Restaurants

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Address: 1117 N. Robinson
Phone: (405) 602-6880
Hours: Sun - Mon: 11 a.m. - 12 midnight.
Tues - Sat: 11 a.m. - 2 a.m.
Development: Guardian Building
Status: Opened April 14, 2014
Links:
Official Website (http://www.eatatthegarage.com/)
Menu (http://www.eatatthegarage.com/menu)
Twitter (https://twitter.com/GarageMidtown)


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/garagewiki1.jpg


Information & Latest News
4/14/14: Opened for business
Gallery

I wish them success. The times I have eaten at the Garage in Norman were rather yummy.

We need someone from the OKCTalk Street Team to get over there and give us a read on the place.

Love the way they've integrated the outdoor patio!

I'm on it! Consider it 'taking one for the team.'

Note the 2AM close time.

I'm sure they close up the patio earlier due to the people living above, but that's still encouraging.

I ate there yesterday. I really enjoyed it, but am not a great reviewer, so I'll let Brian get a solid review in.

Hmn, I might sacrifice my Wednesday night trip to Urban Johnie to try it out. Or even better, maybe just tonight.

The differences between the pictures in this thread and what is currently on streetview (https://www.google.com/maps/@35.478748,-97.516076,3a,75y,303.12h,89.19t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1ssR8aHh22tkqlw77gDu5ohg!2e0!6m1 !1e1) for that location is just astonishing.

The numerous outdoor TVs are an atrocity and mar what is otherwise a fabulous patio space.

Great success. I will definitely stop by for a Thunder playoff game or two or three.

The numerous outdoor TVs are an atrocity and mar what is otherwise a fabulous patio space.

Can't be serious.

That is the best part of the patio

We'll be trying it out soon... as soon as Spring decides to return.

We ate there last night because it's so close to our new Urban Neighbors Community Garden (we had to put straw down to keep the potatoes and onions warm). I was really impressed with the burgers and the fries were good, too! I wasn't aware of this place so I'm really glad our friends new about it. Stella's and Cafe de Brazil were both closed since it was Monday. We will definitely go back!

Can't be serious.

That is the best part of the patio

Very serious. SUCKS.

Very serious. SUCKS.

Not if you are among the many people that like/love sports

Very serious. SUCKS.


don't listen to this guy, he thinks tapas are better than good bourbon ;)

If I could choose between televisions or smart phones being "gone" from a restaurant, I would choose the later.

Had lunch there just past the lunch rush today. Kept it simple and had the cheeseburger and fries. I'll give both 8/10. The space is pretty darn cool, if a little kitschy in the decoration. It feels very open and spacious. Colors and glass work very well. I imagine sporting events on TV will make this place very full. All in all, it's not entirely my scene, but it is very nice.

I put Garage solidly third behind Irma's and S&B's (not in that order) in my burger rankings, and yes the decor is cheesy, but I will say the one on the NW side has some really high quality TV's which make it great for event watching.

and all day every day $2 Colorado Koolaid isn't a bad thing

I put Garage solidly third behind Irma's and S&B's (not in that order) in my burger rankings, and yes the decor is cheesy, but I will say the one on the NW side has some really high quality TV's which make it great for event watching.

and all day every day $2 Colorado Koolaid isn't a bad thing

What about Nic's? Or the Ice House?

Or Tucker's? Or Republic?

Unfortunately I haven't been to any of the Nic's establishments yet...so my rankings were just on places I've been.

Republic is good. I actually hate Tucker's (not an onion burger guy...but I'm not from here, seems that's a native favorite)

If I could choose between televisions or smart phones being "gone" from a restaurant, I would choose the later.

I hear you. Unless I am dining alone, my routine is to set it to silent and put it away when entering or just after entering a place to eat. If I am eating solo, I'll still silence it, and not take calls, but I might catch up on reading email and messages.

Unfortunately I haven't been to any of the Nic's establishments yet...so my rankings were just on places I've been.

Republic is good. I actually hate Tucker's (not an onion burger guy...but I'm not from here, seems that's a native favorite)

I also realize that I'm fair game now for "don't listen to this guy, he doesn't like Tucker's" posts :)

I hear you. Unless I am dining alone, my routine is to set it to silent and put it away when entering or just after entering a place to eat. If I am eating solo, I'll still silence it, and not take calls, but I might catch up on reading email and messages.

Agreed, with the dining solo as well. Then again I also remove my hat if wearing one if I am inside and or dining at a table. Guess I'm a luddite.

