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Posts tagged ‘food’

Food Friday: Route 66 Donuts

There are donut shops all over the OKC metro, one of my favorites is Route 66 Donuts, between Council Road and Lake Overholser. Located at the end of a small strip mall right on Route 66, it’s quick and easy to get in and out.

I’m not lying when I tell you that they have the best apple fritters in the Oklahoma City metro, I have never had an apple fritter with so much apple. Has to be at least half an apple in each one. Not too much cinnamon or glaze, these are seriously the best fritters in town. I also love their donuts, just regular light fluffy donuts with different toppings. The chocolate and maple are always favorites. And not to leave out their sausage rolls. The small ones are breakfast sausage sized with dough wrapped around them. The larger ones are sausage patties with cheese and the dough wrapped around it all. I like both but feel there is just too much dough for my liking in a breakfast food.

Service is always great and the employees are always friendly. I recommend stopping by and trying those apple fritters. I will give them 5 strips of bacon.

Address: 8368 NW 39th Expressway, Bethany.

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Bethany Oklahoma, Food, Oklahoma, Oklahoma food

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Food Friday: Cajun Corner

Cajun Corner opened a few years ago at the SE corner of NW Expressway and Council and they have been a favorite of mine ever since. They have a good selection of po’boys, blackened dishes, pasta, and different seafood baskets.

My favorite is the fried shrimp basket, complete with Cajun fries and hushpuppies. We usually get this to go, the biggest reason- this is where I like to have my dinner from on nights I mow the grass. Yes I know that sounds strange. In the past I would get a Wendy’s Baconator with a Dr. Pepper but since Cajun Corner opened, I send my husband here for dinner. The fried shrimp basket is perfect to cool off with after mowing. Yes I do mow my own yard, started mowing my grandmother’s yard when I was 10 and it just became relaxing to me no matter how much I sweat. But back to Cajun Corner, this basket is simple and they make it quick. Now if I go into their location for dinner I try different things. Their fried shrimp po’boy and crawfish po’boy are excellent. They also have a ribeye Philly cheesesteak that’s pretty good as is the crabby patty, a burger with crab salad. The loaded shrimp fries are also a treat, lots of spice to kick it up. I keep meaning to try their oysters, they have to be done a certain way (the way my grandma Farley cooked them). I’m also interested in their pasta dishes. The owners have done so well with this location that they opened a second location in the Uptown district. I haven’t been there yet but need to try it out as well seeing that they have different menu items.

The service has always been great, no matter if I call the order in for pickup or if I go in. The food is always good. My only real downside with the Council location is the parking lot, but that’s more on the strip mall owners. I definitely give them 5 strips of bacon.

Address: 9200 N Council, Suite A, Oklahoma City; 312 NW 23rd St., Oklahoma City; 9624 S. I-44 Service Rd., Oklahoma City.

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Food, Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma food

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Food Friday: Enid Brewing Company

We took a trip to Enid a few weekends ago, found several places that looked interesting for dinner but since I promised Big K a beer we stopped here to try them out. I was interested because it was located in an old building in downtown Enid, of course he was interested because it had locally brewed beer.

When you go in, you order at the bar, then choose a seat. We decided to start with a pioneer pretzel, a huge warm pretzel served with a side of beer cheese. This was good, it was just a standard big pretzel and the beer cheese was good but didn’t have a tanginess I’ve come to enjoy with other beer cheeses. I only had a water to drink (since I was driving) but Big K had a pilsner. He really liked it, said it had a rich flavor with notes of chocolate. On their website they claim that they track the beer from grain to glass. I believe the grain is grown locally around Enid. They do have a limited menu with only a few burgers, a few salads, and a couple of sandwiches. I tried the queso patty melt. The bread was buttery and toasted, lots of beer cheese smothered over the top but the meat was too salty. I felt that the flavor of the meat was being covered by the salt. It was really disappointing since the meat was locally sourced, should let the flavor of the meat shine through not cover it with salt and spices. No choice on sides, you only get chips (like Ruffles or Lays), which was also disappointing. Big K got the bacon jam burger, he liked it, it does have a bit of a kick to it with the jalapenos. I had a bite, it was ok but still the problem with the salty meat.

