2012 year in review: Restaurant edition
BY SCOTT CHERRY World Restaurant Critic
Thursday, December 27, 2012
12/28/12 at 8:14 AM
Had someone asked me a few days ago what was the largest number of new restaurants serving a particular style of food I reviewed over the past year, I would have said barbecue, hands down. Then probably burgers/sandwiches/hot dogs right behind.
I would have been wrong. Very wrong.
After going through every Weekend section printed in 2012 and making list after list - with the help of my two mature house cats, who like to nap on my lists - I learned I had reviewed more new Mexican and Asian places, nine each, than any other cuisine.
It turned out I reviewed eight new barbecue spots, though two already have closed, and seven sandwich shops.
In all, I reviewed 144 restaurants, including 70 new ones. The following ratings include only those 70 restaurants.
The year probably had more high-profile openings than any I can remember, if for no other reason than the return of S&J Oyster Co., Nelson's Buffeteria, Mondo's Italiano Ristorante, Knotty Pine Barbeque, Phat Philly's and Great Harvest Bread Co., all of which had been closed for varying lengths of time.
Upscale openings were thin, but I reviewed many very good restaurants, which made the ratings difficult. I could make a case for most of the honorable mentions joining the Top 10.
It's important to remember the ratings include only new restaurants that opened in 2012 or late 2011, and may or may not reflect the number of stars awarded at the time of the review.
We had a flurry of openings in late December this year, and those restaurants will go on the 2013 ledger.
It sure would be nice to award some ties - like co-champions - but as I've said each year, I'm not a tie kind of guy. So, here goes:
TOP 10
The hummus plate is just one selection at Beck's Fresh Mediterranean. JAMES GIBBARD / Tulsa World
1. Beck's Fresh Mediterranean
Not a high-profile opening and somewhat hidden in Copper Mountain Shopping Center next to Windsor Market, this cozy restaurant delivers fabulous food from chef-proprietor James Beck. How long can it be a hidden gem?
STEPHEN PINGRY/Tulsa World file
2. oui3
Veteran chef and restaurateur Ouida Merrifield, along with daughter Karen Eddy and granddaughter Allison Goss, put a smart ambience and menu in Brookside.
JAMES GIBBARD / Tulsa World file
3. The Vault
Libby and Jeramy Auld turn a long-closed downtown drive-in bank building into one of the most fun places to hang out and dine this year, or any year.
MATT BARNARD / Tulsa World file
4. R Bar & Grill
No matter where he is cooking, chef Trevor Tack always offers an approachable menu that fits the mood. The upscale pub food here never disappoints.
MIKE SIMONS / Tulsa World file
5. Naples Flatbread & Wine Bar
No one has the breadth and depth of gourmet flatbreads to go with pizzas and Italian entrees than this import from Florida.
JAMES GIBBARD / Tulsa World file
6. Oklahoma Joe's Bar-B-Cue
Joe Davidson is world-renowned for developing smokers and for the barbecue restaurant he helped found in Kansas City. Now, he's here, in Broken Arrow and Cain's Ballroom, and we love it.
MATT BARNARD / Tulsa World file
7. Edward Delk's
It's the kind of intimate gathering place one expects to find in the middle of a big city. A Deco District original.
STEPHEN PINGRY / Tulsa World file
8. Mondo's Italiano Ristorante
The Aloisio family brings back jumbo raviolis and all the other favorites at their new spot in Brookside.
JAMES GIBBARD / Tulsa World file
9. S&J Oyster Co.
Former employees, with founder Howard Smith looking over their shoulders, recapture the charm of the longtime popular Cajun-style restaurant.
STEPHEN PINGRY / Tulsa World file
10. Trang Le
Trang Le, who cooked with brother Binh Le and brother-in-law Ri Le for two decades, sets up her own Vietnamese restaurant in Broken Arrow.
MICHAEL WYKE / Tulsa World file
Honorable mention
Akira Sushi Bar (Owasso), Antoinette Baking Co., Dex's Mexican Grill, Chuy's, Hanging Table (Sapulpa), Jalapeno Loco, Knotty Pine Barbeque (Broken Arrow), La Madeleine Country French Cafe, Lola's Gypsy Caravan, Nelson's Buffeteria, Phat Philly's, SushiHana Japanese Fusion.
ASIAN
1. Trang Le
SushiHana Japanese Fusion CORY YOUNG / Tulsa World file
2. SushiHana Japanese Fusion
3. Akira Sushi Bar, Owasso
4. Yasaka Japanese Steakhouse
5. Hibachi Grill & Super Buffet
6. Pho V-Nam & Vietnamese Sandwich
7. Yummy Asia, Bixby
8. Kuai Zi, Broken Arrow
9. Flame Broiler
BARBECUE
1. Oklahoma Joe's Bar-B-Cue, Broken Arrow/Tulsa
2. Knotty Pine Barbeque, Broken Arrow
3. KC Smokehouse Bar-B-Que
4. Capp's BBQ
5. Smokies Hickory House BBQ, Broken Arrow
6. Bayou Blu BBQ, Sand Springs-Prattville
MEXICAN
1. Jalapeno Loco. Dominga Compton lures diners with wonderful Mexican fare despite odd hours and being located on a shooting range.
