We’ve all had moments where we dissed a restaurant because it looked underwhelming on the outside. However, once we got word from friends that it had incredible food, we put aside our preconceived ideas, gave it a try, and soon realized we were missing out on some of the best food around. If you’re looking for more of these unassuming hidden gems, here are 11 that you’ll want to add to your Oklahoma dining bucket list.
- Rockin A Cafe, Boise City
RoadMode/Tripadvisor
RockinACafe/Facebook This little diner is located in Oklahoma’s Panhandle and offers delicious American food along with a few Mexican staple dishes. Make sure to try their specialty shake - Choco-Cherry Cow - a mix of Dr. Pepper, chocolate syrup, milk and ice.
- Weber’s Root Beer, Tulsa
Roger R/Yelp
Matthew H/Yelp As the longest running business in the Brookside area of Tulsa, Weber’s Root Beer has been serving mouthwatering burgers, famous onion rings and root beer since 1933. Their amazing root beer is still made with the same 14 all-natural ingredients as it was when the recipe was developed in the late 1800s.
- The Diner, Norman
Regina C/Yelp
TheDinerNorman/Facebook This unassuming diner was featured on Diners Drive-ins and Dives and is open early for breakfast lovers and stays open thru the lunch hours. Whether you go for the blueberry pancakes or the chicken fried steak, you won’t be disappointed because everything is delicious.
- Leo’s Barbecue, Oklahoma City
LeosBarbecue/Facebook
LeosBarbecue/Facebook Voted the best bbq joint in Oklahoma in 2016 by Thrillst.com, Leo’s Barbecue is the place to go for mouthwatering bbq in the state. The restaurant has been located in a refurbished gas station since 1974 and they still serve their secret bbq sauce alongside their award-winning smoked meats.
- Punkin’s BBQ and Catfish, Pauls Valley
PunkinsBBQandCatfish/Facebook
Jerald B/yelp Located in the little town of Pauls Valley in southern Oklahoma, Punkin’s BBQ and Catfish is a favorite in the community for delectable foods such as bbq, catfish, chicken fried steak, Frito pie and much more. And if you’re a pickle lover (like me) then you have to try the pickle bar…because no meal is complete without pickles:)
- Flos Burger Diner, Catoosa
Scott P/Yelp
flosburgerdiner/Facebook When Flos opened its doors in June 2014 it didn’t take long for word to spread how amazing the burgers tasted. Just look at the size of the Bomb Burger Deluxe…and it tastes just as good as it looks! Flos doesn’t have a freezer in the restaurant - so you know the food is always fresh.
- Pam’s Hateful Hussy Diner, Talihina
Craig B/Yelp
Nikki G/Yelp For amazing homestyle and country food in southeastern Oklahoma, head to Pam’s Hateful Hussy Diner in Talihina. The friendly staff, Indian bread and coconut pie keep have the customers raving about this small town restaurant.
- Robert’s Grill, El Reno
Jonah O/Yelp
travelok.com El Reno is famous for the fried onion burger and one little grill that serves a tasty, juicy burger is Robert’s Grill. Since 1926 they have been serving the community in their little unassuming restaurant.
- Hi-Way Cafe, Vinita
Beth H/Yelp
travelok.com Travel along Route 66 in Vinita and you’ll spot a restaurant that doesn’t look like much on the outside. This friendly cafe is known for fantastic home cooking and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Make sure you save room for one of their amazing, homemade desserts.
- Four J’s Diner, Oklahoma City
Carly N/Yelp
Ko K/Yelp Four J’s Diner is an authentic Laotian and Thai cafe will stellar reviews and ratings on Yelp. The friendly staff and delicious, authentic fare make this little gem a must-try cafe in Oklahoma City.
- Nelson’s Buffeteria, Tulsa
SCalCanz/Tripadvisor
Clint B/Yelp Nelson’s Buffeteria has been serving Tulsans the “World’s Famous Chicken Fry Steak” since 1929. This iconic restaurant was originally located in downtown Tulsa but is now located on Memorial Drive.
If you didn’t see your favorite restaurant on this list, see if it made our “15 Best Hole In The Wall Restaurants In Oklahoma” list or the “14 Restaurants That Don’t Look Like Much On The Outside” restaurant list.
RoadMode/Tripadvisor
RockinACafe/Facebook
This little diner is located in Oklahoma’s Panhandle and offers delicious American food along with a few Mexican staple dishes. Make sure to try their specialty shake - Choco-Cherry Cow - a mix of Dr. Pepper, chocolate syrup, milk and ice.
Roger R/Yelp
Matthew H/Yelp
As the longest running business in the Brookside area of Tulsa, Weber’s Root Beer has been serving mouthwatering burgers, famous onion rings and root beer since 1933. Their amazing root beer is still made with the same 14 all-natural ingredients as it was when the recipe was developed in the late 1800s.
Regina C/Yelp
TheDinerNorman/Facebook
This unassuming diner was featured on Diners Drive-ins and Dives and is open early for breakfast lovers and stays open thru the lunch hours. Whether you go for the blueberry pancakes or the chicken fried steak, you won’t be disappointed because everything is delicious.
LeosBarbecue/Facebook
Voted the best bbq joint in Oklahoma in 2016 by Thrillst.com, Leo’s Barbecue is the place to go for mouthwatering bbq in the state. The restaurant has been located in a refurbished gas station since 1974 and they still serve their secret bbq sauce alongside their award-winning smoked meats.
PunkinsBBQandCatfish/Facebook
Jerald B/yelp
Located in the little town of Pauls Valley in southern Oklahoma, Punkin’s BBQ and Catfish is a favorite in the community for delectable foods such as bbq, catfish, chicken fried steak, Frito pie and much more. And if you’re a pickle lover (like me) then you have to try the pickle bar…because no meal is complete without pickles:)
Scott P/Yelp
flosburgerdiner/Facebook
When Flos opened its doors in June 2014 it didn’t take long for word to spread how amazing the burgers tasted. Just look at the size of the Bomb Burger Deluxe…and it tastes just as good as it looks! Flos doesn’t have a freezer in the restaurant - so you know the food is always fresh.
Craig B/Yelp
Nikki G/Yelp
For amazing homestyle and country food in southeastern Oklahoma, head to Pam’s Hateful Hussy Diner in Talihina. The friendly staff, Indian bread and coconut pie keep have the customers raving about this small town restaurant.
Jonah O/Yelp
travelok.com
El Reno is famous for the fried onion burger and one little grill that serves a tasty, juicy burger is Robert’s Grill. Since 1926 they have been serving the community in their little unassuming restaurant.
Beth H/Yelp
Travel along Route 66 in Vinita and you’ll spot a restaurant that doesn’t look like much on the outside. This friendly cafe is known for fantastic home cooking and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Make sure you save room for one of their amazing, homemade desserts.
Carly N/Yelp
Ko K/Yelp
Four J’s Diner is an authentic Laotian and Thai cafe will stellar reviews and ratings on Yelp. The friendly staff and delicious, authentic fare make this little gem a must-try cafe in Oklahoma City.
SCalCanz/Tripadvisor
Clint B/Yelp
Nelson’s Buffeteria has been serving Tulsans the “World’s Famous Chicken Fry Steak” since 1929. This iconic restaurant was originally located in downtown Tulsa but is now located on Memorial Drive.
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