View Full Version : Lip Smackers
Uptowner 07-28-2018, 11:50 AM It’s probably too time consuming. That chop size doesn’t come out of a food processor, so it almost certainly has to be done by hand. And I’ll bet the cook time is substantially longer than a frozen, par fried product. That is the case with potatoes, however you can push a potato through a slicer, but you do have to give them an ice bath to suck the excess starch out, and no fry connoisseur would stop short of doing a twice fry. That’s why your homemade fries turn brown!
Anyway I worked at the west Moore sonic in high school. When it was busy we’d have to devote an entire persons labor to the onion rings, which had to be sliced, popped into rings, ran through a conveyer belt devices that battered them, then fried and packaged. I’m guessing Jabbar doesn’t have the manpower.
Thomas Vu 07-29-2018, 02:51 AM Sure. That's fine. No need to lie about it though.
TheTravellers 08-04-2018, 06:10 PM Went today for the first time. I had the onion dip burger and okra, wife had the mushroom swiss with fries. Dip and burger were fantastic, but messy, chips weren't fried long enough, so some weren't crisp, but they had a good taste to them. Wife said the mushrooms on her burger were good, but not great, and she thinks she'll ask for the onion dip to be added to the mushroom swiss burger next time, she loved the dip so much. Fries weren't crisp enough, but still good - like Braum's used to be decades ago. Very happy to report that the okra appears to not be frozen, looks like the first pic in Thomas's post above comparing them. Definitely going back now that Irma's is gone, but going to miss Irma's bacon - haven't found anybody yet that does it as good as they did, just the right amount of chew, crunch, thickness, and taste...
Thomas Vu 08-04-2018, 09:51 PM Hmm.. Maybe I'll coem back.
When I went on Friday and placed a to-go order, Jabbar insisted I help myself to some lemonade while I waited.
And of course, it was delicious. The pink variety and not overly sweet or tart -- just right.
I had the Onion Dip Burger and okra but it's all just too much food.
Next time I'm there, I may just ask for the chips with the dip and a cup of that delicious lemonade. Those homemade chips may be the best thing on the menu.
TheTravellers 08-05-2018, 02:46 PM When I went on Friday and placed a to-go order, Jabbar insisted I help myself to some lemonade while I waited.
And of course, it was delicious. The pink variety and not overly sweet or tart -- just right.
I had the Onion Dip Burger and okra but it's all just too much food....
Exactly what I had and I didn't finish all the okra, wife helped with some, but it is definitely too much food - we ate there at 2 PM and didn't even feel hungry until 10 PM! Problem is that it's so good, you want to finish it and not leave any, but I'm gonna have to just stop at about 2/3 done next time, my digestive system will thank me.
He said he's got a 5 year lease, and "Lip Smackers ain't going anywhere, just like McDonald's, I'm here to stay". :)
Paseofreak 08-05-2018, 08:00 PM Never finished what i bought there either.
Mr. Blue Sky 08-05-2018, 10:16 PM My wife and I went by for the first time on Wednesday night. There were three tables full of people who seemed to be enjoying the food and conversation. Jabbar was an excellent host and is very friendly and engaging. Excellent (as in first-rate) burgers, the chips made in the kitchen were delicious, the cheesecake was to die for. The behind the counter menu layout and misspellings worried us, after the first bite I didn't care how he spelled it, the food was nothing short of wonderful and the hospitality incredibly welcoming. We don't live too far and will definitely be going back for return visits. What a great surprise Lip Smackers turned out to be.
Ginkasa 08-06-2018, 09:01 PM Brought the family for lunch today. I've been before, but the wife and kids hadn't. Didn't see Jabbar my first visit, but he came and talked to us a couple of times this time. We just ordered waters to drink for everyone, but he offered fountain drinks on the house (we chose water to be healthy, but I couldn't turn down his offer).
