I know a little sumpin’ sumpin’ about Tulsa Oklahoma, home turf for the hit show Tulsa King starring Sly Stallone.
I grew up there, attended Will Rogers High School (an Art Deco beauty) and graduated from the University of Tulsa with a degree in Speech Communications with a minor at Arnie’s Bar.
A couple of times a year, I depart from the Guru headquarters in Florida to visit T-Town. With some advice from friends and family and my own experiences, here are Guru approved dining options ranging from the casual to upscale to fab fast food.
Casual Dining
James E. McNellies Public House
If you’re looking for a great Irish pub style experience, check this place out. I make sure to drop in every time I’m in Tulsa. It has a phenomenal, never-ending beer menu loaded with lots of local brews and international favorites. The pub fare is just as good with Fish & Chips, Cajun Meatloaf and the Monterey Wrap among my faves. 7031 South Zurich Ave., Tulsa 74136 (918) 933-5250 WEBSITE
White River Fish Market
Great seafood in Tulsa? You better believe it, brotha. While I’m surrounded by great seafood restaurants in Florida, I never miss a chance to dine at White River while visiting T-Town. The fresh fish is flown in from coastal cities all over North and South America. The original White River opened in 1932. From Grouper, Red Snapper, Catfish and Rainbow Trout to oysters, popcorn shrimp, scallops and some of the best hushpuppies you’ll ever eat, White Fish is a don’t miss. It has two locations: 1708 North Sheridan, Tulsa 74115 (918)835-1910 and 1105 East Kenosha St., Broken Arrow 74012 (918) 449-0347 WEBSITE
La Roma Pizza
Excellent pizza and traditional Middle Eastern specialties are the stand outs at this few frills, counter service diner. Local family owned for over three decades, La Roma has a menu highlighted by pizzas, pasta, sandwiches and starters like spinach pie, cabbage rolls, stuffed grape leaves and Baba Ghanousch. 6027 So. Sheridan Road, Tulsa 74145, (918) 491-6436. WEBSITE
Hideaway Pizza
It started in Stillwater, Oklahoma (Oklahoma State) in the 1960s and now has locations throughout the state. The pizza is fabulous, just ask any Okie State golfer. Hideaway has a full bar, lots of craft and local beers on tap and a super Happy Hour. 5966 South Yale Ave, Tulsa 74135, (918) 492-4777 WEBSITE
Andolini’s Pizzeria
If you want to pickup or deliver, this is a fab option. You can also dine in (with lots of great beers on tap) with a fun atmosphere and excellent service. All of the ingredients are super fresh with no pre-packaged anything. Heck, the flour used for the dough even comes from Oklahoma. Andolini’s has some of the biggest pies in the Sooner State, ranging from 14, 16 and 20 inches. Simply described, Andolini’s is amazing New York-inspired pizza with a Tulsa flair. There are several locations: 500 Riverwalk Terrace, Jenks 74037 (918) 701-3701 (closest to Southern Hills) 1552 East 15th St., Tulsa 74120 (918) 728-6111, 12140 E. 96th Street, Owasso 74055 (918)272-9328, 222 South Main Street, Broken Arrow 74012 (918) 940-2770 WEBSITE
Tally’s Good Food Cafe
A classic diner with down home affordably priced food, Tally’s has bountiful breakfasts, juicy burgers and lots more diner favorites. It’s open seven days a week for breakfast (served all day), lunch and dinner. Try the Chicken Fried Steak or the Fat Boy Cheeseburgers. Don’t miss the soft, melt-in-your-mouth cinnamon rolls for breakfast. The original location is on Route 66 at the corner of 11th & Yale. There’s also another location nearer Southern Hills at at 61st and Sheridan (918) 895-6375 WEBSITE
Neighborhood Jam
