Best Dinner
Whiskey Cake Kitchen & Bar
By Miguel Rios, editor-in-chief emeritus
Whiskey Cake, 1845 Northwest Expressway, serves locally-sourced American dishes made from scratch.
“Our primary purpose is to locally source as much as we can; that involves outreach to local farmers. It’s not just about produce and chicken and protein, but all of our goat cheese, all of our honey, all of our pecans, a lot of things that are available year-round we get locally as well,” said Scott Sharrer, vice president of operations.
Sharrer said a few signature dishes are the goat cheese fondue appetizer and the rotisserie “farm bird” entree. The restaurant also specializes in drinks.
“We have a whiskey library that’s one of the largest in the state. We are a craft cocktail house, too. We operate our bar in the style of the Prohibition, where everything is made from scratch. That’s how we operate our kitchen, too,” he said. “That’s our belief—that fresh food, that’s sourced as local as you can, that you make in-house, always tastes better.”
Sharrer said the reason people enjoy the restaurant so much is because they appreciate knowing where the food comes from, which is something they emphasize.
“There’s a lot of locally-inspired restaurants across the country, but not many that are as big as we are. I think people appreciate coming in and being able to get a table pretty quickly and have food they know is healthy because it’s been grown locally and is not loaded with chemicals,” he said.
Sharrer said his favorite thing about his job is helping his employees grow.
“There’s a lot of joy I get in the work I do. I love working with great food. I love working with great whiskey and wine, but this is the people business. I love taking a young, talented person and encouraging them to invest in themselves and watching them grow,” he said.
Their business hours are:
- Sunday: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Monday-Thursday: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- Friday: 11 a.m. to midnight (bar open until 1 a.m.)
- Saturday: 9 a.m. to midnight (bar open until 1 a.m.)
Best Late-Night Eat
Whataburger
By Associate Editor Sage Tokach
Whataburger, 5315 N. May Ave., is a fast food chain known for its burgers, chicken strips and honey butter chicken biscuits.
The restaurant began in 1950 in Texas, when Harmon Dobson had the idea to make a burger so large it took two hands to hold and so good customers would exclaim, “What a burger!”
Kate Berry, acting senior, said she enjoys eating at the fast food chain with friends.
“It’s God’s gift to anyone who wants to be happy,” Berry said. “Whataburger is always there for you when you’re sad or upset. It’s a place for memories.”
Bailey Youngs, acting senior, said she always goes to Whataburger late at night.
“It’s a hangover hub,” Youngs said.
Tyler Malinauskas, acting junior, said he views the restaurant as a religious experience.
“Whataburger is the manna sustenance that we don’t deserve,” Malinauskas said. “The honey butter chicken biscuit is what keeps you going when you can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. The 11th commandment is that ‘thou shalt have honey butter.’”
It is open 24 hours a day.
Best Brunch
syrup.
By Copy Editor Chandler White
syrup., 1501 N.W. 23rd St., is a brunch restaurant based in Norman and Oklahoma City, with a focus on waffles, pancakes and other breakfast foods.
syrup. began in 2012 at the Norman location, and the Oklahoma City location opened in September. Assistant Manager Jimmy Tuckett said the restaurant has had continued success since then.
“Oklahoma City is a brunch city, honestly,” Tuckett said. “There was room for a new brunch location, and our success on the weekends and during the week has shown that. We definitely fill up on the weekend, definitely got a little following of regulars, and we get new people in every week.”
Gareth Forsberg, acting sophomore, said the fact that some students work at syrup. is also an incentive to eat there.
“syrup. has a wonderful atmosphere, and we have student workers there, and off-campus jobs are very important, so supporting them makes me feel better,” Forsberg said.
Tuckett said he appreciates how much the university has taken a liking to syrup.
“We get a lot of OCU students in here, and we love serving them,” he said. “They like us so much, and we can’t wait to see more of them.”
Their business hours are:
- Monday-Friday: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Saturday-Sunday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Best Tea or Coffee
Classen Coffee Company
By Web Editor Nicole Waltman
Classen Coffee Company, 2515 N. Classen Ave., opened for business Aug. 21, 2016.
The coffee shop is housed in a renovated building that sat idle for 50 years, according to their website.