Service was spotty at best. No one came to refill my water, which was an issue since the hamburger meat was so salty. We also had to ask for menus when we walked in, we had never been there so didn’t know their menu. The building looked interesting, possibly had been a Masonic Lodge built around 1900. From their website I believe you can rent rooms on the second floor, like a bed and breakfast. Overall, I’m giving them 2 strips of bacon. I understand they’re a bar but the food could have been better.

Address: 126 S Independence Ave., Enid.

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Enid OK, Food, Oklahoma, Oklahoma Brewing, Oklahoma food

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Food Friday: Burger Station

Since last Saturday was a good day for a drive, I took off to the northwest corner of Oklahoma to do some exploring and I found a good burger joint in the middle of Okeene.

Right in between two old service stations is a small building that is the home of the Burger Station. Painted a bright blue to catch your attention, it sits on State Highway 51 a block east of the intersection with State Highway 8. Being that was 12:30p, the place was packed but I was lucky to get a parking spot right out front. The dining room was small but not too crowded and we walked right up to the counter to order. For such a small restaurant, they had a big menu that included lots of burgers, sandwiches, and even pizza. I got a bacon cheeseburger with a side of chili cheese tots. It didn’t take long for our food to arrive, everything looked great. The burger was excellent, 1/3rd pound of fresh beef with bacon and American cheese on top. The bun was fresh and soft, didn’t take away from the taste of the meat. This was just a straight up no frills burger, the way it should be. The chili cheese tots were good as well, tots were fried to a crisp perfection and the chili wasn’t out of a can, no it was homemade with the same meat as used in the burgers.

Even though the restaurant is small and in an old building, it was clean and the staff was really great. I loved the old sign decor, lots from not only petroliana but from local places as well. There were even pics of Okeene from the past on the wall. I give the Burger Station 5 strips of bacon, definitely worth the drive to Okeene.

Address- 118 E Oklahoma, Okeene.

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Food, Okeene OK, Oklahoma, Oklahoma food

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Food Friday: Del Rancho

For today’s review I am going to talk about an old favorite, Del Rancho. To me this restaurant is the epitome of comfort food in the Oklahoma City metro. The first time I remember eating at one, I was 6 years old and we took our food back to my grandmother’s house in Norman. While eating, I lost 1 of my teeth. It fell to the floor but I remember the panic while crawling on the floor trying to find it. If I didn’t have that tooth, I wouldn’t get a visit from the Tooth Fairy.

Of course, the best thing to order on their menu is what they are known for, the Steak Sandwich Supreme. I know there are other items on the menu, but I’ve only tried a few because I want that huge steak sandwich. Basically, it’s a chicken fried steak slapped on a bun. The steak itself is huge and when covered with lots of breading and deep fried, it becomes massive. There is just something they get right with the flavor, it is truly one of the best chicken fried steaks in town and yes you can order it just as a meal. Back to the sandwich, the chicken fried steak is placed on the bun with mayo (Miracle Whip), lettuce and tomato. Really it doesn’t get much better than the Steak Sandwich Supreme. I have read on their website that the sandwich was perfected in 1964.

They also have some of the best sides in town. I love their hand breaded onion rings. The onions are huge as well and lightly breaded with a similar taste as the chicken fried steak. The tator tots are also good and deep fried to be crisp on the outside. My favorite is the fried green beans. The only way to eat green beans are fried and they do a great job. Lightly breaded and served with a housemade ranch, my favorite side.

There are locations all over the metro area, the first one I ate at was in Norman on Lindsey Street near I-35. It’s still there after opening in 1979. There are some that you can go in and sit down and other where you just drive up. I highly recommend getting the Steak Sandwich Supreme with a side of onion rings. The true definition of Oklahoma comfort food, they get 5 strips of bacon.

