Asian
Once upon a time, it was very difficult to find great Asian food in Oklahoma. Today, there are a wide variety of restaurants that specialize in everything from Chinese food to Thai and Korean cuisine. Tulsa residents have voted KEO Restaurant as having the best Asian food in town. The restaurant’s two locations offer delicious bites, from small plates and soups to specialties like curry, Korean short ribs and Pan-fried Ramen. Coming in second is Yokozuna, the Blue Dome District Asian restaurant that serves great Ramen bowls and killer sushi. Ri Le’s and P.F. Chang’s tie for third in the Asian dining category. A vegetarian friendly restaurant, Ri Le’s provides a casual atmosphere and delicious cuisine. Popular chain P.F. Chang’s in Utica Square is always hopping, with diners ordering lettuce wraps, crispy honey chicken and curry.
Enjoy dim sum and then some at Grand House China Bistro, located in Oklahoma City’s historic Asian district. A variety of Asian favorites, including Pad Thai, Sesame Chicken and Peking Duck, are offered at Grand House. Okura Sushi & Grill, an OKC favorite for years, receives second place this year. A vast menu, including gyoza, teppanyaki and sushi translates to something for everyone at this Japanese restaurant. Dot Wo Garden, with two metro locations, offers chef’s specials along with a variety of chicken, duck and seafood dishes.
Bakery
Cookies, scones and cakes: Is there anything more decadent than making a leisurely visit to a great bakery? Tulsa’s Merritt’s Bakery garnered the top spot in this year’s voting. With three locations across Tulsa plus a custom cake gallery, it’s a bakery that can fit the most exacting standard. Ann’s Bakery, serving Tulsa since 1938, is as famous for its cannoli as it is for creating beautiful custom cakes. The bakery also offers staples like doughnuts, éclairs and danishes. Panera Bread and Blue Moon Bakery tie for third this year. Panera, offering freshly baked breads, bagels and a variety of sweet treats, has many locations in Tulsa to serve residents. Blue Moon Bakery, located in trendy Center 1, is open for three meals a day, but it also offers plenty of cakes, doughnuts and pastry.
Oklahoma’s most famous German bakery, Ingrid’s Kitchen has been featured nationally for its classic ryes, baguettes and other breads and pastry. Tying with Ingrid’s for first place this year is La Baguette Bakery & Café, with three locations in the metro area. La Baguette supplies cakes, pastry, breads and other treats to hundreds of hungry customers daily, as well as to more than 200 restaurants and hotels. At Brown’s Bakery, second in this year’s survey, doughnuts, sticky buns and specialty cakes are the name of the game. Specialty cookies, cakes and macaroons are what make Brown Egg Bakery a popular destination and third in our round-up of best bakeries.
Barbecue Restaurant
A big, sloppy plate piled with ribs, pulled pork and smoked brisket, slathered in barbecue sauce is as Oklahoma as the Thunder and peach cobbler. Rib Crib, with 11 locations in the Tulsa metro, wins first in a landslide in this year’s The Best of the Best. With nearly every smoked meat imaginable and a variety of barbecue sauces, Rib Crib has what it takes to satisfy hungry diners. Elmer’s BBQ and Billy Sims BBQ both snag second. Elmer’s, which tells us that “It Be Bad,” but only in the best way possible, is a famous haunt for those who crave the traditional barbecue joint, but get there quick, because when Elmer’s is out, they’re out. Billy Sims, with nine locations in the Tulsa metro, is a favorite with readers who enjoy their entrees with an OU twist: think the Sooner Magic (two-meat combo) or The Heisman (chopped brisket or pulled pork with bologna and hot link). Albert G’s classic barbecue and sides – including baked beans, potato salad and that Oklahoma staple, tabouli – earns it a third place slot, tying with Oklahoma Joe’s BBQ, which serves up heaping portions of barbecue favorites. Lunch specials and meats by the pound are also available.
