Lost Restaurants of Tulsa

[HuffyCane]

Mary Beth over at Buck Atom’s on 11th is selling a coffee table style book called Lost Restaurants of Tulsa.

There’s a photo of Pennington’s Drive In on the cover.

So I thought it might make a good thread topic, since our discussions on what the current best burger inevitably drift into debate about what was once the best burger years ago.

I’ll start with St. Michael’s Alley.

Loved that place when I was in school.

For those unfamiliar or forgetful, it was in the Ranch Acres Shopping Center at 31st and Harvard.

It’s where I took “nice” girls before we got naughty for the first time. It was kind of a hidden gem. Close to TU with really good food. But unless you she was a snooty WASPy chick that went to Cascia or Edison for high school, they had never heard of it.

Stellar grilled chicken. Burger was solid. They had like a roast beef/prime rib thing that wasn’t always on the menu or on special, but when they had it it was Top 10 meals in Tulsa for under $20.

There aren’t that many nice places in Tulsa anymore where you can take a date, or enjoy an open mic, or drink box wine at home then head over there, order food then puke on the floor, ask for the food to go and not really feel too bad about it.

It was perfect.

Honorable mention: The Taste-E-Freeze across from Owasso High School where they filmed part of The Outsiders. When I was playing U16s and classic, my dad would spring for burgers and shakes there after road games if I didnt get a yellow card for dissent. (He didn’t mind my dirty play. He hated my dirty mouth).

Anybody else have a favorite that is long gone?

 

[Gmoney4WW]

I know it was a small chain, but The Magic Pan at the Willams Center(Tower). Was great to go ice skating and/or to a movie(Williams Cinema) and then go there.

Also there was a little Italian restaurant on 3rd street that had art pieces for sale on the walls that I cannot remember, was cool for a date.(Help me remember Rhonda or Wojcik)

I worked at this restaurant(while in college) and love the Back Bay Gourmet.

 

[Gmoney4WW]

This place wasn't in business that long, but I used to gorge myself there. You weighed yourself and were charged in categories by your weight if I remember correctly. The women loved the concept of weighing yourself. It was called something like 'Chicken, Steak, and Chocolate Cake'. It think it was around in the late 70's or early 80's.

And of course Wilson's Barbecue in it's hey day. Also the chicken coop. Both were great places to go after drinking too heavily.(oxymoron?)

 

[Gmoney4WW]

Annies Diner, great place for a Sunday brunch or a Punk show with Baby M on a Friday/Saturday night.(God Rest Your Soul M. Comstock.)

 

[Chris Harmon]

The Magic Pan at the Willams Center

Wow, that brings back some memories. I loved the crepes when I was a kid.

What was the 50's style diner that was at 41st & Mingo back in the early 90's??

 

[aTUfan]

Comners corner
Pennington drive in

 

[aTUfan]

Thw original coney island

 

[Chris Harmon]

Jade East at 39th-ish and Memorial. That was back in the 80's, and they had an incredible Asian buffet.

 

[HuffyCane]

Wilson’s? Now I’m really hungry ...

 

[Gmoney4WW]

Why do I feel a sense of deja vu, and like I'm repeating myself on old posts on a similar thread? Am I crazy?

But while we are at it, help me remember that Italian restaurant on 3rd street. I think it was named after an Italian recipe on the menu that had vodka reduced into the sauce. I think it was like 3rd and Detroit? IIRC the interior was dim lighting and a lot of white.(painted brick) It kills me that I can't remember. It was around in the late 90's and early 2000's.

 

[HuffyCane]

Why do I feel a sense of deja vu, and like I'm repeating myself on old posts on a similar thread? Am I crazy?

But while we are at it, help me remember that Italian restaurant on 3rd street. I think it was named after an Italian recipe on the menu that had vodka reduced into the sauce. I think it was like 3rd and Detroit? IIRC the interior was dim lighting and a lot of white.(painted brick) It kills me that I can't remember. It was around in the late 90's and early 2000's.

Pomodori’s. Prices were incredibly cheap for the quality.

 

[Chris Harmon]

Anyone remember Chi-Chi's at 71st and Memorial? That seems like forever ago. Wasn't Tulsa Brewing Co. or something like that over at 71st & Memorial as well?

Frank's Cafe on Mingo was one of the top greasy spoons in Tulsa until he sold it...then it went downhill quick and closed.

I guess we've got to mention Casa Bonita and Crystal's Pizza.

 

[drboobay]

Mary Beth over at Buck Atom’s on 11th is selling a coffee table style book called Lost Restaurants of Tulsa.

There’s a photo of Pennington’s Drive In on the cover.

So I thought it might make a good thread topic, since our discussions on what the current best burger inevitably drift into debate about what was once the best burger years ago.

I’ll start with St. Michael’s Alley.

Loved that place when I was in school.

For those unfamiliar or forgetful, it was in the Ranch Acres Shopping Center at 31st and Harvard.

It’s where I took “nice” girls before we got naughty for the first time. It was kind of a hidden gem. Close to TU with really good food. But unless you she was a snooty WASPy chick that went to Cascia or Edison for high school, they had never heard of it.

