A Family Affair: Shady Restaurant of the Month
by Andrew | July 15, 2009 | 13 Comments
A Family Affair
(4.32 with 22 votes)
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Oklahoma City, OK 73111
405-427-1919
When it comes to shady Oklahoma City dining the following rules have proven themselves accurate. There is a positive correlation between Mexican food’s tastiness and its level of shadiness; iron bars may seem cold and uninviting, but they apparently lock in flavor (I haven’t found a bad iron-clad restaurant yet); breakfast is always the safest option at a shady diner; and while the tire barns that often surround these shady wonders seem like a good deal, the tires they sell are prone to blow out when you reach interstate speeds (sorry TD and Brent).
This month’s Shady Restaurant of the Month recipient has iron-clad windows, crime-ridden surroundings, a pawn shop across the street, and an endorsement from DAZ, the rapper. Yes, the cousin of Snoop Dog is endorsing this month’s Shady Restaurant of the Month. Well, maybe not, but there is a signed picture of him hanging in there, thanking them for the food. Please welcome A Family Affair to the growing list of Oklahoma City’s shady yet tasty eateries.
A Family Affair is a soul food joint on the East side with a loyal following. In fact, I found out about this place after I reviewed Florence’s and was immediately hit by the loyal A Family Affair coalition that was not shy about declaring this place the “soul food anchor of Oklahoma City.” I respect their confidence. Isn’t there a saying along the lines of “bring it strong or don’t bring it at all?” DAZ may have rapped that for all I know, but I do think it’s true. These guys were not shy about letting me know that they were a force to be reckoned with in the Oklahoma City soul food scene.
I’m not going to say that they are better or worse than Mama E’s, or that they bring bigger flavors than Florence’s, but I will tell you they hold their own as a legitimate satisfier of my soul food cravings. You see, each of these places brings something different to the table. A Family Affair brings all-you-can-eat soul food goodness at a great value ($8.50). Of course, it will likely shave a few years off your life with its assortment of deep fried meats, delicious fatty sides, salty vegetables, and rich desserts. That’s not a slam to these guys at all, just a warning to those readers looking for a healthy meal. Although, a meal of fried pork chops, mashed potatoes and gravy, macaroni and cheese, green beans, and corn bread hits all the major food groups right?
I’ll discuss the food, but you should really just go try it yourself. They offer a salad bar to start (there you go, health nuts). Progress through the line and you get to choose your favorite vegetables, which you serve yourself. They have had green beans and macaroni and cheese every time I have gone (yes, macaroni and cheese is a vegetable — I mean, vegetarians can eat it, right? At least the non-vegan variety?). They also usually have a rice dish, corn, a bean offering, and some sort of green. Next, you move to the variety of fried meats that the nice ladies serve you. I have had the fried catfish, fried chicken, fried shrimp, and fried pork chop. Tim went with me this last time and had the chicken fried steak, which he gave two greasy thumbs up. They also have a few non-fried “meats” like spaghetti and neck bone, but only if you catch them on the right day. Oh, and remember that the mashed potatoes and brown gravy are on a separate table after you pass through the line. Don’t make the critical error of passing these by.
As mentioned, prices here make a great value. $8.50 gives you the all you can eat buffet option. Perhaps an even better (and healthier) value is the “to go” option, which gets you a meat, a couple sides, and corn bread for the low low price of $5. That’s a great deal and it can help you avoid the temptation to over-eat everything on the buffet. You can also order off the menu and get various burgers and sandwiches, although I’ve never seen it done.
Tim also found a special coupon on the restaurant website, giving us half off our second buffet. Websites are a rarity amongst shady winners, but A Family Affair has one, complete with special offers. I can’t promise that offer will still be around when you check, but it’s worth a look just in case.
I recommend the fried pork chops. They are a bit salty, but with great flavor. Tim thought the chicken fried steak was a better option, describing it as extremely tender on the inside and super crispy on the outside. He rarely eats chicken fried steak so he can’t say if it’s the best in town, but he definitely enjoyed it here. The macaroni and cheese here is a little different than what most of the competition offers. It’s a stovetop version, not a baked version, and it is loaded down with pepper. I thought the pepper was great and really added a unique twist to the rich, classic dish. I think Tim agreed, but to be honest, I had trouble understanding him as he moaned with delight on his third, or was it fourth, helping.
It is also important to know procedure here. When you go in for the first time, you might look around, perplexed for a minute, as I did. Don’t worry, it won’t be too long until one of the nice ladies will show you the ropes. But, you’ll be ahead of the curve as long as you know that you should just head straight to the buffet line and start loading up a plate. Then, find your table later. A waitress will bring you a drink after you sit down, and you can pay (yes, even by credit card) on your way out.