It’s another sweep for Rib Crib, as they place first in both major metro areas. Six locations in the OKC area provide ribs, sausage and pulled pork as well as delicious smoked chicken and brisket. Earl’s Rib Palace, also with six metro locations, is “the home of killer BBQ,” which sounds daunting, but is really a good thing. Tender smoked meats are topped with just the right amount of sauce and served with fries, beans, corn, fried okra or a heaping helping of several other sides. Swadley’s BBQ’s four locations are famous for family-style picnics and country dinners of smoked meats and sides.
Breakfast
It’s the most important meal of the day, but it also provides a lot of options. Tulsa readers have spoken, and Brookside By Day is the top vote-getter for breakfast. Eggs, omelets and house specialties like the Peoria Special – pork chop, burger patty or chicken fry served with two eggs – means there’s something for everyone. Phill’s Diner, and old-school establishment where the coffee never stops flowing, follows. Omelets, pancakes and eggs are all standard. One house special, the breakfast tacos, is not to be missed. Blue Moon Bakery, serving up yogurt and granola and quiche, and Old School Bagel Café, specializing in egg bagel sandwiches for the day’s first meal, tie for third.
Oklahoma City residents pack the booths at Jimmy’s Egg. With numerous locations across the city, many have the opportunity to enjoy an omelet, eggs over easy and pancakes to get the day going. Second goes to Classen Grill for wowing customers with grits, eggs benedict and freshly squeezed orange juice. La Baguette Bistro serves great breakfasts of omelet, frittata and several items topped with hollandaise sauce, making it the third top spot in Oklahoma City for Breakfast.
Burger
Adding heat to meat can create beautiful things. Just ask diners at Fat Guy’s Burger Bar, who voted the burger joint first in this year’s race. Patties stacked as high as you like and topped with cheese, bacon, grilled onions – even peanut butter, if you please – keep Tulsans coming back to this Greenwood gem. Ron’s Hamburgers and Chili is once again a reader favorite for tasty burgers. Whether you crave a basic burger with ketchup, onions and pickles, or something a little more creative, Ron’s is sure to please. Brookside biker bar Crow Creek Tavern serves up thick, juicy burgers accompanied by steak fries, while James E. McNellie’s Public House creates a burger that packs the house. Both are worthy of the third spot.
Irma’s Burger Shack has been synonymous with great burger since it first opened its doors. Hungry professionals pack the joint on 63rd Street for a filling lunch, while dinner diners may take a more leisurely approach, enjoying a cold beer and buttermilk pie with their burgers. Either way, Irma’s two locations and stellar word-of-mouth earned it top spot for burgers in Oklahoma City in this year’s survey. S&B Burger Joint makes its first appearance on The Best of the Best. Home of The Fatty, a burger topped with American cheese, grilled onions and pickles, offers equally creative and unusual burgers along with beer, soda floats and lots of pie. Flatire Burgers, with two locations, is famous for creations like the mac-and-cheese burger and the yellow fin tuna burger – quite worthy of this year’s list.
Deli/Sandwich Shop
With a commitment to the freshest ingredients possible, Jason’s Deli claims the top spot as best deli or sandwich shop. An expansive salad bar, specialty salads, soups and sandwiches are all highlights of the menu at Jason’s Deli. Hidden secret PJ’s Sandwich Shoppe, whipping up the best chicken salad in the state, ties for second place with Felini’s Cookies & Deli, a bakery/sandwich shop that serves killer Reuben and turkey sandwiches. These two midtown institutions are very popular with Oklahoma Magazine readers. Dilly Deli, a downtown Tulsa deli serving three meals a day, rounds out the top three. Discover inventive sandwiches that just may be named after someone you know.
