They are now open to 7PM.

Went in for lunch today 1/4/19. counted 23 people in there. Jabbar was glad to see me again. Had the grilled olive burger. Fantastic!

Jabbar one of the nicest guys you could ever meet.

Had my monthly visit last week and the onion dip burger was as good as it ever was. Plenty of customers in there as well.

Drove by on Saturday at 6pm and it was open. It shouldn’t be pointed out by the guy running the shop but there is a staggering amount of people living under that overpass. I’m not sure why it’s a lucrative location. My guess is a perfect storm of booze drugs handouts and a convenience store.

At any rate I’m happy to see amazing food served in a seedy gas station 30 feet off the interstate get so much attention. I’ve been raving about dhaba and “Indian grocery store” for years.

^

I live nearby that I-44/Penn underpass.

There are always panhandlers there and a bunch of homeless that cruise between that spot and to the south, where there is a liquor store and Circle K.

But I've never felt the least bit unsafe. It's just a busy intersection with lots of businesses in the urban core.

Also, the police show up there regularly and make sure trash is picked up and that people are generally abiding by laws.

i need to make a trip back here soon. haven't been since early November.. might have to get a burger for there and a sandwich to go...

^

I live nearby that I-44/Penn underpass.

There are always panhandlers there and a bunch of homeless that cruise between that spot and to the south, where there is a liquor store and Circle K.

But I've never felt the least bit unsafe. It's just a busy intersection with lots of businesses in the urban core.

Also, the police show up there regularly and make sure trash is picked up and that people are generally abiding by laws.

I will say that the trash situation has gone way better. In college I did a stint as a graveyard shift clerk at a 7/11 I took a lot of abuse from fore mentioned demographic. “You can buy beer after 2am” and “this isn’t enough money for cigarettes.” Got so scary that sometimes I would pull change out of my own pocket so I didn’t get screamed at.

It all worked out in the end I was fired after falling asleep on the floor while stocking cigarettes. CCTV revealed I was down there for almost 2 hours, lol.

We ate there for lunch today. Everything was delicious, and the young man taking our order exhibited great customer service. As we were finishing up, Jabbar came to the table to give us a delicious piece of cheesecake drizzled with marshmallow and strawberry sauces. It was a pleasant surprise!

He mentioned that they are going to be relocating Lip Smackers to the shopping center at Hefner and May sometime in June. This would appear to be a good thing, I would think, as it's probably a better location for them. Bummer for us, though, because that's quite a bit further from where we live.

That should be a good move for them I hope.

Nooooooo!!! I can walk there now!

I'll never get up to Hefner and May.


Hope it works out for them but selfishly, this is horrible news.

Hefner and May. Is that where that pizza place was that was owned by Jimmy's egg?

Also the shopping center with what used to be a laser quest and a peruvian place that may or may not have been called Inca trails?

Hefner and May. Is that where that pizza place was that was owned by Jimmy's egg?

Also the shopping center with what used to be a laser quest and a peruvian place that may or may not have been called Inca trails?

This is where I'd *assume* he's moving, as there really isn't anywhere else in that area that would be applicable. However, this is just what he quickly mentioned yesterday, almost in passing, so take it with a grain of salt. Maybe someone else eating there in the next week or so can get more detailed information.

Hefner and May. Is that where that pizza place was that was owned by Jimmy's egg?

Also the shopping center with what used to be a laser quest and a peruvian place that may or may not have been called Inca trails?

Those are two different locations. The former pizza place owned by Jimmy's Egg has been converted into a Jimmy's Egg and is doing good business. It is a free standing building on the west side of May Avenue. I believe Lip Smacker's is going into Quail Plaza. And you are correct that is where Laser Quest and the Peruvian place used to be. Also some kind of family style, pizza buffet place was there for many years IIRC. I think it will be in the large building running on the east and north edges of the property, and not in the front building that has the Mexican place and Thrifty Pharmacy, etc.

i'm excited about this... after changing jobs, i wasn't able to make it in my lunch hour anymore... but this might be just close enough to make it regularly...

The "young man" is Jabbar's son, he waited on us a couple of Saturdays ago, also mentioned the relocation, but they were going out to look at locations that afternoon and hadn't settled on one. We told him about the old Fusion Charcoal Grill location by us on 36th/May, and he seemed interested. Hefner and May would suck for us too, we have very little need to go north of 63rd and will probably just make an trip to S&B's on 59th instead for our burger fix.

^^^^^^^ Really? It’s probably 5.5 to no more than 6 miles from existing location.

^^^^^^^ Really? It’s probably 5.5 to no more than 6 miles from existing location.

We live at 36th/May, moved to the middle of the city so we'd have tons of options within a short drive. We hate going up north (used to live at 164th/May, hated it) any further than we have to. We have tons of other burger places around us without having to go up to Hefner - they're good, but just not worth the hassle. And yes, I realize some folks drive dozens of miles in one day, if not hundreds, but we don't like to and don't have to.