So, my son is a very picky eater and just wanted fries. Jabbar offered some chicken strips on the house for him. I didn't see chicken strips on the menu. I declined since my son just wanted fries, but I'm curious if I just didn't see the chicken on the menu or where he was going to get it.
Of course, the food was delicious. Have to find an excuse to try the cheesecake sometime.
RadicalModerate 08-09-2018, 07:16 PM Based mostly on the favorable comments in here (and in the Gazette and the Oklahoman) I made the short drive through Nichols Hills in order to test the accuracy of other peoples' opinions of Good Eats. As soon as I walked through the door I could feel the love (the Joy of Cooking). I went early to beat the lunch rush. If the burger I ordered (mushroom and swiss) wasn't the best burger I've ever had, it was in the top two. The owner/operator is even more hospitable than I might have imagined. In fact, he refused to allow me to leave without a sample of their cheesecake to share with my wife. If you want to get a taste of goodness, in every way, I would suggest that you not miss an opportunity to visit this Oasis of Excellence. (dang, even the fries were perfectly cooked =~).
^
So happy to hear all of that.
Such a feel-good story about this place and such great food.
RadicalModerate 08-09-2018, 07:50 PM ^
So happy to hear all of that.
Such a feel-good story about this place and such great food.
It's a lesson I learned in childhood, after reading Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn: "When in Doubt Tell The Truth." (c/o Sam Clements aka Mark Twain) p.s.: Don't Say It If You Don't Mean It. Don't Say It Mean If You Do." Best Burger Ever.
jedicurt 08-10-2018, 09:43 AM having been there now multiple times (FYI... the sandwiches are really good too). my only complaint is that the Okra now, is not the Okra from the just of July... i know he says he didn't make a change... but something changed. it's still good... but that first time it was fresh and green and amazing... now it's just good. and if that's the only complaint i can find... that's pretty darn good
TheTravellers 08-10-2018, 09:55 AM having been there now multiple times (FYI... the sandwiches are really good too). my only complaint is that the Okra now, is not the Okra from the just of July... i know he says he didn't make a change... but something changed. it's still good... but that first time it was fresh and green and amazing... now it's just good. and if that's the only complaint i can find... that's pretty darn good
Interesting that you say that about the okra, because when we were there on 8/4, it looked like the original fresher/hand-cut & breaded okra, rather than the standard-sized browner okra. Is he switching back and forth between them, apparently randomly, maybe depending on what he has available? If so, that's not good - consistency should be very, very, very high up on a restaurant's must-have list.
jedicurt 08-10-2018, 10:09 AM Interesting that you say that about the okra, because when we were there on 8/4, it looked like the original fresher/hand-cut & breaded okra, rather than the standard-sized browner okra. Is he switching back and forth between them, apparently randomly, maybe depending on what he has available? If so, that's not good - consistency should be very, very, very high up on a restaurant's must-have list.
well i haven't made it in the last two weeks. it was July 26th the last time i was there. maybe he wasn't able to get the fresh okra for a few weeks and now has it back? but means i might go for lunch today and see! lol
Thomas Vu 08-10-2018, 01:20 PM I"ll hold off. The okra was my favorite thing there.
TheTravellers 08-10-2018, 01:30 PM I"ll hold off. The okra was my favorite thing there.
He was last there on 7/26, during which he apparently had okra similar to your right photo, I was there on 8/4, during which I apparently had the okra similar to your left photo. Timeline appears to be this - homemade-type okra (left pic), sysco-type okra (right pic), back to homemade-type okra (left pic). Who knows what it's like now, but as I said, consistency is one of the very most important things in the restaurant business, so hopefully he has the okra thing sorted out by now...
Rover 08-10-2018, 04:13 PM I just got a new Rolls Royce for a bargain... but darn, I think one of the hubcaps is chrome plated, not real chrome, so I'm not going to drive it anymore. LOL.
