Tulsa Food Talk

Food for Thought – Tulsa, Oklahoma

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  • Brian Schwartz 11:56 am on January 28, 2012 Permalink | Reply  

    Tuesday is $9 steak at Warehouse 

    Warehouse is a great place to hang out on Saturday night and I’ve been there more times than I remember. But I never dreamed of eating there until Urban Tulsa tipped me off to Tuesday’s steak special. So I rounded up my friends and went last Tuesday afternoon. For $9 you get a salad (I chose the tasty Blue Cheese dressing) and then you get this.

    A nice little sirloin steak, overly spiced perhaps but good flavor, some toast, and a monster baked potato big enough to be a meal in itself. Not a great meal perhaps, but for $9 certainly a great deal.

     

  • Brian Schwartz 11:21 am on January 24, 2012 Permalink | Reply  

    La Altena Mexican Ice Cream Parlor 

    It’s easy to pass by La Altena. It’s just a nondescript shop at the side of a strip mall at the corner of 21st and Garnett. It looks like it’s closed or even vacant, except for a sign that says “Helados”. It’s pretty drab inside too, but there’s some great Mexican ice cream there. They make it in back. When I stopped by, they had mostly run out but the friendly clerk, fluent in English and of course Spanish, told me the flavors they had left. Mango, bubble gum, strawberry and guava. I got a two-scoop cup for only $1.25, and they were big scoops. Of course I got mango and guava. It was lovely. Full, rich ice cream and not, as I was expecting, shaved watery ice. I won’t pass by there again without stopping for a cup.

    La Altena
    11330 E 21 Street
    706-9647

     

  • Brian McCullough 8:56 am on January 18, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags:   

    Phat Philly’s to Reopen in Tulsa 

    The Phat Philly’s Facebook page has been making some noise this week with news of their return to Tulsa. The message below outlines some detail. Before this update their last Facebook communication was August 27, 2009. Tulsa has been waiting for this!

    We will keep you posted on any news we find out.

    Also check out this post from Tulsa Food Guy about Phat Philly’s closing – Rasta Lavista Old Friend – RIP Phat Philly’s Great poem at the end…. you can feel the love.

    Hey Tulsa! We are almost reopened…… just another week or two and Phat Phillys will be back! We are currently accepting applications for all positions. applications online http://www.phatphillys.com and can be dropped off at our new location 1305 south Peoria btw 12-2pm monday-friday
    see everyone soon!

     

    • Felipe 9:03 am on January 18, 2012 Permalink | Reply

      Very excited! Unfortunately I had only eaten there once before they closed. Glad to have another local place reopen!

  • Brian McCullough 10:57 am on January 17, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , Ribs   

    Deep Fried Ribs at Kilkenny’s Irish Pub 

    Next time you’re at Kilkenny’s Irish Pub off Cherry Street in Tulsa, don’t miss the deep-fried ribs.  Being a rib man I was concerned they would lack the flavor I look for in a good rib, but think about it…. its pork baby! These ribs are battered, deep-fried and seasoned with basic seasonings. Served with a side of warm BBQ sauce they make the perfect pub dream come true.

    That night we also ordered the meatloaf sandwich, stay away from this one. It was late and I can’t remember why it sucked, but we sent it back for more ribs :) . All I remember thinking is… they need to remake this sandwich. That was the first bad dish I’ve ever had at Kilkenny’s.

    Kilkenny’s is one of my favorite restaurant in Tulsa. If you are looking for the full experience I recommend hitting them for a lunch, dinner and their underrated brunch.

    Kilkenny’s Irish Pub – Tulsa, Oklahoma
    http://www.tulsairishpub.com/
    1413 East 15th Street Tulsa, OK 74120
    (918) 582-8282

     

    • Brian S. 11:36 am on January 17, 2012 Permalink | Reply

      Get the chips. The chips (French fries) are English style and very very good.

