Had breakfast there this afternoon.

I was darn hard to skip the burger but I had heard so many things about breakfast from when they used to serve it at the Penn location, I just had to try it.

I wanted to order the CFS but they were out. So, went with a western omelet with jalapenos.

It was okay. The omelet actually had cheese on the outside like it had been baked at the end; almost like a burrito just with eggs as the wrap rather than a tortilla.

The hashbrowns were more like a pressed potato cake. Again, okay but nothing like their onion rings or fries.

With just this, water, tax and tip, that was a $19 meal.



http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/nics112016a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/nics112016b.jpg

Throw in $2.50 coffee or a small juice and looking at $23 for breakfast for a pretty basic meal you could get anywhere. Not sure will make my breakfast rotation for omelettes. The pancakes. waffle or french toast with a side of bacon and a coffee gets you out the door for about $11.50 plus tip which isn't bad at all. These are also items where you can really shine as far as being different. (Lot easier to change up a batter but an egg is an egg) Of course, I am a true southern boy so nothing beats Waffle House for some hash browns smothered, covered, chunked and peppered with some eggs over easy and country ham. (The same omelette with hash browns runs about $6.00)

I ate breakfast at Nic's yesterday a well. I wanted to try out Hatch but they had a 90 minute wait at about 9:30AM (on a Sunday), did not feel like waiting.

Nic's had no wait at all, only a few tables occupied. I ordered the Chicken Fried Steak however was told they were out. I went with the Bratwurst instead. I also ordered a single Pancake on the side and a coffee. The Brat was pretty good, eggs were overcooked (asked for overeasy). The pancake was sweeter than a typical pancake. Service was good, coffee never went empty. My fiance had the Belgium Waffle with a side of Bacon and Hash Browns, and a large orange juice. Total out the door was just under $38 bucks.

We stopped in to check out the lounge this weekend, and we all agreed that it is one of the nicest in the cities. We went before dinner, so it wasn't crowded but the staff was very friendly. Our only complaint was they didn't have a beer list, so we each picked something off the tap wall. My friend ordered a Blanche de Bruxelles (16 oz.), and after he ordered the 3rd, she warned him it was $15/glass. In comparison, it is $7 per 1/2 liter at Fassler. I know that they are kind of hard to compare, but that large of a jump was surprising, and he wouldn't have ordered that had he known up front. We will be sure to ask beforehand next time.

A pint of Anthem Golden One is $9. Pretty steep.

At $20 for just an okay omelette, I'd go to any of several local brunch spots and get all I can eat for less, the same or slightly more.

Pint of Golden One for $9!?! Hahaha!! No.

Had breakfast there this afternoon.

I was darn hard to skip the burger but I had heard so many things about breakfast from when they used to serve it at the Penn location, I just had to try it.

I wanted to order the CFS but they were out. So, went with a western omelet with jalapenos.

It was okay. The omelet actually had cheese on the outside like it had been baked at the end; almost like a burrito just with eggs as the wrap rather than a tortilla.

The hashbrowns were more like a pressed potato cake. Again, okay but nothing like their onion rings or fries.

With just this, water, tax and tip, that was a $19 meal.



http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/nics112016a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/nics112016b.jpg


Ouch.

Finally made it here for dinner. It wasn't terribly busy, so we were seated right away. He decor is great, feels a little fancier than a burger joint needs to be, but whatever.
The good: decor, service, it's clean, refills on drinks are timely.
The bad: basically everything else. My burger was mediocre at best. It was a sloppy mess, and the toppings all slid off. My wife and I split the original, which was supposed to be pretty large, but we were left hungry after eating whatever didn't slide off the greasy mess that was our dinner. The fries are thick cut steak fries, and they're pretty good, the onion rings are greasy and flavorless. I ended up ordering another burger with less toppings because we were still hungry, and another grease bomb showed up. The beer list is extremely limited. The food is blah. I can see why the Garage across the street was packed, but the local icon was half empty.

Tldr, I was disappointed.

Finally made it here for dinner. It wasn't terribly busy, so we were seated right away. He decor is great, feels a little fancier than a burger joint needs to be, but whatever.
The good: decor, service, it's clean, refills on drinks are timely.
The bad: basically everything else. My burger was mediocre at best. It was a sloppy mess, and the toppings all slid off. My wife and I split the original, which was supposed to be pretty large, but we were left hungry after eating whatever didn't slide off the greasy mess that was our dinner. The fries are thick cut steak fries, and they're pretty good, the onion rings are greasy and flavorless. I ended up ordering another burger with less toppings because we were still hungry, and another grease bomb showed up. The beer list is extremely limited. The food is blah. I can see why the Garage across the street was packed, but the local icon was half empty.