I can't believe the focus on okra. Who knew it was so important to so many. With all the GREAT things he makes, will people REALLY boycot the place until it is proven the okra is 100% fresh? That's harsh. :)
Well I think it's possible that his supplier might be the culprit. He may order the same thing every week but the wholesaler supplier may be the culprit, or actually whoever the wholesaler buys it from, i.e. the manufacturer/food originator.
Thomas Vu 08-10-2018, 10:14 PM Deleted
soonerguru 08-11-2018, 01:38 AM I finally had my maiden voyage at Lip Smackers *this could be a tawdry name for a seedy strip club. I took my daughter for a rather late lunch and luckily avoided the crowds. The owner was there and he was as friendly as advertised. Despite the reputation, I'm just not drawn to the onion dip burger; it just doesn't sound appetizing to me. So we went with the classics plus their tasty crinkly fries. The service was top notch and you can tell the ingredients they use are well above average. The meat itself tasted splendid. My daughter wolfed down the half-pound burger, which if you saw how dainty she is you would understand how much she liked it. Next time I might try one of the theme burgers but I would be happy to stick with the classic.
jennydahl 08-18-2018, 01:08 PM Tried for a second visit today... got there at 11:15 AM. Lights off, doors locked, no signs of life inside. :(
Rover 08-18-2018, 01:21 PM They are open
Yesterday I tried the Mediterranean turkey sub with a side of their homemade chips.
It was pretty fantastic. The turkey was grilled and to that was added nicely grilled onions, tomatoes, and green olives and topped with melted cheese. There was also some sort of tangy sauce on the soft roll. Really a nice balance of flavors.
I liked it every bit as much as their burgers, which is saying something. And I've grown to love those chips.
http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/lipsmackers083018.jpg
d-usa 08-31-2018, 07:59 AM Are we gonna get a scenic drone shot of the gas-station at some point?
Are we gonna get a scenic drone shot of the gas-station at some point?
I don't think people could bear the stunning beauty of it all.
Thomas Vu 09-03-2018, 03:25 PM Stopped by today. He mentioned he hasn't seen me in two months, although I thought it was a month. Saw some new things on the menu. Ordered the brunch burger and the okra. I saw there was a special and tried to order that, but he mentioned that he was out of an ingredient (balsamic vinegar) and how things take time to prepare and that the aim is for quality. SOmething about the special involved 30 minutes for prep work. Sadly I got the same okra I got the past two times. Burger was good though. Had a few pieces of okra and then went off somewhere else to fill out the void of okra I didn't finish.
billokc 09-08-2018, 06:18 PM Went for lunch today (Saturday). Tried the Mediterranean Turkey Sub on Pete's suggestion. WOW!! What a taste treat! Had the fries with it.
Okay everyone, this is one sandwich you MUST try!
After I finished it, I went up to tell Jabbar how great it was. He was grateful to hear it. Such a nice guy as well. Hope the business picks up for him.
TheTravellers 09-08-2018, 06:54 PM Stopped by today. He mentioned he hasn't seen me in two months, although I thought it was a month. Saw some new things on the menu. Ordered the brunch burger and the okra. I saw there was a special and tried to order that, but he mentioned that he was out of an ingredient (balsamic vinegar) and how things take time to prepare and that the aim is for quality. SOmething about the special involved 30 minutes for prep work. Sadly I got the same okra I got the past two times. Burger was good though. Had a few pieces of okra and then went off somewhere else to fill out the void of okra I didn't finish.
Two things about this bother me. First off, if you're out of balsamic vinegar, send someone out to buy it until you get your regular shipment - Super Cao Nguyen, Homeland, Whole Foods, and Winco are all close enough to fill the need, and I'm sure there are other grocery stores I'm missing that are in the area. Or if you really can't, for whatever reason, get some balsamic vinegar, take the special off the board, cover it up, do something so people won't think it's available. Second, inconsistency is very uncool for a restaurant - if I go there expecting the "good" okra, I'm going to be pissed if I get the frozen crap, and will likely not go back. This is just basic restaurant management skill that he's lacking...
