This is a great feature by the amazing Oklahoma Gazette, looking back at the dining scene back in the late 60's.

https://www.okgazette.com/oklahoma/cover-what-we-ate-in-68/Content?oid=4748993

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/gazette101718a.jpg

Picked up the OKG Thursday at Barry's Grill on May. The cover story is excellent! We were amazed by the picture of lines coming out of an old O'Mealey's Cafeteria and learning OKC was once considered the "cafeteria capital of the world." From tons to none. So much in that article. Great stuff!

Just picked up my copy today and am looking forward to reading it. An interesting book about the same type of thing is Classic Restaurants of Oklahoma City (https://www.arcadiapublishing.com/Products/9781467119214). If you read it, be warned that you'll want to throw it against the wall a bunch of times because of really poor editing - ideas and restaurant descriptions just come and go, not tied together in any fashion whatsoever, he doesn't list addresses or specific locations a lot of times, picture captions are lacking, and just generally not-that-great writing. However, the information inside is fantastic, just hard to read through.

Just read the article and it's pretty good, some of the same stories/photos that are in the Classic Restaurants book, so if you enjoyed the article, you should definitely read the book for more in-depth information. Have a major gripe about the article, though - there's a parenthesized quote by Bob Blackburn (executive director of the OK Historical Society) where he says "Everything north of 63rd street was a dirt road". This is absolutely, categorically, totally untrue and should've been caught by the writer, copy editor or editor and either had an editor's note immediately afterwards or been excised from the article. No idea why he would say such a thing, since someone in his position would know way better than that.

^

He didn't mean it literally.

Blackburn graduated from Putnam City in 1969 and knows exactly what was in place in 1968.

^

He didn't mean it literally.

Blackburn graduated from Putnam City in 1969 and knows exactly what was in place in 1968.

Then there should've been something like "he said, laughing" or an editor's note stating that he didn't mean it literally. To me, it *could've* been taken literally because there are still people out there that believe we are *still* 80 years behind the times, and would believe it. However, having been born in 1965 and living from then until I was 17 in a house on NW 67th St., I know it wasn't true, but it was still very odd to read.

Informative piece and interesting. I enjoy what the area was like before moving here in the late 70's. Good stuff.

That really was a good article. Although I didn't move here until '73 we would visit the Grandparents every summer throughout the '50s and '60s our "go-to" places included Dean's Drive In (out in Shady Nook), some Mexican restaurant on the SE corner of the I-35/NE 23 traffic circle and the 23rd Street location of Han's BBQ. Plus the Shipman's (on S. Robinson) was usually in the rotation. My granddad thought the endless biscuits were the best thing since sliced bread.

That really was a good article. Although I didn't move here until '73 we would visit the Grandparents every summer throughout the '50s and '60s our "go-to" places included Dean's Drive In (out in Shady Nook), some Mexican restaurant on the SE corner of the I-35/NE 23 traffic circle and the 23rd Street location of Han's BBQ. Plus the Shipman's (on S. Robinson) was usually in the rotation. My granddad thought the endless biscuits were the best thing since sliced bread.

RM,
I was raised at Shipman's. As well as Han's on 23rd (or was it 10th?). As for the Mexican restaurant, was it Zamudio's?
C. T.

Interesting article about north okc restaurant scene.

The thread was more about where we ate than what we ate during the 1960s. I think we ate a lot less fast food and Mexican food.

Eating out was a treat then. Not an everyday occurrence. At least for my Family and I.

Eating out was a treat then. Not an everyday occurrence. At least for my Family and I.

My family and everyone I knew ate out maybe once every couple of months.

Now, many eat out 3 or 4 times a day.

The thread was more about where we ate than what we ate during the 1960s. I think we ate a lot less fast food and Mexican food.

Bunty,
Actually we ate a lot of Mexican food growing up (I'm 75 years old) and when my wife and were dating in the mid 60's we ate Mexican and Chinese. I was never a big fast food fan. Loved barbecue, especially at the Hickory House and Han's. Mexican was El Charrito and El Patio, Chinese was the one on NW 39th near Western and Oi Linn(sp?). Oh, and another of our favorite Mexican was El Rancho Sanchez on Southwest 57th and Western.
C. T.

RM,
I was raised at Shipman's. As well as Han's on 23rd (or was it 10th?). As for the Mexican restaurant, was it Zamudio's?
C. T.

Han's had a small location on 23rd a few blocks east of the Capitol as well as one on the west side on either 10th or 16th. The Mexican place wasn't Zamudio's. I can't remember the name but is seems like it started with "El" . . .

I mentioned a place called El Patio but not the location. It was a small mom and pop place near Southwest 5th and Harvey. My late wife introduced me to the place. Really good food and I was stationed in the Washington, D. C. area and when we came home on leave we would eat there and buy two quarts of their salsa and take it home. You couldn't buy salsa in the Northeast in the 60's. It's hard to believe, but there were no Mexican restaurants in the area. None, period! There were no fast food Mexican restaurants anywhere.
C. T.

