There’s just something about Oklahoma in June that’s reminiscent of Grease. Except here, the summer days are blistering away. But oh, oh those summer nights. It’s clear the sun is trying to murder your family right now. The only solution is to live in the slightly less miserable heat of the night. Here are some of our favorite eateries serving food after the sun goes down.
By Greg Elwell
Photos Garett Fisbeck and Gazette / file
The Mule
1630 N. Blackwelder Ave.
405-601-1400
There’s a reason mules are the perfect symbol of our nation. Eagle, schmeagle — nothing says America like a mule. We’re stubborn and sometimes we smell weird, but we’re hard workers, and we have great hair! Celebrate our nation and the setting sun with a visit to The Mule. This bar and restaurant stays open until midnight Fridays and Saturdays, slinging cold beers and hot melts, and it’s open at 10 a.m. Sundays for brunch.
Fassler Hall
421 NW 10th St.
405-609-3300
If you can read the phrase Late Night Sausage Party on Fassler Hall’s menu without giggling, you’re a better man than me. Who wouldn’t giggle at the prospect of half-priced gourmet sausages like habanero chicken, jalapeño cheddar or hunter (full of smoked venison, buffalo and pork sausage) 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. Sunday-Thursday? Wait. Why are you laughing? Is there a double entendre I’m not getting?
Banana Island
1117 NW 25th St.
facebook.com/bananaislandrestaurant
405-602-1188
Are spicy foods keeping you up, or are you staying up for spicy foods? Whichever way you play it, you should make a stop at Banana Island for the intoxicating mix of Thai and Malaysian cuisines. Open until 11 p.m., it’s a great place for meat eaters, vegetarians and vegans who want to eat a delicious, exotic meal late into the evening. And if you want to stay up really late, get a Thai iced coffee. You might never sleep again.
Taqueria La Tropicana
1022 SW 29th St.
405-634-8231
The weirdest thing about Taqueria La Tropicana isn’t the hours, though a south side taco joint open 3:30 p.m.-1 a.m. Monday-Thursday and 8 p.m.-4 a.m. Friday-Sunday is a little odd. The weirdest thing about this delightful authentic Mexican restaurant is that you haven’t been there yet. The tacos de papa are a delight, and the barbacoa and carnitas are some of the best in the city, no matter the time.
Chow’s Chinese Restaurant
3033 N. May Ave.
405-949-1663
There’s never a bad time for Chinese food. Have you had fried rice for breakfast? Masterful. A quick vegetable stir-fry makes for a light lunch that won’t weigh you down. And if dinner comes and goes too quickly, turn to Chow’s Chinese Restaurant for top-notch cuisine until 11 p.m. From classics like broccoli beef to delicacies like cold jelly fish, you’re sure to find something to like but more likely lots and lots of things you’ll love.
Chelio’s Diner
1621 S. Interstate 35 Service Road
405-670-7799
Calories go to sleep when the sun sets. It’s science. So when it gets dark, you can forget your diet and get down with the grub you’ve been dreaming of all day at Chelio’s Diner. A hodgepodge of American favorites, including pork chops and chicken-fried steak, await you. So do some not-so-traditional diner foods, such as lasagna, egg rolls and chili rellenos. Whatever you choose, be sure to come back for breakfast the next day.
Gigglez Bar & Grill
1016 N. Walker Ave.
405-602-2074
The comics onstage certainly aren’t pulling their jokes from the menu at Gigglez because they’ll get anything but laughs from names like the I’ve Got Nothing to Provalone sandwich or the Guac. Guac. Who’s There? burger. But you’ll get over those groaners when you dig into the food designed by chef Vuong Nguyen (owner of Bonjour). Order fast, though. The laughs might roll on until midnight Friday and Saturday, but the kitchen closes at 11 p.m.
