Bon Appetit names Ma Der Lao of Oklahoma City one of the Top 50 best new restaurants

Bon Appetit last week named Ma Der Lao Kitchen in Oklahoma City one of the top 25 best new restaurants in the United States. Here's what the magazine said about the restaurant: After years spent cooking Japanese food around Oklahoma City, chef Jeff Chanchaleune has turned his considerable talents to the Lao food he grew … Continue reading Bon Appetit names Ma Der Lao of Oklahoma City one of the Top 50 best new restaurants

Swadley’s Bar-B-Q countersuit allegedly implicates Oklahoma governor, Pinnell

Swadley's Bar-B-Q last week filed a countersuit, alleging the governor and Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell, who leads the state's tourism department, knew of the arrangement where the restaurant chain spent millions of dollars in inflated reimbursement invoices to upgrade services at several state parks. The Oklahoman newspaper reported some details about the countersuit: Among the claims … Continue reading Swadley’s Bar-B-Q countersuit allegedly implicates Oklahoma governor, Pinnell

Tulsa artist makes striking new poster featuring Will Rogers, Route 66

Longtime Tulsa residents know of William Franklin and his artistic talents. But his latest creation that's offered for sale at his Decopolis gift store is particularly notable, especially to Route 66 fans. Franklin stated in a recent Facebook post: Every once in a while ya get lucky and come up with an idea that is … Continue reading Tulsa artist makes striking new poster featuring Will Rogers, Route 66

Brewery to convert historic OKC armory building into hotel, restaurant, events center

COOP Ale Works bought the historic armory building on Oklahoma City's 23rd Street corridor for $1.3 million and will convert it into a brewery, hotel, events center and restaurant. The Oklahoman newspaper reported the purchase included five adjacent buildings: The former Veterans Affairs building to the east will be converted into 12 villas with a basement … Continue reading Brewery to convert historic OKC armory building into hotel, restaurant, events center

Oklahoma Tourism axes contract with Swadley’s Bar-B-Q due to suspected fraud

The Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department this week canceled a state parks contract with Swadley's Bar-B-Q -- a regional chain with Route 66 roots -- “due to suspected fraudulent activity and questionable business practices.” The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation has been investigating the contract for several weeks. The local district attorney and state auditor … Continue reading Oklahoma Tourism axes contract with Swadley’s Bar-B-Q due to suspected fraud

Oklahoma State Capitol Museum in Oklahoma City opens

As part of a massive restoration project recently completed at the building, the Oklahoma State Capitol Museum in Oklahoma City opened to the public last week. The museum on the ground floor of the state's Capitol "unveiled exhibits during Tuesday’s opening ceremony displaying government-forming documents, century-old stained glass, antique ballot boxes and the accoutrements of … Continue reading Oklahoma State Capitol Museum in Oklahoma City opens

Music lineup announced for Route 66 Road Fest in Tulsa and OKC

The full music lineup recently was announced for the Route 66 Road Fest in Tulsa and Oklahoma City in June, which includes one intriguing act -- Son Volt. St. Louis-based Son Volt was one of essentially three bands born out of the 1993 breakup of a highly influential country-rock band, Uncle Tupelo. (The other two … Continue reading Music lineup announced for Route 66 Road Fest in Tulsa and OKC

Oklahoma City National Memorial gets final $1M it was promised almost 20 years ago

The Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum, which commemorates the 1995 terrorist bombing that killed 168 people, will receive the final $1 million in a federal spending bill it was promised almost two decades ago. According to an article in The Oklahoman, the $1.5 trillion federal spending bill that primarily funds road and water projects … Continue reading Oklahoma City National Memorial gets final $1M it was promised almost 20 years ago

Donnay Building in Oklahoma City finds new developer who will evict tenants

The good news is a developer wants to spend plenty of money to preserve the historic and distinctive Donnay Building in Oklahoma City. The bad news is he will evict several tenants, including the HiLo Club. That's the gist by The Oklahoman newspaper, which reports Nick Preftakes is prepared to spend $3 million to bring … Continue reading Donnay Building in Oklahoma City finds new developer who will evict tenants

Florence’s Restaurant in Oklahoma City is state’s first James Beard Award winner

The 70-year-old Florence's Restaurant just east of the state capitol in Oklahoma City last week was named the first James Beard Award winner in Oklahoma history. According to The Oklahoman newspaper, Florence's was among six winners of the Beard foundation’s 2022 America’s Classics Award, given to locally-owned restaurants with “timeless appeal and are beloved regionally for … Continue reading Florence’s Restaurant in Oklahoma City is state’s first James Beard Award winner