Recently, it was reported that Oklahoma City’s very own Charcoal Oven, after being closed for many years, is set to turn their broilers back on at a new location, the shopping center on the corner of N.W. 36th and May, in the old Blockbuster I used to work at. I don’t think they’ll have room for the large neon sign that shone brightly on Northwest Expressway.
It got me thinking there are so many legendary Okie restaurants that I wish were still open, or would at least return for just one day so I could sample their wares. As a result, here are 10 Oklahoma restaurants that I – along with my editor Patrick – wish were still open.
Casa Bonita
Even though I’ve been to the all-you-can-eat Mexican place a handful of times back when I was a trademarked Colorado mountain-man, growing up, my parents never took me to the Casa Bonita here in Oklahoma City and I most certainly never went to the one in Tulsa. Even though the then-thrilling tales that schoolyard chums would regale me with would often fascinate and confound me—cliffdivers?—my mother and father, instead, chose Pancho’s Mexican Buffet every single time. I’m not mad, mind you, just a little hurt by their choices. – Louis
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