I also realize that I'm fair game now for "don't listen to this guy, he doesn't like Tucker's" posts :)

I'm in a similar situation. I can't get a whole Tucker's single down, onions or not. Honestly, I like those I make at home in a cast iron skillet better than anything I've found in restaurants here in OKC, but not by a lot. Part of that might be that Kamp's meat market custom grinds my beef.

Tucker's milkshakes really put them in a special category for me. I mean, I love the burgers. They are special. But there are a lot of great burgers in town, which I won't get into giving absolute rankings. It sort of depends on what you are in the mood for. They are definitely within the top two or three no matter what. But what I really think sets Tucker's apart is those delicious milkshakes. I think they might be the best old-fashioned milkshake in the city. I tried to explain this to Robert Black once and I think I hurt his feelings a little bit. They are (rightfully) proud of the burgers they make.

Tucker's milkshakes really put them in a special category for me. I mean, I love the burgers. They are special. But there are a lot of great burgers in town, which I won't get into giving absolute rankings. It sort of depends on what you are in the mood for. They are definitely within the top two or three no matter what. But what I really think sets Tucker's apart is those delicious milkshakes. I think they might be the best old-fashioned milkshake in the city. I tried to explain this to Robert Black once and I think I hurt his feelings a little bit. They are (rightfully) proud of the burgers they make.

No like button. But.....LIKE. So very true.

Alright, made it in tonight. Wonderful atmosphere, reminds me of the Garage up in Edmond (not a bad thing).

The Theta was great, even made with a turkey patty and served on a whole wheat bun.

This restaurant and this general area of the city has so much potential. It convinces me anew that moving out of the suburbs and towards downtown is the right thing to do.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

Thanks for the report!

How busy were they?

I think we take Hal Smith for granted. I prefer local restaurants or small group restaurants (Metro group, AGE) as much as anyone, but Hal Smith provides a fantastic corporate experience while still fueling the local economy.

Plan on trying it Thursday.

Thanks for the report!

How busy were they?

It wasn't packed but it wasn't empty either. My post above was made while sitting there after I finished eating, so I probably got in around 7:10 or so. There were a few people in line in front of me before I ordered and plenty of occupied tables in and around the bar area.

David, we were there at the same time. I went with my vegetarian-for-lent daughter and we both thoroughly enjoyed it. I also had the theta. I was surprised it wasn't as busy as I expected (based on what I saw on Saturday, considering it wasn't officially opened yet), but I wasn't there during the typical dinner time. I can see myself going here for sports watching, possibly more so than Johnnies (tad bit closer, less of a "social experience", if that makes any kind of sense). S&B has way better music, though.

My take on the garage in general is that they offer a decent variety of burgers at a fair value. Many more options than Tucker's, and not quite as many as S&B's. quality wise, they are on the mid-high end. They variety of fries is nice, but they aren't quite as food of a value as the burgers. Their drink prices are very fair, and they have some cheap shots. Very good job of blending a restaurant and bar atmosphere. Oh, how I wish I still worked downtown.

Awesome - yet another option downtown! This is almost too much now. Way too many new places to check out. Good problem to have I suppose! Definitely will try out their veggie burgers soon!

Garage is my favorite, by far. Just greasy enough to be delicious, not overpowering on toppings like S&B, and reasonably priced. Decent, but not exceptional beer selection. I find it tough to beat for burgers.

Garage is my favorite, by far. Just greasy enough to be delicious, not overpowering on toppings like S&B, and reasonably priced. Decent, but not exceptional beer selection. I find it tough to beat for burgers.

Agreed. It's great.

Mushroom n Swiss with a Stella, made for a great meal! Love it

i'm not a burger connoisseur but a burger from the Garage is my favorite by far, the one with bacon and jalepenos on it. my goodness. pair that with a moscow mule and your in for a solid time.

Will have to try it. I tried the Edmond location a couple times... it wasn't bad, but I wasn't that impressed either. Both times they put that special sauce all over everything which made the burger a sloppy mess. Haven't been back since

I always ask for 1/4 amount of, or "extra light" on, the special sauce. Personally I find it balances the taste out better and makes for a more enjoyable burger. But that's just me.

When I lived in Norman I went for he original location on Main St. probably once a week. Great burger and beer selection as expected by the name. Personal favorite is the sriracha and bleu burger, one of my top 5 burgers no doubt.

i'm not a burger connoisseur but a burger from the Garage is my favorite by far, the one with bacon and jalepenos on it. my goodness. pair that with a moscow mule and your in for a solid time.