Man, just when I'm moving out of The Village...

LOL... I'm happy as a clam at this news. And I'm pretty sure I won't be the only one. The Garage is 'ok' and Johnnie's is an institution and Hopscotch mostly sucks... getting an outstanding burger like Lip Smackers up here on the Village side is excellent luck! I hope it doesn't fall through.

Stopped for lunch today. First time trying it. Had the fried jalapeno burger and fried okra. Jabbar was very nice and was taking out slices of cheesecake to tables. Burger was good. Wasn't anything that I would make a special drive for but if I lived close to it....I would patronize it whenever I had the hankering for a burger. Okra was run of the mill.

I asked Jabbar about moving and he said the location fell through. They are looking but as of today...they don't have a location. Said that rich people don't negotiate and when he tried to do it...they increased the price.

That's good news for me!

Hope they stay put.

That's good news for me!

Hope they stay put.

I will add that they looked fairly busy when we were there about 1 pm. About 1/2 of the tables were taken. Food came out quick also (still freshly prepared)

Okra was run of the mill.


i finally had the run of the mill Okra the other day there. i'm really starting to think that he is getting fresh Okra when the price is good, but just getting frozen when it isn't... this time it clearly wasn't the same Okra i had the past few times. was defiantly disappointing, as the fresh Okra was so amazing.

Yesterday Jabbar told me that Lip Smackers will soon be featured on the Food Network show "Burgers, Brew & Que." That is pretty incredible.

^

Wow, awesome.

Hope it brings him tons of business.

That is super exciting! He deserves it.

That's a great show, major compliment if Michael Symon is giving it the rubber stamp. It's about time OKC got back on Food Network's map. They have some catching up to do.

People love this place so much. It took forever for the food to come out even though it was not busy that night. Burgers were ok. Not bad but didn't stand above the crowd of good burgers in this town. Jabbar wasn't there though. Nothing about the experience had me angry or anything, but likewise nothing about the experience had me wanting to go back. But then you all can't stop raving and I'm like: Can all the people be wrong, or is it me?

It's you.

Although, when something so simple gets so incredibly built up, disappointment is inevitable.


Try a burger at Whiskey Biscuit in Deep Deuce (my fave is the inferno) and let me know what you think.

That's a great show, major compliment if Michael Symon is giving it the rubber stamp. It's about time OKC got back on Food Network's map. They have some catching up to do.

OKC has already been on two Food Network shows in the past few months - Bite Club and Family Food Showdown.

People love this place so much. It took forever for the food to come out even though it was not busy that night. Burgers were ok. Not bad but didn't stand above the crowd of good burgers in this town. Jabbar wasn't there though. Nothing about the experience had me angry or anything, but likewise nothing about the experience had me wanting to go back. But then you all can't stop raving and I'm like: Can all the people be wrong, or is it me?

I'd say it's a combination of "You" AND possibly an off night for Lipsmackers. Neither is a dig, it's just how it is. I know people that go to Buffalo Wild Wings weekly and and the parking lot is packed. I've been a handful of times and thought it was Ehh to horrible every time. Same goes for some other popular restaurants. Obviously it's just not my thing. I started going there before Lip Smackers was the place to go and have always felt it was spot on and I can really be hard on places I don't like. That said, I go to Way Back Burgers in Edmond quite regularly and I have no idea how they stay in business - as it's always empty inside and I know plenty of people who don't care for it.

People love this place so much. It took forever for the food to come out even though it was not busy that night. Burgers were ok. Not bad but didn't stand above the crowd of good burgers in this town. Jabbar wasn't there though. Nothing about the experience had me angry or anything, but likewise nothing about the experience had me wanting to go back. But then you all can't stop raving and I'm like: Can all the people be wrong, or is it me?

Last time we went, his son was there, not him, and we were slightly disappointed. Burger patties didn't seem quite as tasty/juicy, my brie/apple toppings weren't as big as they're shown in pics (have had other burgers there, but not that one, so can't directly compare, but the apple slices were pretty thin, and there just wasn't as much brie as in pics), but my wife had them put the french onion dip on a shroom burger and was pretty happy except for the burger patty itself. Sides were just OK, didn't even mess with the okra because you don't know if you're going to get frozen or fresh. Possibly implementing portion control, since that happens quite often after a place starts up and then realizes they can't put as much stuff on the plate as they originally did and keep making a profit.

People love this place so much. It took forever for the food to come out even though it was not busy that night. Burgers were ok. Not bad but didn't stand above the crowd of good burgers in this town. Jabbar wasn't there though. Nothing about the experience had me angry or anything, but likewise nothing about the experience had me wanting to go back. But then you all can't stop raving and I'm like: Can all the people be wrong, or is it me?

Not just you. That place is nothing special.

People love this place so much. It took forever for the food to come out even though it was not busy that night. Burgers were ok. Not bad but didn't stand above the crowd of good burgers in this town. Jabbar wasn't there though. Nothing about the experience had me angry or anything, but likewise nothing about the experience had me wanting to go back. But then you all can't stop raving and I'm like: Can all the people be wrong, or is it me?

