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Leon’s on the Restless Ribbon features a menu full of clever takes on bar-food staples.
This space on the northern end of Tulsa’s “Restless Ribbon” has definitely been restless over the last several years. Previously home to En Fuego; the short-lived Ford’s Filling Station; and, most recently, Kampai Lounge, this cozy corner spot of Brookside is now sporting a shiny new bar and grill.
While not specifically touting itself as a sports bar, sports were definitely the order of the day at Leon’s on the Restless Ribbon on a recent Sunday afternoon. Football specifically because Leon’s has the NFL Sunday Ticket, meaning fans from every team in the NFL can watch their game on one of the 20 or so flat-screen TVs.
The family-friendly dining room, lined with comfy booths, flat-screen TVs and black-and-white photos of old Tulsa, serves as a great spot for watching “the game” or just catching up during the daytime, while the bar area is a bit more, well, bar-like, especially at night. Leon’s also has a private dining room available, as well as a loft space upstairs with its own bar (reservations only).
The place was half-full when we popped in, but the cheering of the few diners kept the noise level above average. Not the best place to take a napping infant, as I learned a bit too late. 
For starters, we shared one of the specialty appetizers, the Bob Marley Dip, which starts with a layer of refried beans that is topped with a zesty ground beef layer and two kinds of queso — white and yellow — and finished with some cool guacamole. Don’t take too much time eating this tasty concoction, for it starts to stiffen up a bit as it cools, making the thin tortilla chips no match for dipping. Other apps include Jerry’s Jalapenos (jalapeno peppers stuffed with a little smokie and cream cheese, then wrapped in bacon for $8.95), fried artichoke hearts ($8.95) and smoked salmon corn dogs ($9.95).
For our lunch, we shared an assortment of sliders (two for $8.95 or three for $10.95, with fries) — a typical cheeseburger variety topped with pepper bacon and thick-sliced cheddar and smoked brisket smothered in barbecue sauce with sliced onion and pickle coins — which came with our choice of thick waffle fries or thin buffalo-spiced fries. Other sliders include meatloaf, chicken-fried chicken, corned beef and barbecue pulled pork.
We also tried the American Soldier, a po’ boy-style sandwich with fried grouper on a toasted hoagie roll with a kick of chipotle adobo mayo. I like the idea of the sandwich, but the fish was more fried coating than fish, leaving the dish a bit disappointing. Other sandwiches, or “Local Heros,” are all named for famous Oklahoma athletes and include the Mickey Mantle ($9.95), a classic club sandwich; the Barry Sanders ($9.95), grilled skirt steak, mozzarella, roasted peppers and onions on a hoagie; and the Troy Aikman ($10.95), smoked salmon, gouda and pepper bacon on a croissant. 
While walking through the dining room, you can’t miss the pizza station. Ten varieties are available, including the Brooksider (sausage, pepperoni, roasted garlic, black olives, red onion and red peppers) and the meat-lover’s Restless Ribbon (Italian sausage, bacon, pepperoni and Canadian bacon), or you can build your own. Don’t miss the pizza special on Wednesday nights from 5-10 p.m. — all pizzas are $5.
The menu also features a small selection of soups and salads and an even smaller array of entrées — St. Louis ribs ($18.95), grilled salmon ($14.95), pasta Alfredo ($10.95) or a pan-seared rib eye ($19.95).
As this is a bar, there are specials most nights, including a weeknight happy hour from 4-7 p.m., $2 slider Tuesdays, 40-cent wings Mondays, pizza Wednesdays and ladies’ night on Thursdays. Check with the bar for other food and drink specials.
Leon’s on the Restless Ribbon
3301 S. Peoria Ave., 933-5366
Cuisine – Sports-themed restaurant and bar
Setting – Brookside
General Manager – Jennafer Cuckler
Owner – J.L. Lewis
Prices – Appetizers: $5.95 to $9.95; salads and soups: $3.95-$10.95; pizza and sandwiches: $7.95-$13.95; entrées: $10.95-$19.95
Credit Cards – All major accepted
Hours – 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Sunday-Thursday; 11 a.m.-1 a.m., Friday-Saturday; the bar stays open later each evening
Dress – Casual
Noise level – High
Handicapped Access – Yes
Smoking – No
Parking – Street and behind restaurant