“We began with a passion for connecting coffee and culture,” according to their website. “We are a new shop in an old building that is founded on a desire to partner with local businesses and organizations to strengthen our community.”
The business prides itself on sharing land with the food pantry of Trinity Baptist Church, according to the website.
Some OCU students said the coffee shop is their favorite.
“Classen Coffee’s chai latte is a 10 out of 10 every time,” said Anna Caison Boyd, dance sophomore. “They have never let me down, and I’ve had so many: warm, iced or even frozen.”
Their menu has a variety of teas and coffees, as well as bottled drinks and snacks.
“I love the fact I can use my StarsCash, too,” Boyd said.
Classen Coffee has partnered with the university on some events such as Greek Life philanthropy fundraisers and Student Activities Council events. They also sponsored this year’s season of Out of the Box, a student-run theater troupe on campus.
“We’re so grateful to Classen Coffee for their support of student-produced theater,” said Amanda Miller, English junior and co-creative director of Out of the Box. “They help us in all kinds of ways, such as printing services, meeting spaces and even serving coffee at some of our events. As a committee, we love meeting at Classen Coffee because it’s a great space with great coffee and wonderful people.”
Their hours of operation are:
- Monday-Friday: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Saturday-Sunday: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Best Burger or Sandwich
The Mule
By Associate Web Editor Emily Wollenberg
The Mule, 1630 N. Blackwelder Ave., was created in 2012 as a casual environment for college students, according to owners Cody Rowan, John Harris and Joey Morris.
The restaurant offers “college staples” like grilled cheese and beer, the owners said.
“We’re close to OCU, and we love having the students come in and enjoy themselves,” Manager Reid Hoppe said.
The name came from a grandparent’s saying, Morris said.
“Don’t worry about the mule, just fill the cart,” he said.
Customers can enjoy specialty sandwiches like the “Macaroni Pony,” a sandwich filled with macaroni and cheese, or the “Herbivore,” a vegetarian sandwich with cashew cheese.
Appetizers include favorites like “Big Ass Poutine” and fried cheese curds. The restaurant also has a brunch menu, which features staples like the “Blue Plate,” a meal with two eggs over easy, home fries, bacon, and toast, or the “FYDH (for your damn hangover),” which has avocado, goat cheese, egg, and more on sourdough.
Alumna Monica Thompson said she loves the unique cuisine at The Mule.
“Most anyone can make a sandwich, but no one can make a fancy-pants sandwich like The Mule. It’s truly one of the most delicious sandwiches I have ever had. Gooey cheese, fresh ingredients, all with a funky spin, must be The Mule,” she said.
A full menu is available on their website. Hours of operation are:
- Sunday: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Monday: 5-10 p.m.
- Tuesday-Thursday: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Friday-Saturday: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Best Taco
Big Truck Tacos
By Community Manager Harrison Langford
Big Truck Tacos, 520 N.W. 23rd St., started as a food truck, which is how it got its name.
Their cuisine is most easily identified as “Mexican Street Food,” according to their website. Their notability in Oklahoma City has grown so large that they had to expand their kitchen in their second year. The restaurant also has 35,000 fans on Facebook.
“Big Truck is dope. They have a great veggie taco,” said Zoe Settle, acting senior. “’Crispy ’cado’ has to be my favorite dish, though.”
In 2010, Big Truck Tacos was featured on Food Network, where the owners, Kathryn Mathis, Cally Johnson and Chris Lower, were awarded $10,000 and a chance to compete on Food Network’s “Great Food Truck Race.”
Big Truck Tacos now has three food trucks that serve the Oklahoma City area.
Their hours of operation are:
- Monday-Thursday: 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Friday-Saturday: 7:30 a.m. to midnight.
- Sunday: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Best Dessert
Roxy’s Ice Cream Social
By Miguel Rios, editor-in-chief emeritus
Roxy’s Ice Cream Social, 1732 N.W. 16th St., mixes an old-fashioned, classic ice cream shop aesthetic with inventive, modern ice cream flavors. It began as a food truck, but is now a brick-and-mortar restaurant with three locations and a fourth one on the way.
“We did start as a food truck, and I think we had that three years before we opened our first brick and mortar. Whenever we first started the food truck, we were actually driving through neighborhoods with the music and everything and just selling ice cream to whoever stalked us, so it was really funny,” Owner Raena Mutz said.