    • Brett 9:34 am on January 19, 2012 Permalink | Reply

      Hey Brian, glad you enjoyed the ribs. One of my favorites. Sorry about the meatloaf sandwich, usually don’t have complaints about it. Thanks again for the review.
      January is soup month, check out the Butternut Squash its delicious.

    • Steven Walker 7:21 am on January 31, 2012 Permalink | Reply

      thnx for the nice in formation on fried ribs

  • Brian Schwartz 10:37 am on January 11, 2012 Permalink | Reply  

    Go West Restaurant — still going strong 

    Genius chef Doug Atkinson left long ago but Go West still soldiers on. And they’re doing a great job! Some of the entrees are the same, some have been tweaked a bit, and some are new. All are in the flamboyant cowboy style which made Go West famous. The cowboy-themed decor’s the same too.

    Thanks to owner Johnny Wimpy, the welcome is as warm as ever. Even warmer was the soup, a fiery (and lovely) cream of jalapeno. The bread platter is so good you’re tempted to fill up on that. I got one of the new entrees. Campfire Steak Medallions ($18).

     

     

     

     

    Lovely bits of beef tenders first smoked then grilled covered with a peppery mushroom demi-glace. Lightly fried potatoes were great too, as were the beans. My friends got salads. Here’s one.
     

     

    That’s a Ranch Steak Salad ($13). The dessert tray had fewer offerings than before, but they looked great. But we were too full to try any.

     

    I think the food was better when Doug was at the helm. But there’s still some fine entrees available, and I plan to go back for more.

     

     

    Here’s my review (with lots of photos) of Go West in its glory days early last year:

     

     

  • Tulsa Food Guy 2:44 am on December 18, 2011 Permalink | Reply  

    Tasting A Memory – Oklahoma Joe’s Comes Home 

    Have you ever tasted a memory? Tonight… I did.

    1998 – A 20 year old Oklahoma State College student and his pals pull into a parking spot along “The Strip” in Stillwater, Oklahoma, on a Thursday afternoon.  Eager to get in line and order the Thursday special… 2-for-1 Pulled Pork sandwiches and 75 cent Budweiser bottles.  For $6.00, you got 2 mouth-watering sandwiches and 2 ice cold beers that were so cold (the beer, not the sandwiches) the ice would be stuck to the bottle.  But this day was different.  This day, the beer was not ice cold.  The smell of smoked meats was mysteriously absent.  There were no longer Oklahoma Joe smokers lined up along the windows.  The long hardwood tables and benches where we had shared so many Thursday specials, slabs of ribs and ice cold brews were no more.  The building was a ghost… a good friend who just disappeared without warning.  A memory that would only live on as an anecdote in our personal accounts of our youth.

    So it is understandable that when I read the Tweet from @tdmarkit8dude that the old Runt’s BBQ building in Broken Arrow (and also formerly Gameday Tailgate Bar & Grill) stating that the building’s marquee read “Oklahoma Joe’s BBQ Coming This Fall”, my excitement over this new addition to the Tulsa BBQ scene rose to epic levels.  And my excitement has held no boundaries.  I, along with many other Tulsa and Broken Arrow natives, have taken many side-trips over the last 3 months to follow the progress of legendary pit master Joe Don Davidson’s latest venture.  From the addition of signs to the building,  to new construction going on in the back of the building (which turned out to be Joe’s smokehouse, equipped with the same models of smokers that have made him an icon in the competition BBQ circuit), to a personal tour of the restaurant’s progress with Joe himself… all this anticipation spread out over 3 months came down to this one epic Manly Food moment…  The moment I sat down at Oklahoma Joe’s BBQ, picked up the bottle of BBQ sauce as I do at every BBQ joint I visit, and squeezed out that drop sublime nectar onto my finger and stuck it in my mouth.

