^

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.

I live at 35th/Venice and I do see homeless folks around our neighborhood, and on 23rd, but not sure it's at the level of dangerous. So maybe next time someone hits up Lipsmackers, they can ask Jabbar for specific incidents and then post about the conversation to clear this up (sorry, won't be us, we're not doing burgers for a little while)...

Even if this were the case, which I don't believe it is cause I was told otherwise on multiple occasions, I'd still put the onus on Jabbar for lack of scouting the location when setting up shop.

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.

Oh, so that's where it is. I think about it occasionally when driving down I-44 but I could never place it in my mind where it was.

Even if this were the case, which I don't believe it is cause I was told otherwise on multiple occasions, I'd still put the onus on Jabbar for lack of scouting the location when setting up shop.

So who'd Jabbar give a false story to - you or Lackmeyer? Interesting that he's told 2 different people 2 different things. I'd imagine it's actually a combination of both.

So who'd Jabbar give a false story to - you or Lackmeyer? Interesting that he's told 2 different people 2 different things. I'd imagine it's actually a combination of both.

That's what I was thinking as well.

I live at 35th/Venice and I do see homeless folks around our neighborhood, and on 23rd, but not sure it's at the level of dangerous. So maybe next time someone hits up Lipsmackers, they can ask Jabbar for specific incidents and then post about the conversation to clear this up (sorry, won't be us, we're not doing burgers for a little while)...

Well that's news to Mrs. Traveller here, who needs a burger fix on a pretty regular basis. :- I'll have to have a chat with Mr. Traveller.

^

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.

+1 x2

^^^ Then why did Jabbar tell Lackmeyer there were "perceived and real issues of safety in the area"? He's the man that's working there day in and day out, so I'd think he would know, unless he's lying to Lackmeyer.

^^^ Then why did Jabbar tell Lackmeyer there were "perceived and real issues of safety in the area"? He's the man that's working there day in and day out, so I'd think he would know, unless he's lying to Lackmeyer.

You are assuming that this chat remark was a verbatim, in context and complete transcription of a specific conversation.

I'll ask Jabbar about it next time I see him and see how his response compares.

Even if he said that, correlation isn’t always causation. He might think that is the reason, but given that there’s several other outstanding issues it might not be the actual reason.

You are assuming that this chat remark was a verbatim, in context and complete transcription of a specific conversation.

I'll ask Jabbar about it next time I see him and see how his response compares.

Cool, that's all I was thinking - someone should talk to the horse itself, get it straight from his mouth, not Wilburrrrrrr.

And catch22 - yep, agreed, said the same thing myself. :) Of course, potential danger is relative, also - runs the gamut of someone like us who's driven around the south side of Chicago and in Cabrini Green in a bright red Mustang without really thinking we're in danger to my mom who double-checked her car being locked and mentioned it a couple of times while it was parked in front of our house during the day on NW 35th/Venice during our move-in a couple of years ago...

And even if he did say it and meant it the way it was reported, it doesn't make it true.

People struggling in business love to blame everything but themselves.

I can assure you the Oklahoman has made similar reports about other restaurants and businesses without bothering to do any homework and finding they were in fact evicted, way behind on their bills and other things.

People FEELING threatened doesn’t mean they actually are. But people often react to how they FEEL, whether logical or true. That is why man,y are acquitted of murder claiming self defense when they merely FELT threatened. So, it Is possible a certain crowd stays away because the FEEL threatened. Doesn’t mean Jabbar, The Oklahoman, or anyone else is being deceiving.

Do you think the Oklahoman would have written this about Jones Assembly or somewhere in Bricktown? Of course not.

Whether it was said or someone 'felt' it is not the point. It is being reported as truth -- without any homework or investigation -- by the largest news media company in the state.

People need to understand that it is not reporting to merely repeat what someone tells you. You have a responsibility to do some work of your own, independently verify and provide proper context.

To not do so is irresponsible and unprofessional and just plain bad for the community.

How many people have actually said they feel unsafe? Why do they feel unsafe? Is it because there are people of color living in the nearby apartments or that they are just uncomfortable around homeless people?

