Oklahoma’s food scene is pretty iconic on its own — the Sooner State is home to the fried onion burger, the official state meal celebrates the chicken fried steak, and our award-winning chefs today continue to innovate Southern cuisine.
But that’s not all that Oklahoma is known for in the food scene.
In a recently released list, Food Network named the most defining dish in each state. Many selections were some of the most popular offerings in the state, such as Alaska’s king crab or Georgia’s boiled peanuts, while others may not be as widely known, like Montana’s huckleberry ice cream.
In Oklahoma, that defining dish is the classic steak dinner. Food Network writes:
“The heavyweight champion of diners’ affections in Oklahoma is a good steak, and nobody has done it longer than Cattlemen’s. Born as Cattlemen’s Café in Oklahoma City’s infancy and won in a dice game after World War II, the institution evolved into Cattlemen’s Steakhouse in 1990. Owner Dick Stubbs broadened the menu to include prime beef to go along with choice cuts, creating dishes that draw droves from around the world. The restaurant serves its hearty steaks at breakfast, lunch and dinner. The steak earns Cattlemen’s a lot of attention, but the restaurant is almost as popular for its lamb fries and salad dressing.”
Not to be outdone, Food Network has also detailed over 20 of the Sooner State’s most iconic dishes that join steak at the top of Oklahoma’s list of best bites.
Here are some notable places where you can find that defining steak dinner, as well as five dishes that have earned their place as Oklahoma icons.
Where to find Oklahoma’s defining dish
Cattlemen’s Steakhouse
The most iconic food in Oklahoma, according to Food Network, isn’t chicken-fried steak; instead, it’s just steak.
Oklahoma City’s oldest restaurant, Cattlemen’s Cafe, is Food Network’s favorite Oklahoma iteration of the dish, which is served from breakfast through dinner.
Related: Cattlemen’s is now under new ownership, but will remain legendary.
With an opening in 1910, Cattlemen’s is the city’s oldest continuously running restaurant. But nothing about the restaurant is outdated. The restaurant was named one of the most legendary steakhouses in the country.
Jamil’s Steakhouse
Steak is in the name, but Jamil’s specializes in a twist to the signature dish. Owner Greg Gawey has reenvisioned Lebanese food with an Oklahoma twist.
Each of Jamil’s premium steaks incorporate flavors that Oklahomans know but also utilizes flavor profiles from Gawey’s Lebanese background.
While waiting for a steak, Food Network recommends a bite of the hors d’oeuvres the restaurant is known for, nodding to the hummus, tabouli and smoked bologna as a nice blend of the two cultures.
Related: How Jamil’s keeps the charm after 60 years in operation.
Food Network’s calls these dishes close second
In addition to the steak, Food Network continued to list several other dishes that Oklahoma excels at, like barbecue, the Theta Burger and a pig sandwich.
Here are some other top meals throughout the metro according to Food Network.
Nic’s Grill cheeseburger
In the food world, being featured on Food Network is an iconic feat to behold. Having “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” host Guy Fieri try your burger takes it to another level.
Lunch crowd lined up outside Nic’s Grill, 1201 N Pennsylvania, in Oklahoma City Friday, August 21, 2009. Photo by Paul B. Southerland, The Oklahoman
Most recently, the business went on to win The Oklahoman’s Burger Bracket, as voters voted the restaurant the best burger in Oklahoma City.
Nic’s beat out 15 other competitors across four rounds of voting to win.
Pho
Although Oklahoma didn’t originate the Vietnamese dish Pho, it has become highly prevalent throughout the city.
Food Network describes the soup dish as iconic to the area, largely in part to Pho Lien Hoa in Oklahoma City’s Asian District. The business, which has been open since 1993, continues to draw in long lines throughout the week.
But Pho Lien Hoa isn’t the only place locals can grab a fresh bowl of pho. Several locations throughout the metro offer the dish or other noodle-based meals, including Pho Cuong on N. Classen, Goro Ramen in Paseo, and many more.
Related: Where to grab the best noodles in OKC.
Indian Taco
A staple dish at festivals and fairs throughout the state, the Indian Taco has origins with the forced migration of the Arizona Navajo tribe.
Food Network shares a recipe for a makeshift taco shell, perfect for toppings like pinto beans, ground beef, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, cheddar, and salsa.
Locally, you don’t have to wait for the next fair to enjoy the meal. In Shawnee, FireLake Fry Bread Taco, a member of the Potawatomi Nation, sells the dish year-round.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Food Network names these as the most iconic Oklahoma dishes