    You see, my love affair with this development wasn’t tied to the fact that Joe Davidson has won over 300 barbeque championships.  It wasn’t tied into the fact that he was the co-founder of one of Kansas City’s finest and most successful BBQ restaurants… the restaurant that Anthony Bourdain labeled as one of 13 Places to Eat Before You Die.  It wasn’t even tied into Joe’s countless television and media appearances.  This infatuation stems from memories of my youth.  Memories that molded me into the Manly Food connoisseur I am today.  Memories I can taste.

    This moment.  This single, solitary point in time when Oklahoma Joe’s BBQ sauce hit the tip of my tongue tonight for the first time since 1998 was, perhaps, my single greatest moment as a foodie so far.  It was a moment that reminds me why I take pictures of the food I eat.  Why I tweet those pictures out for anyone who cares to see them.  That moment is why I do what I do.

    Check out the full post and pics here.
     

    • DG 6:06 am on December 18, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      So…Oklahoma Joes serves minors?

      • Tulsa Food Guy 7:11 pm on December 18, 2011 Permalink | Reply

        Well, when you’re 20, you find ways around that. Especially when all your friends are older. ;)

    • Brian S. 10:12 pm on December 22, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      Thanks for this great review! I can’t relive your memories, but I WILL check out Oklahoma Joe.

    • Tulsa Food Guy 10:01 pm on December 28, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      Oklahoma Joe’s will be on Great Day Green Country tomorrow morning at 110:00. I’ll try to remember to link the vid over here once it’s up. Should be some great video food porn!

    • Brian S. 5:10 pm on December 29, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      I’ve read that (at least in Kansas City) you can get a pulled pork Z-man sandwich on request.

      • Tulsa Food Guy 5:20 pm on December 29, 2011 Permalink | Reply

        Yes. The Z-man with chicken is popular too from what I’ve heard.

        • Brian S. 7:40 pm on December 29, 2011 Permalink | Reply

          As I said, you should submit this for the main page of this website, no one reads the talk section.

  • Brian McCullough 3:28 pm on December 10, 2011 Permalink | Reply  

    Celebrity Restaurant’s Holiday Décor is Awesome! 

    Celebrity Restaurant’s holiday décor works to provide a great alternative for an elegant, yet intimate meal to enjoy with out-of-towners, friends and family. We suggest getting a reservation soon as the list fills up quickly this time of year.

    So, one night this holiday season, take the night off and let the staff at Celebrity Restaurant bring you “good cheer”.

    Celebrity Restaurant Fine Dining
    3109 South Yale Avenue
    Tulsa, OK 74135
    (918) 743-1800
    http://www.celebritytulsa.com/

    http://www.facebook.com/celebritytulsa

     

  • Brian Schwartz 12:30 pm on November 30, 2011 Permalink | Reply  

    Mole Poblano at El Fogon in Owasso 

    Mole Poblano is a rich, complex Mexican sauce with a rich, complex history. The history goes back almost 400 years (more, if you count the Aztec origins) and the sauce is so complex it takes almost a whole day to prepare. I wrote a long description of Mole Poblano in my review of Tres Amigos in South Tulsa. A reader commented that the spectacular mole at El Fogon is the best in Oklahoma. But El Fogon is almost twenty miles from midtown Tulsa and, because the dish is so hard to make they serve it only once a month (and not on the same day of the month either). So I forgot about that.

     

    Yesterday I decided to visit El Fogon, just to try the other dishes, which I’d heard were outstanding. We drove a long time on darkened roads to what looked like a little shack. But inside there was a cozy and inviting dining room.

     

     

     

    By incredible good luck it was Mole Poblano night!! Of course I ordered it (and it was only $8, with chicken), and out this came.

     

     

     

    Oh it was wonderful, the totally authentic real deal. I can’t say it was better than the Tres Amigos version. But, glistening and packed with flavor,  it was certainly as good, and it was a totally different interpretation of the recipe.  So good that I’m ready for a return visit to try the restaurant’s regular offerings… and when I do, I’ll write a full review. If you ever learn that El Fogon is serving Mole Poblano, pack up your bags and head north to Owasso.

