The Tulsa Forum by TulsaNow

After having been to Sproutz on Harvard in the strip center where Steve's Sundries is, I can suggest that you go check out what Madeline Eller and her dad are putting out.    If you like homemade pastrami and corned beef that is tender and juicy and  the best Lobster Rolls in Tulsa, probably the only lobster rolls in Tulsa, then you need to get on down there.   They are also doing a brunch on Sundays that is more food than one person can eat.   The homemade breakfast sausage is real good.   

The menu is mostly salads, sandwiches and wraps.   And the quality is worth it.    The kitchen area is along one wall and the other side of the room is tables with comfortable chairs,  not those too cutsey modern things that only have room for skinny butts.   

I am now thinking I will have a pastrami for lunch.   yum. 

I had no idea this was an Eller venture.  For those that's not registering with- Monte's Chop House.  Well worth checking out.

Been twice since it is so close to my house and they have a drive thru window - though I would probably call ahead as it isn't a greasy fast food chain with ready made fries and burgers.  Muffin was great, wrap was good and I am excited to try stuff in their market case.  They are also selling USDA prime steaks, I hope their market case grows with good business as I saw lots of room to expand the selection.  Excited to see them prosper!

Their website: http://www.sproutztulsa.com/

I'm there!

Went for a late lunch, and for once left my phone in the car so no pics.  Knowing the owner's penchant for great beef and pork, I tried the short rib sandwich w/ AuJus, at least 1/2 pound of beef.  $8.50 with a bag of Lays and a pickle spear.

The place is very well done.  Just a guess, but I think it's a template for either chain or franchise based on the design, logo, easy repeatability for the menu and a few other things.  My only criticism would be the room is a bit narrow and seating is limited so I'd go early or late for lunch, though they are well staffed.  I went about 1:45.

I am definitely going to have to try this out..

Tried it out on Saturday and was very pleased.  I had the short rib sandwich and it  was fantastic.  My wife had the pastrami.  It was sliced thick (unusual for Tulsa) and very tasty.  Not sure if they make their own.  I prefer a more peppery crust, but it had very good flavor. 

The cookies all looked delicious, but I failed to save room (perhaps draining the last of the aus jus like it was a shot did me in). 

This is definitely a new place on my list of spots to frequent.

+1 on that Rib tip sandwich, WOW!  That was amazing.  I live in the neighborhood and and been through for coffee a couple of times.  Stopped in to eat Saturday on my way back from Mayfest.  My first thought was that it was a bit pricey for sandwiches, but once I got that pile of rib meat and dipped it, I knew immediately it was gonna be a new regular.

Any reports on the lobster roll?

I tried a wrap on Friday and really enjoyed it.  And I brought some cookies back for the office.  I am excited to try one of the specialty sandwiches on my next visit.

It is a Frnachise.....

I have devoured a couple of them now and will probably go for another one for lunch today.   

Don't think so.   Nothing turns up on a google search about a chain.   

Dude needs to quit letting his dog roam around the neighborhood. I nearly hit it when it ran out in the road some days back.

Just tried Sproutz today, and I agree with all the positive remarks. I had the hummus and feta wrap - it was delicious. I will definitely be a repeat customer, especially since it's so close to my work.

Here is a  review by Brian over at Tulsa Food Blog.   http://www.tulsafoodblog.com/brunch/sproutz-restaurant-tulsa (http://www.tulsafoodblog.com/brunch/sproutz-restaurant-tulsa)

I haven't had the pleasure of a pleasure dog but it just became very very high on my list of next's.   

It's awesome.  I tried a couple of different things with my group -- the motza ball soup was very good, the rib sandwich is great, and the Italian sandwich was also tasty.  I even liked the Neiman Marcus iced tea and I usually hate flavored teas.  This place is going to be around awhile.

Never ever say this, its almost a guarantee that it will close.

On a more positive note I look forward to trying it tomorrow when Shanna gets back in town.

I noticed Sproutz has been closed for a week or so.  Anyone know what is  going on?

I will be curious to hear what is up.  The few times I have been the place has been packed. 

It is not unusual for locally owned restaurants to close during the fair.   Their business usually falls off drastically so it is a good time for them to go to Disney World.     ;D

I have it from a good source that F&M Bank has taken it over and will reopen it with their corporate chef...they will try to get it back in the black so that it can be sold and they can maybe sell it to a new proprietor. Not sure when it will reopen.

Never made it there but wish I had.

Good sandwich joints just don't survive here, do they? And the ones that do are only open for lunch/closed on Sundays.

I bet there food cost were out of sight......Looked to be over-staffed.....Not to mention they had trouble answering the phone....

Facebookz says they'll be open on Tuesday.

And indeed they were open.

Any one tried Sproutz since it reopened?

Yup...Its good....

That seems like an unusual step for a bank to take to step in and re-open a restaurant.  Usually they simply liquidate everything.  I'm sorry to hear this apparently didn't work out for the Ellers.  Don had some success in the restaurant business previously.

No bank...Another partner stepped in a took a majority ownership......He's working his tail off to make this place work....

Is Madaline still there?

I dont think so...

