Andolini’s Sliced - Downtown Tulsa

You may or may not have heard of Andolini’s with the Tulsa, Owasso, Jenks, and Broken Arrow locations, but did you know that STG Pizzeria was part of the Andolini’s family as well. Well, they have rebranded STG into Andolini’s Sliced featuring pizza by the slice all day. You can still get whole pies, but they feature different pizzas and the styles every day. These styles include: Andolini’s style 20in circular pies cut Into 8 slices, Roman Square Slice 12x17  Tray (8 Slices) NYC STYLE 20in circular pies cut into 8 slices, Brooklyn style circular pies cut into 8 slices, and Tulsa style, what they describe as “west coast freshness meets east coast process.” 

I went in with some colleagues and it is small but still a fun atmosphere. Very friendly staff and great service went along with out fantastic food. We ordered the garlic knots which are always a hit. I went with the NYC style cheese and the Tulsa style Vesuvio, which is smoked mozzarella, chicken breast, and Red Rock salt. Both were great. 

They still have the gelato, however I was too full after my meal, but I’ve had their gelato before and it is my favorite in Tulsa. They have a great Facebook presence and also website www.andopizza.com. Swing by 114 S Detroit Ave in downtown and they open at 11am each day. Great place for a casual date and rates out at $$-$$$. 

#pizza #nycstyle #cheese #tulsapizza #Tulsa #Oklahoma #Blog #Foodblog #Foodreview 

Dilly Diner - Tulsa

Located in the Blue Dome District 402 E 2nd St in Tulsa is a quaint, but hip diner that serves breakfast all day. They were once called the Dilly Deli but rebranded and is now a diner. 

They offer housemade breads, pastries, and desserts that are mouthwatering. The brunch is quite tasty as I have been previously and enjoyed the crab cakes. Today I enjoyed the pastrami sandwich which included Fassler Hall(a local German themed pub) mustard which was incredible on this sandwich and housemade bread. My friend enjoyed the Dilly Burger which is a double meat and cheese burger with their own special sauce. Both came with an ample amount of shoestring fries. 

I will be going back and having breakfast and pastries soon. This is a nice place for brunch or to bring a significant other to enjoy a nice meal. It rates out at $$-$$$ and like I said, somewhere I will visit again. The do have a Facebook and website www.dillydiner.com

#food #foodblog #foodreview #diner #burger #sandwich #fries #pastries #Tulsa #Oklahoma 

El Tapatio - Nowata

So in the small town of Nowata in NE Oklahoma, there’s a brightly colored building that is now a Mexican restaurant. Quite a change from a building that was a local favorite “greasy spoon.” El Tapatio is the typical Mexican joint but is still pretty good.

The salsa has a little more kick than most places and the queso is very good. My wife had the #33 which was a taco, a tamale, rice, and beans. I had the Arandas special which is rice, cheese, bacon, and chicken served with tortillas. I’ll be getting it again for sure. We’ve been numerous times and are always happy with our visit. 

It’s quiet enough for conversation but they also have a bar area and TVs if you are wanting to hang. It rates out at $-$$ and is worth a visit when you come through. They have a Facebook page and there is also another one in Okmulgee. 

#food #foodblog #foodreview #blog #Mexicanfood #chips #salsa #queso #Nowata #Oklahoma 

Sam and Ella’s in Tahlequah

Most college towns have a really great pizza place and Tahlequah is no exception. Northeastern State University has Sam and Ella’s Chicken Palace which is actually a pizza place. Yes say Sam and Ella fast and it sounds like salmonella. 

Sam and Ella’s help lead to my freshman 50 and beyond. They have a fantastic menu with a great hand tossed crust that is out of this world. The arti(choke) toast is a fantastic appetizer. The cheese sticks are on a different level too.

They are open 10-10 everyday at 419 N Muskogee Ave and have a good Facebook presence. You can create your own or can choose from one of their favorites like the Rock Island Red or the Dominquer(uses ranch dressing as a base.) I’ve been many times and there isn’t anything I don’t like. Be patient as sometimes they get busy and it can be a little crazy from a service standpoint. 

It rates at $$-$$$ and is worth the trip to Cherokee County for! 

#food #foodblog #foodreview #pizza #Tahlequah #Oklahoma 

Mac’s BBQ - Skiatook

So I finally got the chance to try another BBQ icon here in NE Oklahoma, Mac’s BBQ in Skiatook. It was good, it makes it to #4 on my rankings of Oklahoma BBQ cause my top 3 are pretty stacked. 