When Oklahoma City readers say they want to go somewhere else, it may cause some confusion. It could mean they want to go to a place other than where they currently stand, but more likely it means they want to pay a visit to one of the best delis around. Someplace Else Deli & Bakery serves sandwiches stacked high with meat, cheese and sandwich fixins’. Try the prime rib sandwich, and don’t forget to grab a cinnamon roll to go. City Bites, with 18 locations in the OKC metro, is famous for sandwiches, soups and giant spuds topped with everything you can imagine. Café Bella, serving croissant sandwiches and salads in addition to killer coffee, and ND Foods, dishing up a Reuben sandwich that will blow your mind, round out the top three.
Desserts
Dessert is the cherry on top of a fabulous meal. So when looking for a sweet finish, Tulsa readers head to Michael V’s for a decadent selection of pies – including coconut cream and chocolate pecan – as well as cheesecake and baked fudge. Cheesecake Factory, famous for – what else? – an enormous cheesecake selection, once again makes an appearance on this year’s The Best of the Best. With dozens of cheesecake offerings, it may surprise some that the Cheesecake Factory also offers cakes, crisps and ice cream desserts, among others. Queenie’s Café & Bakery, located in Utica Square, always has a pie, cake or cookie ready to be consumed, which is why readers have voted it into the third spot.
Cupcakeries may be on the decline, but don’t tell that to those seeking a sweet treat in Oklahoma City. Cuppies & Joe, a quaint bakery on 23rd Street, is tops once again with OKC readers. Daily cupcake specials, pies and other confections – including cookies and the Dreamsicle, an orange brownie – go great with the café’s coffee. La Baguette Bakery & Café slips into the second slot. Cakes, cookies, pastry – La Baguette does it all, and it does it all deliciously. Cheever’s Café rounds out the top three. Desserts with decadent names like the roasted pecan ice cream ball and Cheever’s monkey bread are just as they sound: indulgent and delish.
Diner
Everyone has a favorite diner. It’s hard to put a finger on why it’s a favorite, too; it’s just a feeling one gets when he or she walks through the door. In Tulsa, Phill’s Diner is tops for its great wait staff, diverse menu and quick service. Open for breakfast and lunch, Phill’s provides two opportunities a day to experience the ultimate Tulsa diner. Tally’s Good Food Café, another diner staple in Tulsa, comes in second. Burgers, chicken fried steak and breakfast served at all three meals are a few hallmarks of Tally’s. Duffy’s Diner rounds out the top three. With great coffee, a friendly staff and some of the most memorable waffles in town, it’s a good call on the part of Tulsa readers.
When the food speaks for itself, there’s no need for a fancy name. That’s why Diner, located on Norman’s Main Street, is just that. Breakfast staples like blueberry pancakes and the famous Eggarito make this establishment popular year round, not just on game days. Classen Grill also makes a splash with lots of hot coffee and good conversation. And don’t forget to order the breakfast quesadilla or Chinook eggs. Nic’s Grill, famous for its monster hamburgers, only seats about a dozen people. It doesn’t get more “diner” than that. Arrive early for a hearty lunch.
Fast Food
Just because food is needed fast doesn’t mean that Oklahoma’s discriminating palates will opt for just anything. Statewide, Arby’s receives the top nod for best fast food. Offering shaved roast beef sandwiches accented by a buttery bun and, dare we say, Horsey Sauce, the only way to improve upon an Arby’s sandwich is to add an order of the restaurant’s signature curly fries. The drive-in that began in Shawnee, Sonic Drive-in continues to dominate the taste buds of Oklahomans. Flat-top burgers, tater tots and a wide variety of shakes keeps this Oklahoma staple in our The Best of the Best. Taco Bueno, with its Tex-Mex inspired menu including MexiDips & Chips and the black bean burrito, share the third spot with Subway sandwich shops, which, across Oklahoma, provide healthy sandwiches with a variety of toppings at an affordable price.