Mutz said they also did many parties and school events with their truck before eventually opening their first store in the Plaza District.
“It’s been crazy going from a truck with just me and my husband running and owning that business to now we have 34 employees and we’re about to open our fourth location,” she said.
Roxy’s has locations in Market Square in Edmond and Oak Grove in Oklahoma City. Their fourth location will be in the Classen Curve area and will open sometime in May.
Some of their flavors are strawberry, pistachio, chocolate chip cheesecake, and “Mississippi Mud,” which is hand-chopped chocolate and marshmallows swirled in a marshmallow base. They also have ice cream sandwiches, root beer floats and seasonal flavors, depending on the time of the year.
Mutz said they do events with OCU, including participating in the food truck fair, which used to be a part of stress relief week, and helping Phi Mu sorority raise money for their philanthropy week. Some OCU students also work at Roxy’s.
“We’ve hired five or six people who go to OCU. So we have a couple currently going to OCU right now that’s on our staff,” she said. “We try to stay involved with OCU as much as we can.”
Their business hours are:
- Sunday-Thursday: Noon to 9:30 p.m.
- Friday-Saturday: Noon to 10:30 p.m.
Best Chicken
Chick-fil-A
By Miguel Rios, editor-in-chief emeritus
Chick-fil-A opened on campus March 7 after delays caused by construction permit issues. It offers a menu bigger than a Chick-fil-A Express, but smaller than a regular restaurant.
The original chicken sandwich recipe was created by the late founder Truett Cathy in 1964 by combining pickles and a toasted butter bun. The first restaurant opened in Atlanta in 1986 and their slogan, “Eat Mor Chikin,” debuted in 1995.
Chick-fil-A donates to food shelters and soup kitchens through their “Shared Table” program and also offers scholarships to their restaurant team members to help them pursue higher education. They are closed on Sundays to allow employees to rest or attend church.
Shannon Mariani, Chartwells district manager, was on campus for the grand opening of the Chick-fil-A. He said, despite the issues they ran into, he was proud of how smoothly the opening went.
“I talked to a bunch of students in line, and I said, ‘How are y’all doing?’ and they were super excited, every single student smiling and taking pictures in line,” he said. “I think every single person I talked to was excited that it was finally opened. They were happy, even though they were in line, they knew they were getting through that line pretty fast.”
Mariani spent some time on campus and said it was a unique, vibrant and happy place. He said he was proud they were able to bring a national brand to campus.
“What I’m seeing is that we really transformed that building down there,” he said. “We created a much more aesthetically pleasing environment, we’ve brought a national brand onto campus that’s nationally-renowned, and I think it means a lot that we brought that into campus. I’m very proud of that.”
Vance Klassen, music theater freshman, said the restaurant is an exciting addition to campus.
“It seems to work well with students who have busy schedules and can’t always make it to the caf within the designated hours,” Klassen said. “One thing that is a little upsetting is that the meal swipe option doesn’t include other items on the menu.”
A meal swipe can be used for a regular No. 1 Chick-fil-A chicken meal or the No. 3 eight-count Chick-fil-A nuggets meal, as well as any order up to $8.
“I’ve heard a lot of people say that they would love to see the grilled chicken sandwich added to that list as a slightly healthier alternative,” Klassen said.
The campus location’s hours are:
- Monday-Thursday: 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Friday: 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Saturday: 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- It is closed on Sunday.
Best Pizza
Empire Slice House
By Associate Editor Sage Tokach
Empire Slice House, 1734 N.W. 16th St., is a restaurant, bar and catering service in the Plaza District.
The pizza joint serves a large variety of drinks, appetizers, New York-style pies, and pizza by the slice. Aside from traditional flavors like cheese and pepperoni, Empire offers vegetarian pizza and specialty flavors like “Brussels Westbrook,” “Foghorn Leghorn” and “Ghostface Killah.” A slice of pizza fills one paper plate and costs $3.75.
Empire was created by Chef Avery Cannon and Veteran Operator Rachel Cope, who is an OCU alumna.
The restaurant’s slogan is, “It’s like Frank Sinatra and David Bowie had a pizza baby.” The venue is known for the pop culture posters plastered on its walls and the bright pink elephant statue stationed outside the front doors.
