Rate-A-Restaurant #196: Mickey Mantle’s Steakhouse

Restaurant: Mickey Mantle’s Steakhouse

Location: 7 S Mickey Mantle Dr. (Oklahoma City)

Type of restaurant: Steakhouse

We stipulated: I was visiting my family in Oklahoma City, where my parents now live (my dad works for the FAA, FYI) — actually, I showed up unannounced in order to surprise my dad for his 60th birthday. After they got over their disappointment that Evan wasn’t a part of the ruse, my parents were still excited enough to see me. For my dad’s 60th, my parents had settled on splurging at Mickey Mantle’s — which, in all actuality, is quite a classy joint.

They stipulated: Like most steakhouses, the ala carte sides and veggies are served family style. Many of the steaks also come in 7 oz or 10 oz portions.

What we ordered: 7 oz. filet mignon ($28.95); 8 oz. prime top sirloin ($21.95); 12 oz. prime top sirloin ($25.95); 7 oz. special spice-rubbed steak with sweet mashed potatoes ($34.00); grilled rosemary zucchini ($7.95); fresh broccoli ($7.95); mashed potatoes ($5.95).

High point: I’m not a steak guy, but when in steakhouse… I just couldn’t fathom getting seafood (although I came close to ordering the ahi tuna; I thought better of it). It was quite good. I got the 7 oz. special, and was pleased — although it hurts to spend that much on a single entree, it was a worthwhile splurge. Also, after I tipped them to my dad’s birthday, the restaurant comped him a cheesecake slice ($7.00, plus $2.90 for “birthday ribbon”).

Low point: The restaurant sat us in what may have been the worst — or one of the worst — tables in the relatively small dining room. We wound up not too far from a door… and could feel a chill throughout the meal.

Overall impression: Oklahoma City is a vast restaurant wasteland. I’ve never been to a city with so few real dining options. And while the idea of “Mickey Mantle’s” sounds rather cheesy on the surface, it’s a legit steakhouse (operated by Dallas-based Kirby’s Steakhouse).

No lie — Mickey Mantle Drive intersects with Flaming Lips Alley in Oklahoma City’s Bricktown. (The Flaming Lips hail from Oklahoma, fyi.)

For a complete list of our more than 190 restaurant reviews, check out our companion Rate-A-Restaurant site.

Get Your Soda Fix On Route 66

<img src=”http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2153/2170631296_70b7edfc0f.jpg?v=0
” width=”400″ height=”300″>

During our recent trip to Oklahoma, the Franklin Avenue crew checked out a brand new Route 66 landmark: POPS, an unusual restaurant/convenience store/soda farm/gas station hybrid.

Located in Arcadia, near Oklahoma City, the new attraction is the talk of Route 66 fans (who aren’t used to new roadside spots on the storied road), and appears to be consistently packed.

Outside, The futuristic building features a massive 66 ft. soda bottle, which lights up at night in neon colors.

Inside, hundreds of soda bottles line the walls, while refrigerated cases boast tons of exotic sodas from the U.S. and abroad. (It’s a collection that rivals our own Galco’s Soda Pop Stop, but in a much more modern setting.)

We didn’t bother trying to eat there; the wait for a table was long. We also didn’t pump any gas. But we did buy a ton of soda. (Which, sadly, we left at my parents’ house.) I was intrigued by a natural banana soda, and a honey root beer, among others.

Above, the soda fountain even featured Dublin Dr. Pepper– the version of Dr. Pepper that is still made with sugar cane.

POPS is northeast of Oklahoma City, just east of Edmond.
660 W. Highway 66, Arcadia, OK 73007

Get Your Soda Fix On Route 66

<img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2153/2170631296_70b7edfc0f.jpg?v=0
” width=”400″ height=”300″>

During our recent trip to Oklahoma, the Franklin Avenue crew checked out a brand new Route 66 landmark: POPS, an unusual restaurant/convenience store/soda farm/gas station hybrid.

Located in Arcadia, near Oklahoma City, the new attraction is the talk of Route 66 fans (who aren’t used to new roadside spots on the storied road), and appears to be consistently packed.

Outside, The futuristic building features a massive 66 ft. soda bottle, which lights up at night in neon colors.

Inside, hundreds of soda bottles line the walls, while refrigerated cases boast tons of exotic sodas from the U.S. and abroad. (It’s a collection that rivals our own Galco’s Soda Pop Stop, but in a much more modern setting.)

We didn’t bother trying to eat there; the wait for a table was long. We also didn’t pump any gas. But we did buy a ton of soda. (Which, sadly, we left at my parents’ house.) I was intrigued by a natural banana soda, and a honey root beer, among others.

Above, the soda fountain even featured Dublin Dr. Pepper– the version of Dr. Pepper that is still made with sugar cane.

POPS is northeast of Oklahoma City, just east of Edmond.
660 W. Highway 66, Arcadia, OK 73007