Bassmaster: Downtown
BY JASON ASHLEY WRIGHT World Scene Writer
Thursday, February 21, 2013
2/21/13 at 5:13 AM
Bassmaster Classic coverage: Read preview stories, take a Google Earth video tour of Grand Lake and watch interviews with the competitors.
Once upon a time, during the heady oil-boom days, Tulsa was the place to shop, dine and play.
But the oil bust of the ’80s
started shriveling up the
legendary department stores,
and some art deco structures
succumbed to the wrecking
ball.
Several years ago, though,
growth returned, with interest
renewed in living in and
around the downtown area —
and playing, too.
One of the most recognizable
additions to the skyline
is the César Pelli-designed
BOK Center, ranked 17th nationally
and 45th worldwide
in arena ticket sales last year.
The BOK Center will host
daily weigh-ins for the 2013
Bassmaster Classic presented
by Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Tulsa, with the nearby,
recently renovated Tulsa
Convention Center holding
the Classic Outdoors Expo.
Despite that aforementioned
wrecking ball, Tulsa
still boasts one of the country’s
largest collections of
art deco architecture, such
as Boston Avenue United
Methodist Church, and the
Philcade and Public Service
of Oklahoma buildings,
among many more.
Dozens of hot spots can be
explored, all within walking
distance from one another,
from cocktail bars and dance
clubs to casual grub and fine
dining, providing any number
of ways to assure your
visit to Tulsa has a happy
ending.
Breakfast — B Lunch — L Dinner — D Late Night — LN
1. ATLAS GRILL
415 S. Boston Ave., 918-583-3111
Try the chorizo burrito for breakfast
(and ask for their awesome green
salsa), or ask about the day’s lunch
special (and Emily’s cake balls). (B,
L daily)
2. BAXTER’S INTERURBAN GRILL
717 S. Houston Ave., 918-585-3134
Start with the stuffed mushrooms,
then mull over the sour cream
chicken enchiladas or Cajun
chicken pasta. (L, Monday-Friday; D,
Monday-Saturday)
3. BILLY’S ON THE SQUARE
424 S. Main St., and in the BOK Center
918-583-8703
Can’t go wrong with the mushroom
swiss burger with fries or onion rings.
Ditto for the chicken club sandwich.
(L, Monday-Friday on Main Street;
when BOK Center is open)
4. BOK CENTER
200 S. Denver Ave., 918-894-4200
One of the world’s top-selling arenas
and hub of activity during the Bassmaster
Classic.
5. BOSTON AVENUE GRILL
15 E. Fifth St., 918-392-7171
The B&B and Signature salads rock,
as do the veggie quesadillas. (B, L
Monday-Friday)
6. THE BOULDER GRILL
17 W. Seventh St., 918-585-5898
Try the shrimp and grits to start with,
then move on to either the fish tacos
or penne pesto pasta (add chicken).
(B, L, D daily)
7. CASA LAREDO
403 S. Cheyenne Ave., 918-591-3998
Our favorite is the spinach quesadilla
(and a frozen margarita, of course).
(L, D daily)
8. CELLAR DWELLER
417 W. Seventh St.
Just follow the brass banister downstairs to this low-key, smoke-free bar
with great drinks. (LN daily)
9. THE CHALKBOARD RESTAURANT
1324 S. Main St., 918-582-1964
Nestled in the lower level of the
elegant Ambassador Hotel, The
Chalkboard serves small plates and
full entrees — like the wonderful portabello
and ricotta-stuffed ravioli or
seared diver scallops. (B, L, D daily)
10. CLUB MAJESTIC
124 N. Boston Ave., 918-584-9494
The oldest dance club in the
downtown area, Majestic caters to
the GLBT community but welcomes
anyone. (LN Thursday-Saturday)
11. CONEY ISLAND
123 W. Fourth St., 918-587-2821
The “cheese special” consists of
three cheese coneys, plus a soda. Try
it with chili, mustard and onions for
free. (L, D Monday-Friday)
12. COURTYARD DELI
413 S. Boston Ave., 918-587-3354
The three cheese and avocado is
deservedly popular, but ask about
the specials. (B, L Monday-Friday)
13. DAILY GRILL
100 E. Second St., 918-295-7748
Have the Cobb omelet for breakfast
and come back later for the amazing
blackened Ahi tuna salad. (B, L, D)
14. DALESANDRO’S
1742 S. Boston Ave., 918-582-1551
This Italian restaurant is renowned
for its Caesar salad, oliva olio pasta
and, on weekends, amazing swordfish.
(D Tuesday-Saturday)
15. DOUBLESHOT COFFEE
1730 S. Boston Ave., 918-599-7700
Excellent, fresh-roasted coffee and
an eye-opening espresso, as well as
tasty baked goods. (B, L daily)
16. EDWARD DELK’S RESTAURANT & BAR
427 S. Boston Ave., 918-770-4388
The fancy-grilled cheese and Delk’s
fried-egg-topped B.E.L.T. are our
picks — plus the Pear Old-Fashioned.
