Meals are such a commitment. Sitting at a table, making conversation, wearing pants — who has time for that? And sometimes, people just aren’t that hungry. What makes snacks so great is that you can eat them on the go, while you’re on the phone and they’re the perfect size. Still hungry? Eat another snack. Here are some popular places for those feeling peckish.
By Greg Elwell
Photos Garett Fisbeck
The Lobby Cafe & Bar
4322 N. Western Ave.
405-604-4650
On a menu with such upscale items as bacon-wrapped dates stuffed with goat cheese and dry-cured chorizo and a shrimp, crab and manchego cheese sandwich, it might surprise diners to find a dried delicacy like beef jerky. But The Lobby Cafe & Bar is never shy about pushing culinary envelopes. Thin strips of tender beef are seasoned and dried to create a protein-packed and savory snack that proves jerky can be fancy, too.
Ingrid’s
6501 N. May Ave.
405-842-4799
“C” is for many things: capons, catapults and car collisions, to name a few. But thanks to a certain blue-furred New York City denizen, we know that the best “C” is for cookie. And for some of the best cookies in OKC, one must go to Ingrid’s. The European bakery is known for its pastries and desserts, and its cookie case is always popular. Delicious thumbprint, chewy chocolate and snickerdoodle cookies share space with gorgeously decorated iced sugar cookies.
Republic Gastropub
5830 N. Classen Blvd.
405-286-4577
A lot of pulled, roasted chicken is sitting on top of each nacho at Republic Gastropub. It takes a sturdy chip to hold up all the perfectly cooked meat and caramelized onions loaded with melted cheese, sour cream and a sliver of green onion. It takes an even sturdier customer to leave one on the plate. Don’t worry. We won’t judge if you finish them all. Order a second batch for us while you’re at it.
Lottinville’s
801 Signal Ridge Road, Edmond
405-341-2244
Chips and dip is a classic snack, but no matter how spicy you make it, Lottinville’s has it beat. This Edmond mainstay has a burning desire to win customer loyalty with its queso fondito. A cast iron skillet filled with spicy chorizo, mushrooms, onions, tomatoes, jalapeños and melted pepper jack cheese really gets cooking when it’s served to diners flambéed. Dip the house-made chips in the queso and a little fresh salsa for a snack that’s also a spectacle.
Taj Cuisine of India
1500 NW 23rd St.
405-601-1888
Why settle for plain potato when samosas, the pyramid-shaped fried darlings of Indian food, also add peas and spices inside crunchy pastry shells? The versions served at Taj Cuisine of India are freshly fried with a delicious green chutney dipping sauce. The order might require a minute or two to cool down, but once samosas are ready to eat, they make for a delightfully filling appetizer.
Freshy Donuts & Sushi
6227 N. Meridian Ave.
405-721-8999
Peanut butter and jelly. Sour cream and onion. And now there’s a colossal new culinary team: doughnuts and sushi. To be clear, Freshy Donuts & Sushi isn’t making doughnuts out of tuna or wrapping long johns in eel, but the restaurant does serve both (as well as bubble tea and snow cones). The doughnuts are lovely and light and big and round and delicious. The sushi is fresh (try the Freshy Roll if you need more proof), and the price is almost as friendly as the staff.
Cafe 501
5825 NW Grand Blvd.
405-844-1501
Whether served in a bowl with milk, sprinkled over yogurt or tossed straight into the mouth, granola is a treat. Cafe 501 makes a sweet granola that has enough crunch and body to be interesting. It’s baked fresh daily and sold by the bag (along with breads, cookies and cupcakes). The right way to eat Cafe 501 granola is however you want to.
Print headline: Snack attack
This article appears in Nov 9-15, 2016.