The burgers at The Garage are good, no doubt. However, here are a few other places that have better burgers IMO:

(in no particular order)
- Tucker's
- RePUBlic
- Nic's Grill
- Urban Johnnie

The burgers at The Garage are good, no doubt. However, here are a few other places that have better burgers IMO:

(in no particular order)
- Tucker's
- RePUBlic
- Nic's Grill
- Urban Johnnie

Nic's Grill stands superior and is far and away #1, but I would put garage right up there with the others on that list.

The burgers at The Garage are good, no doubt. However, here are a few other places that have better burgers IMO:

(in no particular order)
- Tucker's
- RePUBlic
- Nic's Grill
- Urban Johnnie

I'd put Irma's NoName burgers up there too.

i always wondered why Irma's didn't just go to exclusively offering NoName beef, why even offer the bad stuff?

The last time I had a NoName burger at Irma's I was completely underwhelmed.

Burger was smallish, not much juice or flavor... Absolutely nothing that made me want to return, especially given all the other options in the central core.

I'm sure it was just a bad day, but it was the first and only time I had eaten at their Midtown location.

Look forward to trying it possibly this weekend. I have friends in the building and have been waiting for it to open.
we will see how it stacks up against others in the city.
I am not a fan of Irma's, but I would say my TOP okc burger is Patty Wagon. then S&B and Tuckers. ice house i would rank up there as well.

Went back for lunch today and tried the sriracha and bleu burger that OKC_Chipper mentioned. Pretty tasty, though I should have had them to hold the grilled onions.

Garage is a solid option in Midtown.

Great concept and location. The patio is awesome and somewhat protected by both north and south winds.

The burger there was nice. The bun lacked a little integrity due to the juiciness of the toppings and the patty, and the patty itself could have used a little more of a salt crust on it, but it was reasonably priced and tasty.

The last time I had a NoName burger at Irma's I was completely underwhelmed.

Burger was smallish, not much juice or flavor... Absolutely nothing that made me want to return, especially given all the other options in the central core.

I'm sure it was just a bad day, but it was the first and only time I had eaten at their Midtown location.

Was there yesterday and experienced EXACTLY the same thing. When Irma's first opened on 63rd it was okay...never great. But in midtown, pass by Irma's and go on down to McNellies. Better burger....not great, but at least better.

Or S&B or Tuckers or the Garage or Urban Johnnie...

So many great options within a mile or so, and more are coming, especially when Blue Garten opens.

I'd like Irma's to thrive but they'd better step up their game.

Had the Queso Fresco burger yesterday...oh so good.

I went to the garage on Monday. I was surprised that it is an order at the counter place especially since the bar area is so nice. That is my only complaint however. They have a few vegetarian options. I chose the avacado melt which was fabulous. I look forward to trying the tacos and onion dip in the future.

Was there yesterday and experienced EXACTLY the same thing. When Irma's first opened on 63rd it was okay...never great. But in midtown, pass by Irma's and go on down to McNellies. Better burger....not great, but at least better.

Yeah, sorry, meant to say the Irma's on 63rd, we are also underwhelmed by the Midtown location just like you and Pete. Irma's on 63rd is pretty decent, yes, never great. We have not found a "great" burger place in OKC yet, and no, we haven't been to Nic's, but need to go.

I had a few beers on the patio and watched the early playoff games yesterday. The entire space is really well done. This should be a big hit, but I don't think a lot of people know about it yet. It was never very packed.

They really haven't promoted this location for some reason.

Very little on social media and you even have to dig a bit on their main website.

Perhaps they want to build slowly during their break-in period.

Generally a good idea. Places that try to do too much, too quickly usually fall on their face, get bad reviews, etc.. As you've mentioned before it is also literally difficult to find good help these days, and they might want to get a new staff settled on/down.

Particularly in this era of social media and complaint-driven websites, it's a good idea for service-oriented businesses to get their legs under themselves before they try to throw the doors open wide.

It was moderately busy at lunch today (Urban Johnnie was closed, for Easter I suppose), for the first time I've ended up waiting in a line to order with more than a few people in it.

The Queso Fresco burger was pretty good, but the Thunder Fries were fantastic.

And certainly, Hal Smith knows what he's doing when it comes to both operating and promoting restaurants, so I'm sure this is all part of a bigger plan.

Have any of his restaurants ever closed?

Just went to their website and totaled up all their operations... That's 45 (!) restaurants plus 5 Krispy Kreme's:

Charleston's (17)
Garage (5)
Louie's (5)
Mahogany (3)
Red Rock (3)
Toby Keith's (3)
Upper Crust (3)
Wes Welker's (1)
Kd's (1)
Mama Roja (1)
Hollies (1)
Hefner Grill (1)
Pub W (1)