Taco Nation
Hip, kid-friendly and with excellent patio dining, Taco Nation flies under the radar as a hidden gem in OKC’s Wheeler District.
The stars of the show – the tacos, of course – are served a la carte, and options abound. In the beef section, they offer barbacoa, baja steak and steak chimichurri; in the chicken section, try the ancho-lime version with charbroiled chicken thigh; or head to sea with the mahi-mahi or shrimp. Specials include the Surf n’ Turf with steak, shrimp and chili lime aioli, and the Okie with carnitas, pinto beans and Cotija cheese.
Other goodies to try include quesadillas, nachos, salads, loaded fries and sweets like house-made churros and cinnamon chips. Stick around for a bevy of margarita options, as well as craft cocktails, beers, wine and mocktails.
Scoot’s Italian Ice
A humble yet wildly popular Italian ice spot in Yukon, Scoot’s is ideal for a quick sweet treat no matter the season.
Guests can choose from numerous fruit-inspired flavors and creative combinations, as specials and ice flavors change every week. Alongside Italian ice, Scoot’s also offers floats, soft-serve sundaes, cake pops and layered desserts with ice cream and Italian ice. Some flavors to try include blue raspberry, mango, sour cherry, pumpkin spice and butter beer.
Mi Tierra
Traditional Mexican fare is the name of the game at Tulsa’s Mi Tierra, which offers locations on Riverside, KingsPointe Village and Glenpool.
Get your meal started off right with queso, pollo fundido, guacamole or the Mi Tierra sampler, with two beef flautas, a quesadilla, empanada, three chicken wings and spinach queso dip.
The lunch and dinner menus are extensive – so be ready to peruse for a bit. Enchiladas, chimichangas, burritos and fajitas are all on the table. Try the enchiladas rancheras – three cheese enchiladas topped with shredded chicken or beef smothered in ranchero sauce. Hankering for a burrito? The burrito chipotle is a great start: a 10” flour tortilla stuffed with grilled chicken, rice, corn and onions, topped with creamy chipotle sauce. Shrimp fajitas are always a hit, or you can try the cochinita pibil – a Yucatan recipe with slow-roasted and marinated shredded pork, rice and beans.
Kai Vietnamese
Authentic Vietnamese cuisine can be found at Kai, tucked away in downtown Tulsa. Begin with Vietnamese egg rolls, dumplings, flank steak skewers, calamari or crab rangoons. Spring rolls are abundant – try the shrimp and pork, the lemongrass pork or the chicken. Bao steamed buns come with your choice of pork belly, chicken, or grilled/fried shrimp, and the bahn mi options are sure to impress.
Bún cha gio – vermicelli noodle bowls – are popular as well, with options including the pork meatball and chicken stir-fry. You can also opt for fried rice dishes or pho, which many say is the highlight of the restaurant. There are dozens of other dishes to choose from, alongside traditional Vietnamese drinks and desserts.
