Birdies is closing, but luckily the chef is just giving us a new concept.

Birdies is closing, but luckily the chef is just giving us a new concept.

What's wrong with Birdies? Why do they have to change their concept?

I liked Birdies but holy s&%* was it expensive

What's wrong with Birdies? Why do they have to change their concept?

I feel like Chef Kevin Lee gets bored and has to change it up. The first place he started that I loved and then quickly moved on from was a burger joint in the basement of Robinson Renaissance building. Since then he has had so many different concepts. Wish he would keep with something and then just open a new location with a new idea. I liked Birdies, but I don't really get over on that side of town often.

I see, having the right business partners is very important, running the restaurant is much more than running the kitchen.

What's wrong with Birdies? Why do they have to change their concept?

Food was good but pretty expensive imo. Plus BB.Q Chicken opened up down the street and they’re legit Korean Fried Chicken. Restaurant competition in the metro is tough. Don’t feel like there’s enough disposable income for everyone to survive, especially in today’s environment.

I liked Birdies but holy s&%* was it expensive

Oh, yes. Way too much for that kind of food.

I liked Birdies but holy s&%* was it expensive

Were you expecting for Birdie's food to be a dollar or something? Everything is expensive these days so I do not know why you are shocked about it

Were you expecting for Birdie's food to be a dollar or something? Everything is expensive these days so I do not know why you are shocked about it
Even with pricing adjustments common, there are still plenty of restaurants here that are excessively pricing their offerings. Value needs to be there at whatever price point they are aiming for..

Lots of businesses price themselves out of business due to out of control costs and/or overestimating what people are willing to pay for what they produce.

Even with pricing adjustments common, there are still plenty of restaurants here that are excessively pricing their offerings. Value needs to be there at whatever price point they are aiming for..

Lots of businesses price themselves out of business due to out of control costs and/or overestimating what people are willing to pay for what they produce.
I still can’t believe 5 guys is around with their pricing.

Were you expecting for Birdie's food to be a dollar or something? Everything is expensive these days so I do not know why you are shocked about it

No I am not expecting it to be a dollar. Value was not there for how much it was vs portion sizes. Way too expensive for what they were offering. Which means they probably had a ton of people like me who were one and done.

No I am not expecting it to be a dollar. Value was not there for how much it was vs portion sizes. Way too expensive for what they were offering. Which means they probably had a ton of people like me who were one and done.

Same for us. We much prefer K-Chick, anyway.

I still can’t believe 5 guys is around with their pricing.

There is always atleast one family in 5Guys at 2nd and Bryant in Edmond every time we go next door to Torchy's and I marvel at the $100 they just spent on burgers and stuff for their entire family.

Opps, I’m sorry, are politics not allowed?

Good for you on your ability to afford Grey Sweater, I can’t even afford to buy a drink there. I’ve never figured out how to increase my income to afford a restaurant like that, especially with the increased economic pressures lately (better?).
There have always been expensive , cheap, and everywhere in between restaurants. The issue is that for whatever price point they aim at they need to be seen as providing value. If Grey is offering a $450 experience and it sells out then it would seem there are those with disposable cash enough who think it is worth it. If you or I can’t afford it doesn’t mean they are overpriced.

I can’t afford to charter a jet every time I travel somewhere, but that doesn’t lead me to believe that private jet charters aren’t worth what other people pay for them.

I can’t afford to charter a jet every time I travel somewhere, but that doesn’t lead me to believe that private jet charters aren’t worth what other people pay for them.Oh! They are! During my time at Kerr-McGee they sent small groups of front-line management and up to San Antonio to a team building ropes course for a week. Toward the end of the week one of the women had serious pains. It was diagnosed as acute appendicitis. K-M flew one of their corporate jets to bring her home and I got to volunteer to ride along and make sure she got home ok.
Flying in style is something else. WAY faster. Much more comfortable. Every desire catered to. I could get used to it. But we're strictly coach with discounts when possible people.
Restaurants are the same for us. It's a good thing our tastes are as cheap as our eating out budget.

The Wedge closed their original location on Western.

The Wedge closed their original location on Western.

Wow, have they opened other locations that are still in business? I am shocked they closed that location.

