Oklahoma City Restaurants

A quick glance at the slightly run-down exterior of Classen Grill and you won’t be expecting much more than an average greasy-spoon. Try the food, however, and you’ll most likely be impressed.

That’s right, I’m going out on a limb and claiming Jimmy’s as the best chicken fried steak in town. But that’s not the only thing that’s good here. Jimmy’s is all around family friendly, work lunch friendly, and very friendly to your stomach and taste buds.

Just the name of Big Johnson’s Highway Grill and their world famous trucker burger was like music to my shady-loving ears. I was anticipating my lunch all morning. Unfortunately, the burger and the rest of the lunch fare left a lot to be desired at this wonderfully shady location.

Aside from the obvious dangers of consuming fatty foods wrapped in pastry and deep-fried, I can’t say anything bad about this place. There’s no doubt that tasty, unique morsels can be found inside including pies for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert.

If you can manage to score a place to sit (which requires arriving early), you are in for a treat at Nic’s. As I left my first Nic’s burger experience, I was wiping tears from my eyes, realizing that my life had just been changed.

This month’s pick, Macy’s Pancake House, was actually recommended by one of our shady-lovin’ readers. The only thing is, Macy’s Pancake House was sold, and the name changed. It is now 44th Cafe Pancake House. Nonetheless, there is shadiness and tastiness to be found here.

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.

I know, March came and went without a Shady Restaurant winner, but I’m making up for it with a strong April recommendation brought to me by a loyal Shady reader. There may be shadier places in town, but Choice Cafe definitely combines great taste with plenty of shady surroundings and snatches up this month’s award.

Caesar’s Grill brings shady elements, and not so shady elements, to deliver a total Oklahoma City restaurant package that gets mixed reviews.