Their mac & cheese is a meal unto itself and perhaps the best in town.

Once I finally had the willpower to stop ordering the meatloaf, I've found almost everything else they have is equally good.

Seriously. It's so good. The only other mac and cheese in the area I've had that is just as good, if not better, is at Scratch in Norman. I always open the open-faced BLT, but I'll have to try the meatloaf when I go next. I normally don't think to order meatloaf in a restaurant but it sounds quite popular!

^^^^^^
Jalapeno bacon mac and cheese at Mickey Mantle's.

I have yet to see a sports bar type place have captions on the tv. It's either all sound or nothing. Usually nothing.

We have trouble going north of 23rd to eat.

You're limiting yourself the same way some of my fellow suburbanites limit themselves by not visiting the core.

They consider themselves a gastropub so not going because of a dislike a sports is really a mistake. They obviously have tvs with sports on but the amount of different beers they have and high quality of food is a reason enough to go. It's hands down one of my favorite places to eat and drink. The sports are just a plus in my book.
If you're not looking to be surround by the sports crowd just go for lunch one day. Sit at the bar and enjoy anything from their menu. I really enjoy the republic burger and like I said they have a great selection of beer and cocktails. I'm beyond excited they are expanding the brand and opening one up north.

Yeah, that's what we'll probably do - just go during a non-Thunder night or at lunch, because we have heard the food is so good. Been wanting to go, but just didn't want to get there and walk in and go "Man, can't do this". I'm not one for noisy places in general (hard to hear conversations when there's lots of background noise, too much time spent standing in front of speaker stacks at concerts for too many years, young and invincible, y'know), but we'll definitely put it on our list. Thanks to all for the replies...

You're limiting yourself the same way some of my fellow suburbanites limit themselves by not visiting the core.

We don't eat out that often and there are so many options near us. It's so nice to walk to dinner.

Went today and damn, it was really good! Went at 2:00, had the Banh Mi and Mac'n'Cheese (wife had the Classen burger, cheddar ale soup, and Asian slaw (veggie of the day)), all really good and fresh-tasting (wife's soup wasn't as good as the rest, but still OK). Had the place almost to ourselves (a few folks on the patio, but that was it), music was loud, but really clear and we did not have to talk above normal volume to hear each other, so they have a really good sound system, it appears, since there are very few sound-absorbing things anywhere in there (I imagine on Thunder game night or Fri/Sat night it gets pretty loud, though). Service was really good - asked if we wanted the soup brought out beforehand (which is a question that should *always* be asked, but isn't), very attentive, beers came out as quick as they should (never have understood why it takes 10 minutes in a not-busy restaurant to get a beer brought out, nothing involved except opening the tap). Not that expensive, either, so we're definitely going back!

there are very few sound-absorbing things anywhere in there (I imagine on Thunder game night or Fri/Sat night it gets pretty loud, though).

There is actually quite a bit of sound-absorbing material in and just below the ceiling which is one of the big reasons it sounds so good in there without it getting overly loud.

Slaughter's Hall is another place that got this right; even on jazz nights the sound is loud, but pleasant.

Sound dynamics and lighting are the two things most restaurants and bars don't tend to appreciate until they open, as most architects only think of both in terms of general appearance of the space rather than ambiance.

Went today and damn, it was really good! Went at 2:00, had the Banh Mi and Mac'n'Cheese (wife had the Classen burger, cheddar ale soup, and Asian slaw (veggie of the day)), all really good and fresh-tasting (wife's soup wasn't as good as the rest, but still OK). Had the place almost to ourselves (a few folks on the patio, but that was it), music was loud, but really clear and we did not have to talk above normal volume to hear each other, so they have a really good sound system, it appears, since there are very few sound-absorbing things anywhere in there (I imagine on Thunder game night or Fri/Sat night it gets pretty loud, though). Service was really good - asked if we wanted the soup brought out beforehand (which is a question that should *always* be asked, but isn't), very attentive, beers came out as quick as they should (never have understood why it takes 10 minutes in a not-busy restaurant to get a beer brought out, nothing involved except opening the tap). Not that expensive, either, so we're definitely going back!

Republic is the best place in town to watch a game and it isn't even close. Look up at the ceiling next time. You'll see the sound absorbers, they did an incredible job at hiding them.

