Ricardo Lopez (its proprietor) operates this flagship location. There are two other Ricky’s Cafes in OKC.
Pride in ownership and operation are evident in the spotless interior that’s spacious and attractive. The place exudes attention to detail. Tasteful floral arrangements, wrought-iron candelabras and colorful Mexican ceramics are at every turn. Behind glass, next to the comfortable waiting area, is “Ricky’s Tortilla Factory,” where an employee operates a stainless steel machine and mini assembly line. We watched her crank out the freshly made warm flour tortillas that are served with every order. The dining rooms are divided between comfortable booths and mauve-colored granite-top tables.
right, Bianca’s Favorite
Friendly waitstaff brought tortilla chips, salsa and queso immediately after we were seated. Ricky’s menu has their logo on the cover, a smiling cartoon chili pepper with two teeth, wearing a sombrero, serape and Western boots; inside, it’s a full six pages that require careful reading. You’ll find some truly authentic Mexican cuisine among the more common Tex-Mex and straight-up American dishes.
I like places that name plates after their friends, patrons or celebrities, and Ricky’s has several. If I owned a Mexicano restaurant, there would certainly be my own version of Ricky’s Special Mexican Dinner ($14) on the menu. It’s a gigantic platter with chicken and cheese enchiladas, two tamales, one taco, guacamole and beans and rice.
The taste is unmistakably from family recipes. Nothing about this food hinted at a corporation lurking in the cocina. But it’s not midnight-in-the-barrio taco truck fare, either.
There’s no baby goat or lingua in fried masa. Ricky’s is definitely Norte Americano friendly. Unlike many Mexican restaurants that cater to gringos, Ricky’s salsa is boldly spicy. Made in-house with plenty of cilantro, garlic, fresh tomato and chili, the salsa’s fragrance and flavor are above the insipid stuff sometimes served in these parts.
Bianca’s Favorite ($15) is guiso, beef tips sauteed with tomato, onion and jalapeño, a chicken and sour cream
enchilada, carne asada taco, fried potatoes, rice and beans. The
delicately seasoned beef, flavored with caramelized onions, was
delicious rolled up in a tortilla.
Tony’s
Special ($13) features costillas de puerco or pork ribs, along with a
taco, enchilada, rice and beans. The ribs were not as tender as they
could have been, but otherwise tasted good. Chile Colorado ($12) was as
fiery on the palate as it appeared on the plate. A distinctively crimson
guajillo sauce gave this dish a real piquant bite. Ricky’s has some
veggie plates including Fernando’s Taste of Mexico ($12) with cheese
quesadillas and guacamole.
Seafood
dishes tend toward shrimp and catfish filets. Cocktel de Camaron ($10)
is shrimp cocktail with lime and tomato served in a big glass goblet.
There’s
a section of the menu titled “Breakfast in America.” These egg-and-meat
plates are served all the time. The machaca ($8.99) is scrambled eggs
with dried and spiced shredded beef. It’s a traditional favorite of
silver miners in the Sierra Madres in the state of Chihuahua, but rarely
seen on Oklahoma menus.
There
are several grilled steak choices, including Bistek Ranchero ($11), a
small beef steak served with cheese, beans, rice and pico de gallo. Wash
one of those big platters down with a large frozen margarita ($8.49), a
Dos Equis Amber ($3.89) or go for a more exotic choice. Ricky’s version
of horchata ($1.99) combines sweetened milk with ground rice, vanilla
and cinnamon. They also serve tamarind and hibiscus tea concoctions. If
that’s too much of a walk on the wild side, you can always stick with
house-made lemonade ($1.99) or domestic suds ($2.99).
Photo by Mark Hancock
Oklahoma
Gazette’s restaurant review policy is to highlight the positive aspects
and include constructive criticism regarding food, ambience or service
when appropriate.
