Chili Weather

"A Chili for All Seasons" says the sign posted in front of Ike's Chili, located in a strip mall on Admiral, between Sheridan and Memorial.

Moreover, the heartwarming story of Ike's Chili is told in an article printed in 1936 on the back of each menu:

"When the original Ike Johnson established his first modest little 'parlor' down by the old Frisco depot more than 25 years ago, there was no lowlier food than chili. As a member of the food family it was just common folks and occupied the very lowest rung on the social ladder. It was openly sneered at by the Social Register and the hot dog was much higher up on the social scale.

"But the artful hand of Ike Johnson was cunning and chili grew rapidly in grace, became succulent and savory, and finally the chosen dish of the elite and the masses. He added here and he took away there. He tested meats for ideal cooking temperatures and he worked on the peppery flavor incessantly until finally he evolved a marvelous recipe that made chili such that the haughtiest dowager's mouth watered like an overflowed basement. .

Ike's clientele became a cross-section of growing Tulsa. Banking leaders, oil and petroleum tycoons, capitalists, retail magnates, . . . clerks, stenographers, salesmen, bookkeepers, craftsmen came to hunch over the bowls of chili and sniff appreciatively its appetizing odors."

More than four generations later, this home grown recipe for chili continues to please customers in Tulsa. As a child I recall many times enjoying a family dinner at Ike's, at the original downtown location, and it was with zeal that I was to return after many years.

Walking into Ike's Chili, my dining companion and I immediately felt at home; the dining area is large and very clean and inviting. Tables are available, as well as a bar for dining on the quick or dining for one.

Ike's menu is simple, and with this simplicity is the perfection of the one item Ike's is known for: chili. The menu consists of Straight Chili in three sizes: Regular, $3.60; Special, $4.30; and Double, $4.90. Other items include Chili & Spaghetti (Regular, $3.45; Special, $4.25; Double, $4.80; Triple $5.65); Three Way (Chili, Beans and Spaghetti in the four sizes); Chili & Beans; Coney (Large Oscar Meyer, lots of chili, real cheddar cheese and onions); Hot Dog; Frito Pies (small $4.20 and large $5.20); Dessert (cobblers with ice cream) and Drinks.

I have always enjoyed the mixture of chili and spaghetti, so there was no question I was going for the Double "Three Way." My friend ordered a small Frito Pie. We both ordered Cheese, Jalapenos, and Onions to add on top for a few cents more. Within a few minutes, our order was served hot to our table.

My Double Three Way was a full plate of chili with beans and spaghetti. It was warm, filling, and rich with flavor.

"A Chili for All Seasons" says the sign posted in front of Ike's Chili, located in a strip mall on Admiral, between Sheridan and Memorial.

Moreover, the heartwarming story of Ike's Chili is told in an article printed in 1936 on the back of each menu:

"When the original Ike Johnson established his first modest little 'parlor' down by the old Frisco depot more than 25 years ago, there was no lowlier food than chili. As a member of the food family it was just common folks and occupied the very lowest rung on the social ladder. It was openly sneered at by the Social Register and the hot dog was much higher up on the social scale.

"But the artful hand of Ike Johnson was cunning and chili grew rapidly in grace, became succulent and savory, and finally the chosen dish of the elite and the masses. . . . He added here and he took away there. He tested meats for ideal cooking temperatures and he worked on the peppery flavor incessantly until finally he evolved a marvelous recipe that made chili such that the haughtiest dowager's mouth watered like an overflowed basement. . .

Ike's clientele became a cross-section of growing Tulsa. Banking leaders, oil and petroleum tycoons, capitalists, retail magnates, . . . clerks, stenographers, salesmen, bookkeepers, craftsmen came to hunch over the bowls of chili and sniff appreciatively its appetizing odors."

More than four generations later, this home grown recipe for chili continues to please customers in Tulsa. As a child I recall many times enjoying a family dinner at Ike's, at the original downtown location, and it was with zeal that I was to return after many years.

Walking into Ike's Chili, my dining companion and I immediately felt at home; the dining area is large and very clean and inviting. Tables are available, as well as a bar for dining on the quick or dining for one.

Ike's menu is simple, and with this simplicity is the perfection of the one item Ike's is known for: chili. The menu consists of Straight Chili in three sizes: Regular, $3.60; Special, $4.30; and Double, $4.90. Other items include Chili & Spaghetti (Regular, $3.45; Special, $4.25; Double, $4.80; Triple $5.65); Three Way (Chili, Beans and Spaghetti in the four sizes); Chili & Beans; Coney (Large Oscar Meyer, lots of chili, real cheddar cheese and onions); Hot Dog; Frito Pies (small $4.20 and large $5.20); Dessert (cobblers with ice cream) and Drinks.

I have always enjoyed the mixture of chili and spaghetti, so there was no question I was going for the Double "Three Way." My friend ordered a small Frito Pie. We both ordered Cheese, Jalapenos, and Onions to add on top for a few cents more. Within a few minutes, our order was served hot to our table.

My Double Three Way was a full plate of chili with beans and spaghetti. It was warm, filling, and rich with flavor. The chili was a perfect blend of spices, with just enough beef and beans with each bite. The taste was not too spicy and not too mild--ideal for all tastes.

For an extra kick, however, Ike's provides a varied selection of hot sauces: Cain's Chili Powder, Red crushed pepper, Ike's Flaming Inferno Habanero Sauce, Ike's Flaming Hot Sauce, Louisiana Hot Sauce, Tabasco, Heinz 57, and even ketchup.

My friend's Frito Pie was most enjoyable. He particularly enjoyed the mixing of crispy and soft textures and the salty, corn taste of the Fritos with the tomato and mild spices of the chili. Both meals were served with a fork and spoon--we used both utensils to help scoop each bite.

We were so impressed with our meals that we ordered a Coney ($2.35) and a quart of Straight Chili ($8.60) to go. After a few hours and a brief stint in a microwave, the Coney tasted perfectly fresh! Lots of Cheddar Cheese and chili complemented the modest Oscar Meyer hot dog.

Gift Certificates for Ike's would make a great gift; also parties may be booked and Ike's also caters events. On these cold, early spring, winter-like days, Ike's chili has definitely advanced up the "social scale."

Ike's Chili is an ideal stop for a filling meal to warm the body and the spirit!

Ike's Chili

5941 E. Admiral Pl.

838-9410

Hours:

Mon.-Fri. 10am-7pm

Sat. 10am-3pm

Rating:

Atmosphere ****

Food *****

Service *****