My only complaint is that A Family Affair doesn’t offer ice cream. You can, however, get an icey grill next door. I do not know if DAZ has ever been fitted for a grill next door or not. Next time he and I hang out after a big rap session I’ll let you know what he says.
Why don’t you let us know what you think about A Family Affair in the comments.
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July 16th, 2009 at 9:31 am
My fella eats there often and loves it. I may make him take me for lunch today!
July 17th, 2009 at 7:12 pm
Motor(head chef) and the folks there put out great food! Go on a Sunday after church and the buffet will transport you to “The Good Old Days” when you were young and having dinner with your family after morning services at St. John or Tabernacle Baptist church. I’m a little weepy.
July 19th, 2009 at 7:55 pm
Definitely goes on my to-chow list.
And no worries, for there is no temptation to overeat at a buffet with down right tasty vittles. There will be a high level of certainty, but no mere temptation. 8^)
July 22nd, 2009 at 10:58 am
Oh gosh…I would love to try this but me and fried food just don’t mix well anymore. You make it sound fabulous tho.
August 20th, 2009 at 4:41 pm
My husband and I went there one afternoon at lunch after finding it on this website – FANTASTIC!! The best spaghetti with meat sauce I have ever eaten – fried chicken that was not greasy at all – everything was great. The lady working the floor was checking someone out when we got there so one of the ‘regulars’ who eat there came and took our drink orders and went and got them himself! We will for sure go back.
September 14th, 2009 at 9:53 am
Found the info for this place on Shady Restaurant of the month listing. We ventured over yesterday to eat Sunday buffet. Oh MY Gosh! Why have I not known about this place sooner? What a wonderful dining experience. The staff was so friendly, the atmosphere pleasant, and the food? Where do I start telling about how Good Everything tasted? The fried chicken was SOOOO good, the fresh mac and cheese,greens and green beans were good, and the sweet potatoes were the best I have ever had. The peach cobbler was wonderful as well. I was too full to try everything but I plan to visit again soon to discover even more good food!
September 18th, 2009 at 3:36 pm
What more can you ask for than $8.50 soul food. The food was great! But don’t try to serve yourself meat from the buffet line. We got scolded and said that they will serve the meat on your plate. No worries though, they will give you as much as you want. I guess it is just one of their quirks. The day we went they had fried chicken, fried pork chops, and meat loaf. OMG good! Our waitress was a little standoffish to us at first but she warmed up to us after the third refill of sweet tea.
October 10th, 2009 at 8:10 pm
I always say, often imitated but never duplicated. I just can’t beat them. They are truly the standard in soul food cooking.
March 12th, 2010 at 10:33 am
I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
August 14th, 2010 at 9:32 pm
I love this place!! I used to work downtown and me and my lunch buddy would make this our weekly friday lunch place. Fridays they have their “seafood” buffet fried shrimp, catfish, etc. it is very reasonably priced and SOOOO good! I no longer work downtown, so, I dont get to have my weekly fix.
but its def worth stopping for!
April 23rd, 2011 at 3:18 pm
Pros: terrific variety, all you can eat, awesome fried shrimp and pork chops, and a good price. Also, woman serving the meats made me feel my like I was back at my friend’s mama’s house and she was serving up some home cooking.
Cons: a few side items, like greens and mac & cheese, were so-so; would like to see a spicier selection of hot sauce.
Overall: I will definitely be a return customer and would recommend to others.
May 10th, 2011 at 5:19 pm
The selection of soul food is great. I enjoyed the food and on Mother’s Day my children took me there. We were all disappointed. For some reason all the food was too salty. I have been there several times and the food had been good. The greens that had a great taste were tooooooooooooooooooooo salty. The corn was bland, green beans did not have much of a taste and the fish was cold. I waited for hot fish to come out and when fish did come out it was warm, not hot. I guess they fried it up early. The chicken was warm but later I was able to get some that was hot. Service there is not very good but the food sort of make of for their poor customer service. You are for forced to pay going in on Sunday’s. If I thought we could have gotten a refund without being hassled I would have asked for it. The food had been okay until I visited on Mother’s day. Please tone down the salt.
December 11th, 2011 at 8:23 am
Scrump-deli-umptous!!! I love Family Affair, as well, Florence’s. they are truly Grandma’s cookin. Never had Mama E’s but willing to try one day. Florence’s goes way back to early 70′s. I think she and her late sister, Rene, opened in like ’68 or ’69. It was then titled Florence & Rene’s Cafe. Gotta love the Eastside.
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