Address- Norman- 2300 W Lindsey St.; Moore- 1409 N Moore Ave.; Mustang- 462 W Highway 152; Midwest City- 9411 NW 10th St., 9201 SE 29th St.; Oklahoma City- 5111 N MacArthur Blvd., 2741 NE 23rd St., 16 SW 59th St.; Tahlequah- 4800 S Muskogee.

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Food, Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma food

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Food Friday: Tower Cafe

When you think food in Okarche, your thoughts automatically go to the fabled Eischens Bar and their fried chicken. Yes, they do have good food but if you come into town on Highway 81 from the south, you travel right by the Tower Cafe. They do have some of the best cinnamon rolls in the state of Oklahoma, and that’s why most people stop, they do have a full menu as well. They have burgers, sandwiches, fried chicken, a full breakfast menu, and of course, chicken fried steak.

That’s what I enjoyed on my trip there a few weeks ago. The building has been rebricked in the past few years, but inside it still has that 70’s-80’s restaurant decor. On the Saturday afternoon that I visited, the place only had a few patrons, so I had my choice of tables. A wonderful teenager took my order, chicken fried steak with mashed potatoes and green beans along with a warm roll and for dessert a famous cinnamon roll. First up was a fresh small side salad, just enough to start with but not get too stuffed for the main course. Next up was the chicken fried steak, about an 8oz size, covered with cream gravy. The mashed potatoes were also covered in the same gravy and then a serving of green beans with some bacon. The chicken fried steak was a nice size with good flavor. The meat was tender and breading wasn’t too much to overpower the meat and was fried to a golden crisp. The mashed potatoes were good but didn’t quite have the texture of homemade. I felt that maybe they had been powdered at some point. The cream gravy was also good but not outstanding. I did enjoy the green beans with bacon, had a good flavor. The roll was warm and very good, especially after the butter melted. For dessert they brought out a fresh, warm cinnamon roll. I have always enjoyed their cinnamon rolls over the years but served up fresh and warm gave me a new appreciation for them. I do wish they had more icing, but that’s just me. It was warm and buttery with a subtle hint of cinnamon.

I know the Tower Cafe has been in it’s current location for many years. I can’t find much of a history of it but can find that it has been in existence since 1968. The service was great and even though a bit dated, the interior was clean and in good shape. I will give them 3 strips of bacon. It was good but I felt could have been better. I know they concentrate on the cinnamon rolls but they could improve the chicken fried steak and mashed potatoes. I will stop again to try some of their other menu selections.

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Oklahoma

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Food Friday: Casa Perico

I drive past this restaurant everyday, in an old Braums building on NW 63rd Street. Every time I think, “You know, I need to try this place.” Took me 4 years but we finally stopped a few weeks ago and now I wish I had stopped earlier, this place is outstanding.

Since it is in an old Braums, it is small inside but they do have patio for outdoor dining. Of course they have the typical Tex-Mex menu, so I went with my favorite chimichanga. They have a large selection of sides so along with my rice, I tried some Mexican corn. First thing that was served were the chips with salsa and queso. Perfect starter for my first trip, the chips were light and buttery. The queso was thick and creamy with just enough kick to give it good flavor. Next up was the main course, the ground beef chimichanga was deep fried to a golden crisp. It was a good size but not too large, I could actually finish it without asking for a to-go box. The ground beef and cheese mixed inside quite well with a bowl of sour cream sauce for pouring over or dipping. The rice and corn were equally good as well.

The service was great, food was prepared quickly and the chips and queso were replenished frequently. Since I no longer eat fast food Mexican, I will add Casa Perico to my list of favorite Mexican places along with San Marcos and Chelinos. They do have a second location near Quail Springs Mall, I just haven’t visited it yet. I happily give them 5 strips of bacon.

Address: 4521 NW 63rd St., Oklahoma City; 12219 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Oklahoma City; 505 E. Main St., Yukon.