They are located at 1030 W Rogers Blvd in Skiatook and are open Tuesday through Saturday 11am to 8pm. They’ve got a active Facebook page and a website www.macsbbqok.com. Mike McMillan started the restaurant in 1985 and was a competition bbq guy who has won awards at  the American Royal and the Jack Daniels World Championship. 

The menu is pretty basic and they do own sauce. I had a 2 meat combo with pulled pork and sliced brisket along with campfire potatoes which is like a cheesy hash brown casserole and baked beans that had a nice amount of meat in them. Brisket had nice flavor and wasn’t dry. The pulled pork was middle of road but I didn’t get a lot of flavor even out of the bark. I’ll go back and try the ribs.

My wife went with her normal and got the chopped brisket sandwich and campfire potatoes. My father-in-law had the brisket and my mother-in-law had a baked potato with chopped brisket. 

They bring in jalapeño and cheese sausages from BurnCo about once a week and they also sold Butcher BBQ’s Honey Rub(one of my personal favorites.)

It’s a nice casual atmosphere with friendly folks working. Great place for a quick bite and some ladies may appreciate the food(those are great ladies!) It rates out at $-$$ and I look forward to my next trip. 

#blog #food #foodreview #foodblog #bbq #brisket #pulledpork #bakedbeans #campfirepotatoes #Skiatook #Oklahoma 

Elote in Tulsa

Elote is grilled Mexican street corn. Elote restaurant in Tulsa is an innovative Mexican food experience that strives to bring great flavors while using local top notch ingredients that use sustainable growing practices. 

They are located at 514 S Boston and open at 11am everyday but Sunday. They have been featured on Man vs Food and are famous for their puffy tacos and luchador wrestling events. 

The menu obviously shows you they are not the typical Mexican joint as they have Vegan and Gluten free options and have choices like the quinoa taco and the blackened jackfruit taco. From the chips and salsa you can taste the difference.

It is definitely a unique establishment with a hip atmosphere and would be great for a date night. You can check them out on Facebook or at www.elotetulsa.com

#food #foodreview #foodblog #Mexicanfood #Tulsa #Oklahoma 

Zomato.com

The Butcher BBQ Stand - Wellston

So this is definitely a top 3 BBQ joint in Oklahoma for me and definitely the top brisket north of the Red River. Butcher BBQ has been a top competive BBQ team for the last few years along with David Bouska being a butcher in the area for over 30 years, hence the name. They’ve been producing runs and injections for a while now and have a stand open to sell their deliciousness to the public. 

If you are a follower of BBQ, then Butcher BBQ is a name you should know. They were the BBQ division champs of the inaugural World Food Championship in Las Vegas and have been on BBQ Pitmasters and BBQ Pitmasters All Stars. David started this whole thing, but his son Levi is using his dad’s championship products and techniques to bring this amazing BBQ to the public. It’s located at 3402 W HW 66 in Wellston and if you get off at the Wellston exit coming from Tulsa, you’ll take a right and then it’ll be right there on the right. You can miss it if you aren’t looking. They are also only open Friday and Saturday 11am-8pm or until the food runs out and Sunday 11am to 3pm. 

I’ve been multiple times and absolutely love it. Like I said earlier, in my opinion, best brisket north of the Red River. They have the usual fare including ribs, brisket(sliced,) pulled pork, chick-q nuggets (smoked boneless chicken breast chopped into “nuggets” and rolled in sauce) and smoked sausage and hot links. Sides are their apple pie baked beans, mac and cheese, coleslaw, potato salad, and chips. They serve Twinkies for dessert even though they are actually “Cloud Cakes.” 

Hard to go wrong but if you are with some one else, I suggest the Meat Locker which is a sampling of all their meats and a couple of sides and a couple of Cloud Cakes for dessert. It is worth the drive and I suggest you try it if you like Q. They rate out at $-$$$

#bbq #food #foodblog #foodreview #ribs #brisket #championshipbbq #Wellston #Oklahoma 

TripAdvisor.com

This is the meat locker. 

Kendall’s Restaurant in Noble

Ok, I know you are probably thinking, “Bates, Noble is not in NE Oklahoma.” You’re right, but I can’t change the blog name and most of the entries will be NE Oklahoma, but I will cover good food in our state regardless where it is. This is one of those. 

Kendall’s is most famous for their chicken fried steak, which if you’ve noticed a trend on this blog, I’m all about CFS and BBQ. Kendall’s utilizes their Facebook presence by giving away lunch for 2 everyday to like 10 people. I was lucky enough to score dinner for 2 a week before I went to see Garth Brooks in OKC.