Republic is awesome. We've had great service pretty much every time, and they are more than willing to tweak the menu to suit our whims (put the chickpea patty on any of the burgers and add fresh jalapenos, add chicken and jalapenos to the black bean tostadas - did I mention they have fresh jalapenos? Cultivar, are you listening?). Beer selection is excellent too. I do agree with Betts - it is a bit further than we usually want to drive from downtown, and I hate driving home even after one drink these days. If they had a location in BT/DD it would be downright dangerous.

Ha, I looked at the ceiling to see if there was anything sound-absorbing up there, but really couldn't see much due to the height and downward-directed lighting, so yeah, they did an excellent job (since the booths aren't a type of sound-absorbent fabric), kudos to them. The Good Egg folks know how to do stuff right, and yes, agree with Pete - more places/people need to think of the entirety of the space while designing it, not just how pretty it looks. :)

fresh jalapenos, did I mention they have fresh jalapenos?

No1cub,
I love fresh jalapeños. I am not a fan of pickled jalapeños, but I did stumble onto an easy method for nachos and I am trying it tonight. Apple cider vinegar with some sugar and salt and overnight in the refrigerator, then add them to the nachos. Of course, I started with fresh jalapeños.
C. T.

did I mention they have fresh jalapenos? Cultivar, are you listening?)

They only have pickled?!

They only have pickled?!

Yup! Unless things have changed since we went.

Yup! Unless things have changed since we went.

I haven't been there, but that's reason enough for me to hold off.

Here is a rendering for their Chisholm Creek location which is well under construction.

There will be a good-sized patio with TV's on the west side of the 1st level, and a smaller balcony off the 2nd level dining.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/republiccc.jpg

Training is happening at the Chisholm Creek location.

13244

Does anyone remember, off hand, how much Aubrey put into their Classen Curve location? Will be interested to see the comparison.

Soft opening tonight at Chisholm Creek.

Same menu as other location, which is fine because it's excellent.

Two levels with a small amount of outdoor seating upstairs and a pretty good sized patio on the ground level, with a big fire pit.

You just know this place is going to kill it.



http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/republic111516.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/republic111516a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/republic111516b.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/republic111516c.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/republic111516d.jpg

Looks a lot cooler than the nichols hills location. So glad this is here, so much closer to me!

tuck - is there any chance we ever see a RePUBlic somewhere in the core? Maybe Midtown?

tuck - is there any chance we ever see a RePUBlic somewhere in the core? Maybe Midtown?

I've heard they want the old coaches spot but the rent is too damn high

tuck - is there any chance we ever see a RePUBlic somewhere in the core? Maybe Midtown?

The only location we ever considered for Republic downtown was the greyhound bus station. I need to get over that first!

when is this opening? I feel like i am overlooking somewhere where it says, but all i see is its opening this week.

This is going to do great... I could see them growing this franchise successfully if this does as well as expected.

when is this opening? I feel like i am overlooking somewhere where it says, but all i see is its opening this week.

They opened today (Thursday)

Tuck, such a missed opportunity. I know it's not your fault but just imagine if RePUBlic was at the bus station AND BOK Park Plaza still went up? You could still fit the parking garages and retail all in; just much better utilization of the space AND saving some of OKC's history all at the same time. OMG - -- too sad to think actually.

The only location we ever considered for Republic downtown was the greyhound bus station. I need to get over that first!

Man, that's a punch in the gut. Would have saved the building and been such a cool location.

Man, that's a punch in the gut. Would have saved the building and been such a cool location.

Feel the same way.

But what we got instead is sooo much better! :rolleyes:

It sucks to look to back on it.

They could have easily fit this tower, all of the parking, and kept every single other building on this block and remodeled them.

We would have ended up with new housing, office, and hotels in beautiful historic buildings. We would have had a kick ass restaurant in an old historic bus station. We would have a 35+ story tower due to the parking podium and it would have been right up against the street and the sky walk would would have been longer and they could have done something cool with it. but instead we have what have now.

For some reason, there doesn't seem to be forward thinking people in Oklahoma that have the money to pull a project like this off, and there are people with the money. I see projects on SSP all the time that are built on top of old buildings or are made very skinny due to historic preservation and extreme limited land. In this OKC has none of those things. But there is still no excuse. If they wanted more land, there was plenty of that. If their bullsh!t excuse is they wanted a connection to the Devon tower, the engineering exists for a long sky walk or they could extend the underground. They are just cheap.

Just make the best of it and don't dwell on the past because its depressing. We'll have a beautiful new modern building and this land will now be occupied.

The only location we ever considered for Republic downtown was the greyhound bus station. I need to get over that first!

The Aloft space.... please.

