Every so often, I have a ritualized reunion with the Red Cup – a vegetarian café at 3122 N. Classen Blvd. that has quietly been there for me through several versions of my life.
I ate there as a lonely academic, a broke writer, an unemployed OKC lifer, and, more recently, as a man trying to put himself back together after a series of strokes.
The last time I had been to the beloved Red Cup was around 2019. After moving back to the city following a long convalescence, I was intent on showing my Louisiana-born wife the haunts I have haunted around town, and the Red Cup was at the top of the list.
Luckily, she fell in love with it too.
Besides the warm atmosphere, inviting arms, and the low-rent vibes that have made it such a staple, the Red Cup has a (non-Mexican) vegan Smothered Burrito that always slaps, which I have been ordering for around 20 years and, dear God, I hope that burrito is always there and will always be there!
One day last week, when the weather was still warm, I took my wife there for a casual lunch.
While the outdoor décor, the caffeinated faces, and various docile roosters have changed, thankfully, the rest was all the same. Gothy kids on the couch were drinking French-pressed coffee, an elderly man was having a lunch of Green Chili Mac, and I was there, sitting in my old seat in the front window.
After reacclimating to our downhome surroundings, my wife and I went to order our drinks and food and, once again, thank God, there it was on the chalkboard, the Smothered Burrito.
Of course I ordered it, as well as a few other items, starting with our vastly different drinks. I got my tried-and-true caffeinated beverage, a Sexy Mexi ($6.00) espresso, with mocha, cinnamon and a hit of cayenne that will wake you up and keep you up.
Wanting something healthier than coffee, my wife tried a Classen Blvd. Smoothie ($8.00) with pineapple, mango, strawberry and apple juice. It must have hit the spot because it was nearly done as I tore into a treat from the glass case of baked goods as we headed back to our seats.
A desserty preamble to our main meal, I picked a big piece of Zucchini Bread ($2.00) from the case. Now, the only time I will ever have zucchini is in sweets and, without a doubt, it was the best option. Absolutely sweet and truly wholesome, it was a great start to our lunch.
While I never had the chili by itself, my wife ordered the Red Cup Chili ($11.00) to try. Served in a large bowl, it’s a house blend of vegetarian chili, cashew cheese, pickled onions, pickled jalapeños, and crema, with around six pita wedges.
Taking a rather large spoonful, the unexpected spicy chili welled up my eyes and unclogged my sinuses as the mixture of hot chili spices, creamy cashew cheese and drizzled, cooling crema give some heft to the proceedings. Simple enough, while I would prefer this on my nachos, it did pretty good on its own.
Taking another bite, for her lunch my wife had the completely rustic Johnnycakes, Grandma Orth Style ($10.00). It offered three apple cakes served with fresh butter, toasted pecans, and spiced brown sugar, as well as syrup if you want it.
While neither of us had ever had Johnnycakes—they are a Civil War recipe made of cornmeal, right?—they are almost better than regular pancakes! The solid corn and apple cakes combined with the crunch of pecans to create a whole new taste sensation that must be tried at least once.
But, while she was having that, it was time to indulge in my true guilty pleasure that really isn’t one, the Smothered Burrito ($12.00). They take a large flour tortilla and fill it with cashew cream cheese, brown rice, black beans, grilled tofu, and rajas—then smother it in one of the three sauces. I chose the plant-based queso.
What can I say about this burrito? Among the many non-authentic burritos in town, the Red Cup’s is the best, hands down. The mixture of the cashew cheese, black beans, and tofu—as well as that amazing queso drowning the whole affair—should put this at the top of your “best burrito” lists.
While I don’t go to the same restaurants often—I only have one stomach, people!—now that I’m back in town, hopefully to stay, the Red Cup is the type of local eatery that my wife and I can agree on and champion for an everyday lunch in my neighborhood.
Call me boring, I don't care—each visit I am getting the Smothered Burrito. Every time.
Cómpralo ya!
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Follow Louis Fowler on Instagram at @louisfowler78.