     

    El Fogon

     

    11515 N. Garnett Road (about a mile west of the Route 20/116 Street exit of the Mingo Valley Expressway)

     

    371-6230

     

    Open daily to around 9 PM (except Sunday is lunch only)
     

    • Bob Haywood 1:18 pm on December 3, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      We saw you there that night! We love El Fogon. The family are super nice people and all the food is home made!

  • Brian Schwartz 10:48 am on November 19, 2011 Permalink | Reply  

    New chef at Smoke 

    Back in March there was a cooking competition with eight Tulsa chefs and two prizes. Michelle Donaldson of Polo Grill won one prize and Erik Reynolds from Smoke won the other. The other six chefs were losers. Now the two winners have joined forces. Michelle Donaldson is now cooking at Smoke. Erik remains head chef, but some of the specials are created by Michelle. And how wonderful they are! For example …
     
     
    Duck breast, meaty and perfectly cooked, lovely spice rub too, served with Bright Lights chard (a multicolored chard developed by a New Zealand breeder), butternut squash puree and a maple syrup and whisky reduction accented with a touch of rosemary. It was amazing! Too bad it was a special for one night only. I could eat it every day.
     
    That duck was created by Michelle, cooked by Erik, photographed by the Smoke staff. A perfect partnership.
     
    Now in my opinion the best thing at Smoke is the fish special so it’s important that Michelle be able to cook fish. Can she? Oh yeah, she can. Observe.
     
     
    I used to hate trout. Then I ate this. Now I love trout. Delicious, fresh-flavored trout with a wonderful sauce to bring out those flavors, a beurre blanc accented with lemon zest, capers and tarragon. Served with red wine basmati. I walked a mile to eat this fish and it was worth it.
     
     

  • Brian Schwartz 10:45 am on November 9, 2011 Permalink | Reply  

    A Quick Trip to the Orient 

    On a dark and desolate block near Sheridan Road, right where you’d least expect it, there’s a magic golden door to the Orient.

     

    Step through, and Vietnamese food and friendly service await at Binh Le Restaurant, a restaurant run by members of the same family that have run Vietnamese restaurants such as Ri Le for 30 years. I found the food average at best, but several friends have advised me that the dishes, especially those on the vegetarian menu (which I did not try) are exceptionally good. Here’s what we had.

    Deluxe Bun Cha Gio, a cold and pleasantly flavored noodle salad with beef, chicken and egg rolls.

    Fried rice.

    Binh Le

    5903 E 31 St.

    835-7722

    Open daily (except Sunday) from 11 AM to 9:30 PM

     

    • Michael 1:06 pm on November 9, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      What exactly makes this block so “dark” and “desolate”?

      Is it the thriving shopping centers which surround it? The headquarters of one of Tulsa’s largest companies within sight? You seem to use this imagery an awful lot…that Tulsa is some kind of ghost town.

      The food here? It’s amazing, for sure.

      • Brian S. 9:37 am on November 12, 2011 Permalink | Reply

        I didn’t realize I used the imagery a lot. I’m sorry. That particular block, 31st between Yale and Sheridan, driving it by night seemed so dark and empty until we got to the strip malls at the end. I walked that block by daylight several times years ago and it’s so very long and empty in the middle.

    • Debra Laizure 4:48 pm on November 11, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      Brian – How can you go to Ri-Le and not eat vegetarian? He is the true guru / master / king of all things veggie protein. I love this place. And I have never ordered off the menu. Usually, Ri-Le himself is our waiter and creates a dish for us. I’m sure it’s probably the same thing every time, and it is the #3, but he makes us feel special regardless.

      They had a death in the family once and closed the restaurant for 2 or 3 months so they could go back to Vietnam. Longest few months of my life. Such a sweet family, and true mainstay of Tulsa cuisine.

      • Brian S. 9:57 pm on November 11, 2011 Permalink | Reply

        I’ve never eaten at Ri-Le. Now I really want to go there. What dish does he create, maybe I can ask for it.

