Eating Out

"Tulsa is the cultural center of the universe!"  That is what an an advertisement for Pizza Hut Restaurants said a couple of decades ago.  Well they were joking.  But when it comes to food, Tulsa might just be the cultural culinary center of the region.  Tulsa sits right in the middle of three regional cultures that strongly influence its food and restaurants -- Midwestern, Southern, and Southwestern cuisines are all represented well in what is going on in restaurants in Tulsa, Oklahoma. 

The midwestern influence is evident in the mom-and-pop diner, drive-inn hangout complete with carhops, the ice-cream parlor, the rootbeer stand, and the drugstore fountain, and pizza delivery -- all come out of Norman Rockwell's America. 

Lotta-Burger, Whataburger, McDonalds are all in Tulsa, as are Oklahoma based Sonic Drive-Ins and Braum's Ice Cream Stores, and Tulsa-based Webber's Rootbeer Stand and Ron's Burgers from Broken Arrow.  Perhaps the hamburger that is most closely associated with Tulsa with its unique seasonings -- and pickle bar -- is Goldie's Patio Grill.  

Pizza is another mostly Midwestern phenomenon that has a major role in Tulsa foods.  Tulsa based Ken's Pizza later became Mazzio's and Zios Italian Eatery.  Graduates of Oklahoma State University in Stillwater know Hideaway Pizza, and now they can get it in Tulsa.  America's Incridible Pizza Company -- started in Tulsa -- is perhaps the pizza restaurant that is causing more talk than any other, at least it's the biggest.  Pizza Hut is also based just to the north of Tulsa in Wichita, Kansas. 

The Southern influence is strong in Tulsa.  For breakfast you can find biscuits and sausage gravy in any cafe worth its salt.  Hashbrowns and bacon is no problem, and you might as well have a short stack (pancakes) with real butter and maple syrup and an omelete with everything on it, extra cheese, please.  It makes one want to make a trip to Cracker Barrel (they got that in Tulsa) and swing by Daylight Donuts (they got that, too) on the way to lunch.  (Sure there are some who say that warm Krispy Kreme donuts are to die for, and they probably are, but they still haven't put the 900 Daylight Donut shops -- a company started in Tulsa in 1954 -- out of business.) 

Dinner menus are also strongly populated with Southern foods.  Chicken fried steak, fried okra, mashed potatos and gravy, grilled steaks, and amazing barbecue are found just about anywhere you turn.  Fried chicken is very big in Tulsa.  And how many cafes have turkey and dressing as the special on Sundays? 

Probably the one place where all three areas of cooking come together to influence food in Tulsa is barbecue.  And in Tulsa, it's Oklahoma-style barbecue -- ribs, balogna, and hot links are always on the menu.  Some barbecue places have a Texas influence with excellent beef brisket and pulled pork; and sweet Kansas
City-style barbecue sauces can be found right along with the southwestern spicy barbecue rubs.  Everything barbecue can all be found in Tulsa restaurants.  Even the Arts and Humanities Council of Tulsa has a fundraiser called The Art of Barbecue, where area restaurants provide some of the best food to the supporters of Art programs.

The third major influence in Tulsa is Southwest cuisine.  Tulsans know chili.  Some will take theirs on spaghetti with beans and grated cheese (called "four-way chili).  Others just want it in a cup with lots of crackers.  Some prefer to have it on a dog or burger.  Corn also plays a major role in cooking in Tulsa.  Both Native American and Mexican influences come together in Tulsa for some great southwestern cooking that can't be beat.  Tacos, nachos, enchiladas, burritos, and salsa make for some good eating.  ALl sorts of southwestern food can be found, from fast-food to upscale, and all the levels of Mexican style cooking in between. 

Foods from all other cultures are found in Tulsa.  Restaurants from fast Greek food like the gyros special at Gyros Palace or the Souvlaki at Never on Sunday (also known as Jim's Coney Island), India Palace's lunch buffet to Royal Dragon's Chinese buffet and grill can all be found in Tulsa.

On Sunday if you eat at one of the many Mazzio's Pizza locations, you will receive free soft drinks when you dine in.  (Good pizza too!).  There is a large salad bar and they also serve pasta, appetizers and some desserts. 

Following are some money-saving tips for dining out with kids:

As in other cities, Kids Eat Free at Lonestar all day Tuesday and on Saturday 11-4 (2 kids per adult).

On Thursday, kids eat for 99 cents at El Chico.

If you have a large group (with lots of kids), I would send you to Incredible Pizza on 71st Street, just east of Memorial (across the street from Woodland Hills Mall).  This establishment houses a family-friendly destination that offers pizza and dessert buffet, salad bar, drink stations, plus pasta, soup and potatoes.  After the meal, turn the kids loose in the fun zone (I call it Kiddie Vegas), for arcade games, bowling, mini-golf, go-carts, and more.  There are separate theme rooms to eat in, including the Gymnaseum (with Disney or Nick on a big screen), the Drive In (with old movies on a big screen), the Diner (50's diner), and what I call the Quiet Room (looks like a cafeteria from 1974 and plays Andy Griffith on TV's).