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Food, Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma food

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Food Friday: Aloha Shave Ice and Coffee Shoppe

Aloha sign

For a few years now I had driven past the cute little blue and yellow building on the southwest corner of NW 39th Expressway and Council Road.  If you went by there during the summer, you couldn’t help but notice all the cars in the parking lot and families eating shaved ice.  It took me a while to finally work up the nerve to stop, I picked a nice hot day this past summer and we got to enjoy some of the best shaved ice I’ve ever eaten.

They have over 50 single flavors and at least that many custom mixes.  But the real treat is to have the shaved ice made “Hawaiian Style”, this is where they add cream to the shaved ice.  All is served in a flower shaped cup, with the ice in a huge mound on top.  We were totally addicted to them after the first visit and now go back as often as possible, trying different flavors every time.

purple snowcone

My Bethany Broncos shaved ice.

In late August, they were closed for a few weeks to move into a new permanent building at the same location.  And with that move they have introduced not only coffee but real breakfast and lunch options.  It is a nice building with a cozy interior and much better parking.  They don’t have a big menu for the food but they do serve breakfast all day, which is a big plus for me.  A few weeks ago I tried the breakfast sandwich; egg, with your choice of cheese and meats on a warm croissant.   Truthfully, it was the best breakfast sandwich I’ve ever had from a restaurant.  Mae had her favorite, mac and cheese, served extra cheesy so she gave it her approval.

As good as the food is the main reason to go is the shaved ice, and spend the extra money to get it “Hawaiian Style”.  I give Aloha five strips of bacon.

Address: 8000 NW 39th Expressway, Bethany, OK.

Hours: Monday- Friday 7am- 9pm; Saturday 8am- 9pm; Sunday 1pm- 9pm.

Aloha

Outside of Aloha, Bethany, OK 2015.

inside Aloha

Inside of Aloha, Bethany, OK, 2015.

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Food, Oklahoma, Oklahoma food

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Food Friday: Cajun King

Cajun King

Update Sept 1st, 2021:  No longer a buffet.

Last week we all wanted something different for dinner.  After shooting down several suggestions, my husband said that he wanted to try Cajun King at NW 63rd and MacArthur.  I’m not a big fan of Cajun food, so I really wasn’t crazy about this idea and even complained about it as we pulled in the parking lot.

It doesn’t look like much from the outside, right in the middle of a strip mall but we were greeted by a friendly gentleman with a thick Cajun accent.  The restaurant is set up buffet style, so while my husband paid, me and Mae grabbed some plates and started filling up.  On my first trip I had some fried shrimp, crab balls, potatoes au gratin, and a biscuit.  It was all good, the biscuit was light and buttery, the fried shrimp and crab balls were really good, and the potatoes were so good that I had another big helping on my second trip.  Mae and my husband had some of the same things that I had but they got the macaroni and cheese instead of potatoes.

So while they were raving about that, our Cajun server brought a big plate full of fried catfish almondine to the table and wanted us to try it.  I have no problem telling people that I hate catfish (even if my dad loved it).  My grandmother used to fry it up every so often and even though she could cook anything, I hated that catfish.  So keep it in mind that I haven’t eaten catfish since I was 9 and when he put that plate in front of me, I tried to be nice but knew I wasn’t going to eat it.  My husband, who will eat just about anything, tried the catfish first, “Hey, this is pretty good.  Try some.”  While I was giving him the stink eye for the suggestion, Mae grabbed a piece and started eating.  “Yeah, this is pretty good.  I like it.”  If they both like it I might as well try it, so with that I tried a piece as well and guess what, it was good.  It came with a honey type dipping sauce the chef calls “tiger sauce” and for the first time in my life I liked catfish.  So the three of us catfish haters finished off the plate of it in no time.

