OPTIONS GROWING
The Food Dude shares notes from the OKC dining scene, including a burger joint that has added a plant-based menu
P Plant-based options are growing around the dining-sphere.
I'm not just talking about the new Beyond Beef crunchy tacos at Del Taco, Shannon Roper and Aly Cunningham have introduced a new plant-based menu at the S&B Burger Joint where it all began at 5929 N May Ave.
The new menu includes the original three-bean veggie patty Shannon created for S&B at the outset plus a selection of options using Impossible patties and Daiya cheeses. There's even a coconut-based ice cream for milkshakes.
Roper, the S in S&B Burger Joint, recently left his position with the corporation that in 2013 bought S&B to reduce the number of targets he needed to hit in a day before he could call it one.
“I'm still with the company, I create burgers for the S&B menu, and I go to a bunch of meetings, I'm just out of the day-to-day,” Roper said. “'59th, as we call it around the shop, is the kitchen I use to create our burger masterpieces and test new menu items; we use the same recipes and processes we've used since S&B's started over nine years ago.”
He said the reduced corporate role allows him to concentrate on his partnership with Cunningham, Happy Plate Concepts. Under that umbrella, they own and operate Sunnyside Diners and the first-ever S&B Burger in Centennial Plaza — he as executive chef and director of development, she as director of operations.
“I'm very proud of how S&B's has grown over the years. We are far from the days when I was standing at the grill cooking up crazy burger combinations,” Roper said. “While each new location has its own special place in my heart, '59th in the nondescript office building in the Best Buy parking lot will always be my home.”
The other 11 S&B Burger Joint locations, which stretch from Lawton to Carbondale, Illinois, with Bixby in its immediate sights for expansion, will have an opportunity to carry Roper's new plant-based menu. However, Roper said the only one he can guarantee you'll find it is the one born inside the Electro Lounge.
“The others will have a chance to carry the new menu, but we'll have it at '59th and May for sure,” he said.
These items aren't just for vegetarians and vegans. The Boneless Wings are made of Hungry Planet meatless chicken nuggets, which are then fried and tossed in hot sauce. These aren't going to replace the greasy mess part of enjoying good hot wings, but the hot sauce, ranch and fresh celery are the same and will leave plenty of room for dinner. That's right, one could enjoy meatless wings and 100-percent all-beef burger and only face less heartburn in tax.
On the other hand, maybe you'd like to start with steak quesadillas or potato wedges loaded with queso, bacon and sour cream knowing you can enjoy Green Chili Cheeseburger that is completely plant-based.
That's right, folks. Plant-based items are not exclusively for vegetarians and vegans. That said, my vegetarian wife was beyond thrilled with the Impossible Fries, which included seasoned Impossible crumbles, Daiya cheddar, pickled jalapenos, diced tomatoes, black olives, green onions, salsa and house-made guacamole.
Cunningham said the plant-based menu has options, too.
“If you want to do regular cheddar cheese on the Impossible Fries, just ask,” she said.
Don't be afraid to expand your culinary horizons toward healthier options, if only to eat French Fries with a smidge less guilt than usual.
Goin' south
Made a trip to Norman last week to meet with some friends at Gaberino's Homestyle
Italian, 400 Ed Noble Parkway, to find out if all the good things folks have been telling me about the familystyle Italian restaurant since it first opened in 2011 were true.
Gaberino's first opened in Red Bud Plaza, where I spent three happy years on The Norman Oklahoman staff. But late last year, owners Mitch and Laura Duprez packed up and moved down the winding Ed Noble Parkway to take up residence where Chili's used to operate.
The buildings around them are mostly in turn-around, but that hasn't slowed Norman's love affair with Gaberino's. After a leisurely evening rocking back and forth between Chicken Tetrazzini and pot roast over risotto, I understand why.
Only problem is, my trip to Norman validated a nagging concern that Norman's spate of restaurant growth requires more attention. Chef Ben Spears, formerly of Legend's, has a new concept called Sear, which took over the spot left by Gaberino's. I haven't been in yet, but it has my southern-residing culinary spies making plenty of noise.
Then there is Gerry and Jennifer Reardon's El Toro
Chino. How can I drive past without at least stopping in for a cocktail and some wonton chips with mango salsa? The answer is I can't, and wouldn't stop before I'd had mushroom lo mein, no probably marinated prime brisket, and a churro bowl to boot.
And then there's Benvenuti's, Juan Del Fuego, Scratch Kitchen, Penny Hill
Bar and Char, and, oh, those chicken tamales from Pepe
Delgados. Are they still on special every Friday?
Let me know, and while you're at it let me know what other places around the metro I need to visit in Norman and beyond by emailing dcathey@oklahoman.com.
Mustang kicking up a chocolate festival
MUSTANG — Chocolate lovers can bask in their obsession and help the local library with the help of 20 local chocolate vendors on March 8 at the 13th annual Friends of the Mustang Public Library Chocolate Festival.
The Mustang's Town Center, 1201 N Mustang Rd., hosts the annual event from 6 to 8 p.m.
Look for chocolate-covered bacon and jalapenospiked brownies, and more traditional sweet treats like tortes, cupcakes and cookies. Gluten-free and sugar-free options will be available.
A silent auction also will commence on behalf of the library. Festival entrance is free, but if you want to indulge you'll need tickets, which cost $10 for 10 servings. Tickets are available at the Mustang Public Library and can be purchased in advance or at the door. Cash, check, debit and credit cards are accepted.
For more information, contact Nancy Keiser at 405850-8671 or mustangchocolatefest@gmail.com.
Fast food
The Pritchard, 1749 NW 16 St., will begin breakfast and lunch service on Feb. 18 with service 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m. to midnight Fridays; 10 a.m. to midnight Saturdays, and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sundays. Look for chef Shelby Sieg's new menu on the restaurant's Facebook page, or you can just follow me on social media (@TheFoodDood on Twitter and Instagram; keyword Dave Cathey The Food Dude on Facebook). …
Oklahoma City's dining grand dame is without a doubt Florence Kemp, owner of Florence's Restaurant, 1437 NE 23 St. Miss Florence recently celebrated her 88th birthday. When I dropped in for lunch last week, true to form, Miss Florence was seated near the kitchen entrance in her apron, waiting for the lunch rush to arrive. Folks, living legends are rare enough. Living legends who still cook in a public setting you can patronize are closer to a miracle. Happy Birthday, Miss Florence. …
SixTwelve, a local collective space in the Paseo Arts District, will have its fifth annual Mardi Gras Ball on Feb. 23 at the Tower
Theatre, 425 NW 23 St. The event will include Zydeco music from Louisiana's Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band, a menu prepared by Picasso
Cafe, Flowers by A Date with Iris, and a local art auction. All proceeds go to supporting SixTwelve, which is a community-building collective that offers programs and education for local residents of all ages. And it has a killer garden.
Tickets are $100 each or $175 for couples. Larger donations can be made, too. All ticket options can be found on Eventbrite. com, keyword: SixTwelve Mardi Gras Ball.