The Tulsa Forum by TulsaNow

Went there tonight for a pulled pork (B&B laugh) and sausage sandwich and french fries. Just over $9.00 for both, but amounts to 2 meals. I really like the atmosphere and the young man at the "to go" counter was very chatty and welcoming.  I liked it enough that I will go back.

 Incidentally, stopped by the "Chop House" BBQ at 41st & Memorial. Walked out after waiting at register to order and no one helped me. Besides, didn't like sides of potato salad just sitting out in a hotel pan.

They do have friendly people.

No beans??  That is one of the high points of the place!

Where the hell were you 4-5 hours ago? You really let me down. Guess I'll have to go back sooner than expected.

Still working.  (Some of us have to put in long hours....)

MC and I got the Electra Glide out of the barn yesterday to go see some spring colors and wound up out by Oklahoma Joe’s so I figured we should stop in.

I had the rib and extra meat plate- I chose sliced brisket and got the spicy slaw on the side.

MC got the Carolina pulled pork sandwich- pulled pork & spicy slaw on a bun.

I don’t usually get sliced brisket because it dries out too easily.  No issue there, it was well smoked, sliced thin and seemed to have very little fat.  Ribs were tender, had a great smoke ring, and great flavor.  I didn’t really detect a heavy presence of rub.  I wash’t aware they serve their ‘que with sauce on it unless you ask otherwise.  I prefer mine dry so I can add sauce as necessary.

Speaking of sauce: the hot sauce is what I consider a mild to medium.  Great flavor, but if you like a great tongue burn, this isn’t it.  Personally, I don’t like obnoxious heat in a sauce so the subtlety was appreciated.  Same with the spicy slaw.

MC loved her sandwich.  She said it’s some of the best BBQ pork she’s ever had.

One other thing I did appreciate that others may not, is they don’t pile on the food, it’s reasonably portioned.  I didn’t feel bloated when I left and, not sure how to describe it other than the food had a very “clean” smoked flavor.

Her sandwich was $6.19 and my plate was $12.49 as I recall.

They did have a Sunday special I was wishing I had tried, a smoked prime rib.  1/2 pound cut is $14.95, full pound, $17.95.  Served with a loaded potato. 

I’ve had a lot of BBQ over the years, I’d rank Oklahoma Joe’s in the top 10-15 of every place I’ve tried.  Locally, it’s in the top five for me.  We will make the drive out there again, well worth it.

Should have tried the beans.

I posted this in the Burn Co thread after your mention of Ok Joes, not realizing this thread was active, but I am hearing Joe will open his next location at Tulsa Hills.

Ate there again this weekend.  Brisket sandwich was delicious.  

Nothing beats a Brisket sandwich with a nice Foster's (oil can) and then a stroll through Bass Pro!

Joe has done a good job.

I trust your opinion on things that are grilled and or smoked but I've not had your luck there.

I've heard from some that they have their days.  I've caught them on a few good ones. 

Also worth noting, I typically eat lunch at around 11am, and that's the best time to eat at any BBQ joint.  The later you wait, the longer the product sits on a steam table or in a warmer.

Our wonderful heath dept requires you to keep meats at 160 degrees (instead of 140) so BBQ really suffers.  30mins to late and you've got a dry brisket!  I do know a secret on how to overcome that, but I will probably take it to the grave with me.

Thanks for that.  I'll keep it in mind.

I still want to try the smoked prime rib special at some point.

Better living through chemistry?  Oh, wait.  That was DuPont.

Actually, physics!  ;)

Take a weekend drive to Oologah and try Black Jaxx.  Ribs and pork is all he is doing so far, do to limited facilities - smoker and a tent.  Beans are an intermittent side.  

Un Be Lieve Able good!



(Directions - again - on request.)

I live near Collinsville and might give that a shot this weekend.

