When George Epperly bought the 160-acre chunk of earth that would someday become Del City, he probably didn’t know there would be good restaurants there one day. But we like to think his daughter Delaphene did and that’s why she asked the small municipality be named for her in 1948. Smart thinking, Delaphene. You probably got a lot of free meals back then.
— by Greg Elwell,
photos by Mark Hancock
Hungry Howie’s
5501 Main St., Del City
601-7444
Legally, you aren’t required to be hungry when you enter Hungry Howie’s. But morally, philosophically, if you’re not hungry, you must ask yourself, What am I doing with my life? Because when you enter this pie piazza, this dojo of dough, there is but one thing you can do: Order a pizza and take it down like a champ. Howie’s is known for flavored crusts and individual pan pizzas. And you shall be known as “the guy who ordered two.”
Tom-Yum Thai Kitchen
4605 SE 29 St., Del City
670-7058
A warning for the ladies: We have reports of a guy named Tom taking dates to the Tom-Yum Thai Kitchen and trying to convince them that he owns the place. He’s also been telling women that the name came from his “delicious kisses.” He’s not telling the truth, and his moustache is rough to the touch. Instead, go there without Tom and enjoy a variety of Thai delicacies, such as fish with chili and basil or the aptly named Volcano Chicken.
Back Yard Grill
4630 SE 29th St., Del City
677-0000
How would you like your steak? Chicken-fried? Smothered? Chucked? These are some of the options for meat preparation at Del City’s famed Back Yard Grill. (Don’t let the name fool you; it is an indoor restaurant.) While it also offers sirloins and chicken, this slice of local heaven is best known for its delightful burgers and excellent, almost suspiciously good customer service. What are you hiding, Back Yard Grill? Why are you so nice?
Ted’s Cafe Escondido
5301 Main St., Del City
813-8337
Escondido means “hidden,” which is sort of hilarious given Ted’s long reign as an Oklahoma City Tex-Mex favorite. If you like your tortillas fresh, fluffy and made with flour and your salsas quickly refilled, then Ted’s Cafe Escondido is certainly worth a stop. Its gooey, cheesy entrees haven’t been hidden for quite a while. In fact, if you’re having trouble finding Ted’s, just look for the long line of people patiently waiting for a table.
Grub
5501 S. Main St., Del City
606-2542
If you think about it, “grub” is kind of a derogatory way to talk about food. Pigs grub for food by digging their snouts in the ground to find roots and such. But if you order roast chicken, hand-cut fries, mac and cheese or a lovely salad at this scratch kitchen restaurant in Del City, you might find yourself doing a pretty decent swine impression as you pig out to your heart’s content. Maybe this is an accurate name after all.
Akropolis Greek Restaurant
1809 S. Air Depot Blvd., Oklahoma City
733-1323
“Shhhhh,” he said, gently laying a tzatziki-dipped finger across your lips. “You don’t have to pretend.”
You’ve looked over the menu and acted like you were considering the dolmadakia (stuffed grape leaves) or the loukaniko (Greek sausage) dinner. And maybe, another day, you’ll get them. But he knows. You’re getting the Akropolis gyro.
Don’s Alley
4601 SE 29th St., Del City
677-9049
Step inside Don’s Alley and prepare to enter a time warp. The wooden tables, the standing glass pie case, the friendly waitresses who call you “hon” and “sugar” — this is where your parents ate and where your grandparents ate. And when a piping-hot plate of Salisbury steak or a pork cutlet sandwich with a giant dollop of mashed potatoes is placed gingerly on the table, it’s easy to see why everybody in Don’s is smiling.
