I'll miss Goro. It had a dense city vibe inside that I really liked.

I agree the current Goro location had that true city vibe--almost like the Lower East Side in NYC--and that made it great. I went to Gun a couple times and didn't understand how they would stay in businesses with their limited (frankly, not really interesting) menu and not many people ever in there, so I think this is a smart move.

I'm worried what the transition to fast casual may to do the Plaza, as Goro was constantly overflowing with people dining in and waiting for a table. I guess the Plaza has evolved several times since it was revitalized, though.

I agree the current Goro location had that true city vibe--almost like the Lower East Side in NYC--and that made it great. I went to Gun a couple times and didn't understand how they would stay in businesses with their limited (frankly, not really interesting) menu and not many people ever in there, so I think this is a smart move.

I'm worried what the transition to fast casual may to do the Plaza, as Goro was constantly overflowing with people dining in and waiting for a table. I guess the Plaza has evolved several times since it was revitalized, though.

i think this change has much more to do with this restaurant operators willingness/unwillingness to be open with Covid still out there ..

I agree the current Goro location had that true city vibe--almost like the Lower East Side in NYC--and that made it great. I went to Gun a couple times and didn't understand how they would stay in businesses with their limited (frankly, not really interesting) menu and not many people ever in there, so I think this is a smart move.

I'm worried what the transition to fast casual may to do the Plaza, as Goro was constantly overflowing with people dining in and waiting for a table. I guess the Plaza has evolved several times since it was revitalized, though.

This might be just me but I actually really liked Gun's menu and thought Tamashii's ramen was a little better than Goro's. Hope they find something good to go in their old spot though. That's a big loss for the Plaza.

This might be just me but I actually really liked Gun's menu and thought Tamashii's ramen was a little better than Goro's. Hope they find something good to go in their old spot though. That's a big loss for the Plaza.

From the press release Pete posted above:

... a new Asian-American concept, Tori Tori! will open in the former Goro Ramen space. :)

Oh I completely misread that then. Sounds like this will be a win-win then!

Tori Tori opened yesterday.

Hours 11am-10pm SUN-TH and 11am-11pm F-SAT.

Menu:
https://www.toritoriokc.com/menu

Huh, no more ramen?

Huh, no more ramen?

Goro moved to the Paseo in what was the Gun space.

Goro moved to the Paseo in what was the Gun space.

Ah. Thanks for the info. The revised title had me confused on which space was which.

Anyone know why the switcharoo?

I know that Gun's space has more capacity so maybe the thought was Goro would be able to fill up better/quicker post-pandemic because it already has a name?

I do like that Goro will be in the Paseo from a district feel perspective. Goro, I'm guessing, will be the more casual feeling of the 2 concepts.

I went to Tori Tori and I’m worried about it’s long term prospects. It’s a very limited menu and the chicken is quite bland. I was surprised, but perhaps my expectations were off. I had the Tokyo Hot Chicken and it wasn’t hot/spicy at all. Most of the taste came from the slaw. There are much better chicken sandwiches elsewhere. I also had the chicken “nuggies.” They were also pretty bland, but better than the sandwich. I gave my feedback to the waiter and it sounds like they’re still trying to get the recipes right, so hopefully it improves. Still, with only a few items on the menu, this concept seems better suited for a food truck or small walk up place.

Anyone know why the switcharoo?

I know that Gun's space has more capacity so maybe the thought was Goro would be able to fill up better/quicker post-pandemic because it already has a name?

I do like that Goro will be in the Paseo from a district feel perspective. Goro, I'm guessing, will be the more casual feeling of the 2 concepts.

i think the switch had a lot to do with this restaurant group very much not wanting to be open for dine in seating do to Covid-19

I went to Tori Tori and I’m worried about it’s long term prospects. It’s a very limited menu and the chicken is quite bland. I was surprised, but perhaps my expectations were off. I had the Tokyo Hot Chicken and it wasn’t hot/spicy at all. Most of the taste came from the slaw. There are much better chicken sandwiches elsewhere. I also had the chicken “nuggies.” They were also pretty bland, but better than the sandwich. I gave my feedback to the waiter and it sounds like they’re still trying to get the recipes right, so hopefully it improves. Still, with only a few items on the menu, this concept seems better suited for a food truck or small walk up place.