Two things, 1, do you recall of they have grilled cheese, burgers, or dogs on their (kids) menu and 2...
How to get there!!! :o)

He's got none of that right now - really doesn't have a 'menu' yet.  Basically, you can buy meat by the pound, or in sandwich form with chips.  Sadly, somewhat sparse, but what he has is exceptional.  And sauce.  He started out with ribs and pork, but last time we were there (1 1/2 weeks ago) he had hot links but no pork.  (He has corrected the issue he had with pork that one week - equipment failure.)  It is VERY bare bones place - literally a smoker and small work table under a tent.  Our scenario is to go there, buy the meat, then take it home or to a picnic place.  (Bring your own picnic fixin's - we always carry a cooler with.)  Open about 11:00 am.

One scenario we did recently - and this is the directions to his place - drove up 169 to Oologah and turn right at the stop light onto highway 88 eastbound.  Go along the road a while - in a couple miles, you will see a little building on the left (north side) that has a Black Jaxx sign.  This is NOT it - that is the place that burned a few years ago.

Little further along, you will cross the dam, and go past Redbud Bay Marina.  Another mile or two, there is a small community of lake area dwellers - no name.  You are getting close.  As you come to the end of the little town, BEFORE you get to the overflow spillway, the tent will be down in a little hollow area, with a very small, hard to see sign near the road.  Turn left down that driveway.  The kids name is Kenny.  Very nice guy who seems determined to be a he$$ or of (edit) a barbeque guy and cooks meat like it should be.  Tell him the green pickup truck people sent  you... you won't get a discount, 'cause he doesn't really know us, but he will know the truck and it might get a smile out of him.

Buy some stuff.

Here is the rest of the scenic trip... go back to Oologah and head north on 169 again.  Just before you get to the school, take a left on road E0390.  Take a nice leisurely ride through the countryside to highway 75 north.  Turn right.  At the center of Ramona, turn left on Wyandotte Road (E3350).  Ride for a while until you come to highway 11, then turn right to go through Wolco. (Oklahoma Gazetteer from WalMart really helps a lot for this!)  Continue through Barnsdall, to Tallant and Pershing, turning right on highway 99 to Pawhuska.  Go to the center of town, turn right at the triangle shaped building, then continue through the welcome sign on Main street and go another 15 miles to the Tall Grass Prairie headquarters.  Just at the entrance to the visitors center is a very nice little picnic area, with several tables and lots of big trees with shade!!  Enjoy lunch!!

Watch out for buffalo!  

Second scenario that is equally good...
The next time you do this, turn right on highway 123 just before Barnsdall and continue to the Woolaroc entrance.  Have your picnic there.  And go through the museum!  My favorite is the shrunken heads - real!! - from South America!  Plus everything else they have.  Check out the mountain man camp - they will let you throw a tomahawk or shoot a muzzle loading rifle!  Lots of stuff for everyone to see!!

I stay away from main roads as much as possible so can see rural Oklahoma as much as possible.  Sure, it takes a little more time, but the pace is much more enjoyable.

Does he have running water for sanitation purposes when he’s prepping and cooking?  I try to avoid stomach cramps and diarrhea at all cost.

Yes.  A few feet (75??) away at the house.  And gloves.  And lots of those sanitizers that people are so fond of.  I don't like to use them, but they are apparently pretty effective. Kind of like what you see at the barbeque contests - in fact, cleaner that some of the booths I have seen at some of those....or maybe a fair?

Furr's and Waffle House are the ones that worry me...since I have been sick at them before.

I too, try to avoid that stuff.  Have never had even a hint of a problem in the half dozen times we have been there so far.  No guarantees in life, but I ain't gonna stop going there.

Nice place.

Great smoked briskett.
Meh on the beans but I'm picky on my baked/bbq beans.
Will be back.

Joe's beans??  You didn't like??  Hmmm...I really like them except for the green bell pepper.  If they left that out, it would be really good!

Yep, the green pepper.
Would be stellar without it.