Tldr, I was disappointed.

I've hesitated to say anything, but I will never return there after the last time I dined there with my wife. My burger was served cold after a long wait (which I did not mind waiting on a Saturday night). I mentioned it to the server but was told, "You'll have to wait quite a while if we recook your burger. You will go to the back of the line." It was a bizarre and unexpected reaction. I had already waited 30 minutes for the poorly cooked burger and cold onion rings.

He then offered, "Would you like to talk to Nic?" I said, "not really, I would rather just have a quality burger, which I expect coming to Nic's." He said, "I can recook your burger but you will be behind all of the other orders." So I said, "No. I'll just eat this cold burger but please have Nic come to my table."

Several minutes later the server returned and said, "Nic told me to tell you he's too busy to come to your table." At first I thought he was joking, so I asked, "Is he cooking?" And the server said no he wasn't cooking he was in the office doing paperwork. WTF?

So then we finished our burgers and I received my tab. There was no adjustment at all to the tab. I mentioned to the server that there was no adjustment to the bill and he said, "We offered you the chance to have your burger remade." And, again, I feel like I'm in a Seinfeld episode because the whole thing was so ridiculous.

I said, "I cannot believe Nic was too busy to even come visit me at the table." And then the server said, "He's very stubborn. This happens all the time." I'm not sh-tting you, he said that, to which I just had to laugh and consider how utterly unprofessional and buffoonish and unnecessary the whole situation was.

I told him, "Out of principle, I will never do business here again." It was sad for me to acknowledge, because I love the Nic's on Penn and have always been a fan so it's hard to admit, but it's true.

The service was slow and laughably bad, but I didn't mind that because it's not fine dining. But being pretty much screwed over by the owner himself is where I draw the line.

It's hard to imagine this place lasting much longer unless they are able to hire a serious GM who knows how to run a restaurant larger than a burger counter.

I've gone here three times since it opened. Every single time the service was awful and it took an extraordinarily long time to get our food (~35 minutes), though there were only a few people in the restaurant. The service is unbelievably bad. The waiters and the manager spent a good portion of their time chatting with each other and looking at their phones while we waited to have our drink orders taken.

It's been a really disappointing experience each time, especially since it looks like a lot of thought and effort went into creating the place. I've never thought about going back. It probably won't last very long unless changes are made.

I don't mean to jump on any bandwagon to spread bad word BUT I have to agree with the past couple of posts regarding Nic's. I've only eaten at Nic's downtown location one time and one time was enough. While I thought the building, inside and out, was very well done the food and service was very sub par. I can't figure out why such a cool location, facility could possibly fall apart because of the lack of attention given to the food served there. From what I experienced it was almost like the name and service almost assume allegiance just because of Nic's on Penn. I can (and have) overlooked inferior food if the wait staff/owner indicate they care for customer satisfaction. But I simply refuse to be a return customer if neither the wait staff nor manager show zero interest in striving for customer satisfaction.

I'd recommend people put their reviews on Google Maps as well as Yelp. Maybe the owners will see it and do something about it. The reviews seems to indicate the place is good as most of them are positive.

I'd recommend people put their reviews on Google Maps as well as Yelp. Maybe the owners will see it and do something about it. The reviews seems to indicate the place is good as most of them are positive.

Nope. The server was telling us the truth. "Nic is very stubborn." I've also been told he has issues with his temper. It's one thing to run a restaurant where you do all the cooking for 20 people at a time versus running a full-service restaurant with several wait staff. This is a different ballgame but Nic doesn't seem willing to listen to restaurant professionals.

If the server is right, and I have no reason to doubt him, this is the restaurant Nic wants and he's running it the way he wants. Period. After all, he's a very "stubborn" man, according to the staff.

The restaurant will probably close and Nic will not fare well in the end. Seriously, though, if he won't listen to patrons who are actually DINING IN HIS RESTAURANT, why do you believe he would he listen to reviews on Yelp?

It's sad to see a local icon struggle.

The reality is that not all restaurants are created equal and you have to understand the market segment you're in if you're going to have a successful business.

