Pollo Campero

[Uptowner]

Not to be "that guy," but can someone explain the love for Abel's in OKC? I've tried to keep an open mind and I've been there five different times, and while OK, I don't think it offers anything spectacular. Am I ordering the wrong items? Please tell me what I should be ordering at Abel's?

I never order anything Tex mex. I think they’re Tex mex is not spectacular. Nor do I think much of any Tex mex, Ted’s fails 4/5 times, all the chelinos are in decline, except when the sw 29th location hits it knocks it out of the park. Tarahumara doesn’t impress me a lot either although, perhaps to their credit, I’ve only gone on sooner football days.

Abel’s exceeds in everything non-Tex mex. All the seafood is great and the “7 mares” seafood soup is a must have if you like the sound of 7 species swimming in a spicy sour veggie broth. There’s a pork rib dish that’s essentially deep fried ribs smother in peppers & onions, all the stews and guisadas are killer, and say yes to anything topped with a fried egg. There’s also a take away business being operated inside the lobby that operates as a taqueria: tacos, tortas, burritos, gorditas, etc. If you just ask for the taqueria menu when you sit, you can dine in(you can also call ahead for take away.) But keep in mind it doesn’t come with rice & beans although you can order them ala carte. I don’t recall if the chip&dip setup is included with dine in taqueria orders. And it’s what most big tables of Mexican families do on weekend lunch, that and the seafood soup. Or if you can best 5x 4” street tacos you can order the “calvillo” and they come on a platter with botana, fried onions, and grilled Serrano. Don’t forget to order fruit from the case as desert or appetizers they always have sliced mango, papaya, watermelon, etc. ready to go and also sell aguas frescas that I don’t believed are printed on the menu. I usually have a beer or two in the frozen mug. Honestly the rule of thumb is just to avoid the Tex mex and embrace the platillos mexicana, mariscos, huevos, and taqueria menu. As and order the $7 special salsa of the menu, just trust, it quite spicy however as are a lot of the authentic dishes.

[Uptowner]

Not to be "that guy," but can someone explain the love for Abel's in OKC? I've tried to keep an open mind and I've been there five different times, and while OK, I don't think it offers anything spectacular. Am I ordering the wrong items? Please tell me what I should be ordering at Abel's?

I never order anything Tex mex. I think they’re Tex mex is not spectacular. Nor do I think much of any Tex mex, Ted’s fails 4/5 times, all the chelinos are in decline, except when the sw 29th location hits it knocks it out of the park. Tarahumara doesn’t impress me a lot either although, perhaps to their credit, I’ve only gone on sooner football days.

Abel’s exceeds in everything non-Tex mex. All the seafood is great and the “7 mares” seafood soup is a must have if you like the sound of 7 species swimming in a spicy sour veggie broth. There’s a pork rib dish that’s essentially deep fried ribs smother in peppers & onions, all the stews and guisadas are killer, and say yes to anything topped with a fried egg. There’s also a take away business being operated inside the lobby that operates as a taqueria: tacos, tortas, burritos, gorditas, etc. If you just ask for the taqueria menu when you sit, you can dine in(you can also call ahead for take away.) But keep in mind it doesn’t come with rice & beans although you can order them ala carte. I don’t recall if the chip&dip setup is included with dine in taqueria orders. And it’s what most big tables of Mexican families do on weekend lunch, that and the seafood soup. Or if you can best 5x 4” street tacos you can order the “calvillo” and they come on a platter with botana, fried onions, and grilled Serrano. Don’t forget to order fruit from the case as desert or appetizers they always have sliced mango, papaya, watermelon, etc. ready to go and also sell aguas frescas that I don’t believed are printed on the menu. I usually have a beer or two in the frozen mug. Honestly the rule of thumb is just to avoid the Tex mex and embrace the platillos mexicana, mariscos, huevos, and taqueria menu. As and order the $7 special salsa of the menu, just trust, it quite spicy however as are a lot of the authentic dishes.