Fine Dining
Often, they’re a great place to celebrate; sometimes, however, it’s nice to just have a fancy meal. If either are the case, there are myriad options for fine dining. Utica Square staple Polo Grill and Cherry Street anchor Palace Café both receive first place votes from Tulsa readers. Stellar sides and an expansive wine list heighten Polo Grill’s choice steaks and juicy chicken. Palace Café chef/owner James Shrader brings a twist to his unique menu. Scallop linguini, lobster tagliatelle and a short rib burger are just a few menu items that have diners salivating. Prhyme and Juniper, both helmed by Justin Thompson, have different concepts, but readers recognize the genius of both equally. Prhyme, a new steakhouse in Brady Arts District, features both dry and wet aged steaks served with rich and succulent sides. Juniper focuses fresh, locally-sourced ingredients, including Tahlequah free range chicken and Oklahoma raised rib-eye steak. Waterfront Grill provides everything from fresh seafood to steaks, pasta and a famous prime rib sandwich. A wine list that just won’t quit and huge hunks of steak make Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar a Tulsa favorite, as well. Waterfront and Fleming’s tie for third in this category.
In Oklahoma City, Mickey Mantle’s Steakhouse is tops with Oklahoma Magazine readers. Steaks and chops, seafood and sumptuous sides are a highlight of this fine dining steakhouse located in Bricktown. Red PrimeSteak allows diners to choose their cut of meat, the crust and sauce, as well as “accessories,” side items, each one to die for. The Metro Wine Bar and Bistro rounds out the top three. With a French-inspired menu that includes Saffron Risotto with Shrimps & Scallops, Filet of Beef with a red wine sauce and Stilton-walnut butter and Pan-seared Halibut, along with an expansive wine list, The Metro is a favorite among fine diners.
Ice Cream Shop
We all scream for something cold on a hot summer day, and there certainly is no shortage of ice cream options in Oklahoma. In Tulsa, readers have selected Braum’s Ice Cream and Dairy Stores as having the best ice cream. Dozens of flavors served in cones, cups or as sundaes, topped with gooey fudge or caramel sauces and whipped cream, have customers clambering for more. Cherry Berry, a joint where nearly any combination of fro-yo and toppings is available, and Baskin-Robbins, home of the famous 31 flavors, tie for second this year. Freckle’s Frozen Custard, which is slinging thick and delicious compounds with add-ins and toppings at four locations plus a mobile unit, comes in third.
Braum’s Ice Cream and Dairy Stores also place first among Oklahoma City customers. The smooth ice cream and rich flavors have won over throngs of devoted customers for decades. Kaiser’s American Bistro whips up old-fashioned ice cream the way the joint did it in 1918, when it was simply known as Kaiser’s Ice Cream. Rich flavors can be eaten straight from the cone or whipped into shakes or malts. Coldstone Creamery rounds out the top three in Oklahoma City. With a little showmanship, Coldstone’s dippers mix toppings on a cold stone in front of the customer, adding to the experience of enjoying the ice cream.
Italian
Tasty Italian food is both comforting and filling. Sauces and pasta are complemented by fresh meats and vegetables at Oklahoma’s favorite Italian restaurants. Dalesandro’s Italian Cuisine and TiAmo Italian Ristorante both take first in Tulsa this year for tops in Italian. Dalesandro’s is famous not only for its swordfish picatta, but also for a menu that packs in great Italian flavors in the freshest way possible. TiAmo creates Italian classics, a romantic atmosphere and stellar wine list. Biga, located along Brookside, focuses on cuisine from all 20 regions of Italy, using only the freshest ingredients. Mondo’s Ristorante Italiano, that bastion of Brookside, serves up hearty Italian comfort food, like stuffed ravioli, calamari and Eggplant Parmigiana. Tied for third with Mondo’s is Villa Ravenna Italian Restaurant. Known for its authentic tastes of Italy, Villa Ravenna has several specialties, including the Veal Osso Bucco and the Grilled Pear Gorgonzola.