I quite liked my wings but to each his own I guess.

This spot will become Ma Der Lao Kitchen and feature Laotian food.

Will be the same chef (Jeff Chanchaleune) as Goro and the short-lived Tori Tori.

https://maderlaokitchen.com/

Excited about this. Absolutely love Four J’s Diner at SW 29th and Agnew which serves mostly Thai but has a few Laotian dishes as well. Can’t wait to see what the menu at this place looks like.

Ma Der Lao Kitchen:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/chefjeff081721a.jpg

Ma Der Lao is now open.

You can see their menu here:

https://maderlaokitchen.com/menu

Just FYI closed on Sunday and Monday, per signage on their door.

Saw an article this morning... may have been in 405 Magazine but can' t remember, about the Top 10 places to eat fried chicken in OKC..... Ma Der Lao was on the list already.

Ma Der Lao is now open.

You can see their menu here:

https://maderlaokitchen.com/menu

really reasonably priced ...

Repping OKC in the list of 50 best new restaurants in America

https://www.bonappetit.com/story/50-best-new-restaurants-america-2022

Repping OKC in the list of 50 best new restaurants in America

https://www.bonappetit.com/story/50-best-new-restaurants-america-2022

well deserved ..

If you haven't listened to the recent "This is Oklahoma" podcast episode with Greg Horton, he mentions Ma Der in it. It's a VERY good interview and he makes great points.

What do those who have been there recommend? Never had laotian food so looking at the menu online is kind of intimidating but I want to go on a Thurs when they have khao soi (certainly impacted by the fact that its the only dish I recognize).
Every time I suggest we go here, the GF stares at the menu on her phone confused for a minute before suggesting somewhere else- so need some suggestions.

Every time I suggest we go here, the GF stares at the menu on her phone confused for a minute before suggesting somewhere else- so need some suggestions.

I suggest not telling her you'll be eating with your fingers. ;)

Been a few times and really like it. They have some standouts including crispy rice (my favorite), beef skewers, and fried chicken. Sausage also good.

What do those who have been there recommend? Never had laotian food so looking at the menu online is kind of intimidating but I want to go on a Thurs when they have khao soi (certainly impacted by the fact that its the only dish I recognize).
Every time I suggest we go here, the GF stares at the menu on her phone confused for a minute before suggesting somewhere else- so need some suggestions.

this would be a great start

What to order:
Original Lao Papaya Salad ($11); Steamed Catfish ($12); Lao Sausage ($8); Grilled Beef ($11); Sticky Rice ($4); Chili Dip ($2).

if you are not a big fish fan i would swap that out for the fried chicken

What do those who have been there recommend? Never had laotian food so looking at the menu online is kind of intimidating but I want to go on a Thurs when they have khao soi (certainly impacted by the fact that its the only dish I recognize).
Every time I suggest we go here, the GF stares at the menu on her phone confused for a minute before suggesting somewhere else- so need some suggestions.

If you like Thai or Vietnamese food, then there's a pretty good chance you'll like Laotian food. The fried chicken, crispy rice, mushroom stew, and papaya salad were all excellent.

Don’t have the link, but Ma Der made a top 50 restaurants this week list in the New York Times.

Don’t have the link, but Ma Der made a top 50 restaurants this week list in the New York Times.

I've only been once, but need to get back. All of the food we had was amazing (be careful on the spice on the papaya salad, it gets hot real fast). The grilled beef is one of my favorite dishes I've had in OKC lately. Super simple, but we couldn't get enough.

We tried Ma Der Lao yesterday and it was fantastic!!! Very reasonable prices and delicious food.

I'm not a fried chicken person but everyone else really enjoyed theirs and the sauce that comes with it is crucial.

The crispy rice was absolutely amazing as was the grilled beef and coconut soup dessert. We also got the sausage, sticky rice, beef jerky and maybe one or two other things.

We were taken there by an out of town relative and if Ma Der Lao had been open today, he would have taken us back!! It was that good!!