They still have the Deep Deuce location.

They just had a refresh recently, but have been near empty every time we went. RIP

Victim of Upper Crust on one end of their demo and Empire on the other.

I think people just kinda forgot about it, which is pretty much true of a lot of these recent closures.

I think people just kinda forgot about it, which is pretty much true of a lot of these recent closures.

That, and it was a 6.5/10 restaurant which had opened in a world where that was good enough to survive in OKC, and now has closed in a world where that is no longer the case. In the same vein, I am amazed that The Drum Room four blocks to the south is still kicking around.

Victim of Upper Crust on one end of their demo and Empire on the other.

And a really great and highly-visible Hideway very nearby.

And a really great and highly-visible Hideway very nearby.

That's probably the main reason their gone. Hideway is bigger and can scale things up easier.

I heard the closure was over not being able to reach an agreement with the landlord.

But that could easily translate to "We're not making enough profit here to pay the rent. Can you lower it?".


Also as someone mentioned above I'm surprised the Drum Room has hung on this long. The one they tried in MWC didn't last long and while I enjoy their chicken and waffle and hit them up when I'm in OKC. It's rare that they have more than 1 or 2 other tables seated when I've been there for lunch.

Maybe they do a better dinner business but not sure how they are paying the help at lunch.

That, and it was a 6.5/10 restaurant which had opened in a world where that was good enough to survive in OKC, and now has closed in a world where that is no longer the case. In the same vein, I am amazed that The Drum Room four blocks to the south is still kicking around.

Last time we went, they were a 2.5 out of 10. Been going there since they opened a couple of times a year at least, and the brisket calzone had maybe 1 oz of meat on it, they gave my wife a veggie calzone instead of supreme, and it was generally just not good service (no checking back, almost flung the plates on the table, etc.). Guess it's pretty much Gusto for pizza for us now.

And yes, I'm amazed that the Drum Room is still going, wasn't impressed when we ate there a long time ago, never been back.

That, and it was a 6.5/10 restaurant which had opened in a world where that was good enough to survive in OKC, and now has closed in a world where that is no longer the case. In the same vein, I am amazed that The Drum Room four blocks to the south is still kicking around.

Wasn't impressed with Drum Room the first time a long time ago. Gave it a second chance last year and it was not good at all. When we were there it seemed some locals prefer sitting at the bar. Might be an overflow for Sipango Lounge. I will never be back to spend my money there though. I miss the old Wedge!

Wasn't impressed with Drum Room the first time a long time ago. Gave it a second chance last year and it was not good at all. When we were there it seemed some locals prefer sitting at the bar. Might be an overflow for Sipango Lounge. I will never be back to spend my money there though. I miss the old Wedge!

Since Sipango doesn't serve food they will let people take carryout from Drum Room and bring it over. I've done that a couple times and its always been ok. Definitely wouldn't plan a trip there to eat.

Railyard1884 in the Railyard in downtown Edmond just announced they are closing

Railyard1884 in the Railyard in downtown Edmond just announced they are closing

This didn't surprise me at all, though it is a shame. Cost of rent at the Railyard is crazy and 1884 was constantly dead.

Railyard1884 in the Railyard in downtown Edmond just announced they are closing

That's too bad. The Railyard as a whole has really lost a lot of what it had going early on when it opened. Almost nightly it was full of families eating and playing in the back area, meanwhile the drinks were flowing from 1884. At the Railyard, our family loved it as all of us found what we each wanted and then would meet at a table and eat together. 1884 served really good food and charcuterie boards, then they stopped serving hot food, then they stopped serving food, then they stopped allowing people to bring in food from other places, then stopped allowing kids in all together. The last time we went -- maybe a little over a year ago -- the server told me the owners were wanting to focus on full time bar service only. But in this "family" style environment the Railyard supposedly was built for, 1884 has really been in a downhill spiral to it's demise caused by it's own doing. We would meet our neighbors there and we dad's would have really good drinks from the bar and our wives would be merry with wine, allthewhile we're all sitting in there eating even with our kids who would then retire to the outdoor playing area while we continued our merry conversing over more drinks. Some great Friday and Saturday nights have been had there.

