Arnold’s Old Fashioned Hamburgers, a favorite on Tulsa’s southwest side, soon will move from its location of 33 years to a temporary spot at Crystal City Shopping Center along Route 66.
Crystal City sits at West 42nd Street and Southwest Boulevard (aka Route 66), close to the Route 66 Gateway that hangs over the road. The long-moribund shopping center has seen a renaissance in the last few years because of new owners.
Don’t expect this to be a permanent home for Arnold’s. News on 6 in Tulsa reports:
The owners say this location will be temporary because they eventually plan to build a brand new Arnold’s.
They say the dining room will be bigger, but there won’t be a drive though window. So, the owners are exploring options like call-ahead and delivery.
Arnold’s will close Saturday at its 51st Street and Union Avenue site. The Tulsa World reported:
Frank Arnold, who owns the restaurant with his wife, Vicki, said he was forced to relocate after being informed by the property owners that they are bringing in a Taco Bell.
The plan is to reopen at a new west Tulsa location within the next year. Arnold said there are three locations where he is looking to build, including property across the street from its current location at 1722 W. 51st St.
“The ball is already rolling, and we have great plans for a brand new location in west Tulsa that will be up and running within the next 12 months,” Arnold told the Tulsa World in February.
Arnold’s sits about 1.5 miles from old Route 66 in Tulsa, so many roadies haven’t experienced it. Its old-fashioned feel with neon, mirrors, jukeboxes and burgers made to order likely would find favor with Route 66 aficionados. And it consistently has been voted as one of the best burger joints in a city that’s blessed with several.
Now that Arnold’s will move to Route 66 for about a year, roadies now have no excuse to miss it. And who knows? Maybe Frank Arnold will become more receptive to moving to the Mother Road.
(Image from Arnold’s Old Fashioned Hamburgers in Tulsa via Yelp)