Freddie's, Eddie's, Jamil's, Silver Flame?

[mrburns918]

I have eaten at all the steak houses listed in the subject line. I have heard that the owners are related or not, etc. etc.

Since I was born and raised in this town, I thought it would be important that I at least know the correct history. So...

Does anyone know if there is a family connection between the establishments and what that connection is? I am curious.

It's 9:14 AM. I could go for a cabbage roll and some Marshall's beer right now.

Mr. Burns

[Townsend]

I have no idea but negative comment from a certain Southy in 3 2 1...

[Conan71]

I do believe all of them are owned by Lebanese families.  Now whether or not they are all related is beyond me.

The Elias Family is Eddie's and Jamil's, I believe.  I'm not sure about ownership of Silver Flame or Freddie's.  I think the owners of Freddie's are the Slyman? family.  

I used to work with a Bayouth.  He said all the Lebanese in this area were "cousins" of one sort or another.

[Gold]

I think there were/ are two waves of Lebanese immigrants into the area.  There is an older group that predates the steakhouses and a more recent group (like last 25-30 years); it's more complicated than that, but that's my generalized observation.

Someone could write a fascinating article about this history and the impact on local cuisine.  It's on my to do list . . . I keep meaning to start a blog and that's definitely something I'd like to write about.

As a couple of you know, I'm a diehard TU fan and spend a lot of time on fan message boards,  I always get into giving out restaurant advice and when people make it back home from Tulsa, they always rave about the Lebanese steakhouses (they tend to like Jamil's the most).

[Gaspar]

I believe it's the Father and two sons.  Not sure.  There was apparently a third related person that owned the steak house on Yale and 51st but had some problems and left town.

Man! This makes me hungry.  They are all excellent places to eat.

[Conan71]

quote:Originally posted by Gaspar

I believe it's the Father and two sons.  Not sure.  There was apparently a third related person that owned the steak house on Yale and 51st but had some problems and left town.

Man! This makes me hungry.  They are all excellent places to eat.

Joseph's is the one at 51st & Yale you are talking about I believe.

[Hometown]

I waited tables at Eddy's in 1974 while I was saving money to move to San Francisco.  Eddy was alive and would come in and count money and do other administrative things at a desk next to the Dining Room/Kitchen Door.  His son was the cook.  His daughter was this beautiful tall dark haired lady that worked as hostess.  Eddy's was frequented by Tulsa's movers and shakers and they did enjoy their liquor as I recall.

One night I had a tray full of dishes loaded down with big fat steaks that I dumped on the floor.  No one yelled at me.

Loved the tabuli and other fixins.

I still have the letter of recommendation that Eddy signed for me.

We were in there not long ago and it looked like their might have been different owners but goodness those steaks were big and tasty.

The dining room appeared to be almost exactly as it was in 1974.

[ARGUS]

Eddie's 1974...you had to see me in there on several occasions as my father would take large groups for dinner and drinks. I used to put several chairs together and cover up with napkins while the adults chatted and BS'd the nights away.
Joseph's was the Jabour family.
The book idea is a sound one go for it.

[jmikeh]

This old Tulsa World article may shed some light.  Maybe not.

Look under Lebanese.

http://www.tulsaworld.com/lifestyle/article.aspx?articleID=070810_4_ES16_hIfyo20465

[guido911]

I thought the owners of Silver Flame were Syrian.

By the way, all great steak joints. Nothing better than Western Sizzlin, though. []

[Aa5drvr]

Freddies is Ed "Tex" Slyman.  He was phys ed teacher at Byrd Jr High, sold tabouli salad in grocery stores and retired from education in about 1971.

Another great place now gone was the Phonecia at 51st and Harvard.  
I remember going in there with the adults to enjoy dinner and copious adult beverages before LBD.
Celebrity Club comes to mind.  I recall going there and it had kinda a gangster hangout feel to it.  (Especially when you are 12 or 13).

Did I hear that TNT's at 21st and Memorial is a great Lebanese place?

[inteller]

quote:Originally posted by guido911

Nothing better than Western Sizzlin, though. []

uh...what?[xx(][B)]

[guido911]

quote:Originally posted by inteller

quote:Originally posted by guido911

Nothing better than Western Sizzlin, though. []

uh...what?[xx(][B)]

I wass kidding.

[Conan71]

quote:Originally posted by Aa5drvr


Did I hear that TNT's at 21st and Memorial is a great Lebanese place?

Um, yeah something like that.  Ladies night every night. [}:)]

[Aa5drvr]

I know everything tastes funny there.