But the Railyard sadly isn't what it once was. Places have moved out with nothing really good filling it back in. I'm curious to see what will go into the 1884 space, if anything. So much potential here that was, then it slowly faded away with changes. We've really enjoyed going to the Ice House project on the other side of the tracks, however even with the superb dining over there, the space at the Railyard is unmatched.

RIP 1884.

Hot take, but I’ve always kind of thought the railyard sucked. That was my personal opinion. I did notice it decline and when it first opened, It’s success. I was happy to see it as it was a sign of a vibrant downtown Edmond.

As for the family friendly crap I couldn’t care less there’s enough of that around town. Not every place needs to be family friendly. Hell I’d support an Amsterdam red light district in Edmond. Not that it’ll ever happen. I believe 1884 would be the first of the concepts that owned by the same group that owns the social and several other recently opened places in Oklahoma City, Norman and Edmond to close.

Maybe once all the other proposed developments in downtown, Edmond, that are currently either under construction or planned are wrapped up this place will “mature” a bit and find its way.

I have heard that Remix Ramen is good and we just tried Vignola's (Italian) and it was great. So the Railyard isn't dead yet. No matter where you are, the restaurant business is hard!

That's too bad. The Railyard as a whole has really lost a lot of what it had going early on when it opened. Almost nightly it was full of families eating and playing in the back area, meanwhile the drinks were flowing from 1884. At the Railyard, our family loved it as all of us found what we each wanted and then would meet at a table and eat together. 1884 served really good food and charcuterie boards, then they stopped serving hot food, then they stopped serving food, then they stopped allowing people to bring in food from other places, then stopped allowing kids in all together. The last time we went -- maybe a little over a year ago -- the server told me the owners were wanting to focus on full time bar service only. But in this "family" style environment the Railyard supposedly was built for, 1884 has really been in a downhill spiral to it's demise caused by it's own doing. We would meet our neighbors there and we dad's would have really good drinks from the bar and our wives would be merry with wine, allthewhile we're all sitting in there eating even with our kids who would then retire to the outdoor playing area while we continued our merry conversing over more drinks. Some great Friday and Saturday nights have been had there.

But the Railyard sadly isn't what it once was. Places have moved out with nothing really good filling it back in. I'm curious to see what will go into the 1884 space, if anything. So much potential here that was, then it slowly faded away with changes. We've really enjoyed going to the Ice House project on the other side of the tracks, however even with the superb dining over there, the space at the Railyard is unmatched.

RIP 1884.

i've heard that the new italian place is actually pretty fire, but yeah most of these food hall places are trying to get Chisholm Creek / Route 66 Landing type face rents and that doesn't really work in a high inflation environment.

I have heard that Remix Ramen is good and we just tried Vignola's (Italian) and it was great. So the Railyard isn't dead yet. No matter where you are, the restaurant business is hard!

Remix is fantastic but it is pricey so we don't eat there often... I really wonder how long it'll last because it's not very busy any time we stop by.

Hot tamale in the underground concourse will be closing for 5 whole months. No renovations or anything. Not sure the reason for a lengthy closure.

In relation to closings I've been to a couple local places recently where prices are going down! Had lunch at Zarates in Edmond last week and server mentioned new menu with some price reductions and we grabbed a pizza from Dado's Sunday night and the base price was $24 not $28! What had been a final price in the $30's (which is pretty high) was in the high $20's which is a big deal. Hopefully we'll see some more relief with food prices this year.

I highly doubt it

thank you for your well informed and resourced opinion.

yes, we should start to see prices of more foods coming down. we are already starting to see the base purchase price for basics like sugar, corn and soybeans leveling off, and the thought is that with the upcoming harvest (for corn and wheat) to actually start to see prices come down. this should start to cause some lower price costs on other foods that use these staples as their main ingredients. what doesn't seem to be coming down is the price of "ready to go" meals at grocery stores, and food at restaurants. there is some talk that these are also going to have to start going down or people will even more transition back to not going out to eat. so it's going to be an interesting market going forward. i suspect we will see a few restaurant closures that happen solely because of stubborn ownership refusing to lower prices to compete when other do.

