Dining Out: Bamboo Thai Bistro

After working up an appetite whiffing golf balls at LaFortune park, D and I decided to try the Thai restaurant on the corner- Bamboo Thai Bistro. With its plain facade and strip mall local I learned not to judge a book by its cover. Things are not always as they seem!

Though its name professes it to be a bistro, I was shocked to find that it actually looked like a bistro inside. The interior was freshly decorated and the modern, crisp white china added to the sophisticated look. Most importantly- the food was affordable and fantastic. We had just found a diamond in the rough!

I had a hankering for Thai food last week when I was stuck in the house post surgery and I wanted nothing else but Bamboo Thai Garden. Luckily, when you're sick people are there to help you with things like odd cravings and pain medicine. D was nice enough to agree to pick up the order and even sacrifice his choice in entree for the sake of research.

To start: Fresh Rolls with peanut sauce and Crab Ragoons.

The Fresh Rolls ($3.95), rice paper stuffed with veggies, shrimp, pork and rice noodles, were crisp and refreshing  and the Crab Ragoon ($4.95) was stuffed with more crab than anywhere I have seen. Dine in and you get those tasty shrimp chips- you know, the ones that look like styrofoam and taste kind of curious but you eat the whole basket anyways?

I chose the Chicken Drunken Noodle ($8.55) for D to try:

Tasty, wide, rice noodles with a flavorful brown sauce along with onions, scallions, bamboo, bean sprouts, basil and egg. If you like things spicy they will prepare it for you as hot as you like. D and I both loved this dish- the noodles were light but there was nothing subtle about the sauce. Delicious!

The first time we dinned in at Bamboo Thai Bistro I ordered the Pad Thai- which was super tasty- and D got the Pad Thai Curry. Once again I was plagued by dish envy. So this time I got myself the Chicken Pad Thai Curry ($8.55) and I have a hard time believing I will ever order anything but:

This dish is fabulous because it has the wonderful, warm taste and the creaminess of curry with the brightness of the Pad Thai so that it is not too rich. And I love rice noodles- my favorite!

If one of these dishes doesn't do it for you, check out their other menu offerings at the Urbanspoon link below. Tom Yum Soup, Basil Fried Rice and Peanut Curry caught my eye!

The next time your are looking for good Thai food and want to be nice to your wallet, give Bamboo Thai Bistro a try!

Read more »

Ciao, Pesto!

I have many great memories of my time in Rome- a good number involve food, no doubt. When we weren't traveling, weekend nights were spent at our friends' apartment; we talked and laughed into the wee hours of the night with our new-found friends abroad while enjoying a big jug of wine and a great antipasto platter.

 

In the evening, we would stroll down the cobble stone streets to the GS, Rome's grocery store chain, and pick up an assortment of prosciutto, salami and other cured meats, olives, cheeses and some crusty bread. Though each component was amazing, my favorite part of our antipasto was the pesto- none of that jarred stuff, in Rome it comes fresh! You could walk back to the deli counter and ask them to fill up as big of a container as you would like with beautiful, dark green pesto. It had the perfect mixture of basil, pine nuts, garlic, and olive oil with a heavy amount of parmesan to give it a nice bite. Needless to say, I miss it terribly and have been searching ever since for something comparable.

Enter: Stonehorse Market- located behind the Stonehorse Cafe in Utica Square. This was the first time that I had stepped into their market- open Tuesday through Saturday 10am-7pm. Loaded with goodies from meats, cheeses and a fully stocked salad bar to prepared soups, sauces and sandwiches. Visit this article for more details on this little gem! I hadn't planned on buying anything this visit until something caught my eye. In the freezer I saw tub filled with dark green sauce simply labeled "pesto"- and for only $5. This could be exactly what I have been looking for!