I'm just not sure that Nic's concept can translate to full service dining. You pay more for what is almost guaranteed to be a product of lower quality than its 12th/Penn counterpart. Why not just go to 12th and Penn?

I'd recommend people put their reviews on Google Maps as well as Yelp. Maybe the owners will see it and do something about it. The reviews seems to indicate the place is good as most of them are positive.

I often entertain doing something like that, and I go back and think "I only want to leave a review when it's a negative experience".

Nope. The server was telling us the truth. "Nic is very stubborn." I've also been told he has issues with his temper. It's one thing to run a restaurant where you do all the cooking for 20 people at a time versus running a full-service restaurant with several wait staff. This is a different ballgame but Nic doesn't seem willing to listen to restaurant professionals.

If the server is right, and I have no reason to doubt him, this is the restaurant Nic wants and he's running it the way he wants. Period. After all, he's a very "stubborn" man, according to the staff.

The restaurant will probably close and Nic will not fare well in the end. Seriously, though, if he won't listen to patrons who are actually DINING IN HIS RESTAURANT, why do you believe he would he listen to reviews on Yelp?
Well let me start off by saying I'm on your side. I see no reason to believe anyone here is lying and I'm upset that they aren't trying. It makes me want to see the place fail so someone else can come in and use this space to do something good.

The reason I say Yelp and Google is to let others know before trying this place that it is not recommended. Online reviews do make an impact on businesses.

OKCTalk is a great resource and I'm sure many people in OKC have viewed these posts and might even factor it into whether or not they decide to eat here. That being said this website doesn't hold a candle to amount of traffic Yelp or Google has and by posting on either, or better yet, both of those(if it were me, I'd even post on Apple Maps and Facebook reviews--just copy and paste and rate 1 star) it might effect the business. If Nick sees a decline in customers he might make changes. If he or someone he knows sees the bad reviews he might think he had better do something fast.

I often entertain doing something like that, and I go back and think "I only want to leave a review when it's a negative experience".
Yes sadly many people only do which is understandable to an extent. Whenever a business goes out of their way to do something really great then I'll go out of my way to leave positive reviews for them.

If you don't want to leave a Google/Yelp review because you feel the owner won't bother reading it, then look at it from another angle. You're not posting it so the owner will read it and act on it, you're posting it so OTHERS will read it and act on it.

I have met Justin several times and have talked to him to quite an extent about his main location and this one. I have also met with the owner of this building and talked to him several times about this location. I've only eaten at this location twice and never had an issue. I have never ever received a bad vibe from Justin about this location, though he might just be trying to sweep it under the rug. By all accounts Justin is putting all of his efforts into making this very successful.

But if it really has been this bad, I have half a mind to just call his investor and tell him what's up.

I would like to add that I don't want his business to struggle. That's why I waited more than two months to post my review. I feel conflicted. And I didn't go to Yelp to blow it up everywhere because I don't want to harm his business, I would just hope he would get the message in a less public way that he needs to make some changes.

I would like to add that I don't want his business to struggle. That's why I waited more than two months to post my review. I feel conflicted. And I didn't go to Yelp to blow it up everywhere because I don't want to harm his business, I would just hope he would get the message in a less public way that he needs to make some changes.

My suggestion for those of you who want to help these business owners by giving them honest feedback so they can hopefully improve their operations and provide a better guest experience is to contact the business owner directly instead of going straight to a review site. Call, email, text, social media PM, etc... If a guest contacts me with a complaint, I drop whatever I'm doing to address the issue whether I agree with them or not. I'm not saying to spend several weeks trying to reach them, just make an effort to make contact directly.

BTW, we also try to make contact with those who have left bad reviews. Most don't respond to our emails.

I understand what you are saying tuck, but that's basically the exact polar opposite of what SoonerGuru is saying. You say you drop everything to address a complaint, and that's a good reaction, thank you for that. But that didn't happen in this case. Assuming the waitstaff was telling the truth (and is not the actual source of the problem), the official response apparently was "you aren't worth my time". This is why I said if one is hesitant to post a review because they don't think the owner cares, post it anyway so others can read it and form their own opinion. I can speak only for myself, but I have no intention of ever setting foot in a place that serves a cold burger and then basically tells you right to your face it's not worth their time to make it correctly. That is why I would find this type of review helpful.

