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Posts tagged ‘food’

Food Friday: Basic Knead

I don’t often get to eat on the campus of the University of Oklahoma, but when I get to Norman, I try to stop by Basic Knead. This is a small university run cafe that specializes in personal pizzas and pastas.

I learned about it last year when Mae was a freshman. She was trained to work there just in case someone called out. Soon I was hearing about the pasta she was eating almost every night and I wanted to try it. So one Saturday night last year, we drove down and got our own personal pasta dishes. The have several options but I went with a penne pasta, drizzled with alfredo, then added pepperoni, mushrooms, and olives. After a topping of cheese, the dish is placed in a brick oven to be fired. After a wait, my pasta dish was delivered and it was glorious. The pasta was perfectly cooked and the cheese was melted crisp. On my next trip, I got a personal pizza. This was prepared similarly, personal sized crust, with alfredo, pepperoni, mushrooms, olives, and topped with cheese. Baked in the same fired oven, this pizza was just as good as a pizza you would get at Hideaway (and much better than the national pizza places).

Basic Knead was her go to dinner spot for the fall semester but it was shut down in the spring due to not enough employees. Mae was anxious when she went back to campus this fall, would her beloved Basic Knead be open again. Fortunately it is and she says it’s just as good as last year. So if you find yourself on campus and looking for some pasta or pizza, try Basic Knead. You can find it south of Lindsey in Cross Village.

Address: 1695 Asp Ave., Norman.

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Food, Norman, Oklahoma, University of Oklahoma

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Food Friday: Not Cho Cheesecake

I love cheesecake. Not going to lie, one of my favorite desserts. It is hard to find a decent cheesecake though, most are just ok (even though my daughter makes a really good mint chocolate cheesecake). I have been hearing about Not Cho Cheesecake for a while and on a beautiful Friday night, I decided to stop and try it. Everything I had heard was right, this place is good.

We got some personal cheesecakes to go, I got the Tennessee Whiskey and Big K got the chocolate chip cookie dough. We tried them after we got home and WOW!! So much flavor!! Mine had a graham cracker crust that was perfect. Gave the cheesecake a crunch that I had never had before. Then the cheesecake itself was so creamy, the cheese flavor really popped. Then the homemade caramel sauce on top was just the best. The owner could bottle it and sell it for topping or just spoon straight from the jar. As for the chocolate chip cookie dough that Big K had, after only a couple bites he looked at me and said, “if I die while eating this, put it in the coffin with me. I’m taking it with me.” He thought it was rich and decadent.

This small cheesecake bakery has only been around since 2020. The co-owner passed away not long after the opening and now her husband runs the cafe in her honor. He was the one running the register when we stopped in. He was so nice and friendly. He obviously takes pride of the product he delivers. He has a large variety of cheesecakes from plain to fancy. If you need dessert and want a good cheesecake, stop and see what he has in the case. I guarantee you’ll find something you love. A definite 5 strips of bacon.

Address: 3934 N College Ave., Bethany.

Category:

Food, Oklahoma, Oklahoma food

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Food Friday: HD’s Onion Burgers & Gyros

hd's onion burger

There are so many good places to eat in Oklahoma City that you can drive by and never notice. HD’s Onion Burgers & Gyros is one of those places, I know it’s there and love their food but forget about them. I need to be reminded that when I want a good burger, they’re close to home.

HD’s sits on the corner of a large strip mall on the NW corner of Rockwell and NW 122nd. Just a small restaurant with a big menu and flavor. I always get the bacon cheeseburger, perfectly seasoned beef patty with cheese melted on top. They chop up the bacon and pile it on top, while a pile of fried onions is under the patty. The lettuce and tomato are fresh, and the bun has been toasted to a buttery perfection. This is a good-sized burger, so bring your appetite. We also got the onion rings and bacon cheese fries to share. The onion rings are fried nice and crispy. The bacon cheese fries are a true work of art, crisp fries with shredded cheese and chopped bacon on top. No, not bacon bits, chopped bacon, most pieces were about an inch long. They were so good.

The service was great, plenty of places to sit. This place is a true hidden treasure in NW Oklahoma City. They have lots more on their menu that I haven’t tried, sandwiches, gyros, salads, and lots of burgers to choose. I give them 5 strips of bacon.

Address: 12417 N Rockwell Ave., Oklahoma City.

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Food, Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma food

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Food Friday: Mother Road Market

This is going to be a bit different but then again the Mother Road Market is different. The Mother Road Market is one of these newer food hall concepts of having lots of small restaurant owners come together to offer their food under one roof. Really it’s like a big food court, like the kind you would find at the mall. The upside is that there are only a few stores to shop at, plenty of seating, and you don’t have to walk too far. It’s also great if you have picky eaters or if everyone wants something different.