After the pesto thawed, I was ready to dig in. I served it just as we did in Rome- with crusty bread for dipping and some fresh mozzarella. Upon first bite, I was transported back to the Eternal City- just as in Rome, you could taste each of the delicious ingredients down to the parmesan. I had found my pesto!

After the antipasto, the pesto then went onto some pasta for a simple dinner and the next day I spread it onto the crusty bread with mozzarella and tomatoes for a tasty sandwich. But pesto doesn't stop there- you can add it to pizza, soups, gnocchi, meats or fish!

If you love pesto, I recommend stocking up on Stonehorse Market's. I don't know if it's something they carry all the time but I'm sure I will find out! If you're not able to make it to Stonehorse, check out these recipes for making your own and some great ideas for how to use your pesto:

• A classic pesto recipe from David Lebovitz
• Another classic pesto recipe from Bon Appétit
• Chicken Pesto Pizza from Taste of Home
• Avocado Pesto Pasta from Chef Chloe
• Herb Pesto- a twist on the traditional with parsley and tarragon

Read more »

Lunabread: Fresh, Local, Cajun

If you're not paying attention you just might miss the best thing to ever happen to you. With nothing more than a small, metal sign hanging by the road, you could easily miss your turn into Lunabread as you drive down 15th Street.

It wasn't a flashy store front or extensive ad campaign that brought me into Lunabread. It was simply their bread. I had passed their stall at the Cherry Street Farmers' Market one Saturday and eyed their goodies with curiosity; it wasn't until I saw them at the Pearl Farmers' Market, totting freshly baked brioche and French bread, that I decided to find out what they were all about.

The picturesque baguette sat in my passenger seat, begging for me to tear into it. I somehow endured the five minute ride, its aroma filling the air, with not even a nibble. Once a bread knife was in reach, I can't say it was around for much longer. The beautiful baguette, with its crispy crust and tender, chewy center took me right back to Paris.

Previously operating as solely a market, Lunabread opened its dining room at the first of the year to serve three square meals a day. With a huge Cajun influence and an emphasis on local ingredients, this food will knock your socks off! One afternoon, I decided to pop in to grab a bite to go. It was life changing. I followed my instincts and ordered the Big Easy, their ham po' boy: baked ham, Tabasco slaw, pickled okra and red-eye gravy piled atop their handmade French bread.

The first bite sent me literally skipping around the table. This was not just a sandwich, this was a freakin' SANDWICH! I didn't know lunch could be this good- it was perfectly spicy and had a nice crunch and coolness from the slaw. And how have I lived my life up until this point without red-eye gravy?! It was so packed with flavor it was unbelievable.

I ran into Chris Foster, the owner and man responsible for this concoction, at the farmers' market and professed my undying love for the Big Easy. His red-eye gravy, he said, is made in part with ham drippings, coffee and beer. Well, no wonder I love it so much! Another reason to adore Lunabread is their ever changing menu inspired by fresh ingredients. Chris went on to tell me that they had gotten in a limited batch of soft-shell crabs that weekend to fry up for another delicious po' boy. Either it was cold that morning or his sandwich talk gave me goosebumps.

Don't let me mislead you, Lunabread is way more than just sandwiches. Sample the ettouffée of the day, a cup of tomato bisque or maybe try their chicken fricassee. Next time you make it to the market, stop by their stand for a breakfast treat while your peruse the produce. On my most recent visit I tried their crab cake po' boy with a side of Cajun fries- another success- and their crab boil potato salad is far from ordinary (i.e. delicious). If you're feeling thirsty grab a handmade ginger cream ale- refreshing and mighty tasty.

Crab Boil Potato Salad

Recently, Lunabread has begun serving dinner, prepared by chef Paul Wilson. Visit this review to read more about it. If you're looking for a fine dining experience, they have that, too! Opal is a 3, 7, or 9 course menu complete with wine parings by reservation only. You can visit this review to read more about the experience.

Breakfast, lunch or dinner, I urge you to visit Lunabread and support their amazing food. Just be sure to leave some red-eye gravy for me!

