There’s much more to Oklahoma than just the award-winning musical. The state is bursting with Black-owned restaurants across its cities. From Oklahoma City to Lawton, it’s impossible not to run across a Black-owned restaurant while traveling through the state.
Like many southwest states, Oklahoma has an array of culinary options to choose from. Whether it’s barbecue and soul food or vegan delicacies, there’s something for every foodie. Check out one of these 10 Black-owned restaurants the next time your travels land you in the Sooner State.
The Kitchen
Located in Oklahoma City, The Kitchen is a gem with some of the best soul food in the state. The restaurant has an extensive history. It began as a catering company inspired by the life of the owner’s son, who passed away from cancer. When the pandemic halted their catering business, they pivoted into restaurant mode and opened The Kitchen by B&B Catering. The restaurant now proudly serves the community with delicious soul food cooked fresh daily.
- Location: Oklahoma City, OK
- Type of Cuisine: Soul Food
- Menu Spotlight: Double Smothered Pork Chops
- Before You Go: Travelers will also find vegan options at this Oklahoma City restaurant.
Alpha Grill
Alpha Grill started as a beloved food truck in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Customers can now visit their brick-and-mortar location for incredible barbecue dishes with a twist. The restaurant is dedicated to using quality ingredients. They source from local farmer’s markets, and their staff is known for their top-notch hospitality. The food at Alpha Grill is made with love, and locals keep returning for more barbecue goodness. The restaurant invites guests to join them on a culinary journey and become a part of the Alpha Grill story.
- Location: Tulsa, OK
- Type of Cuisine: Barbecue
- Menu Spotlight: Barbecue Burrito
- Before You Go: Alpha Grill also provides catering services for those having events and large gatherings in Tulsa.
Eastside Pizza House
Eastside Pizza House owner Jabee wanted to bring his experiences with cuisines worldwide back to his home community in OKC. His vision manifested a super cool pizza parlor in the neighborhood with the highest population of African Americans. Locals love Eastside Pizza House. The restaurant is community-forward and invested in the advancement of the residents in East Oklahoma City. They are known for their signature black crust, unlike any pizza crust most have seen. Eastside Pizza House is a must-visit anytime you’re visiting OKC.
- Location: Oklahoma City, OK
- Type of Cuisine: Pizza Parlor
- Menu Spotlight: Deep Deuce
- Before You Go: Eastside Pizza House also has vegetarian options on the menu.
G’s AfriCaribbean Kitchen
For a unique culinary treat, visit G’s AfriCaribbean Kitchen. The restaurant is in Lawton, OK, about an hour and a half away from OKC. However, it’s worth the drive. G’s AfriCaribbean Kitchen merges all of your favorite African and Caribbean dishes. The menu stands out with creative dishes like oxtail ramen, peppered chicken, and even a few soul food-inspired entrees. For the most accurate menu and hours of operation, the restaurant’s TikTok page is the best place to find the latest updates.
@gs_africaribbean_kitchen OXTAIL LO MEIN 🔥😋#fyp#oxtaillomein#oxtail#jahbaci#yummyfood#caribbeanasianfusion#freshandhot#noshortcuts#flavors#bigportions#homemade#yourafricanandcaribbeanfoodplug#wecater#lawtonoklahoma ♬ Level Up – Ciara
- Location: Lawton, OK
- Type of Cuisine: African Caribbean Infusion
- Menu Spotlight: Oxtail Ramen
- Before You Go: Online reviews urge visitors to try the banana pudding at G’s the next time they stop by.
Mi Tea Lounge
Stop in for tea time or grab tea at the Mi Tea Lounge in Tulsa. The Black-owned tea shop has both hot and cold teas ready for visitors. The high-quality herbal teas come in various flavors, including Orange Swirl, Moroccan Mint, and Peach Oolong. Mi Tea is dedicated to health and wellness and offers health consultations and additional products to encourage wellness in the Tulsa community.
- Location: Tulsa, OK
- Type of Cuisine: Tea Lounge
- Menu Spotlight: Peach Oolong Tea
- Before You Go: This is also a great spot to grab sea moss gel imported from Zanzibar.
Florence’s Restaurant
One of the oldest Black-owned restaurants in Oklahoma, Florence’s Restaurant has served the Northeast Oklahoma City community since 1952. It’s known for its soul food delights, sweet potato fried chicken, and down-home hospitality. Florence Jones-Kemp opened the restaurant when running a business for Black Americans was difficult. Despite obstacles, the restaurant endured the test of time. Now, locals visit Florence’s regularly for a taste of homemade goodness.
- Location: Oklahoma City, OK
- Type of Cuisine: Soul Food
- Menu Spotlight: Sweet Potato Fried Chicken
- Before You Go: In 2022, Florence’s Restaurant won the prestigious James Beard Foundation Award.
Fulton Street Books And Coffee
Traveling bibliophiles will fall in love with Fulton Street Books and Coffee. The charming and quaint hybrid bookshop and coffee shop is a great place to grab a cup of coffee or an iced beverage and relax before exploring the city. The team at Fulton Street is serving up fresh coffee while on a mission to increase literacy in the community. It’s a cup of joe with a cause. They also have a variety of other drinks on the menu for non-coffee drinkers.
- Location: Tulsa, OK
- Type of Cuisine: Coffee Shop
- Menu Spotlight: Golden Tumeric Latte
- Before You Go: If you visit Tulsa often, you can join the Fulton Street FAM membership program for even more coffee and literary perks.
John And Cooks Real Pit BBQ
John & Cooks Real Pit BBQ is one of the oldest Black-owned restaurants in Oklahoma. The restaurant has been serving the Lawton community since 1936. With nearly 90 years of barbecue experience, it’s no wonder locals can’t get enough of the smoked perfections at John & Cooks. What started as a backyard cook-out-style eatery has blossomed into a family-owned empire with a legacy of barbecue expertise.
- Location: Lawton, OK
- Type of Cuisine: Barbecue
- Menu Spotlight: Beef Brisket
- Before You Go: John & Cooks BBQ also has locations in Maywood, Illinois and Santa Monica, California.
The Beet Box
Owned by two young entrepreneurs, The Beet Box is a vegan restaurant in OKC dedicated to health. The pair started the restaurant after one of them battled dire health issues. His ailments led him to a vegan lifestyle, and they sought to create recipes that still had an authentic soul food flavor. They aim to showcase vegan food as a tasty and nutritious option for everyone. Visitors in the city can find the food truck popping up around Oklahoma City weekly.
- Location: Oklahoma City, OK
- Type of Cuisine: Vegan
- Menu Spotlight: Unbeetable Nuggets
- Before You Go: Many Beet Box customers aren’t vegan but have fallen in love with the restaurant’s meatless options.
Catfish Bayou
The Catfish Bayou food truck is a favorite in Oklahoma City. Locals can’t get enough of its award-winning food. The staff goes above and beyond to create comfort food masterpieces. Catfish Bayou has a little of everything from traditional fried fish to loaded Hawaiian Pineapple Bowls. This Black-owned restaurant is a culinary treat for those who want hot, fresh food fast. You never know where the Catfish Bayou food truck will pop up in OKC.
- Location: Oklahoma City, OK
- Type of Cuisine: Comfort Food
- Menu Spotlight: Surf & Turf Loaf
- Before You Go: For an updated menu, check out the restaurant’s Instagram page.
Including Black-owned restaurants is key when mapping out a proper itinerary to experience Oklahoma. These restaurants add to the state’s colorful culinary landscape. Be sure to feed your bellies and souls at one of these restaurants on your next OKC visit.
