There are those beloved restaurants Okies famous road-trip for: Meers and Eischen's and the like. But the restaurants included in our 2025 Food Worth the Drive feature are so good, you'll have road trips and food-related side quests all year long. The following is a selection of six of the nineteen restaurants included in our 2025 roundup. For the full list of restaurants, view the January-February 2025 issue of Oklahoma Today.

Fresco’s Mexican Bar and Grill

Fresco's Mexican Bar and Grill in Ada. Photo by Saxon Smith

By Sheilah Bright
On the front edge of Ada’s North Hills Centre sits a fresh Mexican grill proud of its signature ingredients—a blend of Mexican spices and dedicated employees. Diners at Fresco’s Mexican Bar and Grill can take the heat with chicken, fish, spicy machaca, or carnitas for tacos, burritos, bowls, or nachos, then cool down with flavored yogurt like Salted Pretzel.

“Everything here is made from scratch. We even hand-cut our steaks. Our carnitas’ special ingredient is cloves, which surprises people,” says employee Misty Adams.

General Manager Joe Tabaei, who employs and helps train drug court graduates, credits the grill’s friendly service and fresh, unique ingredients with keeping the restaurant busy year-round—including Christmas.

PRO TIP: Ask for a sample of machaca or the clove-spiced pork and match your salsa and soothing yogurt refreshment to your spice tolerance.

WHEN AND WHERE:
10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday
1010 Lonnie Abbott Boulevard
(580) 332-2959
facebook.com/frescosmexicangrill

Just Brew It Coffee House

Just Brew It Coffee House in Altus. Photo by Saxon Smith

By Ben Luschen
Altus residents might remember stopping at the Grapevine Cafe tearoom for a chicken salad sandwich. This local tradition remains today thanks to the work of Shannon and April Preston, owners of the Just Brew It Coffee House in the Grapevine’s former space. Using beans and loose-leaf tea from Coffee Masters, the baristas can create any hot drink customers ask for—plus decadent iced creations like a Brown Sugar Cinnamon Delight with caramel cold foam or the espresso-boosted frozen Java Mud Slide. But in the early days of Just Brew It, the Prestons would always get visitors asking them if they were the late and beloved Grapevine.

“They’d say, ‘Can’t you make that chicken salad sandwich they used to make?’” recalls April.

Wisely, Just Brew It opened a kitchen to meet the demand. Customers can order Boozie’s Chicken Salad Sandwich lightly whipped with a great snap from fresh bits of apple, grapes, and celery. They also sell an extensive list of hot sandwiches, paninis, and salads. The parlor with homestyle furnishings and a warm skylight makes visitors nostalgic for a slower time—even if they’ve never been to Altus before. Sometimes, you really can go home again.

PRO TIP: In a hurry? Not to worry: Just Brew It added drive-through service in 2020. Just pull up to the window, ring the buzzer, and order the soup of the day or anything from the coffee shop’s full drink and food menu to-go.

WHEN AND WHERE:
7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday
106 West Cypress Street
(580) 482-7007
justbrewitcoffee.com

Captain John's

Captain John's, with locations in Eufaula and McAlester. Photo by Lori Duckworth

By Karlie Ybarra
Typically, water is a boon for seafood restaurants, but shortly after Captain John’s opened near Lake Eufaula in 2015, a flood devastated the area. People clamored for the golden-fried bounty of catfish, shrimp, and alligator—as well as perfectly seared steaks and burgers, Cajun favorites including crawfish étouffée, curated cocktails, and more—so the Captain was resurrected in 2017, this time in McAlester.

The siren song of Lake Eufaula never quieted, however, so in 2022, that location was rebuilt better—and taller—than ever. After all, where better to enjoy pan-seared red snapper in a creamy rémoulade with jalapeño cornbread and hush puppies and a slice of white chocolate blueberry brûlée cheesecake for dessert than by the shores of one of eastern Oklahoma’s best-loved lakes?—Karlie Ybarra

PRO TIP: Through March, the Eufaula location lets customers reserve igloo tents for two hours, where up to six people can warm up while enjoying games and lake views.

WHEN AND WHERE:
The Eufaula location is open 4 to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.
412 Lakeshore Drive in Eufaula
(539) 269-2149
The McAlester location is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
1216 South George Nigh Expressway in McAlester
(918) 423-4449
captjohnsok.com

Pressa Italia

Pressa Italia in Hochatown. Photo by Saxon Smith

By Karlie Ybarra
With its gorgeous wooded hills, lakeside fun, and luxurious cabins, Hochatown has become a haven for city dwellers to get a taste of the country. But for those whose palates crave refinement, Pressa Italia has become one of the resort town’s favorite spots to enjoy a fine Italian wine, a sumptuous plate of pasta or pizza, and an evening that fills the soul as well as the belly.