Read more »

The Sweeter Side of Brady Tavern

Though far from short on trips to Brady Tavern, I have yet to make it to the end of the meal with room for dessert. While dining at their chef's table back in the kitchen for my birthday, I figured it was not an option at this point- I would manage to fit a sweet treat in somehow! And a perfect night to indulge it was as numerous diners allowed for greater sampling of the dessert menu!

Though the menu at Brady Tavern changes frequently, it seems some items have stayed longer than others. One of them being the butterscotch bread pudding. And there is good reason for that.

Stealing a bite across the table, I had instant dessert envy. This is the best bread pudding that has ever touched my lips. The pudding was perfectly gooey  and with just the right amount of butterscotch as to not overwhelm. Served along side a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream and a shard of brittle,  it was love at first bite.

Also appearing on the menu this night was a mascarpone cheese cake decorated with gorgeous mixed berries and starfruit. The presentation was so captivating that even the waitress was taking photos of this stunning dessert. Differing from your traditional cheese cake made with cream cheese, the mascarpone made for an incredibly dense cake with a texture that felt intriguing on the tongue. It was so simple and yet so elegant.

One dessert did not make it into a photograph- the meyer lemon tart topped with a lemon crème chantilly. It smelled so good that seconds after hitting the table it would not have made for a pretty picture! Being sweeter and less acidic than a typical lemon, meyer lemon gave the tart a brightness in flavor that almost made you forget you had already eaten a huge meal. It is the perfect springtime dessert.

If you are looking for a lighter sweet treat to finish your meal, the sorbet du jour is the perfect option. On this evening, strawberry razzmatazz was the delicious flavor that sent spoons launching from all corners of the table. Cool and refreshing, it would go perfectly with a glass of some bubbly!

If you've yet to visit Brady Tavern, you are missing out! With an ever changing menu focusing on what is fresh and in season and with ingredients selected from Tulsa's own farmers' market, this restaurant really focuses on respecting food. And it keeps me coming back for more! If you are interested in having a behind the scenes look at their operations,  call and reserve the chef's table at no extra cost for parties of six or more. It is quite the experience!

Read more »

Cherry Street Farmers' Market

What do you do with your Saturday mornings? If you haven't been to the Cherry Street Farmers' Market- set your alarm next weekend! This is well worth the early rise!

This was my first time to visit the farmers' market- I know, I know. But before entering the working world, I'm not sure I saw Saturdays before noon. Now, I am sure to make it a weekly habit! I recall the market in years past being located in a parking lot but now it has taken over Cherry Street itself. Blocking of through traffic every Saturday from 7-11am, the market now stretches multiple blocks. Way to go, Tulsa!

My expectations were far exceeded when I realized you could purchase almost all of your groceries from fresh, local sources right there on Cherry Street! I expected to see a lot of produce, but I was impressed by the vendors selling meats, eggs, cheeses and breads. Not to mention all of the herbs and plants! While you're doing your weekly shopping, don't forget to grab some breakfast- I saw plenty of people munching on breakfast burritos and other tasty treats.

The thing I loved most about the farmers' market is that there is no guessing what produce is in season- you're looking at it! This weekend it was mainly greens- arugula, fresh lettuce, cilantro, bok choy, mustard greens and Swiss chard. Radishes were also in abundance. Except for a small offering of strawberries, fruit did not make an appearance but I am looking forward to it!

I decided to pick up some items that I haven't tried in my kitchen along with some other tasty treats:

I finally was able to locate some tarragon plants! At $2.50 each, they were a great deal and I'm going to enjoy it in my chicken salad all season long.

Though many stalls had fresh radishes, only one offered French breakfast radishes. I'm quite unfamiliar with this root so I am looking forward to trying out some new dishes with these pretty things!

