Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, may have started out as a coal-producing agricultural hub, but these days the Midwest city is packed with museums and attractions, and the charming Tulsa Zoo is an easy drive away too. With so much fun to be had, visitors are sure to work up an appetite; and this being Oklahoma, expect barbecue, Italian influences and all-American fare. Here are Broken Arrow’s 10 best restaurants.
Smokies Hickory House is an old school, traditional barbecue style establishment, complete with pulled meats, ribs and more. The menu is limited, and is strictly for meat enthusiasts; vegetarians will find little sustenance here. Starters and sides include the traditional tri-factor of onion rings, fried pickles, or firecrackers (similar to spicy fries). The meats on offer include hot and cold links (a type of sausage) as well as barbecued pork, beef brisket and chicken. There are a selection of scrumptious barbecue sauces available as well as the option of a three meat combination; a carnivore’s delight.
Billy Sims’ BBQ, owned and established by famous American footballer Billy Sims, this barbecue joint specialises in recipes from the northern states, including sauces and rubs from Memphis and Oklahoma. Menu options come in an array of big meals, hot dogs and can be accompanied with any number of fantastic sides. Following Sims’ footballing past, the restaurant is distinctly football themed, with posters and memorabilia lining the walls. Main dishes include all manner of barbecued meats such as pulled pork, slow cooked brisket and smoked poultry, both chicken and turkey are available. Sides include classics such as barbecue beans, corn on the cob, and potato salad.
Billy Sims’ BBQ, 2427 W Kenosha St, Broken Arrow, OK, USA, +1 918 258 1978
Despite being a sports bar, diners should not let that put them off of the Main Street Tavern. Of course, it does have a lively atmosphere but the food is of an incredibly high quality. Main dishes include the Main Street Tavern’s homemade meat loaf, as well as the innovative twist on macaroni cheese, incorporating fresh seafood with a velvety cheese sauce over pasta. The menu also features a variety of steaks, chops, and burgers for the meat eaters. Unlike the main menu, the dessert options are slightly sparse, but exhibits all American classics, such as apple pie, triple chocolate cake, and raspberry cheesecake.
Jimmy’s Egg has been serving fantastic breakfasts in Broken Arrow for the last 30 years. Unsurprisingly, the restaurant-diner serves eggs as a speciality, in all manner of varieties and cooking techniques. Omelettes, pancakes, eggs over-easy, and more; whatever the customer wants, Jimmy’s Egg will help to prepare. The traditional breakfast option is completely customisable, allowing options in meat, egg type, and bread or pancakes. The available meats are truly indulgent; ribeye and sirloin steaks both make an appearance on the menu, as do bacon or ham steaks. Portions are big and designed to fill for the day so make sure to turn up hungry.
Ted’s Café Escondido serves brilliant Mexican fare all day, every day. The menu features traditional dishes, alongside more stereotypical tex-mex dishes. The restaurant is a slowly expanding in terms of sites, all of which will be in Oklahoma. Ted’s special plates include handmade tamales, filled with creamy chicken, or shredded beef. Similarly, the house tacos allow a combination of chicken and steak, a great option for those that can’t make up their mind. Lunch specials include classics such as chimichangas, burritos or even Monterey style grilled chicken. Succulent chicken breast is grilled with an array of spices and cheese for a great lunchtime snack.
Ti Amo is an intimate and sophisticated Mediterranean and Italian restaurant. It has even been voted the most romantic restaurant in Oklahoma, making it the perfect location to enjoy a quiet dinner between couples or perhaps even with friends. The menu features a selection of pizzas, pastas and meat dishes, concentrating on steak and veal cuts. Veal alla Tuscany takes a prime veal steak and places it in a rich sauce of prosciutto, peppers and mushrooms in a creamy brandy sauce. Similarly, dinner features a dish of bistecca e gamberi, an Italian take on the classic surf and turf, combining both great steak and jumbo prawns.
Villa Ravenna is an independently owned and family run Italian restaurant just a short drive from Broken Arrow. The restaurant is managed by third generation Italian restaurateurs who take inspiration from their parents and grandparents before them. Menu specialities include a salad of gorgonzola and pears, as well as burrata, a creamier and more luxurious take on mozzarella cheese. Main meals include veal osso bucco, a slow roasted cut of veal in a rich sauce. As game specialists, Villa Ravenna also offers a take on the dish with wild boar, known as cinghiale osso bucco.
Launched in 1991 by Greg McGill and Hal Walker, the two business partner have since been serving great food to the people (and tourists) of Tulsa for the last 20 years. The dinner menu at McGill’s is split between casual fare and fine dining options that are perfect for a special occasion. The restaurant’s signature dish is a creamy based lobster and pasta dish, although there are plenty of options for meat eaters as well. The chicken marsala is a beautiful dish, combining chicken with cream, mushrooms and indulgently sweet marsala wine. The menu makes great use of local, fresh produce and is a fantastic experience for tourists and residents alike.
The Celebrity Fine Dining restaurant in Tulsa has been serving great food for the last 50 years. The restaurant has a large selection of signature dishes that are prepared to an incredibly high standard; the Caesar salad has been named the best in Oklahoma for the last 10 years. Other dishes include grilled shrimp, butterflied and cooked to perfection with a selection of sauces and sides. Another specialty includes the skillet fried chicken, served with corn biscuits and homemade gravy. Celebrity Fine Dining is decorated to the highest standard, creating a sophisticated atmosphere that is great for any special occasion.
Shiloh’s of Broken Arrow has been serving food in Broken Arrow for over five generations. A family run restaurant, it serves a great array of lunch and dinner options, as well as serving breakfast all day. Dinners include a bacon wrapped hamburger steak, where ground beef is formed into a patty and fried with bacon, before being smothered in grilled onions. For the fish lovers, grilled shrimp, fried shrimp and roasted salmon is available for guests and diners. The breakfasts are renowned for their size and their quality, with big, belly-busting omelettes being the perfect way to start any day.
