New OKC Area Restaurants Hit the Spot
Oklahoma City has really stepped up its game when it comes to the food scene. If you’re from Oklahoma and you love food, you know how grateful we foodies are when it comes to OKC area restaurants. Why? Because we didn’t always have them…at least not the way we do now. From foreign fare to American pubs to pizza eateries; from the best little burger joint you’ll ever find (Yes, I’m talking about Nic’s) to sophisticated dining, you can find truly incredible options in every category.
Recently, I had the chance to try out two of the newest OKC Metro area restaurants. These two joints fall into A. Pizza Eatery and B. American Style Pub. I chose these two because these are the type of restaurants I am most likely to choose on a night out and my guess is casual dining is probably your most frequent selection as well. That’s not to say there aren’t some upscale establishments that I love (because there are) or that there aren’t some I fully intend to check out and share with you in another post. Have you heard of Nonesuch? It’s a newbie up on N. Hudson that’s all the rage right now, probably due to its Bon Appetit Award for best new restuarant in America. You miiiight be hearing a little more about that one from me in the future. At least I hope you will.
For now, let’s talk about 2 new spots that hit the spot for me in the OKC Metro. If you’ve tried either of these or have a recommendation for other OKC area restaurants, be sure to shout it out in the comments.
WheelHouse Pizza Kitchen
Located on N. May and Hefner near The Village, Wheelhouse opened its doors this past summer and, so far, I’ve eaten here twice. The pizza is good, the options are creative and it’s all done up in an atmosphere thats not too stuffy. They even have a small bar serving up brews to keep the adults happy. Pizza and a Blue Moon? Yes, please!
Guido’s Speedo and Buff Chick
If I had to recommend just one pie, I’d probably tell you to get the Guido’s Speedo. It’s basically an all-meat (pep, meatballs, canadian bacon, and bacon) with some Italian peppers thrown in for a slight kick. Â If that sounds like a bit much, you can never go wrong with your classic Pepperoni. If you’re a veggie eater, they have a vegetarian pizza that is on point. Seriously, best veggie pizza I’ve ever had.
The YAYA Veg is to die for!
When you first look at the menu, the pie prices seem a little steep. That’s because these pizza’s are HUGE. Be prepared to take some home – the second time I went, I took my two kids and we couldnt finish one whole pizza. That said, we did have a couple of appetizers so mayyybe we could’ve knocked the whole thing out if we hadn’t started off with a Pear Salad and an order of Wings to share.
The Winston
The Winston is actually located in Norman but since that is technically considered part of the metro area, we’re good. 🙂 This quirky pub made it’s debut in April and it’s exactly what Downtown Norman needed. Whether or not Main Street has some great grub is no question, but do they have great pubs? If they didn’t before, they do now. The Winston classifies itself as an “elevated pub” and that’s exactly what it is. This classy, yet comfortably casual, joint filled with Winston Churchill memorabilia is the perfect place to chill and enjoy pub grub with a twist.
Since it’s Oklahoma, the first thing you’re gonna want to do when you arrive is cool down with a Frozen Watermelon Fresca. This seasonal drink is frozen perfection. Of course, if froo-froo drinks aren’t your thing, an Old Fashioned would be a solid choice or any one of their 50 beer options available either in a bottle or on draft. You can have a looksie at that list here.
On this visit, I tried the Buffalo Chicken Wonton and the Garlic Cheese Flatbread. Both were tasty but I’m a sucker for Buffalo Chicken and highly recommend them. Next time, I’d like to try the Crispy Duck Wings! When it comes to Plates and Knives, I’m a Steak and Potatoes kind of gal so of course I’d recommend a classic Filet and Frites. However, I can also vouch for the Beer-Braised Pork Shoulder – delicious! If I were heading back, I think I might venture into burger territory and try out the Spicy Grilled Adobo. You never know when you might find the best burger in town!
Many thanks to Hal Smith Restuarant Group and Wheelhouse Pizza for treating me to dinner so I could share my experience with you. As always, all opinions are my own.