There is a HUGE difference between this type of review and the screaming, self-entitled nitwit who is bashing a place because they didn't receive table service at a place that blatantly posts signs at every table "place order at the counter". There is a HUGE difference between this type of review and the delusional maniac who cries about how the place wouldn't make macaroni and cheese for their precious snowflake, even though it is not on the menu, and no pasta dish at all is on the menu (indicating they probably don't even have the ingredients/equipment needed to fill the request). Both examples being reviews I have actually seen on Yelp OKC, BTW.

I've eaten there 5 or 6 times, the last time being last month, and the food has come out perfect every time. The wait was always reasonable for the number of people. Service wasn't great but was never terrible. It's surprising to me to read that so many people had bad/cold food. I'll have to try them again and see how it comes out.

My suggestion for those of you who want to help these business owners by giving them honest feedback so they can hopefully improve their operations and provide a better guest experience is to contact the business owner directly instead of going straight to a review site. Call, email, text, social media PM, etc... If a guest contacts me with a complaint, I drop whatever I'm doing to address the issue whether I agree with them or not. I'm not saying to spend several weeks trying to reach them, just make an effort to make contact directly.

BTW, we also try to make contact with those who have left bad reviews. Most don't respond to our emails.

I'm not sure if you are referring to my post, but I tried to speak with the owner directly and was refused. Some people don't have a service mindset.

Ate here for the second time tonight. Both times have been downstairs. Food was excellent again (had the original burger tonight, last time had the street tacos). Service was a little iffy (slow) but at least friendly and cordial.

Ate here for the second time tonight. Both times have been downstairs. Food was excellent again (had the original burger tonight, last time had the street tacos). Service was a little iffy (slow) but at least friendly and cordial.

I've had generally good experiences but the bill total always kills me.

I've been there twice now. I want this place to succeed because it is an absolutely beautiful venue with everything I want in a venue--quiet and with an amazing downstairs area. Seriously, if you haven't been downstairs, you need to see what they did down there. Unreal.

My problem isn't that the food doesn't taste good... it has been fine. It's that when you sit down to a business/professional meeting and they bring you your plate, there needs to be some room to manuever. The burger and sides take up the entire plate. It's unruly. The burgers while delicious, are far too tall for consumption as designed. I had to resort to fork and knife both times, as with the juices and all, the burger would disintegrate in my hands, which again was a problem because once chunks start falling off the burger onto that crowded plate, you're presented with a bit of a situation in finding a place to put your burger down. This isn't ideal when you're having an important meeting. Perhaps I should avoid the burgers there as I apparently lack whatever skill is necessary to navigate those things--especially in a suit.

I don't think they're a great replica of Nic's burger from his 10 Penn store either. I have no problem handling that.

I really want this place to make it and I really want to make it part of my lunch rotation, but I'm having a hard time doing that so far.

I went on Sunday around noon, and after driving by Hatch with a giant line and Frontline letting out I expected this place to be slammed as well. We were one of 2-3 tables the entire time. I had the burger and fries, and they had changed the fries from the last time I went and the onions seemed different than normal. I left very unimpressed, especially since they charge a premium vs. other burger spots in the area.

I don't honestly think the new location will make it through the new year, it's sad because they have put so much into the place, but let's face it the food stinks, nowhere near as good as the diner...

Had dinner at nics last night. Upstairs had 1 party of about 15 plus 2 tables. We chose to eat at the bar in the basement

The entire bar top was full plus 2 of the booths. And everyone was eating. We split the cheese crurds and both had burgers Everything was very good. I liked the Fries but they are very different than the fries at the original location

I don't honestly think the new location will make it through the new year, it's sad because they have put so much into the place, but let's face it the food stinks, nowhere near as good as the diner...

I always thought it would have been amazingly suited as a bistro with a mid-refined menu. I've been for lunch once and my impression was "omg that was a $50 cheeseburger lunch" and I've been for dinner once and my impression was "omg this place is soo sexy...why would I want to order another cheeseburger (off the blatantly advertised lunch menu), loaded potato boats, and deep fried cheese curds"

I just wish this place could do a refined dinner menu that fits the decor and already insane price-point, it could even have a burger on it.

Agreed that this place has a serious identity problem. Menu should match the interior with the original Nic's burger being the ONLY burger on the menu.

Like others, my experiences eating there have been less than expected: slow staff, out of different menu items, expensive drinks, long wait times and cold food. I enjoy the bar area quite a bit, however the ladies tending bar make me feel as though I am at a Henry Hudson's. Poor staff comes from the top, unfortunately. If Nic thought he could expect the same work ethic out of his young staff that he and the other gentleman at the original location adhere to, without solid management, he really screwed the pooch.

