Food Recs in Oklahoma City

[chashound]

Heading to OKC for the weekend in late Sept. Need some places to eat all meals. Love local hangouts No chains Thanks

[drgnflychic]

The one thing I can tell you to try in OKC is nothing fancy, but it's an OKC staple...

Del Rancho

You'll recognize it by the big blue cowboy hat on a yellow sign. Order the steak supreme sandwich and prepare to taste the best chicken fried steak you've ever had. My fiance is a chicken fried steak fiend and he loves it so much we have to drive an hour to get in every once and awhile. It's huge too so go hungry. If you're really hungry, get the dinner - it has the mashed taters, salad, etc.

Where are you staying? I might be able to give you a few more recommendations...

[Betty]

A better fast food joint than many restaurants. I like their half chef salad with garlic dressing on the side. Sometimes it is enough garlic dressing to take home - like a styrofoam iced tea glass full. And they have buttermilk on the menu, which I love and have pretty much never seen anyplace else. It is truly the only place I ever ever get a steak sandwich. No gristle, ever. One time a friend and I labored through Martha Stewart's Aioli recipe and when we were all finished realized we'd made Del Rancho Garlic Dressing.

[RegiVizz]

It really depends on what you are looking for.

A great local steak place is Cattlemen's located just south of downtown in the OKC Stockyards.
The best fried chicken is Eischen's bar in Okarche. It's a bar, but seriously the very best fried chicken, served on wax paper and I'd recommend a side of okra to go with it. Eishen's is an experience!
If you head to Bricktown, you can get a variety, but if you hit Chelino's (local Tex-Mex) avoid the fajitas...they are the worst ever; everything else I've tried is good but Ted's Escondido (not in Bricktown but in several locations around the city) is fantastic Tex-Mex.
Another "experience" (aka hole-in-the-wall-amazing food) is Robert's Grill in El Reno. Greasy onion burgers served with love.
If you want a little more elegant than the hole-in-the-wall, try The Coach House, Deep Fork Grill, Bellini's or Nonna's.
Jimmy's Egg is a local chain that serves up a wonderful breakfast for a great price.
For BBQ, everyone has their favorite, many choose Earl's, but I like Steve's Rib (locations in Edmond and NW OKC) the best and Swadley's next.
If you're looking for fast food a good bet is Braum's. It's a chain, but they have their own dairy cattle and beef cattle and make wonderful icecream from their first class milk. Another good burger place is Johnnie's.
Hope that helps some!

[chashound]

Thanks for the help. Heading that way on the 20th of Sept. Will continue to check boards. Staying at the Sooner Legends Hotel and Suites where ever that is.

[Betty]

The Chelino's in S. OKC is great, but I have never ever gotten the attraction to Ted's. I know it is popular, but I have never had anything there worth the wait.
I agree about Braum's, a chain, but local, and they raise their own dairy herds, and it is the only place I buy meat any more.

I also have recently liked Galileo's in the Paseo district.

[Leper]

RegiVizz, I have traveled the world and nobody makes a better burger than Johnnie's Theta Burger. Their onion rings stand alone as well. I may make a special trip just to experience them again. (Also, I second the vote for breakfast at the Classen Grill--especially if they're serving quail.)

[tiomano]

I have never been disappointed by the Museum Cafe in downtown. It is in walking distance of the National Memorial if your so inclined. Had a terrible experience at Toby Keith's I love this bar and grill in Bricktown. Bad service, bad food, bad. More interested in turnem and burnem than making regulars. For some excellent dim sum, go to the Grand House China Bistro

[Betty]

The best place for breakfast in OKC is the Classen Grill, hands down. No comparison.

[okcTimbo]

since you are staying at sooners legends which is in norman,ok [a south suberb about 15 mile south of okc] which is also home of our beloved sooner football factory,aka oklahoma university. there is restaurant row just 1 block east of your motel with most major chains, i would recommend going west on main st to downtown area and enjoying appetizers and maybe a adult beveradge at Vista. a local sports bar/grill thats atop a 6 story building.dont expect a mountain vista veiw cause this is oklahoma.lol, however all items are great,very low priced and the atmosphere is very casual and friendly people. and just a note about drgnflychic's recommendation which i totally agree with her, del rancho has a drive in only rest just east of your motel about 2 blocks,she is correct,that steak sandwich is a oklahoma favorite for years and if your craving a sandwich you will love it. enjoy your stay in our state

[Elainie]

I visited a restaurant mentioned here today. Deep Fork Grill was the bomb. It's nice, has an upscale feel with a casual bent and moderate pricing, and the service was above and beyond. I like, didn't want to drink any more of my iced tea after the 5th refill lest someone come try to replace it again. I had the housemade meatloaf and potatoes. It was great. Somebody recommended it to me, and boy were they right. It's a winner! Yay for local chow houses!

[bblonde]

I love Coit's ultra-greasy hotdogs and a rootbeer in their frosted mug. It's on 50th and Portland and also one around 36th and Penn I believe.

My favorite burger joint (and you'll find LOTS of opinions on this subject) is Little Mike's onion burgers across from Johnnie's on NW expressway.

The Wedge pizzeria on 50th-ish and Western is a really good gourmet pizza place but gets crowded quickly. For a more Oklahoma tradition, you have Hideaway (they are now all over the metro area).

I will second Steve's Rib. Best as far as BBQ goes, imho.

Our Mexican food is ho-hum, but I love Big Truck Tacos (it is actually a building with places to sit) on 23rd and Dewey--although get there early or late or you'll have to wait.