Oklahoma City is getting wild with a slew of gnu restaurants. Where they are getting these gnus is a mystery, but there must be a surplus because there are a bunch of them. Oh. Hold on. New restaurants. Not gnu. (Stupid Hooked on Phonics lessons never covered homophones.) Anyway, here are a bunch of recently opened restaurants you might want to give a try. We’re not sure if any of them are serving gnu.
— by Greg Elwell, photos by Mark Hancock and Garett Fisbeck
Hidalgo’s Cocina & Cantina
200 S. Santa Fe Ave., Edmond
285-2424
The only thing bigger than the portions at Hidalgo’s are the smiles. Tucked into the corner of an Edmond shopping center, this Mexican and pan-Latin restaurant is filled to the brim with happy, helpful servers and a variety of tasty dishes. Want to try some of everything? Check out the parrilla piled high with beef, chicken, shrimp, pork, Argentinian chorizo and veggies.
Fuze Buffet & Bar
6512 Northwest Expressway
603-8668
There’s big. There’s bigger. And there’s Fuze, which is a buffet that feels like it was plucked out of Las Vegas and dropped in OKC. What are you hungry for? Mexican? Sushi? Stir-fry? Burgers? Steak? Barbecue? From noodles to sandwiches, salads and cocktails, this buffet has it all. So if you leave hungry, that’s on you, man.
The Black Raven
14471 NE 23rd St., Choctaw
390-1400
What is an Irish pub doing in Choctaw? A better question is, What are you doing in Choctaw? And the answer should be, Going to The Black Raven for Irish delicacies like Guinness beef stew, shepherd’s pie or the Raven Burger with Guinness cheddar. Best of all, this fun, homey bar is replete with great service and a welcoming atmosphere.
Maya Latin Cuisine
3929 N. College Ave., Bethany
470-4497
South America comes to Bethany with Maya Latin Cuisine. More than your usual Mexican restaurant, this new eatery serves intriguing dishes like Crepas Maya (three chicken-filled crepes) and carne a la Tampiquena with grilled flank steak and chilaquiles. And if you somehow have room for dessert, Maya serves a traditional homemade rice pudding.
Land Run Grill and Wine Bar
1400 SE 12th Ave. Suite 348, Norman
310-2370
It’s not a requirement to arrive at Land Run in a covered wagon, but you might want to bring a crowd to explore this mighty menu. It’s eclectic, which means there’s a little something for everyone. One order that stands out is the “hog wings.” These pork shanks come covered in tender, tasty meat and are served with sweet Thai chili sauce or barbecue sauce.
GiaGia Vietnamese Family Restaurant
2624 N. Classen Blvd.
602-5095
Our city has no shortage of Vietnamese restaurants, but the more the merrier if you’re talking about outstanding food like GiaGia. Hidden away on Classen, this family-run business serves all the greatest hits (like pho and glass noodle pork) and plenty of new favorites. If you haven’t tried congee — a savory Vietnamese rice porridge — now is your chance.
Bonjour
3705 W. Memorial Road, Suite 707
286-9172
Hi! Greetings! Howdy! Bonjour will have you saying, “Hello, gorgeous,” to a big plate of crab cake Benedict with crispy potatoes. Led by chef Vuong Nguyen, Bonjour has impeccable credentials and has already racked up a stable of loyal customers. But when you’re serving chocolate waffles covered in fruit, toffee and whipped cream, it’s not like anyone will be leaving unhappy.
Print headline: Fresh, gnu