Even if I had to have paid for it, I’d have been just as happy. This is a top 5 CFS for me. Hand breaded and comes with choice of potato, green beans, roll, and homemade cinnamon roll for dessert. I got the large which their infamous Chicken Fried Steak Challenge has one that is even bigger. I used to think I could do the challenge, but no, I’m sure I can’t. I took half of this home. My wife got the catfish and wasn’t impressed but I asked why do you go to a place famous for CFS and order catfish. 

It’s worth the jaunt down there but they are only open Wednesday through Saturday 11am to 8pm. They also sell the cinnamon rolls and we made it home with a 4 pack of the maple bacon, and they didn’t suck. It rates at a $$-$$$ and if you want to take a chance at winning, check out their Facebook. 

#food #foodblog #foodreview #chickenfriedsteak #cinnamonroll #Americanfood #Noble #Oklahoma 

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Yokozuna Blue Dome Tulsa

This is right now my favorite sushi place. Yokozuna has 3 locations this one on 2nd, the south location at 91st and Yale, and an Oklahoma City location. I’ve been to both Tulsa  locations and the food is the same but I like the atmosphere at the Blue Dome a little better. 

I encourage you to get there between 2-5 for Happy Hour where certain rolls and appetizers are half off. It’s a good deal to get some more bang for your buck. 

The spring rolls are pretty solid, the Sweet Potatoes are great, and the Philadelphia Roll is a nice startThey have some personalized to Tulsa fare and it’s not your standard sushi roll. The Golden Driller is particularly nice. I like the Senshi roll a lot as well(Imitation crab, asparagus, jalapeño and tempura shrimp, topped with seared beef tenderloin, scallions, fried shallots and wasabi mayo.)

They do have entree’s as well like the traditional Asian fare and then a couple of others like grilled fish tacos and pork belly tacos. 

They have a nice selection of sake and beers if that’s your thing. Nice place to take a date and is intimate enough to have conversation. 

It rates out at $$-$$$ and you can find out more at yokozunasushi.com or Facebook.

#foodblog #foodreview #sushi #Tulsa #Oklahoma 

onlyinyourstate.com

Frank and Lola’s Bartlesville

Looking for a hip, cool place to take a date that has pretty great food and a bar, Frank and Lola’s in Bartlesville is your spot. They aren’t open Monday or Sunday but they are open for lunch 11-2 and dinner 5-9 Tuesday through Friday and 4-9 on Saturday. 

Their specialty is the pork green chili and it’s very tasty. It has just enough spice but no too much. Now, plan on dessert and order it when you order your meal. It is their bread pudding and I’ve shared it with 3 other people. It’s rich, decadent, and not your aunt’s soggy mess that most people think of when you think bread pudding. 

They have great sandwiches and burgers but I normally just get the pork green chili. Get there early or you will be waiting. They have a great bar with specials to hang while you wait. 

Great place for a date or a casual dinner during the week. It rates out at $$-$$$. Check them out on Facebook or the web. 

Photo from Facebook public photos

#Foodblog #foodreview #pork #greenchili #breadpudding #Bartlesville #Oklahoma 

Photo from Trover

Stone Mill BBQ and Steakhouse in Broken Arrow

I had previously had some left over meat from a funeral dinner from here but had never actually been there. The meat I had was decent (better than chain bbq joints) so I wasn’t as anxious when the wife said she had a Groupon. 

The said Groupon was for 2 baked potatoes, which you get your choice between chopped brisket and pulled pork, 2 drinks, and 2 cobblers with ice cream. I think the price was $18.95(come to find out that would have been $30.94 without the discount.) 

After we ordered our drinks, the waiter brought out rolls and honey butter, which was pretty tasty. Then came out the 2 good size potatoes with meat and the other toppings. My chopped beef potato was solid, the meat was decent, better than the chain joints at least. My wife gave me a piece of the pulled pork off of hers. I wasn’t as impressed. 

For dessert, you had your choice between Apple and peach cobbler and I went apple. They brought out our cobblers and they were great. Nice crust, nice big scoop of ice cream, cobbler was warm, and the ice cream to cobbler ratio was perfect. 

I would be willing to come back and try the steaks and the other meats, but make sure you’ve got the budget room, Stone Mill gets a $$-$$$$ rating. It has a nice atmosphere for a date or just to come hang out and they do have a meeting room. Check them out on Facebook or online. 