The food has never been amazing, but it was never bad. My issue with the Midtown location are the prices. With an increasingly competitive OKC core, they might have priced themselves out of the market. You cannot expect your customers to pay $9 for a COOP F5.

The food has never been amazing, but it was never bad. My issue with the Midtown location are the prices. With an increasingly competitive OKC core, they might have priced themselves out of the market. You cannot expect your customers to pay $9 for a COOP F5.

Yep.

I went several times at the beginning then just felt like I was being taken advantage of.

The food has never been amazing, but it was never bad. My issue with the Midtown location are the prices. With an increasingly competitive OKC core, they might have priced themselves out of the market. You cannot expect your customers to pay $9 for a COOP F5.

I've never paid attention to prices because each time I've been with a vendor, but holy crap that's ridiculous.

I've never paid attention to prices because each time I've been with a vendor, but holy crap that's ridiculous.

I'll make note that it's an expensive place for vendor lunches.

The food has never been amazing, but it was never bad. My issue with the Midtown location are the prices. With an increasingly competitive OKC core, they might have priced themselves out of the market. You cannot expect your customers to pay $9 for a COOP F5.

Wow. I'm pretty sure that's $2 more than I've paid for F5 anywhere else.

If I'm not mistaken, those $9 beers do not include tax.

It's just crazy expensive.

If I'm not mistaken, those $9 beers do not include tax.

It's just crazy expensive.

That's insane, can't you get a whole 4-pack of F5 pint cans for $9 at a liquor store?

If I'm not mistaken, those $9 beers do not include tax.

It's just crazy expensive.

Correct, no tax included. I am rooting for them to succeed, but people will not pay that when you can walk two blocks east or west and get one for $2-3 cheaper.

Correct, no tax included. I am rooting for them to succeed, but people will not pay that when you can walk two blocks east or west and get one for $2-3 cheaper.

There are bunch of places that sell for $5-$6 including tax.

I'd say Nic's is more than double than some and near double for many.

I've been downstairs a handful of times and the service just doesn't feel smooth, similar to upstairs. Once Nic's mother downstairs was tending bar because the only other bartender had four tables that showed up at once and they wanted food. She was a sweet woman but knew nothing past mixing a crown and coke, not even pricing. That was my last time at Nic's and unless i'm with a group that wants to go this is off my list.

Yep, when I went last weekend a bloody mary was $12. Around $30 for a burger/fries and one bloody mary will not encourage me to come back anytime soon. I'd also choose Tucker's every time over what they offer.

I've been downstairs a handful of times and the service just doesn't feel smooth, similar to upstairs. Once Nic's mother downstairs was tending bar because the only other bartender had four tables that showed up at once and they wanted food. She was a sweet woman but knew nothing past mixing a crown and coke, not even pricing. That was my last time at Nic's and unless i'm with a group that wants to go this is off my list.

Wow, that is so totally unprofessional, it's stunning. May have been able to get away with that a decade ago here, but in today's environment, that's really bad. I probably would've just left, after telling someone in charge why, no reason to deal with that when there are plenty of other places around that don't half-ass things like that.

The times I've been for lunch I've sat facing the window. And come time to pay the bill, I look over at the garage and think about the $10/each lunch that could have been. I'm not a fan of the garage. I think they go cheap on everything from the pre-form to the thin bacon. But they get it done and my best friend is a vegetarian, and he says their bean burger is great. I refuse to taste it: on principle.

When I consider all the work to jiggle off the 1,500 calories though, I still treat myself to Tucker's. S&B had a great thing going when they were only two stores. But their recipes and oversight have gone pretty corporate.

My wife went the other day and was very disappointed. She said the burger was way too big, soggy, and the place lacked any kind of vibe. I personally have never ate there, but I have always had a good time at the bar below. Hope they get their act together.

https://www.sweetdealscumulus.com/deal/oklahomacity/nics-place-3

I haven't been to the new place, looking to try it with one of these discounts.

https://www.sweetdealscumulus.com/deal/oklahomacity/nics-place-3

I haven't been to the new place, looking to try it with one of these discounts.

I’m gonna buy one. That said, IMO it’s not good that with the name recognition that place has that he has to resort to 50% off coupons.

