The sunlight doesn’t last as long and there’s a chill in the air that makes you want to reach for a fuzzy sweater, especially in the mornings. Believe it or not, fall is here again already. The moment the seasons hint at change, our cravings change, too. Here are local places that offer the best of what this season has to offer.

— by Devon Green, photos by Mark Hancock and Shannon Cornman

Pecan Pie (Mark Hancock)
Mark Hancock
Pecan Pie

Pie Junkie

1711 NW 16th St.

piejunkie.com

605-8767

Local pie mavens Pie Junkie set the bar for team pie in OKC, and with good reason: the sweet treats that come out of the kitchen on NW 16th Street are just so darn good. You can find it around town at its bakery or at places like S&B’s Burger Joint, 5929 N. May Ave., and Bricktown Brewery, 1 N. Oklahoma Ave. While nothing matches the vibrant sunshine of summer in Oklahoma like strawberry-rhubarb, we can think of worse ways of saying good-bye to summer than with a big slice of apple or pecan pie.

Kitchen No. 324

324 N. Robinson Ave.

kitchen324.com

763-5911

Something about a hearty breakfast makes the chill in the air much easier to take. Be sure you don’t skimp when it comes to getting the most important meal of the day. This downtown eatery is a breakfast-lover’s dream, with fresh pastries, a coffee bar and plenty of choices so you can grab and go. For a great start that will warm you up and keep you going, start with a chai latte and a bowl of the steel-cut oats.

Pumpkin spice latte (Mark Hancock)
Mark Hancock
Pumpkin spice latte

Wholly Grounds Coffee

8613 S. Western Ave. Suite A

facebook.com/whollygroundscoffee

632-0444

There is no shortage of autumn-themed sights and smells in the air at this coffee shop. The little eatery on S. Western Ave. got a new home last month, and it has been doling out fresh pastries and warm coffee drinks since. Nothing quite says fall like a pumpkin spice latte. Lucky for you, it has one of the nicest in town. Pair it with a freshly baked muffin and say hello to fall.

Cincinnati-style spaghetti (Mark Hancock)
Mark Hancock
Cincinnati-style spaghetti

The Red Cup

3122 N. Classen Blvd.

facebook.com/redcupok

525-3430

This cozy cafe located in the space between the Asian District and the Historic Paseo Arts District is home to one of the finest vegetarian and vegan menus in town. The menu also features a whirlwind of choices of warm beverages for a cool autumn day. Daily specials include Cincinnati-style spaghetti made with chili, cheese, spaghetti and sour cream. Don’t forget to grab a few baked goods and a warm cup of tea for dessert.

Southwestern meatloaf at Paseo Grill (Mark Hancock)
Mark Hancock
Southwestern meatloaf at Paseo Grill

Paseo Grill

2909 Paseo Drive

paseogrill.com

601-1079

This casual, delicious eatery is hidden just off the beaten path in the Historic Paseo Arts District and is well worth exploring. The lunch and dinner menus both feature a wealth of classic, comfortable dishes done just right. For lunch, try the steak sandwich with prime rib and Gruyère cheese. Start every meal with the cream of mushroom soup. It’s wonderful. For dinner, go for a classic with the southwest meatloaf with tenderloin and chipotle red wine demi-glace for an unforgettable meal.

Lasagna at the Loaded Bowl (Mark Hancock)
Mark Hancock
Lasagna at the Loaded Bowl

The Loaded Bowl

theloadedbowltruck.com

326-5532

Vegetarians and vegans might be wary, but The Loaded Bowl food truck offers some of the finest comfort food in the metro. We’ve long stopped wondering how the truck manages to make going meatless such an incredibly delicious option. Just give us more of that cashew mac and cheese and meatless barbecue in the Down Home Bowl, and make it quick.

Grilled cheese at The Lobby Bar and Cafe (Mark Hancock)
Mark Hancock
Grilled cheese at The Lobby Bar and Cafe

The Lobby Cafe & Bar

4322 N. Western Ave.

willrogerslobbybar.com

604-4650

For a lunch or dinner treat that takes you back to the pleasures of eating at home, this Western Concepts eatery is a great choice. The grilled cheese is your childhood favorite all grown up with white cheddar and manchego cheeses, and the butternut squash soup is a hearty reminder of the pleasures that come with autumn produce.

Print headline: Sugar, spice and everything nice

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