AMERICAN

3301 S. Peoria Ave., 933-5366

/ $-$$ / L-D

J.L. Lewis, who worked at En Fuego, Ford’s Filling Station and Kampai Lounge in this location, took over the spot a year ago to launch his own concept. It has a sports-bar theme and a varied menu that includes sandwiches named after athletes with Oklahoma ties, pork loin, flat-iron steak and spicy appetizers.

JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE

4020 S. Memorial Drive, 622-2004

/ $$ / D

The chefs here put on a good show with knives and spatulas while preparing stir-fry dishes on the traditional teppan table, the flat grill stationed in front of wide-eyed diners. The shrimpand- scallops dinner, and the filet mignon with lobster are sizzlers. Tokyo Garden also has a sushi bar.

TEX-MEX

1629 E. 11th St., 584-0816

Not rated / $ / L-D

Ruby Rodrigues moved her little downtown restaurant to this location in 1951, and the recipes have been passed down through the decades. The neon vaquero

BARBEQUE

1125 S. Garnett Road, 439- 4460; three other locations.

/ $ / L-D

Big Daddy, a.k.a. Johnnie Ball, offers a man-sized feast that includes three meats and a couple of side dishes. Big, tender ribs and perfectly smoked brisket and chicken are outstanding. Baked potatoes are as big as hubcaps, and watch for all-you-can-eat catfish specials.

COMFORT

1638 S. Carson Ave., 592-0055

Not rated / $ / B-L

A patio, green lawn and vegetable garden sit just outside the wide windows that look out over the Arkansas River to the hills of west Tulsa in this restaurant inside Mansion House Apartments. Customers come for made-from-scratch dishes such as Swiss steak, meatloaf, fried catfish and shepherd’s pie, plus homemade desserts.

STEAKES, BUFFET

10934 E. 21st St., 437-3610

/ $ / L-D

Those who have trouble making decisions need to sharpen their focus when visiting Ryan’s Family Steak House. Selections include steak or seafood dinners, or for the famished, the mega buffet, where rotisserie chicken, pizza, chicken-pot pie, black-eyed pea salad and fried chicken are standard. Look for extra seafood Friday nights.