I feel the same - I've been there twice and it was perfectly decent both times but I have definitely had better burgers. I've tried the Jalapeno and Brunch burgers; aside from interesting toppings, there is nothing notable about the experience to me. The fries are pretty good but to be honest, for a plain cheeseburger without novel toppings, I prefer Five Guys. Like I said, Lip Smackers product is perfectly fine but I would put it on par with a burger from Outback or Chili's.

Not just you. That place is nothing special.

Correct, the place is nothing special, and in fact sucks.

The burgers, on the other hand...

They have closed and plan to reopen next month in Northpark Mall.

Oh no. I hope this new location works well for them, but it means I'll be going much less often bordering on almost never. I hardly ever make it up there.

Oh no. I hope this new location works well for them, but it means I'll be going much less often bordering on almost never. I hardly ever make it up there.
Same for me. I'm never by that mall.

Totally sucks for me. Went from walking distance to an area I never go.

We go to Northpark often for Hacienda and it seems like they are always busy, so if this place is as good as everybody says it is I'm sure it will do great. I look forward to giving it a try!

We make the trip up for Shogun steak house.yes it’s dated, but perfect and consistent.Lipsmackers is off the menu from here out. Way too far north.

We make the trip up for Shogun steak house.yes it’s dated, but perfect and consistent.Lipsmackers is off the menu from here out. Way too far north.

On topic...I hope lip smackers does well at Northpark. Off topic....I think Shoguns would kill it in Bricktown. It is so outdated where it is at but is such a great restaurant.

On topic...I hope lip smackers does well at Northpark. Off topic....I think Shoguns would kill it in Bricktown. It is so outdated where it is at but is such a great restaurant.
If the ownership ever moved locations it would be a tragedy if they didn’t try to keep it dated. That place is like a better-cheaper-funner[sic] cattleman’s.

If the ownership ever moved locations it would be a tragedy if they didn’t try to keep it dated. That place is like a better-cheaper-funner[sic] cattleman’s.

It is fun and is the only time we go north

It is fun and is the only time we go north
Where is Shoguns? Sounds like I need to try it.

Where is Shoguns? Sounds like I need to try it.

Northpark Mall which is the same mall that Lipsmackers is going. Will Lipsmackers have an outside entrance or be tucked into the mall somewhere?

http://www.shogunokc.com/

Northpark Mall which is the same mall that Lipsmackers is going. Will Lipsmackers have an outside entrance or be tucked into the mall somewhere?

http://www.shogunokc.com/
Thanks Jeep. Looks like I'll be heading to Northpark for Lip Smackers and Shoguns. Any dishes at Shoguns you recommend?

We love Shoguns but went there last month and it was pretty disappointing. Didn't reach the table until 7:30 with a 6:30 reservation. Our group of three was joined only by a group of two. The tables and plates were covered in grease and grime. Food was okay. Chef seemed to be just going through the motions, but did liven up a bit when we started discussing travel. Hopefully it was just an off night. It will be hard to go back if we have a similar experience again.

Thanks Jeep. Looks like I'll be heading to Northpark for Lip Smackers and Shoguns. Any dishes at Shoguns you recommend?

i'd also hit up Hacienda Tacos, which is in the mall as well.

i'd also hit up Hacienda Tacos, which is in the mall as well.
Thanks Jedi. Sounds like I should've been trekking to the mall well before now, lol.

The Hamilton opens in the mall very soon as well:

https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=45061&highlight=hamilton

Is that Baby-Boomer nightclub still there? Called The List, or something like that?

Is that Baby-Boomer nightclub still there? Called The List, or something like that?

Yes, The Liszt.

We must be pretty spoiled with great burgers in OK if folks are out here saying Lip Smackers is no good...

They have closed and plan to reopen next month in Northpark Mall.

Any idea which spot and if it had a restaurant in it before or will they have to build out new? Doesn't seem like they'd have the capital to build a whole new restaurant, but maybe I'm wrong, also not sure if there are any spots that were restaurants besides City Bites, been forever since we've been there.

Any idea which spot and if it had a restaurant in it before or will they have to build out new? Doesn't seem like they'd have the capital to build a whole new restaurant, but maybe I'm wrong, also not sure if there are any spots that were restaurants besides City Bites, been forever since we've been there.

I might be messing this up but I think Hacienda is where City Bites was. There's a bakery in there that we tried when visiting Santa. Would not be surprised if it had closed and they'd be going in there. There was also a Billy Simms in there for a hot minute.

The bakery is still in Northpark.

I don't know where Lip Smackers will go. Have not seen any building permits yet.

The bakery is still in Northpark.

I don't know where Lip Smackers will go. Have not seen any building permits yet.

Hmmm, seems like if they plan to open back up "next month", there'd be permits already? Or is 6 weeks enough time to get the permits and (re)build a space?

^

They might not need building permits.

They didn't when they opened their current spot.