I would love to know what the average tab is at The Jones. They invested a lot and aren't cheap. My guess they don't have a lot of underperforming tables or people just lounging and filling time.
Yeah it gets pretty packed, they must be absolutely killing it. My secret to surviving 11-close there is the $3 PBR's, I can drink craft beer at home haha.

Maples BBQ to open in the Plaza District (http://www.okctalk.com/content.php?r=460-Maples-BBQ-to-open-in-the-Plaza-District)

After bringing premium Austin-style barbecue to Oklahoma City through their Midtown trailer setup last year, Maples has already started work on a permanent brick-and-mortar location in the Plaza District.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/maples013118.jpg


Proprietor Todd Woodruff of Day One Concepts (Waffle Champion, Nonesuch and soon-to-open Buttermilk Sliders (http://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=43709&p=1009503#post1009503)) is planning an ambitious new restaurant in the building last occupied by Chiltepes at 1800 NW 16th.

The property sold last Friday to an LLC headed by local attorney Stephen Sherman who in turn executed a long-term lease with Maples.

Chiltepes closed in late 2017 and research reveals the restaurant had owed back taxes to the state for several years.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/maplesplaza5.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/maplesplaza6.jpg


After an extensive renovation Maples will offer a similar menu to their Midtown trailer location but greatly expand their hours and offer a full bar program.

Woodruff told OKCTalk that they will add a separate smoker; one will smoke overnight for lunch business and the second will start in the morning to prepare meats for dinner and the evening.

Beef ribs will be featured daily with 7 or 8 other cuts of meat (such as brisket, pulled pork and sausages) and 5 or 6 sides, including a new custard-style macaroni and cheese.

Previously, Maples had employed an “open until sellout” model whereby they would open at 11AM for lunch then close once all the meat had been sold from the previous night's smoke.

The new location on the very prominent Indiana and 16th corner at the western edge of the Plaza District will feature a bold design and a large patio. The entrance will be relocated, opening to an order line and a merchandise area.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/maplesplaza4.jpg


In addition to food and drink, Maples will offer a full line of branded hats, t-shirts, hoodies, flannels and other items.

The bar will focus on local craft beers, bourbon and whiskey and Maine Root sodas will also be featured.

Woodruff hopes to be open by May and said Maples will likely feature occasional live music.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/maplesplaza2.jpg

Can't wait !

There aren't nearly enough seats for how popular this is going to be. I'm really excited about this!

When I mention the it to friends in DFW, I usually refer to the Plaza District as a smaller and less music-oriented version of Deep Ellum. Maples going in just continues the similarities as I think it will be very successful akin to Pecan Lodge, which is crazy popular.

This doesn’t suck and I will fight anyone who thinks it does.

Or a duel if the state legislator legalizes them again

Glad to see even more good options for dinning in the area. We were getting a little burned out going there in our lunch rotation.

This is great, and I really like the staggered two smoker vs. smoking overnight and serving throughout the day. This place is going to kill it.

can't wait for maples to be back... they're hands down my favorite bbq in the metro.

I was so jazzed about Chiltepes when it first opened, but quickly faded. SO glad Maples is going in here instead of, well, anything else. Very happy.

I was so jazzed about Chiltepes when it first opened, but quickly faded. SO glad Maples is going in here instead of, well, anything else. Very happy.

I'm good with Maple's going in here but with Cocina Guatelinda and Chiltepes gone. Where do I go to get those awesome Guatamalen handmade, thick, corn tortillas now?

I'm good with Maple's going in here but with Cocina Guatelinda and Chiltepes gone. Where do I go to get those awesome Guatamalen handmade, thick, corn tortillas now?

Cafe Kacao or Cafe Antigua? I think I saw something about Kacao saying "We have pupusas now!" last time we were in there.

Cafe Kacao or Cafe Antigua? I think I saw something about Kacao saying "We have pupusas now!" last time we were in there.

Been awhile since I've been to Kacao... Will have to go check it out again. Especially if they have papusas.

Been awhile since I've been to Kacao... Will have to go check it out again. Especially if they have papusas.

Just checked their menu to make sure I wasn't lying to ya...

Pupusas

2 hand made corn tortillas stuffed with cheese and pork. Served with caballo rice (egg on top), black beans & vinaigrette cabbage $12.00

They have a store now located at 1001 N Virginia Ave, about 6 blocks south of the Plaza. Fausto (the dad of the squad) and his sons went back to their original thought of a convenience store AND a kitchen together-- so you can find those corn tortillas there! Plus a lot of other delicious treats.

