Are you flying into Tulsa and need some ideas about where to eat? Fear not! I have had my fair share of business & nonrev trips through TUL. Below is a collection of some one of the places that I have enjoyed eating out while in town.
Check out my Tulsa food recommendations and let me know if you end up trying any of them out.
Hank’s Hamburgers
I was introduced to this old-school burger joint by an old friend who used to work in Tulsa. He told me he would frequent Hank’s whenever he was hankering for a classic burger, and I can tell you that this place does burgers the way they were intended to be made. Hank’s touts itself as a Tulsa staple since 1949, and it’s easy to see why once you visit.
The smell of fried goodness immediately surrounds anyone who wanders into this unassuming restaurant. You are warmly greeted by whomever is manning the counter (behind which lies the exposed kitchen & grill). The regular crowd pours in, so be ready with your order.
Thankfully, the menu is simple: most will be satisfied with a single or double quarter-pound burger coupled with french fries. If you arrive particularly famished, the famous “Big Okie” and its pound of patties will surely whet your appetite.
My Order: add bacon & jalapenos to the half-pound Hank’s burger and get fried okra on the side
Elgin Park Brewery
Elgin Park is one of ten or so bars & restaurants belonging to the McNellie’s Group. Each brand is unique, and they hit it out of the park with this one: the location right across the street from ONEOK Field, home of the Tulsa Drillers & FC Tulsa, couldn’t be better.
My first time here was during an FC Tulsa match, and we heard the game noises & witnessed the goal celebrations from the outdoor patio. Elgin Park is home to very reasonably priced beer brewed onsite and classic bar fare. While I wasn’t impressed with the boneless wings, the pizza & real wings easily made up for them. The staff is phenomenal and made me feel comfortable dining here in the COVID era.
The beer selection here is great and offers something for everyone. I am a sucker for barleywine, so I knew I had to order one as soon as I saw it on the menu. Others will enjoy the Performance Enhancing Pils or the Willie Mays Haze double IPA.
My Order: start off with a basket of garlic knots and Buffalo chicken pizza paired with whatever pale ale or IPA that they have on draft with the best name
Fassler Hall
Come for the beer garden, stay for the brats. Another McNellie’s Group property, there are additional locations in OKC and Little Rock. Fassler Hall is a German-inspired beer hall that has a great outdoor patio and long communal tables on the inside. This spot is great for meeting up with groups and gives off a very casual yet refined vibe.
It was easy to navigate the dining areas if you have a large group, and the communal seating allows for spontaneous conversation. The menu isn’t huge, but it doesn’t need to be at a place like this. The focus is on good beer and any food that happens to pair well with it.
Order yourself some duck fat fries or pretzels to snack on, or splurge on one of the gourmet sausages. The brats are not cheap here, but they will blow you away. Fassler Hall also offers vegetarian options so you can rest assured that you can find something here if sausage isn’t your thing.
My Order: the Hunter (smoked venison, buffalo, and pork) sausage with an order of pretzels & mustard will pair perfectly with marzen beer
Lassalle’s New Orleans Deli
I stumbled upon this eatery while walking around my hotel, and I am so glad I did. Lassalle’s New Orleans Deli offers patrons a casual counter-service spot that is great for picking up a quick lunch or sitting down for a meal in their Big Easy-inspired dining room.
The staff here was wonderful and they rearranged the interior to allow for socially distant dining. The menu offers a variety of po boys & muffulettas along with a number of classic cajun sides like jambalaya, gumbo, or crawfish etouffee. I had a hard time settling on what I wanted to order as the smell of fried seafood wafted through the dining room. For those who struggle with commitment issues, Lassalle’s does offer a Pick 2 option that grants you a half sandwich plus a cup of soup.
The fried green tomato & shrimp po boys were highly recommended by people who had been here before, but I couldn’t say no to a muffaletta. The sheer number of ingredients that they manage to stuff between these two slices of bread just gets me hungry again just thinking about it. The bread was perfect and every bite was superb. For those who succumb to the siren call of the po boys, do it right and make sure to order your sandwich dressed with lettuce, pickle, and tomato.
My Order: veggie muffuletta washed down with a bottle of Abita beer
Fat Guy’s Burger Bar
Looking for a different take on the classic burger? If so, stop by one of the many Fat Guy’s locations in the Tulsa area. Each location feels a bit different, and there is even one in the TUL airport now in case you get hungry before your flight.
While they throw down a mean burger, you will quickly realize that Fat Guy’s specializes in made-to-order burgers that are customized with any number of their fresh ingredients. Even their buns are sourced from a local bakery.
The Fat & Juicy burger is Fat Guy’s homage to the Jucy Lucy, and I think the blue cheese-stuffed patty is the way to go on that burger (just be careful because that first bite is always hotter than you think). I also love the concept of the Sweet Caroline burger: a patty topped with smoked gouda, slaw, and pulled pork. If you are feeling a bit crazy, try your luck at the Fat Guy’s Burger Challenge. Challengers have 60 minutes to scarf down a massive two-pound cheeseburger along with a pound of bacon, a couple hot dogs, and a whole tray of fries. Good luck, I can’t even think about trying to fit that much in me!
My Order: peanut butter & bacon burger and spicy ballpark fries with the malt vinegar aioli dipping sauce
Conclusion
These are just a handful of the spots that I have stopped into during my visits to Tulsa, and I am sure there are gems out there that I haven’t had the pleasure of trying.
Do you have any recommendations or favorite spots in TUL? Leave a comment below or shoot a tweet to @StanbyWithMe to let me know what I’m missing out on!
