Brunch, like a shirt, is not one-size-fits-all. Most shirts will cover the important bits, but finding one that fits in all the right ways takes more work.
That wasnt an option in Oklahoma City until a few years ago. Brunch was an indulgence most restaurants didnt offer. But as goes the nation, so goes Oklahoma eventually.
Its now almost mandatory for restaurants to serve brunch. And that doesnt even count the new eateries that began seemingly out of a devotion to offering daily brunch.
Its easy to become overwhelmed by so many choices, so we came up with a few categories to help you find the right brunch for every occasion.
Fancy
Perhaps the best-known of all is the fancy brunch: white tablecloths, women wearing hats and waiters pouring mimosas while reciting a list of specials.
This is the brunch you see in movies but might not have experienced yourself. Perhaps the cost or worries about the dress code kept you at bay. Dont let your anxiety keep you from enjoying a truly magical morning at Mary Eddys Kitchen x Lounge, 900 W. Main St.
The restaurant of 21c Museum Hotel, Mary Eddys is helmed by executive chef Jason Campbell. Its menu ranges from traditional to trendy, and prices are quite reasonable. Start by ordering a large, warm sticky bun ($5) for the table while you peruse the restaurants offerings. Eggs Benedict is a fairly common brunch entree, but Mary Eddys version replaces the ham with roast beef and uses a tarragon hollandaise over coddled eggs.
For a sweeter option, check out The King Dutch baby ($11), a cast-iron skillet filled with an airy cross between a pancake and a crêpe and covered with a decadent mix of peanut butter, chocolate chips, banana slices, bacon and whipped cream.
The restaurant also serves both alcoholic and nonalcoholic refreshments. Mary Eddys brunch is a wonderful experience made even more fanciful by the venues adjacent art gallery. Walk around and soak up the culture while working off those calories.
Mary Eddys Kitchen x Lounge
900 W. Main St.
maryeddysokc.com | 405-982-6960
Broadway 10 Bar & Chophouse
1101 N. Broadway Ave.
broadway10okc.com | 405-212-3949
Cheevers Cafe
2409 N. Hudson Ave.
cheeverscafe.com | 405-525-7007
Deep Fork Grill
5418 N. Western Ave.
deepforkgrill.com | 405-848-7678
The Drake Seafood and Oysterette
519 NW 23rd St., Suite 111
thedrakeokc.com | 405-605-3399
Fancy That
215 E. Main St., Norman
fancythat.us | 405-307-0541
Kitchen No. 324
324 N. Robinson Ave.
kitchen324.com | 405-763-5911
La Baguette Bistro
7408 N. May Ave.
labaguettebistro.com | 405-840-3047
The Lobby Cafe & Bar
4322 N. Western Ave.
willrogerslobbybar.com | 405-604-4650
Scratch Kitchen + Cocktails
132 W. Main St., Norman
scratchnorman.com | 405-801-2900
Viceroy Grille
1200 N. Walker Ave.
viceroyokc.com | 405-898-8120
Boozy
What makes it brunch and not just breakfast? Two things: Brunch generally starts later, and most breakfasts dont feature so much alcohol.
Those more interested in the day-drinking aspect of the meal than the (equally valid) hollandaise-drizzled-over-everything aspect want a boozy brunch. Locating one isnt difficult. Start by seeing which bars serve brunch, and then look at the menu. If the booze comes before the food, youre on the right track. Its one of many reasons to make an early visit to The Pump Bar, 2425 N. Walker Ave.
Some might remember The Pump as the bar that, by some accounts, won the right for Oklahoma bars to infuse their own alcohol, which comes in handy in the establishments bacon vodka bloody mary ($8) and jalapeño-garlic bloody mary ($6.50). Either is a worthy companion to a brunch burger ($11), which packs havarti cheese and bacon onto a burger with a poached egg, hash browns and a deli mustard hollandaise sauce. For the bun, The Pump uses a jalapeño-cheddar bagel.
