You can’t talk about the current Aurora without a trip down memory lane. When Social Deck + Dining opened in late 2018 in the low-slung building formerly occupied by Chae, it was an immediate hit. Those were heady days in Oklahoma City’s restaurant scene, and Social made a name for itself as both a neighborhood joint and a destination. It managed to make an oddly configured indoor space work well, but the patio was the real star. The drinks flowed, the menu struck a chord and times were good.
Owners Jamie and Jordan Winteroth had a lot riding on that experiment. In order to start the restaurant, they sold their home in the nearby Cleveland neighborhood, put most of their belongings in storage and moved with their young son into an apartment. Industry veterans, the pair built a warm, welcoming restaurant and bar, which picked up steam all throughout 2019. It was hard to put a finger on what worked so well at Social, but the inclusive and nurturing culture the Winteroths built gave Social its shine.
In November 2019, the pair took their talents to 16th Street Plaza District, where they bought and reopened shuttered Aurora. The breakfast restaurant had opened to much fanfare in 2017 but had gone downhill before closing unexpectedly in June 2019. Under the Winteroths, Aurora added dinner service, capitalizing on the steady stream of people in the Plaza District day and night. Aurora was once again humming along, always busy and reliably delicious.
It’s not even necessary to get into what 2020 brought. The sad story of what a global pandemic did to small local restaurants has been told many times. With both concepts just hitting their stride in early 2020, it was an especially tough break for the couple. With both of their livelihoods tied up in the two concepts, they pivoted as best they could. Curbside takeout at Social was an especially bright spot during those dark days.
Social and Aurora both made it through the pandemic and the turbulent years that followed. In March 2023, the team welcomed Chef Jerrod Driskill to Social, and he reworked the menu. In July 2023, the Winteroths purchased Rev Mex from Rachel Cope’s 84 Hospitality.
With its big backyard perfect for sipping mimosas and catching up with friends, Aurora was chugging right along. But Social still struggled, and in May 2024, it was converted to a full-service catering and events center. Diehard Social fans could still find some of their favorites on Aurora’s dinner menu or via specials.
Then, in July 2024, Aurora surprised fans by moving a block down the street into the space vacated by Mexican Radio in its move to Midtown. The iconic rainbow patio, long bar and bigger kitchen seemed too good to pass up, and musical chairs ensued. But the changes didn’t stop there. Now another change is afoot.
All Day Cafe
Aurora during brunch is a beautiful ballet. From morning to mid-afternoon, busy servers take excellent care of a constant stream of guests. Artisan coffee flows freely, as do the mimosas, Bloody Marys and espresso martinis. Guests never feel rushed to leave so the next person can have their table, instead choosing to linger over one more coffee. Unlike the previous location, there’s plenty of room inside, and what was lost in the wild-child free-for-all that was Aurora’s old backyard was gained tenfold in the iconic rainbow patio.
Dinner is a different story. Despite years of offering dinner service at Aurora, it has never really taken flight. Jamie has thought a lot about this and has arrived at an answer.
“I think we are just branded as a brunch restaurant in the community,” Jamie told me.
Rather than fight that perception, the team has decided to lean into it.
“We came up with the new All Day Cafe concept so we can cater to those that love breakfast for dinner and engage with the Plaza happy-hour crowd,” Jamie said. “We can also offer the most popular dinner favorites all day. I think it is going to be a win for everyone.”
The new daily happy hour 3-6 p.m. will be reminiscent of Social, with a $6 burger and frites, gravy and blue cheese chips, and more. The short rib risotto, one of Social’s most popular dishes, will appear on the Blue Plate Specials menu, a cameo sure to delight the Social loyalists. Longtime customers will be pleasantly surprised by this new rollout.
The team at Aurora will continue the practices that have made it successful in the past: thoughtfully sourced proteins and support of local partners like Urban Teahouse, Wander Folk Spirits and Clark’s Coffee Club. The bread is from local favorite Twisted Tree Baking Company. All pastries will continue to be baked in-house, and Chef Driskill will remain at the helm of Aurora while also running the very busy catering and special events business at the old Social.
Thoughtful intention
For Jamie, the newest menu is just the latest expression of the love her team has for its community, neighborhood and regulars.
“We just want you to love every bite without it being pretentious,” she said.
Recently, on a rare date night, I got to see a bit of that. Tommy, the man behind Aurora’s outstanding cocktails, was our server. His easygoing demeanor was matched by his excitement to share helpful suggestions. From both the drinks and food menus, Tommy had us ordering things we would not normally try, and we were glad we listened. Our cocktails were on point, and our meal was excellent.
As much as we loved everything we had, it was melancholy to sit in an empty restaurant on a Friday night in the Plaza District. I worried for the team, wondering if the brunch business alone really could carry the restaurant. Add in catering and special events, and maybe it’s enough. But when I think back on all the changes the team has survived and what they overcame as the newish owners of not one but two small local restaurants during the pandemic, you just have to root for them.
By listening to their community, they are poised for success. They’re not stubbornly doubling down on a menu that’s not working; they’re adapting in real time, reworking their concept based on customer sentiment.
The new concept also fills a void in the city. All-day brunch in a luxurious space in one of the most vibrant districts in the city with artisan coffee and cocktails? It sounds like precisely the thing that is needed not just in Plaza, but in Oklahoma City at large. Add in a few staples like the chicken sandwich and the burger, an excellent happy hour and some fan favorites, and it’s easy to imagine a blockbuster.
“We believe the thoughtful intention behind our menu will be evident,” Jamie told me as I was leaving. “The staff at Aurora are truly a joy. They love one another, and they love Aurora.”
I’ll raise a mimosa to that.
Visit shinewithaurora.com.
This article appears in deadCenter Film Festival 2025.