Great info. Thanks!

I'm good with Maple's going in here but with Cocina Guatelinda and Chiltepes gone. Where do I go to get those awesome Guatamalen handmade, thick, corn tortillas now?
Tienda Guatamala on Virginia.

Do the nachos at tacos San Pedro on the south side, you won’t regret it.

Maples has submitted it's design plans for approval.

Things have slightly changed from the renderings we originally posted, as the old canopy on the north side of the building will be removed in favor of a new, larger pergola covering the patio along 16th.

Also, note the cool mural.

They have been doing work inside for a while but once these plans are approved, the outside should start to take shape.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/maples042618a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/maples042618b.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/maples042618c.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/maples042818.jpg

Hmmmm... That color scheme looks very similar to a famous Austin BBQ joint only reversed.

https://www.google.com/maps/@30.2700459,-97.7314807,3a,75y,69.04h,82.61t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1ssu_tPTltlUICZFeWDII5Qg!2e0!7i1 3312!8i6656?hl=en

That's ridiculous; Franklin's has blue on the bottom and white on the top, while you can clearly see that Maples has WHITE on the bottom and BLUE on the top. COMPLETELY different.

HAHA... Well I did say it was reversed. ;)

LOL I missed that (very obvious) comment. That's what I get for skimming... :)

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/maples061018.jpg

That doesn't look like any progress has been made?

That doesn't look like any progress has been made?

Lot's of progress on the future Empire building though.

That doesn't look like any progress has been made?

Working on the inside of Maples.

Working on the inside of Maples.

Ah that makes sense. The for sale sign kinda threw me too.

Has anyone had the BBQ from both the Maples food truck and their old location in Midtown? I finally had their BBQ for the first time a few weeks ago (from their food truck) and was very, very disappointed in the brisket. It was some of the driest/toughest brisket I've ever had, which seems to be against almost all of the reviews I've read. I'll definitely give them the benefit of the doubt and try their brick and mortar location when it opens...but was I really disappointed from my first experience.

I've had their brisket several times and it's always been outstanding.

You must have caught them on a bad day.

When they were in Midtown the brisket was always the star of the show but I haven't caught them since they stopped vending from that location.

Been patiently waiting on the Plaza location to open up.

i've never had a bad experience at maple's... in fact, i'd say I've never had an average one there either. really wish their brick & mortar was open already as i'm needing my fix. it seems to me that summertime would be the best season for a bbq joint and so I've got to wonder if they're missing out on some good business.

As everyone has said already, their brisket is usually the best thing there. I didn't know they were even in service after the midtown location.

As everyone has said already, their brisket is usually the best thing there. I didn't know they were even in service after the midtown location.

They often post up at Stonecould on Saturdays. Watch Stonecloud and/or Maples & Waffle Champ's social media feeds for the details.

Has anyone had the BBQ from both the Maples food truck and their old location in Midtown? I finally had their BBQ for the first time a few weeks ago (from their food truck) and was very, very disappointed in the brisket. It was some of the driest/toughest brisket I've ever had, which seems to be against almost all of the reviews I've read. I'll definitely give them the benefit of the doubt and try their brick and mortar location when it opens...but was I really disappointed from my first experience.

That’s surprising to hear! As mentioned you must have caught them on a bad day, or a bad batch of meat. I’m not a huge brisket eater, but theirs has my mouth watering.

Anybody have an opening date for the Plaza location?

Also, heard from someone my wife knows that they changed their sauce from being vinegar-y to a more Okie-friendly one (more tomato-y, I'm guessing), it disappointed her. I haven't been yet, so haven't had either the "before" or "after" sauce, so don't know what the details are or when the change happened...

Anybody have an opening date for the Plaza location?

Also, heard from someone my wife knows that they changed their sauce from being vinegar-y to a more Okie-friendly one (more tomato-y, I'm guessing), it disappointed her. I haven't been yet, so haven't had either the "before" or "after" sauce, so don't know what the details are or when the change happened...

They posted they are hiring a general manager a couple of days ago. So it should be getting close but no date mentioned.

Hate to hear that about their sauce because it made what I found to be kind of bland pulled pork freaking amazing.... It was like that sauce and pork were a match made in BBQ heaven.

