Florence's

[Pete]

Florence's at 1437 NE 23rd will soon undergo a major remodel and expansion and add commercial space in a new building just to the east. Architects are TASK Design.

http://www.florencesrestaurant.com/

The current owner/mgr is Victoria Kemp, daughter of Florence (Florence still works there ..almost every day since starting the restaurant in 1952 originally located at NE 4th and later moved to its current home in late 1960s) . Victoria's goal is to continue to serve loyal customers while expanding the restaurant and develop a new lease space building which along with other recently announced projects in the area will help to revitalize NE 23rd. She envisions the building being occupied by professional services, retail services (no c store or liquor stores).

For the restaurant the existing brick building will remain and receive new finishes with changes to the interior. For the exterior, the existing mansard roof will be demolished to extend the height of the parapets. New additions on front and back more than doubles the dining and kitchen area. The existing barber shop will also remain. The existing car wash will be demolished.

The overall concept (when complete) is to create a court type space with buildings on east and west sides that flank existing trees and parking. The property line along NE 23rd street is lined with 50 posts of varied heights that represent 50 all black towns in Oklahoma which were settled after the civil war and like other towns in OK experienced booms and busts :hence the ebb and flow which also represents the natural springs (that Florence recalls used to flow freely) on Florence and Victoria's family farm in Boley OK. Works by local artists may also be integrated within the project.

[Roger S]

Mmmmmmmmm..... have never had a bad meal at Florence's. Can't wait to check out the new digs!

[Urbanized]

Oh man, NE 23rd is catching some serious momentum. That is a great thing for OKC.

[Jchaser405]

Great news for the East! Lets keep it going!

[CCOKC]

I have never been there but I love the new design. I would love to check it out when it is done.

[Roger S]

I have never been there but I love the new design. I would love to check it out when it is done.

Why wait? Go try the current location so you have a frame of reference to compare to the new location.

[CCOKC]

Is there anything for a vegetarian to eat there?

[Roger S]

Is there anything for a vegetarian to eat there?

Grape flavored drink..... No wait.... I'm pretty sure the grape flavored drink had lard in it..... No.

[CCOKC]

Funny. I think I will just check out the renovations when they are done.

[baralheia]

Whatever happened with this project? Did the renovations end up falling through, or are they still in the works?

[Pete]

I believe they still want to do them but are on hold for the time being.

[loveOKC]

This would be a great opportunity for some of that 43 million dollar tif to be used to assist in this project

[Roger S]

Someone can correct me if I'm wrong... But I think Florence is the first ever James Beard award winner in Oklahoma.

Florence’s Restaurant
1437 Northeast 23rd Street, Oklahoma City, OK
Owner: Florence Kemp
Florence Jones Kemp was born in 1931 in Boley, Oklahoma, a town that was founded in the 19th century by Black pioneers. From her mother, she learned strength and grit, as well as how to plant and harvest tomatoes, onions, and okra, how to milk a cow and churn butter, and how much better farm-fresh food tastes. In 1952, she had saved enough money as a server to open her own restaurant in Oklahoma City. All she had was "two chickens and a prayer." In the words of the Oklahoman, she "hunkered down and cooked her way through the longest odds to become a local institution on a long, slow, word-of-mouth campaign through social injustices and catastrophes man-made and fate-ordained." Today, the restaurant is nearly 70 years old, and Florence Kemp is still proudly working—along with her daughter Victoria—serving the same recipes her mother taught her, with a few new ones sprinkled in, and all of it what she calls "good country food for the soul."

https://www.jamesbeard.org/blog/anno...ricas-classics

[FighttheGoodFight]

It is. What an achievement. Congrats!

[sooner88]

Someone can correct me if I'm wrong... But I think Florence is the first ever James Beard award winner in Oklahoma.



https://www.jamesbeard.org/blog/anno...ricas-classics

Jeff Chanchaleune with Goro, etc. was a semifinalist a few years ago, but I think this is the first winner. I've been meaning to try Florence's for a long time, but it always slips through the cracks.

[kukblue1]

Sorry off topic but when did Mama e's move? Hope they are still doing good at their newer location

[BoulderSooner]

FYI for those interested

The America's Classics Award is given to locally owned restaurants that have timeless appeal and are beloved regionally for quality food that reflects the character of its community. This year’s honorees join the ranks of over 100 restaurants across the country that have received the Award since the category was introduced in 1998. They will be celebrated at the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards ceremony on Monday, June 13, at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.

https://www.jamesbeard.org/blog/anno...ricas-classics

[soonerguru]

nm

[soonerguru]

FYI for those interested


https://www.jamesbeard.org/blog/anno...ricas-classics

This makes me so happy. Florence's is honestly one of the best restaurants I've ever had the pleasure to visit. It's just honest to goodness good food, wonderfully made, from scratch. It is a treasure for OKC, as are Florence and her daughter.

Sometimes nice people win. What tremendous and well-deserved recognition.

[BoulderSooner]

This makes me so happy. Florence's is honestly one of the best restaurants I've ever had the pleasure to visit. It's just honest to goodness good food, wonderfully made, from scratch. It is a treasure for OKC, as are Florence and her daughter.

Sometimes nice people win. What tremendous and well-deserved recognition.

well said .. Florences has been really good for a long long time ..

[CCOKC]

I love Florence's. They have a lot of veggie options for me to eat.