Oklahoma City Restaurants

For some, City Bites might be a little ordinary and mundane, but for me, growing up just blocks from the original location when it opened in 1986, City Bites represents a lot of what is great about quality, local restaurants.

This review is about the best Mexican-style tamales in town. I say that with absolutely no reservations. No “I think,” no “possibly,” — absolutely no trepidation. I speak with confidence because I believe I have eaten at every authentic-ish Mexican restaurant on the south side of Oklahoma City and, unfortunately, at my fair share of Okla-Mex places as well.

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.

Guest contributor, Chef Ryan Parrott, takes us on a journey to a south OKC Peruvian restaurant. The exterior is bland and non-descript, but the flavors and presentations inside are worthy of your attention.

Los Comales is worth the trip to Stockyard City for those wanting a good taqueria experience. If you are tired of being insulted by other “Mexican” joints in town offering bland flavors and “cheese” jelly, this will be a breath of fresh air (assuming there isn’t a cattle auction going on down the road, in which case you shouldn’t breathe too deeply).

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.

I’m not sure the value of Bodensee’s $5 lunch combo (which I’m told is available all day) can be beat anywhere, by anyone. The food may not be all that unique, but it is fresh, healthy, tasty, and delivered at prices that beat most fast-food chains. Plus, they have terrific, hand-crafted custard.

The biggest fans I have found of Coney Island are my kids. Though the food doesn’t really excite me, it’s not that bad and its worth choking down a few mediocre hot dogs to build some memories with the family at this piece of Oklahoma City nostalgia.

Sure, from the outside it stirs up fear and uneasiness with the best of them, but inside you feel pretty comfortable. Shady novices should stick with daylight hours, but for the more experienced shady adventurists, Taqueria Los Desvelados lets you adventure late into the night. After all, desvelados translates as “kept awake.”