With both longtime favorites and newer selections taking the top spots, 2024 was a banner year for The Lost Ogle—and, more importantly, for me and my TLO restaurant reviews.
Win-win!
This year, I published over 65 food reviews, including Restaurant Chain Reactions, old-school cooking schools, and, of course, the immersiveTaco Truck Chronicles. These reviews have cemented our reputation as Oklahoma City’s go-to source for authentic restaurant critiques and proven to be the most consistent in town.
From one-dollar eats to the highest-end establishments, 2025 promises even more: fresh reviews alongside revisits to some old favorites, continuing our decades-long mission with all the flair you've come to expect and love.
But until then, here are the six best restaurants in Oklahoma City in 2024. Thanks for an incredible year—and, of course, cómpralo ya!
TLO Restaurant Review: Classen Grill - The Lost Ogle
What I Said: “From back in the day to right here, right now, Classen Grill, with new tried and true recipes that pay proper respect to the original, is one of the true highlights of the burgeoning breakfast culture in Oklahoma City.
I no longer have school to skip, but I look forward to becoming a regular customer again, and taking one more glass of juice for the road!”
After twenty or so years since I last visited, my return to this iconic breakfast spot was highlighted with a new outlook from the redone dining room to the completely overhaled menu. It was a whole new restaurant, and the mechanical juice machine was a highlight.
TLO Restaurant Review: Edge Craft Barbecue - The Lost Ogle
What I Said: “But enough of that now—now was the time I had been waiting for since yesterday afternoon: the Hot Gut Sausage.
While the name conjures the sweetest heat and the sickest stomach possible, I took a sliver of the gut and it tasted like the most premium sausage from heaven. After another bite, my belly rumbled and then the heat came, burning like a book of hot matches.
It took another long swallow of Lone Star to settle it down, but it was the best sausage I ever had, fucking period.”
After a long streak of ho-hum barbecue, Edge Craft came along to break the monotony in the most delicious way possible. Located in an industrial building on Linwood, this spot boasts some of the most skilled meat smokers I’ve ever had the pleasure of experiencing. Pair that with a cold bottle of Lone Star, and you’ve got a barbecue experience worth savoring.
TLO Restaurant Review: Sonora Querida - The Lost Ogle
What I Said: “Hijo de la chingada! This newfound flavor sent my tastebuds running. The crisp taste of the premium sushi roll mingled with the green onions and bacon, creating a new sensation that made me rethink everything about the Japanese and their pedestrian sushi. Everything.
Without chopsticks, I gobbled every piece of oven-baked sushi on my plate, with brief nibbles on the golden shrimp. With no sauce or condiment needed, I devoured every bite of this substantial meal, leaving me wanting more.”
A new restaurant that has both the time-worn traditions of Japanese sushi with the Mexican food of yore, Sonora Querida blazes a new culinary trail. From the starter of beans and cheese to the inventive take ofn the Oven-baked Sushi, this is a truly new way to try some more than immersive foodstuffs.
TLO Restaurant Review: La Baguette Bistro - The Lost Ogle
What I Said: “Raring to go, we started with an appetizer—or, should I say Les Petites Assiettes on the menu—of House Duck Foie Gras Torchon ($17.00). While many people balk at the taste and texture of cured and poached duck liver, come on, man, I am Mexican…have you even tried menudo?
With black mission fig preserves and on small toast rounds, it was truly something to scream about. With a large spoonful of the foie gras on my toast, at first it was a strange taste that I wasn’t sure about, but after the third or fourth bite, I realized I was truly hooked.”
For my birthday, I went to the legendary La Baguette Bistro and was completely impressed at how the long-standing French restaurant has been a part of the Oklahoma City and one I hadn’t been to. Without a doubt, it was very impressive, with the vanilla Crème Brulee my new favorite dessert.
TLO Restaurant Review: Zorba’s Mediterranean Cuisine - The Lost Ogle
What I Said: “The Greek Burger features a charbroiled, seasoned ground beef patty topped with feta cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, pepperoncini peppers, Kalamata olives, and basil mayonnaise, all served on homemade cheese focaccia bread with perfectly seasoned fries.
I’ve never had a burger as thrillingly original or wholly inventive. Taking the sheer concept of a burger and infusing it with the Greek essence of a traditional gyro, this dish is a work of delicious art. I’m already craving another one!”
Always there but never actually been to, I was suitably amazed at Zorba’s intriguing menu. Sure, they had all the Greek dishes that we come to know over the years, but their trademarked Greek Burger was very next level, making me rethink all that I thought about hamburgers.
TLO Restaurant Review: VAST - The Lost Ogle
What I Said: “As if by magic – or, more than likely, word got out that we were with TLO – an entire tray of complimentary desserts appeared at our table, showcasing delights like Vanilla Bean Crème Brûlée, Strawberry Shortcake, Chocolate Macadamia Nut Pavé, and Peanut Dacquoise.
Each was special in its own way, but it was the Rum Banana Cheesecake ($10.00) that truly stole the show.
This decadent dessert featured a rich cheesecake topped with brûléed bananas and drizzled with a luxurious rum caramel sauce. It was, quite simply, perfect. In fact, the whole meal was perfect—absolutely perfect.”
Yes, I know that this review was from last week, but, still, it was one the best restaurants of 2024, if not the best. From the amazing meal and the stellar service—and most of all, the desserts—it was a complete pleasure to dine at VAST.