For some restaurants, not having ingredients is forgivable - such as Ludivine, or the others that depend on fresh, local, unique ingredients daily for their menu and some of those ingredients are just not replaceable or substitutable (yeah, I know, not a real word), so they cook up (ha) a new dish that replaces the old dish, and is usually equivalent (but not always - sometimes we decide on something from Ludivine's online menu, get there and they can't make it and have another dish as a substitute, but it's not always what we're in the mood for, so we find something else on the menu to order). There are restaurants where that's part of the deal, but to me, a burger joint should have all its ingredients available for all its items, or they should take them off the menu. Yeah, seems like a double standard, but it's not really - just different expectations being set. As far as the okra being house-made or frozen, I just can't forgive that, since neither their fries nor their chips are that great, but the house-made okra is, so neither is an acceptable substitute for the okra for me, and anyway, if you don't know if you'll get the good okra or the frozen okra until you get it, that's a deal-breaker for me - consistency is very important for a restaurant, very, very important.
ctchandler 09-08-2018, 09:49 PM TheTravellers,
Substitutable is a word. See link below from Merriam Webster.
C. T.
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/substitutable
Thomas Vu 09-08-2018, 10:40 PM For what it's worth, I offered to run out and get some. He declined though. I'll visit when I want variety in ingredients in my burger.
TheTravellers 09-09-2018, 02:30 PM TheTravellers,
Substitutable is a word. See link below from Merriam Webster.
C. T.
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/substitutable
Cool, I'm smarter than I think I am. :)
And I know my opinion sounds harsh, but there are enough other places that I can go and get exactly what's on the menu every time I go there that I don't have to go places where I'm wondering if I'll be able to order something and have it come out the way it should be (or if they can make it at all).
TheTravellers 09-09-2018, 02:33 PM For what it's worth, I offered to run out and get some. He declined though. I'll visit when I want variety in ingredients in my burger.
:doh:
jennydahl 09-12-2018, 01:40 PM Second visit today for lunch... had my heart set on the shrimp sandwich. Jabbar said he had taken it off the menu since he hadn't sold enough... and sure enough, it was off the menu! He could tell I was disappointed and offered to go ahead and make me one - he had shrimp marinating for his own lunch. Even though I declined (I didn't want to take the man's lunch!), he insisted... so shrimp sandwich and okra it was for me. The sandwich was out of this world! (And the okra was excellent again, too!).
Bottom line... don't let the olives in the grilled olives/tomatoes/onions/shrimp/sauce combination put you off. I don't know what magic the grilling works for those olives, but they're smooth, warm, soft, and not in any way wrong. He agreed to put it back on the menu and I promised I'd do what I could to get more people to order it. Help a girl out here! :)
jackirons 09-12-2018, 10:24 PM I don't quite get the hype. My burger was dry and overcooked. The fries were soggy. IMO there are tons of better burger options in OKC.
Ginkasa 09-14-2018, 02:12 PM It looks like their website has expired, which is unfortunate.
Thomas Vu 09-27-2018, 10:47 PM Stopped by tonight. I thought he normally closed at 8, but tonight it was at 7. He offered to open the restaurant again for me, but I declined. Maybe if I had a bigger group, or felt we could make it worth the while.
He talked about business slowing again despite putting money into social media such as facebook, google, yelp, and instagram. He also mentioned putting money into the OKGazette? I'm not sure how the business works, but my friend made note that there were only 14 yelp reviews, and I personally didn't think that restaurateurs had to pay publications to stop by.
^
There were actually a bunch more reviews on Yelp but they culled them back to only 'top reviews'. Not sure how the Yelp model works these days.
Thomas Vu 09-28-2018, 08:18 AM 14943
If anybody else was curious
TheTravellers 10-20-2018, 09:28 PM They're going to have a segment on next week's (Sat, 10/27) Discover Oklahoma on KFOR at 6:30 PM.