On the most recent episode of the OKC Dream Team podcast, Fred Katz told a long story about the failings of Nic's Place. In short, he said they cooked him and his friend's burgers wrong twice and in hour they had nothing to eat. They told the waiter so Nic came out, sat in their booth, and rudely said, "what's the problem?" When they explained the burger wasn't cooked as they ordered it, Nic asked them to leave and never come back.

I've heard quite a few stories about this place being subpar, overpriced, but more than anything, it sounds like Nic isn't cut out to run a restaurant. I have't been there, but I've heard this from a number of people I trust. It's disappointing because I only heard positive things about his original place.

They keep saying it's the same burger...but it's not the same burger. Maybe it's because of the atmosphere or something else, but I would much rather have it at the cramped, cash only, lunch only location.

The few times that I have eaten at midtown Nic's I have had a problem. Went the first week it was opened and was disappointed that the burger was not even close to the same as the burger at the original location. Second time, the burgers came out overcooked. Waitress suggested we just eat them because it would take a long time for new burgers to come out. Third time we tried the breakfast (first weekend they offered it) and they were already "out" of several items--at 9am.

One instance, Nic came by to thank us for trying the breakfast and was really nice. I asked about the lounge downstairs which he said would be opening very soon. I let him know that I was looking for a place to host my upcoming birthday party and he said he would put it in the calendar to have a booth reserved that night. Needless to say, it was never put in his calendar and there was no booth saved.

I haven't been to the lounge in a long time, but the bar staff always seemed have an attitude as well, as if they were used to working in smokey bars and had to "hold their own" again the drunk patrons.

Every aspect of this place has felt like a square peg in a round hole. Shame, because the location and build out is great.

My wife and I tried this for the first time about a week and a half ago... or maybe two weeks now. Anyways, our experience wasn't the greatest, even before we walked into the restaurant. We saw two cars park in their little lot and walk over to the Garage even though the lot is exclusive for Nic's, so we parked on the street and walked, no big deal. As we were walking along the sidewalk some guy in a red Mercedes sports car, the one with goldwing doors, comes zipping through and parks on the sidewalk right in front of us as we were walking to Nic's. I kindly commented on how nice it must be to be rich enough to park where ever and the guy cusses me out as he walks into Nic's and heads downstairs. I simply call the cops and report his illegally parked vehicle. My wife and I enter the restaurant, which wasn't at all busy, a few tables occupied upstairs and no open tables downstairs. The host eventually runs over and helps us to a table, it took a little longer than expected with just how empty it was upstairs, but I was forgiving and didn't mind. Now their A/C must have been having some issues or just the fact of sharing the same floor with the kitchen made it hot and muggy in the upstairs but nice and cool downstairs. The waiter towards the end of our meal, since we were the last guests upstairs, gave us a little explanation as to what was wrong with the A/C and that they were hoping to have it looked at soon. After we were seated it took our waiter quite some time to come by and take our drink orders, once again the wife and I were just enjoying a leisurely supper and in no hurry, so not the biggest of deals. As we were waiting, we got to listening to the other tables around us. One group, there for a birthday, had clearly been there for some time and where fairly vocal in their discomfort. The whole table gets up and walks out, one gentleman walks over to the waiter and speaks with him. Shortly after the table got outside, all of their food comes and the group comes back in to eat. not entirely sure what all the fuss was, but we had overheard someone saying that the table had been there for an hour and a half before getting their food. At this time our server returns with our drinks and says he will be right back to take our food orders. I will fast forward to when we eventually get our food, mind you it was about 45 minutes after we ordered that our food came out. We order the original Nic's burgers, nothing special. Now no new tables came in after us, everybody that came in after us went downstairs. Besides the long times in between ordering and when our drinks/food came, the food was very delicious. The burgers and fries were both hot and fresh. Neither one of us has had the burgers from the place on Penn Ave, so we couldn't compare, but as for burgers in OKC I would rank what we had among the top. Granted my top choices are La Baguette and Lip Smackers. By the time we were eating we were the last people upstairs. We witnessed some people come up and try to talk with Nic, which maybe be the reason for our order being late, we saw a few angry patrons come up to complain about there not being a reserved booth downstairs and how the service was slow, and some other things. Overall, my wife and I were hoping for a good experience and it was lackluster. The burgers were good, but the service and atmosphere were so poor we probably will go elsewhere. We hoped this was a fluke night, but reading through some of the other posts on here makes me think there are some blaring issues with the management.