Oh creme fraiche... I have heard about it for so long yet have never tasted it or been able to track it down in Tulsa. But the folks at Wagon Creek Creamery  have changed that!

They may be a franchise, but Great Harvest Bread Co. makes a great loaf of bread! This High 5 Fiber was soft and tender and packed with nuts and seeds.

Last but not least, I could not resist the meat. Perfect for grilling are Cattle Tracks Beef onion garlic bratwurst- can't wait to fire up the grill. And the chorizo I got from Pork and Greens will make a tasty dish! Any suggestions on how I should use it?

Next weekend, do yourself a favor. Wake up early, grab your dogs and head down to Cherry Street to stroll the market. Beginning May 4th, the Brookside Farmers' Market will be open every Wednesday as well! I cannot wait to see what the season has in store!

Read more »

Spiceology: Where Tulsa Gets Its Spice On

Looking for an exotic spice to add to your collection or a hard to find herb to complete a recipe? Head to Spiceology in Tulsa's Farm Shopping Center at 51st and Sheridan!

Opened at the beginning of the year, the owners of this specialty store get their herbs, spices, and seasonings straight from their sources and bottle them in the shop.

From more familiar seasonings such as anise and oregano to exotic spices that send me clamoring for Google- Ethiopian Berbere and ras el hanout- this shop has a little something for everyone with new items in frequently. Along with providing quality ingredients, the store produces its own custom blends with catchy names, such as My Big Fat Greek Seasoning and Mambo Italiano. You can also pick up a prepackaged spice box with an assortment of seasonings that play on a particular cuisine- makes a great gift!

Catching my eye was their array of flavored sea salts- rose, alderwood smoked, chipotle, and balsamic. I wonder what great things you could do with those? Maybe freshly cracked atop creamy ricotta spread on a slice of toasted French bread to really showcase their flavor!

I visited this store in search of a particular seasoning- cardamom, commonly used in Indian cuisine. I easily found what I needed but I wasn't quite sure how much I would need for my recipe (you'll hear about that later!). Expressing my concern to the shop owner, she quickly looked up a similar recipe so that I could ensure I had enough for my dish. Now that's service! The greatest part about my purchase- it was a fraction of the cost of buying it at Whole Foods!

Spiceology really has something great going on- fresh, unique products at fair prices. Since my trip into the store, Amanda Gettys, the store's Executive Manager, has informed me that they have added great seasoning accessories to their offerings such as mortar and pestles, shakers and grinders. Sadly, food samples are not an option for them right now- probably a good thing or else I might eat through all their stock! Can't wait to see what else is to come for this great little shop!

To get more information on Spiceology, you can visit their Twitter or Facebook pages! Show some love and follow them!

Read more »

Dining Out: Yokozuna

Can't think of a place for dinner this weekend? Why not enjoy delicious Pan-Asian cuisine at Yokozuna in Tulsa's Blue Dome District downtown! From sushi to Pad Thai to chicken ramen, Yokozuna has an excellent mix of everyone's favorite Asian cuisine under one roof.

Along with great food, Yokozuna's atmosphere provides the urban experience you want when visiting Tulsa's revamped downtown. I love the mix of materials in the dining area with its exposed brick  interspersed with wooden wall coverings and exposed steel beams on the ceiling. There is also a stunning cypress wood bar where you can belly up for some sake.

One thing I love about writing this blog is that it gives me a great excuse to try more things on the menu than normal- it's for the sake of my readers! So, please, do not be offended by the absurd amount of food we ordered. It was in the name of research.

For starter: steamed buns with pork and sriracha chicken.

I love the sticky texture that steamed buns have- it gives the same comforting feeling as a warm dumpling. The sriracha chicken was wonderfully crispy on the outside but succulent and juicy on the inside with a sweet heat that didn't linger too long. The pork, although a little dry, had a great sweetness to it as well.

Love steamed buns? Every Monday is Bunday with $1 buns and $5 Kirin light after 5pm! Hooray!