Chisholm Creek Republic is closed as of last night.

https://i.imgur.com/WbEjekh.jpg

This is a real shame... I am guessing that some of the new competitors have pushed them out of market. I also had heard they had issues with their 2nd floor space and had to sever that from their lease.

Sad that it closed. But I think they really missed the mark with the build out of the space. It felt much more like a restaurant with a small bar and a few TV’s. Compared to the original that was a smaller space with a huge bar and great TVs.

Perhaps there never needed to be two Republics. A republic divided against itself, cannot stand...

I ate at the Classen Curve location on Friday night and it was fantastic.

Still one of my favorite places in OKC.

Sad that it closed. But I think they really missed the mark with the build out of the space. It felt much more like a restaurant with a small bar and a few TV’s. Compared to the original that was a smaller space with a huge bar and great TVs.

Agreed. The buildout, lighting, sound and overall atmosphere were just off compared to the original. I went twice and never went back. I would imagine that most people looking for a sports type bar up there ended up at chalk due to those issues. Sad, but not really surprising.

Well, Chalk isn't the only competitor that Republic was facing up north. There is also Industry and Pub W competing for the same crowd.

Perhaps there never needed to be two Republics. A republic divided against itself, cannot stand...

Can I upvote this post? Sincerely, Abe Lincoln

Agreed. The buildout, lighting, sound and overall atmosphere were just off compared to the original. I went twice and never went back. I would imagine that most people looking for a sports type bar up there ended up at chalk due to those issues. Sad, but not really surprising.

Yep, I've noticed that about a number of the concepts at CC. In most cases, they just aren't executed as well as the same concept in Dallas or Edmond.

add me to the list of haters of the CC location, was a Republic in name only, bore almost zero resemblance to the original.

The last few replies are funny because Classen Curve and Chisholm Creek.

Yep, I've noticed that about a number of the concepts at CC. In most cases, they just aren't executed as well as the same concept in Dallas or Edmond.

Such as?

I have to wonder if the lack of parking doomed this location.

I have to wonder if the lack of parking doomed this location.

You forgot your tags...

I have to wonder if the lack of parking doomed this location.

probably fair to assume that the average barbecue savánt in Oklahoma is not particularly interested in circling the Plaza District in a hunt for a parking space

probably fair to assume that the average barbecue savánt in Oklahoma is not particularly interested in circling the Plaza District in a hunt for a parking space

:doh::doh::doh:

republic was a bbq place?

probably fair to assume that the average barbecue savánt in Oklahoma is not particularly interested in circling the Plaza District in a hunt for a parking space

I would assume you are getting Republic and Maples confused?

Oddly, Maples might have done well in the Republic spot and something like a Republic Too would have worked at the Maples spot.

I would assume you are getting Republic and Maples confused?

i thought GG was talking about Maples. i don’t patronize Chisholm Creek (because of a longstanding feud with the Rainbolt-Ward Mafia), but the development doesn’t suffer from a lack of parking.

I think there is some sarcasm here stemming from the Maples thread where people blamed the lack of parking on their closing (despite the incredible success of neighbor restaurants with the same parking situation).

Oddly, Maples might have done well in the Republic spot and something like a Republic Too would have worked at the Maples spot.

I'm now interested in the cost of renting per sq ft in the plaza vs Chisholm Creek. Republic CC was unnecessary huge. I can't imagine it was ever at capacity

I'm now interested in the cost of renting per sq ft in the plaza vs Chisholm Creek. Republic CC was unnecessary huge. I can't imagine it was ever at capacity

i bet it was smaller than chalk

We don't go to the plaza district simply because of the lack of parking. Been frustrated too many times. One time I tried to pull into a parking spot on the street and some a-hole stood there right in the middle of the parking spot and yelled at me that he was holding the spot for a friend. Then he proceeded to just look at his cell phone and ignore me. I wasn't going to bother as in that moment I decided it was the last time I was going to go down there. Not ridiculing it, it's a neat area, but not so neat that we're going to mess with that.

i bet it was smaller than chalk

Cursory google search indicates they're both ~7500 feet.

We don't go to the plaza district simply because of the lack of parking. Been frustrated too many times. One time I tried to pull into a parking spot on the street and some a-hole stood there right in the middle of the parking spot and yelled at me that he was holding the spot for a friend. Then he proceeded to just look at his cell phone and ignore me. I wasn't going to bother as in that moment I decided it was the last time I was going to go down there. Not ridiculing it, it's a neat area, but not so neat that we're going to mess with that.
Like Yogi Berra said, ‘it’s so busy, nobody goes there anymore!’