Zoe Settle, acting senior, said Empire’s affordable prices and late hours make it a popular destination for students.
“It’s the 21st birthday destination,” Settle said.
Libby White, entertainment business junior, said she has fond memories of Empire.
“My first date with my boyfriend was there, and we’re still together,” White said. “The ‘Figgy Stardust’ is my favorite pizza.”
Gabrielle Browdy, acting sophomore, said she appreciates that the restaurant accommodates dietary restrictions.
“I really love their gluten-free pizza,” Browdy said.
The restaurant is typically busy at dinner time, but customers can call ahead to reserve seats or get an estimate of the wait time.
Their hours are:
- Sunday: 11 a.m. to midnight
- Monday-Saturday: 11–2 a.m.
Best Sushi
Grand House
By Copy Editor Chandler White
Grand House, 2701 N. Classen Blvd., is a Chinese bistro with special selections in sushi and dim sum. It was founded in 1984 and began serving sushi in 2004. It now has a sushi happy hour on weekdays from 4-6 p.m.
Thai Tien, owner and founder of Grand House, said he considers it to be one of the best Chinese restaurants in the area.
“As far as we know, we are one of the best Chinese restaurants in Oklahoma City, and the only restaurant that serves dim sum on the weekends,” Tien said.
Madelynn Buckman, entertainment business junior, said, when she was vegan, she was still able to eat at Grand House because of their vegetarian sushi.
“I voted for Grand House because of their sushi happy hour, and it’s very close to campus, and I love sushi,” Buckman said. “I used to be vegan, and I went there, and I got their avocado rolls, and they were really good.”
Their business hours are:
- Sunday: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Monday-Thursday: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Friday: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- Saturday: 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Best Pho
Pho Lien Hoa
By Copy Editor Chandler White
Pho Lien Hoa, 901 N.W. 23rd St., is a Vietnamese restaurant that specializes in pho, a Vietnamese soup consisting of broth, rice noodles, a few herbs, and meat.
Lien Le, owner of the restaurant, said she and her husband, who were employees at the time, bought the business in 2000 when the original owners decided to sell it.
Le said she and her customers consider Pho Lien Hoa to be the best pho restaurant nationwide.
“We’re the best in Oklahoma,” Le said. “We’re the best everywhere in the United States. Customers come over and always tell me, ‘you’re the best.’”
Grace Babb, mass communications junior, said she enjoys the healthy options and affordable pricing.
“It’s one of my favorite restaurants. I frequent there quite a bit. It’s pretty good price-wise, and it has healthy choices too,” Babb said. “They have this banh mi that’s really good, which is like a Vietnamese sandwich.”
Le said the restaurant officials have plans to open a second location in Edmond on Memorial Road and Pennsylvania Avenue.
Pho Lien Hoa is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day.
Best Vegan or Vegetarian Option
Picasso Cafe
By Web Editor Nicole Waltman
Picasso Cafe, 3009 Paseo Drive, “a Humankind Hospitality Restaurant,” has a vast number of food options.
“Eating is a community experience. Like art, our restaurant is only as strong as the people who support it. We aren’t in the Paseo by accident. This place is home: filled with all walks of like-minded life that love to eat, drink and laugh the same way we do,” according to their website.
The restaurant is known for unique vegan and vegetarian dishes and their servicing of dietary needs.
“I think we have a great price point and lots of options,” said General Manager Marti Storie.
Picasso Cafe hosts quarterly vegetarian dinners, the next one premiering in July, Storie said.
“We try new things all the time,” she said. “We’re always trying something fun with the menu.”
Grace Nettrour, acting freshman, is a vegetarian and said she appreciates the variety she has to choose from at Picasso.
“I really like that there are so many vegetarian options, and they are all delicious,” Nettrour said. “I love that every time I go, I can try something new.”
The restaurant has six different menus that circulate through: a daily menu, drink menu, brunch menu, late night menu, weekly specials, and the veggie menu.
“I love the quinoa black bean burger because it’s the probably the best veggie burger I’ve ever had,” Nettrour said.
Students can call 405-602-2002 to make reservations.