I am shocked that this place hasn't gotten more attention since last year. We went yesterday for lunch on the suggestion of Tim down at OK Cider Co. It will not be my last trip. It is rare that i can go somewhere and find no fault (other than not having OK Cider Co on tap as it would go well with the spice but that is a personal taste).

We went in right at noon and expected a wait but they were able to sit us immediately. Upon seating at a high top, I had to request a low table as I had eye surgery the day before and was worried about my balance. The only two low tables available were the only two 4 tops in the place and so they normally don't sit 2 tops at them. I told the host we would wait on a 2 top as we weren't in a hurry. Moments later she sat us and told us she checked with manager and he told her to seat us at a 4 top as I was unable to do the high top. Wasn't necessary but appreciated and shows a management with flexibility to needs.

Our server was friendly, happy and knowledgeable as to the offerings. The menu is not large but is vast in flavors and options. We ordered the beef jerky, the fried chicken and the grilled beef. The server suggested sticky rice and the two dips which we added. She explained it was fingerfood and most people eat with their fingers.

The dips were very different and full of flavor and were great by themselves or with each of the items we ordered. The red dip had a nice lingering heat that wasn't overbearing. The green sauce was more like a pepper verde sauce but wasn't overly spicy either.

The beef jerky came first and it is served warm and is not overly dry but is jerky. Has a great lemongrass flavor. It was excellent by itself and great with the sauces. We ended up ordering an order to go for my daughter to try that night. It was equally excellent cold as well.

The fried chicken came out next. We did not expect it to be breaded. The breading was light and absorbed the sauce that was on top. The sauce has a subtle sweetness to it and the chicken was moist and juicy. The flavors blended well together
.
The grilled beef came last and was equally fantastic. Although it is described as lemongrass marinated beef, it is very subtle unlike the lemongrass on the beef jerky. The toasted rice powder gave a great almost curryish-deep roasted pepper taste that accented the beef well. It was not spicy but very flavorful. It looks like one piece of meat on the skewers but was actually little chunks like a kabob all pushed together.

I had two glasses of wine and my son had water. Total tab before tip was $74.

This is a hidden gem. If you haven't been....put it on your list to go soon. We will definitely be going back

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Chef Jeff has once again been nominated for a James Beard Award!

We've been twice recently and loved it. So many flavors. 10/10. OKC doesn't have anything that even remotely compares IMO.

We've been twice recently and loved it. So many flavors. 10/10. OKC doesn't have anything that even remotely compares IMO.

He is also doing a ton of Collabs with other local and out of state Chefs for pop up menus. Kind of going back to his days starting out in OKC. Really cool!

Chef Jeff Chanchaleune is Oklahoma's First two-time Beard Finalist (https://thefooddoodfeed.substack.com/p/breaking-chef-jeff-chanchaleune-is)
by Dave Cathey

Chef Jeff Chanchaleune is Oklahoma's First two-time Beard Finalist (https://thefooddoodfeed.substack.com/p/breaking-chef-jeff-chanchaleune-is)
by Dave Cathey

would be awesome for OKC to have back to back winners ..

Finally tried this place and wanted to love it based on the reviews but thought it was just ok. Tried the sticky rice with pork - I’ll go back and try something different but was expecting better as a Top 50 new restaurant in the U.S.

Finally tried this place and wanted to love it based on the reviews but thought it was just ok. Tried the sticky rice with pork - I’ll go back and try something different but was expecting better as a Top 50 new restaurant in the U.S.

How many people did you go with? Think you've got to try a majority of the menu to appreciate it and found that's easier with 4+. It's a toss up between Ma Der and Sedalia's for my favorite restaurant in the city. My go-to's are: 1) crispy rice salad, 2) beef jerky, 3) grilled beef, 4) fried pork spare ribs and 5) sticky rice with both jaew bong and jaew muk phet. Also whatever on special will be worth it. The Little Dragon cocktail is also one of my favorites in the city.

The wife and I love it… as does everyone we know.

It’s a true gem. Top notch. The accolades are well earned.

The lao sausage is a must have as well, very unique flavor. The fried chicken with red curry fish sauce also has a great depth & flavor. I need to get back soon.