For the past few years I have heard about a great sushi place in Moore. I don’t get to the southside of the metro often and when I do it’s to go to Norman. So I was excited to learn they were going to open a location just a couple miles from me in NW Oklahoma City.
We went on a Friday night just a few weeks after their opening. We were surprised to be the only people there. They brought complimentary tempura crab stick stuffed with cream cheese. I have had this a other sushi restaurants in Oklahoma City and love it every time. Thiers was just as good, if not better than what I’ve had in the past. We ordered a shrimp roll, sunny land roll, OK special roll, and Thunder roll. Didn’t take long for us to get our food and wow was it amazing. The shrimp roll was tempura fried, was really delightful. The sunny land roll was topped with coconut which gave it a sweet crunch. The OK Special roll had a bit of a spicy kick to it. The Thunder roll was awesome as well with lots of crunchies on top.
Overall, we loved OK Ramen & Sushi Bar. We were stuffed when done and the waitstaff was amazing. We will definitely be back soon. I give them 5 strips of bacon.
Address: 13325 N. MacArthur Blvd, suite 10, Oklahoma City.
If you’ve been reading my food Fridays, you know that I love Mexican food. A new taco restaurant opened in NW Oklahoma City and I had to check it out.
We went on a quiet Friday night, there were quite a few people there but it wasn’t crowded. We shared a platter of steak nachos to start. Piled high with chips, steak, veggies, topped with queso. These were awesome, the chips were fried flour tortillas. The steak had a great flavor and was tender. These queso had a tang that I really enjoyed, brought out so many of the other ingredients. What I found funny is that when I ordered these, the girl asked if I liked spicy. Yes was my answer, she then explained that there were jalapenos on the nachos. The fresh sliced jalapenos weren’t that hot, they actually had a great fresh taste as well. Next up were our tacos. I got a fried shrimp taco and a quesabroso with steak. First of all they come in blue corn tortillas, different, added a bit of color to the plate. The shrimp was perfectly fried, covered in a spicy aioli that was delightful. The quesabroso taco was a blue corn tortilla with cheese fried onto it, then filled with steak and beans, topped with a guacamole. I don’t normally like guacamole but it was great mixed with this meat and beans on this taco. I also loved the tiny baked potato, it was covered in spices and easily eaten by hand. Big K had a fish taco and barbacoa taco. He loved both, said they were both quite flavorful.
Apparently Taco Empire had been a food truck before having a brick & mortar location. The restaurant is in a small strip mall at the SW intersection of NW 122nd and Rockwell. This is getting to be a good place to go if you’re a foodie. Several other restaurants have also opened in this area. A trip to Taco Empire needs to be on your list to try if you haven’t already. I give them 5 strips of bacon.
I love trying out new coffee shops and to find one close to home is a bonus. I guess Babble Coffee and Boba Tea Bar has been in it’s location at Hefner and Rockwell since 2017 but I never noticed it (and truthfully I’m at that Crest once a week). So I picked a nice late morning to get some writing done while sipping a coffee and enjoying a croffle.
They have a huge menu so it took me a few minutes to decide what I wanted but after I did order, I got my food quickly. I had an iced peppermint mocha latte with a Oreo croffle. The iced coffee was good, I really enjoyed it. The croffle was amazing. Basically a croffle is a combination of a croissant and a waffle. I loved mine. It was served warm with lots of whipped cream, chocolate syrup, and an Oreo on top.
This is a really good place to go if you need to work in silence, now there were plenty of other people coming in but everyone stayed quiet for the most part. The had lots of coffees and teas on the menu, I could visit everyday for the next year and not try them all. They also had more than just the croffles to eat, such as chicken nuggets and French fries. I loved the quiet atmosphere as well. The space is large enough to meet with friends but not be too overwhelmed by others. I will give them 5 strips of bacon, on a croffle of course.
There are so many burger places, pizza parlors, and TexMex restaurants in the Oklahoma City metro so going into Anton’s Craft Kitchen is a different experience. Yes they have burgers and sandwiches, but there is much more to discover on their menu.
