Local Eats & Drinks

food-ie (noun) - a person having an avid interest in food.

Yes, I am a foodie (despise the word, love the concept).  I love trying new restaurants and foods.  Thankfully, I live in Tulsa, which means I can indulge my hobby at least once a week as long as my pocketbook agrees.  And for my money - it's hard to beat the local joints.  Below is a list of some of my favorite places and why.

Cosmo's (33rd & Peoria) - to be honest, I think the original place had a more relaxed vibe but it's still hard to beat this neighborhood hang out.  They don't allow sports on the TV, they do frequent "theme" nights (The Big Lebowski night, Speakeasy night, etc), they have board games you can play and the menu offers a HUGE selection of sandwhiches and salads and everything always taste so fresh!  But more than anything else - they have the BEST bloody mary in town.  The best!  Plus, this one time, I was quoted on their menu.  So I've got that going for me.

El Guapo's Cantina (1st & Elgin) - Tulsa's only roof top restaurant, El Guapo's is part of Elliot Nelson's bid to take over the world (ok, maybe just downtown Tulsa).  The food is great, the staff is the friendliest, and the atmosphere is amazing.  And on Tuesday nights, you can get street tacos for $1.  Now how great is that?

McNellie's Tavern (1st & Elgin) - Ahhh....McNellie's.  Everyone knows about McNellie's.  They have the coolest bar atmosphere going and the largest selection of beers in the region (350 and growing).  Their burger is pretty good, especially on Wednesdays ($3 burger night) and the sweet potato fries are something to write home about.  Crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside.

Dalesandro's (18th & Boston) - If I'm in the mood for Italian food, there is no other place I can think of other than Dalesandro's (Ciao on Brookside runs a close 2nd).  Dalesandro's first opened in Skiatook, moved downtown and now they have a new, spacious place at SoBo.  The menu is fairly small but they have everything you could hope for and the food is fresh!  And as an extra perk - Vintage 1740 is right next door - Tulsa's most hip wine bar.  Except for Valkyrie, which isn't really a wine bar but rather a bar that serves some of the best drinks in town.

The Rusy Crane (1st & Detroit) - the motto of this restaurant is "Be Here" and I think that pretty much sums it up.  The food is fresh and tasty and the menu is varied - suitable to every palate including my one and only vegetarian friend.  And for a refreshing change of pace, they offer "no crash lunches" - lunch entrees that are guaranteed to give you energy throughout the day.  But be warned - the service is.....well, let's just say not good.






The Brook (34th & Peoria) - Mac & Cheese.  That is all.

Yokozuna (2nd & Detroit) - featuring a diverse menu of Pan-Asian food, they have some of the best sushi going.  Fun, different sushi rolls (hello, Hot Mess) and a fun atmosphere, Yokozuna is my go-to place for sushi.  Plus, they offer happy hour on their rolls from 3pm-6pm Monday - Friday, and 10pm-midnight on Friday and Saturday.  Granted, I have to plan accordingly and take a nap if I'm going to be out past 10:00pm, but it's worth it.

Fat Guy's Burgers (1st & Greenwood) - located adjacent to Driller's Stadium, this burger place serves the BEST burgers around.  Thin patties, intriguing toppings (peanut butter?), great french fries - it's nirvana!

Brother's Houligan (15th & Atlanta) - if you're looking for a classy setting and fine dining, just turn around and leave.  The Bros Houligan is all about comfort food and by comfort food, I really mean everything is fried and served with a side of gravy.  I've tried just about everything on the menu and although the chicken fried steak is super-yummy, it's the chicken livers that keep bringing me back.  Yes, chicken livers.  They're awesome and tasty and I don't care that it's an organ meat.  Get over it.

Vintage 1740 (17th & Boston) - I love this place.  Small space, intimate feel, velvet couches, great drink selection - what's not to like???

Valkyrie (13 E. Brady) - this new bar opened this past summer and already it's one of my new favorite places.  The decor is pretty industrial with an open floor plan, but it stll feels warm and cozy.  The premise is a continuously rotating selection of wines, beers, and cocktails based on the seasons.  And you won't fine bottled anything here - the fruit juice is squeezed daily, and all other ingredients (such as grenadine) are made in house.





So that's it - my Top 11, if you will.  So what's your favorite place to grab some sustenance?  If you always find yourself at a chain - branch out!!  Support your local business owners!!  Try something new.  Start creating your own Top 10 list today.