I wonder how well IHOP does between 2AM and 6AM, especially during the week?

There was a time I could have told you...... But then I got old. ;)

One concern with 24 hour places, especially in areas like Bricktown with clubs (although less than there used to be) is overnight crime. The IHOP in Bricktown has seen overnight stabbings, assaults, and more in the past few years. A sheriff's deputy who was working security was assaulted as well. When I ran a convention downtown, we had a couple of guests who came in from out of town late and went to IHOP to eat (at like 2 am) and while they were there a large fight broke out, and one of our guests got arrested in the sweep (they were released later as they weren't involved).

I'm not opposed to 24 hour places. Spent some time in them when I was younger. Kettle, Waffle House, etc. I just think location matters.

I wonder how well IHOP does between 2AM and 6AM, especially during the week?


Probably not great, but they probably make up for it on the weekends. Most, if not all IHOPS are 24-hours though. It helps that it has no competition anywhere downtown.

Having to deal with the drunk crowd is a definite downside to opening a 24-hour diner, especially in an area like Bricktown. With that said, I am not sure any of the other urban neighborhoods could support it yet. Midtown might be able to because of St Anthony's employees but the others simply don't have the critical mass. Maybe in five years though.

Even with more rooftops, is there really that much demand from 2:00-7:00 am 7 days a week? I understand feeding the bar crowd on a Friday or Saturday... but even then staying open past 3:00-3:30 seems like that would keep that covered. 24/7 restaurants seem like the cons outweigh the pros for the owners/waiters/waitresses, etc.

Even with more rooftops, is there really that much demand from 2:00-7:00 am 7 days a week? I understand feeding the bar crowd on a Friday or Saturday... but even then staying open past 3:00-3:30 seems like that would keep that covered. 24/7 restaurants seem like the cons outweigh the pros for the owners/waiters/waitresses, etc.

This is definitely a legitimate question. Charlotte has a couple of 24-hour diners and a 24-hour french bakery as well. The college crowd from UNCC helps keep these places in business on weeknights. A lot of people questioned Charlotte's ability to support a 24-hour french bakery (this isn't New York!), but it ended up being a huge hit. You could go to Amilie's French Bakery at 2 or 3AM and you would see people there studying. The key is having a concentration of people age 18-27ish, preferably students, as that is the demographic that is most likely to frequent these late night establishments on nights the clubs are closed. Does OKC have this?

Beverly's is 24 hours. Not sure if there are any others.

IHOP holds its own from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. They close off sections of the restaurant for cleaning and reopen as soon as they prep the area for the next day. Love their breakfast.

Other area 24hr restaurants are Mamma Lou's (I-35, SE 30th) and Iron Skillet (Reno/MLK) Petro Truck Stop draw a rough looking crowd (Iron Skillet does have visible security guards). The Petro Truck Stop does have a fenced in security area for trucks--it keeps the lot lizards out.

I believe the old Skyline Restaurant is closed--they use to serve up some decent meals; however, there were too many lot lizards frequenting the area because of the truckers who stopped there.

Area truck stops can be a concern if undercover law enforcement doesn't get a handle on the area :wink: (no pun intended).

Did not know Mama Lou's was 24 hours. Thanks for that.

Perry's over off I240 and May is 24hrs, and it is packed from 12am on....

Beverly's on NW Expressway is open 24 hours.

There are more places than people realize.

Beverly's on NW Expressway is open 24 hours.

There are more places than people realize.

I think it's because this discussion is mostly centered around the urban core. I agree, there are plenty of 24-hour places in the suburbs.

Bricktown would be perfect for it. Those kind of establishments are very popular with clubgoers after the clubs let out.

When we used to hit the clubs we usually went for breakfast or something afterwards. No hangover (usually) in the morn if you get a good meal in the night before.

I think it's because this discussion is mostly centered around the urban core. I agree, there are plenty of 24-hour places in the suburbs.

So now Beverly's at NW Expressway and May is in the suburbs?

It's 5 miles from the middle of downtown and only a couple of miles from the places on Western.


Pump, Guyutes, Knucks and several places serve food until 2AM which is plenty late for 99% of people.

I don't get the obsession with 24-hour places when I doubt hardly anybody pining for them would go with any regularity anyway. and IHOP is good enough for anyone drunk enough needing to eat at 3AM.

Just seems like yet another to bitch about not having.

So now Beverly's at NW Expressway and May is in the suburbs?

It's 5 miles from the middle of downtown and only a couple of miles from the places on Western.


Pump, Guyutes, Knucks and several places serve food until 2AM which is plenty late for 99% of people.

I don't get the obsession with 24-hour places when I doubt hardly anybody pining for them would go with any regularity anyway. and IHOP is good enough for anyone drunk enough needing to eat at 3AM.

Just seems like yet another to bitch about not having.

We used to go over to Beverlys after a night out at Groovies and Russell's

When we used to hit the clubs we usually went for breakfast or something afterwards. No hangover (usually) in the morn if you get a good meal in the night before.

