip mall. They also have a second location in Moore. I am ready to visit again to try more options on their menu. I am giving them 5 strips of bacon.

Address: 3000 W. Memorial Rd., Oklahoma City; 811 SW 19th St., Moore.

List is real short this week, not a lot going on as well as a few things already cancelling. These events are still scheduled to go on but you might check with their social media as the weekend goes on. Stay safe and warm no matter what this weekend.

German Live Band- Moore Royal Bavaria Restaurant- Jan 23rd– 24th

Indoor Farmer’s Market- Edmond Mitch Park- Jan 24th

PBR Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour- Tulsa BOK Center- Jan 23rd– 24th

Craft Fest- Oklahoma City Downtown Metropolitan Library- Jan 24th

Oklahoma City Pro-Rodeo- Oklahoma City Oklahoma State Fair Park- Jan 23th- 25th

National Pigeon Association Grand National Show- Oklahoma City Oklahoma State Fair Park- Jan 23rd– 25th

Downtown in December- Oklahoma City- Nov 13th– Feb 1st

Devon Ice Rink- Oklahoma City- Nov 14th– Feb 1st

Edmond Ice Rink- Edmond Mitch Park- Nov 7th– Feb 1st

Food Friday: Flatire Burger

While out taking pictures of historic places in Edmond, it was time for lunch and we realized that there was a good burger joint that we hadn’t been to in a while. Flatire Burger has been in Edmond for over 20 years, just west of the University of Central Oklahoma campus. We had gone there early on but hadn’t been back since. That was a mistake.

On a nice Saturday afternoon, after walking around the UCO campus, we went to Flatire. The weather was so nice that we sat out on the patio in January. We started lunch with the Green Chile Spokes. These are Anaheim chiles that have been roasted, then breaded and fried. The served them with a ranch type dipping sauce called Rooster sauce. We loved them. They were so good, crispy with a touch of heat to them. I could have eaten a whole bucket of them on my own. Now onto the burgers, I ordered a Juicy Lucy while Big K decided to tackle the Hell’s Kitchen burger. It didn’t take too long for us to get these incredible burgers. The Juicy Lucy is a half-pound burger stuffed with cheddar cheese, topped with more cheddar, bacon, grilled onions, and a fried egg. This was seriously on of the best burgers I’ve eaten. We all know the best burgers are messy and this one was so juicy that it was falling apart. Every bite just had so much flavor. As a side I got tator tots, which were fried perfectly. And the Hell’s Kitchen burger that Big K had, his exact words were “it is fucking amazing”. This burger brings the heat, grilled sweet onions, grilled jalapenos, ghost pepper cream cheese, bacon, salsa, chipotle mayo, and crushed tortilla chips. He ate it without breaking a sweat. He got the fries and loved them as well.

I totally need to remember that Flatire Burger is an option in when in Edmond. The service was outstanding and the patio was a great place to sit. I will give them 5 strips of bacon.

Address: 318 E. Ayers St., Edmond.

Deep into winter and January, still not a lot going on quite yet. Be careful and stay warm while out enjoying the events around the state.

German Live Band- Moore Royal Bavaria Restaurant- Jan 16th– 17th

Indoor Farmer’s Market- Edmond Mitch Park- Jan 17th

Castle Falls & Council Grove Historically Local Tour- Oklahoma City- Jan 17th

Chili Bowl Nationals- Tulsa Expo Square- Jan 11th– 17th

Western Hills Winter Bluegrass Festival- Wagoner The Lodge at Sequoyah State Park- Jan 15th– 17th

Dolly Parton’s Birthday Bash- Tulsa Gathering Place- Jan 17th

Mad Dog Demolition Derby- Claremore Expo Center- Jan 17th

Dolly Day- Oklahoma City Truck Yard- Jan 17th

Route 66 Family Mixer- Catoosa DW Correll Museum- Jan 17th

Monster Truck Wars- Duncan Stephens County Fairgrounds- Jan 17th

High Performance Racing Auction, Trade Show, & Swap Meet- Tulsa Expo Square- Jan 17th

OKC RV & Boat Show- Oklahoma City Oklahoma State Fair Park- Jan 16th– 18th

International Finals Rodeo- Edmond/Guthrie Lazy E Arena- Jan 15th– 18th

Heart of Oklahoma Youth Rodeo- Chickasha Grady County Fairgrounds- Jan 17th– 18th