[TheTravellers]

TBH, I liked Charm Thai much more than Bistro 38. Perhaps it's because on my lone visit to Bistro 38, they had a sewage backup and there were plumbing personnel in the house working while we were having dinner. Nice way to set the ambiance. You know, sometimes it's OK to just close for the night and get stuff fixed. That septic aroma has lodged a permanent olfactory memory in me and I haven't returned. Sewagy smell or not, I didn't particularly like my food at Bistro 38.

Wow, incredibly poor judgement on their part, you're right that they should've closed, taken the $$$ hit and done it right, that sucks! Even if it would've been the best food ever made in a 3-star Michelin restaurant and they would've been doing that kind of work, your taste and smell would've been tainted and it would've tasted horrible. Most likely you can never go back either, that kind of olfactory/taste memory will stick with you forever. However, all of the people we've taken there have loved it, so most likely it was the taste/smell that made you not like the meal (unconsciously or not).

I will give Charm Thai more points for ambiance than Bistro 38, though, 'cos their decor was very nicely done (blacks/whites/greys).

[Thomas Vu]

I enjoyed charm as well. Given the distance from me though it's also in the running with Tana a and Thai la moon.
I'd need a reference point of what is being compared to Abel's. I enjoy Abel's too though. Unfortunate that Mexican of any sort is my least favorite cuisine

[soonermike81]

I actually like Abel’s for their Tex-mex and their more authentic Mexican dishes. Not sure I’ve ever had a bad experience there.

We tried Charm once and won’t be back. Felt their food was lacking flavor and it wasn’t spicy at all. Been a long time since we’ve been but love Bistro 38 as well. For Thai buffet, we go to Thai House.

[soonerguru]

I never order anything Tex mex. I think they’re Tex mex is not spectacular. Nor do I think much of any Tex mex, Ted’s fails 4/5 times, all the chelinos are in decline, except when the sw 29th location hits it knocks it out of the park. Tarahumara doesn’t impress me a lot either although, perhaps to their credit, I’ve only gone on sooner football days.

Abel’s exceeds in everything non-Tex mex. All the seafood is great and the “7 mares” seafood soup is a must have if you like the sound of 7 species swimming in a spicy sour veggie broth. There’s a pork rib dish that’s essentially deep fried ribs smother in peppers & onions, all the stews and guisadas are killer, and say yes to anything topped with a fried egg. There’s also a take away business being operated inside the lobby that operates as a taqueria: tacos, tortas, burritos, gorditas, etc. If you just ask for the taqueria menu when you sit, you can dine in(you can also call ahead for take away.) But keep in mind it doesn’t come with rice & beans although you can order them ala carte. I don’t recall if the chip&dip setup is included with dine in taqueria orders. And it’s what most big tables of Mexican families do on weekend lunch, that and the seafood soup. Or if you can best 5x 4” street tacos you can order the “calvillo” and they come on a platter with botana, fried onions, and grilled Serrano. Don’t forget to order fruit from the case as desert or appetizers they always have sliced mango, papaya, watermelon, etc. ready to go and also sell aguas frescas that I don’t believed are printed on the menu. I usually have a beer or two in the frozen mug. Honestly the rule of thumb is just to avoid the Tex mex and embrace the platillos mexicana, mariscos, huevos, and taqueria menu. As and order the $7 special salsa of the menu, just trust, it quite spicy however as are a lot of the authentic dishes.

Thank you! I appreciate you taking the time to offer these suggestions.

I have had the Tex-Mex, and it's like any other Okie-Mex in this city, which is to say mediocre, but I only tried that once. I actually like good Tex-Mex, but I cannot find it in OKC, only Dallas and Austin.

As for the botanas, I've tried them at Abel's. They were good but not gobsmacking.

I've settled for the taqueria menu the last two visits, and while good, I found their taqueria tacos to be inferior to offerings at other joints in the city.

I have not yet tried the fresh fruit. I'll give that a shot next time.

[HOT ROD]

honestly, what's the difference between Tex Mex, Okie Mex (I guess this is mediocre Tex Mex), and authentic Mexican? Granted, I have not lived in OKC for a very long time but I do visit and enjoy the Mexican (and other food) offerings there in OKC FAR better than those very few up here. ...