So the three of us walked into the building with a plan, everyone was to get whatever they wanted but different. We split up and each got our own stuff. I got some pimento and cheese wontons from Salt and Vinegar, Big K stopped at Curds and Whey for some loaded fries, and Mae wanted a pickle pizza from Zasa’s Pizza and Wings. After the first round, I got some sushi from Akira Sushi & Ramen that I shared with Big K, he got a Brazilian savory pastry puff from Doctor Kustom. Lastly we all shared a sampler platter from Da Yolk. I wanted to try more places but we were all stuffed. There is a burger place, ice cream, barbeque, tacos, chicken, bread, pastries, and a bar. Everything was good, and the service was great at each location. I really like this food court set up, gives the small businesses a chance to shine while not having to worry about so much overhead.

It’s called the Mother Road Market because it’s about a block south of the current alignment of historic Route 66 at the corner of Lewis and E. 11th St. The building started it’s life as Scrivner-Stevens Grocery distribution center built in 1939, the non-profit Lobeck Taylor Family Foundation remodeled the warehouse in 2016. They then reached out to small business owners to set up shop and officially opened in 2018. There is more than just food, plenty of small local shops to browse and a mini-golf course. There is seating inside and out, when we were there it was over 100, so we stayed inside. If you are in Tulsa, stop by and check out everything they have to offer.

Address: 1124 S. Lewis Ave., Tulsa.

Category:

Food, Oklahoma, Oklahoma food, Tulsa

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Food Friday: Stella Nova

I know coffee places are all the rage now, we have a Starbucks on damn near every corner or a Scooters to drive up for a quick pick me up but I have been looking for local coffee shops. I was lucky to find Stella Nova a few months ago and with every visit they just get better.

Now I’m going to be honest, I’m not a coffee lover. Hate the taste of it just by itself but over the past year with my barista daughter I have learned to like it a bit. I really like it in the Frappuccino or frappe form. It’s really a coffee milkshake. I started liking them back when McDonald’s introduced the caramel frappe in 2009. Only in the past year did Mae introduce me to Starbucks and Scooters. So now I am actively seeking them out. In March during spring break, Mae needed a caffeine fix so we tried the location at NW 150th and Western. I had the chocolate chip frappe, which has now become my go-to drink when I visit. Another favorite of mine is the cheese danish. This danish is so good, first they are large and second, filled with cheese. So good that I have to get one when I visit, no matter what else I have. Their breakfast sandwiches and wraps are also really good. Much better than a quick breakfast item from a chain.

I have now visited the Crown Heights location as well and every time both locations are clean and the employees are nice. Even in the morning rush, they get my items out quickly. I will give them 5 strips of bacon.

Address: 1415 W. Main St., Norman; 119 N Robinson Ave., Oklahoma City; 4716 N. Western Ave., Oklahoma City; 1041 NW 150th St., Oklahoma City; 6604 Snider Plaza, Dallas.

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Food, Oklahoma, Oklahoma food

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Food Friday: Hynson’s Classic Burgers

I talk about it all of the time but there are a lot of burger joints in the Oklahoma City metro. Most are pretty good, a new place on the scene is Hynson’s Classic Burgers in Yukon.

They started in 2018 with a small location in Penn Square Mall but moved to the east side of Yukon in summer of 2021. With the history of small burger joints along historic Route 66, Hynson’s fits right into its surroundings in a small strip mall. My first trip last year I ordered a patty melt, it was one of the best I had tasted in a while. The bread was toasted, buttery, the cheese melting off the patty. It was great. I’ve been back a few times since and their food is always excellent. After the patty melt, my second go to is the bacon cheddar burger. Perfectly toasted bun, cheddar cheese melted over the top of the patty, and a couple strips of bacon top off this burger. The flavor of their meat is also very nice, not too seasoned so you can taste the freshness. I got fries the first trip but now every visit I get the loaded bacon cheese tots. These are so good, tots are perfectly fried with cheese and ranch drizzled over the top, then bacon bits and onion to top it off.

I will give Hynson’s 5 strips of bacon. They have a friendly staff and were quick with our order. I am happy to see that they have opened a second location in Harrah, so hopefully they will continue to expand but keep their quality.

Address: 825 E. Main St. Suite 100, Yukon; 251 S. Harrah Rd. Suite 100, Harrah, 16325 N May Ave., Edmond.

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Food, Oklahoma, Oklahoma food

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Food Friday: Volcano Sushi Bar & Hibachi

Crab stick & sushi at Volcano

 

I first discovered Volcano Sushi Bar in 2017.  I knew there was a location in Moore and while I was in town, I stopped.  I had several friends rave about their sushi and they were right, some of the best sushi in the OKC metro.  So for a couple of years I would stop by this location right off of I-35 south of 19th street.  But I got lucky about a year ago, they opened a new location in NW Oklahoma City.  I am so happy to have their wonderful sushi closer to home.

I start with Crispy Crab, deep fried crab stuffed with cream cheese.  This is a true delicacy.  Light breading with crab, the taste of cream cheese envelops your mouth.  True creamy goodness.  Then the sushi roll comes out- my favorite is Lucky Lady.  Shrimp tempura with cream cheese, avocado topped with a crab stick.  This is my favorite every time I visit.  Another favorite is Space Ship, a fried scallop topped with salmon.  No rice surrounding it, what’s why they call it space ship.  I’ve tried many of their other rolls but always forget to write them down.  They have an extensive menu with rice, noodles and hibachi grilled meats.  I just haven’t tried them yet.