Gran Patron, Owasso Tulsa World file
2. Gran Patron, Owasso. Called Luna de Noche when first reviewed, this restaurant adds an upscale flavor to the Mexican food scene.
3. Dex's Mexican Grill
4. Chuy's
5. Las Americas Latin Grill & Tequila Bar
6. Fiesta Cozumel
7. Los Tequileros, Broken Arrow
8. Costa Vida
9. La Boca Loca
BURGER/SANDWICH/HOT DOG
1. Phat Philly's. Philly sandwiches, beer and late, late weekend hours near downtown.
2. River City Grill, Sand Springs-Prattville
3. Five Guys Burgers and Fries
4. Billy & Ike's
5. Jay's Hoagies
6. Muscle Maker Grill
7. Mooyah
WELCOME BACK
Oldies but goodies return to the restaurant scene.
1. Mondo's Ristorante
2. S&J Oyster Co
3. Phat Philly's
4. Nelson's Buffeteria
5. Great Harvest Bread Co.
BUFFETS
1. Hard Rock Buffet, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Catoosa
2. Osage Casino
3. Reasor's Redbud Cafe, Bixby
BAKERY/CAFE
1. La Madeleine Country French Cafe
2. Antoinette Baking Co.
3. LifeCAfe @ LifeTime Fitness, Bixby
COFFEE SHOP
1. Oh My Coffee, Bixby
2. Foolish Things
3. Daily Brew, Sand Springs
DINER
1. Nelson's Buffeteria
2. Darby's
3. Boom-a-rang Diner, Sand Springs
AMERICAN
1. R Bar & Grill
Edward Delk’s MATT BARNARD / Tulsa World file
2. Edward Delk's
3. Hanging Table, Sapulpa
4. White Swan Smokehouse
5. Lakeside Grill, Skiatook
EXPANSION
These restaurants added new locations in 2012.
1. Oklahoma Joe's Bar-B-Cue @ Cain's Ballroom
2. Fat Guy's Burger Bar
3. Apple Barrel Cafe, Broken Arrow
TAKEOUT
1. Ramsey's Steak & Grill Delivery
2. My Fit Foods
3. Bayou Blu BBQ, Sand Springs-Prattville
NEW BOSS
These restaurants had new owners.
The Spudder TOM GILBERT/Tulsa World file
1. Spudder
2. Family Back Creek Deli, Broken Arrow
3. Stonewood Coffee & Cafe
BIG SURPRISE
These weren't new restaurants, but I first reviewed them in 2012, and each delivered some big surprises.
1. Sandite Billiards & Grill. Terrific steaks, bargain prices inside pool hall.
2. Route 66 Diner @ Sinclair Travel Center. Breakfast rib-eye is a stunner.
Supermercados Morelos STEPHEN PINGRY/Tulsa World file
3. Supermercados Morelos. Flavorful quick-serve Mexican food, great prices and multicultural crowd.
SUPERMARKET DELI
1. Fresh Market
2. Green Acres Market, Jenks
OPEN AND SHUT
These restaurants opened and closed before end of the year.
- Action Erection Beer & BBQ
- Fish Tale Grill, Broken Arrow
- Charlie's BBQ
- Two Goodfellas
MISC.
- Lola's Gypsy Caravan. Lola Palazzo's unique preparations served out of an Airstream trailer.
- Casanova's. Top-notch Venezuelan cuisine.
Sinbad’s Rotisserie Chicken JAMES GIBBARD/Tulsa World
- Sindbad's Rotisserie Chicken, Broken Arrow. Middle Eastern/American.
- Raw Intentions, Broken Arrow. Raw foods cuisine.
LOOKING AHEAD
These restaurants opened in December or are expected to open in January and will be reviewed in 2013.
The Alley, Phoenix Cafe, Hodges Bend, Chimera Cafe, Oklahoma Roadhouse (Broken Arrow), Einstein Bros. Bagels, Prhyme Downtown Steakhouse, Laffa Medi-Eastern Restaurant & Bar, Pi Pizzeria & Craft Beer, Dairy Queen (Broken Arrow)
WHERE TO FIND THEM
Akira Sushi Bar
9455 N. Owasso Expressway, Owasso
918-376-6115
Antoinette Baking Co.
3305 S. Peoria Ave.
918-808-0875
Apple Barrel Café
3806 S. Elm Place, Broken Arrow
918-286-3300
Bayou Blu BBQ
11290 W. 51st St., Sand Springs (Prattville)
918-245-4011
Beck's Fresh Mediterranean
6808 S. Memorial Drive
918-994-4110
Billy & Ike's
5209 S. Sheridan Road
918-236-4816
Boom-a-rang Diner
120 N. Main St., Sand Springs
918-245-1502
Capp's BBQ
2604 E. 11th St.
918-640-6977
Casanova's
10915 E. 31st St.
918-622-1350
Chuy's
10808 E. 71st St.
918-252-0405
Costa Vida
6746 S. Memorial Drive
918-451-0336
Daily Brew
2 E. Broadway, Sand springs
918-245-4278
Darby's
11720 E. 11th St.
918-439-3500
Dex's Mexican Grill
3148 E. 11th St.
918-938-6180
Edward Delk's
427 S. Boston Ave.
918-770-4388
Fat Guy's Burger Bar
7945 S. Memorial Drive
918-893-2232
Fiesta Cozumel
2165 S. Sheridan Road
918-835-7300
Five Guys Burgers and Fries
9635 Riverside Parkway
918-296-5509
Flame Broiler
5355 E. 41st St.
918-728-8900
Foolish Things Coffee Co.