“We’re not just local because of who owns the kitchen,” according to their website. “We buy our fresh ingredients from local folks, too. It’s our way of giving back to the same economy that keeps us going.”
Their hours are:
- Monday-Thursday: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Friday-Saturday: 11 a.m. to midnight
- Sunday Brunch: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Sunday Supper: 4-9 p.m.
Best Upscale Restaurant
Cheever’s Cafe
By Associate Web Editor Emily Wollenberg
Cheever’s Cafe, 2409 N. Hudson Ave., is a bistro offering Southwestern and Southern upscale food and a full bar.
The restaurant’s building was originally a family-owned flower shop for 71 years before it was converted into a restaurant in 1998.
“Cheever’s Cafe proudly retains the name of the family that made the location a part of Oklahoma City history, and we thank you for sharing in its present and future,” according to their website.
Serving brunch, lunch, dinner, and dessert, the menu includes quinoa avocado salad, grilled ribeye and giant carrot cake. The chefs also offer daily and nightly specials.
Gareth Forsberg and Andrea Strickler, acting sophomores, said they enjoy the environment of Cheever’s.
“I like Cheevers because the food is amazing, the service is wonderful and it has a great atmosphere,” Strickler said. “It’s also not too far from campus, which is nice.”
Forsberg said his college student budget keeps him from going more often.
“I think it’s really yummy and clean,” he said. “The only downside is the expensive prices.”
Reservations at Cheever’s can be made online or over the phone by calling 405-525-7007.
Cheever’s business hours are:
- Monday: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Tuesday-Thursday: 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
- Friday: 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
- Saturday: 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
- Sunday: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Best Food Truck
The Loaded Bowl
By Community Manager Harrison Langford
As the demand for vegan food increased in Oklahoma, The Loaded Bowl, 1211 S.W. 2nd St., became Oklahoma’s first vegan food truck in 2013.
Their mission is to provide conscious comfort food in an accessible and affordable way, according to their website.
In December 2016, The Loaded Bowl became popular enough in Oklahoma City to afford and open its own restaurant location. They serve customers through the restaurant, the food truck, catering, and wholesale ordering.
The Loaded Bowl creates their own recipes using plant-based foods and ethically-sourced ingredients, according to their website. They also compost, recycle and reuse as much of their waste as possible.
“Their cashew mac is the love of my life, and the whole restaurant is so eco-friendly,” said Gracie Lewis, acting senior.
Their hours are:
- Monday-Saturday: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Sunday: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Best Food Delivery
Postmates
By Community Manager Harrison Langford
Postmates is a food delivery company that can be used for almost any restaurant in the Oklahoma City area. The app is available on iPhone and Android devices.
Postmates’s mission is “to enable anyone to have anything delivered on-demand using our revolutionary Urban Logistics platform that connects customers with local couriers who deliver anything in minutes,” according to their website.
The service provides students with food on demand and helps students join the workforce.
“Postmates, along with its contemporaries, is a wonderful way to make money,” said Dawson MacLeod, acting junior and Postmates employee. “Driving is one of my favorite activities ever, so it was a no-brainer for me to join the fleet, and I’m so glad I did.”
Postmates has increased their activity in various other cities by allowing drivers to pick up items other than food. Fleet couriers in select cities around the U.S. may pick up items of convenience for customers. This service has yet to be implemented in full scale in Oklahoma City, but students can order from Walgreens and Green Bambino.
Best Place to Buy Groceries
Trader Joe’s
By Copy Editor Chandler White
Trader Joe’s, 6409 Avondale Dr., is a grocery store chain that originated in California.
It was founded in 1958 under the name “Pronto Market,” and then rebranded as “Trader Joe’s” in 1967. The Oklahoma City location was opened in September 2016 in Nichols Hills.
Kenya Friend-Daniel, director of public relations for Trader Joe’s, said the company is thankful that its OCU customers consider it the best grocery choice in the area.
“We’re always honored and excited when our customers choose us as one of their favorites,” Friend-Daniel said. “We really appreciate it and never take it for granted.”
Friend-Daniel said the standard of quality at Trader Joe’s can always be expected by its customers throughout the future of the store.
“People can always expect that we will always continue to listen to our customers and provide them with the products and the experience that they want and deserve,” she said. “That will never change.”
It is open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day.