Oklahoma City Restaurants

PLEASE NOTE: Mexicasa is no longer in business. // If we’d had the same experience anyplace else, we’d have said, “Meh. It was fine, but nothing to write about.” The difference here, and the reason we’re writing, is that we hoped for so much more from Mexicasa. It has the pedigree to be better and we wish it were.

If I lived in or near the Paseo, I would go to Sauced because it’s a neighborhood kind of place. But I don’t live right there and I don’t know that Sauced has enough to pull me back for another taste. The food is fine. It’s OK. It’s good. It’s just not memorable.

If price is no barrier, then I suggest giving Mickey Mantle’s Steakhouse a shot. Despite a few very minor quibbles, I think everything I ate there was delicious and well-prepared. It may only be for special occasions for most of us, but it will certainly help make your occasion more special.

Kang’s has such a broad reach — from Thai to Chinese to Japanese to American foods — that it can be a little schizophrenic. Yet the unique qualities of the atmosphere and the excellent flavors of some dishes make it worth a try.

The teppanyaki table is a favorite for almost anybody, but I liken it to seeing a great movie. It’s great the first time, kind of fun the second time, but if you don’t give it a rest for a while — maybe a year or so — the show gets boring. That said, if you’re looking for dinner and a show, this is my recommendation.

Falcone’s may have expanded from just one tiny storefront to three locations, but the pizza is just as good as ever. Better yet, there’s probably tons of stuff you never took the time to try.

There literally is one table and it’s placed right in the midst of an industrial kitchen. You and a group (up to eight) watch the chefs prepare and serve you a custom-created meal course by course. It’s a fun journey and, as far as we know, there’s nothing else like it in Oklahoma City.

The first thing I’ll say about Cuppies & Joe is that you should go to Cuppies & Joe. Why? Because Cuppies & Joe is a great place to hang out. A cozy atmosphere, free wifi, plus tasty cupcakes, pies, and ridiculously inexpensive coffee and espresso might just make you a regular.

Sara Sara is not your everyday bakery. The design is stark and modern, like an Ikea full of baked goods. Located downtown, they’ve definitely got a chance to become part of the neighborhood and they’re off to a great start.

Trattoria il Centro is truly a treasure of Oklahoma City. If you haven’t tried it, you should. There’s really no reason not to. Go at lunch and you won’t be paying more than you would at any other mid-range restaurant, yet you’ll be experiencing quality and creativity you just can’t get many places.

Vivo! is not a revelation of authentic cuisine, nor is it a bold step in a new direction. What they do best, however, is provide excellent service, tasty Italian staples and a few off-the-wall variations. I’ll be going back again, no doubt, with an eye toward trying some of their other dishes.

Every time I go, the place is practically deserted, and it just makes no sense. While many Chinese restaurants are all about the buffet, Fortune prepares dishes just for me. They are hot. They are fresh. They are a good value. And, best of all, they are tasty.

When I asked people about Queen of Sheba, they often described it by comparison. “Oh, it’s like Indian food,” someone told me. But someone was wrong. It’s not like Indian food. It’s not like anything else I’ve ever had. It’s just Queen of Sheba and once you try it, you’ll have more than enough reason to come back again and again.

The prices at Alvarado’s tend to be a little higher than some competitors, and if the selection weren’t so great and the dishes so consistently delicious, I could see going someplace else. As it is, though, there aren’t many places in Edmond that can give your taste buds the same treatment as Alvarado’s.

Steve’s Rib is peculiar in that of its two restaurants, one is a sit-down place with a hostess and bar and the other requires you to stand in line and tell the worker what you want. Oddly, I’d rather avoid the fancy Steve’s Rib (located in Edmond) in favor of the comfortable and guile-less location in northwest Oklahoma City.

The Wedge could easily be described as “upscale” pizza, but not because of outrageous prices (though if you’re looking for cheap eats, look elsewhere), but because of outrageous quality and innovation. The wife and I lunched here recently and found favorites all over the menu.

What happened to that Mom n’ Pop pizza joint we all remember? I found one at Pizzini’z Pizza. After trying it, I’m a fan of the food, service and very competitive prices — not to mention the pinball machines and standup arcade games.

Boulevard is a hit to the wallet, but one worthy of a birthday, an engagement, an anniversary or any other big event worth celebrating. Most of us can’t afford to eat at Boulevard Steakhouse every day, but hey, it’s not everyday food that they’re serving.

I’ve had the pizza at Hobby’s. I’ve had the spaghetti. But if you’re going to Hobby’s Hoagies, do yourself a favor and get a sandwich, because it’s one of the best you’ll ever have. For those who love cheesesteak, Hobby’s serves the best around.

It doesn’t look like much from the outside – just another strip mall restaurant with its name spelled out in boring, green block-letters. But if you can put up with the idiosyncrasies of this one man show, you will be rewarded. There’s just no place in Oklahoma City that compares to Thai Palace.

It’s not as fancy as nearby Sushi Neko, but Tokyo Japanese Restaurant offers all the flavor and a bigger selection in a more relaxed and much more affordable package.