That means it’s time to bust out your shades and head for the great outdoors to enjoy your dining. First, what are you hungry for? Decide, then take your pick from these patio or picnic possibilities.
Shelby’s Fish Shack
1414 W. Britton
286-0811
Drive
up to Shelby’s Fish Shack and enjoy delicious catfish, made with the
eatery’s own special seasonings, including garlic and a number of secret
ingredients. Pair that crispy goodness with some housemade coleslaw and
extravagant pecan pie.
You can dine in your car or outside. Throw a blanket in and find a park!
$$ Catfish and more
Pops
660 W. Highway 66, Arcadia
928-7677
This
local sweetheart welcomes and feeds people from all over the world who
come to taste its large variety of soda. There are 50 seats outdoors
with a full menu and attentive service. On weekends, Pops features
buffalo burgers that are in demand, and don’t miss the robust root-beer
bread pudding originated by former employee John Wheeler.
$$ Soda pop and burgers
Nonna’s Euro-American Ristorante & Bar
1 Mickey Mantle Drive
235-4410
For
a most excellent view of Bricktown, get to the second-floor patio at
Nonna’s and order any item being served on its main menu. There is live
music every Friday and Saturday night, and the area seats more than 100
people. Try one of the delicious desserts: coconut cream pie, Italian
cream cake and Avis’ Chocolate Cake with almonds, whipped cream and an
edible flower.
$$$$ Full-service restaurant
The Wedge Pizzeria
230 N.E. First
270-0660
Located
in Deep Deuce, this is the second location of The Wedge. The big deal
here is its Truffle Shuffle pizza. That tasty crust is topped with extra
virgin olive oil, sage, roasted chicken (the chicken was raised
locally, by the way), meaty crimini mushrooms, fresh mozzarella, shaved
Parmesan and truffle oil. Dine under the stars and save room for its big
surprise: a new flavor of gelato each week.
$$$ Pizza and more
Chelino’s
427 S.W. Grand
636-1110
There
are many locations of Chelino’s in the metro and they are always
packed. Some of the most popular menu items are the enchilada dinner
(and there is a Wednesday night special on those enchiladas), its
splendid fajita dinner and taco salad. Among the superb desserts are its
sopaipilla, apple burritos and churros. Enjoy the Oklahoma breeze along
with the Mexican food.
$$ Mexican
Red Rock Canyon Grill
9221 Lake Hefner Parkway
749-1995
At
Red Rock, the whole menu is available on its lovely patio. Nourish
yourself with rotisserie chicken, succulent steaks, fresh seafood of the
day or Bunkhouse St. Louis ribs. For sweets, opt for its Key lime pie
or Something Chocolate. Its flying chicken is perfect for a picnic at
the lake: Call ahead and Red Rock will deliver a rotisserie chicken
right to your car door.
$$$ American
Hensley’s Top Shelf Grill
1551 Garth Brooks Blvd., Yukon
265-4076
Enjoy
the patio here, which boasts enough seating for 30. The steaks, by
Sterling Silver Top Choice, are all hand-cut and Hensley’s offer a nice
selection of seafood as well as chicken-fried steak and pork chops. Note
that its pies are all homemade; another good choice might be its
chocolate cake.
$$$ Gourmet
$$: up to $15
$$$: $15-$30
$$$$: Above $30
This article appears in Apr 4-10, 2012.