With so much many places to choose from, it’s a wonder that Oklahoma City residents were able to narrow down their favorite Italian restaurants to just three. Stella Modern Italian Cuisine once again takes top prize for Best Italian. Fresh-made pasta and rich sauces, along with a killer brunch, make Stella a top prize and perfect for lunch or a date night. Flip’s Wine Bar & Trattoria capitalizes on its casual atmosphere to bring diners pizzas, pasta and calzones, along with an extensive wine and cocktail selection. Vito’s Ristorante, owned and operated with family in mind, serves Italian dishes family-style. Classic dishes, like Ziti con Broccoli and Chicken Carbonara, pair perfectly with Vito’s wine list.
Margarita
Nothing shakes off the stress of a week at work than an icy cold margarita served in a salt-rimmed glass. And no one pours margaritas quite like Los Cabos Mexican Grill and Cantina. Now with three locations in the Tulsa area, Los Cabos offers both frozen and on-the-rocks versions of its famous margaritas made with prime tequila and choice ingredients. Mi Cocina also pours a mean margarita. Choose frozen or on the rocks, The Classic or Skinny versions – all are made with premium Sauza Blanco tequila. El Guapo’s Cantina and Señor Tequila both round out the top three for margaritas. Offering at least 10 margaritas, El Guapo’s offers a wide variety of flavor additions to the margarita, as well as a great version of the original. Señor Tequila also offers a wide selection of margaritas, including a top shelf version and fruit-added drinks.
1492 New World Latin Cuisine’s premium margaritas pack quite a punch. The slight hint of tequila and lime flavors are what makes 1492’s margaritas tops in Oklahoma City. Iguana Mexican Grill’s margaritas, made with 100 percent Agave El Jimador Blanco Tequila, are served by the glass and by the pitcher. Choose from the House Margarita, Perfect Margarita or Skinny Margarita. Ted’s Café Escondido and Chelino’s Mexican, both legendary Mexican restaurants in Oklahoma City, tie for the third best margarita in the city. Ted’s giant margaritas are packed full of citrus flavor, and don’t forget the salt. Chelino’s offers a couple of different options, including margaritas served with a Corona beer.
Mexican
There are likely more Mexican restaurants in Oklahoma than any other cuisine, and why not? Tortillas wrapped around grilled meats, cheese, beans and guacamole, chips covered in queso and salsa, crispy tacos filled with ground beef and crisp lettuce – these are a few reasons why we love our Mexican food. Los Cabos Mexican Grill and Cantina serves all these dishes and much more Sonoran-inspired food at its three locations. Mi Cocina, whose Cherry Street location is often packed with hungry diners, serves everything from Tex-Mex basics to “modern” versions of classics, including spinach enchiladas served with Latin stir-fry vegetables and arroz blanco. El Guapo’s Cantina offers a diverse array of Mexican specialties, including Enchiladas de Mole Poblano and Oaxacan Tamales.
Latin fusion and Tex-Mex cuisine makes up the delicious menu at 1492 New World Latin Cuisine. Tacos served with a variety of fillings, including fish, duck and quail, are just one highlight of the inventive menu. Nachos, quesadillas and specialties like fish tacos and Fernando-style enchiladas are what garnered second place votes for Iguana Mexican Grill. At Ted’s Café Escondido, if you leave hungry, you’re doing something wrong. Soft flour tortillas, flavorful salsas and crispy chips are what diners look forward to even before ordering their entrees. Fajitas, chimichangas and quesadillas are great choices at this Oklahoma City legend.
Outside Dining
When the weather in Oklahoma turns warm, there’s little better than dining outdoors. Tulsa diners flock to Waterfront Grill and Los Cabos Mexican Grill and Cantina to enjoy dining al fresco next to the Arkansas River. Enjoy an inventive cocktail and a tasty Crab, Avocado and Mango stack on the patio of Waterfront. At Los Cabos, diners swarm the outdoor bar and enjoy chips and salsa while listening to good live music. Blue Rose Café, also lining the bank of the Arkansas River, comes in second in this year’s voting. Burgers and beer are a great complement to the sun and glistening waters. Wild Fork and Tucci’s, both in trendy shopping areas, round out the top three. Wild Fork, in Utica Square, has a terrific patio on which to unwind after a day of shopping. Tucci’s, with a covered porch that faces 15th Street, is a great little Italian place that is perfect for a date night.
