Chili Season

Only a few minutes from downtown, Ike's Kitchens is a new restaurant open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and the best part is that it is conveniently located for downtowners just north of I-244 and Utica (in the former Quik Trip building).

Long-time Tulsans will surely know the Ike's name and this restaurant has some connection to the Ike's Chili family, having bought the rights to use their chili recipe. Ike's Kitchens is a simple place, clean and bright, with ample eating space to dine comfortably. There's nothing fancy, but when it comes to good chili, who cares?

Orders are taken at a counter, and the service is very friendly and accommodating. A full breakfast menu is available all day which includes the basic yet filling and tasty breakfast items such as sausage, bacon, ham, eggs, omelets, pancakes, biscuits and gravy, has browns, home fries and toast. The Western Omelet is the most expensive item at $4.99.

The lunch and dinner menus are filled with salads, sandwiches, Nathan's dogs (since 1916 beginning as a nickel dog at Coney Island, NY), BBQ and chili combinations. This particular evening, I was dining with a small group which include small children.

They loved the place--the tables, the self-serve drink counter, the chips and candy counter, the self-serve condiment area and, of course, the television in the corner. The adults enjoyed the ease of dining. And the management seemed pleased to have the business.

We began with an order of Fried Mozzarella ($3.99) and Fried Mushrooms ($2.99), which arrived in perfect form. The Fried Mozzarella was coated with a crust that kept the melted cheese inside until the first bite was taken. The kids loved these cheese sticks. The adults, almost equally, enjoyed the fried mushrooms, which came with a ranch dipping sauce.

I have always enjoyed 3-way chili, so my order was just that--a large plate ($5.50) of pasta, chili with beans and topped with onions and grated cheese which melted perfectly on top. The pasta was soft and the chili was mild, not too spicy, but had a good, basic flavor to it. (A little salt perfected the taste.)

This large portion (it also comes in the small size for $4) was very filling and tasty--the chili and pasta combo is different, yet satisfying to a hungry diner.

Another adult ordered a double meat BBQ dinner with two sides ($9.99). The two meats selected were ribs and chopped beef brisket. Sides included baked beans and French Fries. The meat was smoked well, very tasty, and with the BBQ sauces--spicy and mild--made a great evening meal. The beans were very good, with bits of meat about which added some depth to the stew.

One child ordered breakfast for her dinner--two eggs over easy, bacon, toast and hashbrowns ($3.99) She loved it! All was cooked to her liking; she especially enjoyed the taste of the bacon and the hashbrowns.

Other items sampled and shared were BBQ bologna, a side of cole slaw and a Chef Salad ($4.99). The children (and adults) enjoyed the tender bologna. The Salad was a typical salad of this kind, with plenty of iceberg lettuce and eggs, cheese and ham.

Other items at Ike's Kitchens include Sandwiches (Philly Steak, Grilled Chicken Wrap, Grilled Ham & Cheese, BLT); Nathan's Hot Dog (Plain, NY Style, Chicago Style); Hamburger; Cheeseburger; Frito Pie and more. Ike's Kitchens also does catering.

Ike's Kitchens is a quick in and out place for lunch, just north of I-244 at the Utica exit. It is worth a visit.

Ike's Kitchens

12 N. Utica

398-7272

Hours:

Mon.-Fri. 7am-7pm

Sat.-Sun. 7am-2pm

Rating:

Atmosphere ****

Food ****

Service ****