When you enter the building you are greeted by Anton himself, who is more than happy to seat you and tell you the specials of the day. He will also help you navigate the menu, just in case you have any questions. He took our drink orders and left us to look the menu over. Now I had heard that the spinach & eggplant dip was amazing so I wanted to try that. It came out quick, a plate with the dip and two huge, warm buttered pitas. He told us how to break up the pitas into strips that can then be dipped. The reviews of the dip were right, it was great. This warm cheesy dip it paired perfectly with the buttery pitas, made for an excellent appetizer. On my first visit I got the mushroom swiss burger. This was a solid burger, plenty of sauteed mushrooms paired with swiss and a tangy craft house sauce. On my second visit I went for Roses chicken and shrimp over rice. This was awesome as well the craft sauce had a bit of heat to it but it worked with the chicken and shrimp. Now Big K has tried their chicken parmesan and the dish called green olives. He loved them both, the chicken parmesan was crispy served on a bed of homemade mashed potatoes. The green olives is chicken breast served with a lemon sauce and plenty of green olives over rice. He thought both dishes had a unique flavor.
So definitely try Anton’s Craft Kitchen, it is totally worth a visit. The spinach and eggplant dip is worth the trip but definitely try out their burgers and entrees as well. I will give them 5 strips of bacon along side their dip.
About a year ago it was announced that Oklahoma City was about to get a cat cafe. They are a big deal in Japan, the first opening in 2005 with many more afterwards. In 2015, the fad finally came to the United States and now they are all over the country. It took a while to get the permits for Don’t Stress Meowt but they finally opened in May 2023.
We knew a visit was in our future since Mae declares herself “catgirl”, but with a busy summer it has taken us a while to get there. Now the cats are kept in a separate room from the food, and you need reservations to visit with the kitties. But you can just go in to enjoy the food and drinks in the cafe section. We decided against getting a reservation, seeing as how we already have 3 cats, we don’t need more. So we just went in to try out their small menu. They have coffee, tea, and hot chocolate to drink along with light desserts from The Loaded Bowl. We ordered the summer special called Calico Kitten, a latte with caramel, chocolate, and white chocolate, we got ours iced but you can have it warm as well. Mae got a cat cookie and I tried a brownie. We took a seat near the cat room, so we could watch them while enjoying our food. Mae’s cat cookie was lavender lemon with pink icing, I tried a bite and it was good. The brownie was perfect, very chocolatey filled with chocolate chips. Our drinks were also really good, I hope they keep with calico mix on the menu. It had a rich flavor, the 2 different chocolates mixed quite well with the caramel. The whole time we were entertained by the cats in the next room, watching them play and drink from the water fountain.
This place is really good, the only downside I see with it is the parking situation. It shares a building with several other businesses and is hard to find parking. I went around the block 3 times before 1 spot came open. I have read on social media that the cafe owners are trying to work with the building owners to rectify the situation. Makes it hard to visit a restaurant when you can’t find parking. But other than that, the food and atmosphere were great, the service was wonderful as well. Now like I said earlier, you do need a reservation to go into the cat room to play with the cats. You make it online, and it does cost to help with the upkeep of the cats. All of the cats in the cat room are up for adoption through Safe Haven Animal Rescue, so if you do fall in love with one while in the room, you can take him home. Since the grand opening they have helped 31 cats find homes and I love seeing that number, hope it goes up more. Also, leave your own cat at home, this is only to enjoy the cats that are up for adoption in the cat room. A side note, they are doing so well here in Oklahoma City that a Tulsa location is in the works. I will give them 5 strips of bacon.
Address: 1900 Linwood Blvd., Suite 300, Oklahoma City.
Forever I’ve been driving past Tacos Don Nacho on South Council, this is my usual route from my home in northwest Oklahoma City to my in-laws in south Oklahoma City. The parking lot is always full and I had been told my several people over the years that it was good. Finally Big K talked me into going and now I’m mad at myself for not stopping before.