For our entree, we decided to go with sushi. I just love sushi- it fulfills the need I have to try everything on the menu at once. On a previous visit, I tried  their chicken chili ramen and Pad Thai- both were fresh and delicious. Don't worry, it's nothing like the ramen you had in college.

Mmmm... Geisha's Demise. The sweet and spicy dipping sauce for this seared yellowfin and crab roll really makes it stand out!

Look at those beauties. Here we have the Hot Mess, Dilly Roll, and the Red Cross Roll. Each of them were amazing in their own way!

The Hot Mess is a pile of spicy, creamy goodness topped with a crispy wonton for good measure. The Dilly Roll was out of this world- Yokozuna brings the classic combination of dill and salmon to the sushi realm and knocks it out of the park!

My favorite of the evening had to be the Red Cross Roll- and it's for a good cause! For every roll purchased, Yokozuna donates $10 to the Japanese Red Cross to aid in their disaster relief efforts. So far, they have raised $1,500 and will be continuing to sell the roll until the end of March. Fried asparagus, avocado and crab are topped with tuna tartar, spicy mayo and a scallion-ginger infused oil to bring a fresh burst of flavor to your mouth. Don't worry, the waitress assured me they have all ingredients on hand in case this roll doesn't make it to their menu later.

We noticed at the end of the meal that we hadn't emptied the soy sauce bottle as usual. In fact, we didn't hardly use any soy at all. These rolls were that good!

At the end of our meal, I got the perfect dessert:

Gotta love their personalized fortune cookies!

Stop by Yokozuna for half priced sushi on a selection of rolls Monday-Friday 3-6pm and Friday-Saturday 10pm-12am.  Also, Red Bull vodkas are $5 Thursday-Saturday 9pm-close!

Want to learn how to make your own sushi creations? On April 3rd at 7pm, Yokozuna will be offering a sushi class for $60!

Read more »

Maria's Mexican Grill: Taco Paradise

The other day, a coworker was telling me all about this little place that had the best fish tacos in town- he even compared them to those you would get beach-side in San Diego. These had to be good- and I needed to try them! We headed down to Maria's Mexican Grill at 61st and Garnett and easily found the restaurant nestled in a small shopping complex.

There were a lot of things on the menu that I recognized, but I must admit we Googled a few items at the table. Maria's offers your typical nachos, enchiladas, burritos, gorditas, quesadillas, chiles rellenos and tacos prepared with various options of meat. There were also some dishes I was less familiar with such as huaraches (fried masa with various toppings- a Mexican pizza if you will), sincronizadas (think quesadilla but the filling is sandwiched between two tortillas, not folded) and alambres (think shish kabob). Most dishes on the menu were only $6.50

We were there for the tacos, so we tried out a few variations- each order totaled around $6. I went with the fish tacos, of course.

Aren't they gorgeous? Everything was so fresh! On top of two corn tortillas sat a fish fillet that was light and flaky. The fish was topped with a crunchy red cabbage slaw, pico de gallo and a drizzle of crema; there was also a delicious salsa to top everything off. The dish tasted as fresh as it looks and was full of flavor- he was right these are good! Best of all- the tortillas never got soggy!

D chose from an assortment of meat tacos- chicken, steak, carnitas and chicharon (fried pork rind). Each was topped with fresh onions and cilantro and was served with another type of fresh salsa. The winner out of these four was definitely the chicharon- it was flavorful and had a great crunchy texture. Second place went to the chicken, which was again very flavorful and moist. The steak taco was good, but the meat was a little dry unfortunately and neither of us cared for the carnitas as it was very fatty- maybe we just got it on a bad day.

You can find Maria's at 6122 S. Garnett Road- it's open Monday-Saturday 7am-9pm and Sunday 7am-8pm. Breakfast burrito anyone?

This is the first time I have left a Mexican restaurant not feeling like I consumed a block of cheese. They mean it when they say it's authentic! We will be coming back to this place- many times I would guess!