Oklahoma City readers love to dine at Bellini’s Ristorante. Located in the Waterford area, outdoor diners are treated to a serene setting and impressive water feature. Traditional Italian food, including plenty of antipasti and pizza, are great to share outdoors along with a bottle of wine. Redrock Canyon Grill, located along Lake Hefner, offers plenty of great food to enjoy while taking in the boaters along the water. Rounding out the top three is Nonna’s Euro-American Ristorante & Bar offers a rooftop view of Bricktown and downtown Oklahoma City along with live music and great food and drink.
Pizza
Around three billion pizzas are sold in the United States each year, and odds are that these Tulsa pizzerias make up a healthy percentage of that number. Hideaway Pizza comes in first this year. Inventive flavors as well as classics, like the ATW – heaped with meats and veggies – mean there’s something for everyone at Hideaway. Mazzio’s Italian Eatery comes in second. With countless locations and speedy delivery service, Mazzio’s is a favorite for those who want pizza and want it fast. Eat-in locations also boast a buffet. With two locations and a mobile food truck, Andolini’s Pizzeria has won over pizza fanatics with great crust and original toppings. A pizza topped with mac and cheese? Yes, please.
Oklahoma City also loves its Hideaway Pizza. Dermer’s BBQ Chicken – Hideaway barbecue sauce, layered with grilled chicken, mozzarella, red onions and bell peppers – or the classic Big Country, topped with every meat you can imagine plus cheddar cheese, are among the favorites at this storied pizza establishment that all started with a small shack in Stillwater. The Wedge Pizzeria creates wood-fired oven pizzas that come topped with everything from toasted walnuts and asiago cheese to mushrooms, roasted chicken and figs. Inventive pies, like the Flying Pig and Kick A** Pie, topped with fresh mozzarella, roasted tomatoes, calabrese peppers, soprassata and fresh oregano, are what makes Upper Crust the upper crust of pizzerias.
Place to Take Out-of-town Guests
When mom and dad are in town, it’s good to take them to a nice restaurant to show off your great city. Waterfront Grill in Tulsa is tops for places to take someone from out of town. The restaurant, located alongside the Arkansas River, serves great steaks, seafood and its signature prime rib. Juniper and Palace Café tie for second this year. Juniper, with its emphasis on fresh and local ingredients, provides inventive menu items and a glimpse at the food of Oklahoma. Palace Café offers a menu that includes everything from steaks to vegetarian options. A stylish décor and great cocktail menu make it a very impressive place. Stonehorse Café and Dragonmoon Tea Co. round out this year’s list. Located in Utica Square, the dishes that emerge from Chef Tim Inman’s kitchen at Stonehorse are as beautiful as they are tasty. Dragonmoon’s luncheon offerings, such as curry chicken salad and quiche, are best accompanied by a pot of tea.
Mickey Mantle’s Steakhouse is a terrific place to take out-of-towners, not only for a taste of great steak, but also for its view of the Bricktown Canal. The Metro Wine Bar and Bistro offers a taste of France in the heart of Oklahoma. Guests are treated to culinary delicacies as well as a stellar wine list. Cattlemen’s Steakhouse, located in Oklahoma City’s historic Stockyards District, is truly a taste from the past. Steaks are accompanied with hearty sides and a salad with that signature salad dressing.
Salads
Salads are the perfect way to begin a great meal, or for some, they are the star of the evening. The tableside Caesar salad preparation at Celebrity Restaurant earns it the top spot yet again as Best Salad in Tulsa. This historic restaurant’s combination of classic Caesar flavors still wows patrons. With creations such as the Rotisserie Turkey Cobb, Roasted Beet salad an the Butter Lettuce salad with tomato goat cheese crostini, Wolfgang Puck Bistro earns the second spot on this year’s list for its salads. Charleston’s Restaurant, a perennial favorite for salads, rounds out the list this year. Walt’s Champagne Chicken Salad and the Chicken Club Salad are just two reasons Charleston’s receives recognition year after year.
