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Where to eat downtown for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Tulsa’s Young Professionals (TYPros) was born in downtown Tulsa. And that seems fitting because downtown is the center of the city — theoretically, not geographically. But downtown isn’t just for young people. It’s a place for all Tulsans.
Unfortunately, though, some people have anxiety about downtown. The main complaint I hear: There’s no parking. I think it may be my mission in life to get these good folks out of their box and into the loop — the inter-dispersal loop, that is — for all the greatness downtown Tulsa has to offer. We can argue about the plethora of available parking spaces and the fact that a little walking never hurt an Oklahoman, but why bother? Instead, I’d like to share some of the awesomeness that downtown Tulsa has to offer. And make parking the nonissue it really is.
Today the topic is food — my favorite thing to talk about. And if you’re not a regular downtown visitor, then coming for a meal is a good way to get your feet wet. Please note: I’m not a foodie by any means. I like to eat, in general. But I don’t have sophisticated tastes. I just like what I like. And often it’s fried. And includes cheese. I have a staple meal at every place downtown and rarely detour from that. Why mess with a good thing?
There are lots of great, local spots to grab breakfast, lunch and dinner downtown. The following isn’t an exhaustive list, but it includes the highlights.
We begin with breakfast. Best place by far has to be the Atlas Grill in the lobby of the Atlas Life Building. You haven’t truly lived until you’ve tried the Boston omelet. I want it every day. It. Is. The. Best. Plus, it includes potatoes with fried onions on top — divine. The perfect way to start your day.
There are only a couple of other breakfast options that I’m aware of downtown. Blue Dome Diner, which used to be my favorite, for example, is still awesome most days. The Daily Grill in the Crowne Plaza serves an expected hotel restaurant breakfast. They do have a great patio overlooking the Williams Green, but they don’t allow anyone to sit there most of the year. I mean, why wouldn’t you take advantage of a huge asset you have over nearly every other downtown eating establishment?
Now it’s lunchtime. My favorite part of the day … after breakfast. First choice: Eloté, on Boston near the Sixth Street intersection. Great service. Great atmosphere. And I just feel healthy eating there. I’m sure the queso still has cheese in it and, therefore, fat, but it just seems good for me. Plus, it’s crazy good. I’ll take the chicken burrito, no beans, thank you very much. Other good lunch options are Billy’s on the Square, which never lets you down. I enjoy the chicken sandwich and fries, of course.
It’s dinner time. Thank goodness because I’m starving. Where do I want to go? McNellie’s. It’s partly habit, having been there a bazillion times since it opened. And it’s partly those pub fries. OK, and let’s be honest, if you like a beer with dinner, there’s no better place. It’s also one of the best options for kids. They don’t have kids’ meals, but they do have kid-friendly food, such as chicken strips. We go there before shows at the Performing Arts Center. My daughter, Lilly, 10, has mozzarella sticks for dinner because it’s a special occasion and I have chicken strips because I sometimes like to eat like a kid.
There are times, however, when I want something fancier, such as when someone else is paying. I really enjoy Ti Amo downtown. I’ve never been to the south location, but this one is delicious. And it’s a great place to stop before a show at the BOK Center because you can park once, walk there and then go to the show.
So next time you’re heading out on date night or need a lunch meeting spot, come downtown. There’s plenty of food — and parking — for everyone.