And before someone brings up "it's only a chat", it's published online and in the newspaper.


As a homeowner who only lives a couple of blocks away and walks and rides my bike all around the general vicinity, it infuriates me. Especially coming from a reporter who lives several miles north of Memorial Road and has no idea about the area or neighborhood.

Do you think the Oklahoman would have written this about Jones Assembly or somewhere in Bricktown? Of course not.

Whether it was said or someone 'felt' it is not the point. It is being reported as truth -- without any homework or investigation -- by the largest news media company in the state.

People need to understand that it is not reporting to merely repeat what someone tells you. You have a responsibility to do some work of your own, independently verify and provide proper context.

Quoting because certain 'reporters' need to be made to write this 100 times on the chalkboard each morning before starting their shift. Another version I have seen make the rounds recently is if someone tells you it is raining, and someone else tells you it isn't, your job is not to print both sides, your job is to get off your butt and look outside the window to see which one is accurate.

Love the journalistic competition. Getting to be like our politics.

Stopped by tonight. Their hours are now 11-7 every day.

Jabbar said they only briefly closed in the evening because business was slow.

Said it had nothing to do neighborhood safety or the perception of the same. Also said he never made those comments to anyone.

I was there 15 minutes from closing with about a dozen others and on a Tuesday night.

Glad to hear things have stabilized for him.

Over the past few months I've had a chance to try burgers at Pop's (Nichols Hills), Lip Smackers, and Hopdoddy. They were all good, yet I think the one at Lip Smackers was the best. Just my two-cents worth.

As good as the burgers are, I actually prefer their Turkey Mediterranean Sub, which is served hot and is delicious.

As good as the burgers are, I actually prefer their Turkey Mediterranean Sub, which is served hot and is delicious.

If "Mediterranean" implies things like marinated red onions, olives, capers, sun-dried tomatoes, artichoke hearts, appropriate herbage/seasoning and Feta cheese or equivalent . . . I'm in. =~)

As good as the burgers are, I actually prefer their Turkey Mediterranean Sub, which is served hot and is delicious.

i recently came to this realization as well... had it my third time in, and it's almost all i get now as i make my weekly trek

Stopped by tonight. Their hours are now 11-7 every day.

Jabbar said they only briefly closed in the evening because business was slow.

Said it had nothing to do neighborhood safety or the perception of the same. Also said he never made those comments to anyone.

I was there 15 minutes from closing with about a dozen others and on a Tuesday night.

Thank you for doing what any decent reporter should do. You should mention this on Lackmeyer's chat on Friday as a "Guest". :Smiley122

Stopped by tonight. Their hours are now 11-7 every day.

Jabbar said they only briefly closed in the evening because business was slow.

Said it had nothing to do neighborhood safety or the perception of the same. Also said he never made those comments to anyone.

I was there 15 minutes from closing with about a dozen others and on a Tuesday night.

Does this still not seem odd to anyone else, or at least still somewhat concerning? He closed temporarily in the evenings because it was slow, but now his hours are from 11-7. There sounds like there is a decent dinner crowd there, at least on a Tuesday night right before closing. Unless his location is an anomaly, wouldn’t that period during mid-afternoon be the slowest time of the day and be the time to close down? Many places open for lunch, close for a few hours, then open back up for the dinner rush. I get that it’s not as convenient for a business owner to do that and it makes it harder to find consistent, good help. Also, it doesn’t sound like business is that slow in the evening. I haven’t been in a while, but when we went on either a Monday or Tuesday night, there was a steady flow of customers. So he closes in the evenings temporarily because business is slow, but opens up with new hours that end when many people are most likely still going to be dining? I would close at 8 if I were him. Or hell, even 730 if he notices that there’s a significant drop in customers walking through the door at that time. What were the original hours anyways?

When I was last in, he stayed open past 7 because people were still coming in.

His business picked up when Discover Oklahoma did a story on him and the restaurant.

http://discoveroklahomatv.com/stories/2018/lip-smackers

Dropped in for lunch around 12:30 with some friends. Place was packed--as was the parking lot--and my onion dip burger was incredible as always. On to the gym...