Stillwater Ice Rink- Stillwater- Nov 12th– Jan 18th

World of Wrestling Tulsa Nationals- Tulsa Expo Square- Jan 15th– 18th

MLK Commemorative March & Celebration Program- Enid Stride Bank Center- Jan 19th

MLK Day Parade & Celebration- Ardmore HFV Wilson Community Center- Jan 19th

Martin Luther King Jr. Parade- Tulsa- Jan 19th

MLK Holiday Parade- Oklahoma City- Jan 19th

Downtown in December- Oklahoma City- Nov 13th– Feb 1st

Devon Ice Rink- Oklahoma City- Nov 14th– Feb 1st

Edmond Ice Rink- Edmond Mitch Park- Nov 7th– Feb 1st

Food Friday: Asian Buffet

All of Oklahoma City gets excited when a new buffet opens and a few months ago all the talk was about the new Asian Buffet on NW Expressway. On their opening weekend there were lines out the doors with wait times as long as two hours. I personally saw the lines when I tried to check it out. I waited a couple months and tried again, this time with no wait.

I was met with a pleasant woman who was very nice, you pay first, then are escorted to your seat. Everything was well stocked on the buffet and I had to try a bit of everything. I immediately fell in love with their bacon wrapped shrimp, of course. The cheesy seafood casserole was another favorite that also got a second helping. I also loved their pineapple chicken and their version of sausage with onion. They had some decent sushi, I tried most of their cooked varieties. Their General Tso chicken as well as the sweet and sour chicken were ok but I’ve had better at other Chinese buffets. Same with the crab rangoon and egg rolls, good but I’ve had better. They did have crab legs and to be honest, I love crab but hate the work to get the meat out.

The service was incredible, our drinks were kept filled and dirty plates vanished without us realizing it. The restaurant was clean and the buffet was full every time I went for refills. The decor is wonderful, love all of the dolphins decorating the buffet. Overall, is it the best Chinese buffet in town, no but it ranks in the top 5. It is a bit pricey but everything seems to be going that way. I recommend a visit so you can try it for yourself, I’m giving them 5 strips of bacon wrapped around that shrimp.

Address: 5702 NW Expressway, Oklahoma City.

Hope everyone is having a good year so far. It’s winter but Mother Nature doesn’t seem to know that. A few events around the state going on. Have fun.

2nd Friday Norman Art Walk- Norman- Jan 9th

German Live Band- Moore Royal Bavaria Restaurant- Jan 9th– 10th

28th Annual Oklahoma High Performance Racing Auction, Trade Show & Swap Meet- Oklahoma City Oklahoma State Fair Park- Jan 10th

KNID Agrifest- Enid Chisholm Trail Expo Center- Jan 9th– 10th

Celebrate the Eagle Day- Sulphur Chickasaw Cultural Center- Jan 10th

Route 66 Tour- Erick, Clinton, Weatherford, Hydro, Arcadia, Luther, Chandler, Tulsa, Miami- Jan 8th– 10th

Second Saturdays- Stillwater OSU Museum of Art- Jan 10th

Indian Taco Sale- Oklahoma City 4111 N Lincoln Blvd- Jan 10th

Red Dirt Dog Agility- El Reno Canadian County Expo Center- Jan 9th– 11th

Oklahoma Boat Expo- Tulsa Cox Business Center- Jan 9th– 11th

All Star Team Roping- Tulsa Expo Square- Jan 10th– 11th

Big Om Yoga Retreat- Hulbert Sequoyah State Park- Jan 9th– 11th

OKC Spirit Fair- Midwest City Reed Conference Center- Jan 10th– 11th

Herps Oklahoma Exotic Reptile & Pet Show- Shawnee Heart of Oklahoma Expo Center- Jan 10th– 11th

LIVE! on the Plaza- Oklahoma City Plaza District- Jan 11th

Cattlemen’s Congress- Oklahoma City Oklahoma State Fair Park- Jan 3rd– 15th

Stillwater Ice Rink- Stillwater- Nov 12th– Jan 18th

Chili Bowl Nationals- Tulsa Expo Square- Jan 11th– 17th

Downtown in December- Oklahoma City- Nov 13th– Feb 1st

Devon Ice Rink- Oklahoma City- Nov 14th– Feb 1st

Edmond Ice Rink- Edmond Mitch Park- Nov 7th– Feb 1st

Food Friday: Tikka Craze

Craving some Pakistani/Indian food? Well I found a small place on North Portland Ave that serves some really good food and it’s not a buffet.

We have been meaning to try Tikka Craze for quite a while, honestly keep forgetting. So one Saturday night, while out taking pictures of historic places, we both remembered and stopped in to try it out. Once again, another case of we should have stopped in earlier. Located in a big shopping center, there is a small dining room and you order at the counter. The girl who took our order was super nice and understanding. The have a big selection on their menu so we decided to try the combo meal with 2 entrees. I got sweet butter chicken and spinach with potato while Big K got grilled chicken tikka also with spinach and potato. The combos come with biryani and rice as well as a warm pita. It didn’t take long for us to get our food. My butter chicken was great, had a lovely sweet taste that I had not experienced before. The spinach with potato was great as well, had a buttery base that enhanced the flavor. The biryani and rice did have a bit of heat to it but nothing overwhelming. The highlight was the pita. So fresh and light, just the right amount of butter melted on top. It truly made the whole dinner. Big K loved everything in his combo. He agreed about the pita. The servings are huge and we both took home leftovers.