        • Debra Laizure 3:39 pm on November 13, 2011 Permalink | Reply

          OMG! I just realized this was about another restaurant. I am so sorry. I saw the picture of the doorway and thought it was Ri-le’s. They have the SAME one.

          Anyway….just just order anything and you will certainly like it. The sesame chicken is really good, although it isn’t chicken…it’s soy protein. Yummy and healthy.

    • Jon 10:28 am on November 15, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      Way too much MSG in there food for my tastes. You could say it is suited for American palate.

  • Debra Laizure 11:58 am on November 8, 2011 Permalink | Reply  

    Win FREE Tickets to Tonight’s CAKE BOSS Performance! 

    Win a Chance to See TLC’s, Cake Boss…TONIGHT!

    -

    Curtis Restaurant Supply has 2 extra tickets for tonight’s performance for the CAKE BOSS.

    Buddy Valastro, star of TLC’s show, “Cake Boss” and “The Next Great Baker” will bring a live, interactive cooking show to the Tulsa Performing Arts Center on November 8th.

    The family friendly show will include live demonstrations of the techniques Valastro uses on his show and in his bakery “Carlo’s Bake Shop” in Hoboken, N.J. Along with elaborate cakes, the show will feature Valastro sharing stories from behind the scenes of his TV show and Italian family.  He will also answer audience questions and invite audience members on stage.

    HOW TO WIN

    Post a message below or to Curtis Restaurant Supply’s Facebook page (Click here).

    We will use a random number generator to pick the winner by 3:00PM.

    YOU MUST PICK UP THE TICKETS AT CURTIS RESTAURANT SUPPLY (1 block east of 40th and Sheridan) NO LATER THAN 5:00PM TODAY!

    An Evening with Buddy Valastro

    November 8th, 2011 – 7:30PM

    Tulsa Performing Arts Center
    Chapman Music Hall
    110 E 2nd St
    Tulsa, OK 74103
    http://www.tulsapac.org
     

    • Debra Laizure 3:07 pm on November 8, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      CONGRATULATIONS to Kelcie Scott-Moton. Via random number generator, she has won the Cake Boss tickets for tonight’s performance. Thank you to the Tulsa Food Blog for helping us get the word out.

      Curtis Restaurant Supply

  • Brian Schwartz 9:02 am on October 29, 2011 Permalink | Reply  

    Eat at Doe’s! 

    “If you want a steak as good as ours,” the manager told me, “you’d have to go to Peter Luger’s in Brooklyn.” Well I can’t vouch for the truth of that, but I can tell you the steaks at Doe’s are crazy good.

     

    It was my first visit. Somehow, Doe’s was never on my radar. It should be. Stepping inside the building I’d always passed by without a thought, I found this.

     

      

     

    Certainly not elegant, but it’s the kind of interior that screams “serious steak!” Most of the older New York steakhouses look like that. Informal, with the wood-accented decor of an old-time bar. Old New York steakhouses are famed for their brusque service, but the waiters here were friendly and helpful. Of course I ordered their steak. I got a one-pound sirloin ($24). Included in the price of the steak is a nice small salad and potatoes. (Your choice of baked, boiled, mashed, French fries or sweet potato fries.) The salad and potatoes are fine, and the bread, which is a fried concoction a lot like a New Orleans beignet. Showing admirable self-control, I had them with honey for dessert. But the steak is the star of the show.

     

      

     

    Like all their steaks, it’s been aged 21 days. Perhaps that’s what gave it its incredible rich flavor. As I said, it was crazy good. Sirloin is the worst-quality steak you can get at Doe’s — and the cheapest (the smallest ribeye is $38 and the smallest porterhouse is $42 while you can get a sirloin a bit smaller than mine for $18) — so if the more expensive steaks are even better than the sirloin it just might be true what the manager said.

     

     
     
    I just had to get another look at that steak!

