The Tulsa Forum by TulsaNow

May 6 or 7 2017 last day.

1) That did last long. Didn't even get a chance to go.

2) When restaurants are closing downtown that seems like not a good sign. It's concerning. This place is right by the BOK Center with hordes or people passing by. A new hotel just opened next door to the restaurant and new one is planned to break ground soon across the street. How can they not make money? Is there something unusually wrong with their food or service?

Don't know, but it is a challenging spot. 

There's been a handful of new restaurants in the downtown area since Torero opened last year, most seem to be doing well. Spaghetti Warehouse had its own issues, Einstein Bagels (from what I read) relocated to fit the need of a drive-thru option. Casa Laredo seemed to be the only one that closed down for just lack of business.

The owners still have downtown businesses that seem to be flourishing (Open Container, Topeca, Saturn Room, Hodges Bend) with a mix of bar/restaurant/cafe. Maybe it was just out of their wheelhouse...?

I work downtown, and downtown for other events all the time. I didn't know this place existed.

I ate at Casa Laredo a half dozen times. Not surprised on that one.
1. Food was "okay"
2. service was "okay"
3. The space was awkward. It's a lobby and they never did a proper build out. The kitchen was like, behind a sheet, and tables were split in different sides of the space. Sometimes in what is supposed to be a doorway, other times along an overly narrow walkway so you bump elbows with diners just trying to reach your table.

Um, what?

I work downtown and I must have drove pass this place a thousand times and I never knew it existed. I've probably tried all the restaurants that are located around it. From the google reviews, this place looks like it was really nice, to bad I didn't get a chance to try it out. A nice business sign out in front would have helped or maybe I just never paid attention.

A sign has been there almost since it opened.

Easy explanation for Torero closing:

• the service was poor
  the food was mediocre
  the food was over-priced for what it was.

I hope All About Cha isn't in any trouble.   :(

They probably would have done ok if they had lasted long enough for both hotels to open.  I would definitely go to someplace like that if it was next to my hotel if I was out on business.  The BOK center has a lot of events but are they the same people that want to spend the $$$ on dinner? I think the economic impact of the BOK center and Driller's stadium is over assumed. Friday and Saturday concerts it do make a big impact.  But shows during the week I think don't do a whole lot for downtown. Better than it would be otherwise but nothing exciting. There are a lot of time constraints around shows during the week. Also in the area. Mixco also sold to the Justin Thompson Restaurant Group. Generally things don't change a whole lot when things are going great.

When did it open?

Never heard of it.
Any previous TulsaNow thread regarding it?

Cimarex Bldg / 202 S Cheyenne
http://torerobarandkitchen.com/

Mixed Company always seems to have done well, as JTR businesses. Conspiracy in my is thinking the sell was related to the same thing as what closed down Torero - lack of development for the businesses. Or maybe the former owner is looking at expanding or trying something new?

LMGTFY:

http://www.tulsaworld.com/blogs/scene/restaurants/table-talk-torero-bar-kitchen-targets-mid-july-opening-downtown/article_f031f8e1-8c3d-57e8-ae6a-5d4099435c6e.html

http://www.tulsaworld.com/blogs/scene/restaurants/table-talk-torero-bar-kitchen-set-to-open-downtown-july/article_f556886c-77d4-5d72-9f92-09548acfeea5.html

http://www.tulsaworld.com/weekend/foodreview/review-say-a-rousing-ole-for-the-new-torero-bar/article_b4004a09-40e6-516f-b162-ade7f80a09c2.html

Looks like sometime around end of July last year.

I have little doubt BOK and The Drillers help downtown business, but how much is not really easy to conclude since there has been so much other development downtown as well as new residential spaces.  Being that close to the BOK  may actually create an issue on show nights.  If anyone recalls the last U.S. Open and PGA Championship events at Southern Hills, restaurants all up and down Lewis from 51st to 71st were assuming they would really clean up with an event like that in town.  Not so.  Most people assumed traffic would be a complete sh!t show so they avoided the area completely for dining.

I'd like to see if other restaurants in the immediate area see a swing one way or the other on show nights.

One other issue may well have been a lack of publicity and advertising.  Other than when Torero opened, I heard nothing else until this post.  If you don't promote your business and simply rely on word of mouth or being in proximity to office space and a large event venue, you very well could fail.  Serve something that gets negative or mixed reviews along with sorry service and you deserve to fail if you don't change it up.

I had the exact opposite experience on the first two counts, and I disagree with the third.  I went several times under different circumstances and had good experiences.  I am sorry to see it go.

I can offer some insight into this. MixCo has been growing very steadily year over year since we opened in 2014. After my daughter was born last year, we opened the kitchen (which has been great for business) and the hotel has opened. It's no longer a one-man operation to run the business, and after 3 very good but busy years, I'd like to spend more time with my family. I want to make sure the business continues to grow and that my employees continue to be treated well. Having known Justin professionally for over 15 years, and knowing that he wanted to add a bar to his group, it made for a perfect fit for all sides. It's also a shame that Torero is closing, because it only benefits the whole area from a walkability standpoint to have more local businesses in the Arena District. Hopefully another concept adapts into their space soon.

I freaking love MixedCo.  Thanks for bringing life to that area of town.  Great vibes your way. 

I’ve enjoyed MixCo as well when I’ve visited.  Best wishes on your future and getting to spend more time with your daughter. Can you share any insight as to what tanked Torero?

That's all great info! Thanks jaredjordan

Love, love, love MixCo.

Torero was OK, at least for drinks and appetizers.  It was a little pricey.  It was a really big space for the amount of people they had coming in.  I think there was a lot of interest when it first opened (I remember going on a Tuesday night and it was 75% full after 9 pm, which is a win in this town).  I also think it was awkward for the location where it was.  Big crowds aren't going to flock to the South American restaurant before they go to see some top 40 or old fogie band play at BOK.  The rest of the time, it's in an area where there just isn't a lot of foot traffic.  The food itself was decent, but not going to bring in crowds by itself.  I had an out of town friend go there for an anniversary (against my plea not to) and he thought it sucked.

The one thing that is encouraging to me about it was there was a lot of interest when it first opened.  I think a comparable place that was really good and played to the tastes of people around here could work in that place.  Most Okies don't know anything about South Americans food.

That could be an issue if most Okies think enchiladas, queso, nachos, refried beans and Spanish rice are South American.

I believe tapas style is from Spain, not South America.

And for those hard of hearing or spelling challenged, perhaps they were disappointed when there weren’t any nekked wemmen.

All.  The.  Time.   When tappas hit Dallas years ago,  there was a great little tappas bar place that I would tell people about, and I'd get these blank stares.   Then would realize they heard "topless bar", and have to explain it and pronounce with an accented "a" like "tap", as in "tap water".  Not right, but at least the got the point.