Best patios for food and drinks in the OKC area
A recent visit to the O Bar where chef Kurt Fleischfresser commandeered the plancha to produce an eye-watering five-course meal inspired by South America got me thinking about patio season.
From The O Bar's lofty, elegant rooftop perch enjoying with grilled meats and cold drinks, it was impossible not to dream on an endless summer of patio-crawling through the 405 diningscape.
Pizza
I've said before, my favorite pizza in town is Stella Modern Italian. Good thing owner Lori Burson has one of the best patio in town. The ultra-thin Roman-style pizza, crunch-junkies will love sets up well with a bottle of wine overlooking downtown.
While Stella offers dramatic views and Roman-style pizza, Pizzeria Gusto's Neapolitan-style pizza can be had on one of the city's most intimate patios. Hidden behind a high fence and beneath tree limbs, Gusto's array of inventive pizzas from chef Kathryn Mathis are buttressed by an equally well appointed bar.
And now for something completely different, Detroit-style pizza first arrived to the 405 diningscape by Providence Pizza Company inside Parlor OKC. The lush, airy pies with distinctive Parmesan-striped edges can be had on Parlor's expansive rooftop patio supported by two different bars.
Tacos
Ever since Chelino's left Bricktown, we've been looking for a new champion for chomping tacos under the sun.
Ted's Cantina has been popping up new locations around the state, but it's first boast one of the best spots in town to enjoy a taco with some fresh air.
The former Revolucion has shortened its name, but it hasn't shortened its patio seating. With a refreshed menu, Rev still slings the tequila as inventively as anyone in town ...
Midtown is famous for its patio dining, but few offer the combination of intimacy and energy of Barrios Fine Mexican Dishes. With avocado margaritas and Micheladas in support, the fire-grilled menu of Barrios is a summertime staple.
The Paseo Arts District is another favorite for outdoor dining, and Frida Southwest features perhaps the city's most elegant outdoor dining room. Chef Quinn Carroll has a menu that matches the patio's elegance without pulling punches in delivering bold flavors inspired by southern border country.
Featuring shells fried to order, The Fried Taco is located inside two food halls with patio seating. The Fried Taco originated as a food truck, but grew into bricks and mortar by popular demand. First it joined The Collective in downtown Oklahoma City before Edmond's The Ice House came calling.
Burgers
84 Hospitality's former food truck concept Burger Punk came to the Paseo just before the coronavirus pandemic emerged, but quickly built a patio that's proven to be a boon for its menu of burgers boasting toppings from basic to bizarre.
Back in November, celebrity chef Alton Brown was in town for a live performance when he discovered "the best double-cheeseburger in America" at Bar Arbolada. Outdoor diners will be happy to know Bar Arbolada has covered seating on the front patio. Look for those cheeseburgers to be sold at The Flycatcher Club when it opens in June.
Fried chicken
Now with four locations, outdoor seating remains a signature of the original Nashbird location as well as its Edmond location. Featuring "hot-dang" Nashville-style chicken, chefs Marc and Jenny Dunham have grown the concept despite pandemic conditions.
Not long before Florence's Restaurant became Oklahoma's first James Beard Award-winning restaurant, it wasn't sure how it would survive the coronavirus. One of the solutions turned out to be a brand-new patio overlooking NE 23 Street.
Featuring a dynamic variety of wings, Truong and Chynne Le's Uptown bar and grill Chick N Beer offers diners the simplest pleasures with distinction and aplomb. This time of year, it's almost as hard to find a spot on the patio as it its inside. Outdoor diners can choose from seats wrapping around the restaurant, both covered and uncovered. Regardless, Mama's Sweet and Salty Wings await along with wings sauced in Gochujang and a variety of other flavor profiles.
Asian
Brand-new to the 405 diningscape, Jinya is a chain that offers ramen bowls and Asian-style small plates with a full bar.
Oklahoma City's Western Avenue corridor features classic restaurants with a smattering of patio options. No place covers the bases better than Sushi Neko with covered seating with fans and built-in heaters for year-round outdoor dining.
Something special
Looking for a patio dining that doesn't scrimp on the culinary experience? Ludivine practically invented elegant dining in Midtown in the modern age. Chef Russ Johnson offers a farm-to-fork menu with a cocktail program second to none under covered dining as elegantly appointed as the dining room inside.
James Beard Award semifinalist Zach Hutton built his reputation with an exacting eye toward fresh, local ingredients. His Scratch Kitchen and Cocktails in the Paseo has a menu that doesn't step outside a supply chain of his own design. The result is culinary art crafted from the soul of Oklahoma flavors.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Where are the best patios in OKC? Here's summer spots for every foodie
