Cattlemen's

[Doug Loudenback]

Although I value its "history" more than I do its "food," I understand that's just a matter of taste and opinion. But, the reason for this post is to mention a very nice post in the Life & Travel section of the Dallas Morning News at Oklahoma City's Cattlemen's is worth the ride | Dallas Morning News | News for Dallas, Texas | Travel: This Week . It presents a very flattering view of Cattlemen's and contains some nice info on Stockyards City, as well. A snippet:

Oklahoma City's Cattlemen's is worth the ride

OKLAHOMA CITY – At the end of the trail, there's a place with food good enough to justify the journey: the historic Cattlemen's Steakhouse in Stockyards City.

Cattlemen's Steakhouse opened in 1910, the same year as the Oklahoma National Stockyards. A meal here is a sure bet, which is appropriate because gambling plays a part in the restaurant's history. In 1945, its owner bet the restaurant that his opponent would not roll two 3s, otherwise known as a hard six. The place changed hands with a roll of the dice, and the 33 brand on a wall in the restaurant became a symbol of the new owner's good fortune.

[jbkrems]

I agree. Cattlemen's is a historic steakhouse in OKC, but the food is not as good as many other steakhouses, including the brand new Red Prime Steak at 5th and Broadway. I cannot stop proclaiming its (Red Prime's) praises as the best steak restaurant in OKC.

[Midtowner]

Cattleman's is a lot more blue collar than Red Prime.

You ain't going to find a 8 dollarish 5 oz. steak/baked potato at Red Prime.

[jbkrems]

That's true, but for a real blue collar steak dinner that's pretty good, I'd go to Cimmaron Steakhouse on Meridian over Cattlemens. I've been to both for Federalist Society events when I was at OCU Law, myself, Midtowner.

[CCOKC]

The family and I went to Cattlemen's a few weeks ago and were very impressed. I personally don't eat meat but the family just raved about their steaks. My husband described it as a good old fashioned steak with lots of flavor.

[John]

Cattlemen's is more about the atmosphere and history than a great steak. It's a good steak, just not a 'great' steak.

[Millie]

Red Prime isn't bad, but I'd still take out of town visitors to Cattlemen's.

[jbkrems]

Millie,

No, if I was going to impress an out-of-town visitor, I'd take him or her to Red Prime any day over Cattlemen's --- well ---- most of the out-of-town people I know are cosmopolitan-oriented, and NOT "blue collar," so they'd much prefer the ambiance and atmosphere, AND the food (which is the most important thing) at Red Prime over Cattlemens.

[Easy180]

Millie,

No, if I was going to impress an out-of-town visitor, I'd take him or her to Red Prime any day over Cattlemen's --- well ---- most of the out-of-town people I know are cosmopolitan-oriented, and NOT "blue collar," so they'd much prefer the ambiance and atmosphere, AND the food (which is the most important thing) at Red Prime over Cattlemens.

Never been to Red Prime, but if I'm buying....Those out of towners will be dining in the Stockyards instead of Automobile Alley

[Millie]

I guess my thought is that most of my friends live in NY or Los Angeles- they can get all the "cosmopolitan" they would ever need back home. Red Prime and places like it are certainly welcome additions to OKC (Red Prime has worked its way into my regular rotation- I was there Friday night, in fact), but while Red Prime is unique to OKC right now, it is not all that unique in the grand scheme of things.

Most of my family lives in Boston and their favorite places to eat when they visit are Cattlemen's (I think we ate there twice during their last four day stay) and Del Rancho (the steak sandwich supreme has captivated about every New Englander who has ever visited me).

[John]

...and Del Rancho (the steak sandwich supreme has captivated about every New Englander who has ever visited me).

The steak sammich supweme is our lobstah roll, I guess.

[jbkrems]

Millie,

Sure --- I was also thinking that most of my family and friends who come from larger cities (and one specifically from the New York City area) do not like non-cosmopolitan restaurants when they visit OKC. In other words, they would rather visit a restaurant that is "cosmopolitan" and trendy, rather than go to some place that is more "blue collar," even if its different. My parents recently were in town, and they live in St. Louis, MO., which although is not a super-cosmo city, it is a larger city, etc. They said that Red Prime was better Mortons, Ruth Chris, Flemings, and Capital Grille, and it was also better than Mahogany and other independent steakhouses they know in St. Louis. Clearly they would not enjoy Cattlemen's --- they're very upper crust people. Same with my friend who hails from the NYC area --- these people desire the BEST restaurants for their upper crust appetites, and Cattlemen's just would not cut it for them ---- someone who spends a whole day shopping in Nichols Hills just doesn't fit in at Cattlemen's.

[rugbybrado]

Millie,

-My parents recently were in town, and they live in St. Louis, MO., which although is not a super-cosmo city, it is a larger city, etc.
-Clearly they would not enjoy Cattlemen's --- they're very upper crust people. Same with my friend who hails from the NYC area --- these people desire the BEST restaurants for their upper crust appetites, and Cattlemen's just would not cut it for them ---- someone who spends a whole day shopping in Nichols Hills just doesn't fit in at Cattlemen's.

haha, i like how you think places in st louis or nichols hills are so 'upper crust'....shows how really 'upper crust' you are.