[Uptowner]

honestly, what's the difference between Tex Mex, Okie Mex (I guess this is mediocre Tex Mex), and authentic Mexican? Granted, I have not lived in OKC for a very long time but I do visit and enjoy the Mexican (and other food) offerings there in OKC FAR better than those very few up here. ...

In Mexico you do not see deep fried burritos, nachos, enchiladas covered in yellow goop. Cheese as we think of it is not popular there. Cheese varies wildly upon region and is often named after the region. Like English & French cheeses it is often named after the region like Oaxaca and Cotija. And it’s rare to get chicken & vegetable (Spanish) flavored rice. Beans vary upon region but are usually not “refried.” Tortillas are almost always corn, unless in the north, and if you are lucky they will be hand pressed. Tacos, burritos, tamales (usually a weekend dish), and enchiladas still exists but they are almost exclusively street food. And burritos are essentially non existent in southern or pacific Mexico. When you start exploring the cuisine varies wildly and even dips into Afro-Cuban in places. What we get up here is sort of the “greatest hits” album and a lot of northern cuisine that is ranchero style like stews and stir fries.

I concur with the notion that okie mex is an inferior product. But there are several really good taquerias and a couple places that do good authentic. We go Mexico twice a year and always have a blast as the dollar stretches 2-10x the value and there are very few “rule.” But kidnapping is real and I’ve been shaken down for cash by small town gangsters once before. So plan accordingly

[Roger S]

I've always considered Okie-Mex to be any place that serves complementary cheeze jelly and Tex-Mex to be places where you have to pay to get queso that actually contains a pasteurized, processed, cheese product in it..... For the most part I've always found the rest of the menu to be fairly similar in items and flavor.

[ctchandler]

I concur with the notion that okie mex is an inferior product.

Not to get into a deep conversation, but quality food is quality food! Okie Mex is not necessarily "inferior". It isn't "authentic" Mexican cuisine but it can still be excellent and I have eaten at some excellent Okie/Tex Mex places. I am a fan of the growth of authentic Mexican but bad authentic Mexican is still bad food and I have had plenty of that too.
C. T.

[Rover]

^^^^^^ This

[Roger S]

I agree ctchandler!

Some days I think diners need to be required to take a BBQ judging class before they are allowed to leave reviews online. We are taught to judge what's put in front of us and not compare it to what we've had before. Every dish gets judged on it's own merits.

[tuck]

Welcome to my world. EVERYONE is a restaurant critic!

I agree ctchandler!

Some days I think diners need to be required to take a BBQ judging class before they are allowed to leave reviews online. We are taught to judge what's put in front of us and not compare it to what we've had before. Every dish gets judged on it's own merits.

[LakeEffect]

Welcome to my world. EVERYONE is a restaurant critic!

Is it more difficult now than it was 18 or so years ago when you opened Cheever's? The reach of social media and ratings platforms has to be rough, aside from the positive sides of spreading good news faster.

[tuck]

Social media goes both ways, but think all in all, it's a positive. When Cheever's first opened, we really didn't have a way to get information from our guests, to hear what they're saying. We use these rating sites more as a forum for us to listen to our guests and hopefully get better in the process. We have learned not to take things too personal; it's hard sometimes.

Is it more difficult now than it was 18 or so years ago when you opened Cheever's? The reach of social media and ratings platforms has to be rough, aside from the positive sides of spreading good news faster.

[Pete]

[Pete]

Getting close. They've filed their sign permits.

[Bullbear]

I'm kinda glad that the building wasn't able to be remodeled and they had to build a new structure. this is an improvement for sure.

[Pete]

I'm curious to try it and compare to El Pollo Loco, which has always been my favorite fast food place.

[LakeEffect]

I'm kinda glad that the building wasn't able to be remodeled and they had to build a new structure. this is an improvement for sure.

Helps to be in an Urban Design district with strict(er) build-to lines, etc.

[Brett]

Signage is up on the new restaurant.

[Pete]

[Pete]

Opens next Tuesday, August 21st.

[PhiAlpha]

Opens next Tuesday, August 21st.

Its open and there is a line for the drive through backing up several blocks into traffic on 23rd. Impressive.

[Roger S]

Its open and there is a line for the drive through backing up several blocks into traffic on 23rd. Impressive.

Krispy Kreme effect.