So sounds like he should officially close at least a little bit later. If he advertises a 7pm closing time, that definitely deters potential customers from coming in if they feel they’re not going to make it. Don’t know how many times my wife and I decided to go somewhere else because we don’t want to show up at a restaurant 30 minutes before closing. Next thing you know, things are going well and he decides to extend hours but pulls back again a month later because things are slow. He needs to have consistency in his operations, especially since he’s only been going for a handful of months now.

Dropped in for lunch around 12:30 with some friends. Place was packed--as was the parking lot--and my onion dip burger was incredible as always. On to the gym...

This is good to hear.

So sounds like he should officially close at least a little bit later. If he advertises a 7pm closing time, that definitely deters potential customers from coming in if they feel they’re not going to make it. Don’t know how many times my wife and I decided to go somewhere else because we don’t want to show up at a restaurant 30 minutes before closing. Next thing you know, things are going well and he decides to extend hours but pulls back again a month later because things are slow. He needs to have consistency in his operations, especially since he’s only been going for a handful of months now.

I don't like going into places close to closing time but I was there about 6:45 and he was in no rush so I didn't feel bad. If he's going to close at 7, I'm sure he realizes there are some nights he'll be there longer.

Was there about a week ago close to closing. Offered to take it home and he insisted I stay. Went well past closing time and he didn’t rush us. In fact he gave me a free cheesecake.

Jabbar is handing out cheesecake like it's going out of style, yet I'm never on the receiving end...

Jabbar is handing out cheesecake like it's going out of style, yet I'm never on the receiving end...

If you go towards the end of the business day I bet your odds would increase.

My wife and I have brought a lot of new customers in. Each time we bring someone new he brings the table cheesecake. It may not be a formal policy, but I think he often serves newcomers cheesecake....and it is really good.

Went Saturday for lunch. Jabbar says that the Discover OK piece really helped, but that evening traffic there hasn't justified being open. Didn't say it was unsafe, but said the location just isn't good for evening business. Lunch Sat was pretty busy while we were there and steady the whole time. As usual, food was great. We took another couple that hadn't been and they were very impressed with the burgers (and cheesecake :) ) and they will become regulars.

My advice would be to settle on hours and just stick to them.

There is no way to build up consistent business over time if people don't know when you're open.

My wife and I have brought a lot of new customers in. Each time we bring someone new he brings the table cheesecake. It may not be a formal policy, but I think he often serves newcomers cheesecake....and it is really good.

He offered us cheesecake, but we had to turn it down - we were full, it was hot out and we weren't going to get back home to fridge it in a reasonable time, so we were kinda sad we didn't get any. Having said that, when we watched the Discover Oklahoma piece, which aired a few months after we went, it showed him getting a whole cheesecake out of the refrigerator and there were those little pieces of parchment paper in between the slices, then it showed him putting the sauce, etc. on it. So I'm guessing the cheesecake itself comes from a Sysco truck (or whatever variation of that he uses), and isn't housemade, so I wasn't too disappointed that we didn't get any after seeing that.

He offered us cheesecake, but we had to turn it down - we were full, it was hot out and we weren't going to get back home to fridge it in a reasonable time, so we were kinda sad we didn't get any. Having said that, when we watched the Discover Oklahoma piece, which aired a few months after we went, it showed him getting a whole cheesecake out of the refrigerator and there were those little pieces of parchment paper in between the slices, then it showed him putting the sauce, etc. on it. So I'm guessing the cheesecake itself comes from a Sysco truck (or whatever variation of that he uses), and isn't housemade, so I wasn't too disappointed that we didn't get any after seeing that.

No, he doesn't make the cheesecake, but it is good. The thing that sets it apart is the sauce he makes which is creamy and honey sweet and with berry juice. Very nice.

You can have the best product in the world, but if you are inconsistent and people don' t know when you are open it will sink you.

My friends can tell me that your burger is great, and the article I read might say the same. But if I drive to your place when they said you were open, and now you are closed, then that bad experience will be enough for me to not come back.

You can have the best product in the world, but if you are inconsistent and people don' t know when you are open it will sink you.