Stellar grilled chicken. Burger was solid. They had like a roast beef/prime rib thing that wasn’t always on the menu or on special, but when they had it it was Top 10 meals in Tulsa for under $20.

There aren’t that many nice places in Tulsa anymore where you can take a date, or enjoy an open mic, or drink box wine at home then head over there, order food then puke on the floor, ask for the food to go and not really feel too bad about it.

It was perfect.

Honorable mention: The Taste-E-Freeze across from Owasso High School where they filmed part of The Outsiders. When I was playing U16s and classic, my dad would spring for burgers and shakes there after road games if I didnt get a yellow card for dissent. (He didn’t mind my dirty play. He hated my dirty mouth).

Anybody else have a favorite that is long gone?

Phoenicia Restaurant on 51st near Harvard.

 

[Gmoney4WW]

Pomodori’s. Prices were incredibly cheap for the quality.

Thank you! I've been trying to remember the name of that restaurant for about a month now.

 

[Chris Harmon]

I've heard folks mention this place many times...

 

[HuffyCane]

Phoenicia Restaurant on 51st near Harvard.

You know I drove by there hundreds of times and never went there, not even with my parents.

 

[HuffyCane]

Anyone remember Chi-Chi's at 71st and Memorial? That seems like forever ago. Wasn't Tulsa Brewing Co. or something like that over at 71st & Memorial as well?

Frank's Cafe on Mingo was one of the top greasy spoons in Tulsa until he sold it...then it went downhill quick and closed.

I guess we've got to mention Casa Bonita and Crystal's Pizza.

You had to get Casa Bonita in before @Gold* showed up and declared that discussion off limits ... heh heh

 

[drboobay]

Phoenicia Restaurant on 51st near Harvard.

You know I drove by there hundreds of times and never went there, not even with my parents.

Well you missed out Huffy. Only the best cuts of steak. And a fantastic, attentive owner whose employees still come by to visit him on his birthday - 25 years after selling the place.

 

[HuffyCane]

Then of course there is the timeless debate between Furr’s Cafeteria and Lubby’s. What was the name of the cafeteria over by Utica Square? We never went there. My mom always felt out of place in the area. She would sit in the car while my brother and I bought school clothes at Harold’s.

 

[Gmoney4WW]

Then of course there is the timeless debate between Furr’s Cafeteria and Lubby’s. What was the name of the cafeteria over by Utica Square? We never went there. My mom always felt out of place in the area. She would sit in the car while my brother and I bought school clothes at Harold’s.

Danners cafeteria at Utica Square which closed in '71 and then Furr's opened up there.

Did you ever hear about the fake safe or the bingo raid at Danner's. They put a painted cardboard safe in place of the real one, and tried pushing the real one away from the restaurant. before they got caught. Everybody was fooled for a couple of hours by the fake one, until they caught the guys pushing away the real one.

Then there was the time they walked in on the 9/12 bingo club and said ladies don't be alarmed but we're the vice squad and this is a raid

There was Piccadilly Cafeteria too.

 

[Gmoney4WW]

You had to get Casa Bonita in before @Gold* showed up and declared that discussion off limits ... heh heh

I ran into Coach Nolan there like 3 different times.(was his favorite) So it can't be all bad.

 

[HuffyCane]

Danners cafeteria at Utica Square which closed in '71 and then Furr's opened up there.

Did you ever hear about the fake safe or the bingo raid at Danner's. They put a painted cardboard safe in place of the real one, and tried pushing the real one away from the restaurant. before they got caught. Everybody was fooled for a couple of hours by the fake one, until they caught the guys pushing away the real one.

Then there was the time they walked in on the 9/12 bingo club and said ladies don't be alarmed but we're the vice squad and this is a raid

There was Piccadilly Cafeteria too.

i remember the Furr’s inside Utica. Wasnt there another one nearby in the 70s and early 80s?

 

[TUMU]

I liked CJ's at 21st and Garnett. Really good boneless chicken. Was a family owned place. Most everyone who worked there was family or family friends. I think the last name was Wilson. They were really big in the Tulsa Association of Men's Underhand Fastpitch Softball. I miss that place.

 

[Chris Harmon]

I liked CJ's at 21st and Garnett. Really good boneless chicken. Was a family owned place. Most everyone who worked there was family or family friends. I think the last name was Wilson. They were really big in the Tulsa Association of Men's Underhand Fastpitch Softball. I miss that place.

I forgot about CJ's. I agree on the boneless chicken. I think we started going there after the Rex's closed at 31st & Mingo.

 

[Gold*]

Lots of old places closing recently. I was surprisingly touched about Mary’s ending. It was a wonderfully average American Italian Place.

No one ever talks about the 15th Street Wok. That was a cool place. I remember thinking the halls went on forever.

Coney Island is still around. Just moved to Brady or whatever it’s called now.

I’m all for a Casa Bonita reboot. Put it at 11th and Lewis and sell halfway decent Mexican food and keep the place clean. You’d make a killing. Be the opposite of Incredulous Pizza Company.