Even at 2pm on a Saturday afternoon, the place was packed but we were still able to find a table. Heads up, you do need to know a bit of Spanish to read the menu, but I’m pretty sure you can always ask. You order at the front counter, then find a seat. The complimentary chips and salsa were brought out quickly. the chips were those thin, light tortilla chips that I love and the salsa had a bit of kick to it. I ordered the Especial 3 Tacos with asada meat. This came out pretty quick as well, the 3 tacos are served in soft flour tortillas with salsa. These were amazing, I loved the taste of the meat, seasoned just right. The beans and rice were also really good, beans weren’t too runny and the rice had a hint of lime. Big K had a burrito plate with chicken. This burrito was huge, covered in red sauce and guacamole, with the beans and rice on the sides. He loved every bite.
We were so stuffed when we left, the food was so good and filling. It will definitely be on our list of favorite places now. Wish I would have stopped years ago. Now I understand why the parking lot is always packed. Definitely 5 strips of bacon.
You ever drive by a restaurant and think “I need to try this place”? I have done that for years driving by the big green burger sign for Barry’s Grill on North May Aveune. It even smells good when I stop next door at Bedford Camera, after years of thinking about it I stopped and truthfully I wish I hadn’t.
First thing I noticed when I walked in wasn’t the old time menu sign, it was the dirty unvacuumed floors. I got over it and ordered a bacon cheeseburger with a side of tots. The guy behind the counter took my order but didn’t seem friendly. As I took a seat I noticed a old musty smell that permeated the restaurant. The tables were clean but obviously had some age to them. The whole vibe was 1960’s cafeteria. The pictures on the wall were faded to blue and the “greenery” in between the tables was older than me. Before my burger was ready I took a quick trip to the bathroom, indoor outhouse is a good description. A couple minutes after I returned to the table my order was ready. It did bother me that the tray was sticky. The tots were just plain tots, nothing really special. The burger was the same, nothing special. The veggies were fresh and crisp and the bacon was cooked perfectly. It was just ok though. I wasn’t blown away, really along the lines of a fast-food burger. I finished my food and left. The odd smell was still there and really permeated my experience.
From my research, this business has been at the location since at least 1996. I think it does a good job attracting a lunch crowd not looking for anything fancy. Personally I don’t think I’ll return. I give them 2 strips of bacon.
A few weekends ago, I got the pleasure of touring the 1937 mansion of Dr WH Slaughter in northeast Oklahoma City. Situated on a 7 acre piece of land on NE 50th Street, just to the east of I-35, this home is a hidden gem and home to a vital member of Oklahoma City history.
Wyatt Hardy Slaughter was born in Alabama in 1872 and attended Walden University, then later Meharry Medical College, both in Nashville, TN, graduating around 1892. He arrived in Oklahoma City in 1903and became the first African American doctor in the new city. He worked with Dr WL Haywood to build the Utopia Hospital on NE 1st and later they established the Great Western Hospital in NE Oklahoma City. He practiced medicine in his own personal office in the Deep Deuce area of Oklahoma City, placing his Slaughter Buidling at 327 NE 2nd. This 3-story building was used for retail, housing his wife’s family’s pharmacy as well as the home of the Dunbar Library. Side note, none of these buildings are extant any longer, most succumbing to the wrecking ball in the 1960’s and 1970’s. He was also active in real estate, banking, as well as oil and gas. A public servant for many years, he was on many boards and committees. After retirement in 1949, he dedicated himself to building a YMCA on the NE side as well as a new school (current Frederick Douglass High School). He passed away in 1952, buried in Trice Hill Cemetery along side family. In 1907, he married Edna Randolph, the daughter of Jefferson Davis Randolph, the first African American Teacher in in Oklahoma City who founded the first black school at California and Harvey (what is now right in the middle of the Myriad Gardens).
Dr Slaughter purchased a 40 acre plot on NE 50th Street near Bryant Avenue in 1916 and built this home in 1937. The drive to the house is a old meandering paved trail that gives you a beautiful view of the mansion before leading you to a parking area next to the home. Being perched on a hill, the home dominates the landscape. The large stones that have been used in the construction also draw your eye to the home. Massive arches frame the east side of the house, these also provide a beautiful view of the countryside from the porch as well.
