Love Letters/ Hate Mail

Ricardo's Revisited

(In response to "'Chile' Climate" in the April 29-May 5 issue of Urban Tulsa Weekly)

Dear Editor:

It's true that not much has changed at Ricardo's in 35 years. They've been serving consistent, fresh, diner-style Tex-Mex to generations of Tulsans. It's been owned and operated by a Tulsa family since long before the onslaught of Mexican Restaurants invaded town. In fact, it's the first Mexican Restaurant my father, a Tulsa native, remembers. It was his introduction to a lifetime love affair with Tex-Mex. And I know he is not the only local that learned to love Mexican food at Ricardo's.

Call it "Gringo-Mex" if you like, but all Tex-Mex is "Gringo-Mex." People like a consistent product; they know exactly what they're going to get at Ricardo's. That's why it is a Tulsa landmark.

I have been working at Ricardo's as a server and a bartender for nearly four years, while I've been finishing school. Over this period of time, I have come to know many of my customers personally. We visit when they come in for their usual favorite. I know what many of them want before they even sit down.

Come and see us on a Friday night, and you'll probably see customers visiting with each other. Ricardo's is more than a restaurant -- it's a community. And Ricardo's, as with all small businesses, is vital part of the local community. We do business with Tulsa; we support other local businesses and charities. I have worked at many restaurants over the years, but I stayed at Ricardo's because I know I work for good people. You just won't find this kind of environment at a corporate restaurant.

Your critic reviewed the food. I happen to disagree with his assessment, especially because I see the food and sauces being prepared fresh daily. But he missed the real story of Ricardo's, and that's really a shame.

-Kathryn Morris

Not Swayed

Dear Editor:

(Response to "Love Letters, Hate Mail" in the April 22-28, 2010 issue of Urban Tulsa Weekly)

I do not believe I've ever read such a bigoted opinion of Republicans as that of J. Ray Hunt. Not only did he write several outlandish lies and unsubstantiated accusations about a myriad of subjects but he slandered millions of Americans in the process. What is really pathetic is that he offered no debate or alternative to what he claims is ideologically wrong. I can only guess that his personal life sucks, and he is not receiving the entitlements he somehow deserves.

-Lee Gooch

Overrated

(Response to "A 'Trula' Good Experience" in the April 22-28, 2010 issue of Urban Tulsa Weekly)

Dear Editor:

This article must have been paid for. I had heard bad things about Trula but thought maybe the kinks had been worked out. Not so much. We missed the beginning of a concert because the service was so bad, not to mention the food was not at a proper temperature. In addition to the poor attitude of our server, I found comments online that mentioned to check your credit card statement for overcharges on the tips. Sure enough, two of our party had erroneous charges to their credit card.

-Ashley McCullough

Dear Editor:

I had lunch there a few months ago, testing the waters so to speak. I found the lunch menu to be adequate though the prices were a bit high for lunch downtown. Ordered the "chicken-fried-steak." Found this simple dish to be ill-prepared, i.e. unevenly cooked. The sides were nothing to brag about. Plus even for a moderate trencher such as myself, the amount of food served was not enough to get me through the afternoon. The service was slow at best. Not going back unless someone else is footing the bill.

-Red Sun

Something to Consider

Dear Editor:

I hope other Tulsa area residents are as upset with the BOK Center and Convention Center marketing Department as I am. They recently requested a bid from several local and at least one out of state company to update the website previously developed by a Tulsa business. The $30,000 job was awarded to the out of state company.

Why should this upset our local citizen's? Partly it's because any of the Tulsa companies could have done the work, and several were competitively priced. Even worse was that the reason given for choosing the North Carolina company was that they specialized in arena marketing. In fact, they were apparently buddies with the marketing director at the BOK Center and Convention Center. It's also likely that the decision was made before the bid package even went out, and the bid was only sent out for the sake of appearances. The local companies spent a lot of time and money preparing their bids, only to find they never had a chance.

But what is really frustrating is that the BOK Center was built with and the Convention Center renovated with Vision 2025 funds. That's our money. It's insulting for them to so callously send our money to out of state businesses. They should make every effort to keep that money in the Tulsa area. Tulsa area taxpayers should be treated better.

-Rick Bahlinger