     

    Doe’s Eat Place

     

    1350 E. 15th St

     

    585-3637

     

     

    Open every day except for Sunday at 5:30 PM
     

  • Debra Laizure 11:46 am on October 25, 2011 Permalink | Reply  

    Jazz Up Your Boring Cupcakes 

    Want to jazz up your boring cupcakes?  I found these cute paper liners at Wal-mart for $3 / 24pk.  There are a myriad of choices ranging from wedding designs, flowers, and of course, birthday wishes.

    Though beautiful, I had to share some tips for using these interesting liners.

    #1 – The liners are big so stagger your cupcakes in the muffin pan

    #2 – Only use 3 tablespoons of batter. This was a hard one for me but you have to restrain yourself. Over filling doesn’t make the prettiest cupcake

    #3 – Hold the liner in your hand while filling. It’s a whole lot easier and less messy

    #4 – The liner “petals” made it really hard to ice. If you have one, use a piping bag. If not, do what I did and take a Ziploc bag and cut the tip off. Then you can pipe the icing with control. Smooth the icing, if you wish.

    So, the next time you make cupcakes, add a fancy liner. You’ll impress your friends and family.

    Have fun!

    Debra

     

     

    • Brian S. 3:03 pm on October 28, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      You can also jazz them up with gold paint!! This edible paint can also be used on your steak or duck or whatever, and comes in silver and red too. Not available in the U.S. because of the FDA.
      http://www.the-deli-garage.com/ESSLACK_detail_16.html

      • Debra Laizure 9:33 pm on October 28, 2011 Permalink | Reply

        I heard about this on the radio today! KFAQ, I think? They were talking about the silver apples and gold turkey. I didn’t believe it until I clicked your link. Thanks, Brian!

  • Brian Schwartz 9:59 am on October 23, 2011 Permalink | Reply  

    Oktoberfest report and food question 

    Many magazines have said that Tulsa’s Oktoberfest is one of the finest in the world. I went for the first time last night and I’m here to tell you that it’s true. I got more than I bargained for when, around 7:15 PM, a surprise storm as strong as a hurricane swept through. Heaviest rain I’ve ever seen. They evacuated the main tent and everyone crowded into a smaller tent. An hour later the main tent reopened, the band played on and the crowd went wild. Roaring crazy wild and stayed that way till closing time. Nobody sat and lounged around, everyone stood and danced on benches and tables, about 30 to a table and all the tables were full. If you wanted to stroll the midway and sample food from each of the vendors, last night wasn’t your night. If you were wearing good shoes, you’re probably shopping for a new pair today. But if total wildness and Bacchanalia was what you wanted, it was your night to shine.
     
    FOOD QUESTION Okay here’s the food question. Suppose you knew a top food critic who was really hip to diner food, taco stands, cheap eats. And he said to you, oh all the Tulsa festival food is horrible. Of course you reply, no it’s not!! And he says, prove it! I will sample ONE dish from either Oktoberfest or the Tulsa State Fair.  What dish would you choose for him to sample?
     

  • Reader Question/Reviews 9:58 am on October 21, 2011 Permalink | Reply  

    Rehersal Dinner in Tulsa for 50-60 Guest at a Local Restaurant 

    We are hosting the Rehersal dinner in spring 2012 and I am looking for suggestions for a venue. Since we have so many out of town guest we are including them for the dinner. Our party will be 50-60 guest.

    I would prefer a restaurant rather than a hotel banquet room. I looked at Shogun yesterday because i thought that would be alot of fun. I just don’t like that we’d be so seperated from each other.

    I’d love a “fun” place to eat- but also want to be able to talk to each other and be able to give the toasts.

    Any suggestion?

    Thanks,
    Diane

     

    • Brian McCullough 10:00 am on October 21, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      Try calling Michael V’s Restaurant > (918) 369-0310. They have a nice large room and great food

      http://www.michaelvsrestaurant.com/

    • Dustin 11:39 am on November 3, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      I suggest Smoke on Cherry St. Great food. Great service. Good luck.

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