That's for sure - the pepper really puts me off the beans...they could be sooo good without it.  (I eat them anyway, but would like them better...)

I've noticed an Oklahoma Joe's delivery truck parked at 61st and Sheridan (Park Plaza shopping center?) for a couple weeks now. There seems to be a vacant space directly west of Chopsticks. Coincidence??

Not familiar with where Chopsticks is.  Would this be the old Pepper’s space?

Not sure about Pepper's since I've only been in Tulsa eight years. It's in the same general area as El Guacho Brazilian steak house.  The Oklahoma Joe's truck is strategically parked in the parking lot right along 61st street. Would be a nice to have them as a BBQ option in that part of town.

What do you mean? There's a Rib Crib just a bit north of there?  :)

61st where the old Goldie's used to be.  I believe it will be a new Joe's.

When did Goldie’s close?

Goldies:  Tulsa's worst best hamburger

I tried to explain it to many people as I could as Tulsa's local version of Fuddrucker's.  I was never really very impressed with it, but you were able to put greenery on your burger yourself at the condiment bar.  Hence the comparison to Fuddrucker's.  However the last time I ate at Fuddrucker's I got food poisoning.  LOL.

Good description.

I always did like the pickle bar at Goldies....



Bill's and Lot-A-Burger - if ya can't cook 'em at home, those are pretty much it.

And Hank's, Ron's and Freddie's.  All three make damn good burgers.

Hanks, yeah.  Ron's get honorable mention for trying hard, but they got a long way to go on their chili - sawdust Ike's Chili Bowl.  Freddies??  The frozen custard place????

No, there are two Freddie's in town.

South Lewis and the newer one on E 11th just east of Eastwood Baptist Church on the south side of the street.

And the frozen custard place is "Freddy's".  Not "Freddie's".

And Ron's..it depends on the location.  I'll only go to the one on 21st and Garnett.  The one by my work at 15th and Sheridan has some differences on what they do that is different enough to make me not go there.

Used to live across the street from Hank's in a tiny house south of the ice place, and west on Admiral.  Would walk over there quite a bit - early 70's.  Good sh$$, Maynard!!

Ah, I have two friends that live on that little street behind the old Amway building.  I live on the street down where the Vegas Club used to be.  I remember when that used to be a pizza place when I was growing up.

Which one was Amway?

Amazing how old I am...those two buildings on south side of Admiral were empty field when I lived there....just west of 89th east avenue.  Been through the building's "life" cycle - newly made, full of someone's new hopes and dreams...up to now - mature operations that have been there a while.  And the first one looks boarded up...

Admiral Blvd - 8805 I think was the address - the last house on the left.  They have trees now!!

It's likely 8804 as all those houses are on the south side of the street and EW streets use even addresses on the south side of those streets.


The old Amway building (no longer in that location) is the building on the south side of Admiral place that is just west of 89th East Ave.  Across the street to the west from the ice plant.  And if I remember correctly most of those houses down that street are converted mobile homes.

Empty building then...


No, they weren't mobiles!  They were a bunch of little "spec" houses stick built by a guy who was into building small places around town in the 50's and 60's.  They were very inexpensively built, but seem to have held up.  They 'felt' fairly well made at the time - just small.  Cheap aluminum windows.  Single car garage.  On a cinder block footing.  This is the small, tiny house model I am using as starting point for design of next (last) place.  Later rented another one the same guy built in Glenpool for a while.

Rented for $100 a month, and bills were reasonable (I probably still have old utility bills from there... talk about hoarding!)  All the houses were built by same guy, and he would rent or sell them - offered to us for $9,000.  Thought it was high, since bought a brick house right after that near 11th and Pittsburg that only cost $13,000....about the same size.  But the payment was much higher - $114 a month!!

I'm sorry, but Rib Crib is not BBQ. When I was still in Tulsa 20 years ago it was to BBQ what Monterey's was to Mexican food.

