Lola's Brings Food Truck Trend to North Tulsa

By Paige Bennett

Photo Courtesy of Lola's Gypsy Caravan on FaceBook

Lola's Gypsy Caravan, on the corner of 11^th and Peoria, offers a unique dining experience for Tulsans.

Tulsa native, Lola Palazzo, opened the food truck in May, 2012 after vacationing on the East Coast. She said that she loved the community atmosphere offered by food trucks and thought it would be a fun idea to start at home.

The location on historic Route 66 “was just kind of a happy accident!” said Palazzo. The Mexican-based menu is a hit among many locals. This is a must-see stop on Tulsa’s stretch of Route 66.

Giving The Perfect Touch in South Tulsa

By Grace Doyle 

Usually neglected in the past, South Tulsa is now home to many little treasures. The Perfect Touch gift store is one of those little treasures located at 91^st and Yale. Once you walk in you are struck with the wonderful aroma of candles, lotions and perfumes.  

Owners, Des Bennett and her husband, Pat, have made the store their passion. Since March of 1993, The Perfect Touch has grown into a happy community that strives to satisfy customers with the best service around. Once you become a regular, they know you on a first name basis.

Main front entrance of The Perfect Touch where holiday goodies are put on display. 

The Perfect Touch is the perfect place to find any type of collectable. The store holds everything from frames, Vera Bradley, Brighton, candies, and plenty of gifts for family, loved ones, and friends. 

Bennett states that she wants “customers to leave happier than when they entered”. I did just that when I left the store with a Bunny figurine for my mom, some chocolate caramels for me, and a smile on my face. 

Tally's Cafe, Good Food

By Paige Patterson

 

Inside of Tally's Cafe.

 Tally’s Cafe is located on the Historic Route 66 at 11^th and Yale. Tally’s is a restaurant like I have never seen before by allowing their customers to travel back in time. 

It has a unique 50s style to it with their music they play, their furniture, and their decorations around the whole place. Checkered floors with red booths and chairs cover the area. Tally’s is definitely a vintage type place you should experience to go back in time.

While it seems to attract the elderly generation, it is still a neat place to visit. Tally's has more to it than just its looks, the food is all homemade and has about everything you can imagine on its menu. The slogan says it all, it is, “Good food!”

All lit up at night.

Circle Cinema offers an old alternative to movie theaters

By Mason Morgan

The outside of the cinema showcases its retro style

At the newly renovated Circle Cinema, going to a movie is an event again.

No more wandering through a multiplex of theaters, only to sit in a nearly empty room watching almost an hour of essentially commercials until the movie begins at the local theater off of 1^st and Lewis. The Circle Cinema’s purpose is to appreciate the moviegoer and reward him or her with an enjoyable experience.

I went with a few friends to see “The Visitor”, a horror-psychedelic film from 1979 as part of the cinema’s double feature scary movie Saturday night. There were no commercials or previews. The owner of the cinema came up to the front of the small theater and talked about what we were about to watch and some upcoming events at the cinema and then the movie started.

The movie was undoubtedly strange but the experience was well worth my time.

Homestyle Cooking at Affordable Prices: Ron's Burgers and Chili

By: Meghan McLaughlin

Rootbeer and Cheesburger at Ron's

Enjoying a burger at Ron's

If you are in the mood for a quick, affordable burger and ice cold root beer, Ron’s Hamburgers and Chili is sure to hit the spot Delicious food, friendly service, and a casual atmosphere are some of the reasons that Ron’s has been voted one of the best burgers in Oklahoma. 

Started by a husband and wife over 25 years ago, today Ron’s Hamburgers and Chili has 18 locations in Oklahoma, and one in Arkansas and Texas. This locally operated and family owned chain of diners have been extremely successful in the restaurant industry. A seat yourself style diner, Ron's is the perfect spot for an affordable family dinner, or casual, quick bite to eat with friends. While they are most famous for their old-fashioned style hamburgers, which are thin, greasy and full of flavor as the chili is also highly recommended and has even won some awards in Tulsa at chili cookoffs. Additionally, the fried okra and chili cheese fries are always a crowd pleaser.  

One twist they have on their normal burger is their sausage burger, which was invented years ago by mistake, when one of the employees bought sausage instead of beef. Today, people come from all across Oklahoma to enjoy this burger.

I highly recommend Ron's Burgers and Chili as different yet high-quality switch up to your normal "go-to" fast food restaurant. For more information, locations, and to see a menu, check out www.ronschili.com.

Classic Cigars Offers the Best Cigars in Tulsa

By Otto Harrison

While a cigar bar’s aim is to cater to cigar aficionados, Classic Cigars in Downtown Tulsa has established an atmosphere to suit the businessman or the college student. 

Tulsa’s only 5 star cigar bar features a full bar, an outdoor patio, and a large indoor humidor. The environment is ideal for studying or for private discussion amongst peers.

I was able to overhear much political and private discussion between patrons at Classic Cigars; it seems to be a close-by getaway from the hectic and stressful urban life in the Metropolitan area.