I wasn’t able to take pictures inside, but the home has been restored. After entering the home, you are in a foyer that to the left leads to the living area and to the right, a den or office, plus a hall to a bedroom suite. The dining is off the living area and also leads to a small kitchen. Upstairs are bedrooms, bathrooms, and storage areas. The two bedrooms that were open both had spacious bathrooms attached to them. One bathroom also led to an open air porch that is right above the front doors. There is a third floor but there was no access for guests. On the grounds are the remains of a well house and windmill. A functioning garage and small storage building are also original to the home and have been updated.
Over the years, parcels from the original 40 acres have been sold off. The house was empty for a time and vandals did hit the property. The home is in private ownership now and used for various events also rented out as an Airbnb. The property has also been listed on the National Register of Historic Places as of 2018. If you see a chance to visit this beautiful home, I highly recommend it.
I say all the time, there are lots of burger places in the Oklahoma City metro but only a few have been good. Burger Punk is one I’ve heard about but hadn’t tried until last weekend.
What started as a food truck, has now evolved into a brick-and-mortar location on the east side of the Paseo District. Painted all in black, it looks like an interesting place to try. The black theme continued inside, with pink and purple lights accenting the tables and bar. We took a seat near the window and immediately had someone there to help us find their online menu and take our drink order. We both tried their March special- Mushroom Whiskey Burger. This nice sized burger had truffle mayo, lots of mushrooms, Swiss cheese, and a sauce called Whiskey-A-Go-Go. Our orders came out pretty quick, and this burger was outstanding. The meat had a nice flavor and was juicy. The mix of the truffle mayo and the whiskey sauce really worked on this burger. There was a small pool of sauce that had run off the burger and I was dipping it in the sauce because it was so good. It wasn’t strong with the whisky flavor and had more of a honey type texture. I love truffles and the mayo was perfect, had the right truffle earthiness to it. I got the lil macaroni as a side, this mac and cheese had large rigatoni smothered in a tangy cheese sauce. Add in some roasted jalapenos and top it off with some panko breadcrumbs, this really complimented the burger. Big K got the crinkle cut fries, also doused in what they call “liquid gold”.
I’m excited to try them again, the service was great. The dining room and bar area were a bit small but there’s also a patio area which will be good now that spring and summer are about here. Not going to lie, not a lot of parking. I got lucky and got a space right up front but I know it can get crazy in that area. Overall I really enjoyed my first trip, 5 strips of bacon.
I love new restaurants, but I love them more when they’re close to home so I was excited to hear about the opening of Taqueria El Camino a few weeks ago. They originally opened in the Edmond Railyard back in October 2019 and business was so good they now have their own location on North MacArthur in Oklahoma City.
Being an introvert, I was apprehensive about going in, I could see they were really busy with the Friday night crowd but Big K wasn’t going to let that deter us. He went in and found out they had tables open, so in I went. They mostly specialize in tacos but have a few other items as well. We started with just basic chips and queso. These were awesome. The chips were fried flour tortillas with seasoning on them and the queso had a tang to it, I would have these everyday if I could. I went with the coconut shrimp taco and brisket barbacoa taco with the sides of waffle fries and cilantro lime rice. The tacos were good sized, the coconut shrimp taco had a nice pile of slaw on top, gave it a beachy type feel. The brisket barbacoa taco also had the slaw with some cotija cheese on top, the brisket was cooked perfectly, melted in my mouth. The cilantro rice was really good, had a light flavor to it. And the waffle fries were perfect, not those sad ones you get from Chick-fil-A. These were fried crip with seasoning over them that gave them a great flavor. I also had a lavender berry margarita, this was a real treat, sweet with a touch of lavender flavor. Big K had the chorizo guac taco and a quesa carnitas taco with the sides of zesty slaw and elote. He loved both tacos, they had crispy cheese fried onto the tortillas. He thought the slaw had a flavor that was different, and he fell in love with the elote (elote is grilled street corn, I tried a bite and it was good).
The only real downside is that it did take a bit to get our entrees. Like I said at the beginning, they were really busy. They just opened at this location in December and getting a lot of attention. I will be going back to try more of their menu offerings and will give them 5 strips of bacon.
The Fat Okie 