Thomas Vu 10-20-2018, 11:42 PM As of Friday at least, they're only open for lunch now.
As of Friday at least, they're only open for lunch now.
Yep, their new hours are 11A-3P every day.
Paseofreak 10-21-2018, 07:13 PM Location, location, location!
Mr. Blue Sky 10-22-2018, 02:27 PM I've been a regular and love the food. Excellent burgers at a reasonable cost. However, Jabbar is way too cavalier about the importance of smart marketing. He doesn't want to use his tall sign space available that can be seen from I-44 ( I think it still advertises the last restaurant in his spot) and has said it's too much trouble and doesn't matter. The sign on Penn looks more like a sign for a bakery or cup cake shop than a great burger joint. Marketing is more than advertising, of course, and too often the efforts made are a bit too amateur. His notes on the door about the new schedule were written on notebook paper ripped from a spiral, and taped crooked on the glass doors. He just has an almost obstinate block about doing things to improve the marketing, even simple things. I wish this wasn't the case as I fear for the future of Lip Smackers. By all means, go check it out! Really good food!
Ginkasa 10-22-2018, 03:28 PM He definitely seems like the kind of guy that could use a business partner to handle that aspect of the restaurant while he focuses on the kitchen. This is one of only a few places that have opened up that I've gone out my way to visit more than once, so I definitely hope he sticks around.
BBatesokc 10-22-2018, 04:02 PM Yep, their new hours are 11A-3P every day.
Did he have to take a night job to make ends meet?
Libbymin 10-22-2018, 04:08 PM Not a good sign when a restaurant reduces their hours to lunch only, but I hope he can make it work!
It's better hours than Nic's!
I'm sure a big part of this is not wanting to man a 2nd shift.
I noticed the last couple of times I was in there that Jabbar was doing less of the cooking. This way, he's bound to be more hands-on.
soonermike81 10-24-2018, 09:07 AM This feels more like the beginning of the end, imo. I actually haven’t been during lunch, so I have no idea if they get a crazy lunch rush. But reducing hours to reduce overhead tells me they’re not generating enough revenue. Unless he’s got some crazy deal worked out with the landlord for cheap rent, wouldn’t you want to utilize that space as many hours of the day as possible, as long as the numbers make sense? You’re still paying the same fixed costs. I’ve only been once, and it was during dinner on a Tuesday. Seemed to be a decent flow of customers. Not sure the reasoning here but I don’t feel it’s a good sign. Sad, as it was a very good burger. Not the best location or ambiance but good food for certain. I hope his alleged stubbornness when it comes to marketing doesn’t end up being his demise. Someone said above, “location, location, location.” And if you don’t have a good location but have a very good product, you need to spend some money on advertising. Hopefully I’m wrong. Or maybe he has an awesome lunch business going and wants to rest and spend time with the family the remainder of his day.
Thomas Vu 10-24-2018, 11:27 AM Or maybe he has an awesome lunch business going and wants to rest and spend time with the family the remainder of his day.
I wish I got this reason when I tried to visit twice for dinner.
Rover 10-24-2018, 02:05 PM It is very difficult to start a restaurant if you don't have optimum finances. But many try anyway. If you can't afford a premium location and don't have money to spend on marketing, you have to hope your product is so superior that word of mouth carries the day. Maybe he isn't so much stubborn as that he is under-financed. I've had numerous conversations with him. He seems focused more on spending the money on product than on promotion. And, I would guess the location was the best he could afford to have to have a chance.
Thomas Vu 10-24-2018, 03:53 PM It's possible he went back and forth on it. He was talking about having money spent on promotion the first time I stopped by for dinner.