The fast-casual local chain Coolgreens wins Best Salads in Oklahoma City. With specialty salads as well as a build-your-own option, diners can make sure their salad is catered to specific tastes. Cheever’s Café, whose Southwest spin creates salads like the Quinoa Avocado Salad and a Cowboy Rubbed Salmon Salad, earns the second spot on this year’s list with Oklahoma City diners. Charleston’s Restaurant, once again, completes the top three in Oklahoma City.
Salsa
A tortilla chip is just not the same without its best friend and closest ally: salsa. When it comes to the best salsa in Tulsa, Los Cabos Mexican Grill and Cantina takes home the blue ribbon. Los Cabos has the mix of tomatoes, peppers, onions, garlic and vinegar perfected, and diners agree. Mi Cocina slides into second for having the best salsa in Tulsa. Café Olé rounds out the top three for Best Salsa in Tulsa.
Spicy salsa lands 1492 New World Latin Cuisine the top spot in Oklahoma City. Ted’s Café Escondido, with its mild and hot varieties of salsa, follows. Iguana Mexican Grill, along with complimentary salsa, also offers a salsa bar that includes salsa verde and citrus habanero salsa.
Seafood
Living in the heart of the country, one may think it’s difficult to find great seafood. But Bodean Restaurant & Market will have none of that talk. The restaurant and fish market sell seafood that is flown in fresh from the coasts. Oysters on the half-shell, Hazelnut Crusted Alaskan Halibut and Pan-seared Jumbo Sea Scallops are all highlights of Bodean’s menu. Bonefish Grill is also a great place for seafood. With entrees like Pecan Parmesan Crusted Rainbow Trout drizzled with lemon butter and a variety of grilled fishes, Bonefish can satisfy any seafood craving. White River Fish Market & Restaurant, conveniently located near the Tulsa International Airport, is a great place to go for the catch of the day. Buy seafood to prepare yourself, or let White River do the work for you.
If it swims, Mickey Mantle’s Steakhouse likely serves it. The steakhouse’s wide variety of seafood on the menu includes Cedar Plank Salmon, Pan Roasted Sea Bass and Alaskan King Crab Legs. Turn that steak into a surf and turf by adding a lobster tail. Pearl’s Oyster Bar, a seafood restaurant with a little bit of Creole influence, serves up great dishes, including oysters on the half-shell, crab cakes and Cioppino. Hefner Grill, serving crab bisque, fish and chips and other seafood staples, rounds out this year’s list.
Steakhouse
A great steakhouse offers a few things: a great cut of meat, fine wine and stellar service. In Tulsa, the restaurant that does the job the best, according to readers, is Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar. The most prime cuts of meat combined with a carefully cultivated wine list makes Fleming’s a great place for a steakhouse experience. Mahogany Prime Steakhouse and Prhyme both grab the second spot. Mahogany prides itself on only providing the finest ingredients and wine to its patrons. Prhyme ages its own beef in-house, ensuring that everything served is to the exacting standards of Chef Justin Thompson. Freddie’s Bar-B-Que & Steakhouse and McGill’s round out the third spot. Freddie’s, the legendary Lebanese steakhouse, provides great meat in addition to the hummus, barbecued ribs, cabbage roll and tabouli that are served standard with nearly any entrée. McGill’s is still the place to go for a business lunch. Settle it over steak, and all will be well.