Yep, definitely a good thing to eat a meal after getting dehydrated/hungry dancing your ass off until 3-4 AM (the "underground" clubs in Bricktown and on Classen stayed open late (or early, depending on your POV)), our diner of choice was Girlie Pancake House (yeah, I'm old)... Be nice if today's club kids had something besides IHOP (waaaaaaaay too expensive for the quality of food, we literally get the same thing at Jimmy's for $10 less).

Yep, definitely a good thing to eat a meal after getting dehydrated/hungry dancing your ass off until 3-4 AM (the "underground" clubs in Bricktown and on Classen stayed open late (or early, depending on your POV)), our diner of choice was Girlie Pancake House (yeah, I'm old)... Be nice if today's club kids had something besides IHOP (waaaaaaaay too expensive for the quality of food, we literally get the same thing at Jimmy's for $10 less).

And as we both know, "They're Stacked Better"!
C. T.

FWIW, it isn't just the stay to closing time imbibers who enjoy breakfast in the wee hours. I am often back not long after 2:30 or 3. I tend to fix for myself more these days rather than go out and about. IHoP is not horrid by any means, but it's also not all that inviting a place. Food is ok, but the decor of most in the metro remind me of medical office waiting rooms. So I putter around quietly to avoid waking my lovely. I miss having places to pop into, socialize a bit, grab a bite and then either get on with the day or go back and sleep another hour or three, depending on what the morning holds.

So now Beverly's at NW Expressway and May is in the suburbs?


Looks suburban to me.

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o214/bchris02/beverlys_zpseyfmpmhk.jpg


FWIW, it isn't just the stay to closing time imbibers who enjoy breakfast in the wee hours. I am often back not long after 2:30 or 3. I tend to fix for myself more these days rather than go out and about. IHoP is not horrid by any means, but it's also not all that inviting a place. Food is ok, but the decor of most in the metro remind me of medical office waiting rooms. So I putter around quietly to avoid waking my lovely. I miss having places to pop into, socialize a bit, grab a bite and then either get on with the day or go back and sleep another hour or three, depending on what the morning holds.

This. IHOP works fine for imbibers who just need something after the club lets out and don't care what. In my younger days I've partied in small towns that had nothing open late but a Waffle House and that worked fine for the occasion. However, it would be nice if there was something a little more authentic and inviting in downtown OKC. Given how prevalent such places are in other cities, I don't think its that unrealistic to wish for that here. It would be surprising if something doesn't open up within the next 5-10 years as the urban core continues to grow and come into its own.

The Belle Isle IHOP has had quite a few after hours security issues too. Staying open 24 hrs is definitely a commitment. I do think that a more upscale place would have fewer of those types of issues.

For instance, Hatch, when open, will probably have an upscale feel and menu. That type of place is less likely to attract brawlers, and if they chose to do late nights they would probably have fewer issues than IHOP.

A lot of people obsess on price, and think every breakfast place should be a $5.99 eggs and bacon type place. But there is a reason some places are pricier, and it's not always about making more profit.

It's the same reason I'm often drawn to bars with pricier drinks. I sometimes love a good dive bar too, but have to be in the right mood to keep my head in a swivel in case someone acts up. Like many, I'd usually just prefer not to put up with the BS that often accompanies a budget crowd.

The Belle Isle IHOP has had quite a few after hours security issues too. Staying open 24 hrs is definitely a commitment. I do think that a more upscale place would have fewer of those types of issues.

For instance, Hatch, when open, will probably have an upscale feel and menu. That type of place is less likely to attract brawlers, and if they chose to do late nights they would probably have fewer issues than IHOP.

I agree with this.

Amelie's French Bakery in Charlotte has a more upscale atmosphere and is more popular with college students and people who work third shift than it is with late night brawlers. My best experiences there were not drunk experiences. It's a genuinely cool place, especially very late at night. I personally think All About Cha could easily become that kind of place, especially since its already the most popular later at night.

Mattie's Diner on the other hand has a lot more security issues because its one of those cheap places that appeals to imbibers.

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A lot of people obsess on price, and think every breakfast place should be a $5.99 eggs and bacon type place. But there is a reason some places are pricier, and it's not always about making more profit.
...

The only reason I mentioned price WRT IHOP is that you get no better food there than at Jimmy's, and you pay more, so why go to IHOP (unless it's the only place open)... We go to lotsa places and pay more for better food (and cocktails too), it's just gotta be, um, better. :)

^^^^^^^
No, I understood what you meant. My post was a generalized one.

The only reason I mentioned price WRT IHOP is that you get no better food there than at Jimmy's, and you pay more, so why go to IHOP (unless it's the only place open)... We go to lotsa places and pay more for better food (and cocktails too), it's just gotta be, um, better. :)

Do you ever turn the TV on and see Jimmys Egg advertising ? No but you do see a lot of IHOP commercials that usually ends up costing the end user more at the register.