#food #foodblog #foodreview #BrokenArrow #bbq #steak #lunch #potatoes #dessert #Oklahoma #Groupon

TripAdvisor.com 

Copan Restaurant and Truck Stop

This is a place from my childhood that I recently took the time to revisit. My only regret is that I hadn’t been back sooner. 

The Copan Restaurant has been going strong for over 20 years in the little community just south of the Oklahoma/Kansas State line on US HW 75. They are open 6am to 9pm Monday through Saturday and are closed Sunday. Breakfast is served all day. 

So I get there right at 11 and it’s a good thing I did. The lunch rush came in shortly after. I ordered the thing that I had eaten in this restaurant many times as a kid, the chicken fried steak! I paired it with mashed potatoes and gravy and some mac and cheese. It also came out with a homemade yeast roll(sorry I forgot the picture I was too enamored in eating.) The CFS was hand breaded, covered half my plate, and was fork tender! Just as good as I remembered. 

I took home half of my lunch, but grabbed some pie to go which, if you are just out for a random drive and want some dessert, this pie is worth it. Homemade chocolate and a piece of coconut(I had to bring the wife something or I was going to be in trouble!) 

It’s not what most would call a “date night setting” but it is good casual American food. The run a daily special as well, which I believe was brisket that day. Price wise they are $-$$. You catch more information by finding them on Facebook. I look forward to another trip back. 

#food #foodblog #foodreview #Americandining #chickenfriedsteak #pie #Oklahoma #Copan

Buffalo's BBQ - Sperry

One of my favorite Q places and it is in a trailer in Sperry of all places. Buffalo's BBQ is ran by pitmaster Donny Teel and his wife Cindy. Donny is a champion competitive BBQ'er with a Jack Daniels World Championship and an American Royal Open champion as well. Well M-F from 11am to 6pm (or when the food runs out), he's cooking great Q at 201 OK HW 11 in Sperry. 

He serves the normal bbq fare with chopped beef, ribs(my favorite), bologna, pulled pork, and on Wednesday he serves a fantastic Prime Rib.

Sides include baked beans, potato salad, chips, and coleslaw. Buffalo’s also caters so feel free to reach out to them via Facebook, phone 918-288-6200, or www.buffalosbbq.com

They rate $-$$ and are a great pick up dinner or lunch. 

#bbq #ribs #primerib #ChampionshipBBQ #pulledpork #bologna #Oklahoma 

El Viejo's Broken Arrow

So we went to a new place for us for a wedding rehearsal dinner. El Viejo's Mexican Grill in Broken Arrow located at 600 S Aspen. 

 Chips and salsa were fairly good, salsa had a little kick and was medium in thickness. My wife ordered a make your combo that had a tamale and a small cheese quesadilla along with rice and beans. The tamale was ok(in spoiled because we have access to homemade tamales that are amazing, hit me up for info.)  I went with the Pollo Diablo which was strips of chicken in a spicy sauce with tortillas, rice, and beans. The sauce wasn't super spicy but good flavor. 

Service was hard to gauge because there was one guy serving about 30 of us. It is quiet and quaint and run of the mill for your "mom and pop" style Mexican restaurant. I'd give it another shot just to try something else and if I didn't want to be around a lot of people. Price wise, it earns a $$ rating. #Food #foodblog #foodreview #Mexicanfood #BrokenArrow #salsa #tamale #quesadilla 

Baja Jack's - Owasso

If you are in the mood for a burrito or some nachos for a casual date night or some take home, Baja Jack's Burrito Shack in Owasso is your spot. 

Baja Jack's feature item is the Build Your Own Burrito or BYOB option. It doesn't just stop at burritos, you can make nachos, corn tacos, taco salad, or a Baja burrito bowl(lettuce wrap). You choose your meats, fillers, veggies, sauces, and extras and then they bring it to you. 

If you don't want to make your own, they have plenty of choices including burritos, tacos, tortas, and nachos. Follow them on Facebook and you can find their secret menu, including my favorite item, the Carne Asada fries! 

While you are waiting, you get to munch on their in house made chips and salsa bar. I love the house salsa and the cilantro lime. My wife is a fan of the black bean along with the mango salsa. 

They can be busy so pick your times well. The staff has always been super friendly and I've even seen Garth Brooks when they were still living in the Owasso area. They are in the Smith Farm Marketplace and are open 7 days a week. They are a $$ rating and always a good meal. 

#food #foodblog #burritos #Oklahoma #nachos #tacos