How This Guide Got Started
If you’re looking for Oklahoma City hole-in-the-wall restaurants, this guide is a collection of neighborhood diners, longtime local institutions, and under-the-radar places that may take a newcomer a little longer to discover.
Years ago, while showing homes around Oklahoma City, I found myself pointing out the small local restaurants we passed along the way.
They weren’t necessarily places a newcomer would find right away. They were the kind of spots you usually learn about after living here for a while — a neighborhood diner, a longtime family restaurant, or a little place tucked into a shopping center that locals already know.
Over time, those recommendations turned into this guide.
It’s simply a collection of Oklahoma City-area restaurants that may take a newcomer a little longer to discover, but are worth knowing about.
A Few Local Favorites
These are some of the longtime local spots, neighborhood restaurants, and under-the-radar places that helped inspire the guide.
Oklahoma City Hole-in-the-Wall Restaurants
There’s no strict formula for what belongs on this list. Some are neighborhood diners, some are longtime local institutions, and some are simply the kind of places you may not hear about until someone who knows the area points you in the right direction.
Diners, Burgers & Oklahoma Classics
Nic’s Grill
1201 N Pennsylvania Ave
Among the top burger joints in the USA! As seen on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.
Coney Island
240 SW 25th
The best coneys in OKC, and the price is right!
Grill on the Hill
324 SW 25th
New ownership post-Covid but still a good stop.
Sherri's Diner
704 SW 59th Street
Step straight back into the 1950s and enjoy some great food!
Around the Corner
11 S Broadway, Edmond
Wednesday is the meatloaf special day!
Good Gravy! Diner
8014 N Western, Oklahoma City
Chelio's Diner
1621 S I-35 Service Rd, Oklahoma City
You might want to watch Pulp Fiction before you go!
Beverly's Pancake House and Restaurant
3315 NW Expressway, Oklahoma City
It's not the old “Chicken-in-the-Rough,” but not bad.
Tim's Drive Inn
5037 N MacArthur, Oklahoma City
Try the Indian Taco for sure!
Pappy's Diner
207 S May Ave, Oklahoma City
Barbecue, Steaks & Southern
Earl's Rib Palace
6816 N Western
BBQ.
Ken's Steaks and Ribs
Main Street, Amber, OK
Best steaks in Oklahoma, worth the drive.
Eischen’s Bar
109 N 2nd, Okarche
The oldest bar in Oklahoma and great fried chicken.
Cattlemen’s Cafe
1309 S Agnew
Jimmy's Roundup Cafe and Fried Pies
1301 SW 59th Street
It's all about the rolls!
Kendall's Restaurant
100 Main St, Noble
Chicken fried steak and cinnamon rolls — cash only!
Florence's Restaurant
1437 NE 23rd Street, Oklahoma City
Pappy's BBQ
201 S May Ave, Oklahoma City
George's Happy Hog BBQ
712 Culbertson Dr, Oklahoma City
This is some of the best BBQ around the metro.
Mexican, Latin & Southwestern
Green Chilli Kitchen Route 66
12 E Main, Yukon
Enrique's
Ponca City Airport Terminal
Best Mexican — not Tex-Mex — in Oklahoma. Try the #12 green chile chicken enchiladas.
Chelino’s
4221 S Robinson Ave
Big Truck Tacos
530 NW 23rd Street
Tacoville
3502 Newcastle Rd
Cash only.
Café Kacao
3325 N Classen Blvd
Guatemalan breakfast house and one of the best Sunday brunches in the city!
El Coyote New Mexican Cuisine & Cantina
925 W Britton Rd, Oklahoma City
Asian & International
The Snow Pea
6600 N Western
Fried rice — order the F-2 “extra spicy” and tell them Bill sent you!
Papa Dio's
10712 N May
Italian.
Tamashii Ramen House
321 NW 8th St, Oklahoma City
Cafe 7
14101 N May Ave
Be sure to try the egg roll in a bowl!
Pha Ka Thai & Japanese Cuisine
1012 NW 150th St, Edmond
Cafés, Breakfast & Neighborhood Favorites
Stray Dog Cafe
6722 NW 38th, Bethany
The popcorn appetizer is worth the trip. Try the Stray Dog Special!
Mama E's Waffles & Wings
4500 S Sunnylane Rd
As seen on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.
Cheever's Cafe
2409 N Hudson
In a historic flower shop. Best chicken fried steaks.
Kaiser's Ice Cream
1039 N Walker, Oklahoma City
Geronimo's Bakery
1817 N Martin Luther King, Oklahoma City
Go on a nice day because you have to eat outside. Great burgers!
Cafe Sol
2125 NW 178th, Edmond
Great authentic cuisine.
Anton's Craft Kitchen
2610 W Memorial Rd, Oklahoma City
Worth the Drive
Roosters Cafe
12950 E Britton Rd, Jones
Sid's Diner
300 S Choctaw, El Reno
You're at the onion burger capital of the world!