Read more »

Brunch Time: Caz's Chowhouse

Oh brunch... the joyous pastime of any good weekend. This week,  Caz's Chowhouse was on my radar.

 Caz's, located in Tulsa's Brady Arts District downtown, offers delicious comfort food in a sophisticated atmosphere. Best of both worlds, no?

This chowhouse is a perfect place for a casual brunch, an after church get together, or even a nice dinner before one of Tulsa's numerous downtown performances. Work downtown? They're open for lunch Sunday through Friday- just don't show up Saturday afternoon, due to less traffic they don't open until 5pm!

Caz's only recently started serving brunch on Sundays along side their full menu. Both menus offer the best in comfort food dishes, such as meatloaf, chicken and biscuit (yes only one- it's five inches wide!), chicken fried steak, and chicken and waffles. They also offer a wide array of burgers, salads and sandwiches and many familiar side dishes such as okra, black eyed peas, and their spicy slaw. 

What drew me to this restaurant initially was the fried green tomatoes. I hadn't tried them until this past year's fair and I was glad I didn't have to wait until next fall to get my fix! Such a delicious little treat... crispy corn meal breading... a tart and firm tomato... yum, yum, yum! And Caz's serves theirs with ranch and avocado dipping sauces.

The brunch menu offered up Belgian waffles, breakfast casserole, and chicken fried steak complete with eggs, breakfast potatoes and sausage gravy. But I couldn't get past The Hot Mess. 

Behold: a 5 inch buttermilk biscuit topped with cheese fries (!!!), two eggs cooked to order, sausage gravy, and chicken fried bacon. I could not resist a dish that offered up cheese fries in such an unexpected location. And chicken fried bacon? My curiosity was killing me.

While I may need my coronaries cleaned after devouring barely a third of this dish, it was so worth it. Each part was delicious on its own, but pile them all together and you have a comfort food masterpiece. And chicken fried bacon? Incredible! Paula Deen would be proud. But let me suggest- share this puppy with a friend!

If you want to add a little frill to your brunch, try one of their sparkling fruit cocktails with such flavors as blueberry and pomegranate for only $2.50. Even better- enjoy it on their outdoor patio. They also offer Bloody Marys for $5.25 and their beers rang from $2.50-$4.25. Not bad for downtown!

To check out the rest of the menu or their nightly specials, such as $5 burger Mondays, visit their website. And the next time you're craving some down home cooking- you know where to go!

Read more »

At the Opera: Don Giovanni

When I was studying abroad in Rome, I had on my bucket list to see an opera in the country of its origin. But, alas, when it came down to how I was going to spend my Euros, weekend trips around the continent sounded much more appealing. 

I believe I saw an opera once when I was in second grade. The fact that I can't remember must say something to an eight year old's attention span, especially when a foreign language is involved. So, when I saw that Tulsa Opera would be putting on Don Giovanni (hey, that sounds familiar!), I convinced my darling boyfriend to go with me. I was able to get tickets for $10- so hey, why not?

When I think of going to the opera, images of opera glasses, ladies with fancy dresses and high society sitting in their box seats are conjured. Yes, I know what century it is, but this is all that Hollywood has provided me! Some of that luxury and glamour are retained- even at a Sunday matinee. I saw many people in their Saturday night best and plenty at the bar ordering a flute of champagne.

For being $10 and in the balcony, our seats were pretty great. We were right behind the railing- the sole thing keeping us from plunging to our deaths. Or so it seemed. After turning down the house lights, the orchestra began to play the national anthem. While the piece was spectacular, D and I spent the time clinging to one another- with our left hands of course- so that we wouldn't tumble over the edge into the laps below us.