It seems like more is going on here than the typical struggling/failed restaurant.  First, they had not been open that long.  That was pretty quick to burn through their capital.  Second, the food and service were very good.  Places selling much more mediocre food stay in business for years.  Third, they appeared to be very busy the times I was there.  I know, the old adage of "we're losing money on every sandwhich, so let's sell more of them" could've been at play, but given the prior restaurant experience of the owners that seems unlikely.

Whatever happened, I hope it makes it because I do love that short rib sandwhich.

The former owners other rest. went under too...

I had lunch there last week.  The corn chowder with crab biscuits was excellent.  It was packed.  We had to wait for a table.

So did his car dealership

No majority partner...in ownership that I do KNOW:) and pretty sure its still the Ellers whom have always worked their tail off....still strong, still yummy!

Could not  be more wrong....Its about to sink again......

Are you the owner? if not why would you post this....I think most people are advocates for small businesses succeeding in Tulsa! that is one of the greatest things about our community, I think anyway.

Small businesses shouldn't succeed JUST because they're small businesses.  They should succeed because local residents WANT to be patrons.  If you are putting out a sub-par product, it doesn't matter if you're Wal-Mart or the local General Store, you'll fail if that's all you put out.

Absolutley! however, they have had tremendous success and maybe not on your front but the patrons that I have seen in there are totally crazed about the food, enviornment and love having their presence in Tulsa. Ive not heard any remarks of a sub-par product....hmmmm, you sound a little offended~ didnt mean to offend just stating that Tulsa has always been home to supportive folks in all areas of local business...I think that is great as alot of communities are not.

I agree, the food is great and the place seems to have a following.  But something is wrong with the business model if they can't stay afloat.  One problem I see with the initial concept was such a crowded space.  I'm wondering if they thought they would have more catering business up front which would explain the mini-van/truck thingy they have.

I don't think anyone is arguing the product or dedication to the product.  Somehow their business model seems shakey.

And when I say 'sub par product', I'm talking about what C is alluding to.  Product doesn't always mean exclusively the consumable end of the product.  It includes those tangibles that make the end product appealing.  That INCLUDES bad or good word of mouth.  That can be a positive or detriment to a business to the extreme.

Good word of mouth = Eliot Nelson's businesses, Eric Marshall.
Bad word of mouth = pretty much anything opened by Steve Kitchell in the last 10 years.  Why do you think he has his fingers in so many pots right now.  He doesn't have the ability to find a good business model.  He had it with the Ocean Club in the 90s, but that was it.

Come on now, I always heard Steve had a very profitable business model, it just didn't have much to do with bars. At least that's what my cop friends used to tell me.

I knew Joe a bit and he never hurt for cash and never did anything.

Does Steve own the new Midnight Rodeo in Jenks?

I posted that because you have no idea what your talking about......

Imagine that....Its under new management.....

Had a great sandwich at Sproutz a couple of weeks ago, but the last couple of times I've gone back. they were closed, and there's no sign as to when their hours are.

Really? I will have to drive by this morning and check it out!

THey were open last Thursday at 1pm when I was there to pick up some sandwiches.

According to the website:

Sproutz

Monday - Saturday

7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

closed on Sunday

I was able to catch Sproutz open around 6:30pm today.  

Really, someone edited my posting?
I know you dont need my permission, but you could at least drop me a note as to why...

Patric, sorry had not gotten to the explanation.  The parts of your post which were off-topic were removed.  We are trying to improve the readability of the site by trying to keep topics, well, on topic. 

Please feel free to post your original comments under a relevant topic title, or create a new topic.  I'm in the process of cleaning up the rest of the posts which do not pertain directly to Sproutz on Harvard.

Thank you.

I just tried to go to Sprouts last week at about 4:30 .  We walked in stood around for a few minutes going over the chalkboard menu only to be told that they had already shut down for the day.  I really like this place, but if its going to be open unreliably, we'll just stop trying...

I understand, thanks for the response.  My posting was made before you had removed the other non-topical post I was replying to, so it wasnt apparent at the time.

That is not cool.

Apparently the restaurant closed at the end of the month.
They appear to be remodeling, and a sign in the window mentions new owners.
All the sandwiches I had there had generous portions, but I missed the hot items they took off the menu sometime back (Kinky Freidman?)

The funeral home across the street probably didnt help the location when they added a crematorium (long before they asked the city for approval)

Why would a retort which operates intermittently affect their business?  Steve's, Dominos, the Chinese Restaurant, and even the produce tent continue operating quite successfully.

Hose getting cremated likely weren't buying sandwiches, so I don't see it as direct competition.

I saw that M Chipman former owner of Sprouts is now the executive chef at McGills on 21st. That makes him the second former Green Onion chef to head McGills.

There website is actually this:  www.sproutzdeli.com/‎

Just down the street from me.  Will surely try them.  I'm new here.

Won't be trying Sproutz.  It's closed.  New concept coming soon.

It's here:  Trenchers Delicatessen

http://trencherstulsa.com/

http://www.tulsaworld.com/scene/restaurantguide/scott-cherry-trenchers-delicatessen-opens-from-melinda-zach-curren/article_e5dd8226-ffcc-584e-bde6-595e4f25d6ca.html