After all we ate on the buffet and the big pile of catfish, we were stuffed but still had our beignets.  Every meal comes with the catfish almondine and beignets.  I had never tried these either, but they were good as well.  Deep-fried fritters with lots of powdered sugar on top.  None of us really had any room left but no one was going to leave those wonderful treats sitting.  But just a side note, don’t let your kids wear black when they eat these, the powdered sugar gets everywhere (and yes, Mae had on black).  As we were leaving, our server asked if we had tried the bread pudding.  No, we hadn’t tried it.  Once again I’m not a big fan and I was too full anyway.  He didn’t like that answer, so he went over, got a to-go box and filled it with bread pudding.  He handed it to me and said to try it, I would love it.  So the next day we did and it was just as good as everything else.  Next time I go I’ll try everything because the owners proved me wrong twice.  Food was great and the service was awesome so I give it five strips of bacon.

Address: 5816 NW 63rd Street, Oklahoma City.  Southeast corner just east of MacArthur on NW 63rd.

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Food, Oklahoma, Oklahoma City

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Food Friday: Fuze Buffet & Bar

Fuze

 

UPDATE:  Closed as of November 1, 2017, then reopened under a new name- Feast in 2018.  I haven’t been to the new concept and really have no desire to waste my time or money there.  So I can’t tell you if it’s any good or not.

For our Food Friday restaurant we have Fuze Buffet and Bar.  It’s the new buffet that opened on the Northwest Expressway in May of 2015.  It’s easy enough to find, bright lights, colorful signs, and dancing waters which turn colors at night.

First few times we tried going, couldn’t find a place to park.  The building is huge inside and could hold lots of people, but the parking lot is small.  Some people were resorting to parking at the sleazy motel right next door.  Might be an idea for the owners of Fuze to buy that motel, bulldoze it and put in more parking.  It would solve so many problems.

So it took a few weeks for us to finally visit and the first visit with my whole family went well.  It was a dinner visit.  The night we were there they had live music and the atmosphere just seemed very relaxed.  To the food, the salad bar is huge- I could have filled up on that alone.  They had so many different options to put on a salad that you could cover the whole plate and never see the lettuce.  They also have a cheese bar with a few different selections of cheeses that you don’t normally see in a buffet.  Also had a sushi bar but my problem is, I’m picky about my sushi and want to know what’s in each roll.  There was nothing that said the ingredients, only the name of the roll, so take your chances unless you know your sushi.  But the main attraction is the entrée buffet itself.  You can get just about any type of meat and sides that you care to have.  Burgers, steak, chicken, pork all cooked in different styles from chinese to italian to mexican to american.  The sides were also a good mix as well, from your standard macaroni and cheese to fried green beans.  Desert buffet was packed and fresh as well with choices of cake, pie, and ice cream.  Service was good, I had no complaints that night.

My second visit wasn’t as great, it was just me and Mae for lunch.  The atmosphere was different as was the food quality.  Nothing seemed to be as fresh.  The salad bar was still great but everything else seemed off.  The flavor wasn’t as good with the meats or the sides.  And the desert was dried out and stale.

Now for a bit of history about the location- back in 1983 this building originally held a buffet called Duff’s Famous Smorgasbord.  I can remember going there, it was cool because it had a food carousel buffet.  It was always a little weird trying to get your food off this moving carousel, but I remember the food was good. (And yes there was also a Duff’s on the south side off I-240 as well.)   After Duff’s closed in 1984, the building sat empty until General Mills Restaurants (later Darden Restaurants) bought it and turned it into an Olive Garden in 1987.  The Olive Garden eventually moved to 50 Penn Place and Tan & Tone America took over the place in 2008.  After Tan & Tone failed in 2012 the owners of Fuze bought the building and it is once again a buffet.

So after only two visits it’s been hit and miss.  I will probably go back a few more times to see if it gets any better or if the problem is only during lunch hours.  Right now I’m giving it 3 pieces of bacon hopefully it improves.

Address: 6512 NW Expressway, Oklahoma City

 

Cassie at Fuze with dancing water 3

Mae with the dancing waters at Fuze, Oklahoma City, 2015.

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Food, Oklahoma, Oklahoma City

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