Hot tamale in the underground concourse will be closing for 5 whole months. No renovations or anything. Not sure the reason for a lengthy closure.

Whaaat, I get the ceasar chavez salad from there basically anytime I forget to meal prep- that's brutal

Restaurants are closing or turning to self-serve models to cut costs everywhere. Its not just an OKC problem. Denver lost something like 140 in 2023 including some old and very high profile locations.

Remix is fantastic but it is pricey so we don't eat there often... I really wonder how long it'll last because it's not very busy any time we stop by.

The Rail Yard is a great concept, but as you mentioned it has never been busy all the times we have stopped by. It's location is "hidden" in downtown Edmond, I think if it was closer to UCO or more visible from 2nd Street it would be popular. The local food options are more appealing than the typical fast food options that dot 2nd street by UCO, Target, and Walmart Market. Empire Slice next door seems to always be doing well.

The Rail Yard is a great concept, but as you mentioned it has never been busy all the times we have stopped by. Its the location is "hidden" in downtown Edmond, I think if it was closer to UCO or more visible from 2nd Street it would be popular. The local food options are more appealing than the typical fast food options that dot 2nd street by UCO, Target, and Walmart Market. Empire Slice next door seems to always be doing well.

all the new apartments nearby will help

Off the Hook announces closure (https://www.news9.com/story/65a91bddb1b013065b6d7960/off-the-hook-seafood-and-more-announces-closure-after-nearly-a-decade-of-serving-oklahoma-city)

that's a shame about 'off the hook'... i really liked their food and went to the one on meridian fairly regularly before covid shut it down.

Off the Hook announces closure (https://www.news9.com/story/65a91bddb1b013065b6d7960/off-the-hook-seafood-and-more-announces-closure-after-nearly-a-decade-of-serving-oklahoma-city)

This one hurts. Their seafood gumbo was possibly the best in OKC.

^Did I see they are possibly keeping the food truck?

Yes, but for some reason they are rebranding it 'Corey B. Cookin’'.

Off the Hook announces closure (https://www.news9.com/story/65a91bddb1b013065b6d7960/off-the-hook-seafood-and-more-announces-closure-after-nearly-a-decade-of-serving-oklahoma-city)

That sucks. One less food choice in the area. I work across Broadway Extension and I get really tired of McDonalds and Subway. I refuse to eat at the overpriced and mediocre Chicken n Pickle

I think the Bibbs smokehouse in Bricktown, in the Mantel Spot, seems to be closed. I could not find any info.
It says temporary closed on google.

They are- just asked the owners.
They are continuing In MWC.
This location made money but some other issues arose and they made the smart decision to shut it down.

I think the Bibbs smokehouse in Bricktown, in the Mantel Spot, seems to be closed. I could not find any info.
It says temporary closed on google.

That didn't last long. I wonder if they will return to Norman

That didn't last long. I wonder if they will return to Norman

Bad partner. They would like to open NWOKC.

Seems Nashbird has shuttered its Edmond and Midwest City locations.

I just read a post that Nashbird will be closing their locations in Edmond, Norman, and Midwest City.

Seems Nashbird has shuttered its Edmond and Midwest City locations.

Sorry OKC Guide, somehow I missed that you posted this already.

No worries. I didn't know the Norman one closed as well. We tried to go to Edmond a couple of nights ago, only to find it closed. No answer at Midwest City, so we called 9th and they confirmed Edmond and MWC closing. They always seemed busy enough to us, but the owner confirmed it was a matter of them just not bringing in enough revenue.

405 Burger Bar has closed on Main Street in Norman.

And while not a restaurant, the Meat House has closed in Edmond.

I don't think I ever saw anyone at the 405 Burger Bar on main. I guess people saw Golden Corral or Waffle House instead.

Seems like a massive cascade of closings lately. Is that just my imagination? Would be interesting to see on a graph # of restaurant closings over time.

Many operators tend to get way ahead of themselves when it comes to expansion and multiple locations. Just because you see several locations of a concept or different concepts from a group does not mean they are actually doing well. The margins are so thin that even quite busy restaurants make little to to no money often times. We have an awful lot of talented chefs and operators in the market now and competition is fierce.