They posted they are hiring a general manager a couple of days ago. So it should be getting close but no date mentioned.

Hate to hear that about their sauce because it made what I found to be kind of bland pulled pork freaking amazing.... It was like that sauce and pork were a match made in BBQ heaven.

Good to hear, thanks. Found out the date for the sauce change was late last summer...

Good to hear, thanks. Found out the date for the sauce change was late last summer...

Wonder if they did away with the original sauce altogether... It was a good and unique sauce in my opinion.

They posted they are hiring a general manager a couple of days ago. So it should be getting close but no date mentioned.

Hate to hear that about their sauce because it made what I found to be kind of bland pulled pork freaking amazing.... It was like that sauce and pork were a match made in BBQ heaven.

Agree totally. Pulled pork calls for vinegar based sauce and slaw

They posted they are hiring a general manager a couple of days ago. So it should be getting close but no date mentioned.

Hate to hear that about their sauce because it made what I found to be kind of bland pulled pork freaking amazing.... It was like that sauce and pork were a match made in BBQ heaven.

That was the only time I used the sauce... the rest didn't need it.

That was the only time I used the sauce... the rest didn't need it.

Agreed but it made the pulled pork..... I still remember taking my first bite of pork and thinking.... meh I can check that off the list.... then adding the sauce and taking another bite and doing a complete 180 and scarfing it all down together.

And while I think great BBQ stands on it's own with no need for additional sauce.... I'm also into eating food I think tastes great and that sauce and pork was great to me.

And while I think great BBQ stands on it's own with no need for additional sauce.... I'm also into eating food I think tastes great and that sauce and pork was great to me.

That's exactly how I feel. I love BBQ that doesn't need any sauce, but I also love how BBQ sauce tastes so I eat it occasionally even if the meat is good.

I'll also say I wasn't a fan of the Maples BBQ sauce so I'm not sad they changed it, but lucky for them their BBQ was so good I never really used it.

That's exactly how I feel. I love BBQ that doesn't need any sauce, but I also love how BBQ sauce tastes so I eat it occasionally even if the meat is good.

I like sauce too.... The three years we did the OKC Broken Rib tour we scored the ribs as they were served but all of us always tried them with the sauces provided after we had taken our sample bites..... Most times I will just taste the sauce with a spoon and then if I decide the meat needs the sauce to complement it's flavor I will add it.... And I almost always sauce smoked bologna or sausages.

Agreed but it made the pulled pork..... I still remember taking my first bite of pork and thinking.... meh I can check that off the list.... then adding the sauce and taking another bite and doing a complete 180 and scarfing it all down together.

And while I think great BBQ stands on it's own with no need for additional sauce.... I'm also into eating food I think tastes great and that sauce and pork was great to me.

I was agreeing with you that the sauce made the pork a lot better,

Y'all are making me hungry... Maples needs to hurry up and open! Haha

I've been told September. Wasn't from Todd though so there's that.

I was agreeing with you that the sauce made the pork a lot better,

I know you were and I was re-agreeing with you because the sauce was that good on the pork. ;)

14822
Work has started in earnest on Maples, the entire street street smells like onions haha.

I hope they don't paint that gargantuan wall behind it and go straight to a mural.

To answer my own question, I noticed today that the West wall was being mural-ized, while the East wall is still that dark green color, so I guess it'll stay that way for a bit.

The building appears dwarfed by the new empire building. Also, I love that they removed the patio seating. Keeping that corner open will be a more welcoming vibe for street performers and the like.

The building appears dwarfed by the new empire building. Also, I love that they removed the patio seating. Keeping that corner open will be a more welcoming vibe for street performers and the like.

The plans say it’s going to have a large patio so I think they are just reconfiguring the patio right now. It would be a pretty big missed opportunity for a restaurant on such a prominent corner not to have a patio.

The plans say it’s going to have a large patio so I think they are just reconfiguring the patio right now. It would be a pretty big missed opportunity for a restaurant on such a prominent corner not to have a patio. Yeah, true.

I hope they don't paint that gargantuan wall behind it and go straight to a mural.

the west Mural is looking good. I am hoping the east one they play with the fact that it dwarfs the other building. perhaps a character peering over or around Maples would be pretty awesome.

that would be awesome

Craning in two big smokers this morning (photo cred Larry Dean Pickering):

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/maples082418a.jpg

Oh boy, oh boy! OH BOY!!

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/maples092218.jpg