I miss St. Michael’s Alley. It was very Tulsa. True story: my grandfather built that shopping center and was the original owner of the liquor store. My family got free food from Eddie’s for two generations as a result.

Speaking of which, I miss Eddie’s. Other than Freddie’s, I’m concerned about the long term success of the Tulsa Lebanese steak house.

And speaking of Lebanese, I’ll pour one out for Cedar’s.

Here’s another recent one that hurt: Bangkok on Harvard. I think I went on my first awkward teenage date there. It was not great but always there. They say they’ll re-open but I doubt it.

Miss Nelson’s downtown.

 

[Gmoney4WW]

I liked the 15th St Wok as well. But a friend of mine did their pest control, and has nightmarish stories. Went there with a French Professor after class who proceeded to hit on me. Stupidly fended her off. Regretted that for years.

Hasn't Bangkok reopened a couple of three times?

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

I remember when the biggest giveaway at home basketball games was a Dinner for 2 at Tule’s. Pretty good Mexican place downtown and big supporters of TU football and basketball.

I learned at a young age that the “Lucky number programs” weren’t random at all and if you knew the person selling them they might pull one out of the special stack for you.

 

[chito_and_leon]

Charlie Mitchell’s, someplace around 31st? Many beers consumed there.

Taco Train in Jenks.

Mr. Gatti’s near Woodland Hills. Was the kind of pizza that I bet if I had it now I’d think this place sucks, what was I thinking?

 

[Gold*]

There was a Charlie Mitchell’s at 21st and the BA and another downtown. They opened a new one a few years back on Yale that sucked bad.

 

[HuffyCane]

There was a Charlie Mitchell’s at 21st and the BA and another downtown. They opened a new one a few years back on Yale that sucked bad.

Charlie Mitchell’s, someplace around 31st? Many beers consumed there.

Taco Train in Jenks.

Mr. Gatti’s near Woodland Hills. Was the kind of pizza that I bet if I had it now I’d think this place sucks, what was I thinking?

They still have about a dozen Mr Gattis locations — for now. They were huge in IN, KY, TN in the 70s and 80s. Still pretty good pizza.

 

[Chris Harmon]

They still have about a dozen Mr Gattis locations — for now. They were huge in IN, KY, TN in the 70s and 80s. Still pretty good pizza.

As far as chain pizza goes, I've missed having Godfather's Pizza in town. It's been like 30 or more years since they've been in this area, other than the crappy version that is in some truck stops.

When I go to Kansas City, or Florida, or somewhere that has real Godfather's, I always have to get some. Not as good as I remember when I was a kid, but nothing is.

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

Mark and Tammie's on Lewis (I believe it's called Freddie's now) were also big Tulsa football supporters. They got upset several years ago when an asst coach/former player was let go and stopped attending though.

 

[Chris Harmon]

Mark and Tammie's on Lewis (I believe it's called Freddie's now) were also big Tulsa football supporters.

Great onion burgers.

 

[Li'l Eric Coley]

Cajun Boiling Pot at 10th & Memorial was always a good time. And I always enjoyed the original S&J on Brookside. Sadly, I never made it to the re-boot downtown. Didn't sound like I was missing anything.

 

[Chris Harmon]

And I always enjoyed the original S&J on Brookside. Sadly, I never made it to the re-boot downtown. Didn't sound like I was missing anything.

You are correct. I even gave it two tries downtown, and it just wasn't the same.

 

[mcane]

Just reading this thread. I loved the 15th Street Wok and had a milestone birthday party there for 12. It reminds me that I frequented the 15th Street Grill (now in the Smoke space?), particularly when I was on an expense account dinner. Once started lunch there on Christmas Eve at 1:30 and finally exited in need of a cab as they gently nudged me and a friend out the door.

Also Pablos a Bistro and later Montrachet on Peoria.

The book - which I gave as gifts to former Tulsans - also mentioned Nine O Cups on Boston, which hosted many rock starts and wanna-be stars. And, the Middle Path Café, formerly the Golden Drumstick - now a gas station. Great building.

 

[Gmoney4WW]

Also Pablos a Bistro and later Montrachet on Peoria.

Montrachet's was a beautiful restaurant, went through a long and drawn out failure to reboot the restaurant when Rick Kamp took over IIRC.

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

Surprised Diamond Jack’s hasn’t been mentioned yet.

 

[Chris Harmon]

The Green Onion...Steak and Ale.

 

[TUTigerCane]

Molly Murphy's House of Fine Repute. I always liked to take out of town visitors there because it was so unique and outrageous. The waitstaff wore costumes like Apollo Creed, Teddy Roosevelt, Marx Brothers, etc.They would engage you outlandish conversation that could border on being rude, but it was part of the fun. The salad bar was made out of Rolls Royce. If you made the mistake of asking where the restrooms were, they would loudly announce to the whole restaurant that you needed a potty break and was there anyone else that needed to go. Then they would form a form a conga line that went from table to table picking up people as they went on their way to the bathrooms. When they brought you you bill it was always fun to tell the waiter or waitress that it was too much and haggle over the price. There was one on Sheridan, where Night Trips is now ( I'll leave it to someone else to review that one), and one in OKC. It went bankrupt in the 90's