First off, you must get the Jam & 3 or 5 scratch biscuits for the table at this hugely popular breakfast restaurant in south Tulsa. They come with a choice of jam or apple butter. The Monkey Bread is pretty darn good, too. The menu is loaded with items like omelettes, breakfast tacos, avocado toast, Acai bowls, French Toast, pancakes and on and on. Last time I was there I had the Lemon Poppy Cakes, a wondrous concoction of buttermilk poppyseed pancakes topped with lemon curd, lemon cream and poppy glaze. The Jam real close to Southern Hills, too. 4830 East 61st Street South, Suite 300, Tulsa 74136 (918) 508-7744 WEBSITE
Upscale Possibilities
French Hen
This is my Tulsa go-to for an elegant, sophisticated dining experience with exceptional gourmet food. Chef/owner Kathy Bondy does an amazing job preparing dishes like Osso Buco Buccatini, Grilled Duck Breast and Bouillabaisse.319 East Archer, Tulsa 74120 (918) 492-2596 WEBSITE
PRHYME
Opened since 2012, PRHYME has an impressive line-up of offerings including 16 oz. Rib-Eye, 14 oz. NY Strip, 30 oz. Porterhouse, 6 and 12 oz. Filet Mignon, an 18 oz. 30-day dry aged prime Rib-eye as well as pork chops, lamb chops and seafood. It has a 250 bottle wine list and has been awarded Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence. 111 North Main Street, Tulsa 74103 (918) 794-7700. WEBSITE
Mahogany
If you like carnivore havens like Shula’s, Morton’s and Del Frisco’s, you’re gonna love Mahogany, a posh Tulsa steakhouse near Southern Hills C.C. Mahogany’s steaks are U.S. Prime Midwestern Beef cuts that are broiled at 900 degrees to lock in the corn-fed flavor. The shared sides offerings include spinach risotto, fresh asparagus, onion rings, au gratin potatoes and chive whipped potatoes. 4860 E. 61st Street, Tulsa 74136 (918) 494-4043 WEBSITE
Amelia’s Wood Fired Cuisine
Exuding a French Brasserie feel with tables donned with white tablecloths, Amelia’s has a wonderful ambiance and superb food. The eclectic menu offers grilled steaks and chops, seared scallops, salmon, pastas and more. 122 North Boston Avenue, Tulsa 74103 (918) 728-2435 WEBSITE
Nola’s Creole & Cocktails
Equal parts casual and upscale, Nola’s is one of Tulsa’s most popular restaurants. My friends and family members claim it’s the best Creole food you’ll eat outside of New Orleans. The menu is loaded with delicacies like Fried Alligator, Crawfish or Shrimp Remoulade, Creole Pasta, Lobster Mac & Cheese, Bourbon Street Baby Back Ribs, Cajun Fried Chicken and Blackened Ribeye. 1334 East 15th Street, Tulsa 74120 (918) 779-7766 WEBSITE
Polo Grill
A lot of Tulsa’s movers and shakers hang out here. A staple for the well connected since 1983, Polo Grill, a AAA Four Diamond restaurant, has an excellent menu dotted with items like Asian Prime Bone-In Pork Chop, Grilled Shrimp & Grits and Grilled Veal Chop. It also has a mind-blowing wine list with over 25,000 bottles/1,478 vintages. It’s open for lunch, too. 2038 Utica Square, Tulsa 74114 (918) 744-4280 WEBSITE
Bluestone Steakhouse & Seafood
Bluestone is all about “scratch cooking” with all food, including sauces, prepared on-site from fresh ingredients. Owned by longtime Tulsans Bill and Sharon Tackett, Bluestone has a fantastic selection of steaks like the 45-Day Aged Prime KC Strip, 25-Day Aged Porterhouse and 21-Day Aged Angus Beef Tenderloin filet to name a few. A local favorite is The Big Tulsan Chicken-Fried Steak with certified Angus beef. In addition, Bluestone has lots of great pastas and an excellent wine list.. 10032 South Sheridan Road, Suite J, Tulsa 74133 (918) 296-9889 WEBSITE
Lowood
Emphasizing locally grown ingredients and an upscale atmosphere, a recent Lowood Menu featured entrees like Roasted Branzino and Miso, Durham Ranch Elk Rack and Plancha Grilled Lamb Chop. It also has several exceptional pastas (Bucatini, Gnocchi and Orchiette) and rice dishes (mushroom risotto). 817 East 3rd Street, Tulsa 74120 (918) 960-7349 WEBSITE
