I arrived in Norman in the midst of COVID-19, struggling to grasp the culture and community of the city in which I would spend my next four years. With so many online classes, my first introduction to Norman was my job as a barista. The second semester of my freshman year, I secured a job as a server at a restaurant near campus.
Emma Blakley, culture editor
Even now that I have found my place at OU and connected more with my campus community, I feel a strong sense of solidarity with those I have met in the service industry.
On campus, I've met people from all over the state, the country and from around the world, but my time in the service industry has introduced me to the people of Norman.
Menus can be found online and Yelp reviews can be skimmed in a matter of seconds. But neither can tell us why our favorite places exist, who created them or the intent and attention of those whose livelihood depends on the community showing up.
Our 2023 Best of Norman is split into nine categories that highlight a handful of different ways that the people of Norman gather. Within each category, three businesses or venues were selected for the community to vote on.
As the culture editor, I chose the following categories for this year's guide: oldest restaurants, main street shopping, food trucks, breweries, happy hour, art, Campus Corner, game day eats and movement.
To create a short list for community polling, the returning members of the fall OU Daily culture desk collaborated to decide on these businesses. I created a Google Form that was distributed to the culture desk, and members voted on their favorite businesses in Norman that fell under each category.
I looked through the answers and discussed a possible short list with the Daily’s editor-in-chief Karoline Leonard. A second round of voting was conducted within the culture desk. The businesses and venues that received the most desk votes are featured in the following guide.
In our shortlist selection process, OU Daily prioritized locally owned businesses when possible and when it correlated with culture desk responses. Businesses could only appear in one category. Polling took place on the OU Daily’s website between Aug. 1 and Aug. 27. The winners are announced in this guide and will receive a certificate from Daily staff.
The following businesses, restaurants and venues are the heart of Norman culture. I am thrilled to present the OU Daily 2023 Best of Norman Guide, and eager to share the stories of these local businesses with you. Their stories tell of their unique visions for their businesses and capture the joy, struggles and perseverance that have made these places such successful and central parts of our city.