Han's had a small location on 23rd a few blocks east of the Capitol as well as one on the west side on either 10th or 16th. The Mexican place wasn't Zamudio's. I can't remember the name but is seems like it started with "El" . . .

RM,
"Seems like it started with el" is a little strange since most Mexican restaurants start with "el". El Charrito, El Chico, El Patio... I could go on and on. We need a better hint.
C. T.

Taco Bell began in the 1960s when Mexican food was almost unknown. It was so exotic that many people didn’t even know how to pronounce “taco.” Yesterday I had lunch at Oso, enjoying a Briskit Burnt Ends taco and a Baja Fish taco. Now THOSE are tacos!

RM,
"Seems like it started with el" is a little strange since most Mexican restaurants start with "el". El Charrito, El Chico, El Patio... I could go on and on. We need a better hint.
C. T.

It might have been El Sombrero? Actually, it's been so long ago that I really don't remember. If you look at a Google satellite view I think it was on one of the now vacant lots on the south side of 23rd just east of I-35.

El Rancho Sanchez started out on NE 23rd just east of the circle

Taco Bell began in the 1960s when Mexican food was almost unknown. It was so exotic that many people didn’t even know how to pronounce “taco.” Yesterday I had lunch at Oso, enjoying a Briskit Burnt Ends taco and a Baja Fish taco. Now THOSE are tacos!

The first place I remember having mexican fast food was a place called Taco Boy that was a little south of NW 36th & May

El Rancho Sanchez started out on NE 23rd just east of the circle

I don't remember that and I loved El Rancho Sanchez on South Western so it wouldn't surprise me, you have to start somewhere.
C. T.

The first place I remember having mexican fast food was a place called Taco Boy that was a little south of NW 36th & May

Wow, you led a sheltered life. Taco Boy was a fast food chain (I think preceding Taco Bell) and it was much better than Taco Bell, but Taco Bell was a bigger chain and for some reason beat the heck out of them and they shut down. But we had a lot of Mexican restaurants long before there were any fast food chains in town. El Charrito was really one of the first in OKC. By the way, Taco Villa was a really high quality fast food (oxymoron?) Mexican restaurant but they lost to Taco Bell as well. Later on we had Two Peso's that was really pretty good but they didn't make it either.
C. T.

I seem to recall a Mexican place that might have been somewhere near The Village where you would raise a little flag if you wanted something brought to your table. Was it "Pancho's"? btw: I sort of liked Taco Bell back in the day when the menu was a lot simpler. Especially the "beef burritos" and the "Enchirito." I haven't eaten at a Taco Bell in years, but the Gorditas weren't too bad the last time I did.

El Rancho Sanchez started out on NE 23rd just east of the circle

You probably solved the mystery. We used to go to the place as far back as when Blackhawk Amusement Park (and pool?) was still in operation on the other side of the Interstate. At the time, I don't think that my hometown--Boulder, CO--had a single Mexican restaurant. Imagine that . . . On a related note, we would always hit one of the little A&W Root Beer stands. Particularly the one that was just west of the Cowboy Hall of Fame before the highway was widened.

Wow, you led a sheltered life. Taco Boy was a fast food chain (I think preceding Taco Bell) and it was much better than Taco Bell, but Taco Bell was a bigger chain and for some reason beat the heck out of them and they shut down. But we had a lot of Mexican restaurants long before there were any fast food chains in town. El Charrito was really one of the first in OKC. By the way, Taco Villa was a really high quality fast food (oxymoron?) Mexican restaurant but they lost to Taco Bell as well. Later on we had Two Peso's that was really pretty good but they didn't make it either.
C. T.

Oh we hit El Charrito all the time, my parents seemed to rotate going to the three different restaurants that I knew of, Robinson, Paseo, and Broadway. I didn't really think of them as fast food though as in the taco and burrito fast food fare. I really loved Taco Boy though when I was a kid

I seem to recall a Mexican place that might have been somewhere near The Village where you would raise a little flag if you wanted something brought to your table. Was it "Pancho's"? btw: I sort of liked Taco Bell back in the day when the menu was a lot simpler. Especially the "beef burritos" and the "Enchirito." I haven't eaten at a Taco Bell in years, but the Gorditas weren't too bad the last time I did.

Pancho's was at Britton and Penn in the same strip center as Pier 1 Imports.

I agree with you about liking TB when the menu was simpler

There was also a Pancho's on 39th just west of Meridian.

I find it interesting how local palates have evolved since '68 (when I was maybe 13). I also find it interesting how voter demographics don't seem to have changed at all. Not Politics. No Axe to Grind. Homemade Shepherds Pie is hittin' the plate tonight. (in Minnesota, they call it a Hotdish, =~)

Oh we hit El Charrito all the time, my parents seemed to rotate going to the three different restaurants that I knew of, Robinson, Paseo, and Broadway. I didn't really think of them as fast food though as in the taco and burrito fast food fare. I really loved Taco Boy though when I was a kid

Isn't the El Charrito building now the Paseo Grille?

I seem to recall a Mexican place that might have been somewhere near The Village where you would raise a little flag if you wanted something brought to your table. Was it "Pancho's"? btw: I sort of liked Taco Bell back in the day when the menu was a lot simpler. Especially the "beef burritos" and the "Enchirito." I haven't eaten at a Taco Bell in years, but the Gorditas weren't too bad the last time I did.