If you cant stomach waiting for refills, check out The Pumps bucket of mimosas for $15. It includes a bottle of Brut champagne and a carafe of orange juice, which means diners can mix the drinks as strong as they like.
The Pump Bar
2425 N. Walker Ave.
pumpbar.net | 405-702-8898
Aurora Breakfast Bar & Backyard
1704 NW 16th St.
facebook.com/shinewithaurora | 405-609-8854
The Barrel
4308 N. Western Ave.
barrelokc.com | 405-525-6682
Blu
201 S. Crawford Ave., Norman
gldining.com/blu | 405-360-4258
The Boom
2218 NW 39th St.
theboomokc.com | 405-601-7200
En Croûte
?6460 Avondale Dr.
encrouteokc.com | 405-607-6100
Hatch
1101 N. Broadway Ave., Suite 100
facebook.com/hatchokc | 405-609-8936
The Hutch on Avondale
6437 Avondale Dr.
hutchokc.com | 405-842-1000
Lumpys Sports Grill
5909 Northwest Expressway
lumpyssportsgrill.com | 405-728-7000 and 12325 N. May Ave. | 405-286-3300
The Mule
1630 N. Blackwelder Ave.
themuleokc.com | 405-601-1400
Nics Place Diner and Lounge
1116 N. Robinson Ave.
facebook.com/nicsplacedinerandlounge | 405-601-9234
Oak & Ore
1732 NW 16th St.
oakandore.com | 405-606-2030
Pearls Oyster Bar
5641 N. Classen Blvd.
pearlsokc.com | 405-848-8008
Power House
1228 SW Second St.
powerhouseokc.com | 405-702-0699
The Pritchard
1749 NW 16th St.
pritchardokc.com | 405-601-4067
Pub W
3720 W. Robinson St., Norman
pubdub.com | 405-701-5844
S&Bs Burger Joint
5929 N. May Ave.
sandbburgers.com | 405-843-8777
Saints
1715 NW 16th St.
saintspubokc.com | 405-602-6308
Sunnyside Diner
916 NW Sixth St.
eatatsunnyside.com | 405-778-8861
VZDs Restaurant & Bar
4200 N. Western Ave.
vzds.com | 405-602-3006
Whiskey Cake Kitchen & Bar
1845 Northwest Expressway
whiskeycakeokc.com | 405-582-2253
Patio
Oh, what a beautiful morning! If brunch cant make a day beautiful, then nothing can. So why not enjoy your life-affirming meal in an equally positive environment?
When the weather is right, theres no finer feeling than enjoying a meal on a restaurants patio. A slight breeze and
the sound of the city waking up while sharing great plates of food makes Stella, 1201 N. Walker Ave., an obvious choice.
Executive chef Melissa Aust created a stunning menu that seamlessly pulls in the best brunch has to offer with the high-end Italian cuisine that made Stella a Midtown success story.
The restaurant offers a few gluten-free options, including poached eggs ($10) served over a plank of grilled polenta with capicola ham, provolone and a rustic tomato sauce.
But theres perhaps no better dish to complement a lush Oklahoma spring than green eggs and ham ($12). Delicious in a box or while dining with a fox, the entree of herbed eggs, prosciutto and Parmesan cheese is served in a brightly colored and richly flavored spinach-artichoke puree. Stella serves mimosas by the glass or carafe and has a build-your-own bloody mary bar. But if you need to wake up without alcohol, ask for something from the espresso bar.
Stella
1201 N. Walker Ave.
stella-okc.com | 405-235-2200
Café do Brasil
440 NW 11th St.
cafedobrazilokc.com | 405-525-9779
Flips Wine Bar & Trattoria
5801 N. Western Ave.
flipswinebar.com | 405-843-1527
Packards New American Kitchen
201 NW 10th St.
packardsokc.com | 405-605-3771
Pelotón Cafe
900 N. Broadway Ave.
peletoncafeokc.com | 405-605-0513
Waffle Champion
1212 N. Walker Ave., Suite 100
wafflechampion.com | 405-525-9235
The Wedge Pizzeria
4709 N. Western Ave.
thewedgeokc.com | 405-602-3477
Laid-back
As a meal, brunch often carries an expectation of class and pomp that sounds kind of taxing, but that wasnt the initial point of the meal.