TheTravellers 10-24-2018, 05:08 PM He mentioned the cheap rent when we went in, which will work for a bit, but it's attached to a less-than-attractive (in more ways than one) gas station and has no signage up that can be seen until you're almost literally in front of it on Penn. Wife went to the restroom after we finished eating, and it was in the gas station part, and she said it was absolutely hideous, she said she'd never go in there again. I used the restroom too, just to wash my hands and it was pretty atrocious too. That kind of thing can break a place pretty quick, so if he's really serious about making this his life's work, he needs to get more $$$$ and move to a stand-alone building and spend more $$$ on media (online and print). His burgers are pretty damn good and he has a chance to set himself up as a long-range player in the burger wars here if he gets the right place and does it right.
Rover 10-24-2018, 08:32 PM Sometimes it’s not so easy to just go get more $$$$
TheTravellers 10-25-2018, 10:25 AM Sometimes it’s not so easy to just go get more $$$$
Yep, I realize that, and if he can't, then he might just go under. As I've heard for decades (and you mentioned it yourself), many restaurant failures are because they're not financed well enough to do the job right (and right includes lots of things, not just good food). If he goes under, it'll suck, but maybe he'll have learned some things and his next venture will work out better. Hopefully that won't be the case...
Mr. Blue Sky 10-25-2018, 01:01 PM You can still do many of the little things that cost little to no money. I can't believe he has that big sign available to him to use that can be seen from I-44 and he thinks he doesn't need it. Here is a Google Maps view. Zoom in on the tall signage seen just above the blue awning. The sign right below the VIP sign is his - but it advertises the last business that was there. https://www.google.com/maps/uv?hl=en&pb=!1s0x87b21a72a384affb:0x81fa471961dae837!2m22!2 m2!1i80!2i80!3m1!2i20!16m16!1b1!2m2!1m1!1e1!2m2!1m 1!1e3!2m2!1m1!1e5!2m2!1m1!1e4!2m2!1m1!1e6!3m1!7e11 5!4s/maps/place/n.%2Bpenn%2Band%2BI-44%2Bmap/@35.5150164,-97.5475289,3a,75y,62.72h,90t/data%3D*213m4*211e1*213m2*211sPxQTJqqZIc5ule4EORKv Fw*212e0*214m2*213m1*211s0x87b21a72a384affb:0x81fa 471961dae837!5sn.+penn+and+I-44+map+-+Google+Search&imagekey=!1e2!2sPxQTJqqZIc5ule4EORKvFw&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjA4IGZlaLeAhULsFQKHXnWCx4Qpx8wEnoECAsQC Q
He laughs it all off with me and says, "It's all about the food." Then, in the next sentence complains about the lack of traffic into the restaurant. I say, "Jabbar!!!" and he just laughs again. I'm a regular and he knows who I am I'm sure. I'm never rude - only encouraging in my suggestions.
Such a shame because, as almost everyone says, the burgers are top-tier in the metro.
stile99 10-25-2018, 01:47 PM He has a point, if the food is good enough, a lot of sins can be forgiven. The trick, however, is how anyone is supposed to know the food is good if they never know the food is there to begin with.
TheirTheir 10-26-2018, 09:20 AM With so many good burgers to compete with, a visible sign from I-44 would, at the very least, be a reminder of it's existence to those who have been there. I use I-44 every day and I think about Lip Smackerz 0% of my day unless I see this thread. I would have gone 5+ more times if there was a sign to remind me of its existence.
TheTravellers 10-26-2018, 10:39 AM So it may not be money problems that are behind the shorter hours, read this in Lackmeyer's chat this morning:
I am very sympathetic to the plight of the homeless but the situation along Pennsylvania Avenue, I-44 and NW 23 is out of control. There is a great new restaurant located at I-44 and Pennsylvania, Lipsmackers, that has ended evening operations. The owner told me early on dinner hour was a challenge due to the perceived and real issues of safety in the area.
^
I live literally right down the street from Lipsmackers.
Yes, there are a lot of panhandlers at the I-44 & Penn intersection and I've never had a problem or heard of anything happening there. And in fact, I've only eaten at Lipsmackers in the evening and I've done so about a dozen times.
Repeating this sort of thing is dangerous without real info and data.
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