They were on the Cumulus deal thing last month where you could order 50.00 worth of certificates for 25.00. that makes the prices more in line with what they should be. I love the look of the place and the basement lounge is fantastic, however it needs a new menu to match the identity.

the basement lounge is the redeeming quality of this establishment. cool place to take visitors that would otherwise have no idea it was there.

The basement is a very nice space. But the last time we went down there for drinks our obviously drunk and slightly confused bartender asked us to tab out for the one round we’d had because his shift was ending. He tagged out with an even MORE drunk and confused bartender. We just laughed and left. It’s so badly mismanaged. I’m really, REALLY not rooting for it to fail. But I wish something cataclysmic would happen to turn the ship around.

Edit: I just want to add how peeved I get asked to pay in the middle of a meal / drinking session so the server can collect a tip. And I get to start over again and swipe my card twice. I now make it a practice of saying no.

My wife and I tried this for the first time about a week and a half ago... or maybe two weeks now. Anyways, our experience wasn't the greatest, even before we walked into the restaurant. We saw two cars park in their little lot and walk over to the Garage even though the lot is exclusive for Nic's, so we parked on the street and walked, no big deal. As we were walking along the sidewalk some guy in a red Mercedes sports car, the one with goldwing doors, comes zipping through and parks on the sidewalk right in front of us as we were walking to Nic's. I kindly commented on how nice it must be to be rich enough to park where ever and the guy cusses me out as he walks into Nic's and heads downstairs. I simply call the cops and report his illegally parked vehicle. My wife and I enter the restaurant, which wasn't at all busy, a few tables occupied upstairs and no open tables downstairs. The host eventually runs over and helps us to a table, it took a little longer than expected with just how empty it was upstairs, but I was forgiving and didn't mind. Now their A/C must have been having some issues or just the fact of sharing the same floor with the kitchen made it hot and muggy in the upstairs but nice and cool downstairs. The waiter towards the end of our meal, since we were the last guests upstairs, gave us a little explanation as to what was wrong with the A/C and that they were hoping to have it looked at soon. After we were seated it took our waiter quite some time to come by and take our drink orders, once again the wife and I were just enjoying a leisurely supper and in no hurry, so not the biggest of deals. As we were waiting, we got to listening to the other tables around us. One group, there for a birthday, had clearly been there for some time and where fairly vocal in their discomfort. The whole table gets up and walks out, one gentleman walks over to the waiter and speaks with him. Shortly after the table got outside, all of their food comes and the group comes back in to eat. not entirely sure what all the fuss was, but we had overheard someone saying that the table had been there for an hour and a half before getting their food. At this time our server returns with our drinks and says he will be right back to take our food orders. I will fast forward to when we eventually get our food, mind you it was about 45 minutes after we ordered that our food came out. We order the original Nic's burgers, nothing special. Now no new tables came in after us, everybody that came in after us went downstairs. Besides the long times in between ordering and when our drinks/food came, the food was very delicious. The burgers and fries were both hot and fresh. Neither one of us has had the burgers from the place on Penn Ave, so we couldn't compare, but as for burgers in OKC I would rank what we had among the top. Granted my top choices are La Baguette and Lip Smackers. By the time we were eating we were the last people upstairs. We witnessed some people come up and try to talk with Nic, which maybe be the reason for our order being late, we saw a few angry patrons come up to complain about there not being a reserved booth downstairs and how the service was slow, and some other things. Overall, my wife and I were hoping for a good experience and it was lackluster. The burgers were good, but the service and atmosphere were so poor we probably will go elsewhere. We hoped this was a fluke night, but reading through some of the other posts on here makes me think there are some blaring issues with the management.

This review seems status quo from my last experience, with the exception that Mr. Nicholas was unwilling to speak to us about our miserable experience. The investors behind this must have deep pockets, because it should be closed at this point. I don't wish them ill will but it seems Nic is a stubborn guy who will go down with the ship instead of making some changes.

I’m gonna buy one. That said, IMO it’s not good that with the name recognition that place has that he has to resort to 50% off coupons.

FWIW. Good call, though:
https://www.tripadvisor.com/blog/americas-10-most-delectable-burger-joints/

Off topic I know but was here again sunday for lunch. I know its somewhere on here but I can't find it. what is going in across the street just north of Garage where that parking lot was. feel free to move this .. thanks!

That's the Monarch.

http://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=44161