Monterey's in the 60's was not what it was 20 years ago...or today, either.... it used to be mostly edible...

Hmm..I can remember when my parents bought the house I now live in/own.  It was 1973 and they were renting the front duplex of a house from my dad's stepfather at 14th and Elgin.  Then we were told we were going to have to move (east leg of the IDL would run through our back yard) so the search was on, as my mom told the story.  They almost bought a house out way east (at that time it was 188th East Ave and Admiral I believe), but my dad's auto mech teacher from Rogers High knew of a house for sale right next door to him.  So that's where we wound up.  The house was $14,500 and I remember the mortgage payment was about $120 I believe.  They paid the house off around 1990 and now the house is worth about $75k or so.

My dad's auto mechanic teacher still lives next door, is well into his eighties, and still tends the cattle ranch he owns out past Collinsville.  Every so often he brings me meat from there.  Steaks and some ground beef.  Very nice man and super nice in the last month once he learned my mother passed.  This might not be the greatest area of town in some people's view, but I love it here.  All my neighbors are very respectable and we all look out for each other.

What about Bill's, Claude's, Harden's, Linda-Mar, and Ted's?  Just off the top of my head...

I just never quite liked Harden's.  I've never tried the others.  Even Bill's.

Bill's is one of those where we started.

Harden's is another one that I feel was resting on its laurels.  Was very good about 197x.  I have been disappointed in the last 15 years or so when have gone there.  (Haven't been in several years - are they still open?)

Ted's - new one to me...where is that?  Am always on a quest for a good burger.

Oh, yeah... Claud's.... they should get honorable mention, too, but I never cared for onions cooked into the burger, so never went there after a time or two....

Y'all have way too delicate taste buds.

Apply fire to meat. Put meat in face hole. Repeat.

61st and Sheridan Goldies is very much open.

There's one place in town that mixes a can of pork n Beans with a can of ranch style beans and people line up an hour before they open to eat them.

Wash it down with a bud light!

That's blasphemy!

No kidding. Kinda why I used that emoticon?

I tend to agree with that. Sorry to you grilling and smoking purists. Keeping it simple has its benefits.

Yes!  Without onions mixed into the meat, of course...


Steak is even easier - hot fire.  15 seconds one side, 15 seconds the other side, off the fire before it's ruined!!  Cook that cow so that a good veterinary could have it back on it's feet in a week!  Otherwise, it's burned beyond use!

30 seconds? You Barbaric Cannibals! You know that causes worms?  ;D

Well, that could explain some things.... but not ALL things....!

According to the TW, Oklahoma Joe's has in fact filed a commercial permit for the South Park plaza at 61st and Sheridan.

Anyone heard when the 61st and Sheridan location will open? Seems like they've been working on it for ages, and the outside looks complete except for signage.

It opened today.  The burnt ends are the best.  The beans are pretty good, the coleslaw is a little spicy.  Very large dining room, comfortable I thought.  THere is now a place to hold a Tulsanow meetup that recycle michael can probably walk to. 

The best?  You've obviously never been to Arthur Bryant's.  Their burnt ends cant be beat.

Wait, didn’t you say something about lurid comments on another thread about Republicans?

Sure they can....

Not anywhere I've been.  Even Burnco's burnt ends don't beat them.

Yes, I have eaten the burnt ends at Authur Bryants.  And at LC's.  And everywhere else in KC.  The Woodyard smokes the best ones I have had up in that region.  I don't know what qualifiers you have to judge bbq but I will share mine with you.  For the last 12 years I have been a KCBS certified judge.  I have judged over 145 events. I agree that Adam does not do the best burnt ends, but his Ribs, That is another post.   Have you  been to Q39? 

Ok, so am I wrong when I say I don't like Bryant's much and really dislike their sauces? I don't recall the burnt ends.

I have had you confused with another poster for awhile now...I thought you were a vegan of sorts...My apologies....