Usually small towns have to wait to get the attractions that large towns offer but in this case, it’s the other way around. Anyone from the Purcell area knows about Jo’s Famous Pizza, but those of us in Oklahoma City have only recently been able to experience it.

Though it’s worth a visit just for the Birria, which is the specialty of the house, Birrieria Diaz also offers an assortment of other handmade dishes that deliver good value and good taste.

If you love greasy burgers dripping with cheese or over-sized breadsticks soaked in garlic butter then Green and Grilled is not the place for you. If, however, you are are constantly looking for someplace healthy to eat, this is your place and you may commence rejoicing.

I would like to weigh in on the smackdown and recommend my most-frequented fro-yo spot, Peachwave. Though I have not tried all the frozen yogurt stores in town, Peachwave’s flavors, options and fresh fruit toppings have won me over.

If you enjoy Mediterranean food, Nunu’s is definitely worth a try. Pricing may be a little higher than some but the food quality, portion sizes and delightful atmosphere are worth in, in my opinion.

Cafe 501 pulls a unique change-up offering a counter-service experience at lunch and a full-service dining experience with a different menu at dinner. Our experience was at lunch, which we found healthy, tasty, and also on the pricey side.

My cousin and I think we could eat pizza for every single meal, so I’m always excited to hear of a new pizza experience on the horizon in Oklahoma City. Upper Crust is good and offers some unique options in a delightfully classy decor, but the hasty service and slightly underwhelming tastes fell a little short of what I was expecting.

One of the best things about touring the southern part of Louisiana is the food. I could literally map out a vacation down there around restaurants, stretching from Lafayette to New Orleans. And although it’s been several years since I was last there, my brunch at Cajun King brought back plenty of memories.

Abel’s is both an authentic Mexican taqueria and a full-service Okla-Mex restaurant. They offer the standard Okla-Mex set-up with chips, salsa, sopapillas … etc., alongside some very authentic street tacos, Mexican seafood dishes, and aguas frescas. It’s unlike any other place you’ll find, especially in Warr Acres.

Coolgreens brings an innovative concept of fast, fresh, healthy food served up in an environment focused on being environmentally sustainable. My lunch party enjoyed our visit and our food. Check out our review and let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Zarate’s offers another great opportunity for Edmond and Oklahoma City residents to explore beyond the Tex-Mex and Okla-Mex we all know so well. Step into Zarate’s for authentic South American and Central American cuisine on the north side.

I enjoyed my lunch at Prairie Thunder but was even more intrigued by this restaurant’s dedication to the art of making bread. Come along with me on a tour of this very unique artisan bakery, located in the heart of Oklahoma City’s midtown area.

I found Shartel Cafe to be a solid, neighborhood family restaurant. They have something for all tastes and something for just about any time of the day.

If you want a little something different in a colorful, but discreet, setting, try Cafe Antigua. It’s definitely worth the trip from any area of the city. They also serve their fabulous breakfast dishes at all times they are open, which is a huge plus in my book.

Green Goodies is a specialty cupcake shop with organic, vegan-friendly, and other offerings for those with special dietary needs. Though their pricing is higher than the other shops we’ve reviewed, they bring a unique approach that is worth your attention.

Primo’s offers an extensive menu that I enjoy exploring each time I visit. It may not be fancy or exotic, but its a solid place run by Oklahoma City locals with quality ingredients and good value.

Taking over the location previously occupied by the very popular Elephant Cafe, this new Thai eatery in Bethany offers a lot to the community as well. The food is good and the value for the price is excellent.

The low pricing and larger (by onion-burger standards) burger size make Robert’s a definite contender for your onion burger patronage. The only trick is finding a place to sit in one of only 14 bar stools which seem to most always be filled.

PLEASE NOTE: we’re sad to say that the Turquoise American Bistro is now closed and as far as we can tell, it is not returning.

You’ll likely need several showers and a car deodorizer to rid yourself of the onion smell after eating here, but … come to think of it … who wouldn’t want to smell like onions. Bunny’s Onion Burgers recently changed ownership but their tradition as a part of Oklahoma City’s onion burger landscape lives on.

PLEASE NOTE: Elephant Cafe has closed // Elephant Cafe, formerly Big! Rice and Noodle, has been taken over by a new owner offering many Thai, Japanese and other Asian choices. This downtown Bethany restaurant is a great spot for a quiet, relaxing meal.

Little Mike’s Hamburgers in Oklahoma City is second in our onion burger series. Try this one for a “neat-eating” onion burger with diced, rather than sliced, onions.

In case you didn’t know it, Oklahoma City (specifically, El Reno) owns the world of onion fried hamburgers. If you’ve never tried one, you should. To help you out, I’m starting a review tour of the best places in town and kicking things off with one of the originals, Johnnie’s Grill.

Neighbors Cafe in Oklahoma City is a pleasant surprise and not just for the over-50 crowd. They do a lot of business, and they even offer a few healthy menu items which is pretty rare for a diner.

JT’s Bar-B-Que is tops for pork ribs, but get there early for lunch. The line stays long and seating is limited. If you’re not a “rib-eater,” go for the smoked chicken and don’t forget the blackberry cobbler.

I’ve been itching to post this review of Meiki’s Italian American for quite some time, but I have struggled with how to describe the place even though I’m in there about every other week or so. The best categorization I can come up with is "diner-style Italian." Diner-style describes the atmosphere more than the food, and here’s what I mean by it.

Hidden on the south end of Norman, just pushing on the edge of what we consider the “Oklahoma City area,” is a fine dining surprise. It’s a bed and breakfast that serves a beautiful dinner with a side of relaxation.

PLEASE NOTE: Big! Rice and Noodle is no longer in business. // It’s always a big deal when a new restaurant opens in Bethany. Big! Rice and Noodle is an interesting Thai place that adds a whole new dimension to the Bethany restaurant landscape. The food is fresh, unique and definitely worth a visit, but in our opinions, it could be made better with bolder flavors.

I have found everything I like in a restaurant at Sophabella’s – comfortable atmosphere, consistent and classy service, robust, flavorful food and great Tony Bennett-esque music. It’s the kind of place you can go to on a dressy date, but feel just as comfortable popping in after a day at the mall in jeans and a sweatshirt.

Sometimes I get in the mood for a taste of “old” Oklahoma City. You know, someplace that’s been around forever that has maintained a loyal, local clientèle. For this past birthday, we decided we would try Jamil’s Steakhouse since it originated in the same decade I was born – the 60s.

If anyone till missing Seinfeld, I have just the answer for you. Head down to Papa Angelo’s and you’ll think you’ve walked right into a Seinfeld episode. Plus, the food is great. They don’t serve anything they don’t eat!

There’s just something about seeing Mr. Salehi and his family preparing tasty Greek food behind the counter at Athens. It’s like going home for lunch. Try Athens for the best-tasting gyro meat in town.

Is there any restaurant in Oklahoma City that you will drive completely out of your way just for the cookies? Ingrid’s Kitchen is that place for us. They specialize in great German food, but their deli sandwiches and desserts are also fabulous.

A while back, Tim wrote about his Okla-mex pick, Casa Perico. I agree that his choice is a good one, but I think Poblano Grill has edged ahead of Casa Perico here lately.