Oklahoma City Restaurants

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.

It’s time once again to bestow the honor of “Shady Restaurant of the Month” to another questionable establishment serving good food to Oklahoma City’s food adventurists. There were several nominees that had compelling arguments as to why they should be chosen. But this month’s winner is 50′s Cafe.

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.

This one’s a “must try.” In fact, you may want to stop reading right now and make your way to Bella Vista. It’s is a small, humble, family-run, home-cooking Italian restaurant where the food is incredibly fresh. I have not experienced anything else like it in Oklahoma City.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

December’s “Shady Restaurant of the Month” award winner epitomizes everything that those who love shady spots look for in an eatery. I have chosen El Regio Loco and will implore anyone who reads this to work up the nerve to eat somewhere unconventional and try this place.

Since I feel it is my duty as an American to notify the public when my lunch time adventures cause me to stumble across a tasty hidden treasure, then it would also be my duty to inform the growing legion of Shady Restaurant fans of those places they should avoid.

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.

One of my favorite things in life is a really good burger. One of my other favorite things in life is lunch. Every now and then I get real crazy and think, “I wonder what would happen if I had a really good burger at lunch?” That’s when I head to Johnny’s.

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).

Attention Shady Restaurant lovers everywhere. From the makers of Max Pollo comes Oklahoma City’s newest burger and taco joint … Max Burger!

Pappy’s food is unlike any other diner I have visited in Oklahoma City. Sometimes you just need a good fried pork chop. Pappy’s Diner fulfills that need. It also fulfills your need for fried veal cutlets, chicken fried steak, meatloaf, goulash, catfish, and burgers.

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.

Starting today we will start highlighting the Shady Restaurant of the Month. This will be a monthly award given to that restaurant with poor lighting, bad curb appeal, questionable clientele, dangerous parking lots, but good food.

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.

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.”

This southside Mediterranean gem was recommended by one of our readers. It’s also become a favorite of mine for its inexpensive menu and outstanding tzadziki sauce.

Just about everyone around here has heard of the Cattlemen’s Restaurant and it’s widely known as one of Oklahoma City’s best local dining experiences. But maybe not everyone has tried it for breakfast. And if you haven’t, you should.