My friends can tell me that your burger is great, and the article I read might say the same. But if I drive to your place when they said you were open, and now you are closed, then that bad experience will be enough for me to not come back.

According to Jabbar, almost no one was coming in the evening, so apparently there virtually none coming to get disappointed. Said that was even after the Discover OK piece.

His business seems to be very good and growing the last few times I've been there. But, he does need to do a better job of communicating to those thinking about coming.

https://www.thelostogle.com/2018/11/06/tlo-restaurant-review-lip-smackers-restaurant/#more-83390

You can have the best product in the world, but if you are inconsistent and people don' t know when you are open it will sink you.

My friends can tell me that your burger is great, and the article I read might say the same. But if I drive to your place when they said you were open, and now you are closed, then that bad experience will be enough for me to not come back.

Yep. I happened to look them up online and saw that they have 3 different set of hours posted across 4 platforms. FB, Yelp, Google, and Trip Advisor were the 4 and none of them even had the most current hours of 11-7. He needs to get his hours straight and consistent for certain. This is pretty basic for a restaurant in 2018.

I think it was reported here the 11-7 hours, but I believe it is actually 11-3.

So, yes, it is very confusing.

And no Twitter or Instagram feed, last update on Facebook was July 9. I realize his menu doesn't change often, but you gotta at least try social media to some degree...

https://www.thelostogle.com/2018/11/06/tlo-restaurant-review-lip-smackers-restaurant/#more-83390

TL;DR - I had a burger, it was good, so were the sweet potato fries.

Drove by at 6:30 last night and they appeared to be closed.

Drove by at 6:30 last night and they appeared to be closed.

Jabbar told me their hours are 11-3. The 11-7 posted here earlier wasn’t correct.

Jabbar told me their hours are 11-3. The 11-7 posted here earlier wasn’t correct.

Right. Just confirming that.

11-7 was correct at the time as he told me directly.

He must have changed them again.

Consistent shorter hours are better than disappointed customers who made a trip to find it closed because they keep on changing.

I can only say two things. 1 - The olive burger is amazing. If you want to call that the best burger in Oklahoma, I'm not going to argue. I may never get around to trying anything else. 2 - I won't return until the hours stop changing every other day. It's a bit of a schlep for me, and I can't make that trip if I don't know the place will be open or not when I get there. Pick a pony and stick with it.

seems like if you maintained the visits in the 11-3 window you'd be safe.

11-7 was correct at the time as he told me directly.

He must have changed them again.

Marketing 101 - Don't have a Facebook profile for your business if you are going to post bad information. His Facebook profile still shows the hours of operation as 11am - 10pm.

There also hasn't been an updated posted to the profile since July - with no updated posts with the local media attention he's received.

It's a shame really. Lots of missed opportunities.

Smh. I’m starting to wonder if he did tell Steve Lackmeyer that whole story about closing early because of the area being unsafe. Wouldn’t surprise me being how inconsistent everything is with this place.

Smh. I’m starting to wonder if he did tell Steve Lackmeyer that whole story about closing early because of the area being unsafe. Wouldn’t surprise me being how inconsistent everything is with this place.

Except the food.

He told me that the area is not a good area for business at night. You can interpret that however you want.

This thread is like reading a soap opera! ;)

Good for PR, right?

Good for PR, right?

Very much so

This thread is like reading a soap opera! ;)

Ain't that the truth. Worried it might be closed when you get there? Punch the magic 7 digits in your phone and you will be instantly connected with the business. Easy peasy.

For all those so interested in his business, just go ask him. He’s very personable and will discuss his business. He may actually be too transparent for his own good. He loves fixing food for people. He isn’t as focused on making big profits or expanding as many on here think he should be. He’s sort of refreshing, in a way. I just hope he is a good enough business mgr. to be able to stay in business and keep serving his delicious burgers.

It's a discussion forum..... some people actually like to 'discuss' things (imagine that).

Maybe the quirky hours, likable owner, less than desirable location and non-attention to social media will grow on people... and, if he can hang in there financially, Lip Smackers will simply become a sought out burger joint like Nic's (the original).