5745 Martin Luther King 427-3500
In July, this Boom-a-rang jumped in all the way with both feet! Hardworking cooks are selling the heck out of its fresh, handpattied hamburgers, chicken-fried steak and catfish. Boom-a-rang also has deep-fried pickles, and they are not bashful about telling anyone that everything is made from scratch. There is absolutely no frozen stuff being thawed at this place. The fried pies are fabulous.
$$ Burgers and more
Taj Cuisine of India
1500 N.W. 23rd 601-1888
One of the most challenging things about owning a restaurant is that you must constantly reinvent yourselves — each customer’s experience must be the best for him or her. At Taj, which just opened in a new location, people can once again satisfy their craving for authentic Indian food. From the lamb curry, chicken curry or tikka masala with its marinated chicken, everything pleases.
$$ Indian
Green & Grilled
8547 N. Rockwell 563-2605
With room for 50 inside, there are grilled meats and vegetables, plus soup and salads. Opened early this month, the owner is seeing repeat customers already. Green & Grilled has grilled steak, chicken, pork, veal and grilled tofu. All the salads are vegetarian except for the spinach-bacon salad. For a rich finale, enjoy the caramel flan, the sugarfree brownies or a piece of pineapplezucchini cake.
$$ American and Hispanic
Patty Wagon
7601 N. May 479-721-1327
Follow the newly opened Patty Wagon on Twitter. Keep in mind that this food truck features good-for-you, lean burgers made from hormone-free beef. The substantial buns are made from a sweet sourdough with no high-fructose corn syrup. It also has french fries and fountain drinks. Patty Wagon is owned by Bryce Musick, who brought along his years of experience in the food business.
$$ Healthy burgers
Acapulco Mexican Bar & Grill
3044 Classen Blvd., Norman 321-4009
Newly opened in the middle of July, Acapulco has its liquor license for a full bar. Owner Martin Martinez with his son, Martin Martinez Jr., offers special authentic items from the south of Mexico and several that Martinez Sr. came up with himself. Look for a salsa done with pineapple and poblano peppers, good beef tips and a burrito that comes in beef or chicken served over a salad.
$$ Mexican
Bandoleros VIP Mexican Grill
5714 S. Shields Blvd. 631-8320
Bandoleros opened about five months ago, and the owner found out he’s got a hit with his thinly sliced beef steak. He personally marinates that dish and dusts it with special spices and adds sautéed onions and tomatoes. Another good option is the portobello fajita that is flying out of the kitchen. Try the traditional fajita, the caramel flan or the rice pudding.
$$ Mexican
Louie’s Bar & Grill
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7300 N. Western 843-3100
Perched right in Nichols Hills near Bin 73, the latest Louie’s opened its doors in late July. It has a new salad called the BBLT made with bacon, chicken, bleu cheese, romaine and tomatoes. Also look for a southwest burger and a chickenbasil platter. For dessert, try the bananas Foster cheesecake (on rotation) or the turtle cheesecake.
$$ American
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$$: up to $15
$$$: $15-$30
$$$$: above $30
—Carol Smaglinski, photos by Mark Hancock, Shannon Cornman and Lindsey Cooper