1001 S. Main St.
918-857-2326
Fresh Market
8015 S. Yale Ave.
918-477-7838
Gran Patron
9500 N. 129th East Ave., Owasso
918-274-7012
Great Harvest Bread Co.
5203 S. Sheridan Road
918-878-7878
Green Acres Market
117 S. Seventh St., Jenks
918-209-5900
Hanging Table
1 S. Main St., Sapulpa
918-804-5330
Hard Rock Buffet
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
777 W. Cherokee St., Catoosa
918-266-4324
Hibachi Grill & Super Buffet
8110 E. 74th Place
918-250-0110
Jay's Hoagies
8988 S. Sheridan Road
918-488-8866
Jalapeno Loco
@ U.S. Shooting Academy
6500 E. 66th St. North
918-359-3049
KC Smokehouse Bar-B-Que
7020 S. Memorial Drive
918-455-0450
Knotty Pine Barbeque
1425 W. Kenosha St., Broken Arrow
918-258-0005
Kuai Zi
6436 S. Elm Place, Broken Arrow
918-893-6996
Lakeside Grill
12305 CrossTimbers Marina Cove, Skiatook Lake
918-288-2300
La Boca Loca
601 S. Boston Ave.
918-592-2622
La Madeleine Country French Café
1523 E. 15th St.
918-710-2105
Las Americas Latin Grill & Tequila Bar
4532 E. 51st St.
918-779-7795
LifeCafe
At LifeTime Fitness
10642 S. Memorial Drive
918-364-8500
Lola's Gypsy Caravan
1347 E. 11th St.
918-269-6076
Los Tequileros Mexican Grill & Cantina
1500 W. Kenosha St., Broken Arrow
918-258-2966
Mondo's Ristorante
3410 S. Peoria Ave.
918-561-6300
Mooyah
6921 S. Lewis Ave.
918-938-7077
Muscle Maker Grill
7464 S. Olympia Ave.
918-794-6777
My Fit Foods
1601 E. 15th St.
918-592-1620
Naples Flatbread & Wine Bar
4929 E. 71st St.
918-794-1600
Atlas Grill
Nelson's Buffeteria
4401 S. Memorial Drive
918-236-4655
Oh My Coffee Co.
13160 S. Memorial Drive, Bixby
918-394-1230
Oklahoma Joe's Bar-B-Cue
333 W. Albany St., Broken Arrow
918-355-0000
Osage Casino
951 W. 36th St. North
918-699-7614
oui3
3509 S. Peoria Ave.
918-576-6888
Phat Philly's
1305 S. Peoria Ave.
918-382-7428
Pho V-Nam & Vietnamese Sandwich
8122 S. Harvard Ave.
918-574-2888
R Bar & Grill
3421 S. Peoria Ave.
918-392-4811
Ramsey’s Steak & Grill Delivery MICHAEL WYKE/Tulsa World file
Ramsey's Steak & Grill Delivery
2606 S. Sheridan Road
918-619-6161
Raw Intentions
848 S. Aspen Ave., Broken Arrow
918-994-7299
Reasor's Redbud Café
11116 S. Memorial Drive
918-970-4902
River City Grill
1 W. 41st St., Sand Springs
918-245-7444
Route 66 Diner
At Sinclair Travel Center
16141 E. Skelly Drive
918-437-8300
Rusty Crane
104 N. Detroit Ave.
918-947-5454
S&J Oyster Co.
308 E. First St.
918-938-7933
Sandite Billiards $ Grill
7822 Parkway Blvd., Sand Springs
918-245-2859
Sindbad's Rotisserie Chicken
514 N. Elm Place, Broken Arrow
918-259-0083
Smokies Hickory House BBQ
5251 E. Kenosha St., Broken Arrow
918-357-1113
Supermercados Morelos
5147 S. Peoria Ave.
918-712-3222
2119 S. Garnett Road
918-794-2578
SushiHana Japanese Fusion
9904 Riverside Drive
918-528-6688
The Vault
620 S. Boston Ave.
918-948-6767
Trang Le
723 N. Aspen Ave., Broken Arrow
918-994-7676
White Swan Smokehouse
5646 S. Mingo Road
918-893-3483
Yasaka Japanese Steakhouse
9205 E. 71st St.
918-249-0009
Yummy Asia
10903 S. Memorial Drive, Bixby
918-394-5555
Associated Images:
Owners Jeramy and Libby Auld enjoy time in the tom tom room at The Vault. JAMES GIBBARD / Tulsa Wold
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