It’s a little-discussed fact that, over the course of The Muppets, there have been 17 different Miss Piggys. Every time a contract dispute came up, the set would get quiet for a few days before a new pig in a blonde wig would show up, and the craft services table was suddenly stocked with BLTs, pork rinds and biscuits made with lard. Now that you’re hungry, here are some of OKC’s finest pork dishes.
— by Greg Elwell, photos by Mark Hancock and Garett Fisbeck
Guernsey Park
2418 N. Guernsey Ave.
605-5272
Taste buds take note. Guernsey Park recently stopped serving its tremendously delicious Thit Kho Tau pork and egg dish, but have no fear — it is not giving up on swine. This glorious half-rack of pork ribs is stacked with meat and glazed with an intoxicating mix of oyster sauce, brown sugar and Sriracha. On the side is tart and tasty kimchi cucumbers and a red chile and garlic slaw.
Tamales El Patio
3421 SW 29th St.
605-1800
The first time a child who has eaten ubiquitous cinnamon Hot Tamales candies orders actual tamales in a restaurant can be traumatic. Help make their transition into eating real food less fearful by making sure they get pork tamales from Tamales El Patio. The richly seasoned filling pairs beautifully with the sweet corn masa exterior for a dish that is as satisfying as it is simple. If only it would sell bite-size versions in boxes at the movie theater.
Quoc Bao Bakery
2501 N. Classen Blvd.
760-6322
“BUN me. It’s pronounced B-U-N me,” said someone who is no longer a friend. Because what kind of friend brings pronunciation into question while you’re eating a delicious bánh mì sandwich from Quoc Bao Bakery? I’ll tell you what kind: an enemy. Let her go eat a gross turkey sub at a sandwich chain. Besides, you have a new best friend: those achingly tasty shredded pork and ham “buns.”
The Mule
1630 N. Blackwelder Ave.
601-1400
How do you make a pulled pork sandwich better? Stuff it full of macaroni and cheese, of course! That’s what the owners of The Mule did when they created the Macaroni Pony. Served on a piece of jalapeño cornbread, it’ll kick your hunger in the gut like a donkey. Keep yourself from feeling like too much of an ass by ordering some fried cheese curds while you wait.
Cajun King
5816 NW 63rd St.
603-3714
Hear ye, hear ye! All hail his majesty the Cajun King, regent by the grace of the buffet, defender of the pile of empty plates, head of the catfish fryer and server of the blackened pork chops. There is no shortage of swine cooked up in the Kingdom of Cajun, but none is quite as magnificent as the blackened pork chops. Put down some rice, grab a chop and pour a little gumbo on top and you’ll be living like royalty, too.
George’s Happy Hog Bar-B-Q
712 Culbertson Drive
525-8111
The Bible says God took a rib from Adam to make Eve, but what it doesn’t say is how long it took the Big Guy to convince Adam not to eat her. Even in the Garden of Eden, everybody knew how good ribs were. Good news: Now you can just buy pork ribs at George’s Happy Hog Bar-B-Q, where the meat pulls away from the bone easier than a snake convincing a naked lady to eat an apple.
15th Street Grill
1204 E. Lockheed Drive, Midwest City
736-6575
Cows and hogs have always been friends, ever since they bonded over having nipples. So it’s nice to know that you can see those old chums reunited at 15th Street Grill when you order a jalapeño bacon cream cheese burger. The heat of the jalapeño meets the sweetness of cream cheese as a beef burger and smoked, cured and griddled pork belly resume their barnyard friendship deep in your stomach.
Print headline: High hog
