Three of Tulsa's main districts for dining and nightlife lie within 10 minutes of the University of Tulsa's Skelly Field at H.A. Chapman Stadium, where the Sooners will play the Tulsa Golden Hurricane on Saturday.
Here are two of the best restaurants from each district, according to online reviewers, recommendations on social media and my personal taste. Check out the map below for directions to each district and the locations for each restaurant recommended to me on social media.
Brady Arts District
Eight-minute drive from the stadium.
1. Fat Guy’s Burgers, 140 N Greenwood Ave
I must admit I have not personally experienced the “home of the fat and juicy.” But, it was recommended by three of my fellow Tulsans on Facebook and Twitter, and my boyfriend has raved about it enough to convince me to add it to the list.
The name of this restaurant tells no lies, first of all. Each burger consists of two beef patties sealed together with butter and cheese before it’s cooked. But I think what really makes this place unforgettable is its variety of toppings and specialty burgers, including a peanut butter and bacon burger and a pizza burger.
Popular dishes on Urbanspoon: Fat and juicy burger, fat guy challenge and gyro burger.
Must visit if you like… S&B’s Burger Joint on Main Street.
2. Laffa, 111 N Main St
This place has yet to let me down, but then again I’m a sucker for anything Mediterranean. At first glance you’ll just be impressed by how they managed to name each item on the menu something Medi-Eastern related, from “My Big Fat Brown Rice Salad” to “Esau Soup.” But true happiness comes when you take a bite of fresh Laffa bread, a naan-type flatbread that’s baked in a giant stone oven visible from the dining area.
Popular dishes on Urbanspoon: Lamb in tomato feta sauce and street falafel.
Must visit if you like… Sisters Mediterranean Taste on Chautauqua.
Blue Dome District
Six-minute drive from the stadium.
3. Yokozuna, 309 E 2nd St
If you're in the mood for some post-football game sushi, you can experience the Blue Dome District in sushi form with Yokozuna's Blue Dome roll (escolar, yellowfin and salmon rolled in masago and scallion). The Asian fusion restaurant also has a bar with an extensive Asian-themed cocktail menu, featuring drinks like "Tokyo Tiger" and "Hello Sumo, Hello Kitty." Happy Hour on Saturday is from 10 p.m. to midnight.
Popular dishes on Urbanspoon: Golden Driller roll, avocado roll and rising sun roll.
Must visit if you like... O Asian Fusion Restaurant on 12th Avenue.
4. El Guapo’s Mexican Cantina, 332 E 1st St
You might want to make a reservation if you’re trying to get dinner at El Guapo’s on a Saturday night, but the authentic Mexican food and the view of downtown Tulsa from the rooftop cantina are worth the extra effort.
Popular dishes on Urbanspoon: Nachos, wet burrito and carne asada tacos.
Must visit if you like… Pepe Delgados on Campus Corner.
Cherry Street
Eight-minute drive from the stadium.
5. Kilkenny’s Irish Pub, 1413 E 15th St
It’s the classic Irish pub that’s liked by 92 percent of the 2,225 voters on Urbanspoon, and it’s basically the go-to restaurant/bar Tulsans will recommend.
Popular dishes on Urbanspoon: Fish and chips, burgers and the Irish Benny.
Must visit if you like… O’Connell’s Irish Pub & Grille on Campus Corner.
6. Andolini’s Pizzeria, 1552 E 15th St
You’ve heard of Chicago-style pizza and New York-style pizza, but Andolini’s is where you get Tulsa-style pizza. Its founders, brothers John Davey and Jim and Mike Bausch, emigrated from Avellino, Italy, and wound up in Tulsa, bringing with them their Italian roots and passion for pizza. Reviewers on Yelp say it’s nearly impossible to choose from its seemingly endless pizza options.
Popular dishes on Urbanspoon: Tenbysimmo, vesuvio and pepperoni pizza.
Must visit if you like... Sergio's Italian Bistro on Gray Street.
I posted on Facebook and Twitter asking for my fellow Tulsa enthusiasts’ favorite dining/drinking options in Tulsa, and I received 46 recommendations. The most popular restaurants were Andolini’s Pizzeria on Cherry Street, Fat Guy’s Burgers in the Blue Dome District and Kilkenny’s Irish Pub on Cherry Street.
Look at the map above for the full list of recommended restaurants and directions to the city’s main dining districts.
