Sweatpants feel so good. You slide into them and all your cares fade away. Except for one: You cant go out to eat wearing them. As comfortable as they are, theres a tear in the crotch and a suspicious stain on the leg. You dont want to cook and nobody wants to see you rocking the drawstring. Time for takeout. Here are seven spots we love to go when were getting it to-go.
by Greg Elwell,
photos by Mark Hancock, Garett Fisbeck and Keaton Draper
Lemongrass Modern Thai Cuisine
253 S. Santa Fe Ave., Edmond
330-6888
Thai food is one of the rare cuisines that gets better with age. Do your taste buds a favor and get some pad thai and evil jungle curry from Lemongrass Modern Thai Cuisine and take it home. There, you can chow down with a box of tissues at your side when the spice sweats hit and enjoy the burn.
Mama Sinmis Chop House
2312 N. Macarthur Blvd.
947-6262
Its a delight to dine at Mama Sinmis Chop House, where the staff is so friendly and the food so good. But if youre in a hurry, youll find its menu translates well to-go. Get the moin moin bean cake appetizer or go nuts on chicken jollof rice. Best of all, no one will be there to judge when you polish it all off yourself.
Taco Rico
3838 N. Lincoln Blvd.
521-1330
Was Taco Rico originally co-owned by 80s synth pop group Taco and 90s Latin rap heartthrob Gerardo? No, it wasnt, and the cashier in the drive-thru is sick of you singing Rico Suave before ordering your food. Taco Rico isnt about the music, man. Its about delicious crispy tacos, smothered tamales and churros.
Donut Palace
900 SW Fourth St., Moore
408-3072
Real talk: Until you are age 70, its not okay to eat your donuts at the donut shop. They wont kick you out theyre too polite but its a little unnerving to see a grown man polish off two dozen apple fritters and long johns in one sitting. Oh, is that just me? Nevermind. When you hit Donut Palace, youll want to get a box to-go just to avoid me.
Mandarin Chinese & American Restaurant
4401 SE 29th St., Del City
mandarinchineserestaurantgroup.com
672-3983
Nobody disputes that Mandarin Chinese & American Restaurant in Del City is cozy and comfy. Still, is there any food we associate more with takeout? Theres just something magical about taking home a big container of mu shu pork, eggs Cantonese and a bucket full of egg rolls so big youll never need to leave the house again.
Rays Smokehouse BBQ
1514 W. Lindsey St., Norman
329-4040
Everybody loves barbecue, and almost nobody can cook their own. Thats what makes places like Rays Smokehouse so important. It will pack you up a rack of ribs, chopped brisket, collard greens, potato salad and more messy, homestyle favorites for you to enjoy in your messy home. And takeout means never having to say, Pass the napkins.
Mama Mos Pizza
501 S. Mustang Road, Yukon
mamamospizza.ok.mightypages.com
494-7979
Always order too much pizza should be a popular tattoo because its a universal truth. Youll never be sad to have one more slice, especially from Mama Mos. And as it serves up an XXL pie, youre sure to have enough for whatever sleepover, cram session, game night or Antiques Roadshow watch party youre hosting.