Service is always great at both locations that I’ve visited.  The decor is nice, the Moore location is darker but the new place in NW OKC is bright and airy.  So if you are looking for good sushi, I highly recommend Volcano.  5 strips of bacon.

 

Address:  2727 S. I-35 Service Rd., Moore; 5301 Main St. #103, Del City; 1609 Penn Park Blvd. #10, Oklahoma City; 3700 W Robinson St. Suite 164, Norman; 5612 W. Memorial Rd., Oklahoma City.

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Food, Oklahoma, Oklahoma food

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Coffee Corner: Starbucks (OU Student Union)

Starbucks is a classic in the coffee shop community. With hundreds of stores across the country, they are dedicated to serving quality coffee to their customers and creating new and trendy products for them to try. I personally am a regular at the Starbucks in the OU Student Union. This store recently moved to a new, larger location, as their previous store was small and cramped, not good for all of the students waiting to order. Their new location is larger than any Starbucks I have personally ever been in, with carved wooden seats and glass walls giving a view into the primary hallway of the Student Union. My personal order is always the Crispy Grilled Cheese, which has a mix of cheeses on sourdough bread, topped with a layer of crispy baked cheese. My usual drink is a simple mocha, which is sweeter than any other coffee shop I have been to. I’m there so often they know my name and start preparing my order before I even get to the counter. They offer all of the typical items on the Starbucks menu, and their friendly staff is ready to serve whatever you are feeling that day. This is only a review for the Starbucks at the Student Union of the University of Oklahoma. Not all are the same and there are many locations to choose from now. Written by Mae.

Category:

Oklahoma, Oklahoma food, University of Oklahoma

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Coffee Corner: Einstein Bros. Bagel Company

Possibly one of my favorite coffee shops in the world is Einstein Bros Bagel Company. Years ago, the only way that I ever enjoyed Einstein Bros was from the few they sold at Target, usually the asiago flavor. I remember that my mom would buy one for each of us, and for dinner that night we would have bagel sandwiches, which I always enjoyed. When Target ceased to carry Einstein Bros, I had no way of enjoying them anymore. However, upon first visiting the location in Headington Hall at the University of Oklahoma, I immediately fell back in love. This became my regular Saturday morning breakfast, and my regular food item of choice is simple. The six-cheese bagel is rich and cheesy, crisp on the edges and melty in the middle, and is best when paired with onion and chive cream cheese (referred to on the menu as “shmear”). As far as coffee goes, I prefer either a cold brew shake or a hot mocha. A cold brew shake is similar to a Frappuchino, but due to being made with cold brew is more bitter and coffee flavored, but still much sweeter than straight cold brew. The mochas are similar to Starbucks, if a little less sweet.

Overall, I rate Einstein Bros Bagel Company 10/10. Written by Mae.

Address: 100 E Lindsey St., Norman; 6500 S MacArthur Blvd., Oklahoma City; 2660 E 21st. St., Tulsa; 440 s Gary Ave., Tulsa; 8125 E 101st. St., Tulsa; 7777E Apache St., Tulsa.

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Food, Oklahoma, Oklahoma food

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Food Friday: Interurban Restaurant

In the Oklahoma City metro there are some restaurants that are locally owned and have been part of the scene for many years. Interurban is a perfect example, they have been here since 1976 and still serve up good food.

I have had the opportunity to visit a couple of locations recently and both times the food has been excellent. Both visits I had the chicken fried steak. A nice size steak, breaded with cream gravy poured over it. The steak itself is fork tender and the breading was fried to a crisp brown. The mashed potatoes had a slight hint of garlic, which was different and the okra was also fried to a golden perfection. We started with the cracker-breaded mozzarella sticks, which were deep fried perfectly- crisp on the outside and melty inside. Big K had the flamethrower burger which he said was flavorful but not overly spicy.

I have had many other menu items over the past 40+ years that I have been going to Interurban. My first burger from there was not long after it opened at their original location in downtown Norman. I was maybe 5 or 6 and my grandfather picked up some burgers for dinner. I had only really eaten McDonald’s burgers or homemade ones to that point and can honestly say that burger was the best thing my young mouth had ever eaten. I think that I have spent the rest of my life trying to recreate that experience when I eat out. Now they are called Interurban because they got their start in the building that had been an interurban station built in 1917 for the trolley lines that went from Oklahoma City to Norman. After 1947 when the interurban lines shut down it was converted to a bus station. The restaurant was opened in 1976 and later moved to a location closer to I-35 in the 1990’s.

I give them 5 strips of bacon because they have been able to have good food for over 40 years.

Locations: 1150 Ed Noble Dr., Norman; 11316 W Reno, Yukon; 1301 E Danforth Rd., Edmond; 300 E Grand Ave., Chickasha; 322 Holiday Dr., Ardmore; 717 S. Houston Ave., Tulsa.

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Food, Oklahoma, Oklahoma food

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