Bodean
For a restaurant landlocked in a city in northeastern Oklahoma, Bodean features some amazing seafood dishes. The Grilled Trout Almondine and Seared Jumbo Scallops are superb. The main dining room is tastefully appointed with fresh flowers and modern artwork. The side dishes are excellent, too, highlighted by Crab Risotto, Lobster Pasta and Potatoes Au Gratin. 3376 East 51st Street, Tulsa 74135 (918) 749-1407 WEBSITE
Ti Amo Ristorante Italiano
Ooozing with old world charm, Ti Amo is owned by the personable Mehdi Khezri, who has been serving great traditional/American cuisine since 1991. It features an extensive menu of pastas, chicken, veal and seafood dishes and steaks and chops. Two locations: (Founding location) 6024 South Sheridan Rd A, Tulsa 74145 (918) 499-1919 and (Downtown) 219 South Cheyenne Ave., Tulsa 74103 (918) 592-5151 WEBSITE
Smoke Woodfire Grill
Smoke is affordably priced for high-quality dishes that emphasize freshness and local sourcing, Smoke is a must if you enjoy wood fired grilled fish, chicken and burgers. A couple of stand outs are the Wagyu Meatloaf, Wagyu Burger and Grilled Salmon. Steaks include USDA Prime Hand Cut 8 0z Tenderloin, 10 oz Tenderloin, 12 oz. NY Strip and 14 oz. Ribeye. Smoke also has a humidor with cigar selections. 1542 East 15th Street, Tulsa 74120 (918) 949-4440 and 201 Main Street, Suite #100, Owasso 74055 (918) 401-4343 WEBSITE
Juniper
Opened since 2011, Juniper is an award-winning farm-to-table restaurant headed by chef Justin Thompson. The menu focuses on creative cuisine with locally sourced ingredients. A recent menu featured entrees such as pea and mushroom risotto, beef stroganoff, garlic rubbed pork belly, buttered halibut and mushroom bolognese. 324 East 3rd Street, Tulsa 74120, (918) 794-1090 WEBSITE
Fast Food
Coney I-lander
A Tulsa fave since 1926, Coney I-lander features smallish grilled hot dogs on steamed buns covered with Coney I-Lander’s chili (a secret family recipe), mustard, onions and cheese. I practically lived on these gems while in college. The Frito pies are pretty darn good, too. There are seven locations in the Tulsa area. The closest to Southern Hills is 404 West Main Street, Jenks 74037 (918) 299-3591 WEBSITE
Braum’s
This is my nomination for the best chain fast food restaurant in America. Founded in 1968 in Oklahoma City, Braum’s has stores in 5 midwestern states. While its ice cream is amazing and can go cone-to-cone against Ben & Jerry’s or Cold Stone Creamery, their cheeseburgers are absolutely, positively delicious. If you like Culver’s, you’ll love Braum’s, which also have sandwiches, chili and salads. Several stores in Tulsa area, 1545 East 71st Street, Tulsa, 74136 (918) 494-0331 WEBSITE
Kim’s Donut Tulsa
A local shop with a wide selection of melt-in-your mouth options. Uh, put me down for two Maple Long Johns, three Bear Claws and an Apple Fritter. Kim’s is located in south Tulsa just a few minutes from Southern Hills and also serves breakfast and brunch. 6940 South Lewis, Tulsa 74136 (918) 496-8660. FACEBOOK
Raising Cane’s Chicken
We don’t have one of these in Orlando so I never miss it when I’m in Tulsa where there are 5 locations. These are the best chicken fingers you’ll ever get at a fast food restaurant. Period. What’s the secret? They tenderize the chicken breast tenderloins in a special marinade, then hand dip and bread the chicken for every order and then fry in high quality canola oil. Oh yeah, I also love the Cane’s sauce, crinkle cut fries, coleslaw and Texas toast. 4810 So. Yale Ave, Tulsa 74135 (918) 477-9354 WEBSITE