Hundreds of rare high-quality cigars

Inside the large humidor you can find a cigar for any budget

Classic Cigars & Lounge is located at 118 N. Boston Tulsa, OK, United States, 74103

Ron's Hamburgers and Chili: One Man's Dream Becomes a Family Tradition

Enjoying a famous Ron's burger

                                        

                                           

By Olivia Lyons

Ron's Hamburgers and Chili started as one man's dream to open and run his own restaurant quickly became a family tradition and voted one of Tulsa's favorite burger places. 

Ron's came into business in 1975 and has grown to eighteen locations throughout Oklahoma, including two locations in Arkansas and one in Texas. Not only is Ron's a family business, but its
quaint atmosphere is welcoming to families and friends wanting good food and easy conversation.

Ron's Hamburgers and Chili was awarded four stars by the International Chili Society and was voted "Best Hamburger and Chili" by the Urban Tulsa Weekly. I have been going to Ron's ever since I was little and have continued to go with my friends and family throughout the years.

When visiting Ron's a few nights ago, the restaurant was alive with conversation from the regulars to the group of firefighters coming in to enjoy a delicious and inexpensive dinner. All and all Ron's is a staple to Tulsa's community and is just a small part of what makes Tulsa special. 

For more information, go to www.ronschili.com

Ron's Hamburgers and Chili

Shades of Brown Caters to Coffee Lovers

By Rachel Roberts

Coffee Bar in Shades of Brown

Located in the heart of Brookside, Shades of Brown offers a warm and welcoming atmosphere.  At Shades, you can enjoy a fresh cup of coffee, read a book, study for an exam, or catch up with friends.

Walking into the small coffee shop on 33rd and Peoria, I was immediately greeted by a friendly face.  The barista helped me choose from the long list of drinks offered.

Tucked away in the back of the coffee shop are two rooms.  At one table, a group of friends were playing cards and at the other, two students were studying for an exam.

Shades of Brown's walls are covered with art from locals as well as jewelry, journals, and CD's that are all for sale. 

The coffee shop is open from 6:30 a.m. until midnight weekdays and 8:00 a.m. to midnight on weekends. 

Al Sultan Offers a Piece of the Middle East

By Yasmine Elbaitari

The front entrance to the restaurant.

For a unique dining experience, Al Sultan doesn't disappoint.

It’s a warm space, with a welcoming atmosphere and employees who guarantee you try nothing but the best dishes. The food is wonderful and diverse, ranging from kebabs to burgers, and full of flavor. My personal favorite are the beef kebabs.

There’s a small Middle Eastern market beside the restaurant that offers a range of products from spices to hookahs to yogurt drinks. It’s quaint but full of interesting finds. 

Al Sultan Grill and Bakery is located on the Northwest corner of 51st & Mingo. 

For more information, visit http://www.alsultangrillandbakery.com.

Ali Baba is in town! A new family restaurant opens up near TU campus.

By Rejie Shetty


Who knew the circus was in town? Not only that it was in my mouth! Opened recently located at 11th St. between Delaware and Lewis,the restaurant is owned by a family whose head chef also happens to be the father of the household.

As I enter the warm smell and aroma of cooked rice and meat fill the air blending in with the chef's welcome. When I stepped up to the counter to order a jolly man with a goatee answers and gives me his advice on what i should order with some extra jokes and laughs on the side.

The front entrance of the restaurant.

I said, “So what do you recommend, the lamb ?”

Chef said, “For you no lamb,I give you the chicken,it’s good, please take seat.”

I noticed the cozy, warm atmosphere when suddenly the food arrives freshly made, unable to hold myself back any longer I dig in. As the chef parts I take my time finishing the meal. I was very satisfied that I hadn’t gotten the lamb and taken the chef’s advice. I ate until I the plate was shining as a mirror, "No more" I thought as I looked around, was I the only one? Every satisfied customer shared laughs and a bountiful meal, with the thoughts "I can’t wait to come back again", I head to the cashier. 

With my wallet around 10.50$ lighter I feel better and more satisfied, leaving to have a wonderful day.

Coming Soon: New Stories about Humans of Tulsa

 By John Coward
 
People are interesting. Everyone has a story—and people like to read about the other people. That's the big idea behind the 2014 edition of Tulsa Street Stories.

On this site, we will be telling stories of about the humans of Tulsa. We'll take their pictures. We'll share their experiences and dreams and disappointments. We'll make connections between one person and another right here in T-town. That’s what I want my students to do this semester.

I love this idea, but it’s not my original idea. In fact, the Humans of Tulsa idea was inspired by (or stolen, to put it more boldly) from a popular New York City site called (surprise!) Humans of New York (www.humansofnewyork.com). That site offers wonderful glimpses into the lives of New Yorkers and its creator, Brandon Stanton, deserves all the credit for this idea.

What I want to do is bring some of this journalistic energy and excitement to Tulsa. This is not New York, of course, but the people of Tulsa have plenty of interesting stories to tell. That’s what I want to do on this site.

More officially, Tulsa Street Stories is an online journalism project of my spring 2014 news gathering class at the University of Tulsa. Starting soon, my students will be looking for interesting—no, amazing—stories from the humans of Tulsa. Watch this space.

–Prof. John Coward, Faculty of Communication Contact: 918-631-2542 or john-coward@utusla.edu