Naturally, the best meals begin with the finest ingredients, and owner Natalie Taylor-Cross and her team settle for nothing less. Hochabow, the development Taylor-Cross and her husband are building into an upscale dining and retail hub for the region, has its own greenhouse out back just for growing fresh herbs.

Mike Owens—the head chef who’s worked with the likes of Dean Fearing and Anthony Bourdain—crafted a menu of beloved favorites like lasagna, Pappardelle Bolognese, and his famous La Pepperoni pizza, its namesake meat so crispy and flavorful it defies belief. At Pressa, travelers will enjoy a meal as sumptuous as southeastern Oklahoma itself.

PRO TIP: Pressa’s take and go market has an array of fine cheeses, truffle and olive oil, wine, home goods, and more for customers who’d rather enjoy a luxurious European meal in the comfort of their cabin.

WHEN AND WHERE:
11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Monday
6427 North U.S. Highway 259
(539) 399-5445
pressaitalia.com

Nami Korean Japanese Restaurant

Nami Korean Japanese Restaurant in Lawton. Photo by Saxon Smith

By Ben Luschen
Due to nearby Fort Sill, Lawton is one of the best places in the state to turn to for international flavor. Nami Korean Japanese Restaurant is a place diners can venture as far from familiar tastes as they’re willing and walk away satisfied no matter where they settle.

Jjigae might not be as common as pho or ramen on local menus, but this is no lesser soup. Think of it as more of a chunky stew with tofu; generous cuts of beef, mushrooms, or seafood; and vegetables simmering in a vibrant broth that arrives at the table bubbling in a hot stone bowl. It’s still a bit too hot to eat, but that has to be why Koreans invented banchan—small plates and relishes served cold, like kimchi, bean sprouts, and a light cucumber salad with plenty of steamed rice on the side. Once the jjigae has cooled enough, the rice can be mixed in to soak up all that flavor.

Bulgogi is a dish that is Korean in origin but definitely fits on Oklahoma’s beef-loving palate. Richly marinated steak and vegetables arrive at the table steaming and aromatic. The sweet and salty beef can be ordered either as a traditional dish or over French fries for a shareable appetizer sure to please adventurous and reserved eaters alike.

PRO TIP: Though most known for Korean fare, Nami also serves some of the best and freshest sushi in town. Ask for the Chef’s Special roll, featuring salmon, tuna, and crab, plus avocado, cream cheese, and cucumber.

WHEN AND WHERE:
11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday
6742 Northwest Cache Road
(580) 510-3161
facebook.com/namilawton

Spirals: Hot Dogs & More

Spirals: Hot Dogs & More in Norman. Photo by Lori Duckworth

By Kiersten Stone
Talk about a vital twist: Spirals: Hot Dogs & More opened its doors in late summer 2020 and gained a following as one of Norman’s hidden gems. But after a photo of owner Scott Hosek looking out at an empty parking lot went viral in December 2023, the once-struggling business can hardly be called hidden any longer: Normanites turned out in droves, and the response was covered on local news stations.

Thanks to the internet’s magic, these specialty hot dogs are hot in demand for both locals and travelers alike. From menu items like the Bassdog—chili, cream cheese, shredded cheddar, white cheddar sauce, and “crumbles,”—crushed Honey BBQ Fritos—to the P B & Justin with creamy peanut butter and grape jelly with bacon and crumbles, there’s something for everyone.

“Everybody loves a good hot dog, but at the same time, if I can get a good hot dog for a fair price—and I’m stuffed when I walk out the door, not looking for my next—then I’m good,” Hosek says.

That’s just what Spirals offers: signature spiral-cut dogs that will be sure to satisfy, with a side of viral feel-good.

PRO TIP: Spirals: Hot Dogs & More also offers a multitude of extravagant snow cones year-round, including flavors such as the Big Top, Pickle Pucker, and Mystery Machine—or guests can create their own.

WHEN AND WHERE:
11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday
2203 West Main Street
spiralshotdogs.com

Written By

Ben Luschen

Luschen joined the *Oklahoma Today*’ staff as Research Editor in 2021 and currently works as the magazine's Web Editor, managing the website and social media fronts. His past *Oklahoma Today* stories have ranged in content from the state's bee and quail industries to its vibrant art and music scenes. Not adverse to a road trip, Luschen is always on the lookout for the next big adventure. He is never out of opinions about the current state of Oklahoma City Thunder basketball.