(L, Monday-Friday; D, LN Monday-
Saturday)
17. ELOTE CAFE
514 S. Boston Ave., 918-582-1403
Check out the Smokin’ Hot quesadilla
with free-range chicken or Elote’s
signature puffy tacos. (L, D Monday-
Saturday)
18. FOOLISH THINGS COFFEE CO.
1001 S. Main St., 918-857-2326
Wake up with a double espresso
or iced mocha, or chow down with
a salad or sandwich (such as their
pesto-prosciutto). (B daily; L, D
Sunday-Friday)
19. THE FULL DECO
15 E. Fifth St., 918-231-0028
Visit this cool little convenience
store-gift shop, and find Made in
Oklahoma products, plus jewelry by
locals Robin Tilly and Melanie Fry. (7
a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Friday; 10 a.m.-7
p.m. Saturday)
20. GRAND SELECTIONS
309 S. Main St., 918-583-0510
Our favorites: Oriental chicken salad,
chicken Caesar wrap and, for dessert,
their famous gooey bar. (L Monday-
Friday)
21. LA BOCA LOCA
601 S. Boston Ave. 918-592-2622
The tender chili verde is amazing, and
the chicken tortilla soup is among the
best in town. (L, Sunday-Friday; LN
Thursday-Sunday)
22. MAYO HOTEL
115 W. Fifth St., 918-582-6296
A luxuriously refurbished icon, the
Mayo’s highlights are the rooftop bar
and its restaurant, Trula, downstairs.
23. MAZZIO’S
421 E. 11th St., 918-664-4444 (delivery)
A Tulsa-based pizza chain, Mazzio’s
has a large location in the terra cottatowered
Warehouse Market building,
one of many examples of Tulsa’s art
deco architecture. (L, D daily)
24. MERCURY LOUNGE
1747 S. Boston Ave.
Billed as “the nicest dive bar around,”
this converted gas station frequently
showcases live, original music, plus
a drinking patio, fireplace and pool
table. (LN daily)
25. MOD’S COFFEE AND CREPES
507 S. Boston Ave., 918-582-6637
Sinfully amazing gelato in myriad
flavors, plus mouth-watering crepes,
both sweet and savory. (B, L Monday-
Saturday; D, Tuesday-Saturday)
26. SHEENA’S BAKERY & DELI
9 E. Fifth St., 918-584-1772
Great muffins, cinnamon rolls and
scones for breakfast, with sandwiches
and salads (and great cookies) for
lunch. (B, L Monday-Friday)
27. STEAKFINGER HOUSE
403 S. Boulder Ave., 918-584-0454
This local legend serves — surprise
— awesome steak fingers (don’t
forget the gravy), plus yummy oldfashioned
burgers. (B, L Monday-
Friday)
28. THE SUSHI PLACE
115 W. Third St., 918-574-8518
Enjoy fresh sushi and friendly
service. Order the ika salad with
either their signature 918 Crunch
roll or Red Peak Roll. Or both. (L, D
Monday-Saturday)
29. TABOULI’S
414 S. Main St., 918-599-8220
Great gyros meat, chicken kabobs
and, of course, tabouli. Don’t forget
a piece of baklava for dessert. (L,
Monday-Friday)
30. TERI’S CONEY ISLAND
3 E. Fifth St., 918-582-6639
Specialties include three-way chili,
Frito pie and — Wednesday through
Friday — a brisket sandwich and
wrap. (L, Monday-Friday)
31. TI AMO
219 S. Cheyenne Ave., 918-592-5151
Among our favorites at this Italian
eatery are the calamari fritti, linguine
pescatore and penne Toscana. (L,
Monday-Sunday; D Friday-Sunday)
32. TOPECA COFFEE, MAYO HOTEL
115, W. Fifth St., 918-592-9090
Some of the best coffee you’ll ever
taste from a family renowned in the
coffee industry — and one of the few
companies in the world that controls
its coffee beans from the time
they’re planted to the time they’re
roasted. (B, L, D)
33. TREEHOUSE
1738 S. Boston Ave.
This live-music venue and bar
boasts more than 60 beers in a
relaxed atmosphere. (LN Tuesday-
Sunday)
34. VINTAGE 1740 WINE BAR
1740 S. Boston Ave., 918-582-0700
Decorated in eclectic antique furniture,
this cozy bar offers a great selection
of wines, beer and cocktails.
(4 p.m.-close Monday-Saturday)
Associated Images:
A latte is served at Foolish Things Coffee Co., which also servesa few salads and sandwiches for lunch and dinner Sunday throughFriday. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World file
Atlas Grill sits off the first-floor lobby of the ornate Atlas LifeBuilding. TOM GILBERT/Tulsa World file
A theta burger, onion rings and fries from Billy’s on the SquareSTEPHEN PINGRY/Tulsa World file
Waffles with fresh berries is one of the items found on AtlasGrill’s weekend brunch menu. MICHAEL WYKE/Tulsa World file
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