In 1895, Guy Beringer wrote a piece for Hunters Weekly called Brunch: A Plea and asked for a meal that would end the need to wake up early on Sunday and make life a bit easier on those who stay up late partying on Saturday nights.
Those who love the nightlife will find succor in the laid-back brunch at Guyutes, 730 NW 23rd St. The bar and restaurant is known for its upstairs patio, jamtastic soundtrack and a menu that leans heavily on stoner food. The place is named after a Phish song, after all.
Diners can choose from the eaterys selection of always-available lunch and dinner fare or order from its menu of excellent brunch dishes.
Its 23rd Street tacos ($9) blend tender barbacoa beef with scrambled eggs, tomatoes, green chile salsa and queso fresco. Its a breakfast that is at once filling for the day ahead and restorative for the night before. Guyutes has a fresh take on eggs Benedict with The Pisces ($14), pairing citrus-poached salmon and poached eggs with Texas toast and hollandaise. Instead of hash browns, the restaurant serves The Pisces with a side of its popular home fryz.
Guyutes
730 NW 23rd St.
guyutes.com | 405-702-6960
All About Cha
7300 N. Western Ave.
allaboutcha.net | 405-840-7725
Beverlys Pancake House
3315 Northwest Expressway
405-848-5050
Classen Grill
5124 N. Classen Blvd.
facebook.com/ClassenGrillOKC | 405-842-0428
Coffee Slingers Roasters
1015 N. Broadway Ave.
coffeeslingers.com | 405-609-1662
The Diner
213 E. Main St., Norman
facebook.com/TheDinerNorman | 405-329-6642
District House
1755 NW 16th St.
districthouseokc.com | 405-633-1775
Eggingtons
737 W. Danforth Road, Edmond
eggingtons.com | 405-285-1580
Elemental Coffee Roasters
815 N. Hudson Ave.
elementalcoffee.com | 405-604-9766
Florences Restaurant
1437 NE 23rd St.
florencesrestaurant.com | 405-427-3663
Good Gravy! Diner
8014 N. Western Ave.
405-761-8886
The Hash Retro Diner
1149 E. Second St., Edmond
facebook.com/hrdedmond | 405-471-6747
Hungry Frog Restaurant
1101 N. Pennsylvania Ave.
facebook.com/The-Hungry-Frog-Diner | 405-524-0686
Ingrids
3701 N. Youngs Blvd.
ingridsok.com | 405-946-8444
Jeffs Country Cafe
3401 N. Classen Blvd.
405-524-2023
Jims Diner
6317 N. Meridian Ave.
jimsdinerok.com | 405-495-5105
Joeys Cafe
12325 N. May Ave.
joeyscafeok.com | 405-748-5878
Kamps 1910 Cafe
10 NE 10th St.
kamps1910cafe.net | 405-230-1910
Katies Country Griddle
229 S. Santa Fe Ave., Edmond
405-359-6372
Old School Bagel Cafe
211 N. Robinson Ave.
oldschoolbagelcafe.com | 405-778-8938
Pierre Pierre Crêperie
7 NW Ninth St.
pierrepierreokc.com | 405-600-9494
Pops
6447 Avondale Drive
pops66.com | 405-446-8767
Sherris Diner
704 SW 59th St.
405-634-4796
Stevies Cafe
6072 S. Western Ave.
405-631-8300
Exotic
If the idea of another plate of eggs Benedict prompts a yawn, dont fret Oklahoma City is home to many nontraditional brunch spots, as well.
Experiencing the dim-sum brunch at Grand House Asian Bistro, 2701 N. Classen Blvd., is unlike just about any other meal in the city. Servers wheel around carts filled with tasty samples of dumplings, noodles, buns and porridges. Take one from the cart and theyll mark a card on your table. When you check out, they add up all the little plates and charge you for the total.