That sounds very much like Casa Bonita.

Pancho's had the flag as well.

That sounds very much like Casa Bonita.

Yep and the Casa Bonita was in the shopping center at the NE corner of Portland and 39th Expressway (US 66).


Pancho's had the flag as well.

Did we ever have a Pancho's on the north side? The only one I remember was the building at I-240 and Penn where Cajun King is now.

Did we ever have a Pancho's on the north side? The only one I remember was the building at I-240 and Penn where Cajun King is now.

Yes, there was a Pancho's on 39th; on the north side of the street just west of Meridian.

Yes, there was a Pancho's on 39th; on the north side of the street just west of Meridian.

When I was growing up in the 90's. I went to the Panchos on MacArthur and NW Expressway that was in front of old second generation Walmart that is now Incredible Pizza. It was a Chinese restaurant, then Indian restaurant, before that building was ultimately demolished.(May have caught fire?) I had fond memories of the Mexican buffet concept, but I went to Pancho's on 240 not too long before it closed and food and service was terrible.

When I was growing up in the 90's. I went to the Panchos on MacArthur and NW Expressway that was in front of old second generation Walmart that is now Incredible Pizza. It was a Chinese restaurant, then Indian restaurant, before that building was ultimately demolished.(May have caught fire?) I had fond memories of the Mexican buffet concept, but I went to Pancho's on 240 not too long before it closed and food and service was terrible.

Ddin't catch fire, it was just torn down so something new could be built in its place. Can't remember what, and haven't been out there in a while and too lazy to look it up. :) I believe there's a thread on it here someplace.

The first taco bell in Oklahoma city opened in '68. I believe it was on South Western across from Grant. The second one opened a bit later at /W.W. 29th and Miller. AT the time, their food was excellent. For many years now, not so much so. However, Taco Casa is today what Taco Bell was in 1969. . very good and hearty.

agreed. shortly after the PepsiCo purchase in '78, things started to change, and by the end of the 80's it was a completely different restaurant. and then it went through an even worse change again after PepsiCo spun it off as Tricon and then changed to Yum! Brands... it's sad too because that is when Long Jon Silvers and A$W really started a massive decline in quality as well.

Yep and the Casa Bonita was in the shopping center at the NE corner of Portland and 39th Expressway (US 66).

When l moved to Denver, l had to laugh that place was still open here. Barring it closing after COVID, it is still here, still has cliff divers and, bar none, every person l have heard who has eaten there says it's awful.

When l moved to Denver, l had to laugh that place was still open here. Barring it closing after COVID, it is still here, still has cliff divers and, bar none, every person l have heard who has eaten there says it's awful.

my parents still tell me it's awful and wasn't good. but as a young kid, i sure loved it. lol

Amazing. . a 5 year old thread and no one mentioned El Fenix. . which originally started at 23rd and Broadway. It closed and opened in Crossroads mall when it opened. Humble opinion, it was the Best MEXICAN RESTAURANT in
OKC. Advert from 1974:

18222

And this Place was decent back in the day, but their quality declined precipitously towards the end:

18223

I think there was also an El Fenix at Shepherd Mall.

What was the Mexican place on N. May Ave between 36th & 39th l used to eat at back in the 70s that had the huge big beef burrito? Wasn't that a Panchos?

When I worked at Crossroads in the early 80s we called it "El Kneenex" because none of us liked it.

I remember where it was and what it looked like inside, but can't remember much about the food.

I think there was also an El Fenix at Shepherd Mall.

What was the Mexican place on N. May Ave between 36th & 39th l used to eat at back in the 70s that had the huge big beef burrito? Wasn't that a Panchos?I agree about El Fenix. It was right by Dillards. When I was a kid mom, dad and both my sisters/BILs went there often.
I grew up a block east of May on 37th & Miller. I don't remember a Mexican place on May except for a fast food place on the corner of 36th & May that was flattened by a tornado in the late 60s or 70. Same tornado flattened The Carousel restaurant across May and tore Dub Richardson ford and Safeway up pretty badly.

The thread was more about where we ate than what we ate during the 1960s. I think we ate a lot less fast food and Mexican food.Not my family. We ate tons of El Felix, Casa Bonita, McDonalds and What A Burger.

8 hamburgers for a Dollar at some drive in on the east side of El Reno.

8 hamburgers for a Dollar at some drive in on the east side of El Reno.

That sounds like Quik's but l only recall one on Classen.

Just for the record, Taco bell opened a franchise at 2635 South West 29th in 1969. They were of course pretty good back then and IIRC, that was the first time I had Tacos as a kid.

Just for the record, Taco bell opened a franchise at 2635 South West 29th in 1969. They were of course pretty good back then and IIRC, that was the first time I had Tacos as a kid.Around then they opened one at NW 36th & May. We went there a lot. Not long after a tornado flattened it, the Carousel restaurant across the street and severely damaged Safeway grocery and Dub Richardson Ford. This was 4 blocks from our house.