OMG Boulevard Cafeteria is Gone?????

[biznesschic1959]

Living in Virginia now, having spent my childhood and young adult life in Oklahoma City, was planning a family reunion next year, and ending it on Sunday after Mass, at Boulevard Cafeteria. I am in tears that it has closed last month. (Oh well, Cattleman's cafe is the substitute now)

Oh the memories of what a special place that was. I remember going there after the wedding of my older brother, as after the funeral of my aunt. I attended Villa Teresa, and sometimes my Mom and I would go there after school, eat in, and bring home a to go box for my Dad. I would get a salad, deviled eggs, fried chicken or veal cutlet, mashed potatoes with brown gravy, a veggie, roll, and strawberry pie. I remember the same lady ran the cash register for years, and used an old push button register.

Just sad to see it go. There is another thread that doesn't do it justice, so I need all the old timers (Prunepicker, CTChandler) to chime in and give us your memories. Lets send the old girl off with the respect that she deserves.

[stile99]

There is another thread that doesn't do it justice.

In what sense?

[Midtowner]

I used to eat there probably once a week back in the 90s. I remember it was good stuff. In recent years, the quality had gone downhill, the place became very dated. We'd refer to it as "heaven's waiting room" because of the high average age of the clientele.

[biznesschic1959]

In what sense?

It was an Oklahoma staple for those of us over 50, as we had great memories there. The other blog has maybe 4 post after closing.

[biznesschic1959]

Funny! I read where the owner has been trying to re negotiate his lease for 4 years, which may account for the decline.

[okatty]

My dad loved to go the the various OKC cafeterias back in the day when we'd come to OKC. Queen Anne; Anna Maude; Boulevard and I think there were a couple of others. Boulevard was my fav! Was like an episode of the Wonder Years.

[biznesschic1959]

Mothers during the 40's 50's and 60's cooked like that every day. It was a treat for her and us. Dad would put on a suit and tie, mom her dress, and we kids would also dress up. Boulevard was my favorite because it was next to mom's cooking in taste.

[ctchandler]

Biznesschic,
Sorry, this old timer (and by the way, Prunepicker is just a child to me), was born and raised in South OKC, so the Boulevard cafeteria was not a place that I remember. I did go there as an adult and I remember that they served really good food, but that's about all I can say. My mother worked at Bishop's and we went there as well as Anna Maude's, and since we were Southsiders, Dodson's was a great place to go.
C. T.

[Uptowner]

How is this surprising given the rise of real estate value in the area? A $16 lunch made from canned ingredients consumed by a dying demo wasn't going to sustain a space worth $30/sf when the lease came up for reneg.

[Uptowner]

Biznesschic,
Sorry, this old timer (and by the way, Prunepicker is just a child to me), was born and raised in South OKC, so the Boulevard cafeteria was not a place that I remember. I did go there as an adult and I remember that they served really good food, but that's about all I can say. My mother worked at Bishop's and we went there as well as Anna Maude's, and since we were Southsiders, Dodson's was a great place to go.
C. T.

Dodson's was defiantly the spot. Same folks owned applewood's. A birthday and anniversary destination for sure.

[zookeeper]

How is this surprising given the rise of real estate value in the area? A $16 lunch made from canned ingredients consumed by a dying demo wasn't going to sustain a space worth $30/sf when the lease came up for reneg.

Wow. First, let me say I usually enjoy your posts. However, this one is just wrong. And I don't necessarily mean in a business sense, but in an ethical sense. Does the brave new world of gentrification include displacement and age cleansing? That cafeteria has been there (within a block from the current location) since Harry Truman was president! There's room for bar after bar after bar, one restaurant after another serving the latest fad foods, but there's no room for a cafeteria that's graced that area since 1947? I took great offense to the tenor of your post. Respectfully.

[Uptowner]

You misunderstand me sir. I don't long or desire for the demise of such establishments. I admit I can be much too cynical at times. I merely meant that: with the gentrification of the area, how could it survive? I ate there pretty regularly and I was always the youngest by a few years...to put it lightly. I was also a bit cynical about the "canned" food, being a Johnny's lunch box fanatic. I still miss their blue plates. But at least we still have sweets & eats!

Honestly though, that real estate in midtown must be worth SO much more than the cafeteria could hold down.

[Tritone]

Wally and the Beaver and Wally put on their blue suits.) The cafeterias were neat places and I have many fond memories of them. Heaven's waiting room? Oh dear. So many thoughts! Dodson's was a great place on the south side and when we were in that side of town we'd go there. We used to visit O"Mealey's (perhaps no second "e") at NW 23rd and Meridian on "special occasions.'" Pop would always put on the coat and tie for those places, like biznesschic's Dad. (No doubt June would have made Wally and the Beaver and Wally put on their blue suits.) The cafeterias were neat places and I have many fond memories of them. Heaven's waiting room? Oh dear!

[biznesschic1959]

I remember Dobsons, and Adairs on Lincoln Blvd.

[biznesschic1959]

Those are the days that Mom made "canned" goods special, just throw a little bacon in those green beans, or chopped onions and peppers in that canned corn, and no one knew the difference. At least they didn't have to go to the Garden to pick it, like my Grandparents did. LOL

[ctchandler]

I remember Dobsons, and Adairs on Lincoln Blvd.

I worked on or near Lincoln Blvd for ten years so I ate at Adairs on Lincoln often. As for Dodson's, I was born and raised in South OKC and they were a favorite of mine. We had our wedding rehearsal at the Dodson's on 59th.
C. T.

[BlackmoreRulz]

What was the one at 36th & S Penn, Adairs? Later became a Der Dutchman.

[ctchandler]

What was the one at 36th & S Penn, Adairs? Later became a Der Dutchman.

I don't remember that one. It must have been after I moved Northeast.
C. T.

[zookeeper]

Anybody remember the Adair's Tropical Cafeteria on 23rd street? An antique store is there now. It had aquariums along the cafeteria line, lit very nicely in multiple colors - and lots of fish! It was a really neat atmosphere.

[ctchandler]

Anybody remember the Adair's Tropical Cafeteria on 23rd street? An antique store is there now. It had aquariums along the cafeteria line, lit very nicely in multiple colors - and lots of fish! It was a really neat atmosphere.

Yes, I ate there a few times whenI was working on Lincoln boulevard.
C. T.

[biznesschic1959]

Anybody remember the Adair's Tropical Cafeteria on 23rd street? An antique store is there now. It had aquariums along the cafeteria line, lit very nicely in multiple colors - and lots of fish! It was a really neat atmosphere.

I remember. Had a large fish tank.

[mugofbeer]

Used to eat thre all the time. They had a piranha in one of the tanks

[Achilleslastand]

Quick question. What was the name of the cafeteria/s on the NW corner of Meridian and NW 23? If memory serves correct there might have been 2 there, one that was on the corner of the little strip and one just a tad north.

[zookeeper]

Quick question. What was the name of the cafeteria/s on the NW corner of Meridian and NW 23? If memory serves correct there might have been 2 there, one that was on the corner of the little strip and one just a tad north.

I believe that was an O'Mealey's location and then Furr's. Pete would know - that's his old stompin' grounds.

[Achilleslastand]

I believe that was an O'Mealey's location and then Furr's. Pete would know - that's his old stompin' grounds.

Not sure, O'Mealey's sounds familiar. The doors to the cafeteria in question actually faced to the SE instead of S or E like all of the other bldgs. in the strip mall.