The hours are a bit more forgiving than other brunches, as Grand House opens at 9 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays. That is good knowledge to have when you want to have a fun gathering but dont want to wait until almost lunchtime to eat.
The same is true for Bethany-based Birrieria Diaz, 6700 NW 39th St. The Mexican restaurant opens at 9 a.m. daily and serves breakfast all day. The traditional huevos rancheros ($7.99) are excel-
lent, but spice lovers might find it worthwhile to try huevos Mexicanos ($7.99). The dish blends scrambled eggs with onions, tomatoes and diced serrano peppers for a potent kick.
Birreria Diaz is best known for birria, a spicy consomme made with lamb or beef. Much like Vietnamese pho, birria is good for breakfast, lunch or dinner. The restaurant also serves beer and micheladas, a cerveza preparada, or kind of beer-bloody mary hybrid that is especially good on hot days.
Grand House Asian Bistro
2701 N. Classen Blvd.
grandhouseokc.com | 405-524-7333
Birrieria Diaz
6700 NW 39th St., Bethany
facebook.com/birriaok | 405-603-1304
Aja Bleu Cafe
2222 W. Hefner Road, Suite A
405-607-0553
Barrios Fine Mexican Dishes
1000 N. Hudson Ave.
barriosmexicanokc.com | 405-702-6922
Big Truck Tacos
530 NW 23rd St.
bigtrucktacos.com | 405-525-8226
Cafe Antigua
1903 N. Classen Blvd.
facebook.com/cafeantigua1 | 405-602-8984
Cafe Kacao
3325 N. Classen Blvd.
cafekacao.comm | 405-602-2883
Cultivar Mexican Kitchen
714 N. Broadway Ave.
cultivarmexicankitchen.com | 405-610-2676
Guernsey Park
2418 N. Guernsey Ave.
guernseypark.com | 405-605-5272
Iguana Mexican Grill
9 NW Ninth St.
iguanamexicangrill.com | 405-606-7172
La Oaxaqueña Bakery
741 SW 29th St.
405-635-0442
The Loaded Bowl
1211 SW Second St.
theloadedbowltruck.com | 405-820-9599
Pizzeria Gusto
2415 N. Walker Ave.
pizzeria-gusto.com | 405-437-4992
The Red Cup
3122 N. Classen Blvd.
theredcupokc.com | 405-525-3430
Anything goes
The most successful restaurants know that specificity is key. Knowing your clientele is valuable because it allows the kitchen staff to focus on making a smaller menu better instead of trying to please everyone. Yet there are those few for whom doing one thing well isnt an option. Some restaurants must cater to a larger cross-section of guests because thats the clientele. To see it done right, one need only look at Flint, 15 N. Robinson Ave., the restaurant inside Colcord Hotel.
Because it caters to travelers as well as residents, Flint is expert at pleasing guests. Its common to see a group wearing business suits next to a table filled with guests wearing jeans and baseball caps. The kitchen staff works at peak capacity, handling diners in the restaurant as well as room service for the hotel.
The bar is fully stocked and serves special bloody mary variations every weekend. And when weather permits, the patio gives guests a great view of Myriad Botanical Gardens.
Flint
15 N. Robinson Ave.
flintokc.com | 405-605-0657
Cafe 501
5825 NW Grand Blvd.
cafe501.com | 405-844-1501 and
501 S. Boulevard, Edmond
405-359-1501
Cattlemens Steakhouse
1309 S. Agnew Ave.
cattlemensrestaurant.com | 405-236-0416
Ember Modern American Tavern
6300 Waterford Blvd.
embertavern.com | 405-858-2490
Legends Restaurant
1313 W. Lindsey St., Norman
legendsrestaurant.com | 405-329-8888
Park Avenue Grill
1 Park Ave.
skirvinhilton.com | 405-702-8444
Picasso Cafe
3009 Paseo St.
picassosonpaseo.com | 405-602-2002
syrup.
123 E. Main St., Norman
syrup-breakfast.com | 405-701-1143
Print headline: Lets do brunch; Heres your field guide to the perfect late-morning cocktail toast and meal.