North Fork Bar and Grill feels like a chain
by Andrew | October 24, 2007 | 19 Comments
(votes: 5, average: 3) 
Loading ...North Fork Bar and Grill is located at 2747 W. Memorial Rd. Oklahoma City, OK (map) and is open every day for lunch and dinner.
PLEASE NOTE: The North Fork Bar and Grill is now closed.
I finally decided to try North Fork Bar and grill. It sits on what I call “chain restaurant row” on Memorial. North Fork filled the building that Applewoods used to occupy. I haven’t heard many people talk about this place, but as we drove down Memorial in search of a place to eat this was the only place with immediate seating available. Bad sign, but it was the only non-chain place on the strip so I thought we would try it. What made me optimistic was an online reservation website that made it the 4th most popular restaurant in Oklahoma City ahead of such places as Deep Fork and even Cheevers.
The experience started off well. I went in with the whole crew (all 3 kids) not knowing what to expect. The server immediately brought us three little plates of cut up fruit for the kids to snack on. What a brilliant move! I appreciated having their mouths full while I explored the menu, and my wife appreciated something healthy for them rather than crackers and bread. While we decided what to select they brought out apple fritters, just like Applewoods used to. Unfortunately, they were cold and stale. I attributed it to off-peak hours since we were there at 7. Warm rolls followed, which were pretty tasty.
I couldn’t decide what to get. There was pan fried trout, a “grown-up” mac and cheese with leeks and roasted tomatoes, a variety of steaks, pork chops, each served a couple different ways, and several other offerings. I asked our server and she suggested the Chicken Madeira, pork and beans, or the chili-rubbed Ribeye. I tried not to physically make a face at the pork and beans selection and decided not to try the Chicken Madeira due to unfairly lofty expectations (similar to what happens when I order Veal Marsala. What is it with exotic wine-based sauce dishes?). So, I settled on the chili-rubbed Ribeye. Wasn’t really wanting to spend $20 on my meal, but hey, I deserve a Ribeye every now and then, right? My wife decided on the adult mac & cheese, and what the kids got doesn’t matter, I don’t respect their taste-buds.
What followed was a lot of disappointment, to be perfectly candid. I was really wanting to like this place. Nice atmosphere, moderate pricing, fruit plate for the kids, has “Fork” in the name like one of my favorite Oklahoma City restaurants, and it wasn’t a chain. The ribeye reminded me of a steak you would get at Applebees. Yeah. Tough, not a lot of flavor, covered with a boring port wine sauce, and no clue what was chili rubbed. It had no spice or apparent seasoning on it. In fact, I salted it myself. It was paired with some french-style scalloped potatoes that were dried out and tough and some bland grilled vegetable medley. Speaking of which, what is it with the grilled vegetable medley lately? It seems everyone does that now and it’s always the same. Thick slices of squash and zucchini with not much flavor. Looks nice on the plate, but doesn’t dance well on the palate. My wife had a similar reaction to the adult macaroni. Neat concept, mediocre flavor. I wish I had ordered the pan-seared trout.
It’s possible there are other items on the menu that have more flavor. Maybe this was an off night. Regardless, it felt very much like those chain restaurants I make every effort to avoid.
(4.75 out of 5)
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So far, 19 people have responded to this article. Won't you join in?October 25th, 2007 at 5:38 am
I think the new Applewoods location is closed now as well. The fact that I’m not sure isn’t a good sign. The old Applewoods was a tradition. My wife and I went sometimes just to order the cheese soup. It didn’t hurt that we got all the apple fritters and hot buttery rolls we could eat as well. Sometimes we made the Sunday buffet as well. OK, this comment isn’t about the place that replaced the old Applewoods. I’m old and I like to reminisce. Don’t sue me. (grin)
October 25th, 2007 at 8:37 am
I’ve never had the chili rubbed ribeye, but the brisket is wonderful, pizza’s very filling and tortellini is great. I wish I had some warm, fresh apple fritters right now.
October 25th, 2007 at 9:09 am
Jimmy, I am with you. I loved Applewoods.
November 2nd, 2007 at 10:02 am
Let’s be brave and try it again one day. The fruit plate for the kids was wonderful.
November 10th, 2007 at 2:55 pm
what don’t you like about marsala? othello’s in edmond does a really wonderful chicken marsala
November 10th, 2007 at 5:08 pm
I actually love Marsala. The problem with it is my expectations of the dish are very lofty so I often shy away from it for fear of disappointment. I need to try Othello’s.
November 14th, 2007 at 11:04 pm
I’d have to disagree with Andrew. North Fork is actually one of our favorite date night spots. We did frequent Applewoods, so I’m sure the stroll down memory lane has something to do with our affection for the restaraunt. But, we feel that North Fork has made a name for itself. (They are a part of the “Deep Fork” group-all of which are fantastic.) We have not tried either of the entrees you ordered, and we usually choose to substitute mashed potatos and asparagus as our choice of sides. I tend to order the tilapia- and I am not a frequent fish eater, so this is a big deal. My husband fluctuates between dishes, but orders the salmon most often. We are big fans of the Pear Spinach Sald with their house dressing. We also love the fritters (sorry you got a stale batch, Andrew) and the warm dinner rolls are divine. Overall, we rate North Fork high on our list: affordably priced, great atmosphere and good food.
November 15th, 2007 at 11:13 pm
Heather, you make some good points. There were good things, like the fruit plates for the kids, that make me want to give these guys another shot. I had a long talk with my dentist today about this restaurant today as well and he says I should really give it another shot. I’ll comment on my second experience.
November 16th, 2007 at 6:41 pm
Andrew,
Please come and try us again, my treat, I promise what you encountered is not condusive of what we are doing the restaurant. email me at dfgchef@yahoo.com
November 18th, 2007 at 1:31 am
Ryan, I’ll take you up on your offer and post my findings. I’ll e-mail you shortly.
November 21st, 2007 at 7:43 pm
i’ve only been to northfork twice, but it was very decent each time. are you sure you didnt have a cold when you went?
November 27th, 2007 at 2:31 pm
I don’t mean to interrupt but does anyone remember the place in that building before applewoods? It was called “Maxwells”. It was pretty good. Just wondering if anyone else had tried it.
November 29th, 2007 at 10:02 pm
We ate there saturday Nov 24, burger was good, service good, but today I noticed my ck account had an extra $4.00 took out for the bill when it cleared the bank. I guess they added tip to the credit card, we left cash on table. Won’t be back
December 5th, 2007 at 9:00 pm
ron, please check your account again. If you paid with a debit card, the credit card processor takes 30 percent to cover a tip, assuming you are going to leave one. In the case when a guest tips cash, it is still reflected as an overage until the adjustment is made and total is corrected. If your statement has not reflected the change, please call me at 514.3880, I will take care of it. I am sorry for the inconvinence, and hope this will not deter you from dining with us, as we have no control over this issue
January 18th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
Would like to see the restaurant online so we can view the menu before we visit.
January 18th, 2008 at 11:24 pm
Good point, Pam. I have looked around but I can’t find a website for North Fork.
January 25th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
http://www.myspace.com/northfork
or you can call the restaurant with your fax number or email and they can send you one
May 27th, 2008 at 11:41 am
I loved Applewoods both locations were top notch.
I took my family to North fork and as the article says “bland”
NO FLAVOR at all I felt like I was eating at an old folks home where salt or seasonings is forbidden.
I have been to applebees and the food was better IMO.
August 20th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
North Fork is closed.
Please tell us what you think.