Tikka Craze is a really good place for Pakistani/Indian food. It helps if you know what you are getting, if you aren’t familiar with the food for this region I do suggest a buffet to try first. I’m giving them 5 strips of bacon.

Address: 4104 N. Portland Ave., Oklahoma City; 301 S. Bryant Ave., Edmond.

Found another new burger place that lives up to the hype, Pattie’s Hamburgers & Roast Beef in Edmond. I know I’ve complained in the past about the number of burger places in the Oklahoma City metro but I’m always happy to have a good place enter the discussion.

We stopped in on a Friday night, there were quite a few people enjoying dinner already. We got a table and looked over the menu. Got our order taken pretty quickly- I went with the bacon cheeseburger, of course, with a side of onion rings while Big K got the spicy big sexy with fries. It didn’t take too long for the orders to come out and everything looked great. The bacon cheeseburger was covered in melted cheddar, caramelized onions, and some of the best bacon I’ve had in a while. Seriously, that bacon had a smoky sweetness that I don’t usually find in a restaurant. I also really liked the onion rings, they were similar to Sonic onion rings but better. The spicy big sexy that Big K got was interesting- two patties with bacon, cheddar cheese, grilled onions, grilled jalapenos, fried pickles, spicy mayo, fresh lettuce and tomato. The fries were double fried, the type that are crispy on the outside but soft in the middle. He loved every bite and agreed that the bacon was amazing.

I had been hearing a lot of positive about Pattie’s in different groups, everyone was right, they have good burgers. I’m excited to go back and try some of their other menu items. I’m giving them 5 strips of that really good bacon.

Address: 1149 E. 2nd Street, Edmond. (In the shopping center to the east of UCO, just west of the Walmart Market)

I’ve heard about Social Capital for a few years, they had huge watch parties for the Thunder games over the summer. On a trip downtown I decided to stop in and see what they were about.

It was about lunch time on a Saturday afternoon, so it wasn’t real busy. First thing I realized right off the bat, this isn’t really a restaurant. It’s more of a gathering place with a bar and food. All the tables are for multiple groups and even seating areas for more of a gathering than dining. We ordered off their limited menu, a shrimp taco, pork belly taco, and nachos to share. The food was delivered quickly. We both loved our tacos, lots of flavor and great taste. The nachos were the true star of the show. The chips were made from flour tortillas and the white queso was amazing.

Like I said, it’s really not a restaurant but a great place to gather with friends and family. I love the fact that it is built in an old service station that dates from the 1960’s. Before that the area was residential and a house was on that site as late as the 1950’s. As the area turned industrial, more homes were replaced by businesses. Now almost all the homes are gone as are many of the businesses. Across the street there is the beautiful Scissortail Park. I will give them 5 strips of bacon, they do have good food and a huge beer menu.

El Reno is known for onion burgers, there are several restaurants in town that specialize in them as well as an Onion Burger Festival every May. Jobe’s had been a mainstay on Route 66 for years but had closed for a while. Now it’s reopened, serving up those famous burgers.

We stopped in on a Saturday for lunch. At first it was quiet and we were the only diners in the building but as time went on, the place filled up. I ordered a bacon cheeseburger on sourdough with a side of chili cheese tots while Big K got a Western Char Burger and chili cheese fries. The orders came out pretty quickly and the food was amazing. My bacon cheeseburger had a beef patty, fried to perfection with onions. Several strips of thick bacon, jack cheese, lettuce, and tomato along with a thousand island dressing all piled high on the toasted sourdough. It was just how a onion burger with bacon should be done. The tots were great as well, the chili had a great flavor with lots of meat. Big K loved his Western Char Burger, also a onion fried beef patty with bacon, American cheese, onion rings, and homemade hickory char sauce. Said it was one of the best burgers he had eaten in a while and to be honest, he eats a lot of burgers. He also loved his chili cheese fries as well.

Jobe’s Country Boy Drive-In originally opened in 1958 by JR Jobe. It served travelers on Route 66 until 2015, when it closed. The building was several different businesses before reopening as a restaurant again in 2024. Now ready to serve adventurers rediscovering Route 66 for its 100th birthday, Jobe’s is a great small-town diner with good onion burgers. I give the 5 strips of thick bacon.

Address: 1220 Sunset Dr., El Reno.