In Oklahoma City, Mickey Mantle’s Steakhouse is the place to go for a great piece of meat. The restaurant also boasts an impressive array of fresh seafood as well as a stocked bar and great wine list. With a distinctively Western theme and a stellar reputation for great steaks and service, Ranch Steakhouse has delivered to Oklahoma City customers for over a decade. Prime beef that is aged in-house and locally raised bison are two highlights of this steakhouse. Red PrimeSteak, winner of several national recognitions for its high-quality steak and wine list, rounds out the top three.
Stylish New Restaurant
Lots of restaurants open their doors within a year; only a few can be named the most stylish. Prhyme, located in the Brady Arts District, garners first place votes for its stylish ambiance and delicious meals. An extensive wine list chosen by sommelier Joe Breaux seals the deal. What was once a downtown Mid-century Modern bank is now a retro restaurant. The Vault serves classic comfort foods with a modern twist, and it lands in the second spot. Rounding out the top three are Rusty Crane, a great place in the Brady for burgers, wings and the specialty Yum-lada, and The Alley, a reincarnation of a classic Tulsa restaurant that serves pub fare with a distinctly gourmet touch.
Oklahoma City’s stylish new restaurants all have one thing in common: You’ve got to go downtown to get to them. The elevator ride is long, but the views are stunning. Vast, located on top of Oklahoma’s tallest building – the Devon Tower – offers sumptuous meals and desserts, all within an impeccably designed restaurant. Flint, inside the Colcord Hotel, emphasizes meat on its menu. Steaks and chops are complemented by attractive décor and attentive service. Kitchen No. 324, a breakfast-and-lunch hotspot, is a popular destination for freshly squeezed juices, gourmet coffee and, of course, the fried chicken pot pie.
Sunday Brunch
Regardless of what the rest of the week holds, Sundays can always be counted upon to bring relaxation and that most famous meal of the week: brunch. Waterfront Grill, offering staples like eggs benedict, corned beef hash and Belgian waffles, tops the list of Tulsa Sunday brunches. Palace Café, serving favorites like Green Eggs and Ham and Dale’s Famous Migas – eggs with onion, jalapeno and tomato served with a corn tortilla, avocado and home fries and black beans – is also a preferred brunch destination. Lucky’s Restaurant, notorious for fluffy biscuits with sage sausage gravy, and Doc’s Wine & Food, which puts a distinctively Creole spin on its brunch offerings, fill out the list in the third spot.
Rococo, with an impressive brunch buffet as well as the best crab cake benedict in town, and quite possibly the state, is voted tops in Oklahoma City for Sunday brunch. A variety of options and stellar Bloody Marys makes Rococo a go-go. Café do Brasil’s ethnic menu, complete with vegetarian specialties, rice dishes and Brasilian pie, makes this Brazilian eatery popular with those dining in downtown Oklahoma City. La Baguette Bistro, with its wide selection of savory crepes, quiche, pastry and strong drink, earn it the third spot for Sunday brunch in OKC.
Sushi
As a rule, sushi consists of shari (cooked vinegared rice) and fish or seafood. With such a basic palette, it’s not surprising that sushi chefs create innovative and delicious rolls. In Tulsa, In The Raw once again takes the top spot for best sushi in the 918. Fresh ingredients, a hip atmosphere and killer cocktails also add to the ambiance of In The Raw. Fuji, with two locations, is another staple for best sushi. Offering all-you-can-eat sushi as well as lunch specials, it’s a great joint when the cravings hit. Yokozuna, in the Blue Dome District, is a downtown hotspot for sushi at lunch or dinner.
In Oklahoma City, it’s also In The Raw that repeats as sushi champs. Locations in Bricktown and Norman ensure this nightly hotspot is always packed with diners looking for a great roll. Sushi Neko, that vernarable sushi restaurant on Western Avenue, comes in second for its rockin’ rolls. Other entrees, such as Cherry Blossom Beef Tenderloin and tuna steak, offer something for those who are looking for great Japanese cuisine. Okura Sushi & Grill rounds out Oklahoma City’s top three for terrific sushi, including the Hot-Dame, a tuna hand roll with Hot-Dame sauce.
