As a little girl growing up in Norman, we would pass the newly opened restaurant called The Mont all the time. I could see the glow of lights coming through the stained glass windows and wanted to go inside. My mother would tell me, decent people don’t go there, so my hopes of visiting were dashed. Later as a student at OU in the early 1990’s, I still wanted to go but it seemed like a party place. Even though it had that reputation, I also knew members of the Norman police department gathered there every Saturday to drink. I really then just forgot about it until recently with my own daughter a student at OU. Finally, back in December we stopped, it was so good I wish I had gone earlier.
The architecture of the building is what gets your attention first, a low Spanish style building with lots of stained-glass windows. A patio out front gives diners a chance to enjoy the nice weather, or you can enter through a medieval looking wooden door to the main dining room. Their menu ranges from burgers and sandwiches to Tex-Mex. We ordered a couple of things to start with, the fried cheese and fried mushrooms. They were both good. I got the Mont burger with bacon and cheese. Not a bad burger, had a great taste with lots of fresh veggies. Mae got a French dip with a side of mac and cheese (of course). She loved the sandwich but the baked mac and cheese really won her over. A melty cheese top with creamy cheese inside, I had a bite and it was really good. Big K had the green Chile burrito that comes with beans, rice and chips. He really loved the burrito, lots of queso over it. He said the beans and rice were good. I had a couple of the chips, they were light and crispy. Now it was the afternoon, so I didn’t try the famous Sooner Swirl but I will.
The Mont has been a staple in Norman since it opened on Halloween of 1976. The building is much older, of course. The first business I found mentioned is the Monterrey Restaurant. This operated from 1943- 1969. A German restaurant called Volkstube occupied the building for a short time then Hacienda Hernandez took over in 1972. This restaurant survived for a couple of years before turning into Joe’s Bar & Grill which only lasted a year. After all these years the Mont is the place to see and be seen. I’ve heard all the drunk stories from friends who had a few too many while enjoying the atmosphere. I’m sure it does still get crazy on game days but it was quiet while we were there. I would like to go again now that the weather is nice, just to enjoy the good food outdoors. So if you are in Norman, give this legendary restaurant a try. I give them 5 strips of bacon.
Address: 1300 Classen Blvd., Norman.
The Fat Okie 
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