Wow, we spent 2 pages going over the weather and you bring up local restaurants. You're a glutton for pain!
FOODThe local fair would probably be BBQ. Wilson's is my particular favorite with a location near midtown (11th and Harvard) and one on the north side. Some people really like Albert G's at Harvard and 28th. Also Oklahoma Style BBQ is pretty good. They are family owned "authentic" restaurants. Nothing fancy (Albert G's is the most expensive of them, Wilson's probably my favorite).
Tulsa also offers a good number of Lebanese steak houses for some reason. Like any "ethnic" steak house, it's just a steak house with a slight twist. "Eddie's" on 31st is an interesting experience. We also have a world class Vietnamese (crap, or is it Thai?) chef and many good Thai/Vietnamese restaurants. Why you will surely not be thrilled with the sea food in Tulsa coming from NO, we offer several good sea food places - Bodeans and White River Fish Market foremost in my mind. And for some reason Midtown and Downtown Tulsa have to be up there on the list of per-capita sushi bars. We even have a no-thrills sushi restaurant that is reasonable enough for families (The Sushi Train!).
Of course we offer a decent selection of fine dining. It will not compete with the 5 star old world style of many of the place in New Orleans - but the prices will not either. Wild Fork is a modern dining experience, Polo Club nearby is more reserved, the Chalkboard downtown is a beef-wellington 4-star type place, Mahoganies is a top notch (and top priced) steakhouse in town.
Lets not forget the pizza places. Oh the debates. The normal contenders for best pie in town are: The Pie Hole (just as the name describes, ate there last night), Hideaway Pizza (loved by visitors for some reason), and Lumburtos (Nigerian moves from NYC and opens a pizza shop in Oklahoma). Let's not forget Joe Mamma's - which isn't open in Tulsa yet (there is one in a suburb) but will be downtown soon.
Then you got Mexican food. El Toro and Rio Verde are my favorite mexican places in town. El Guapo downtown is a good change up and they have rooftop dining. There is no shortage of family owned Mexican places.
Coffee shops... my three favorite coffee shops in town are Double Shot near 21st and Boston, The Collective at 11th and Harvard-ish, and (brain fart) the one in the Mayo building downtown near Cheyenne and 5th. Doubleshot is the most "coffee shop" of the three with bags of beans sitting around waiting to be roasted. The Collective is a bar/bistro/cafe chill type place across from the University of Tulsa.
Chill bars you say. The four main bar districts are Brookside, Cherry Street, the Blue Dome and the Brady (the 2 former in midtown, the latter downtown). 5-8 bars in each area and at least one chill bar in each. The Blue Moon Cafe (I recommend dueling piano night), the Brook, Kilkenny's, McNellies pub, Bostons, Grey Snail, The Collective, plenty of chill bars from college bars, wine bars, etc. Keep in mind many bars may have a band and be a little wild one night, and be pretty calm the next.
I left out the chains, but I should mention some regional chains. Rib Crib is a modification of a steak house. A little more home style and quiet than Texas Roadhouse or the like. Mazzio's is a Pizza Hut like place. And Braum's is a burger joint that is just a step above national places for quality (burgers taste like beef). Braum's also has "neighborhood markets" that have fresh produce, diary, ice cream, and other food items you might need. Damn glad one is within walking distance of my house.
If you want the same ole' same ole' you'll find those here too. Pei Wei, PF Changs, Melting Pot, whatever the trending chain upscale places are. We even have McDonalds...
While on the subject of food/local things, I should mention that Quick Trip is the unofficial official store in Tulsa. It is a gas station chain started and Hq'd in Tulsa that now stretches over the Midwest. Fast, clean, decent prices, did I mention fast? Learn to love it.
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Stuff to doThere is plenty of culture in Tulsa to enjoy. The Philbrook museum of art (and the grounds!). The Gilcrease museum of the America's. Jewish museum of art. Brady arts district. Art all around!
There is a growing wine industry in Oklahoma. While you may not be here for the prime growing/harvest season, you can still travel to a few of them in one Saturday and sample/buy some good regional wines. I picked up a case in Stroud (40 minutes west of Tulsa) yesterday (mixed case: 2 red zin, 2 cab, 1 Merlot, 1 odd mixture that seemed tastey).
We have many musical acts coming to venues large (BOk center), medium (Brady theater), and small (Caines, and many bars). University of Tulsa and Oral Roberts University are worth walking around the campuses, lectures, and events. Both have D-IA basketball teams and both have a good shot of playing in the NCAA tournament this year. Expo Square often has something going on. Tulsa Performing Arts center is home to our world class Ballet, an Opera, and a Symphony - not too mention theater companies and traveling performances. You can always go to the zoo, the aquarium, etc. You'll be in town for Mayfest, the Blue Dome Arts festival... Always something to do if you pay attention.
Or take a day trip to OKC to see the memorial, Brick Town (San Antonio river walk / 10), OU campus, their arboretum, the State Capital Building. Or head north to the Tall Grass prairie. In the summer there are plenty of large lakes within an hour of Tulsa, find someone with a boat and tag along, go camping at the state parks, hiking, horse riding, or just go for a drive.
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I bought a house when I moved here, thus my apartment help is lacking. I can help with locations but not specific landlords etc. For $650 it might be hard in the areas you are talking about, but I can be proven wrong.
When in doubt, ask. Tulsa is a mix of Midwestern friendliness, Southern Hospitality, and Southwest Independence without the Texas superiority complex ([
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