Don Giovanni portrays the famous womanizer, Don Juan, and his attempts to bed anything with two X chromosomes. He's been quite successful in the past, as his pal Leporello recounts- taking up an entire aria.  As one can imagine, he upsets a few people along the way. In the end, the three ladies pursuing retribution get their wish when the philanderer is pulled down into the depths of hell. Quite a way to go, no?

I didn't know whether or not I'd like the opera and I ended up enjoying it quite a bit. I have to admit, my favorite part is trying to pick out all of the Italian words that I know- it's very gratifying. I'm also amazed by how the vocalists can project their voices all the way to the balcony. If you don't enjoy the singing itself- you can at least appreciate this fact!

In the middle of the second act of the opera, the English subtitles for the lyrics stopped working. Yet, the performers managed to make the audience laugh- I think that says a lot about the production!

D managed to make it through his first opera awake, though he requests I find another accomplice next time. What a good sport!

Tulsa Opera still has one performance left for their 2010-2011 season- Norma- April 30, May 6, and May 8. They have also just announced their 2011-2012 season with season tickets available.

With great seats at only $10, why not do something different and go see an opera?

Read more »

Brunch Time: Dilly Deli

I love brunch. To me, there is no meal more luxurious. You get to loaf around all morning, arrive at the restaurant whenever you please, you can still have breakfast, a cocktail and, if you're lucky, you get to sit on a sunny patio and linger into the afternoon.

This particular brunch outing brought me to Dilly Deli...

Dilly Deli is a charming eatery in Tulsa's Blue Dome District that features delicious sandwiches, salads, and baked goods. And of course, a fabulous breakfast menu.

The people at Dilly Deli have taken a bare-bones old building and given it a  charming, fresh feel with eclectic furniture, bright colors at every turn, and a fabulous patio I have yet to explore (but there is a bocce ball court!).

Now to the food! (and drink)

Before I could decide on my breakfast item of choice, I had my eye on their Bloody Mary. I typically don't like Bloody Marys but I was intrigued by their house infused spicy vodka that I saw brewing on the counter on the way in.

Holy cow. I am now a Bloody Mary fan. This cocktail wasn't like those I'd had in the past that seemed more akin to spicy tomato sauce you drink with a straw. This Bloody Mary had added tomato juice to the mix so it was thin and drinkable and just the right amount of spice that didn't linger too long on the tongue. I was so enamored with this beverage I grilled my poor, very busy waiter on its ingredients. Amongst them: wasabi powder, cayenne, and celery salt.  Add a salt and peppered rim, and ta-da!

If you're not a Bloody Mary fan, you can always have a mimosa made with freshly squeezed OJ or a cocktail made with their house infused orange vodka. Or, maybe just a nice hot cup of joe made with Tulsa's own Topeca Coffee beans.

When it came time to order, we were warned about the dishes that they had run out of already. Amongst them, The Jed- "a cinnamon roll as big as your head". That means it's got to be delicious...

I decided on a breakfast sandwich, the Meg...

 A fried egg, bacon, tomato, cheddar, lettuce and avocado between two pieces of crusty Tuscan bread served with crispy hashbrowns. The cheddar they used had a great sharpness to it that pulled the whole sandwich together. Delicious and satisfying.

D ordered their Reuben, Margie's Rueb, which was named their signature dish in TulsaPeople Magazine. Poor boy knew he didn't really have a choice with this one.

There is nothing about this Reuben that makes it different from any other Reuben in town. It's got corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and Russian dressing on rye bread- no special twist with this one. But, my word, it is the best Reuben I've ever had. I didn't even know they could be this good. That just shows you how incredible their ingredients are at Dilly Deli.

Adding to Dilly Deli's appeal, both the Tuscan and rye breads are made in town at Farrel Family Bread organic bakery. And, boy, do they know what they're doing. I feel a field trip coming up...

If you love Tulsa and you love a good sandwich, you need to get your buns down to Dilly Deli. Not only will you be supporting local businesses, but Tulsa's blossoming downtown as well!

Read more »