[Easy180]

jb...Cattlemen's is one of the favorite spots for visiting dignitaries and celebs ...I'm fine with the preference to Red Prime, but you are making it seem like Cattlemen's is located inside a Walmart

[rugbybrado]

I agree, I’m fine with him liking red prime and I’ve only heard positive things about the place. But when he started ranting off about how 'blue collar' the place is, how he wouldn’t dare take his 'upper crust parents’ there, how they only eat the 'best, and would not enjoy cattlemans'...

It’s like calm down son; you live in Oklahoma so stop acting like you’re above everything. My guess is he is like a lot of the people in edmond who live in a 300k house and THINK they are rich. Buddy, people buy 1 bedroom condos in other parts of the country for what you paid for your house. You really aren’t as 'upper crust' as you think you are.

When people travel they like going to local restaurants that they can’t visit back home - like the article pointed out. Guess we all arent upper crust enough to appreaciate the finer things like JBK and his parents from STL can.

[jbkrems]

Easy180,

Someone else is the one who used "blue collar." And my parents are not huge fans of Wal-Mart, either. They do their shopping elsewhere, so far as I know.

Rugbybravado,

Someone else used the word "blue collar." I believe Midtowner is the one who brought that word up. By the way I do live in Edmond, but not in a 300K home. I live in a nice apt. And yes, when my parents travel, they want something they cannot get in St. Louis. This is why they would go to Red Prime, which is better than not only four national steak chains (some of which are not even in St. Louis), but also several independents in St. Louis. They also like Cheevers and Deep Fork Grill and other local restaurants here, because they cannot get that kind of high quality food back in St. Louis, even though its a larger city.

[Millie]

jb,

Even though it appears that some of us- myself included- disagree with your assessment of Cattlemen's, I understand what you're saying. And I think it speaks really well of Red Prime and of OKC that people from places that may be perceived as more "cosmopolitan" than here feel that Red Prime and the other places you mentioned are superior to food they can get at home.

[jbkrems]

Millie,

Thanks for your kind words, and for your understanding.

[Oh GAWD the Smell!]

I hate to say it, but I've had very few decent steaks in Cattleman's. Every time I've been in there, I wanted to like it, but I've been let down almost every time. Outback and Roadhouse are much more consistent with a decent cut and preparation. Not to mention better sides. I'm not saying that the chain places are the best steaks in town, but there's a reason they expanded beyond 1 or two locations to begin with...They can make a good one time after time. Cattleman's can't say that.

And atmosphere? Piffle. Not replacing a chair or paving the parking lot since 1972 isn't "atmosphere", it's stagnation.

I'd not take an out-of-towner there unless they requested it.

[Jack Wonder]

I dined at Cattleman's last fall and enjoyed myself and the food. My fiance, on the other hand, was less enthused with her meal (vs. price). So it's a split decision for us, but I'd say it's worth revisiting every once in a while.

[PennyQuilts]

You don't come to Oklahoma looking for a cosmopolitan meal. Those are a dime a dozen in some areas. I agree that most folks from big-city-out-of-town would prefer a local favorite to get a taste of the area. Just don't don't get too hokey about it. People on the East coast still think Okies live in teepees and have to hide from tornadoes. I let them think that so they will stay away...

[MadMonk]

LOL! I remember when my parents told me we were moving to Oklahoma (I was 12). My first thought was Grapes of Wrath-style dust bowl scenes. My first words were "Noooooooooooooo!"

[SoonerDave]

I remember visiting a McDonald's in California once as a kid. I was wearing an OU jacket, and the girl behind the counter asked me how things were "back east." I almost broke out laughing

Regional perceptions are amazing....go ask someone in the northeast for a Dr. Pepper, and they'll look at you like you just asked to visit an alient planet. Its next to impossible to find one up there...

People who live here don't realize that there are quite literal perceptions in other parts of the world that we are literally still in the old west, with "wild injuns" and "horse thieves" firing shotguns at each other. They really believe that. A former next-door neighbor of mine moved from LA to OKC and couldn't believe how wrong his conceptions were...

If I were taking a true out-of-towner for a steak, and weren't concerned about "atmosphere," I'd take them down US 92 to Amber and head for Ken's Steak House. You're likely warmly greeted by the owner, given a great meal, probably including one of the best steaks you'll ever enjoy...went there last Saturday night, and it was terrific.

-soonerdave

[Misty]

I'm still upset that y'all don't sell poutine down here. That was one of the many shocks this Mainiac got when I first hit Oklahoma.

[Martin]

poutine? i've never even heard of such. had to look it up. in oklahoma we serve our 'cheese fries' with cheddar, green onion, bacon bits and sour cream thank you very much. -M